Douluo: I achieve godhood through System

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Upon hearing the words, Wang Li expressed his gratitude:

"Thank you, Your Highness. The villagers often help me with my livelihood, and both Nuoding Academy and Liejia Academy have provided me with the best education. Being able to give back to them is the greatest joy for me."

Xue Qinghe's smile deepened as he replied:

"Thank the current emperor. Thank the Heaven Dou Empire. His Majesty and the empire will never let any citizen of the empire be treated unfairly."

Wang Li quickly adapted his response:

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Heaven Dou Empire."

At that moment, Ning Fengzhi spoke, offering praise:

"Unyielding yet grateful, with a heart full of gratitude. While your talent may not be top-tier, you've surpassed all your peers among soul masters. Wang Li, how I wish you were a disciple of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

He sighed and added:

"To have a son like Wang Li would be a blessing. My daughter, while quite talented, has been spoiled by me. She isn't even a Soul Elder yet. Sigh..."

Hearing these words, Wang Li's heart tightened. Ning Fengzhi's comments seemed laced with ulterior motives. He quickly responded:

"Master Ning, you shouldn't say that. I envy your daughter instead. She must be the treasured pearl of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the brightest moon in the sky."

"She hasn't endured a tragic past like mine. I envy her happy childhood. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as her foundation, her future is undoubtedly radiant. There's no need for momentary comparisons."

"When she grows older and looks back, her memories will be filled with warmth and happiness—not anger from scolding or the bitterness of harsh discipline."

Gu Rong immediately agreed with a nod:

"Sect Master, the boy makes a valid point. Rongrong's talent isn't lacking. Giving her a joyful childhood is what matters most. Soul power can improve gradually over time."

Ning Fengzhi sighed and shook his head in resignation. Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, apart from himself, the ones who pampered Ning Rongrong the most were Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong. While her childhood was indeed filled with happiness, comparing her to Wang Li at only eleven or twelve years old, still just a Grandmaster Soul Master, felt disheartening.

Turning to Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi asked:

"Your Eminence, the Jade Phosphor Douluo, do you have any techniques for cultivating younger generations? Perhaps we can exchange ideas, all for the sake of our children. I must thicken my skin to ask for advice."

Dugu Bo glanced at Wang Li and scoffed. "Techniques? There's nothing much to it. Every few days, I take this brat out and beat him senseless. That pressure is what makes his soul power soar. Sometimes, you have to be ruthless. Otherwise, he'll never amount to anything."

Everyone present froze at the bluntness of his words. The simplicity—and brutality—of his method left them in stunned disbelief.

Ning Fengzhi stared at Wang Li in astonishment.

"Wang Li, is this really how His Eminence trains you? You endured all of it and came out alive?"

Wang Li replied earnestly:

"Exactly. That's how it is. People need enough pressure to grow. My life is as humble as the Blue Silver Grass by the roadside. As long as I can become stronger, I'm willing to endure anything."

This method, however, was only suitable for Wang Li. If anyone else were beaten half to death by a Titled Douluo every few days, they wouldn't survive long.

Dugu Bo added coldly:

"Go ahead and try if you want. Just don't blame me when someone dies!"

Ning Fengzhi frowned deeply. Who would dare lay a hand on Ning Rongrong? Him? Sword Douluo Chen Xin? Bone Douluo Gu Rong? This method was utterly impractical.

Xue Qinghe, equally taken aback, remarked:

"If Wang Li's strength has been built this way, then there's truly nothing to envy." He shifted the conversation back on track:

"Now, back to business. Wang Li, you are now a Rank 41 Soul Elder, and you're no longer eligible for the Spirit Hall stipend. Avoid excessive involvement with the Spirit Hall. Guards!"

At his command, a guard approached carrying a tray covered with a red cloth. Xue Qinghe lifted the cloth to reveal a radiant golden Soul Coin storage card. He held it up and announced:

"This card contains the equivalent of ten thousand gold Soul Coins and can be exchanged at any bank across the continent. It's a one-time reward and stipend from the empire for outstanding students of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

"Additionally, upon graduation, you'll have the option to become either an imperial guest or a consecrator for the empire.

"As an imperial guest, your annual stipend will range from three thousand to thirty thousand gold Soul Coins, depending on your soul power rank. As a consecrator, you'll receive between ten thousand and one hundred thousand gold Soul Coins annually, also based on your soul power rank."

"Generally speaking, imperial guests have more freedom, so their income is lower. Conversely, consecrators are subject to imperial commands, which justifies their higher pay."

After hearing this, Wang Li immediately understood that Qian Renxue—posing as Xue Qinghe—was trying to recruit him on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire.

The 10,000 gold soul coins were a generous gesture, and Wang Li saw no reason to refuse. Sometimes, when someone offers, it's better to accept. Declining might raise suspicion. As for what he would choose after graduation, that would be his decision.

Wang Li took the gold soul coin storage card and expressed his gratitude:

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Highness."

After receiving the card, both Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi extended cordial invitations for Wang Li to visit the Crown Prince's mansion or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. However, Wang Li politely declined, using his cultivation as an excuse. With Dugu Bo present, Wang Li felt secure enough to reject their offers without fear of offense.

In the end, although Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi didn't manage to bring Wang Li into their fold, they left fairly satisfied with their interaction.

---

Once they had left the confines of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Ning Fengzhi turned to Xue Qinghe and asked warmly:

"Qinghe, what do you think of him?"

Xue Qinghe replied:

"Wang Li, though born in humble circumstances, has lofty ambitions, decent talent, and unyielding determination. With Jade Phosphor Douluo's protection, he will undoubtedly become a significant figure. Since he has neither a sect nor family to sway him, he is worth recruiting."

Ning Fengzhi nodded approvingly:

"Indeed. Such individuals are ideal candidates for recruitment. It's just a pity that his mutated Blue Silver Grass martial soul is slightly lacking. Rank 29 was a hurdle he managed to cross, but Rank 69 will be another. Only when he surpasses Rank 70, absorbs his seventh soul ring, and becomes a Soul Sage can he truly be considered a formidable force."

Xue Qinghe humbly responded:

"Teacher, I've learned a lot from your insights."

After the two parted ways, Ning Fengzhi turned to Gu Rong and spoke calmly:

"Uncle Bone, when Rongrong returns this time, you can't pamper her as you did before. She's had a happy childhood, but eventually, she must bear the responsibility of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. When necessary, we must apply pressure."

Gu Rong, though reluctant, nodded after some thought.

"Understood. But what about that boy?"

Ning Fengzhi gazed upward and said thoughtfully:

"Qinghe is right. His talent is decent, and his determination is solid. He has the potential to become a Soul Sage, and perhaps even a Soul Douluo. But a Blue Silver Grass martial soul becoming a Titled Douluo? That's unheard of."

"He won't threaten the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's standing in the soul master world. However, he is worth considering for recruitment. If we can gain Jade Phosphor Douluo's favor in the process, it will all be worthwhile."

Gu Rong nodded in agreement. Though he held no fear of Dugu Bo, he acknowledged the man's unpredictability. Unlike the sect, Dugu Bo lived a solitary life with no discernible weaknesses. While Gu Rong often mocked Dugu Bo, he had no desire to provoke a deadly enmity without a foolproof plan to eliminate him outside sect grounds.

"Very well. But I must admit, I'm curious about the boy's Blue Silver Grass. I'd love to study it to see exactly where the mutation lies. Twelve years old, and already a Rank 41 Soul Elder..."

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect boasted two Titled Douluo: Bone Douluo Gu Rong, with Rank 95 soul power, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin, with Rank 96 soul power.

Both of them surpassed Dugu Bo in raw strength. Under Ning Fengzhi's amplification, not only could they defeat Dugu Bo, but they might even kill him outright.

However, Dugu Bo's deterrent wasn't solely based on his strength. It lay in the catastrophic consequences of his death. If he were to die at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's mountain gate, the sect itself would be wiped from the soul master world.

His terrifying poison could kill any soul master below Rank 90 and turn the sect's mountain gate into a deadly wasteland for a century.

(End of Chapter)