Chapter 55: Invincible Earth-Wood Combo: Radiant Golden Soul Ring and Long Yeyue

“At last, we meet—the life core of the Douluo Continent, the spirit of the Golden Ancient Tree.”

Zhao Xuanzhen gazed at the old man, his eyes sharply divided between black and white: “Forced to communicate with me this way—your condition isn’t much better than the Realm Spirit’s.”

The old man stroked his long beard, smiling faintly with bitterness: “Twenty thousand years ago, Tang San inherited the positions of Sea God and Kill God. During his hundred-year stay on the Douluo Continent, he transplanted me to this Sea God Island, hoping I would protect Shi Laike Academy.”

Later, Tang San made another request: to place his mother, the Blue Silver Emperor, Yin, at the core of the Golden Tree, bathing in its power to elevate her life origin…”

His voice paused. Zhao Xuanzhen knew the turning point was coming. The next moment, the old man sighed deeply: “To protect all living beings is the duty of a life core. Shi Laike Academy is one among them—I naturally bear the responsibility to grant it a glimmer of light.”

The second request, I never wished to grant—opening the core would allow Yin to devour the Golden Tree at any moment.

“At that time, Tang San had already merged both divine positions. His power far surpassed mine. And since he promised to elevate the Douluo Continent into a super-realm of higher life, I reluctantly agreed—half persuaded, half coerced.”

“Time passed. The Golden Ancient Tree and the Blue Silver Emperor coexisted peacefully—until about three months ago.”

“The Realm Spirit suddenly sent me a thought: Tang San is a calamity. Beware Yin’s treachery. A twist of fate has arrived—seek aid.”

“Yin also received a message from some being—and immediately launched a plant assimilation invasion.”

“She resides at the Golden Tree’s core. She knows its power intimately—and possesses Tang San’s hidden countermeasures against me: a divine-tier Blue Silver Emperor vine, whose aura suppresses the Golden Tree.”

“I could not resist. I was driven back relentlessly. Even my consciousness could not leave my body—only when you entered the Golden Tree’s interior could I breach your spiritual sea, avoiding Yin’s eavesdropping, to speak with you face to face.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xuanzhen’s expression cleared—he understood everything now.

In another timeline, after the Sea God Lake matchmaking event, the Golden Tree Spirit willingly granted Tang Wulin a green-gold fifth soul ring—proving it had not yet discovered Tang San’s true ambitions, and Yin had not yet rebelled, still quietly siphoning energy to grow.

But with the arrival of the fate variable, the neighboring Realm Spirit found a sliver of hope: triggering a self-destructive gambit to drag Tang Hao into slumber, then revealing Tang San’s true evil nature to the Golden Ancient Tree.

The one who sent the message to Yin was undoubtedly Tang Hao. The Realm Spirit intended mutual annihilation—Yin could no longer be hidden. Tang Hao believed it was time to replace the Golden Ancient Tree as the new life core, kill the fate variable Zhao Xuanzhen, and restore the Douluo Continent to its original path, following Tang San’s script.

“Fortunately, you arrived in time…”

Zhao Xuanzhen’s expression turned cold and grim. Had he not entered Shi Laike Academy, and allowed Yin to devour the Golden Ancient Tree, he would soon face a level-two god controlling Douluo’s nature.

A night of brilliant stars appears once in ten thousand years. Zhao Xuanzhen currently lacks the power to oppose a level-two god. If Yin succeeded, all his past efforts would be reduced to ashes.

“Fate variable.” The old man’s spirit suddenly materialized beside Zhao Xuanzhen, sorrowfully asking: “Can you help me eliminate the Blue Silver Emperor?”

Zhao Xuanzhen fell into thought. The Golden Tree Spirit did not press—quietly awaiting the fate variable’s answer.

“The Golden Tree’s retreat stems from Tang San’s Blue Silver Emperor suppressing your origin.” Zhao Xuanzhen spoke slowly. “Then we must treat the root cause—break this suppression.”

Plant life has strict hierarchical ranks. Higher plants inherently control lower ones. Yin herself could never surpass the Golden Ancient Tree—she relied solely on that Blue Silver Emperor vine. The Golden Ancient Tree, like a dragon beast suppressed by the Golden and Silver Dragon King’s bloodline, had no power to resist.

His pupils ignited with brilliant gold. The Eight Trigrams Mystic Gate Divine Disc appeared. Zhao Xuanzhen rotated it to a specific direction. The silhouette of a colossal tree emerged faintly—a life aura, not vast but overwhelmingly dominant, spread outward.

The moment the ancient tree’s aura was sensed, the Golden Tree Spirit’s aged body trembled. Overcome with excitement, he nearly plucked out a strand of his beard, his voice quivering:

“This is… a plant of a life tier higher than the Blue Silver Emperor—and even the Golden Ancient Tree!”

Zhao Xuanzhen spoke calmly: “The Eastern Wood. Though not yet at its peak, with her aura guarding you, the Golden Tree will no longer be suppressed by Tang San’s Blue Silver Emperor.”

“Of course, if you trust me, we can go further.”

The Divine Disc rotated again. A torrent of black energy erupted violently, sweeping across the entire spiritual sea. A towering black figure emerged faintly—its abyssal, pitch-black eyes cold and utterly indifferent.

“Boss!?”

Teng She’s serpentine body snapped rigid. The mighty Eight Deceitful God, like a child caught by his parents, transmitted: “My Lord, I don’t think we need the Boss to act.”

Zhao Xuanzhen chuckled: “You’re this afraid of Central Earth?”

Teng She shut down: “By authority, the Boss suppresses all other Eight Deceitful Gods. His realm surpasses ours by half a level—he holds absolute power advantage.”

“Who isn’t afraid of the Boss? Even the pentagonal-faced one would react the same way.”

The Eight Deceitful Gods have their own hierarchy. Central Earth, as their leader, crushes Teng She in combat!

“This matter requires Central Earth alone.”

No room for negotiation. The pitch-black eyes within the black current locked coldly onto Teng She. The giant beast’s towering form visibly slumped, its death star flashing wildly atop its head!

Zhao Xuanzhen smiled lightly at the ecstatic Golden Tree Spirit: “Central Earth, Eastern Wood—the Earth-Wood combination is invincible.”

“Two Eight Deceitful Gods, leveraging Shi Laike Academy’s perfect heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony, reach this world’s limit. In this process, Eastern Wood shields you from Tang San’s Blue Silver Emperor suppression, while Central Earth embodies unmatched combat power…”

“If you’re willing to temporarily lend him your Golden Tree’s power, Central Earth will surely give you a surprise.”

“I naturally trust the one chosen by the realm. Both Eight Deceitful Gods, please remain within the Golden Tree!” The Golden Tree Spirit nodded firmly. “Once Yin’s threat diminishes, I can mobilize the Douluo Continent’s geographical energy to supply them!”

Reciprocal exchange, mutual benefit—Zhao Xuanzhen and the Golden Tree Spirit reached an agreement. The old man dissolved into golden light. The two Eight Deceitful Gods departed.

“Blue Silver Emperor—it’s time we settle accounts!”

The Golden Tree Spirit’s final words drifted through the air. Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t help but chuckle, gazing at the Yin-Yang Qilin corpse in the chamber, murmuring:

“A hundred-thousand-year Yin-Yang Qilin—a rare treasure of this world. Cannot be missed.”

…

One year later, beneath the Golden Tree’s world.

Black and white soul power flowed like silk ribbons connecting his body. The dual-colored radiance of the Yin-Yang Qilin blazed like flames. Amid the two hundred-thousand-year Qilin, Zhao Xuanzhen’s entire being pulsed with mysterious Yin-Yang energy.

The light slowly dimmed. Zhao Xuanzhen suddenly opened his eyes. Black-and-white soul waves exploded outward. The brilliance deep within his pupils outshone even the Golden Tree’s hue.

He rose, stretching his limbs. He felt astonishingly light. His skin, pure as jade, shimmered with a translucent luster, drawing the lingering black-and-white energy from the Qilin corpses into spirals around him.

“Thirty-ninth level…”

A year ago, Zhao Xuanzhen broke through the thirtieth level. Now, at eleven years old, he stood at thirty-ninth. The abundant life energy beneath the Golden Tree, mixed with the Yin-Yang aura seeping from the Qilin corpses, made this chamber the ideal simulated cultivation ground for Yin-Yang soul masters on the entire Douluo Continent.

“You’re awake, fate variable.”

Golden light coalesced into the old man form of the Golden Tree Spirit; the chamber walls shimmered. From this moment on, even the Sky-Piercing Douluo Yunming could not probe this underground room.

“Have you reclaimed control of the Golden Tree?” Zhao Xuanzhen asked.

The old man laughed heartily: “Eastern Wood helped me resist the Blue Silver Emperor’s aura. Central Earth’s combat power… I’ve never seen its like!”

Driven by hatred for Yin, the Golden Tree Spirit made a ruthless decision: handed the Golden Tree over to Central Earth. Central Earth then demonstrated what “heaven-rending power” meant—slash after slash, hacking at the Blue Silver Emperor, making Yin scream in agony.

A year later, the situation had reversed completely. The Blue Silver Emperor was now confined to a tiny region, destined to be re-consumed by the Golden Tree Spirit. With the aid of the two Eight Deceitful Gods, the Golden Tree Spirit basked in effortless victory—far happier than the suffering Realm Spirit.

“Golden Tree Spirit, the Blue Silver Emperor no longer poses a threat. Please prioritize granting birth to Central Earth, and let Eastern Wood remain within the Golden Tree a while longer, just in case.”

“No problem.”

The old man readily agreed, smiling warmly at Zhao Xuanzhen: “Thank you, fate variable. Your soul power is nearly at the threshold of the next realm. Let me repay your kindness.”

A distant hum resonated from the Golden Tree’s roots. Sea God Island trembled. The ancient tree, its roots sunk into the earth veins, seemed to awaken. Leaves rustled, showering the air with golden dust.

Countless slender golden threads emerged from cracks in the bark, gently wrapping around Zhao Xuanzhen’s limbs, bones, and hair—his hair tips dyed in flowing gold. His soul power surged instantly past the fortieth level.

Countless fine golden threads emerged from cracks in the bark, gently winding around Zhao Xuanzhen’s limbs and body, dyeing even his hairtips with flowing gold, his soul power instantly surging past level forty.

A colossal pillar of light erupted from the tree’s peak. Life ripples swept across Sea God Island. Vines grew wildly. Dead trees sprouted new buds. Cracks in rocks gushed clear springs.

The Sea God Lake churned into towering waves—but the crests froze mid-air, transforming into translucent, radiant golden sculptures. Shi Laike disciples stared in awe. The elders of the Sea God Pavilion were equally stunned. Since the island’s construction, no such magnificent spectacle had ever occurred.

The phenomenon abruptly contracted. A radiant golden soul ring descended from the sky. Its surface was engraved with the ancient patterns of the Golden Tree, spinning as it scattered golden sparks. The moment it landed, the island’s earth veins resonated—like subjects bowing to a newborn sovereign.

The old man spoke gently: “This soul ring seals thirty percent of the Golden Tree’s energy. It will gradually unlock as you grow stronger—equivalent to a growing soul ring.”

“I originally intended to grant you the title of Child of Nature. But you already possess the ability to control nature. Imposing it would be inappropriate.”

“The Realm Spirit lies dormant. I still need time to fully deal with the Blue Silver Emperor. But other evil realms eye the Douluo Continent, and the Divine Realm’s return remains uncertain.”

“We will inevitably face Tang San. Fate variable—do not slacken.”

“Hatred must end in blood.” Zhao Xuanzhen’s voice was ironclad.

“Someone has arrived—likely sensing the Golden Tree’s energy depletion.”

The old man shook his head and waved open the chamber door. Half of the Shi Laike Academy’s supreme Douluos had gathered here, led by the Sky-Piercing Douluo Yunming. To his left stood the Holy Spirit Douluo Yali; to his right, an ancient, withered old woman.

The old man shook his head, waved his hand to open the wooden door, where most of Shrek Academy’s Supreme Douluos had gathered; at their head stood Yunming, the Lord of the Sea God Pavilion, with the Holy Spirit Douluo Yali to his left and an ancient, withered old woman to his right.

Facing the Golden Ancient Tree, Yunming had no choice but to bow as a junior.

“I know why you’ve come.”

The old man met the gaze of Shi Laike’s supreme Douluos, calmly stating: “This youth is destined to me. He is the successor I value. I have granted him some abilities. Do not trouble him.”

Yunming’s lip twitched. Some abilities!?

That was thirty percent of the Golden Ancient Tree’s accumulated energy over countless ages—enough to save Shi Laike from a fatal crisis!

Zhao Xuanzhen came to the Golden Tree for enlightenment. Shi Laike had been robbed blind!

Having suffered such a loss, Yunming dared not protest. The Golden Ancient Tree possessed independent consciousness—it had chosen Zhao Xuanzhen willingly. No one could object.

Having suffered a great loss, Yunming could not retaliate—after all, the Golden Ancient Tree possessed independent consciousness and had chosen Zhao Xuanzhen of its own accord; no one could object.

The old man played his part fully, placing a hand on Zhao Xuanzhen’s shoulder, walking with him out of the Sea God Pavilion, demonstrating unwavering guardianship. He left the Shi Laike elites staring at each other, faces dark as storm clouds, yet not daring to utter a single word.

If they truly angered the Golden Tree Spirit, Shi Laike wouldn’t need external enemies—it would be wiped clean by the Golden Tree’s own retaliation.

“Yunming!” The old woman suddenly snapped. “I heard you’ve been trying to recruit a young girl from the Spirit Transmission Tower as your disciple?”

“Yes, Sister Yue. She has a spatial-type gun martial soul—perfect to be my successor.” Yunming answered honestly.

The old woman snapped: “The Golden Tree has always been the Academy’s greatest treasure. He absorbed thirty percent of its power—he must remain in Shi Laike Academy!”

“Old Jin values him—he’ll surely be glad to see him become a Shi Laike member!”

“Sister Yue, Zhao Xuanzhen is the sole direct disciple of Leng Yaoju!” Yali interjected urgently.

“Tian Feng Leng Yaoju?” The old woman sneered. “Merely the deputy head of the Spirit Transmission Tower. I’ve slapped the face of her master before!”

“Yue’s words make sense. Tian Feng’s fire martial soul can’t teach anything meaningful. My Light-Dark Dragon Emperor soul, however, shares affinity with Yin-Yang attributes!”

“Yunming, if you won’t keep him in Shi Laike, I’ll take matters into my own hands—I’ll steal him as a disciple. What can Leng Yaoju do about it?”

Yunming, you cannot keep him at Shrek Academy—I’ll use my own method now: I’ll steal him as my disciple. What can Leng Yaoju do about it!

Saying this, the Light-Dark Douluo Long Yeyue swept her sleeve and left. The other supreme Douluos scattered.

Yunming and Yali exchanged weary smiles. Though Yunming’s power had long surpassed Long Yeyue, she was the widow of the former Sea God Pavilion master, the Heavenly-Endowed Douluo—and the oldest elder in Shi Laike Academy. They all treated her like a revered elder.

“Ming-ge, Sister Yue’s temper…” Yali sighed heavily. “And Yue—why did she mention taking a disciple to Sister Yue?”

Yunming’s face was bitter. Na’er had no teacher—Shi Laike held a sliver of hope. But the chance of winning Zhao Xuanzhen wasn’t remote—it was outright fantasy!

“I’ll first focus on winning over Na’er. Then I’ll try asking Zhao Xuanzhen.”

I'll first focus on winning Na'er over, then try asking Zhao Xuanzhen.

A time of many troubles... I have a bad feeling that Yue'er and Sister Yue will one day bring the academy to utter ruin...

(End of Chapter)