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68.79% Douluo : People are writing diaries in Douluo (completed) / Chapter 452: Chapter 452: Laying Cards on the Table

Chapter 452: Chapter 452: Laying Cards on the Table

Ghost Douluo saw this as an excellent opportunity to assess Zhu Zhuqing. Su Ming had suggested waiting until after the Soul Master Tournament to discuss an apprenticeship, but Zhuqing's need for her fifth spirit ring presented a chance to observe her skills firsthand. If her agility and stealth met his expectations, her talent alone would make her an ideal disciple.

"Thank you, Ghost Douluo, for joining me on this trip. Chrysanthemum Douluo, would you mind staying behind to assist Old Freak in watching over the team?" Su Ming asked.

Chrysanthemum Douluo had intended to accompany Ghost Douluo, but seeing Su Ming's request, he agreed. Besides, it was a good chance to interact with Xiao Wu and perhaps discuss his need for a particular herb with Old Freak.

Shortly after, Su Ming brought Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo to his room, where the others were already waiting. Everyone was curious about Su Ming's unusual visitors.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, here to spar with me again?" Dugu Bo teased. Since realizing his advantage over Chrysanthemum Douluo, he couldn't resist a jab whenever they met.

Chrysanthemum Douluo scoffed, "When my strength surpasses yours, let's see who's laughing then."

"Oh? Why do I detect a bit of sourness there?" Dugu Bo chuckled, causing Chrysanthemum Douluo's face to turn pale with annoyance.

Su Ming cut in with a shake of his head. "Dugu Bo, it's just as well you're here. Saves me the trouble of finding you. There's something I need to explain."

Su Ming turned his gaze to Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, noting it was time to reveal his intentions. "I'll clarify my plans with you both after this."

Then, Su Ming looked at Zhuqing. "Ghost Douluo will accompany us to the Valley of Death to help you acquire your fifth spirit ring. We'll be back as soon as possible."

Dugu Bo raised a concern. "Su Ming, I'm fine with your hunting trip, but what if we encounter a strong team in your absence? We won't be able to contact you."

Su Ming replied confidently, "Don't worry. With both Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu in the team, our strength won't suffer much. And as for communication…"

Su Ming paused, then summoned a wooden clone. The clone took on Su Ming's exact appearance—an uncanny likeness created using wood-style ninjutsu.

Dugu Bo, visibly shocked, reached out and tapped the clone's shoulder, confirming its wooden nature beneath the surface. "A wooden clone! How much of your strength does it retain?"

Su Ming explained, "This clone is about as powerful as a Spirit King, so it should suffice for emergencies. But it has a limit; once its spirit power and mental energy run out, it can't regenerate. Just treat it as a communication tool."

With that, Su Ming delegated the team's care to Dugu Bo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, then took the girls to his Kamui dimension for a private conversation.

Facing the three, Su Ming apologized, "I planned to tell you earlier, but I decided some time ago that I'll be joining Spirit Hall after the tournament."

The three girls pretended to be caught off guard, though they had suspected this for a while. Ning Rongrong put on a show, frowning as she said, "Su Ming, you could have given me some warning. You know the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't exactly have the best relationship with Spirit Hall."

Su Ming anticipated her concern. "Rongrong, I've thought this over carefully. I initially considered joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but it would feel like…a dependency I'd rather avoid. The primary reason for joining Spirit Hall is their unparalleled strength and resources compared to other factions."

He continued, "However, it's not just resources I'm after. Spirit Hall's support for commoners is what truly appeals to me. Remember, I come from a civilian background. Spirit Hall not only provides free spirit awakenings for the people, but it also grants stipends to Spirit Masters below rank forty. While most of that funding is negotiated from the two empires, Spirit Hall's efforts have undeniably made life easier for ordinary folks."

Su Ming's values had always resonated with Ning Rongrong, as she had come to understand his perspective through reading his diary entries over the years. Though her initial reaction was one of anger, she had come to see that Su Ming's stance was reasonable. With memories of his former life in a world where even commoners could live comfortably, he saw Spirit Hall's influence as crucial in uplifting the masses, a sentiment she respected.

She asked thoughtfully, "How will you explain this to my father and grandfathers? They'll certainly be outraged when they hear of your choice."

Though she understood his position, Ning Rongrong found herself in a dilemma. She felt torn between her love for Su Ming and her loyalty to her family.


Chapter 453: Chapter 453: Ghost Douluo’s Eagerness and Taking Zhu Zhuqing as a Disciple

Su Ming, aware of Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin's likely reactions, raised his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "Rongrong, I'll talk to them when the time comes, but please, don't mention it for now."

Though she appeared to "reluctantly" agree, Ning Rongrong had no intention of informing her father or grandfathers prematurely. She trusted that Su Ming could handle it delicately, preventing any strife between her family and him.

Seeing Rongrong's tentative agreement, Su Ming felt a weight lift. He hadn't yet found the best way to approach the three men; he would need a carefully measured approach to avoid straining relationships with her family.

Next, he turned to Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. "Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, will you join me at Spirit Hall, or do you intend to remain with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?"

The trio had previously discussed it. Unlike Rongrong's unique situation, both Xiao Wu and Zhuqing planned to join Spirit Hall with Su Ming. Zhu Zhuqing responded without hesitation, "Wherever you go, I'll go."

Xiao Wu nodded, saying, "Me too! Joining Spirit Hall might even let me see my mother again."

Xiao Wu's mother had sacrificed herself, and her spirit remained within Xiao Wu's spirit ring. If they met Bibi Dong, perhaps there might be a chance for Xiao Wu to see her mother, even if only briefly.

Seeing how resolute they both were, Su Ming was pleasantly surprised. Zhuqing joining Spirit Hall would offer her protection from Star Luo's royal family, and Xiao Wu's reunion with her mother could be arranged later.

With plans set, Ghost Douluo took Su Ming and Zhu Zhuqing to the Valley of Death. Within half a day, they reached the valley's outskirts, moving at an impressive speed—a testament to Ghost Douluo's agility and stealth, even if he lacked raw offensive power.

"Su Ming, here we are at the Valley of Death," Ghost Douluo announced. "We should go deeper in, where we're more likely to find ten-thousand-year spirit beasts. Have you decided what type of fifth spirit ring Zhuqing should acquire?"

Zhu Zhuqing responded, "For my fifth spirit ring, I'd like a skill focused on offense. My previous rings, aside from my third skill, Nether Slash, primarily boost speed, which I have enough of now. But my attack power could use some improvement."

Although her system-boosted piercing ability made her attacks more effective, she wanted a strong offensive ability to avoid her attacks feeling too weak. Pairing that with her speed, stealth, and piercing power would increase her chances of delivering a fatal blow.

Ghost Douluo nodded in agreement. "Then a tiger or bear-type spirit beast would be ideal. Let's aim for a tiger first, then consider bears."

Su Ming agreed, thinking tiger or bear-type spirit beasts would provide both power and durability. However, he ruled out the Shadow Tiger from the original series. While it granted a shadow-clone skill, it didn't provide enough offensive power for her needs. Zhuqing's path required stealth, not swarming tactics.

Together, they ventured deeper into the valley, encountering spirit beasts that were far more aggressive than those in the Star Dou Forest. For the most part, Su Ming and Ghost Douluo observed from the sidelines, letting Zhuqing deal with thousand-year spirit beasts on her own, though she would need more effort for ten-thousand-year creatures.

Watching Zhuqing in action, Ghost Douluo commented, puzzled, "Something's strange about her attacks, but I can't quite place it."

Su Ming chuckled, "Oh? What do you find strange, Senior Ghost?"

"Even defensive beasts seem to struggle against her attacks. Take that Earth Armor Lizard, for instance—it's built for defense, yet Zhuqing's third skill is forcing it back repeatedly," Ghost Douluo observed, baffled.

Su Ming explained, "That's because Zhuqing's attacks bypass half of her opponent's defenses, which might make them seem odd."

Ghost Douluo was stunned, marveling at this revelation. A piercing ability like that was unheard of for an agility-type spirit master. This only intensified his desire to accept Zhuqing as a disciple. Such an ability, combined with her stealth, could make her one of the deadliest assassins in the world!

After Zhu Zhuqing defeated the Earth Armor Lizard, she returned, only for Ghost Douluo to immediately declare, "Zhu Zhuqing, would you be willing to take me as your master?"

Zhu Zhuqing blinked in surprise. This was sudden.

After a glance at Su Ming, who gave her a supportive nod, she replied, "I would be honored, Senior Ghost."

Su Ming added with a smile, "Ghost Douluo has recognized your potential. As his disciple, you'll gain the guidance of a Title Douluo, as well as his mastery in stealth and assassination techniques."

Seeing Su Ming's approval, Zhuqing happily accepted. Ghost Douluo, a Title Douluo with expertise in concealment, was the perfect mentor for her.

Zhu Zhuqing respectfully bowed three times, formally taking Ghost Douluo as her master.


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