Douluo Dalu: The Hundred Year Legend of Chen Xin's Second Uncle

June 18th

Deep in Shaolin Mountain, Chen Yu and Chen Jianjun, grandfather and grandson, had arrived two days prior at a site where Qingfeng Wolves were once gathered. To their surprise, the wolves had vanished. Only remnants of food and carcasses left by the pack remained. Judging by the state of things, this had happened at least half a year ago.

Left with no choice, they decided to search for other wind-attributed soul beasts. However, after two days, their efforts bore little fruit. Encountering soul beasts in these rugged mountain ranges was no easy feat, and when they did find some, the beasts were either too old or too young. After all, finding a soul beast around 1,500 years old required a bit of luck.

"Jianjun, let's do this: we'll search here one last time today. If nothing suitable shows up, we'll head to Dalin Mountain tomorrow. That area is more rugged and treacherous, with more canyons. There should be more flying soul beasts there."

The two talked as they walked to the forest's edge.

"Alright, Grandpa. I'm confident I'll find something even better."

No sooner had he finished speaking than an eagle's cry echoed through the air. A bird swooped toward them at high speed—a large roc, its body covered in azure feathers, with only its beak and claws glowing a purplish-blue.

"Jianjun, that's a variant of the Wind Shadow Roc, called the Lightning Wind Shadow Roc. It's primarily wind-attribute with a secondary lightning attribute. Its age can be determined by its wingspan. This one's about five meters wide, which puts it at roughly 1,600 years old. Perfect for you."

The Wind Shadow Roc itself was already a high-tier species among flying soul beasts, renowned for its prowess in flight, ferocity, and razor-sharp wind-attribute attacks. This made it exceptionally dangerous. The Lightning Wind Shadow Roc, with its added lightning attribute, boasted even greater speed and attack power, elevating it to a king-like status among avian soul beasts.

At this moment, the bird's predatory gaze focused on Chen Jianjun. It regarded the old man as no threat, but the stocky boy, standing 1.6 meters tall, posed a danger. Without hesitation, it lunged at him.

"Yes! This is even better than the Luminous Finch or the White-headed Eastern Hawk. Grandpa, let me handle this one first."

"Alright, I'll be watching," Chen Yu said, stepping back a few paces.

Chen Jianjun, thrilled, activated his martial spirit. The Seven Kill Sword materialized—a blade 4 feet 3 inches long, 3 inches wide, with a hilt 1 foot 2 inches long. Its blade gleamed silvery-white, with a blue spine, exuding an ancient yet refined aura. The sword emanated a crystalline blue glow, radiating an intense murderous intent. Two yellow soul rings floated around him.

"First Soul Skill: Sword Power!"

Sword Power was a state-type skill that enhanced the user's attack, strength, and soul power by 50%.

Barely had he activated the skill when a wind blade, launched by the roc's wings, sliced toward him, scattering grass and soil. Chen Jianjun swiftly dodged using his Sword Shadow Body, a shadowy image of the sword appearing behind him. He flipped mid-air and counterattacked with a slash, aiming for the roc's wing. The bird twisted its body and evaded.

Seeing this, Chen Jianjun released his Seven Kill Sword, letting it fly toward the roc. In a flash, the Lightning Wind Shadow Roc turned, pecking the sword's tip with its beak and deflecting it. It retaliated by flapping its wings, sending several azure feathers hurtling toward him.

Chen Jianjun retrieved his sword and parried the feathered projectiles with a horizontal block. Blue light shimmered beneath his feet as he activated Sword Steps, closing the distance to the roc in just a few strides. He launched a double-handed overhead slash in a move resembling Mount Tai's Pressure.

In this perilous moment, the Lightning Wind Shadow Roc formed a small purple orb at its beak, striking the sword. With a muffled "thud," Chen Jianjun was thrown back several meters. The bird used this opportunity to soar into the clouds, then spiraled into a dive.

"Second Soul Skill: Steel Sword!"

As the second yellow soul ring lit up, the Seven Kill Sword grew by half, its blue glow intensifying. This skill enhanced the sword's capabilities, making it sturdier, sharper, and deadlier.

Chen Jianjun roared, "Slash!" Leaping into the air, he unleashed a half-moon-shaped blue sword beam toward the diving roc. The attack was wild and razor-sharp.

The Lightning Wind Shadow Roc, now only about 20 meters away, saw the incoming beam and let out a sharp cry. It flapped its wings, summoning specks of azure light around its body.

In an instant, a massive cross-shaped wind blade roared toward Chen Jianjun. The two forces collided mid-air, dissipating into a chaotic burst of blue and azure energy, sending shockwaves outward. Chen Jianjun staggered back three heavy steps, clearly at a disadvantage against this top-tier soul beast.

Moments later, the roc ascended again, this time furiously flapping its wings. A vortex of azure energy feathers coalesced, forming a three-meter-wide tornado filled with razor-sharp feathers. It surged toward Chen Jianjun, threatening to shred him to pieces. The attack's range was so vast that even the distant Chen Yu was within its scope.

"Second Soul Skill Modification: Steel Sword—Thousand-Mile Assault!"

Chen Jianjun activated Sword Steps: Star Stream Thunderstrike. Blue soul power enveloped him, forming a protective barrier that bolstered both his offense and defense. He charged forward, the Seven Kill Sword blazing a brilliant blue.

As a power-focused assault-type soul master, Chen Jianjun's talent shone brightly. His ability to adapt and innovate soul skills was a testament to his status as the Seven Kill Sword's direct heir.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The two forces clashed again, canceling each other out. The resulting shockwaves pulverized nearby saplings into dust. Amid the swirling debris, Chen Jianjun fell to the ground, coughing up a small amount of blood. Meanwhile, the Lightning Wind Shadow Roc, its feathers disheveled, soared upward once more. This time, it gathered purple lightning along with its azure wind energy, creating a storm of unparalleled intensity. The combined power of wind and lightning exerted a pressure that made even Chen Yu frown.

"Jianjun, that's enough. This beast is unleashing its ultimate move. You can't handle it. Let me take over," Chen Yu said.

A deep purple soul ring shimmered around him—one that had existed for six to seven thousand years.

"Fourth Soul Skill: Sword Dance Lotus!"

A massive five-meter-wide lotus materialized above the roc. The sword lotus, vast and ethereal, exuded both grandeur and purity.

The Lightning Wind Shadow Roc's tornado dissipated instantly. Immobilized, its body ruptured with blood from the sudden halt. The sword lotus descended slowly, forcing the roc to the ground. This skill, which could both suppress and attack, pinned the soul beast securely.

Fortunately, the roc hadn't been too high up when the skill took effect; otherwise, it might have perished from the fall. Gazing at the middle-aged man with white hair and childlike features, surrounded by nine soul rings of "yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black," despair filled the roc's eyes.

Yes, Chen Yu was a Titled Douluo, a pinnacle figure among soul masters.

"Jianjun, take some time to recover, then come over to finish it off and absorb its soul ring." After speaking, Chen Yu extended two fingers and made a quick motion. With two "pop" sounds, blood gushed from the roc's wings, rendering it completely powerless.

This was the legendary Unmatched Sword Finger, a secret technique passed down in the Chen family akin to the Six Veins Divine Sword.

June 19th, Evening

Chen Yu and Chen Jianjun returned home to find the family gathered for dinner.

"Father, you're back," greeted Chen Xun and Ye Xiuxin, rising to welcome the elder.

"Grandpa!"

"Big bro, did you find the Qingfeng Wolf pack you were after?" Chen Xiaojun asked. Judging by his brother's expression, things must have gone well.

"Haha, we didn't find the wolves, but we did come across something even better: a 1,600-year-old Lightning Wind Shadow Roc."

"A Lightning Wind Shadow Roc?"

"That soul beast is incredibly rare. It's one of the strongest high-tier soul beasts of its level, a ninth-grade king-class beast, only weaker than the legendary super-grade beasts. Honestly, I nearly lost my life fighting it. If it weren't for Grandpa stepping in, I might not have made it back," Chen Jianjun admitted with a sigh.

"Congratulations! What kind of powerful soul skill did it grant you? You seem very pleased," Chen Xiaojun asked eagerly.

"Haha, of course! This top-tier millennium soul ring not only enhanced the Seven Kill Sword's sharpness but also greatly improved my physique. Even without activating any soul skills, I can now cut through a tree as thick as two men's arms with a single strike.

When I activate the skill, for ten minutes, my speed, attack, and strength are all increased by 100%. Plus, it imbues the Seven Kill Sword with both wind and lightning attributes. The cutting power of wind and the destructive paralysis of lightning have significantly boosted my combat abilities. Grandpa said that once I master swordsmanship techniques in the future, this skill will make the Seven Kill Sword even faster and more powerful. Aside from extremely fast agility-type soul masters, even soul masters at the Soul Ancestor level might not be able to evade my attacks," Chen Jianjun said, grinning from ear to ear.

"What an impressive skill," Chen Xiaojun praised.

Chen Xun laughed heartily. "Haha, son, congratulations! This truly is an exceptional skill. You can now excel in both melee and ranged combat, with the added benefit of dual attributes. Such skills are rare indeed."

"Father, please sit. Jianjun, take a seat and eat. I'll bring out more dishes," Ye Xiuxin said with a smile as she headed to the kitchen.

"Alright, enough chit-chat," Chen Xiaojun said, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Chen Jianjun. "Did you bring back the Lightning Wind Shadow Roc's body?"

"Grandpa did. Why?"

"Mom, tomorrow we're adding roasted roc wings to the menu—one with a secret marinade and one mildly spicy!" Chen Xiaojun shouted toward the kitchen.

"..."