Douluo: Glory of the Unrivaled Angel

Word Count: 3,086 Words

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The Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance was a thin, pale blue mask as delicate as paper. Intricate openwork patterns were finely and orderly carved upon it, making it resemble an enchanting fox from afar.

A humanoid figure slowly emerged under the eerie pale blue glow. The crowd could not make out its face; they could only see a pair of misty, alluring eyes carrying an ethereal charm reminiscent of rivers veiled in mist. Behind the figure, nine enormous tails swayed, signifying that it was not human.

"So beautiful..."

Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and the vast majority of bidders became entranced, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the seductive nine-tailed figure. The intoxication, like rose-red wine, rose from their brows straight to their hearts.

The moment Ling Bai saw the nine-tailed figure, his Seraphim Martial Spirit spontaneously protected him. A holy aura surged forth, barely resisting the charm emanating from its spiritual power. Ning Fengya released her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to isolate all interference; even she, a Rank 79 Spirit Saint, was affected by the power of the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance.

A head emerged from Ning Fengya's shadow, and two jet-black beams of light shot out like lightning, piercing into the minds of Ning Tian and Wu Feng.

Shadow Dragon Douluo Xie Qin took action, successfully awakening the two girls.

"A spiritual-type Spirit Guidance Device!" Ning Tian blurted out as soon as she regained consciousness.

Ling Bai calmly analyzed, "Not only that, but there's a high-quality spiritual attribute skull spirit bone hidden within the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, most likely at the 100,000-year level."

Wu Feng felt as if her brain had shrunk and, bewildered, she asked, "Huh? How do you guys know that?"

"There, there, go play."

Ling Bai cast a pitiful glance at the idiot. With Clan Head Ning Fengya present, Wu Feng didn't dare to activate her Innate Spirit Skill 'Bad Temper.' She could only cross her arms, puff out her cheeks, and sulk alone, leaving others to guess.

"It's okay, Xiao Feng, I don't know either."

Ning Fengya's shadow slowly rippled on the ground, forming these words.

"Uncle Xie!" Wu Feng was instantly moved to tears.

"Xie Qin, stop messing with my shadow!"

Upon hearing this, the shadow made a grievance-filled crying face before obediently returning to its original form.

After scolding Shadow Dragon Douluo, Ning Fengya's eyes narrowed slightly as she sighed, "Finally, something worthwhile this year."

Every year, the Heavenly Soul Imperial Family invited the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to the annual auction gala. Ning Fengya attended each time to give face to the imperial family. The original three empires of the Douluo Continent had never produced a Class 9 Spirit Guidance Master, meaning they did not possess even a single Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device. Therefore, the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance could be considered the number one Spirit Guidance Device among the three empires!

The distinguished guests at the auction were each shrewd. What Ning Fengya could think of, they naturally could as well. They instantly perked up, their eyes widening like brass bells, as they eagerly anticipated taking home this peak Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device!

An unprecedented fervor permeated the air. Xi Na's professional conduct was exceptional. Though overjoyed inside, her smile remained elegant and composed as she introduced:

"The Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance is a peak Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device. It originates from the Illustrious Virtue Hall of the Sun Moon Empire. Its main material is the skull spirit bone of a 100,000-year Thousand Illusion Charming Fox that had transformed into human form to cultivate anew before being slain."

Everyone couldn't help but gasp upon hearing this. Using a 100,000-year spirit bone to create a Spirit Guidance Device—what kind of Spirit Guidance Master from the Illustrious Virtue Hall dared to be so extravagant!

"As everyone knows, 100,000-year spirit bones come with two spirit skills, and the Thousand Illusion Charming Fox spirit bone is no exception. The first spirit skill is called 'Disguise.' As the name implies, the user can disguise themselves into various forms, including but not limited to appearance, physique, spirit power, the number of spirit rings, and the color of spirit rings. Moreover, the spirit power consumption is very low. For certain male esteemed guests who wish to conceal their identity while seeking flowers and willows, the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance would be very suitable for you!"

Xi Na made a harmless joke, prompting some male guests below the stage to reveal knowing smiles.

"Not bad..."

Ling Bai's interest was piqued. The effect of the 'Disguise' spirit skill was similar to Huo Yuhao's second spirit skill, 'Imitation,' from his Spirit Eyes. It was an exceptional spirit skill for handling unsavory tasks while traveling, especially when using his Evil Martial Spirit, the Death Abyss Spider Emperor, for which concealing his identity was absolutely essential.

"Want it?" Ning Fengya asked leisurely.

"A bit."

The Iceworm Mask he had bought previously in the Luminous Mystic Forest was only a Class 5 Spirit Guidance Device. Now, upon hearing about the 'Disguise' spirit skill of the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, Ling Bai couldn't help but feel tempted.

"Buy it," Ning Fengya said succinctly.

Ah, the heart flutters!

Ling Bai declared that from now on, Ning Fengya would be number one on his goddess list in his heart.

Everyone else, step aside and make way for Aunt Ya!

The simple word 'buy' sounded like celestial music to his ears!

No wonder so many young men in his previous life were drawn to sugar mommies!

"Furthermore, the second spirit skill of the Thousand Illusion Charming Fox spirit bone is called 'Spiritual Wall.' It lays down a layer of spiritual defense in the user's Spiritual Sea, and only attacks that exceed the spiritual power of the 100,000-year Thousand Illusion Charming Fox can break through it. Oh, and to see through the 'Disguise' also requires surpassing the Thousand Illusion Charming Fox's spiritual power."

At this point, Xi Na paused briefly; upon hearing the heavy breathing around her, her smile grew even brighter. The Spiritual Sea was the most vulnerable area for most Spirit Masters, and the 'Spiritual Wall' of the Thousand Illusion Charming Fox could actually protect it. Regardless of their rank, every Spirit Master yearned to obtain this top-tier spirit skill!

"These are the skills of the 100,000-year Thousand Illusion Charming Fox skull spirit bone. Next are the abilities added by the great Spirit Guidance Master from the Illustrious Virtue Hall when crafting the spirit bone into the Spirit Guidance Device known as the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance.

First, while the power of 'Spiritual Wall' is formidable, it consumes a great deal of spiritual power. Therefore, the Spirit Guidance Master inscribed a Class 8 charging core array. As the user cultivates, it gradually fills with the spiritual power needed to activate the spirit skill. The charging speed depends on the user's cultivation level. Once charged, it's equivalent to being able to release the 'Spiritual Wall' twice in a short period, further enhancing defensive capabilities.

Second, the Thousand Illusion Charming Fox is a top-level spirit beast with enchanting abilities rarely seen in the world. That human-formed Thousand Illusion Charming Fox was said to charm both men and women, gathering a large number of experts under its command. Ultimately, the Sun Moon Empire dispatched the Imperial Dragon, Terrorclaw, and Phoenix Spirit Guidance Master Legions to exterminate it.

Considering this, the Spirit Guidance Master used a Class 8 amplification core array to magnify the charming aura within the spirit bone belonging to the Thousand Illusion Charming Fox. Although the effect of the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance is not as outrageous as that human-formed fox, it can at least make those who see the user feel a significant amount of goodwill.

Third, once charging is complete, a Class 8 dynamic circulation core array is activated. The spiritual power of the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance feeds back into the user. The spiritual feedback from a 100,000-year spiritual attribute spirit beast to a Spirit Master—I believe everyone understands how profound the effect is."

In Room 888, Ling Bai listened for a long time before suddenly asking, "Why isn't the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance a Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device?"

"Of course, it's because there's an issue with this spirit bone. Otherwise, given the rarity of 100,000-year spirit bones in the Sun Moon Empire, they wouldn't squander it by making it into a Spirit Guidance Device," Ning Fengya replied with a faint smile, revealing the truth in a single sentence.

Sure enough, Xi Na stepped forward and bowed deeply to the bidders, apologetically saying:

"The Heavenly Soul Auction House's principle is integrity. I've mentioned so many good points; now I have to inform everyone about the flaws of the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance.

Before its death, the Thousand Illusion Charming Fox had a direct encounter with the bombardment of a Class 9 Stationary Spirit Cannon shell, causing minor flaws in this 100,000-year skull spirit bone. Spirit Masters are unable to absorb it normally; forcibly absorbing it would cause their Spiritual Sea to collapse. It can only be crafted into a Spirit Guidance Device.

Similarly, due to the presence of flaws, the Thousand Illusion Charming Fox spirit bone cannot support the operation of Class 9 core arrays; its limit is peak Class 8. Unless a future user repairs the spirit bone, only then would the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance have a chance to advance to a Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device.

I've said all I must; I hope everyone will consider carefully. The starting bid for the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance is 10 million spirit gold coins, with each increment not less than 100,000 spirit gold coins. The auction officially begins!"

"11 million!"

Right off the bat, the bid soared by a million. The bidders' enthusiasm for the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance hadn't waned in the slightest. That minor flaw didn't hinder its peak Class 8 quality; if anything, the potential for advancement was actually a bonus!

"15 million!"

"20 million!"

…

"40 million!"

The bidding was in full swing. Everyone was going all out for this life-saving divine artifact. The price soared all the way to 40 million spirit gold coins, and the voices that had been rising one after another gradually fell silent. In Room 666, the exclusive box of Shrek Academy, the burly Qian Duoduo looked at the green numbers on the screen, revealing an excited smile of absolute determination.

"Heh heh, it's mine, all mine!"

Qian Duoduo began fantasizing about researching the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance. The next second, nine-colored numbers jumped out, replacing the green ones.

"50 million."

"The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"

Qian Duoduo wrung his hands with a conflicted expression before gritting his teeth to continue bidding.

"52 million."

"60 million."

The bid increased by 8 million in the blink of an eye. Qian Duoduo nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. His trembling finger was about to press the bidding device when, just at that moment, the nine-colored 60 million suddenly changed to 70 million!

The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had increased their own bid by ten million!

"So having money makes you great, huh! You've messed with... you've messed with the softest person!"

Qian Duoduo fumed for a moment. But what could he do? There was nothing money could buy that the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan couldn't afford. Moreover, Ning Tian was the direct disciple of his wife, Xian Lin'er; in other words, they were practically family.

"Well, I'll swallow my pride and ask Xiao Tian. She'll definitely lend me the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance to study for a few days!"

Dean Qian Duoduo chose to give up.

"70 million going once, 70 million going twice, 70 million going thrice: sold! Congratulations to our distinguished guest in Room 888!"

As Xi Na dropped the gavel, this year's Heavenly Soul Auction House annual gala came to an end. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had lavishly spent nearly 100 million spirit gold coins to purchase half of the auction items. The Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife, a Class 7 Milk Bottle, a 10,000-year spirit bone, and a full set of Class 6 Stationary Spirit Cannon shells.

Ling Bai returned to the clan with a bountiful harvest; after all, the first three items mentioned were bought for him. The Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife and the Class 7 Milk Bottle were already quietly lying in his Storage Spirit Guidance Device. At this moment, he was appreciating and playing with the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance worth 70 million spirit gold coins.

Suddenly, Ling Bai felt a special mark engraved on the inner side of the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, shaped somewhat like an 'L.'

"A signature... quite gutsy."

Ling Bai couldn't help but chuckle. Some Spirit Guidance Masters fancied themselves artists and liked to carve unique marks as signatures on the Spirit Guidance Devices they personally crafted. The problem was that the Illustrious Virtue Hall did not permit its internal Spirit Guidance Masters to sell high-class Spirit Guidance Devices abroad to the three empires; strategic-level devices like spiritual defense equipment were even more strictly prohibited.

Not only did the creator of the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance do it, but they even dared to leave a signature. If the Illustrious Virtue Hall found out, they would likely chop them into fine three-part mince: lean meat, fatty meat, and cartilage.

Of course, the creator still had a bit of sense left. At least the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance didn't possess any offensive capabilities and was inscribed with a self-destruct array. Outsiders had better abandon any thought of dismantling its outer shell to study the core arrays.

"Hurry up and try it! Hurry up and try it! This is the first time I've seen such an advanced Spirit Guidance Device!"

On the way, Wu Feng couldn't help urging Ling Bai. Ning Fengya and Ning Tian looked over, and the head of Shadow Dragon Douluo Xie Qin also popped out from Ning Fengya's shadow.

"Alright."

Ling Bai gently placed the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance on his face. A pale blue light flashed, and he transformed into a red-haired, red-eyed girl with a voluptuous figure.

"Hey, why did you turn into me!"

Wu Feng burst into anger.

"I am the real Wu Feng, okay!"

'Wu Feng' rolled her eyes.

"Believe it or not, I'll bite you!"

"Believe it or not, I'll bite you!"

The real and fake Wu Feng bickered back and forth. After switching places several times, the eyes of the other three were dazzled. Shadow Dragon Douluo turned Ning Fengya's shadow into a big question mark, indicating he couldn't tell who the real Wu Feng was. The disguise effect was unexpectedly excellent.

Returning to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, everyone dispersed back to their rooms. Ning Fengya kicked away Shadow Dragon Douluo, who was sneakily hiding in her shadow, attempting to follow her into her room.

'Uncle Xie is simping hard...'

Ling Bai shook his head and chuckled wryly. Xie Qin, like Du Weilun, was a loser in love, but the former was even more persistent. After graduating from Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard, he resolutely joined the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, seemingly determined to simp till the end.

Sinking into his Spiritual Sea, Ling Bai saw a visibly excited Electrolux and a yawning Death Abyss Spider Emperor.

"Elder Yi, I have obtained the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife."

Electrolux patted his shoulder and said:

"You truly have extraordinary luck to come across Life Gold, a treasure that transcends creation, here on the Douluo Continent! As long as you absorb it, your Spiritual Sea will evolve into a Spiritual Sea of Life. Your physical strength and spiritual power will both soar, and you will achieve the realm of harmonious unity of life and death with the Death Abyss Spider Emperor! This wisp of my divine consciousness will also have a vessel after absorbing the Life Gold, becoming as stable as a rock from now on. To avoid any unforeseen complications, let's refine it now!"

"Please wait a moment, Elder Yi." Ling Bai's expression remained calm.

"What's the matter?" Electrolux furrowed his brows slightly.

"I want to ask you something. Can the Life Gold save the life of my teacher, Jianmu Douluo?"

Ling Bai spoke earnestly, a barely perceptible glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. Life Gold was the only Heaven and Earth Treasure he could think of that might pull Jianmu Douluo back from the brink of death.

Electrolux scrutinized Ling Bai for a long while, finally nodding lightly as he said:

"It can, but the price is significant. Yesterday, when you examined Jianmu Douluo's physical condition, I sensed a bit. His internal and external vitality are both depleted; his life force is waning, and he can hold on for at most ten more years. If you want to save him, you must use half of the Life Gold to replenish his life force and repair his internal injuries. And if I wish to stabilize my divine consciousness, I would similarly need half of the Life Gold... Kid, you may only encounter this piece of Life Gold once in your lifetime. Think carefully about what you want to do.

What is destined to be will eventually be."

Ling Bai smiled faintly, took out the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife, and handed it to Electrolux:

"Teacher has shown me great kindness. If he hadn't forcibly refined the Bright Emperor Pill to suppress the Death Abyss Spider Emperor, he should have had five more years to live. Elder Yi, you and I are symbiotic; there's no need for many words. You and Teacher each take half of the Life Gold. I will seek my own fortune in the future."

Electrolux stared blankly at the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife in his hand, then looked up at Ling Bai's gentle face, understanding that he truly intended to give up the Life Gold.

"You are a good child. My final inheritance belongs to none other than you..."

"Huh?"

Ling Bai immediately realized and said helplessly, "Elder Yi, are you testing my humanity again?"

He had already considered going to the Star Dou Forest to knock on Brother Tortoise's door!

Electrolux laughed heartily, "It's true that we're symbiotic, but for some things—whether to teach, how to teach, how much to teach—I still have to test you.

Very good, you didn't disappoint me!

Earlier, what I said wasn't entirely true. Neither your Teacher nor I need that much Life Gold!"