Chapter 251: The Rise of a Demigod
Hearing Du Bu Si mention that his cultivation had become somewhat unstable, the eyes of everyone in the Sea God Pavilion lit up. Even Xuan Zi, who had often been at odds with Du Bu Si, couldn't hide his excitement.
"Old Poison—no, Pavilion Master, are you really about to break through?"
"I'm not sure," Du Bu Si replied calmly, "but that battle did trigger a realization. A year or two of secluded cultivation might be enough for me to make the breakthrough."
"Good! The heavens have not abandoned Shrek!" Xuan Zi's voice trembled with relief. "If we truly gain another Ultimate Douluo, even when Xiao Qiang stands alone, we won't be completely powerless."
"Don't speak too soon, Xuan Zi," Du Bu Si said, eyes narrowing. "Xiao Qiang's talent is unquestionable. To possess that kind of strength at only eighteen… Even if I become an Ultimate Douluo, it's only a matter of time before he surpasses me. It's a pity—if only he were a member of my Body Sect."
"Hmph. Surpassing an Ultimate Douluo isn't that simple," Xuan Zi retorted. "That kid has probably condensed his soul core early, making his path easier and more powerful for now. But to break through to Titled Douluo, he must condense another soul core at level eighty-nine. If he fails to do so, he'll never reach level ninety in his life."
Du Bu Si wanted to refute him but hesitated. Considering the difficulty of condensing a second soul core himself, even with his powerful physique, he couldn't muster confidence. He swallowed his words.
"What Elder Xuan says is true," Yan Shaozhe chimed in. "Our teacher had a soul power of 98, three hundred-thousand-year soul rings, and a full set of top-tier soul bones, yet condensing a second soul core was still extremely difficult. Even if Xiao Qiang has better soul bones and rings, unless he has several beast-level soul bones, the gap in the nourishment of soul power between level 89 and 98 is too vast. He might have a heart higher than the heavens, but his life could be as thin as paper."
Du Bu Si nodded silently. "We'll leave Xiao Qiang alone for now. Let me reach the next realm first—then we'll reassess. In the meantime, take care of Shrek and the Body Sect."
"Don't worry," Xuan Zi said confidently. "I might be a little weaker than you, but not by much. I can handle things."
Du Bu Si trusted him. Ever since arriving at Shrek Academy, Xuan Zi had proven his capabilities—holding his own in battle against Du Bu Si and using his strength to control even Di Tian. With such competence, Du Bu Si was reassured. After a few brief instructions, he entered seclusion.
At the same time that Du Bu Si began his retreat at Shrek, Xiao Qiang also secluded himself from the world.
With the Mountain Dragon King's soul bone boosting his physical strength dramatically, Xiao Qiang finally had the confidence to condense the legendary Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Soul Core at level 89. After explaining everything to Mu Qingxue, he left his protection to the Snow Empress and the Soul Palace's top combat forces, and began his breakthrough to level 90.
Unlike ordinary breakthroughs, reaching level 90 with the formation of the Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Soul Core would immediately raise Xiao Qiang's combat strength to the level of a demigod—perhaps even approaching a quasi-god. His power would far exceed that of a typical newly ascended Titled Douluo.
At that point, even when facing titans like Long Xiaoyao or Ye Xishui, he might not be able to defeat them outright, but he could certainly hold his ground or escape unscathed. That alone would make Xiao Qiang truly safe on this continent.
With the Snow Empress, Mu Qingxue, and the full force of the Soul Palace, they could even challenge the Holy Spirit Church head-on.
Of course, the ideal route would still be to strike the church in secret—cutting them down piece by piece. Killing off a few Titled or Super Douluo every few months would allow Mu Qingxue's soul power to rise to level 98. Then, if they could lure Zhongli Wu into a trap, Mu Qingxue could destroy him and reach level 99. That would mean the war would no longer hinge on luck—it would be total victory.
Once that happened, the Snow Empress could wear down Long Xiaoyao or Ye Xishui. If Ye Xishui attempted to stall the Snow Empress, and Long Xiaoyao faced Mu Qingxue instead, Xiao Qiang could delay Long Xiaoyao long enough to switch the matchups. From that point on, the tide would turn in their favor.
As for the rest of the Holy Spirit Church? Without even one level-98 soul master remaining, they'd be nothing more than sheep before a tiger.
Only then would Xiao Qiang truly be free—free to hunt down the Evil Emperor and harvest his soul rings and bones.
If the Evil Emperor's vast cultivation could be preserved and converted into a soul, Xiao Qiang could even leap directly from level 90 to 99. After all, the path from early Titled Douluo to peak Douluo wasn't a straight line. That last stretch could take years—or a miracle.
Xiao Qiang estimated that his final push could require over a year of dedicated cultivation. After all, in the original story, even Huo Yuhao took more than a year to reach the pinnacle of level 99 as a Super Douluo.
But for Xiao Qiang, that timeline was acceptable.
There were no pressing enemies, no unexpected wars looming. He had the time to develop, to grow steadily stronger.
After all, this was Douluo Dalu II—as long as Tang Wutong wasn't involved, Tang San wouldn't interfere. The God of Destruction and the God of Life both cherished her like their own daughter, and wouldn't allow Tang San to act rashly.
So for now, Xiao Qiang was safe from divine meddling. He hadn't crossed Tang Wutong's path, and until that day came, Tang San wouldn't act recklessly.
Thus, after two and a half months of cultivation, Xiao Qiang succeeded.
Relying on the Snow Empress's Snow Pill and his extraordinary talent, he successfully condensed his second soul core—an extreme ice-type core—in his chest, and his strength ascended dramatically.
Xiao Qiang had officially entered the realm of demigods.