Chapter 131: Gold Crocodile Douluo's

“Your Highness, snap out of it.”

Tang Shan’s voice woke Xue Qinghe from his chaotic thoughts, and his gaze returned to calm.

“Dugu Bo isn’t bad at all. At the very least, with that final bow, this entire morning hasn’t been wasted.”

Tang Shan stretched, let out a long breath, and said,

“What should I do in the next stage?”

After calming his emotions, Xue Qinghe sought Tang Shan’s opinion.

“Just stand pat. Right now, Your Highness holds the greatest advantage for the position of Crown Prince, so there is completely no need to rush.

At most, in a few years, Your Majesty will definitely announce the candidate for the Crown Prince position. During this period, stability is of the utmost importance. Unless there are other changes on the Second Prince and Third Prince’s side that cause a huge impact on Your Highness, maintaining a low profile and composure is the best response.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

The two disappeared into the depths of the estate, their shadows gradually merging under the sunlight.

“Heh, looks like that little poison brat has some sense.”

Under the large banyan tree, Gold Crocodile Douluo picked up the reclining chair with one hand, glanced in the direction of the estate, and turned to leave. As for Xue Qinghe seeking Tang Shan’s opinion, he didn’t care about it. At the root of it all, the so-called Heaven Dou grand plan was merely those old men in the Hall of Worship satisfying Xue Qinghe’s wish. To say how much they valued it—truly, not very much. Whether it ultimately succeeded or failed, it wasn’t taken to heart.

“Grandpa Gold Crocodile, your foundation is quite good; it probably won’t take long for you to step into Ming Jin – A stage.”

In the training ground, Gold Crocodile Douluo’s withered body erupted with astonishing vitality. His limbs twisted like an ancient giant crocodile overturning waves and seas, and every swing of his arms and sinking of his waist carried the fierce Aura of a primitive Vicious Beast.

The Qi and blood that had been dormant in his body for many years were abruptly mobilized, surging like magma. Rolling waves of heat, carrying a faint golden-red halo, uncontrollably diffused from within a three-foot radius around him, baking the bluestone bricks on the ground until they were slightly warm.

Today was the first day Tang Shan taught Gold Crocodile Douluo Internal Martial Arts. Previously delayed by trivial matters, this special Cultivation Technique method finally stepped onto the right track today.

Just as he began teaching, Tang Shan discovered that although Gold Crocodile Douluo had never been exposed to Internal Martial Arts, as a rank 98 Peak Douluo, his comprehension of Qi and blood cultivation had long reached a certain level.

Looking solely at the stance training, Gold Crocodile Douluo’s lower body was deeply rooted in the earth, and his body coordination was a seamless whole. Tang Shan made a judgment: Gold Crocodile Douluo could directly enter fist techniques.

Therefore, referencing Gold Crocodile Douluo’s nearly zhang-tall stalwart figure and limb proportions, and after having him practice native Move such as crocodile pouncing, tail-swiping, and biting, in less than half an incense stick’s time, a brand-new fist technique tailored for him had already taken shape.

——

This seemed exaggerated, but it was actually reasonable: Tang Shan had only created an introductory Ming Jin – A stage fist technique, and he himself had long reached the Hua Jin Realm. Coupled with his brain’s thinking being developed to the extreme, customizing a Cultivation Technique combined with Gold Crocodile Douluo’s Physical Body characteristics was not difficult at all. After all, Hua Jin was already at a Grandmaster level in Internal Martial Arts, meaning his comprehension of fist theories, strength dynamics, and human anatomy had long jumped out of inherent frameworks to form his own school.

As for the subsequent advancement methods of An Jin and Hua Jin, Tang Shan expressed, “The master leads you through the door, but cultivation depends on the individual.”

That was indeed the case. After stepping into Ming Jin – A stage, Internal Martial Arts was no longer a step-by-step practice of Move, but a deep comprehension of the essence of strength. Whether one could achieve a Breakthrough depended entirely on personal understanding and control over power.

“This Internal Martial Arts is completely different from the Self-Created Soul Skill I comprehended before!”

Gold Crocodile Douluo’s heart suddenly cleared up, and an excited expression appeared on his aged Face. What he had before was merely a fragmentary surface; today was the truly complete version, capable of thoroughly integrating the fierce strength of skin, flesh, tendons, and bones, rather than only integrating part of the power like he did previously.

Vigorous Qi and blood surged within his body like great rivers. With every Move that fell, the surrounding air seemed to be ignited, and warmth spread along his limbs and bones to his internal organs, making his withered and aged body glow with long-lost vitality. He had never so truly felt that the once-unattainable limit Realm was now close at hand; nor had he ever thought that within his body’s Qi and blood, there actually lay such boundless and mighty power.

Previously, when Gold Crocodile Douluo saw that Ming Jin – A stage was somewhat similar to his own Self-Created Soul Skill, he had even thought of directly skipping Ming Jin – A stage cultivation. Now, experiencing it personally, he understood the gap: Ming Jin – A stage was the perfect integration of the whole body’s strength, whereas his previous Soul skills had only mobilized the power of his torso and arms, lacking the power of his legs, making the integration incomplete.

“If Ming Jin – A stage is not mastered, how can we speak of advancement?”

A sharp glint flashed in Gold Crocodile Douluo’s eyes. His body suddenly sank, and then, like a giant crocodile ready to strike, he violently twisted, and his right leg swept out horizontally like a steel whip! This strike did not use a shred of Soul Power; it was purely Physical Body strength driven by Ming Jin – A stage. Yet the moment it was swung, the air was forcibly torn apart, making a sharp “chila” sound, and the sound barrier was quietly shattered by this single leg kick!

Rolling waves of air spread outwards like a ring-shaped shockwave, and the gravel on the ground was blown away for several zhang.

Tang Shan had already retreated to ten zhang away. Looking at that sweeping leg shadow, his expression couldn’t help but twist slightly: “Good fellow, ordinary people produce air bursts with Ming Jin – A stage, but you directly kicked through the sound barrier. This gap is simply too outrageous.”

Gold Crocodile Douluo slowly withdrew his right leg, and the surging Qi and blood in his body gradually calmed down, but that exhilarating sense of power still echoed throughout his limbs and bones. He subconsciously straightened his spine, and his originally slightly hunched body actually appeared much straighter. A childlike, satisfied smile appeared on his wrinkled Face.

“Just Ming Jin – A stage alone provides such an enhancement—” He muttered to himself. Previously, even relying on physical fitness, to deliver this kind of power he would have needed to use the vast majority of his strength; yet now it was so effortless and smooth.

Casting his gaze towards Tang Shan standing in the distance with arms crossed, Gold Crocodile Douluo already had a decisive thought in his mind: It was time to send a message to the High Priest.

“Tang Shan, how much do you know about Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?”

Holding a celadon teacup in his hand, Xue Qinghe rubbed his fingertips along the warm rim of the cup. After taking a light sip of tea, he raised his gaze and asked,

“O”

At this time, the night was thick, and a bright moon hung in the ink-blue sky. Clear radiance poured down like water, spilling onto the bluestone slabs of the small courtyard, reflecting mottled tree shadows.

The stars all over the sky were dense, like shattered diamonds inlaid in the night sky. The faint light intertwined into a dazzling sea of stars, falling together with the moonlight, shrouding the entire courtyard in a quiet and crisp atmosphere.

Moonlight and starlight fell on Xue Qinghe. His moon-white sleeves flickered with a faint silver radiance, and his hair was brushed up by the night breeze, his silhouette as soft as an immortal banished under the moon, adding a bit of hazy illusion.

“Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is a top-tier Soul Master academy directly affiliated with the Heaven Dou Empire royal family,” Tang Shan answered methodically, combining information from the original work and news he had just learned recently. “The academy is located in the towering mountains in the suburbs of Heaven Dou City, covering an area of a thousand acres.

The faculty within the school is strong; there are as many as eight Heaven Dou-class teachers above level 60 alone. The highest decision-making body is the educational administration committee composed of Meng Shenji,

Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin, three Soul Douluo above level 80. The honorary principal is personally held by Emperor Xue Ye. More importantly, the academy has built many simulated environments suitable for the cultivation of different Martial Souls. The abundance of resources is unparalleled in the Heaven Dou Empire.”

“Pretty much,” Xue Qinghe nodded and added, “There is one more point: the daily affairs of the academy are mainly managed by that uncle of mine, Prince Xue Xing. His attitude towards the Crown Prince position is unclear. After you enroll, do not let down your guard, and try not to have direct conflicts with him.”

“Alright, Your Highness can rest assured.” Tang Shan nodded in agreement.

“Then you should also rest early. Tomorrow I will go with you to register.” Xue Qinghe said in a calm tone.

“Your Highness, if you have matters to attend to, I can go by myself.” Tang Shan was somewhat helpless, always feeling that Xue Qinghe’s appearance was like a parent wanting to send their child to school, which was truly a bit strange.

“I will send you there personally.”

Xue Qinghe’s tone was firm. “When all is said and done, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is a noble academy, and inside there is a bunch of blind people relying on their family backgrounds.

If I make a trip there, at least I can wake those ignorant fellows up, which can also save you some trouble.”

Since Xue Qinghe put it this way, Tang Shan naturally refused no further. After all, he also detested those idiots who provoked him for no reason. Reality was not like a novel; acting cool and slapping Faces after being provoked was not a pleasant thing. It was precisely because the opponent was not fearful enough that they dared to act recklessly.

What Tang Shan hoped for more was to be like Clear Sky Douluo in the original work, treating his formidable reputation as a walking “Face Fruit”.

Still under that lush, leafy large banyan tree from before, Gold Crocodile Douluo took out a jet-black communication spirit tool from his storage spirit tool, and majestic Soul Power was injected into it like a stream.

After a while, the communication connected, and Qian Daoliu’s gentle voice came from the spirit tool, “Second Consecrated Elder, how have you been recently?”

“Thank you for your concern, High Priest. Everything is fine, and I have safely arrived in Heaven Dou City.” A hint of respect added to Gold Crocodile Douluo’s tone as he answered in a deep voice.

“How is the situation over on Xiaoxue’s side? Have you encountered any trouble?” Qian Daoliu had long been accustomed to Gold Crocodile Douluo’s respect. He had once thought of correcting it, but never succeeded, so he simply let the other party be.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he immediately turned to the core, inquiring concernedly about Xue Qinghe’s recent status.

“Xiaoxue is going all smoothly,” Gold Crocodile Douluo summarized concisely. “He has already gained the utmost trust of Emperor Xue Ye, and even roped in Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.”

In the Hall of Worship, Qian Daoliu, located under the angel statue, immediately wore a gratified smile on his Face. He subconsciously ignored the rest of the information relayed by Gold Crocodile Douluo; for him, as long as his granddaughter was safe and smooth, it was enough.

“Right, Second Consecrated Elder,” after hearing about his granddaughter’s recent situation, Qian Daoliu was in a great mood, and only then remembered the other purpose of Gold Crocodile Douluo’s trip this time. “That Tang Shan, have you seen him?”

“Seen him. This is precisely the main reason why I contacted the High Priest this time.” Gold Crocodile Douluo’s hoarse and aged voice, carrying a hint of solemnity, came out from the spirit tool.

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu’s previously relaxed expression instantly tightened, and he subconsciously straightened his torso, his tone becoming a bit more serious: “What is the Second Consecrated Elder’s evaluation of him?”

“Astonishingly brilliant, a peerless Prodigy!”

Gold Crocodile Douluo’s words plunged Qian Daoliu into deep thought.

Gold Crocodile Douluo didn’t pause and continued to add, “Tang Shan is seven years old this year, with a Soul Power of level 23, and even has two thousand-year spirit rings! Speaking of combat power, ordinary Spirit Kings are definitely not opponents; even if he encounters Spirit Kings with top Martial Souls like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Clear Sky Hammer, as long as his Soul Power is not exhausted, fighting to a draw is not a problem.”

“Such a Prodigy—”

“In my view, his talent is at least not inferior to Tang Chen back then, and he might even surpass him in the future!”

“At least comparable to Tang Chen—” Qian Daoliu softly repeated these few words, his tone distant and complex. He raised his gaze to look at the towering angel statue before him. The gilded statue emitted a cold luster in the dim light of the hall, and his eyes, which were usually calm and waveless, now stirred with layer upon layer of ripples.

After a long while, he gently sighed, “I didn’t expect that such a figure could still appear in this world—”