The news exploded across the continent.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Xingluo Royal Academy.
In less than three days, word of the upcoming exchange match had spread everywhere. It was hyped with a blaring headline: "Preview of the Elite Soul Master Tournament Finals!"
The cities buzzed with anticipation. Even the Papal Palace caught wind of it.
…
Lucien staggered along, wine jar clutched tightly, heading toward the Star Luo Great Spirit Arena.
His steps were unsteady, his cheeks flushed—clearly drunk again. And seeing him like this, every member of the Emperor Team except Oslo panicked all over again.
The night before the battle, Qin Ming had finally made a decision: Lucien would replace Oslo.
Oslo cried tears of joy. For once in his life, he felt like the luckiest man alive—free of the danger of teaming with that monster onstage. If Lucien was in, there was no chance of him getting caught in the chaos.
Everyone else, however, wore ugly expressions. Aside from Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling—who had grown used to his madness—they were terrified. None dared scold him or stop him from drinking.
…
In Xingluo's waiting lounge, Zhu Zhuyun had just risen from her seat. The sight of that familiar black sword and staggering figure made her stiffen.
"It's him!"
"Who?" drawled a blond-haired youth lounging on a sofa—Dai Mubai.
"The one who saved Zhuqing. The one I told you about. Three purple rings… and one black." Her voice was shaken, though she masked it with coldness. That memory of wild Sword Qi still left her uneasy.
But Dai Mubai only snorted. "I said before, there can't be such a spirit master. You must have been tricked by some illusion that night."
"An illusion that even killed a dozen of my men?" she snapped. "Do you even hear yourself?"
He waved it away. "You were mistaken. I won't believe it unless I see it for myself."
…
Time flew like flowing water.
The day of the duel arrived.
The hype of the last three days reached boiling point. Xingluo Great Spirit Arena, capable of seating hundreds of thousands, was packed to the brim. Nobles, sect elders, merchants, and even starry-eyed girls wanting to see handsome soul masters—all crammed in for the showdown.
Cheering rose like thunder.
In Heaven Dou's lounge, Lucien was sprawled on a sofa, wine jar in arms, snoring.
Qin Ming's face twitched so violently it almost cramped. Five minutes to the match—and his strongest card was… asleep.
"Yanzhi, Lingling—wake him." he ordered hoarsely.
The two girls leaned close, shaking him gently. "Lucien…" "Lucien Big Brother…"
No response.
Not a twitch.
Qin Ming wanted to faint.
Then—
"Lucien, wake up for a drink."
The calm, cold voice came from the corner. Zhu Zhuqing, veiled in a dark robe, had sneaked in with their team. Of course she wouldn't miss the chance to see Zhu Zhuyun's pride shattered.
Lucien jolted upright instantly, bleary eyes lighting up. "Drink? Coming!"
He staggered to his feet, swaying. Squinting at her, he gave a crooked grin. "Little kitten… want to drink with me again?"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly—the first true smile since she joined them. "Not this time. It's up to you—go play."
Since the night they drank together, she had never touched another sip with him, but now… a smile slipped through for him alone.
In the corner, Qin Ming extended a trembling thumbs-up. Respect.
…
"The match between Xingluo Royal Team and Tiandou Royal Team—enter the stage!"
Thunderous cheers shook the arena.
Lucien's entrance silenced it just as fast.
A boy of twelve staggered onto the battlefield, swaying like a willow in the wind. He took two steps, tilted the jar back for a long gulp, then hiccupped.
The audience blinked.
"…That's a soul master?"
"Did they get the wrong stage?"
"This kid looks barely out of elementary training—how can he be representing Heaven Dou Academy?"
"…He's actually walking onto the battlefield. Gods help us."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling hurried to steady him. "Lucien, do you need help—"
He waved them back, drinking again. "I'm fine. Don't worry. Just more wine."
From the crowd came scornful whispers.
"What the hell is Heaven Dou thinking, sending a drunkard? Is this mockery?"
"Do they not take Xingluo's Royal Academy seriously?"
"Actually… maybe it's a ploy. Send one obvious scapegoat, so when they lose, all the blame falls on him. That way Heaven Dou saves face."
"Ahhh, makes sense. Poor guy's the sacrifice."
…
Lucien swayed onto the combat stage proper. Everyone else on his team gave him a ten-meter berth, so wide the spectators frowned in confusion.
But he remembered the referee's single clear rule: no killing. He scratched his hair, muttering, "So troublesome."
"Begin!"
A blur of golden hair streaked across the arena.
Davis, the first prince of Xingluo. His four spirit rings gleamed as his fist shot forward like a meteor.
Lucien lazily raised one hand. His fingers clamped down on Davis' fist mid-flight. He didn't even stagger.
In his other hand, he calmly tilted the jar back.
"Gulp, gulp…"
Then he smirked. "You're weak."
Rage exploded across Davis' face. To be mocked so casually, to be ignored even as his strength surged—humiliating! He gathered power to retaliate—
Boom!
A burst of violent aura exploded from Lucien's body. The force blasted Davis back like a ragdoll, smashing him into the ground with a crash that silenced half the arena.
Lucien scratched his head blearily. "…Strange. Who leaked I was strong?"
But in truth, it wasn't the defeat of Davis that stunned the crowd.
It was the glow beneath Lucien's feet.
One… two… three rings of deep purple. And one black.
"Four… rings?" murmured someone.
"But black…?"
The color—impossible.
Silence rippled through hundreds of thousands of throats, like the air itself had frozen.
Even Qin Ming's jaw dropped open. "What the…? A soul sect?! In two years—he… he…"
When Qin Ming last saw Lucien reveal spirit rings, they had been two weak hundred-year rings. He hadn't seen Lucien release them in nearly two years—
and now? Three purples and a black.
The arena gasped in collective disbelief.
Stunned. Dumbfounded.
The impossible revealed itself in front of their eyes.
And Lucien?
He just took another long drink.