"Gulp, gulp, gulp—hic!"
Lucien downed his jar happily, staggering across the courtyards of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect. Today was the day—his duel with the "old geezer" Chen Xin. No way was he going to miss it.
The moment he appeared, Sect disciples paled.
They had plenty of intel already, courtesy of Tiandou disciples who studied at the Royal Academy. Everyone knew this boy was dangerous—especially when drunk.
And today? He was drunk again.
The inner disciples trembled. Unlike outer members, they were all auxiliary soul masters. Fragile bones, thin skin—how could they endure even one of his punches?
But none dared leave. Ning Fengzhi had ordered their presence: witnessing this battle was mandatory.
"Xiao Yuan! You're drunk again?!" Ning Fengzhi scolded from the steps. "I told you not to drink today!"
"Hahaha!" Lucien tipped his jar back, wiping his lips. "How can you not drink on such an important day?"
Ning Fengzhi's sigh was heavy. "…."
Lucien squinted at the rows of disciples standing far back, their faces pale. "Oi, brats! Why're you hiding way over there, huh? Afraid I'll beat you?"
Dozens of nervous eyes met his. He was right—they were afraid.
"Closer!" Lucien barked, glaring. "You came to watch me perform, didn't you? What can you see from so far away? Move up, or I'll beat you up myself!"
They shuffled forward, terrified, but obeyed.
"Good. That's better." Lucien grinned smugly, satisfied.
…
"Big Brother Lucien, wrong way—it's this direction." Rongrong tugged his sleeve back toward the sparring grounds, sighing. Even she couldn't tell if this match could proceed normally with him so drunk.
Sect disciples watching him walk by, swaying with sword in hand, felt their legs go weak. Fortunately, it really was the arena he was headed toward.
The Duel
Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood tall, face cold as ever. "Boy, to be fair, I'll suppress my power to match your level. I won't use extra techniques. Can't have anyone say I bullied you."
Lucien snorted. "Old guy… you're just looking down on me. That's boring."
The second his black longsword left its sheath—Chen Xin's face twisted.
That dreadful suppression. The nightmare from four years ago washed over him again, only stronger. His heart clenched. He regretted those words instantly.
But to take them back now? Impossible. His pride was on the line.
"Go on, I'll even let you swing first!" Lucien taunted.
No way was Chen Xin humoring him this time. His figure blurred, flashing forward at wind-like speed.
Clang!
Steel rang. Sparks flew.
And Chen Xin's heart sank.
This strength… utterly beyond what I expected.
Gu Rong gasped from the stands. "He's a Soul King!"
The words hit like thunder.
"What—?!"
"Impossible! He was a Soul Sect not long ago!"
"Those rings… gods above!"
All eyes widened as they realized it was true—Lucien now carried five rings beneath his feet. Three purple, two black—each one brimming with impossible age.
Inside, Chen Xin gritted his teeth. He thought suppressing himself to Soul King level would be enough. But the clash told him: even peak Soul King power wouldn't hold against this boy.
What kind of monster…?
Sword Qi surged violently as Lucien's second ring lit.
"Break the sky!"
The nine arcs of Broken Air Slash tore forward, empowered by his Surge. Each slash was boosted over seventy percent, screaming toward Chen Xin.
Chen Xin's eyes narrowed. His fourth ring lit immediately. "Murderous Sword!"
A cascade of killing intent burst out from the Seven Kills Sword. But against Lucien's overwhelming Sword Qi… it failed. The clash split the ground open.
"Fengzhi," Gu Rong muttered bleakly, face pale. "Chen Xin will suffer this time."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed as he watched. Lucien's soul ring quality crushed Chen Xin's. Worse, his sword intent overwhelmed the Seven Kills Sword's aura. Only experience remained in Chen Xin's favor—and Lucien's combat instinct wasn't inferior either.
Lucien blinked drunkenly mid-fight, muttering, "What was it I wanted to test today… oh, right. Fifth skill!"
His body swayed but his hands never wavered. Sword intent ignited, cloaking him completely.
"Sealed Heaven Slash!"
He vanished, swallowed in a bolt of black Sword Qi that ripped the very air. Space itself seemed to collapse with the slash.
Chen Xin's face lost all color. "This… this power—"
"Chen Xin! Defend!" Gu Rong roared.
Eyes twitching, Chen Xin abandoned all pretenses. "Seven Kills True Body!"
A tidal wave of power erupted, forming his Martial Soul's true form. He had to. Pride aside—if that strike landed, his dignity would be shattered worse than the sect's tiles.
Lucien reappeared behind him, black Sword Qi scarring the air. Even in true form, Chen Xin trembled under the pressure.
"Gulp, gulp… ha!"
Lucien took another drink mid-stance. "Boring! You're fighting scared, old guy."
Chen Xin twitched. Ungrateful brat!
The spectators gasped. Their shock was indescribable.
"Too crazy…"
"Is he really just a Soul King?"
"He's handsome even while drunk!"
"I'd kill for spirit rings like that…"
Moments ago, they had all stepped back instinctively when Lucien appeared. His sword was like a nightmare to them. Now… that nightmare looked unstoppable.
Aftermath
Later, Lucien wandered lazily into the sect's rear courtyard. "Hmm… I remember there was something important here, but it's missing…"
Then he stopped short, eyes lighting up. "Ha! Found it!"
Two disciples guarding the wine cellar stiffened as his gaze fell on them. Panic flared in their hearts.
"What do we do?!"
"…Pretend we saw nothing."
They turned their backs, whistling to the sky, hands clasped behind them.
Lucien squinted. "Door's locked."
Clink! A key suddenly flew over, bouncing off the frame.
The disciples whistled louder, refusing to look his way.
Lucien, drink-blurred, saw three keyholes where there was one. "Damn it… stop moving!"
Finally, one of the disciples sighed, stepped forward, and unlocked the door himself. So brave. Such a fine martyr.
Lucien's eyes glittered. "Ha! All wine!"
He guzzled a jar, then began loading countless more into his Soul Guidance Device. The disciples kept staring at the sky, praying.
When he emerged, drunker than before, he barked, "You two brats!"
"Ahem—we didn't see anything!" they chorused quickly.
"Hmph. Still pretending to be stupid, huh? Careful I beat you to pulp!" Then, suddenly breaking into a grin: "Get in there and help me load faster!"
"…." Both disciples nearly cried. Who did we provoke?!
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