"Fatty, what's wrong, scared already?" Dai Mubai barked through his gritted teeth. His wrist was still aching from Lucien's grip, his pride stinging worse.
Ma Hongjun faltered, eyes flickering with real fear. His earlier bravado vanished the moment he realized the drunk man before them was Lucien.
Tang San steadied the mood, voice calm but sharp. "Don't panic. He may be strong, but he isn't invincible. We have six, he has three. If we cooperate, we can bring him down."
"Five."
The icy voice from the side cut him short.
Everyone's heads turned—Zhu Zhuqing stood in the corner, her cold gaze unwavering. "Count me out. I won't raise a hand against him. Never."
The air thickened. She made her stance clear. She would never fight the man who had rescued her, the man who haunted her every dream.
The others finally understood the depth of her feud with Dai Mubai—and her quiet bond with Lucien.
No time to dwell. Tang San snapped orders, forming a quick battle plan.
…
"Gulp, gulp, gulp… ha!"
Outside the hotel, Lucien swayed, drinking happily as if they weren't preparing to fight him. "So? Done with your little whispering? About time."
Behind him, Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling stepped up, united for once despite their earlier rivalry. "Lucien Big Brother, we'll help you."
Lucien waved them back lazily. "No need. These eight Muggles aren't worth it. I'll hammer them down myself."
"You!" Tang San's eyes narrowed. "Too arrogant!"
Blue silver grass burst from the ground, rushing toward Lucien like a sea of serpents.
"White Tiger, possess!" Dai Mubai roared, his body swelling with strength as three soul rings glowed. Light condensed in his maw into a blazing beam.
"Phoenix, possess!" Ma Hongjun spread fiery wings, coughing out a line of purple flame.
Together—the White Tiger Light Wave, Phoenix Flame, and Tang San's Blue Silver Grass stormed down.
At that moment, Lucien stumbled slightly, locking eyes with Xiao Wu. Her delicate face flickered with bright light in his drunken vision. "Pretty little sister…" he slurred, cheeks reddening. But in an instant he snapped back, grin twisting into a sneer. "Tch. You bastards thought you could catch me off guard?"
He gripped his sword—and his entire presence shifted.
The drunken fool vanished. In his place, an overwhelming swordsman rose.
"Sword Array!"
He thrust his blade skyward—
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Hundreds of sword shadows rained down in a formation, weaving a web of blades that shredded the incoming assault.
The White Tiger Light Wave and Phoenix Fire dissolved against the storm. Tang San's vines were carved apart in an instant, scattering into blue fragments.
Combat experience at its peak—he had turned an offensive group skill into flawless defense.
"Hiss!" Tang San and Dai Mubai sucked in cold air.
But what shocked them wasn't just his tactics. It was his feet.
Five spirit rings glowed around him.
Three purple. Two black.
"S-Soul King…" Ma Hongjun stammered.
"When?!" Tang San's face paled. A Soul Sect was enough to overwhelm them. A Soul King… there was no chance.
Watching from the crowd, Zhu Zhuqing murmured softly under her breath, a fleeting smile on her lips. "He's grown even stronger."
The spectators were wide-eyed, whispers breaking out like wildfire.
"Lu Yuan! It's really him!"
"When did he become Soul King?!"
"That's not a child—that's a demon!"
"He looks so handsome even while drunk!" cried some starstruck girls.
Lucien chuckled mid-drink, sword waving. "Gulp, gulp—ha! You bastards, try this one!"
His second ring lit up.
Broken Air Slash!
Nine arcs of black Sword Qi ripped forward, faster and more devastating under the drunken surge.
Tang San's heart plummeted. He could feel it in his marrow. This can't be blocked…!
But just as the arcs struck—
Boom!
A massive figure descended from above. A bear-like man in rough robes, aura fierce as the forest. He clapped both palms forward, intercepting seven of the nine blades.
But two twists of Sword Qi bent unpredictably around him—slashing back at Tang San and Mubai.
Boom—boom!
They crashed to the ground.
Tang San, even with Xuan Yu Hand, was knocked back hard, dust choking his throat. Dai Mubai had tried to tank with brute body defense—only to be smashed farther than Tang San.
Even so, both were alive—because the middle-aged man had blunted most of the force.
Zhao Wuji straightened, glaring at his students. "When we get back, I'll deal with you myself!" he barked. Not because they lost, but because they had caused this mess.
Lucien, however, ignored the crumpled boys. His hazy eyes locked on Zhao Wuji, and he grinned. "Hmm. Bastard, your defense is pretty good. Not bad."
Zhao Wuji's brow twitched. "So. You're Lucien, eh? I am Zhao Wuji, Immovable King. Let's end it here."
The crowd gasped—he had chosen to concede.
But Lucien only swayed and sneered. "End it? Don't joke. I've finally found someone who can fight me properly. You think I'm letting you off?"
"…What do you want?"
"Zhao Wuji the 'Immovable King'… Fight me."
The crowd fell silent. Zhao Wuji's mouth twitched. He'd meant to end the storm peacefully, but of all things, Lucien had challenged him.
But he could not back down now. Not with so many watching.
"Fine. I'll play along. Watch carefully, you brats. Learn something." He glanced back at Tang San and the others.
"Martial Soul—possess! Vigorous Vajra Bear!"
His body expanded, coated in brown fur. Muscle cracked his shirt apart, height soaring to five meters tall, his aura oppressive.
Lucien drained another jar, aura sharpening instantly. Black mist curled around him, and then he lunged forward like a meteor.
Clang!
Sword against bear paw—Zhao Wuji's face twisted as pain shot up his arms, his body sliding back. What kind of sword is this?! It's like slicing into my soul itself…
Sword Qi burst forth again, forcing Zhao Wuji to cast: "Immovable King's Shield!" Golden light encased him, rebounding Lucien's flames. His massive paws swung again, colliding with Lucien's sword in rapid flurries.
Yet, sparks flared, bear fur scattered, and still—Lucien laughed drunkenly.
"Gulp, gulp—ha!"
"You big bear… your defense isn't bad!"
And in that instant, Lucien vanished—his fifth spirit ability crackling to life.
Sealed Heaven Slash + Dark Flame.
He reappeared behind Zhao Wuji, sword wreathed in black fire.
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened as a sizzling cut grazed past him. His defense had held, but only just. For the first time in years—his heart skipped a beat.
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