The harder Zhao Wuji fought, the more uneasy he became.
Every swing of his enormous fists, every block against that black-flamed sword—it all felt wrong.
This… wasn't the power of an ordinary Soul King.
His chest still ached from Tang Hao's strike days ago, and Lucien's Sword Qi only pressed deeper into the wound. Dammit… old Zhao, don't tell me I'll keel over here today?!
"Don't just stand around watching, you brats! Get back!" Zhao Wuji roared at Tang San and the others.
"Teacher Zhao, you promised to let us learn something!" Ma Hongjun protested weakly.
"Learn?! Piss off! We're entering the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow! Move it!"
Zhao Wuji's distraction nearly cost him—Lucien's fourth ring blazed, his aura surging. Sword·Will ignited, fusing with Surge, his drunken flames rising nearly two meters high.
Black fire curled along his blade. With a growl, Lucien released the right arm bone's power as well.
"Slash!"
A black fire-dragon crashed forward, the ground cracking as it raced for Zhao Wuji.
"Martial Soul, True Body!"
Wings of fury exploded from Zhao Wuji's back, his Vajra Bear swelling further. He caught the strike in both burning palms. The shock alone slid his massive frame back several steps.
Shame it might be—but he admitted it: without his true body, he might not have stopped that blow at all.
Still, his body was battered, Tang Hao's lingering scars stinging with every move. Fighting any further would risk collapse.
"Enough. Stop fighting—your old Zhao's too sleepy!"
With a huff and a slap of his paws, Zhao Wuji dismissed his Martial Soul and stormed off muttering.
"Gulp, gulp—ha!"
Lucien tipped his jar, cheeks flushed with delight. "That was fun! Hah… the soul bone Xuexue gave me's not bad at all. I'll definitely go back for a drink with her again."
The crowd was left speechless.
"A Soul Sage… forced to back down?"
"This monster really is just a Soul King?"
"Too outrageous…"
"Handsome, deadly, and drunk—ahhh!" squealed one young spirit master girl.
…
Lucien's eyes drifted across the line of onlookers. "Hmm? Anyone else want a fight?"
The crowd collectively took two steps back.
Even Zhao Wuji had walked away—who dared step forward?
Lucien's hazy eyes locked onto a man in plain robes. "You. Who are you?"
The man stiffened, trembling. "I… I just came to offer wine!"
Lucien blinked, then brightened. "Haha, good man!"
He snatched the jar, sniffed once, then drank without pause.
"Ha… good wine! Ye… uh, Ye Buxiu, was it? I remember you!"
Ye Zhiqiu of Canghui Academy twitched violently. Who the hell is Ye Buxiu…?
But he bit his tongue. Better misnamed than broken in half.
…
When the dust settled, only Zhu Zhuqing remained at the edge of the crowd. She hadn't moved, hadn't spoken, her eyes fixed on Lucien. Quietly, she stepped forward.
"Lucien," she murmured. "We meet again."
He turned, grin stupid and loving. "Kitten. Drink with me."
"…You're drunk. I'll send you back."
Together, she led him upstairs, settling him into a room before closing the door softly. She stared at it in silence. Tonight, there would be no sleep.
The next afternoon. Star Dou Great Forest, outskirts.
Lucien rubbed his temples, waking late, swearing viciously. "Tch—must have been that fake wine that bastard Ye Buxiu gave me. Next time I see him, I'll pound him."
Ye Lingling rolled her eyes. "Fake wine? You just drank too much."
Noticing his frown, she asked nervously, "Lucien Big Brother, I found a three-thousand-year-old Phalaenopsis beast that suits me. Do you think I should take it?"
Lucien waved dismissively. "Doesn't matter what you pick—always grab the highest age you can. Healing soul masters are the best when they're all milk! More milk, better recovery. Age is everything."
"But Teacher Qin Ming said—"
"Qin Ming? Did he really say that crap?"
"You were drinking in class, of course you don't remember…" Ye Lingling muttered.
"Bah! Ignore him. If you think he's right, tell him to come to me."
His drunken eyes suddenly sharpened. The longsword gleamed, already in his grip.
"Stay here, don't move. I'll be right back."
Before the girls could react, Lucien was already twenty meters away.
A beautiful purple-gold mink bounded through the underbrush, fur glittering in sunlight.
"Ha! Pretty little beast. Runs fast too." Lucien grinned, drinking deep. His Surge ignited—blurring him into the wind itself. He closed the distance instantly.
But just as he lunged, a powerful suction yanked the mink sideways.
Lucien's eyes narrowed. Three figures stood by—the tall thin elder holding the trapped mink in his spirit power.
"Zijin Sable. Good one," the old man admired aloud. "Four thousand years old, at least."
Lucien stomped forward, blade at his side. "Oi! Old man—this mink's mine!"
"The forest's beasts belong to no one. Finders, keepers," the man chuckled.
Lucien's grin sharpened darkly. "You—looking for a beating?"
His five rings burned to life.
The elders froze. That color combination. That impossible aura.
"Lu Yuan…" the old woman breathed in shock. "It's him."
The tall elder paled instantly. They'd heard he was only a Soul Sect weeks ago. Now… a Soul King. And the stories were true—a demon disguised as a child.
With his ties to both Tiandou Academy and Seven Treasure Glazed, opposing him was suicide.
The man forced a smile, quickly wrapping the mink in spirit energy before offering it politely. "Brother Lucien, forgive us. The Zijin Sable is yours."
Lucien snatched it, satisfied. "Hah. Smart."
The elder coughed awkwardly. "We are the Dragon Snake couple. And this…" He pulled a girl forward, "is my granddaughter, Meng Yiran."
Lucien's eyes passed lazily over the two elders, then fixed on the young girl. His grin widened, eyes hazy yet bright.
"Ha… pretty girl. Do you drink?"
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