Lucien's brazen challenge to Title Douluo spread through the academy like wildfire.
"What? That guy's challenging Dugu Bo?!"
"He's crazy. Must be drunk again."
"Who wouldn't dare fight after a jug or two?"
"Classmates, the day of revenge is here! He'll finally get slapped down!"
"You planning to step onto that stage too?"
"…No, but I'll cheer him getting flattened."
Students whispered in clumps, excitement and fear mixing in their expressions.
…
Inside the Education Hall, Meng Shenji stood at the enormous windows, Bai Baoshan and Zhilin at his side.
"Chief… should we intervene? Lucien is the treasure of our Academy. If Dugu Bo goes too far—"
Meng Shenji waved calmly, eyes sharp. "If Dugu Bo truly intended real harm, he wouldn't have come here. No—this is an excuse to test Lucien. As for his so-called fairy herb grievance, forget it. How can that weigh against his granddaughter's happiness? Relax."
Both other elders shared doubtful glances, but Meng Shenji's certainty soothed them.
Academy Square.
Crowds had gathered everywhere but kept a cautious distance. On one side stood Dugu Bo, poisonous aura coiling—the Poison Douluo, Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor. On the other, Lucien, wine jar in hand, sword on his back, grinning drunk and dangerous.
Dugu Yan wrung her hands, her friends at her side.
"Sister Yanyan, you must stop him!" cried Ning Rongrong, panic breaking her haughty tone.
"It's useless," Yan answered bitterly. "Lucien went to provoke Grandfather himself."
"Grandpa—he won't really…" Ye Lingling whispered, face pale.
"I already told him," Yan said firmly. "If he dares hurt Lucien even a little, I'll die first. Let him decide whether he can bear that."
The girls fell silent, their anxious gazes fixed on the square.
Dugu Bo exhaled, stepping forward. "Boy, you still have time to beg for mercy."
Lucien sneered. "Beg? You bullied Yan Yan, and I'm the one to beg? Where's the logic in that?"
The old Douluo forced his lips straight, suppressing his laugh. Even twisting truths drunk, he still shields my granddaughter. This brat…
"Fine," Dugu Bo said loftily. "Let me see how many exchanges you can last against me."
Emerald light burst forth, a giant serpent phantom rearing high behind him. Nine soul rings blazed brightly beneath his feet.
Gasps rippled across the students. "T-Titled Douluo… I'm actually seeing one fight live!"
"First ability—Jade Phosphor Snake King Ball! Catch!"
A sphere of green light blasted at Lucien. At that moment, Dugu Bo noticed something that made his pupils shrink.
Five rings.
This brat was already a Soul King!
Clang!
Lucien swung his black longsword casually, splitting the projectile in two.
"Gulp, gulp—ha!" He wiped his mouth, grinning savagely. "Old poison, get ready to be beaten!"
With a single step, he blurred forward, sword howling with drunken power.
"Jade Snake Formation!" Poison mists billowed outward, forming a deadly storm.
Lucien's form dissolved into streaks of Blade Qi—Fifth ability: Sealed Heaven Slash! Sword-Intent ignited, black Qi burning fiercer than flame.
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes. Not lockable… so that's his fifth skill.
He let it through intentionally, curious of its power.
Chi-chi-chi—!
The slash screeched past him, shaving a line of cold sweat down his brow. His heart seized. Not from the boy's raw strength—but from the black Sword Qi itself. It was abyssal, eldritch, something that should not belong to this world.
If this brat reaches Soul Sage… even I'd hesitate against this strike!
He darted away, sneering. "Still too tender, boy!"
Poison mist gathered tighter at his fingertips, condensed into a shimmering orb—his true fifth soul skill.
On the sidelines, Dugu Yan gasped. "That poison… Grandpa, you won't really hurt him, right?"
But before it could unleash—
"Guardian of the Spirit Sword!"
Sword Qi expanded around Lucien, shielding him.
Another voice called from across the square, crisp and unyielding:
"Dugu Bo. Have you forgotten the sword in this boy's hand?"
A second Titled Douluo descended calmly—Chen Xin, Seven Kill Sword at his side, posture sharp as his Martial Soul.
Gasps overflowed the crowd.
"Another Titled Douluo!"
"Heaven help me, am I dreaming?"
"Chen Xin!" Dugu Bo snarled. "Why are you sticking your nose in my business? I'm teaching my own grandson-in-law a lesson!"
Silence.
Then Chen Xin barked coldly, "Shut up. Lucien belongs to our Seven Treasure Glazed Sect. He is to be my grandson-in-law!"
The crowd froze.
Dugu Bo swore violently. "Fart! Lucien grabbed my granddaughter's hand four years ago—he's ours!"
"Bah! He grew up in my Sect, childhood sweethearts with Rongrong!" Chen Xin roared back.
"…."
"…."
The entire audience stood dumbfounded.
Are… are two Titled Douluos seriously fighting over him as grandson-in-law?
Yu Tianheng gnashed his teeth in the crowd, fury twisting his face. Damn it! Four girls already trailing after him, and now even Sect Elders want him bound to their family?! Lucien, you lucky bastard!
Amidst the chaos, Lucien hiccupped, rubbed his bleary eyes, and muttered, "Tch… stop arguing already. I'm not a kid."
Both Douluos snapped their gazes to him.
"Smelly brat! You tell us. Yanyan—or Rongrong? Which one!" Dugu Bo barked.
Lucien grinned, utterly shameless. "I want them all."
Silence.
Then both Titled Douluos nearly spat blood.
"…This greedy little beast!"
But before they could explode, Lucien swayed, yawned, and collapsed flat, snoring instantly.
Four girls rushed forward in unison, lifting him up protectively. The crowd's collective teeth ached with envy.
This guy… how is he any different from a Cao thief? Eating meat and not even leaving broth!
Later, Lucien's residence in Tiandou City.
Lucien rolled half-awake in bed, fumbling for his usual water glass. Normally one of the girls left it by his side. Tonight—empty. He smacked his lips. "…Never mind, more wine."
From the sofa, a calm voice spoke.
"The four of them went back to the Academy. As for that new girl, Meng Yiran—don't worry. I've already applied noble status for her."
Lucien blinked, focus sharpening. "Uncle Ning?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently.
Lucien's eyes suddenly lit with fire—not of gratitude, but of hunger.
"I don't need thanks. It was only right," Ning Fengzhi said serenely.
But Lucien grinned ear to ear, leaning closer. "No… Uncle Ning. I just wanted to ask—do you still have more of that wine Rongrong brought out from the Sect last time?"
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