Heaven Dou City – Great Spirit Arena.
The Tiandou Cup, the capital's most anticipated annual tournament, was once again held here.
But this year was markedly different.
In the audience: Great Emperor Xue Ye himself, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
The Emperor's motive was simple—he wanted to see with his own eyes the boy the continent hailed as "not weaker than a Title Douluo"… the prodigy named Lucien.
…
Inside the Arena, students from every academy gathered in groups, watching and judging their rivals. Those not qualified to fight filled the bleachers, eager for the spectacle.
"Look, Shui Bing'er from Tianshui is still so beautiful…"
"Feng Xiaotian's back at it, shamelessly chasing Huo Wu again."
"Don't you know Huo Wushuang is now considered the strongest attacker?"
"Strongest? You're forgetting Lucien—Tiandou Royal Academy's monster."
"…Stronger than Title Douluo, they say. I can't believe it."
…
Every academy had filed in. Only one delayed—Tiandou Royal Academy.
Not because they wanted to show off.
Because they couldn't find Lucien.
Meng Shenji's forehead veins twisted. They scoured the Academy, scoured his residence, even the taverns—and still no sign.
"Damn brat's disappeared…!" Meng Shenji raged, his reputation trembling. If Lucien really skipped, he would be shaming Emperor Xue Ye himself!
Somewhere in the stands, Yu Tianheng and the others heard the news and hid their relief inside thin smiles. If Lucien doesn't show up, maybe we'll survive this tournament.
But they didn't dare reveal too much—because Lucien's four closest girls were there: Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling, and newly Meng Yiran. If he found out they'd celebrated his absence… he'd kill them himself.
"What, no Lucien?!" the crowd groaned.
"We wanted to see that freakish spirit ring setup…"
"Disappointing."
Even Emperor Xue Ye frowned, displeased. "Ning Fengzhi, where is he?"
Sect Master Ning could only smile awkwardly.
Princess Xue Ke sat just behind, her hands folded tight. She wasn't here for bloody combat—she was here to see Lucien. Now her anticipation turned into dismay.
How boring.
And then, through the noise, came a familiar swagger:
"Ha… how do you ease your worries? Only Dukang wine!"
The crowd snapped their heads around.
Lucien's silhouette appeared shambling down the aisle, jug tipped loosely in his hand.
"Lucien Big Brother!" Ning Rongrong's shrill cry echoed. The other three girls leapt up, running to him.
"Oh, hell no…" Yu Tianheng clutched his head, despair collapsing onto him. We prayed he'd never come… yet here he is after all!
"Lucien Big Brother, where were you?" Rongrong asked.
"Yuexuan Restaurant." He answered sagely, swigging.
The girls blinked. "Yue… Xuan? Restaurant?"
Lucien nodded. "Mhm. Nice place. Calming. Though that Big Sis Yuehua wouldn't drink with me. A shame."
The four exchanged dumbfounded looks.
…
In the stands, noble ladies whispered eagerly.
"Oh my, it's really him, jug and sword!"
"Too handsome… too wild!"
"Unfair—Princess Xue Ke's gaze never leaves him!"
Indeed, the princess stared fixedly. The more girls Lucien collected around him, the more her heart spun. Why did he show interest in her brother before, but not bat an eye now? Confusing!
Meanwhile, Tianshui Academy.
"Seven girl, look—he's even better-looking in person," one petite student squealed, cheeks pink.
"Since when are you such a fangirl?" teased her busty senior with cropped hair.
"Sit straight," Shui Bing'er, the aqua-haired captain, said calmly. "The match begins soon. Focus." But even her dark-blue eyes had flickered momentarily in Lucien's direction.
…
The Imperial Box.
"Ning Sect Master, that's him?" Emperor Xue Ye narrowed his eyes at the drunk boy.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ning Fengzhi answered with hidden pride.
Lucien leaned casually on two girls, chugging openly in front of tens of thousands.
The Emperor's frown deepened.
Princess Xue Ke's mind, however, was in chaos. He surrounds himself with so many women—yet he slaps my brother's butt and brushes me aside! He must… like men!
Her world spun.
The lottery ended. The Cup would be divided into groups—three teams each, round robin.
Tiandou Royal Academy drew Blazing Academy and Kamikaze Academy.
With Emperor Xue Ye's speech complete, the Tiandou Cup officially began!
Swaying with his jug, Lucien looked across the arena, eyes narrowed.
Why does everyone care about brackets and points? In my view, each team is just another jug of wine to finish. Knock them all over and you're champion. Simple.
"Qin Ming, what do we do against Kamikaze next?" Yu Tianheng asked, voice trembling. The hidden plea: Please don't put me with him.
Qin Ming, however, glanced to Lucien's side… at Rongrong and Meng Yiran.
"Rongrong, Ranran—would you like to fight?"
Meng Yiran blinked in confusion. She had never imagined this—Alien Beast Academy couldn't even dream of competing in the Tiandou Cup. And now, they asked her?
Before she could answer, Rongrong's hand shot up. "Yes! We'll play."
Seeing Lucien nod happily, Qin Ming decided instantly. "Alright. Four girls, plus Tianheng and Yufeng. That's our lineup."
At least this way, Lucien wouldn't accidentally cleave his teammates. When it came to those four girls, he never lost control.
Yu Tianheng nearly collapsed. Good gods. First time in my life I've regretted being captain.
Arena Floor.
"Tiandou Royal Academy versus Kamikaze Academy! Players, enter the field!"
Both sides strode out. Lucien drifted behind like a drunken willow, jug sloshing.
"Team members, release Martial Souls! One minute to prepare!"
The referee—a Tiandou teacher long since numb to his antics—didn't even scold him.
On Kamikaze's side, seven Martial Souls exploded skyward—speed and blades, led by Feng Xiaotian, their Soul Sect attacker.
On Tiandou's side, four dazzling girls, Yu Tianheng, Yufeng, and at the back…
A Soul King swaying, drinking leisurely, sword black as a devil's flame.
The murmurs of the crowd went silent with awe.
--
Check out my pa**on to read 50 advanced chapter for just 7$. Link is in synopsis/description of this fic.