Tianshui Academy, conference hall.
At the head of the long table sat a graceful woman in her thirties, hair swept into an elegant bun, dressed in flowing blue robes. This was the dean of Tianshui Academy.
Around her sat seven or eight senior female soul masters, each a high-ranking figure of the school. And near the end of the line sat the captain of Tianshui Academy's team—Shui Bing'er.
"Bing'er, what has Lucien been up to lately?" the dean asked gently.
Lucien had been at Tianshui Academy for some time now. Aside from drinking nonstop, he hadn't seemed to train or practice, leaving their carefully prepared research plan at a complete standstill. The academy board could hardly contain their frustration any longer.
"Same as always—drinking all day," Bing'er admitted with a shake of her head.
Honestly, if she hadn't witnessed him single-handedly dominate the Heaven Dou Cup finals, she'd never believe that lazy drunk was the same "genius soul master" everyone whispered about. How could a person grow stronger just by drinking?
Ever since Lucien appeared, the world seemed full of mysteries.
Of course, what she didn't mention was how, between gulps of liquor, he never failed to wink at her.
"…Keep a closer watch," the dean instructed calmly.
Her expression betrayed no surprise—this was exactly the answer she had expected.
For weeks now, whether among teachers or students, there were only two words they used for Lucien.
Hopeless drunk.
"Bing'er, you may step out. Remember, this matter is to remain secret."
"When we uncover Lucien's so-called cultivation method, your team will be the first to benefit. Consider it a gift to your sisters."
"Thank you, Dean!" Bing'er bowed and left. Yet in her heart, suspicion lingered. More and more, it felt like the dean was treating them as guinea pigs.
"Dean, Lucien's growth defies reason," one of the council members said gravely. "This isn't the cultivation speed of any ordinary soul master."
"He isn't ordinary," another countered. "He's a freak."
"Even if he was born with innate full spirit power, his speed is beyond belief."
The room buzzed—but when the academy's eldest elder, Mo Lao, finally spoke, the table fell silent.
"Two days ago, I met Lucien myself in the advanced class. Even without releasing his martial soul, I couldn't gauge his strength." Her voice was low, deliberate.
Gasps filled the hall. Elder Mo was their strongest powerhouse. If even she couldn't measure Lucien's depth…
"His level doesn't tell the full story anymore," Mo Lao concluded. "Reports say that during the battle in Star Luo City, he already had the strength to face Contras directly. I doubt he's reached Soul Emperor yet… but very soon, he will."
The words trembled across the table.
A fourteen-year-old Soul Emperor.
Just imagining it sent shivers across every teacher present.
"The key is still this—why does Lucien grow so fast?" the dean pressed softly.
But now, silence ruled.
They had been investigating Lucien's "training methods" since the day he first arrived. They thought every soul master had patterns, habits, small techniques they could eventually observe and replicate. But no matter how long they watched him, they found nothing.
Because Lucien never trained. He just drank.
No technique. No secret regimen. Nothing.
At first, they suspected conspiracies—that maybe Meng Shenji or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hid something. But if Lucien's methods could be copied, why hadn't Heaven Dou Royal Academy or the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect done it first?
The conclusion none of them wanted to admit weighed silently over the table.
Perhaps… there is nothing to study at all.
Meanwhile, outside…
"Hmm, hmm~" Shui Yue'er hummed to herself as she strolled the academy streets, twirling her silky hair around her finger.
She nearly shrieked as a sudden force yanked her aside, pushing her against the wall. She caught a sharp whiff of alcohol before even seeing him.
"L-L-Lucien! What are you doing this time?!" Yue'er stammered, pressing her back against the wall in alarm.
Lucien blocked her with one hand, taking a huge gulp from his jar.
"Haahhh—Yue'er! Long time no see!"
His grin was unrestrained, eyes glittering. This academy's not bad at all. Every corner I turn, I can grab a beauty. Old man Meng Shenji did me a favor sending me here. If I'd ended up stuck at Elephant Academy, surrounded by muscle-bound men? Truly tragic.
"…Long time no see? But didn't we bump into each other half an hour ago?" Yue'er whispered, bewildered.
Last time, he'd cornered her by the library. Now it was by the main path.
"Really?" Lucien tilted his head. There were too many pretty girls in Tianshui; he honestly couldn't keep track.
Nearby classmates whispered as they passed.
"Look—he's pressing Yue'er against the wall again."
"I'll admit it… I'm jealous."
"Stop swooning, idiot. Didn't you hear the rumors? Lucien's power surged again, they say he's already close to Soul Emperor."
"Impossible at his age!"
"…Then explain why our teachers are panicking, huh?"
Yes, wherever Lucien went in Tianshui Academy, eyes followed. He was the lone male student—a walking magnet for attention.
"Little beauty, want a drink?" Lucien handed the wine jar toward Yue'er with a sloppy grin.
She flinched back immediately, shaking her head frantically. "No way!"
Here in Tianshui, girls caught drinking faced harsh punishment. Only Lucien got away with it.
"I know, I know. Not allowed inside the academy." He leaned closer, eyes spinning with amusement. "So, why don't we go out drinking instead?"
With a flourish, he pulled a freshly picked wildflower from behind his back, offering it to her like a treasure.
Yue'er's cheeks burned. "D-during school hours… dating is forbidden…"
Lucien's blurred, intoxicating gaze pressed against her excuses like a physical weight.
"Dating? Who said anything about dating?" he chuckled. "C'mon. We'll just step out for some flower wine."
Her heart fluttered painfully—yet also traitorously—for a few moments.
Finally, timidly, her fingers pressed together, and she gave the slightest nod.
Lucien's smile widened instantly. "Great! Then bring Bing'er along too. The three of us together."
Yue'er's face froze. Her lips twitched.
So that was it. All along, this scoundrel wanted her sister.
And he'd coaxed her along just to set it up.
I've been tricked!
--
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