Golden Generation

Chrysanthemum Douluo's gaze swept over Dugu Chen beside Dugu Bo, then Dugu Yan, who was absorbing her soul ring. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

"Old Poison, I never expected your granddaughter to have such talent. This little brat must be the disciple you took in a few years ago, right?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo's tone carried some amazement. As far as he knew, Dugu Bo's granddaughter was about the same age as Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, yet she was already absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. That meant she had broken through to Soul King. What kind of talent was that?

And there was Dugu Chen. Chrysanthemum Douluo had heard of him in the Pope's Palace back then. Unfortunately, Ghost Douluo had been one step too late, and Dugu Bo had snatched him up first. Judging by the fluctuations of his Soul Power now, he was no weaker than Hu Liena and her brother at his side.

"Hmph! Of course my disciple and granddaughter are outstanding. Do you need to tell me that?" Dugu Bo said proudly, raising his head at the praise from his old rival.

Looking at Chrysanthemum Douluo before him, Dugu Chen could not help but sigh inwardly. As expected of the Number One Crossdresser of the Continent—he truly was extraordinary.

The ones behind him should be Hu Liena and her brother, right? After all, Spirit Hall did not have many geniuses worthy of Chrysanthemum Douluo personally accompanying them to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt soul beasts.

These two looked ordinary enough, and their emotions seemed calm. Yet they gave off the feeling of wolves poised to strike.

Among all the geniuses Dugu Chen had encountered, none possessed an aura and confidence that could rival the two of them.

Only those who had experienced countless victories and crushed countless opponents could possess such a psychological advantage.

Xie Yue was a man dressed in fitted black clothing. He stood over one meter ninety tall, with neat black short hair standing upright like steel needles. His expression was calm, yet that invisible conviction seemed to burst entirely from within him.

His slender yet powerful hands hung at his sides as his faint gaze fixed on Dugu Chen, his eyes filled with gravity.

Hu Liena had long black hair, and her features somewhat resembled Xie Yue's. Naturally—they were siblings.

Their expressions looked as though they had been carved from the same mold. Her figure was exceptionally perfect; among the younger generation Dugu Chen had seen, only Dugu Yan could compare to her.

Dugu Chen had seen plenty of beautiful women, but Hu Liena did not seem particularly stunning at first glance. Yet upon closer observation, one could sense a strange charm emanating from her.

Every frown and smile of hers carried an indescribable sense of allure.

As expected of one of the rare Spiritual Power cultivators of this era. Even Dugu Chen had felt slightly dazed when he first saw her.

That was quite astonishing. By Dugu Chen's own estimate, his Spiritual Power was at least no weaker than that of a Soul Saint. For Hu Liena to affect him, her Spiritual Power was likely already comparable to that of a Soul Emperor.

At that moment, Hu Liena was studying Dugu Chen with great interest. When she saw his gaze sweep over her, she gave him a seductive blink.

"Little fellow, join Spirit Hall. With your talent, you will have better prospects there." Chrysanthemum Douluo could not bear to let such a genius slip away after seeing Dugu Chen's talent.

"Ju Hua Guan, don't go too far. Poaching someone in front of me—are you looking to die?" Dugu Bo shouted sternly.

Seeing that Dugu Bo was genuinely angry, Hu Liena discreetly tugged at Chrysanthemum Douluo's sleeve.

Making an enemy of a Titled Douluo in the Star Dou Great Forest was not a wise choice.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Excellency, but I am quite satisfied with my current life. I have no intention of going to Spirit Hall."

Dugu Chen was also worried that Dugu Bo might attack Chrysanthemum Douluo in a fit of rage. Setting aside the effect it would have on Dugu Yan, if they drew the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python over, things would become troublesome.

Not only would they all be in danger, but those two soul beasts would likely soon become Bibi Dong's soul rings.

"Hmph!"

The two men, with swords drawn and bows bent, snorted coldly and turned their heads away. They had calmed down now as well. The Star Dou Great Forest was indeed no place to vent one's temper; danger could descend at any moment.

The two sides silently faced off from a distance. Half an hour later, Dugu Yan finished absorbing her soul ring. Seeing the situation before her, she froze slightly, then walked to Dugu Chen's side and sized up the people opposite them.

At that moment, Hu Liena gave Xie Yue a look. With the tacit understanding between the siblings, Xie Yue nodded imperceptibly and walked into the open without changing his expression. He bowed to Dugu Bo—not because of their positions, but out of respect for a strong man.

"You are very strong. I want to see the strength of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's number one genius." Xie Yue spoke to Dugu Chen in an even tone.

Although Xie Yue's tone was calm, Dugu Chen could sense a faint killing intent within it. Only those who had undergone life-and-death battles possessed such an aura. It seemed Spirit Hall's monopoly over the Soul Master Tournament championship was not without reason.

Dugu Chen glanced at Dugu Bo. Seeing that he did not object, he gave Dugu Yan a reassuring look and stepped forward, stopping one meter in front of Xie Yue.

"Xie Yue, Rank 41, Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."

"Dugu Chen, Rank 47, Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."

"Rank 47?!"

Upon hearing Dugu Chen's rank, all three of them were startled. Looking at Dugu Chen, who was even younger than themselves, and Dugu Yan, who had just advanced beside him, Hu Liena and Xie Yue felt defeat for the first time.

Xie Yue was, after all, an elite cultivated by Spirit Hall. He quickly recovered, his heart calm as still water.

"Martial Soul Possession."

Xie Yue's martial soul, the Moon Blade, was not one blade but two. The two blood-red crescent blades were held at their centers in his hands. Two yellow and two purple soul rings pulsed around him.

Dugu Chen only completed a partial possession of his arms. His broad, Gold-Red dragon claws sent ripples through the surrounding air, showing just how sharp they were.

Xie Yue frowned slightly at the sight, but said nothing. Once he entered battle, he became exceptionally focused and would not easily allow his mindset to waver.

He stared coldly at Dugu Chen.

Xie Yue leaped into the air, and his first and second soul rings lit up. The two Moon Blades emitted a dark red glow; merely looking at them was enough to feel their sharpness.

Watching Xie Yue descend from above, Dugu Chen's dragon claws gleamed red as he threw a punch.

In an instant, the Moon Blades and dragon claws collided. A clear metallic clang rang out.

Seeing that his attack had only left a white mark on Dugu Chen's dragon claw, Xie Yue was secretly shocked. Dugu Chen's defense far exceeded that of any opponent Xie Yue had encountered before.

As his Soul Power surged, Dugu Chen gripped one blade with his right hand while his left hand struck toward Xie Yue.

In the Douluo world, martial souls and their masters' bodies were closely connected. One could never casually abandon one's martial soul. Dugu Chen was not worried that Xie Yue would give up his martial soul; abandoning it was practically no different from surrendering outright.

Faced with the crisis, Xie Yue circulated his Soul Power with all his might, using his other Moon Blade to shield the chest that Dugu Chen was about to strike.

At the same time, the Moon Blade gripped by Dugu Chen erupted with a powerful burst of Blade Qi.