His Heart Belonged to the Stars and the Sea

Dai Mubai ignored the instigation from the crowd below and merely sneered at Luo Chuan. "All you know how to do is dodge?"

"Heh, fine. I'll satisfy you." Luo Chuan chuckled, then slowly stepped forward, approaching Dai Mubai one step at a time.

Dai Mubai also advanced slowly, thoroughly wary of Luo Chuan. He did not attack first, because he knew that even if he did, it would be difficult for him to touch Luo Chuan.

But when Luo Chuan attacked him, he could seize the chance to counterattack.

Luo Chuan did not know what Dai Mubai was thinking. Otherwise, he would definitely have mocked him a little. Did he not even know what Luo Chuan's martial soul was? His strongest method was not close-quarters combat.

The Sacred Spirit Immaculate Body was powerful, but its strength was still limited. In terms of physical strength, it was still slightly inferior to the Ancient Desolate Holy Body.

The Soul Duel Arena was not large, only thirty meters in diameter. The two quickly met, and Dai Mubai instantly activated his third soul skill.

"Third Soul Skill! White Tiger Vajra Transformation!" Dai Mubai's body swelled once more. With his attributes greatly enhanced, he threw a punch straight at Luo Chuan, who was right before him.

Luo Chuan could have dodged, but he did not. Instead, he threw a punch as well.

Their fists collided. Dai Mubai's entire body shuddered, and he staggered back more than ten steps, while Luo Chuan remained standing firmly in place.

"Whoa—"

An uproar erupted from outside the arena and above the Soul Duel Arena at the same time. The female host's little mouth fell open, and she nearly dropped from the air.

"What's going on? He knocked back the Evil Eye White Tiger without even summoning his martial soul?"

"Could this be a fixed match?"

"A fixed match seems unlikely, but... this makes no sense!"

Countless people discussed it heatedly. On the stage, Dai Mubai found it equally hard to accept. His White Tiger Vajra Transformation had actually been driven back by a single punch from Luo Chuan? And Luo Chuan had not even summoned his martial soul.

"That's it?"

Luo Chuan spoke, his tone full of disdain.

"You kept provoking me again and again. I thought you were stronger than this." Luo Chuan crooked a finger at Dai Mubai.

How could Dai Mubai endure Luo Chuan's provocation? With an angry roar, his second soul ring flashed. He violently shook his numbed arm, then threw another punch.

This time, Luo Chuan did not meet it head-on. Instead, he raised a hand to deflect Dai Mubai's arm, then slammed his shoulder into Dai Mubai's chest.

Another dull thud rang out. Dai Mubai staggered back more than ten steps before barely managing to steady himself.

"Will you admit defeat yourself, or should I throw you down?" Luo Chuan patted the nonexistent dust from his lapel. Dai Mubai clenched his fists tightly, then let out a roar toward the sky and spat out a blazing white beam of light.

How could the White Tiger Light Wave, fired from ten meters away, possibly harm Luo Chuan in the slightest?

Luo Chuan no longer gave Dai Mubai another chance. With a movement of his feet, his body left behind an afterimage.

Dai Mubai's pupils contracted slightly. His massive tiger claw suddenly slapped toward his side as he shouted, "I see you!"

Excitement appeared on Dai Mubai's face. With Luo Chuan's speed, there was no way he could react to such a sudden counterattack.

However, Dai Mubai did not know that every one of his movements was firmly under Luo Chuan's control.

The instant the tiger claw struck out, Luo Chuan made the most correct adjustment. He merely turned slightly to the side, causing Dai Mubai's tiger claw to miss.

Yet Dai Mubai still refused to give up. He opened his mouth again and fired a White Tiger Light Wave toward his side.

But to everyone's surprise, the instant Dai Mubai spat out the light wave, it was caught in a slender hand.

Luo Chuan suddenly clenched his five fingers, and the White Tiger Light Wave instantly scattered into starlight.

"It's over!"

Luo Chuan raised his knee and drove it into Dai Mubai's abdomen. Then he locked both hands around Dai Mubai's arms and violently flung him away.

The string of movements was so fast it dazzled the eye. The entire exchange had taken only two or three seconds. Dai Mubai's body flew sideways off the Soul Duel Arena.

After a brief silence, wave after wave of cheers instantly erupted from the stands. From this battle onward, the name Luo Shen had begun to make a name for itself across Douluo Continent.

"D-Damn it! How could he be this strong?" Beneath the stage, Dai Mubai staggered to his feet. He had clearly used his full strength and had even simulated battles with Luo Chuan in his mind countless times. He had abandoned the initiative and adopted a defensive strategy, yet he had still suffered a crushing defeat.

Dai Mubai covered his shoulder as he slowly left. His injuries were not serious, but it would still take at least a day for him to recover.

Back in the resting area, Luo Chuan returned to his seat and faced everyone's expressions as though they were looking at a monster.

"Xiao Chuan, you... you're way too monstrous, aren't you? You took on Boss Dai head-on without even using your martial soul!" Ma Hongjun immediately rushed over to Luo Chuan's side. He had never realized before that Luo Chuan was this formidable.

Today's battle was even more shocking than yesterday's bizarre fighting method.

If yesterday had been about technique and had not displayed his true strength, then today had been a case of overwhelming all methods with sheer force—an absolute crushing victory through strength.

Ma Hongjun leaned close to Luo Chuan and reached out to squeeze his arm, but found nothing unusual.

Flender coughed dryly and gave Ma Hongjun a look. Only then did Ma Hongjun return to his seat with an embarrassed grin. Of everyone present, Flender understood Luo Chuan's strength best. Yet even Flender did not know the true extent of Luo Chuan's power.

"Xiao Chuan, how did you train? You're actually this strong? Teach your senior brother, how about it?" Ma Hongjun leaned close to Luo Chuan again. He knew Luo Chuan possessed extraordinary talent, but if he could learn even a little, he would benefit immensely.

Luo Chuan nodded at his words. "My training method can only be used by me. But I have another cultivation method that can improve your strength in every aspect, even develop your talent and potential. Do you want to learn it?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Ma Hongjun's small eyes narrowed into slits with delight. Then he lowered his voice and asked, "You'll really teach me?"

"You can't pass it on to anyone else!" That was Luo Chuan's only condition for Ma Hongjun. They were fellow disciples, although Luo Chuan had never called him senior brother. Still, Ma Hongjun had always played the role of an elder brother, taking great care of Luo Chuan and even confronting Dai Mubai for his sake.

"I promise, hehehe." Ma Hongjun grinned lecherously, while Zhu Zhuqing, who was closest to them, felt her heart stir.

It could increase potential? Unearth talent? If she learned it, could she break free from the fate her family had arranged for her on her own?

Zhu Zhuqing gazed at Luo Chuan with clear eyes, slowly losing herself in thought. Dai Mubai happened to see this scene, and his already dejected expression darkened even further. He clenched his fists, which crackled audibly.

After exchanging a few words with the chubby boy, Luo Chuan closed his eyes to rest again. The announcement rang out once more: Zhu Zhuqing was about to duel an unknown Great Soul Master.

Luo Chuan slowly opened his eyes and happened to meet Zhu Zhuqing's gaze.

"Good luck."

"Thank you."

Luo Chuan closed his eyes again. Watching from the side, Ma Hongjun grew anxious and could not help saying, "Xiao Chuan, that's not how you pursue girls. You have to take the initiative."

Luo Chuan froze. "...Who told you I was pursuing Zhu Zhuqing?"

"Don't be embarrassed. Junior Sister Zhu Qing has looks and a figure. You're saying you're not tempted?"

Luo Chuan rolled his eyes. Was he tempted? Of course he was. Who would not be tempted by a beautiful woman?

But his heart belonged to the stars and the sea...