Lightning Beneath Dragon Might

Dead silence.

The entire Spirit Dueling Arena seemed to have been stripped of sound. Even the dust floating in the light appeared frozen.

Yu Tianheng's heavy breathing was the only sound in that deathly stillness, like the howl of a dying beast.

He stared fixedly at that ominous black halo. The fine blue dragon scales on his Lightning Dragon Transformation arm flickered erratically from the violent turmoil in his mind, and the lightning around him had become utterly chaotic.

"You..."

"What kind of monster are you?"

He practically forced those words out through clenched teeth.

Shen Tianchen did not answer.

He merely slowly raised his right hand and made a "please" gesture toward that massive, muscle-bound body wreathed in lightning.

The gesture was casual and graceful, yet it was like a resounding slap across the face.

"Your performance is over."

"Now, it's my turn."

"Roar—!"

That silent contempt ignited the last of Yu Tianheng's pride.

Fear was completely overwhelmed by fury.

He hesitated no longer. Second Spirit Ability—Thunderous Might!

"Crackle!"

Countless blue lightning serpents as thick as arms erupted madly from the ground of the dueling platform, weaving into an impenetrable net of lightning that instantly engulfed the entire stone stage!

Yet Shen Tianchen remained unhurried. Black light flashed around him, and a mysterious black shield instantly appeared, blocking every one of the frenzied lightning serpents. The serpents crackled against the shield, but could not penetrate it in the slightest.

Taking advantage of the opening while Yu Tianheng unleashed his spirit ability, Shen Tianchen flashed forward and appeared before him like a ghost. His right hand shot out like a blade, stabbing straight toward Yu Tianheng's chest.

Yu Tianheng's face changed drastically. He wanted to dodge, but it was already too late. Just as Shen Tianchen's hand was about to touch his chest, he suddenly withdrew it, changing his grab into a palm strike that landed heavily on Yu Tianheng's shoulder.

A powerful force instantly surged into Yu Tianheng's body. His entire body went numb, and his limbs and bones felt as though they had all been bound, leaving him unable to move in the slightest.

Looking at Yu Tianheng sprawled on the ground, Shen Tianchen said calmly, "I won this match." Deafening cheers erupted throughout the Spirit Dueling Arena. Everyone had been won over by Shen Tianchen's overwhelming strength and brilliant performance.

At that moment, a figure rushed down from the VIP seats. It was the mentor of Yu Tianheng's team. His face was filled with anxiety as he hurried to Yu Tianheng's side to check on him.

Only after confirming that Yu Tianheng's power had merely been temporarily sealed and that he was otherwise unharmed did he sigh in relief. Then, he looked at Shen Tianchen with a complicated expression. "Your strength is astonishing. We concede this match wholeheartedly. But I am curious—which faction do you come from, to possess such strength at such a young age?"

Shen Tianchen smiled calmly. "I am merely a Rogue Cultivator out gaining experience."

The mentor frowned slightly, seemingly not entirely convinced, but he did not press further. At that moment, the arena host loudly announced, "The winner of this spirit duel is Shen Tianchen!" Cheers erupted once more.

Shen Tianchen turned to leave the Spirit Dueling Arena when a voice called out to him. When he turned around, he saw that it was Dugu Yan.

"Could you... come with me for a moment? I want to talk to you," Dugu Yan said, pursing her lips, her face somewhat haggard.

"Sure. Lead the way."

Before long, the two arrived at an inconspicuous pavilion.

"I can call you Sister Yanzi, right?"

"You can."

Dugu Yan hesitated slightly before asking, "Can you really cure my Martial Soul Poison?"

Shen Tianchen smiled upon hearing that. "Looks like unless I show you something, this girl still won't be at ease."

"On rainy days, do you often feel a numb, itchy sensation around your ribs?"

"Yes."

"And late at night, do you feel needle-like pain at the top of your head and the soles of your feet? Am I right?"

"Yes."

It seems he really does have a way to cure my poison. When Shen Tianchen described those symptoms, Dugu Yan felt as though she had swallowed a life-saving pill.

"What I'm curious about is why you chose to believe what I said," Shen Tianchen asked, his expression unchanged.

"Because I trust my intuition." Dugu Yan took a deep breath and looked at Shen Tianchen with firm eyes.

"And the strength you displayed makes me think you have the ability to solve my problem."

Shen Tianchen raised his brows in feigned surprise. "Oh? Can you make this decision? And as far as I know, your grandfather, Dugu Bo, is a Titled Douluo well versed in poisons. Even with his abilities, he cannot solve it?"

Dugu Yan hesitated, but still said, "The poison in my body comes from my family's inherited Martial Soul, the Jade Scale Serpent. Its control is quite good, but the longer one cultivates, the more toxins gradually accumulate within the body. In the end, the only outcome is death."

Shen Tianchen pondered for a moment. "Let me examine your condition." As he spoke, he placed a hand on Dugu Yan's wrist, and a stream of Soul Power slowly entered her body to investigate.

"So this is the so-called Jade Scale Serpent Poison? It really is rather overbearing."

After a moment, Shen Tianchen withdrew his hand. "This poison is somewhat troublesome, but it is not incurable. It will take quite some time."

"However, if I cure your poison, you must pay the corresponding price."

A trace of resolve flashed through Dugu Yan's eyes. "As long as it can be cured, I am willing to pay any price."

A meaningful smile curved Shen Tianchen's lips. "Don't put on such a look of facing death without flinching. I'm not that boring. If I said I can cure it, then I can cure it."

"As for the price... you'll find out when I meet your grandfather." Shen Tianchen paused, then added, "Try not to use Jade Scale Serpent Poison these next few days. Wait until I return and come up with a solution for you." With that, he left.

Dugu Yan watched Shen Tianchen's departing figure with her beautiful eyes, and for some reason, she felt a wave of reassurance in her heart.

After returning to the accommodation arranged by the academy, Shen Tianchen began sorting through his thoughts.

"The method from the original timeline is indeed somewhat feasible, but there are always hidden dangers. Setting aside how difficult it would be to find a spirit bone suitable for a Jade Scale Serpent spirit master..."

"Even if one were found, given the size of a spirit bone, if all the toxins were transferred into it, there would definitely come a day when it became full. Once that happened, if the poison erupted, it would surely endanger one's life. It seems I still need to find a more reliable method."

Just as Shen Tianchen was racking his brains, an idea suddenly came to him. That's right, isn't the Aromatic Silk Beauty the bane of all poisons? I can start with that. It basically only exists in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, though. I can't be the one to bring it up first. Looks like I'll have to find a way to trick Dugu Bo.

I have to make a trip there sooner or later anyway. I can also see which immortal herbs are suitable for me. Best case, I can get my hands on the remains of the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King. Then I'll soar straight to the top.

Just as he was imagining his future strength skyrocketing, a knock at the door shattered his fantasy.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Yu Tianheng."

Yu Tianheng? Why is he here? Shen Tianchen thought as he headed toward the door.