The next morning.
After breakfast, Lu Chen took Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing straight to the Training Ground reserved for the Heaven Dou Royal Team.
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the others were already waiting there, anticipation plain on their faces.
When Dugu Yan saw Lu Chen enter the Training Ground, she immediately smiled and hurried over to him.
"Lu Chen, you're finally here."
In front of the rest of the team, Dugu Yan had put away her alluring manner and didn't do anything "inappropriate."
Xiao Wu watched Dugu Yan standing in front of Lu Chen, a hint of wariness in her eyes. Without thinking, she edged half a step closer to him.
She had the feeling that Dugu Yan and Lu Chen were hiding something from her.
Lu Chen gave Dugu Yan a warm smile, then walked over to stand in front of the team.
Teacher Qin was already there. Seeing Lu Chen, he said, "I'd like to take the team to the Soul Fighting Arenas in the major cities across the Heaven Dou Empire to compete."
He looked at Lu Chen and asked, "What do you think?"
Lu Chen thought for a moment before replying, "Sounds good."
Soul Masters from different regions had different Martial Souls and fighting styles.
This would also broaden their practical combat experience, which could only help them as they prepared to compete in the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Teacher Qin nodded and immediately announced, "In that case, we'll set off for Skywater City in a week!"
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.
Teacher Qin nodded, looking pleased with the Heaven Dou Team. "All right. Next, you'll spar in pairs. Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, the three of you will fight Lu Chen!"
Yu Tianheng and the two Shi Mo brothers exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
Lu Chen looked at the three of them and said calmly, "I hope you won't regret this in a moment."
On the Soul Fighting Arena, Teacher Qin announced the start of the match.
Lu Chen gripped the Mysterious Iron Hammer. He moved, turning into a blur of blood-red light.
In just a few breaths, he was in front of the Shi Mo brothers.
Shi Mo and Shi Mo instantly activated their Martial Souls, and a huge dark yellow turtle shell formed on their backs.
The brothers' heads suddenly drew back, disappearing into their incredibly hard shells.
Without hesitation, Lu Chen swung the Mysterious Iron Hammer and brought it down hard on the shells!
Bang! Bang!
The tremendous force reverberated through the shells, making the brothers' blood and qi churn. The ground trembled slightly, too. Before they could steady themselves, the force sent them flying, and they landed on their backsides outside the arena.
Thunderous Might!
Lightning Power erupted around Yu Tianheng, pale blue current crackling.
Several arm-thick Lightning Arrows quickly took shape and shot toward Lu Chen.
Lu Chen smiled faintly as he gathered Asura Sword Intent along the edge of the Mysterious Iron Hammer.
He flicked his wrist, and the blade traced a smooth arc.
A streak of Blood-Colored Sword Light burst forth!
It cleaved the Lightning Arrows to pieces, then continued toward Yu Tianheng.
Thunder Fury!
Yu Tianheng's Third Soul Ring lit up, and he raised his dragon arm to shield his chest.
The lightning around him dissipated the instant it came into contact with the Sword Qi. The Sword Qi struck his Dragon Scale-covered arm head-on.
With a muffled thud, a tremendous force traveled from his arm through his entire body, making his chest churn with blood and qi.
He was hurled backward, crashing onto the stone slabs outside the arena and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Shock filled Teacher Qin's eyes as he watched. Lu Chen had grown even stronger than before!
On another arena, Dugu Yan easily defeated Osler and Yu Feng.
Looking at Dugu Yan's changed Martial Soul and Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, Yu Feng exclaimed enviously, "Sister Yan, did you take some kind of drug? How did you get so strong?"
Dugu Yan smiled but didn't answer.
It was best to keep knowledge of the Ice Fire Two Elements Spring and Lu Chen's alchemy secret.
Feeling the solid fluctuations of Soul Power from Lu Chen and Dugu Yan, Teacher Qin knew they hadn't used any pills with Side Effects to raise their strength.
Teacher Qin looked at Lu Chen, his eyes burning with excitement, and asked, "Lu Chen, just how strong are you now?"
Lu Chen smiled faintly and returned the Mysterious Iron Hammer to his Storage Soul Tool.
A flash of blood-red light passed over him, and the Asura Demon Sword appeared in his hand. Two yellow, one purple, and two black Soul Rings circled the blade.
"Five-Ring Soul King!"
Teacher Qin stared at Lu Chen in shock. "How is that possible? Just half a month ago, your Soul Power was only at level forty-five!
What happened during the half month you were away with His Excellency Poison Douluo?"
Lu Chen replied calmly, "While I was away, I happened upon an opportunity suited to me, thanks to Senior Dugu's help. I simply took advantage of it and broke through."
At the edge of the crowd, Ye Lingling's clear blue eyes remained fixed on Dugu Yan. Her long lashes fluttered softly, and a thoughtful look flickered in her eyes.
Teacher Qin took several deep breaths before recovering from his shock. Excitedly, he said, "Looks like the championship of this year's Soul Master Competition is as good as ours!"
The Heaven Dou Team had even more confidence in Lu Chen now.
Teacher Qin looked at Lu Chen and said solemnly, "Lu Chen, let me test your strength!"
Blazing Fire Wolf, Martial Soul Possession!
Yellow flames flared around Teacher Qin. The muscles beneath his clothes suddenly swelled, stretching his loose outerwear tight. His eyes turned yellow, and yellow wolf ears and a tail appeared on his head and back.
Lu Chen gripped the Asura Demon Sword with both hands and held it upright before him. "Teacher Qin, come at me!"
Teacher Qin's Fourth Soul Ring lit up, and a wolf's howl rang out.
Rings of fiery ripples appeared beneath his feet, turning into several clusters of flame that rushed toward Lu Chen.
Lu Chen responded by lighting his First Soul Ring. Blood-red flames rose from the Asura Demon Sword.
He swung the sword, and a flash of blood-red light blazed forth.
The fireballs exploded around Lu Chen with a roar, scattering sparks across the ground.
Through the smoke, a yellow figure darted behind Lu Chen.
Flames gathered in Teacher Qin's right hand as he reached for Lu Chen.
Lu Chen's lips curled into a faint smile. He spun around, twisting his wrist.
Clang! Sparks flew.
Teacher Qin's wolf-clawed right hand was stopped by the blade of the Asura Demon Sword.
Seeing this, Teacher Qin used the impact to his advantage, pushing off the Asura Demon Sword with his right foot and opening several meters of distance between them.
Lu Chen's Second Soul Ring lit up.
He swung the Asura Demon Sword, sending a streak of greenish-red sword light straight at Teacher Qin.
Teacher Qin's Third Soul Ring lit up. The yellow flames around him burned brighter, and he punched toward the sword light, his fist wreathed in fire.
Boom!
The shockwave spread outward, and the onlookers instinctively stepped back.
Teacher Qin stumbled back several steps. He held his right hand behind his back as he steadied himself.
"Very strong! With your talent, it won't be long before you surpass me!"
Just then, a teacher walked in and said to Teacher Qin, "Teacher Qin, Dean Meng wants to see you."
Teacher Qin dismissed his Martial Soul, and the flames gradually died away.
Before leaving, he reminded everyone, "Keep training. Don't slack off!"
No one noticed that as he turned away, the knuckles of his hidden right hand had gone white and were still trembling uncontrollably.
Only Lu Chen watched Teacher Qin walk away, a knowing look flickering in his eyes.
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