Dust Veil Conceals Face, Sword Maniac Asura

[Host has completed the Daily Ten Thousand Sword Swings Mission, reward: Level Nine Soul Tool Dust Concealment Mask!]

[Dust Concealment Mask]: A Level Nine Soul Tool that conceals the wearer's cultivation and can change the color of their soul rings. For every hour of concealment, 1% of the wearer's soul power will be consumed!

The Dust Concealment Mask is entirely gray-white, appearing carved from aged wood, yet it feels warm and moist like warm jade to the touch.

The mask is half-covered, leaving only the eyebrows and eyes exposed when worn. Its edges are extremely soft, and the surface has no complex patterns, only two golden patterns on both sides of the cheeks.

Lu Chen carefully put away the Dust Concealment Mask and turned to walk towards Lu Jinnian's office.

In the office, Lu Jinnian was poring over the final details of the upcoming student holiday.

Lu Jinnian looked up upon hearing the sound, saw Lu Chen, and a kind smile appeared on his face. He asked gently, "Chen'er, what's wrong?"

"Grandpa, I want to go to the Wos Soul Arena to participate in a Soul Fighting Competition!"

Soul arenas can only be found in main city-level cities, and Wos Main City is right next to Nuoding City.

Lu Jinnian was slightly stunned, his fingertips paused on the files, and he asked in a deep voice, "Reason."

"My cultivation lies in combat and tempering!" Lu Chen said seriously.

Since obtaining his soul ring, he had clearly felt his cultivation speed slowing down. A sword was a weapon of slaughter, and peaceful cultivation would only dull the sharpness of the Asura Demon Sword.

"You may."

Lu Jinnian nodded, then took out a bag of Gold Soul Coins from a drawer in the table. As he handed it over, he cautioned, "Chen'er, be extremely careful. Do not reveal your age, identity, or spirit!"

Lu Chen nodded, placed the Gold Soul Coins into his Storage Soul Tool, and turned back to Dormitory One to pack his things.

Lu Jinnian watched Lu Chen's retreating back, and in a daze, he remembered his own youthful and spirited days. He gave a self-deprecating smile, then withdrew his gaze and buried himself in his desk work again.

In Dormitory One, Xiao Wu watched Lu Chen packing his things, tilted her head, and asked, "Lu Chen, isn't your home here at the academy? What are you packing for?"

Lu Chen said lightly, "I'm going to participate in a Soul Fighting Competition to train myself! Do you want to come?"

Xiao Wu refused, "I'm not going. I'm having dinner with Dean Grandpa tonight."

This semester, due to Lu Chen's supervision, Xiao Wu had not had any interaction with Tang San, and didn't even know that there was a person named Tang San in Dormitory Seven.

Lu Chen smiled slightly, "Then I'm off. Participating in Soul Fighting Competitions can also earn a lot of Gold Soul Coins!"

"Gold Soul Coins?"

Xiao Wu's ears twitched. Her little face immediately showed a conflicted expression. She was a little afraid of human soul masters seeing through her true identity, yet she was tempted by the Gold Soul Coins that could buy many carrots.

Lu Chen saw Xiao Wu's worry and said casually, "I heard the strongest person in Wos Main City is a Soul Emperor, and his spirit is a Sword Spirit. It's a good opportunity to ask him for advice on swordsmanship!"

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up at this. She didn't even bother to put on her shoes, and barefoot, she pounced on Lu Chen, who had just reached the door, and said, "I'm going too!"

Lu Chen put Xiao Wu down and smiled, "Aren't you having dinner with Grandpa?"

Xiao Wu's face turned slightly red, and she said shyly, "Oh, Dean Grandpa spoils me the most, he'll definitely forgive me."

Lu Chen's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Since you're going too, there's one thing we need to agree on beforehand: when we're out, you must listen to me!"

"Got it, got it!"

Xiao Wu nodded. After packing her personal belongings, she and Lu Chen got into a carriage heading to Wos City.

That evening, the two of them stood in front of the Wos Great Soul Arena.

Xiao Wu looked at the magnificent building, her watery eyes full of curiosity.

Lu Chen took out a mask and put it on Xiao Wu's face, saying, "Don't reveal our identities, or there will be trouble!"

Xiao Wu looked at Lu Chen, who had put on the Dust Concealment Mask, and obediently nodded. She reached out and touched the mask on her own face.

Lu Chen took Xiao Wu to the registration desk. The staff member in charge of registration took out two forms and handed them to Lu Chen.

In the name column, Lu Chen wrote "Sword Maniac Asura," while Xiao Wu, at Lu Chen's signal, filled in "Soft Bone Charming Rabbit."

When testing soul power, Xiao Wu caught a glimpse of Lu Chen already being a Two Ring Soul Master, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she didn't say anything.

Lu Chen had told her before they came to "speak less, ask less, observe more."

Xiao Wu only thought that Lu Chen's talent was terrifying and his cultivation speed was extremely fast. After all, she still hadn't fully familiarized herself with the human world!

After paying the Gold Soul Coins, the registration staff handed two Iron Soul Badges to the two of them.

Seeing that it was their first time participating in a Soul Fighting Competition, the registration staff informed them of the rules: "There are three types of soul fighting. First, sparring matches, which stop when a point is made, and no killing is allowed. Second, death matches, specifically for resolving irreconcilable grudges. Third, gambling matches, where both sides send an equal number of soul masters to compete, officiated by the soul arena. The winner takes the entire wager. These gambling matches are often death matches as well. The formats include one-on-one, two-on-two, and team battles. If you wish to participate in a soul fighting competition, please pay ten Gold Soul Coins."

Lu Chen handed the registration fee to the staff member and said lightly, "Please arrange a one-on-one sparring match for us!"

An Iron Soul Master could receive an additional ten Gold Soul Coins as a bonus for each victory, but no bonus for a loss.

Lu Chen and Xiao Wu, who were participating in the soul fight, were arranged to rest in a spacious room while waiting to be called.

Soon, it was Lu Chen's turn to enter the arena. Xiao Wu waved her fist at Lu Chen, signaling him to do his best.

In the center of the Douhun Platform, the middle-aged host in a tailcoat cleared his throat and said loudly, "Next, we will have the ninth match of the Thirteen Soul Arena's one-on-one soul fights. Appearing will be two Great Soul Masters: Battle Soul Master Sword Maniac Asura, who possesses the Weapon Spirit Blood Nether Sword, and Battle Soul Master Savage Hammer, who has already won five consecutive matches and possesses the Weapon Spirit Mysterious Iron Hammer. Will Savage Hammer Great Soul Master continue his glorious streak with a sixth victory, or will the newcomer Sword Maniac Asura emerge victorious? Let us wait and see. Now, please welcome the two Great Soul Masters to the stage."

The viewing stands were already in an uproar, with the audience shouting "Savage Hammer" loudly, clearly indicating that this soul master had considerable fame in the soul arena.

A tall, sturdy figure quickly arrived on the Douhun Platform. Nearly two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a wide back, his muscles were as hard as granite, and coiled muscles writhed beneath his dark skin.

On the spectator stands, Xiao Wu saw Man Cui's figure and involuntarily clenched her small hands, secretly worrying for Lu Chen.

The host lowered his arm, and as soon as he uttered the word "Begin."

Lu Chen's figure suddenly flickered. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Man Cui. The Mysterious Iron Hammer in his hand whistled through the air, slashing directly at Man Cui's face.

Man Cui's Martial Soul instantly possessed him. A giant hammer the size of a water vat appeared out of thin air in his hand, smashing fiercely against the heavy sword.

"Clang—"

The loud noise of metal clanging made eardrums go numb. Man Cui was actually forced back three steps by the shock, and fine cracks appeared in the granite slabs underfoot.

Having absorbed the Ten Thousand Year Whale Rubber, Lu Chen's physical quality was already close to that of a Soul Sect. Combined with the Mysterious Sky Heavy Sword, one strike could shatter gold and break stone.

Lu Chen seized the opportunity, his wrist twisting. The heavy sword's trajectory changed drastically. The Mysterious Iron Hammer in his hand, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, slashed horizontally towards Man Cui.

Man Cui roared, stomping his right foot hard on the ground. His second soul ring lit up underfoot, and the giant hammer in his hand glowed with a dark radiance, colliding with the Mysterious Iron Hammer.

The two weapons clashed again. After a crisp sound.

Man Cui felt a giant force surge up the hammer handle. His tiger mouth instantly burst, and the Mysterious Iron Hammer was sent flying with a "clang," falling to the ground.

Lu Chen pressed down lightly with his wrist. The heavy sword followed suit, landing on Man Cui's shoulder, directly forcing Man Cui to kneel on one knee. Then, with a "thump," he fell onto the stage, unable to move.

"As expected of the name 'Asura,' you are truly formidable. I lost."