[Host completes the Daily Ten Thousand Sword Swings Mission. Reward: Level Nine Soul Tool, Dust Concealment Mask!] [ Dust Concealment Mask ]: Level Nine Soul Tool. Conceals the wearer's cultivation and can change the color of the wearer's Soul Rings. For every hour spent concealed, it consumes 1% of the wearer's Soul Power!
The Dust Concealment Mask was grayish white all over. It looked as if it had been carved from aged wood, yet felt smooth and warm to the touch, like warm jade.
The mask covered only half the face, leaving the eyes and brows exposed. Its edges were polished to a soft finish, and its surface had no elaborate decorations, just two golden lines on either cheek.
Lu Chen carefully put away the Dust Concealment Mask, then turned and headed for Lu Jinnian's office.
Inside, Lu Jinnian was bent over his desk, taking care of the final details for the students' holiday the following day.
At the sound, Lu Jinnian looked up. Seeing Lu Chen, he smiled kindly and asked warmly, "Chen'er, what's the matter?"
"Grandpa, I want to go to Wos Soul Fighting Arena and compete!"
Only cities at the main-city level had Soul Fighting Arenas, and Wos Main City was right beside Nuoding City.
Lu Jinnian paused, his fingertips resting on the documents. In a solemn voice, he asked, "Why?"
"My cultivation requires the tempering of real combat!" Lu Chen answered seriously.
Ever since he had obtained his Soul Ring, he had clearly felt his cultivation speed slowing. The sword was a weapon of slaughter; peaceful cultivation would only dull the edge of the Asura Demon Sword.
"Very well."
Lu Jinnian nodded, then took a bag of Gold Soul Coins from his desk drawer. As he handed it over, he warned, "Chen'er, be careful. Don't reveal your age, identity, or Martial Soul!"
Lu Chen nodded, put the Gold Soul Coins into his Storage Soul Tool, then turned and went back to Dormitory One to pack.
Watching Lu Chen leave, Lu Jinnian was momentarily reminded of his own youthful, spirited days. He gave a wry smile, then turned his gaze back to the work on his desk.
Inside Dormitory One, Xiao Wu watched Lu Chen packing and tilted her head. "Lu Chen, isn't your home right here at the academy? Why are you packing?"
"I'm going to compete in Soul Fighting matches to train myself," Lu Chen said calmly. "Do you want to come?"
Xiao Wu refused. "I'm not going. I'm having dinner with Grandpa Dean tonight."
This term, with Lu Chen keeping her in check, Xiao Wu hadn't had any contact with Tang San. She didn't even know there was someone called Tang San in Dorm Seven.
Lu Chen smiled faintly. "Then I'm off. You can earn quite a few Gold Soul Coins by competing in Soul Fighting matches!"
"Gold Soul Coins?"
Xiao Wu's ears twitched at the words, and her little face immediately grew conflicted. She was afraid some human Soul Master might see through her true identity, but she also wanted the Gold Soul Coins, which could buy her lots of carrots.
Seeing Xiao Wu's concern, Lu Chen said casually, "I heard the strongest person in Wos Main City is apparently a Soul Emperor, and his Martial Soul is a sword. I can ask him for some swordsmanship pointers!"
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. She didn't even bother to put on her shoes. Barefoot, she threw herself at Lu Chen, who had just reached the doorway, and said, "I'm going too!"
Lu Chen set Xiao Wu down and smiled. "Weren't you going to have dinner with Grandpa?"
Xiao Wu blushed and fidgeted. "Oh, Grandpa Dean dotes on me most. He'll definitely forgive me."
Lu Chen's smile faded, and he spoke seriously. "Since you're coming too, let's make one thing clear first: when we're away from home, you have to listen to me!"
"Got it, got it!"
Xiao Wu nodded. After packing her belongings, she boarded a carriage with Lu Chen, and they set off for Wos City.
That evening, the two of them stood in front of Wos Great Soul Arena.
Xiao Wu gazed at the magnificent building, her bright eyes full of curiosity.
Lu Chen took out a mask and put it on Xiao Wu. "Don't reveal our identities, or we'll run into trouble!"
Xiao Wu watched Lu Chen put on his Dust Concealment Mask, obediently nodded, and pressed a hand against 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 field, Lu Chen wrote "Sword Maniac Asura." At his suggestion, Xiao Wu wrote "Soft Bone Charming Rabbit."
While they were testing their Soul Power, Xiao Wu saw that Lu Chen was already a Two Ring Soul Master. Surprise flashed in her eyes, but she didn't say anything.
Before they came, Lu Chen had already told her, "Talk less, ask less, observe more."
Xiao Wu could only assume Lu Chen was incredibly talented and cultivated at an astonishing speed. After all, she still hadn't fully gotten used to the human world!
After the two of them paid the Gold Soul Coins, the registration staff gave each of them an Iron Soul Badge.
Seeing that it was their first time competing, the staff member explained the rules. "There are three types of Soul Fighting matches. The first is a Sparring Match, where the fighters stop once one has the upper hand, and killing blows are forbidden. The second is a Death Match, meant for settling grudges that can't be resolved any other way. The third is a wager match, where each side sends an equal number of Soul Masters to fight. The arena acts as the official witness, and the winner takes the entire wager. Most of these wager matches are also fights to the death. As for the formats, there's one-on-one, Two on Two, and Team Battle.
"If you want to compete, please pay ten Gold Soul Coins."
Lu Chen handed the registration fee to the staff member and said calmly, "Please arrange one-on-one Sparring Matches for us!"
Winning a match as an Iron Soul Fighter earned ten extra gold coins. Losing brought no prize money.
Lu Chen and Xiao Wu were assigned to a spacious room with the other competitors to wait for their turns.
It wasn't long before Lu Chen's turn came. Xiao Wu waved a fist at him, urging him to do his best.
In the center of the Douhun Platform, a middle-aged host in a tailcoat cleared his throat and announced, "Next is the ninth one-on-one match at our Thirteen Soul Arena.
"The contestants are both Soul Grandmasters. One is the Battle Soul Master Sword Maniac Asura, who possesses the Weapon Spirit Blood Nether Sword. The other is the Battle Soul Master Savage Hammer, who has already won five matches in a row and possesses the Weapon Spirit Mysterious Iron Hammer.
"Will Savage Hammer continue his winning streak and claim his sixth victory, or will newcomer Sword Maniac Asura take the win? Let's wait and see. Now, please welcome our two Soul Grandmasters to the stage!"
The stands were already in an uproar. The spectators shouted "Savage Hammer" at the top of their lungs. Clearly, he was quite famous in the Soul Fighting Arena.
A tall, muscular figure soon stepped onto the platform. He was nearly two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a wide back. His muscles were hard as granite, and thick cords of muscle stood out beneath his dark skin.
Watching Savage Hammer from the stands, Xiao Wu unconsciously clenched her hands, silently worrying for Lu Chen.
The host lowered his arm. "Begin!" had barely left his mouth when—
Lu Chen's figure suddenly blurred. In almost the blink of an eye, he closed in on Savage Hammer, swinging his Mysterious Iron Hammer with a rushing whoosh straight at his opponent's face.
Savage Hammer's Martial Soul instantly possessed him. A giant hammer as big as a water vat appeared in his hands, and he swung it hard at the greatsword.
"Clang—"
The deafening clash of metal on metal made everyone's ears ring. Savage Hammer was knocked back three steps, and fine cracks spread across the stone slabs beneath his feet.
After absorbing the Ten Thousand Year Whale Rubber, Lu Chen's Physical Quality was already close to that of a Soul Ancestor. Combined with his Mysterious Sky Heavy Sword, a single strike could shatter metal and stone.
Lu Chen seized the opportunity. He twisted his wrist, abruptly changing the sword's trajectory, and swept the Mysterious Iron Hammer sideways at Savage Hammer like a fierce tiger pouncing down a mountain.
Savage Hammer roared and stomped his right foot against the ground. His Second Soul Ring lit up, and black light gleamed from the giant hammer in his hands as he slammed it into the Mysterious Iron Hammer.
The two weapons clashed again. A sharp crack rang out.
Savage Hammer felt a tremendous force surge up the handle. His palm split open, and his Mysterious Iron Hammer was knocked flying with a clang, landing on the ground.
Lu Chen pressed down with his wrist. The greatsword dropped onto Savage Hammer's shoulder, forcing him down onto one knee. Then, with a thud, he toppled face-first onto the platform, unable to move.
"No wonder you're called Asura. You're incredible. I lost."
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