Recognizing Jian Jiu as Li Zhexian, Li Zhexian vs. Yu Tianheng

In the VIP Box on the second floor, seven young men and women were watching the arena.

At their head was a young man with long black hair. His plain-looking face was expressionless, and his blue fighting attire bore no decorations whatsoever.

Yet this simple outfit gave off an extremely dangerous feeling.

Like the stillness before a thunderstorm.

"Boss, what do you think of this Jian Jiu?"

A handsome young man with short golden hair leaned against the wall and asked with a grin, "Can he make you go all out?"

Another young man dressed in black swirled the wineglass in his hand and said, "Yufeng, don't underestimate him. This Jian Jiu isn't simple."

Looking at the white-clad figure below, the golden-haired youth called Yufeng curled his lip. "Not simple?"

"I don't see it that way."

"Osler, you're always boosting others' morale and crushing our own."

At that moment, the tall woman standing with her arms crossed suddenly laughed.

Her name was Dugu Yan. She lowered her head and fiddled with her emerald-green nails. Her dark purple short hair made her look valiant, while her pair of jade-green eyes lent her a bewitching charm.

"Lingling, what do you think of this Jian Jiu?"

The tall woman's green eyes shifted as she looked toward the slender figure standing in the corner of the room.

She was the other girl among the seven. Dressed entirely in black, even her face was veiled behind a layer of black gauze.

Her waterfall-like blue hair fell to her waist. In eyes the same color as her hair, there was only profound loneliness.

At the green-eyed woman's question, her pleasant yet hollow voice sounded. "Very strong."

"Haha, see? I told you Jian Jiu wasn't simple. Ye Lingling rarely says that about anyone!"

Osler shot Yufeng a smug glance.

Yufeng looked thoroughly unconvinced and was about to argue.

"Enough."

The long-haired young man at the head of the group finally spoke.

"Can't you two learn to be a little quieter, like the Shi Brothers?"

The Shi Brothers he mentioned stood there like two massive black towers, exuding a heavy, steady presence.

Yufeng spread his hands. "Boss, then you tell us."

"You'll be fighting this Jian Jiu later in a Soul Battle."

"What do you think of his strength?"

The long-haired young man was Yu Tianheng, possessor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul. After a long silence, he said calmly, "He's very strong."

"I can't quite see through him."

"His current opponent is a level thirty-three Battle Soul Master. I hope he can force him to use his second sword."

At their captain's words, a trace of shock flashed through the eyes of the other six members of the Heaven Dou Royal Team.

No wonder Yu Tianheng had signed up for a Soul Battle.

Was this Jian Jiu really that strong?

Their original plan had been to head to the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City and participate in seven-man team Soul Battles.

They had heard that a very powerful seven-man team had appeared in Suotuo City.

But Jian Jiu's appearance had stirred Yu Tianheng's competitive spirit.

Their trip to Suotuo City could only be postponed.

At the same time.

In the VIP Box on the third floor.

Xue Qinghe stared at the white-clad figure on the arena, pursing his lips in silence for a long while.

"You're saying he's Jian Jiu, whose name has resounded throughout the Great Soul Arena?!"

Pufferfish and Snake Lance were completely stunned.

Even with the Faceless Man mask on, anyone who saw him regularly could easily recognize that white robe and his tall, lean figure. This was clearly Li Zhexian.

"That country... Li Zhexian is actually Jian Jiu?!"

As Title Douluo, there were already few things left that could surprise them.

Yet this unbelievable fact was right before their eyes—

Li Zhexian, that Drunkard who idled around every day, doing nothing but cooking and drinking Wine, was actually Jian Jiu, the man who had killed eighteen contestants with only one sword strike per battle and achieved twenty consecutive victories!!!

"Phew..."

Xue Qinghe slowly let out a breath.

He gazed at the white-clad figure on the arena, a deeply hidden golden glint passing through his eyes.

"No wonder you refused to go to Royal Academy..."

As though remembering something, Xue Qinghe suddenly asked, "Who do you think is stronger, Li... Jian Jiu or Yu Tianheng?"

The two frowned and pondered for a long time.

Pufferfish slowly said, "If their Soul Power Levels were equal, then Jian Jiu would undoubtedly be stronger."

"But Jian Jiu's Soul Power cannot be above level thirty, while Yu Tianheng is already level thirty-nine."

Snake Lance said solemnly, "I think the outcome is uncertain."

"Because no one has ever seen Jian Jiu use a second sword."

"Perhaps he has been hiding his strength as well."

"Mm. His opponent this time is a Battle Soul Elder. We should be able to see some clues."

Xue Qinghe said nothing.

He merely watched Jian Jiu on the arena... or rather, Li Zhexian.

The audience's cheers rose higher and higher.

After the host shouted "Begin!" from the edge of the arena, he immediately leaped down.

There was no helping it!

Being slow simply wasn't an option!

Several times, before he could even get off the arena, Jian Jiu's opponent's blood had already sprayed onto his face!

"Jian Jiu, I'll step on your name and become a Silver Badge!"

The Burly Man grinned viciously as he tore apart his shirt, revealing a muscular upper body covered in scars.

His reputation was no small matter either.

Even though Jian Jiu's name was currently at its peak,

amid the noisy stands, people could still be heard shouting his name.

That represented his past glorious record.

"Roar—!"

The Burly Man let out a roar nearly like that of a wild beast.

He took a step forward.

Boom—!

The arena trembled three times.

One white, one yellow, and one purple Spirit Ring rose from beneath his feet at the same time.

Grayish-brown mane burst from the back of his neck. His spine arched segment by segment like a drawn bowstring, his amber pupils narrowed into slits, and his nails transformed into hooked claws.

Lynx Martial Soul!

A close relative of the tiger!

It was considered a very powerful beast Martial Soul!

The Burly Man bent his knees, and the arches of his feet pressed spiderweb-like cracks into the arena.

With an angry roar, he charged at Li Zhexian like a sharp sword.

"First Soul Skill—Ghostlight Sharp Vision!"

"Third Soul Skill—Lynx Shadow Charge!"

"Second Soul Skill—Void Rending Lynx Claws!"

He used all three Spirit Skills at once!

One of them was even a thousand-year Spirit Skill!

The Burly Man moved so fast that he nearly became an afterimage!

At that moment.

The stands fell silent.

Pairs of bloodshot eyes stared at the arena, suppressing their excitement.

In the second-floor VIP seats, the seven members of the Heaven Dou Royal Team led by Yu Tianheng fixed their gazes on the battle.

In the third-floor VIP Box, Xue Qinghe looked calm, but his hand inside his sleeve had unknowingly clenched into a fist.

Under the gaze of the entire crowd.

Facing that grayish-brown streak of lightning, Li Zhexian's eyes beneath his mask were as cold and indifferent as frost.

The next instant, sword light flashed.

The vast majority of those present did not see how he drew his sword.

They only saw two purple Spirit Rings empower that three-foot azure blade.

"Second Soul Skill—Three Swords of Splendor."

"First Soul Skill—Azure Edge Severance."

A chilling streak of sword light, filled with a thirst for blood, tore through the arena beneath the dim yellow glow of oil lamps.

Many people instinctively shut their eyes.

The sword light was so sharp that they did not dare look at it directly.

"Ghk..."

When the audience opened their eyes again,

the Burly Man's head had parted ways with his neck.

It rolled across the arena, scattering blood everywhere.