Speaking with Strength

Speaking with Strength

Long Chen and Senior Dugu arrived in Suotuo City at dusk.

The setting sun cast its final rays over the bustling city, draping it in a golden veil.

Suotuo City lay within the Balak Kingdom. As an important commercial hub, it not only enjoyed an excellent location but also served as a transport link connecting the kingdom's north and south. Its prosperity was beyond question.

The streets were lined with a dazzling array of shops, from high-end Soul Master equipment stores to ordinary general stores, and from fragrant taverns to lively entertainment venues. Every one of them showcased the city's vitality and diversity.

Long Chen and Senior Dugu walked side by side along the bustling streets, taking in the vibrant atmosphere around them.

"It really is lively here."

Long Chen smiled, his gaze sweeping around.

Senior Dugu nodded slightly.

"You've been cooped up in the mountains for over a year. Apart from this old man, you didn't have anyone to talk to. You must've been going stir-crazy, right?"

"A little, haha~"

"Let's grab something to eat first, then head over to the Soul Arena."

They found a restaurant on the street.

After dinner, Long Chen and Senior Dugu made their way through the night toward the Suotuo Great Soul Arena.

As they drew closer, a grand and imposing building came into view.

It was Suotuo City's landmark—the Suotuo Great Soul Arena.

The Soul Arena stood in the heart of the city and covered a vast area. Its exterior combined sturdy construction with ornate beauty, using the distinctive architectural style of the Balak Kingdom.

The towering building shimmered with a faint golden light in the darkness, adding to its luxurious and imposing appearance.

The entrance to the Soul Arena blazed with light.

Multicolored lights mingled together, creating an atmosphere that was both dreamlike and lively.

The crowds bustled about, and the place was alive with activity.

There were nobles dressed in finery and commoners in plain clothes. Every face was alight with anticipation and enthusiasm for the Soul Fighting matches.

The Suotuo Great Soul Arena was considered a fairly large venue.

It contained one Main Soul Arena and twenty-four Sub-Soul Arenas, and could accommodate sixty thousand spectators at once.

Long Chen knew the rules of the Soul Arena. There were roughly three types of matches.

One was a sparring match, in which the opponents tested each other's skills and were forbidden from killing or seriously harming one another.

Another was a Life and Death Battle, in which neither fighter had to worry about whether their opponent survived.

The third was a Betting Battle. Each side sent out the same number of Soul Masters to compete, and the winner claimed everything wagered.

There were also three match formats: one-on-one, two-on-two, and group battles.

Long Chen and Senior Dugu entered the Soul Arena and went straight to the ticket counter.

He wanted to find out whether the members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were here.

"Hello. Is the Imperial Fighting Team competing tonight?"

A young woman working at the front desk glanced at Long Chen and answered absentmindedly:

"The Imperial Fighting Team does have a match, but it's at the Central Main Soul Arena. There are no VIP rooms left."

Senior Dugu asked impatiently:

"What do you mean by that, young lady?"

The woman at the front desk looked at Senior Dugu and immediately turned pale with fright. She hurriedly explained:

"Esteemed guest, I'm sorry. Our Central Main Soul Arena has no open-air stands; it consists entirely of VIP rooms. There are twelve high-class VIP rooms and three hundred and twenty ordinary VIP rooms, and they've all been booked."

"With that many VIP rooms, isn't there even one available?"

"There really isn't. The high-class VIP rooms all have owners, and the ordinary ones are fully booked at the beginning of every year."

Senior Dugu's expression changed.

"Young lady, I don't want to make things difficult for you. Get your supervisor."

"Certainly. Please wait a moment."

After the woman left, Long Chen smiled.

"Brother Bo, are you planning to force your way in?"

Senior Dugu smiled too.

"Xiao Chen, remember this: in the end, strength is what matters in this world. With strength, you can have anything. Those so-called nobles are nothing in my eyes. I've made countless enemies in my life, so I don't mind offending a few more."

"You really do whatever you want."

Long Chen gave Senior Dugu a thumbs-up.

No matter what, he had to get into the Central Douhun Arena. He couldn't let that bunch from Shrek get their way.

A moment later, the woman returned with a middle-aged man.

The moment the man saw Senior Dugu, he sensed the powerful aura emanating from him and knew this visitor was no ordinary person.

"Esteemed guest, greetings. I'm Ao, the manager of this Soul Arena. How may I help you?"

"My request is simple. I want to watch the matches at the Central Main Soul Arena over the next few days. An ordinary VIP room will do. Don't worry, I'll pay every coin I owe."

Ao the Manager smiled.

"Our front desk staff should have explained that all our VIP rooms have already been booked."

"That doesn't concern me. Find a way to free up a room. I'm only here to watch the matches. I mean no harm."

Ao the Manager was growing angry. He was no ordinary man; he had become a manager at the Suotuo Great Soul Arena thanks to his extensive connections.

But Senior Dugu's aura was simply too powerful. He knew full well that this was someone he couldn't afford to offend.

So he forced down his anger and cautiously asked:

"Esteemed guest, may I ask who you are?"

"My surname is Dugu. My title is Poison."

Senior Dugu couldn't be bothered with pleasantries and simply gave his name and title.

Ao the Manager was startled. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

There were only a handful of Titled Douluo in the Heaven Dou Empire, and Poison Douluo Dugu Bo was unquestionably a figure who struck fear into people's hearts.

He had an eccentric personality, preferred to keep to himself, had killed countless people, and never took anyone seriously.

Ao the Manager naturally didn't dare offend a ruthless man like him.

"So you're Senior Dugu, Poison Douluo. It's our honor that you've chosen to visit the Suotuo Soul Arena. We failed to look after you properly just now. Please forgive us."

"It's fine. Do you have a VIP room now?"

"We do! We do! Please wait. I'll arrange one for you right away."

After Ao the Manager left, Long Chen and Senior Dugu exchanged a smile.

"Brother Bo, you're something else."

"Xiao Chen, this is one of the benefits of strength. You'll understand someday."

A short while later, Ao the Manager returned.

"Senior Dugu, your VIP room is ready. Please follow me."

Ao the Manager personally escorted Senior Dugu and Long Chen to a VIP room, and even politely declined Senior Dugu's offer to pay for the tickets.

The Central Main Soul Arena was exceptionally quiet.

There were no open-air stands. The entire arena consisted of sealed-off private boxes.

Those inside could clearly see everything on the platform through the crystal glass.

But from outside, no one could see what was happening inside the boxes.

The VIPs who came here all had powerful backgrounds and often placed hefty bets.

To avoid conflicts caused by gambling, no one wanted to reveal their identity here.

They wanted to keep a low profile while enjoying the luxury and the sense of superiority.