The Lu Family and the Cang Family

The moment Mad Halberd was sent flying on the Fighting Soul Arena, Xiao Chen had already hurled his spear.

Before he could even steady himself, he saw Xiao Chen's thrown spear shatter apart, transforming into a rain of spears that rained down upon him.

Mad Halberd's pupils contracted sharply as he frantically swung his halberd to block.

But the spear rain was too dense; no matter how tightly he spun his weapon, he couldn't shield every blind spot on his body.

He could only focus all his strength on protecting his vital points, minimizing the damage as much as possible.

By the time the spear rain had fully fallen, Mad Halberd's body was covered in fine wounds, his clothes torn, blood soaking through completely.

He collapsed to his knees in disgrace, gasping for breath, his aura withered, all trace of his former arrogance and swagger gone.

"I surr... uh... you..."

He struggled to speak, trying to concede, but before the words left his mouth, a spear light streaked through the air—so fast he had no time to react.

Even if he weren't severely injured, let alone at full strength, he could never have dodged it.

The spear pierced straight through his heart.

Mad Halberd's eyes flew wide open, his face full of disbelief.

He had never imagined his opponent would act so decisively.

Until the very last moment of his life, he still couldn't believe someone dared to kill him in Xilu City.

Xiao Chen brushed off his clothes and walked away, hiding his name and deeds.

The audience fell into dead silence first, then exploded into uproar the next second, clamorous discussions sweeping the entire venue.

Everyone knew Xiao Chen's strength was no ordinary thing, but no one expected his combat power to reach such heights.

Twenty-fourth rank against twenty-eighth, a Ten-Year Spirit Ring against a Century Spirit Ring—such a clear gap, yet he dominated Mad Halberd from start to finish.

That final move, Spear Rain, made even the Soul Elders present feel a sense of danger.

They silently weighed it in their minds: even if they had faced it themselves, their outcome probably wouldn't have been much better than Mad Halberd's.

"When did a White Spirit Ring's attached spirit skill become this strong?"

"You actually believe it's a White Spirit Ring? That guy must have some treasure that changes the ring's color!"

"Is there such a treasure? I've never heard of it!"

"Neither have I, but a White Spirit Ring couldn't possibly have that kind of power!"

"Right, that's the only way to explain why he's so formidable."

"I wonder where he's from, but since he killed Mad Halberd, his grandfather definitely won't let this slide. This is going to be interesting!"

"..."

The surrounding audience buzzed with chatter, most spirit masters convinced that Xiao Chen carried some treasure capable of altering a spirit ring's color.

Some who loved watching the world burn had already run off to inform Mad Halberd's grandfather.

Xiao Chen had originally wanted to fight another round, but the staff told him no one seemed to have signed up for the Soul Grand Master bracket, so he had to drop it.

Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue had all staggered their sign-ups for solo fights, so Xiao Chen changed his attire and went with Chrysanthemum Douluo to the Soul Ancestor viewing area.

Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena weren't like Xiao Chen, who had won every match without a single loss.

Though their talent was extraordinary and their strength far surpassed spirit masters of the same rank, the Martial Soul City Great Soul Arena was a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

Especially those old-timers stuck at level forty-eight or forty-nine—once they encountered a spirit attribute disadvantage, even the three of the Golden Generation could slip up and suffer defeats.

In their first battles in Xilu City, they all defeated their opponents cleanly and decisively.

Hu Liena took a short rest and was about to join Xiao Chen for a duo fight when she sensed a powerful wave of spirit power erupting outside the arena.

"Lu Zheng, don't cause trouble in the arena, or don't blame me for being rude!"

A voice rang out, and a majestic Spirit Saint's pressure spread forth—it was the Xilu Great Soul Arena's overseer, Ji Chuan.

"Lord Ji Chuan, my grandson was killed—can't I seek justice?" Lu Zheng's face was ashen, his tone bitter.

"The arena has its rules. Your grandson signed a life-and-death duel; life and death are up to fate. The opponent broke no rules. What justice do you want to seek?" Ji Chuan's tone was firm.

"So what! Whoever killed my grandson, this old man will make them pay with their life!" Lu Zheng roared.

Ji Chuan's face turned cold. "Lu Zheng, if you dare make a move in the arena, you might just be reunited with your grandson today!"

Lu Zheng's expression shifted drastically.

He had thought that his usual friendship with Ji Chuan would earn him some face, but he never expected Ji Chuan to be so ironclad and unyielding today, refusing to budge an inch.

Though the Lu Family was considered a prominent clan in Xilu City, Lu Zheng knew full well that the Lu Family absolutely couldn't afford to offend the Xilu Great Soul Arena.

Not to mention that he himself was only a level sixty-eight Soul Emperor—far from a match for Ji Chuan, a level seventy-three Spirit Saint, in either cultivation or combat power.

"Lord Ji Chuan, I won't cause trouble in the arena. But you should at least tell me who killed my grandson!" Lu Zheng said.

"Codename Mystic Spear, twenty-fourth rank Agility Attack System Soul Grand Master." Ji Chuan replied. This information could be checked anyway, so telling him was harmless.

"Lu Zheng, as an old friend of many years, I advise you to let this matter drop here!" Ji Chuan added.

Lu Zheng wasn't listening. He wasn't stupid either—he knew that someone Ji Chuan would go this far to protect must have an extraordinary background.

But Mad Halberd was his only grandson—how could he possibly let this grudge go unavenged.

Lu Zheng immediately ordered his men to surround the Great Soul Arena of Xilu City, sealing it off completely. Once everything was arranged, he strode straight into the arena.

Ji Chuan did not stop him, but he followed closely behind.

Lu Zheng paid him no mind. After searching the arena for a long time without finding 'Mystic Spear,' he finally spoke up in accusation: "Lord Ji Chuan, I told you I wouldn't cause trouble inside the arena. Hiding someone away like this—isn't that a bit underhanded?"

Ji Chuan replied flatly, "The arena never meddles in personal disputes, nor does it favor anyone."

Lu Zheng knew Ji Chuan's character well. Since he said so, he certainly hadn't helped 'Mystic Spear' go into hiding.

After making inquiries, he learned that 'Mystic Spear' wore a mask during battles. The arena was crowded and full of prying eyes—if he changed his appearance, he would indeed be hard to spot.

Lu Zheng immediately fixed his gaze on every Soul Grand Master inside the arena.

He didn't rashly start a fight, but he stopped every Soul Grand Master who passed by and ordered them to release their martial souls on the spot for inspection.

The soul masters of Xilu City dared not provoke Lu Zheng, so they had no choice but to comply.

Yet even after searching every sub-arena, Lu Zheng found no soul master whose martial soul was a Wooden Spear.

Finally, he stopped at the VIP rest area of the arena—the only place he hadn't yet checked.

Before he could enter, he heard a familiar voice.

"Oh, what a rare guest! Isn't Patriarch Lu supposed to be in seclusion? What brings you to the Great Soul Arena to watch the excitement?" The door to one VIP rest room slowly opened, and an old man stepped out, a hint of a teasing smile on his face.

"Cang Heng!" Lu Zheng's face darkened at the sight of him.

The Cang Family of Xilu City and the Lu Family had never gotten along.

When Xiao Chen was locked in fierce battle with 'Mad Halberd,' some juniors from the Cang Family happened to be watching on the sidelines. They witnessed Xiao Chen slaying Mad Halberd on the spot and immediately sent word back to their clan.

Upon receiving the news, Cang Heng rushed over at once, arriving even faster than Lu Zheng.