Grinding Points

Cang Heng had originally planned to meet 'Mystic Spear' first; he knew full well that the force behind Mystic Spear, capable of nurturing such a shocking genius, was certainly no weak power.

Holding to the principle that an enemy's enemy is a friend, Cang Heng had long intended to seize this opportunity to win over the faction behind Mystic Spear and use them to suppress the Lu Family.

But he had rushed to the Soul Arena ahead of time and still hadn't found 'Mystic Spear'.

Left with no choice, he stayed put in the VIP lounge, deliberately waiting there, just to ambush Lu Zheng and spite him.

"Cang Heng, did you hide 'Mystic Spear' away?" Lu Zheng said coldly.

"So what if I did?" Cang Heng offered no explanation.

Lu Zheng's face darkened terrifyingly, his fists clenched tight.

After a long silence, he spoke in a harsh tone: "Cang Heng, our two families have fought for years with wins and losses on both sides, but you'd better not meddle in this matter. Otherwise, I can't guarantee I won't do something extreme!"

Cang Heng's expression remained calm and composed on the surface, but inwardly he was uneasy.

The two great families had schemed against each other for years; he knew Lu Zheng's temperament too well. Seeing Lu Zheng like this, he understood the old man was on the verge of losing his reason.

He knew in his heart that this might be the perfect chance to topple the Lu Family.

If he could secure cooperation with the force behind Mystic Spear, he wouldn't fear even completely offending Lu Zheng.

But unfortunately, he hadn't met the person behind 'Mystic Spear', knew nothing of the depth of that force, and couldn't gauge their stance or attitude, so he dared not gamble everything rashly.

Just as the two were locked in a standoff, Xiao Chen and Hu Liena walked out of the lounge, preparing to register for the duo battle.

Ji Chuan saw the room they came from, and his expression instantly darkened.

He knew clearly that Mystic Spear had been in that lounge earlier, along with that mysterious senior whose aura was unfathomable, suspected to be a Titled Douluo.

Although Xiao Chen had changed his mask and makeup, his build was almost identical to 'Mystic Spear'. Ji Chuan thought to himself: "The VIP lounge of the Soul Arena—even Lu Zheng can't barge in! Why is this 'Mystic Spear' coming out on his own?"

Moreover, he was puzzled why that senior hadn't followed him out.

"Forget it. Lu Zheng might be losing his mind, but I doubt he'd dare make a move here." Ji Chuan mused quietly.

Xiao Chen and Hu Liena ignored Ji Chuan and the others, walking straight toward the registration area.

But just as they passed Lu Zheng, he blocked their way.

"You two don't look like you're from Xilu City," Lu Zheng said.

"Oh? Are people not from Xilu City forbidden from participating in the arena?" Hu Liena replied coolly.

"Of course not!" Lu Zheng said gravely, his gaze fixed. "Would you two mind releasing your martial souls and letting me have a look? I mean no harm—I only want to find the real culprit who killed my grandson. I hope you'll grant me this favor!"

As he spoke, his eyes remained locked on Xiao Chen.

He had already watched the battle recording of Xiao Chen killing 'Mad Halberd', and could tell that Xiao Chen's build matched 'Mystic Spear' very closely.

"And if we refuse?" Hu Liena's tone was icy. A mere sixty-eighth-level Soul Emperor—what face did he have to ask for favors from the Holy Maiden of Martial Soul Hall?

Seeing Hu Liena's unyielding attitude, Lu Zheng was almost certain that the person before him was 'Mystic Spear'.

He forcibly suppressed the rage boiling in his heart, holding back the urge to strike.

He knew that if he acted rashly, Ji Chuan would immediately intervene, and Cang Heng would surely take the chance to kick him while he was down.

"Senior Sister, we're going to register for the duo battle anyway. Letting him take a look won't hurt," Xiao Chen said at that moment.

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Chen released his Wooden Bow martial soul, also revealing his forty-third-level Soul Ancestor aura.

Lu Zheng, Ji Chuan, and Cang Heng were all stunned. None of them expected that this person, whose build was so similar to 'Mystic Spear', was not actually 'Mystic Spear' himself.

Hu Liena gave a light snort and released her Demon Fox martial soul as well.

"Can we go now?" Hu Liena asked.

Lu Zheng immediately stepped aside. He felt that these two were connected to 'Mystic Spear', but since Mystic Spear hadn't appeared, and they were inside the arena, there was nothing he could do to them.

"Lord Ji Chuan, I'd like to visit the VIP lounge and pay my respects to those inside. Rest assured, I know the rules—I won't cause trouble," Lu Zheng requested.

Ji Chuan nodded. As long as the rules weren't broken, he had no reason to interfere.

After that, Lu Zheng entered the VIP lounge and began visiting each room one by one.

His attitude was courteous, and as a sixty-eighth-level Soul Emperor, the people in the rooms were willing to give him some face.

Ji Chuan had been quietly worried that the mysterious senior might not grant him an audience, but to his surprise, the other party allowed Lu Zheng to enter and inspect.

Yan and Xie Yue's builds were quite different from Xiao Chen's, so Lu Zheng didn't ask them to release their martial souls. He could sense that the man sitting with closed eyes in the lounge, who seemed to be a steward, was no ordinary person.

"My apologies for the intrusion!" Lu Zheng cupped his hands in a salute and withdrew from the room.

Ji Chuan was a bit puzzled. He knew 'Mystic Spear' was here; as the arena's overseer, he was certain Mystic Spear hadn't left.

"Could it be that this senior has already secretly sent 'Mystic Spear' out?" Ji Chuan speculated inwardly.

Still, since Mystic Spear hadn't appeared, Ji Chuan breathed a sigh of relief.

He wasn't afraid of Lu Zheng, but if Lu Zheng really started a fight inside the arena, it would cause massive damage and losses.

The VIP lounge wasn't large, and Lu Zheng finished his search quickly, still finding no trace of 'Mystic Spear'.

Just then, everyone heard the arena's broadcast.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the main Fighting Soul Arena of Xilu Great Soul Arena will now host a Soul Ancestor-level two-versus-two battle!"

"The String Fox Duo competing in this match, just like Mystic Spear on Fighting Soul Arena No. 7 earlier, has achieved an astonishing twelve consecutive victories without a single loss!"

"This is the String Fox Duo's debut match here at the West Lu Great Soul Arena. Their opponents are the Shadow Flame Duo. Let's welcome both sides with a warm round of applause!"

The host's voice carried throughout the entire arena.

Under normal circumstances, only group battles or Soul King-level matches would use the main Fighting Soul Arena.

But a twelve-win streak at the Soul Ancestor level carried far too much weight, so this 2v2 had been arranged for the main stage.

Ji Chuan immediately thought of Xiao Chen and Hu Liena, who had just passed by them.

He turned around at once and hurried toward the main arena.

After all, since Mystic Spear hadn't shown up, there was no need to worry about Lu Zheng causing trouble.

Cang Heng followed right behind him.

Unable to find any trace of Mystic Spear, Lu Zheng decided to tag along as well.

The Great Soul Arena was already surrounded by the Lu Family's people anyway; if anyone suspicious turned up, they would inform him.

Just as they arrived at the main arena, they happened to witness a shocking scene.

The battle had only just begun when it ended.

Faced with Hu Liena's wide-range charm illusion, the Shadow Flame Duo lost focus in an instant.

Xiao Chen and Hu Liena's teamwork was already honed to perfection. The moment the Shadow Flame Duo faltered, Xiao Chen's arrows struck their vital points with precision, instantly rendering them combat-ineffective.

When it came to farming points, Xiao Chen and Hu Liena's duo combo was far faster than his solo matches.