Settling Accounts

In Heaven Dou City, Chen Yu strolled along a broad main road. Pedestrians and carriages streamed past without end, the clamor of the crowd intertwining with the rumble of wheels to form a bustling, flowing streetscape.

Before Chen Yu, this moving, noisy scene had become unfamiliar scenery. Two years of secluded cultivation seemed to have completely separated him from the once-familiar world of mortal life.

He walked slowly, silently savoring the feeling. Only after half an hour did he quicken his pace and head straight for the Crown Prince Mansion. He had come to Heaven Dou City today to settle accounts with Qian Renxue.

Outside the Crown Prince Mansion, two burly guards stopped Chen Yu. "Halt! Who are you? What business do you have at the Crown Prince Mansion?"

Chen Yu smiled. "My name is Chen Yu. I've come to see His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness once said that if I came to Heaven Dou City, I could come directly to find him."

Chen Yu?

"Are you Chen Yu, the one with a thousand-year second Spirit Ring?" one of the burly men asked cautiously, his voice utterly at odds with his build.

Chen Yu froze. Was the fame of his thousand-year second Spirit Ring really that great?

"That's right. It's me." Chen Yu nodded and admitted it openly.

"My lord, please wait a moment. I'll go in and report this immediately." The burly man's voice became even more respectful, leaving Chen Yu slightly unaccustomed to it.

"Brother Chen, you finally came."

Qian Renxue hurried over to Chen Yu, as though she wanted to make sure he was real.

Spirit Hall had searched for this fellow for two years, yet he had vanished from the face of the earth without leaving behind the slightest trace.

Now that he had appeared, she definitely could not let him get away again.

"Your Highness, I have a matter for which I would like to ask your help. That is why I shamelessly came looking for you."

"I wonder if Your Highness..."

"Brother Chen's matter is my matter. Come, let's go inside and discuss it in detail."

Qian Renxue interrupted Chen Yu and directly led him into the mansion.

A level ninety-eight Golden Crocodile Douluo was stationed in her Crown Prince Mansion. This brat would certainly be unable to stir up any trouble.

In the Crown Prince Mansion's reception hall, Chen Yu stopped speaking after entering and quietly watched Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue grew uneasy under Chen Yu's gaze. "Brother Chen, just tell me what help you need. If I can help, I certainly will."

Even after Qian Renxue finished speaking, Chen Yu remained silent, merely staring at her.

After a long while, Chen Yu finally spoke, but what he said was utterly baffling.

He raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist. "Anyone struck by this fist of mine will carry the aura of my Soul Power on her body."

Qian Renxue shot to her feet, her face filled with panic. Had her secret been discovered? Pointing at Chen Yu, she stammered, "You... you..."

Chen Yu no longer hid anything. "Qian Renxue, hurry up and change back. Looking at you like this feels awkward."

At that, Qian Renxue no longer held onto any hope. Chen Yu had truly discovered her identity.

A flash of golden light appeared before Chen Yu. When it faded, Qian Renxue had returned to women's clothing.

Chen Yu nodded. She looked much more comfortable in women's clothing.

Qian Renxue stared coldly at Chen Yu with her beautiful eyes. "Why did you say it aloud? Now that you know this information, I cannot possibly allow you to leave the Crown Prince Mansion unless you are willing to submit to me."

Chen Yu glanced at Qian Renxue as though he were looking at an idiot.

She was actually still thinking of making him submit. How exactly did her mind work?

Before Qian Renxue could flare up, Chen Yu said, "Why can't I say it? I trust in my strength."

"Forget the Titled Douluo in your mansion—even if your grandfather came, I wouldn't fear him."

"Heh..." Qian Renxue sneered. "You certainly talk big. Then let me see what you're really capable of!"

Chen Yu dug at his ear. "Why does that sound so familiar?"

Qian Renxue was taken aback, then her expression turned slightly awkward. Two years ago, she seemed to have said something similar, and the result had been that someone on her side got beaten up.

But she quickly returned to normal. This time, Golden Crocodile Grandpa was protecting her—a level ninety-eight peak Douluo. How could he possibly lose to Chen Yu?

"It seems you have great confidence in the Titled Douluo protecting you. In that case, I'll wait for you in Sunset Forest and see who is stronger."

With that, Chen Yu directly rode a rainbow streak out of Heaven Dou City at astonishing speed.

Qian Renxue stared blankly as Chen Yu flew away. That speed was far too fast.

"Young Mistress, this man is extremely fast. Even if I can defeat him, I may not be able to catch him."

An elderly man dressed in a golden robe embroidered with silver, his beard and hair both white, appeared behind Qian Renxue and cautioned her.

Without even turning her head, Qian Renxue said, "Even you aren't confident, Golden Crocodile Grandpa?"

"Let's go. We'll head to Sunset Forest as well."

Sunset Forest.

When Qian Renxue and Golden Crocodile Douluo arrived, Chen Yu descended from the sky and landed several meters before them.

Chen Yu glanced at Golden Crocodile Douluo, then said to Qian Renxue, "This is your new bodyguard? An old man—can he still fight? What if I beat him to death?"

Before Qian Renxue could answer, Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke from the side. "Then it can only be blamed on this old man's lack of skill. Feel free to attack with all your strength."

Martial Soul Possession.

Golden Crocodile Douluo let out a low shout. Golden scales covered his entire body, his hands transformed into sharp blades, and a massive scaled tail covered in spikes grew from his back. Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red Spirit Ring rose beneath his feet. In particular, the ninth red Spirit Ring represented a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

A top-tier Beast Martial Soul, the Golden Crocodile King.

"Brat, make your move."

Golden Crocodile Douluo took a step forward, and dazzling golden light erupted from his body. The scales across his body instantly stood on end, producing a metallic clanging sound. At the same time, his white hair hardened into a protective layer around his head. His upper body leaned forward as well, making him resemble a true crocodile.

Chen Yu's gaze remained unchanged in the face of Golden Crocodile Douluo's transformation.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression turned grave. His sixth Spirit Ring instantly lit up, and a massive crocodile phantom emerged behind him, charging at Chen Yu as though it were solid.

Chen Yu circulated his cultivation technique and threw a punch.

Roar!

A pitch-black Divine Dragon roared out from his fist. With a Divine Dragon Tail Sweep, the black dragon instantly scattered the Golden Crocodile, but its tail did not slow, smashing fiercely toward Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Golden Crocodile Douluo wanted to dodge, but the dragon tail had already reached him. He could only take the blow head-on.

Boom—!

A golden figure flew backward and crashed heavily into the ground. Earth and stones exploded in every direction. Once the dust settled, a massive crater was revealed.

Qian Renxue had already been frightened senseless and stood there blankly without moving.

Only after a long while did she come back to herself, staring fearfully at the black Divine Dragon that had yet to dissipate.

"You have Twin Martial Souls?" Qian Renxue stared fixedly at Chen Yu.

Chen Yu naturally understood what Qian Renxue meant. Pointing at the black dragon, he said, "It isn't my Martial Soul. You can think of it as a kind of soul skill."

Chen Yu threw another punch, and a black Divine Ape manifested. The Divine Ape and Divine Dragon charged together toward the crater.

"This old man admits defeat."

A voice came from within the crater. Golden Crocodile Douluo staggered out of it. He had not experienced fear in many years, yet today, he had been taught a lesson by a twelve-year-old boy.

He could not even defeat a single black Divine Dragon, much less one with an additional black Divine Ape. If they continued, he would surely die.

With a wave of Chen Yu's hand, the Divine Dragon and Divine Ape dissipated.

"Since you admit defeat, I'll state my demands."

"I want the information Spirit Hall possesses regarding Soul Beasts with special abilities—their appearances, special abilities, places where they frequently appear, and so on."

"Until the things I want are delivered, Qian Renxue will remain with me as collateral. Only when those things are delivered can she leave."

After Chen Yu finished speaking, he flashed to Qian Renxue's side. To prevent her from refusing to cooperate, he knocked her unconscious with a chop to the neck, grabbed her in one hand, and left.

Golden Crocodile Douluo was too injured to react in time. He could only watch helplessly as his young mistress was taken away.