A young woman wore the exclusive uniform of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Her features were cool and refined, her bearing otherworldly. She looked about the same age as Shui Bing'er.
But surprisingly, not a single person was around her. The place was utterly deserted.
"That doesn't make sense. Back in my previous life, girls like her were always surrounded by countless guys after class!"
Tuoba Xuan was a little puzzled, but he didn't think much of it and walked over.
"Hi, classmate. Could I ask you something?"
The girl lowered her eyes, looking a little surprised by Tuoba Xuan's appearance.
"No."
She left him with a single word, then walked around him and continued on her way.
Tuoba Xuan stood there, stunned.
"Damn, she's cold."
Tuoba Xuan immediately hurried after her.
"Hey, classmate, don't be so aloof. I just want to ask you something."
The girl was getting impatient. She finally lifted her eyes and glanced at Tuoba Xuan.
"I said no..."
Her words trailed off halfway. Tuoba Xuan was simply too unusual.
It wasn't just his looks, but also that astonishingly confident air about him.
To be fair, having a handsome face really did earn you plenty of special treatment in life.
"Fine. Ask."
Tuoba Xuan cleared his throat.
"Um, classmate, do you know where Dugu Yan is?"
The girl said nothing.
"You're too late. Dugu Yan is already together with Yu Tianheng."
Tuoba Xuan was speechless.
He hadn't asked that. Whoever she was together with had nothing to do with him.
"No, I'm looking for Dugu Yan about something. I'd be grateful if you could introduce me."
"Then you're out of luck,"
the girl said again.
"Dugu Yan isn't here."
"Where did she go?"
"Why should I tell you?"
The girl spoke coldly.
Tuoba Xuan racked his brains for a moment.
"Actually, I'm from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. The clan heard that Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan are together, so they sent me to look into it and prepare accordingly."
The girl nodded and asked no more.
"All right. My name is Ye Lingling, and I'm from the Nine Heart Begonia Family. Dugu Yan and the others went to Tuotie City."
"If you want to see them, we should be having a team Soul Fighting match at the Tuotie City Soul Fighting Arena tonight."
Tuoba Xuan wasn't surprised by the girl's true identity. He had already guessed as much.
"Thanks. I'll treat you to a meal sometime!"
Tuoba Xuan tossed out a polite remark, then hurried off toward Tuotie City.
It was almost dark. If he didn't get there soon, he'd have to sleep on the street tonight.
Before long, Tuoba Xuan reached the city gate again. Ye Lingling happened to be riding out of the city in a luxurious carriage.
Sure enough, Qin Ming was leading the Heaven Dou team this time.
Later, they would run into Shrek in Suotuo City.
Then Shrek would win and head to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where Tang San would meet Dugu Bo, and every Immortal Herb would be plucked clean.
Tuoba Xuan thought it over. He still had a chance—as long as he could meet Dugu Yan before that happened.
Then he could get rid of Dugu Yan's Jade Scale Snake Poison first, and Dugu Bo wouldn't take Tang San away.
Instead, he'd take Tuoba Xuan, who could then claim the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for himself.
Once he'd made up his mind, Tuoba Xuan felt full of energy.
Tuoba Xuan soon arrived in Tuotie City and made his way to the Great Soul Arena in the city.
He'd needed to buy Realgar Powder and strong liquor to neutralize the poison.
By the time he arrived, the match had just begun.
This time, the Heaven Dou Royal Team was facing a team made up entirely of Soul Elders.
Still, with their advantage in talent and teamwork, the Heaven Dou Royal Team emerged victorious.
At the same time, Tuoba Xuan saw Dugu Yan use Jade Phosphor Poison.
"That makes things easy."
Tuoba Xuan murmured, then chased after the seven Heaven Dou team members as they left.
Meanwhile,
"Yanzi, you were incredible! The moment you used your Jade Phosphor Poison, they all dropped like flies!"
Yu Feng was gesticulating wildly as he praised her, spittle flying everywhere. The other six burst into laughter.
"That's right. Yanzi was incredible."
Shi Mo gave Dugu Yan a thumbs-up.
Dugu Yan waved a hand, as if she'd just done something perfectly ordinary.
"I wouldn't be so sure."
The unexpected voice instantly shattered the cheerful mood among the Heaven Dou team.
"Which ignorant brat is spouting such nonsense?"
Yu Tianheng was the first to step forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over the area.
"Everyone, there's no need to panic."
Tuoba Xuan emerged from the shadows nearby.
When Yu Tianheng saw that the newcomer was a boy even younger than them, he let out a sharp laugh.
"You? Who are you to spout such nonsense?"
Tuoba Xuan gave a faint smile.
"I'm just a passerby. But I watched your match just now and noticed plenty of problems—especially her poison. It looks flawless, but it falls apart at the slightest touch."
Ye Lingling looked puzzled, but said nothing.
Dugu Yan's brows knitted slightly.
"Why do you say that? When it comes to poison, my Dugu Family is second to none."
Tuoba Xuan held up a finger and wagged it before Dugu Yan's eyes.
"Then what if I told you I could neutralize it?"
Dugu Yan was displeased that Tuoba Xuan had questioned her family's legacy. "Oh? You? Then tell us how you'd break my Jade Phosphor Poison!"
"Exactly. If you can't neutralize Yanyan's poison today, you'll have to answer for it."
The others were indignant too.
Tuoba Xuan waved a hand, motioning for them to calm down. He knew he was the one who had challenged them first.
Back in his previous life, making an accusation without evidence would have counted as slander.
"How about we settle this on the Soul Fighting Arena? Then we'll see who's right. I can teach you a thing or two about combat awareness while we're at it."
Tuoba Xuan smiled faintly and turned toward a secluded Soul Fighting Arena.
At the same time, Qin Ming heard the commotion and came over.
"Who is he?"
"Don't know. Just some arrogant brat."
Yu Tianheng snorted. The veins on his arm were already starting to bulge.
Everyone followed Tuoba Xuan to the Soul Fighting Arena.
"Yanyan, let me teach this arrogant guy a lesson for you."
Yu Tianheng glared at Tuoba Xuan on the platform.
"No need. I'll handle him myself. I want to see how he plans to break my Jade Scale Snake Poison."
Dugu Yan gave a cold laugh, looking at Tuoba Xuan as if he were a ridiculous clown.
"No need. You two can come up together—or all seven of you, if you like."
Tuoba Xuan loosened up his body and spoke arrogantly.
Yu Tianheng was so angry he laughed.
"Arrogant fool. Let's see if you can back it up."
In the end, Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan climbed onto the platform together.
Qin Ming didn't object. He only told them not to hurt Tuoba Xuan.
Clearly, Qin Ming had never considered that the two of them might lose.
Even the other members of the Imperial Fighting Team wore disdainful expressions, convinced that Tuoba Xuan wouldn't last the time it took an incense stick to burn.
"Yu Tianheng, level 39 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder. Please guide me!"
Yu Tianheng straightened his tie, his voice brimming with confidence. Faint arcs of electricity danced over his body.
"Dugu Yan, level 36 Control System Battle Soul Elder. Please guide me!"
Dugu Yan's eyes turned an icy blue, and the Jade Scale Snake behind her flicked its cold, sinister tongue.
Tuoba Xuan's playful expression faded.
Honestly, he didn't understand why people on Douluo Continent announced their Soul Power levels before a fight.
"Tuo Longhu, level 38 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder. Please guide me!"