Qian Renxue's Recruitment and First Soul Battle

She had originally thought Gu En was merely a relatively outstanding heir cultivated by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

But now, it seemed that if he were allowed to grow, even Spirit Hall might find it difficult to suppress this young man in the future.

The way Qian Renxue looked at Gu En changed.

Her original desire to recruit him became incomparably urgent at that moment, even carrying a trace of determined resolve to claim him at all costs.

"Brother Gu En."

Qian Renxue put away her folding fan, her tone becoming more sincere than ever.

"I heard from my teacher that you have been cultivating diligently within the sect."

"Actually, the world outside is vast. With your talent, if you had a broader stage, perhaps you could see scenery farther away."

"For example... Spirit City, or the empire's core circle of power."

Gu En looked into Qian Renxue's bright eyes and sneered inwardly: Spirit City? That's your stronghold, isn't it?

"Your Highness flatters me. I'm merely a crude man who likes tinkering with herbs and Martial Souls. I have no interest in power."

Gu En replied calmly.

"You need not be interested in power. Power will be interested in you."

Qian Renxue stepped forward and lowered her voice, carrying an unquestionable air of dominance.

"Gu En, as long as you are willing to assist me, I can promise you this: the entire Heaven Dou Empire will be in your and my hands. I will grant you a position above ten thousand, second only to one."

Gu En's expression sharpened.

"I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but I have grown accustomed to freedom."

Gu En gave a slight bow.

"The banquet is nearly over. I'll take my leave first."

Qian Renxue stood where she was, unmoving for a long time as she watched Gu En's departing back.

"Young Master, should we..."

Snake Spear Douluo made a throat-slitting gesture from the shadows.

"No."

Qian Renxue's gaze was profound.

"It would be too much of a pity to kill him. A talent like that—if he cannot be used by me, that would be the greatest loss."

"Since the gentle approach will not work, we will lay our plans slowly. I refuse to believe that on this Douluo Continent, there is any man I, Qian Renxue, cannot win over."

"..."

Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.

This was a battlefield where soul masters honed their combat skills and pursued fame and fortune, as well as the most blood-pumping place in the entire empire.

Gu En came here alone, without bringing Ning Rongrong.

What he needed was tempering between life and death, not sparring in a greenhouse.

To conceal his identity, he put on a pale bone mask and changed into a fitted black robe.

"Name?"

The registration clerk asked without even raising his head.

"Bone Spear."

Gu En's voice was low, carrying a deliberately restrained chill.

"Level?"

"Level forty. Quasi-Soul Ancestor."

Only then did the clerk look up, giving Gu En a surprised glance.

He then tried to dissuade Gu En. Of course, it was not out of kindness, but because he did not want gamblers to all bet on Gu En's opponent and cause the soul arena to lose profits.

"A Quasi-Soul Ancestor participating in Soul Ancestor-tier battles will be at a disadvantage. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

A moment later, Arena Fourteen of the Soul Arena.

"Next, please welcome our newcomer—Bone Spear! He will challenge Fierce Bear Gru, a power-attack Soul Ancestor who has already achieved three consecutive victories!"

As the host shouted, thunderous cheers erupted from the stands.

Gu En slowly stepped onto the arena and slightly opened his right hand.

Under the precise manipulation of his multitasking control, the enormous Bone Dragon Martial Soul did not fully manifest. Instead, all of its bone energy was frantically compressed and folded.

Buzz—!

A bone spear nearly two meters long appeared in his hand, pale white from end to end, its spearhead marked with spiral patterns.

Faint spatial ripples flowed around the shaft, making it appear ancient and vicious.

Across from him stood a hulking man over two and a half meters tall. The muscles on his bare upper body bulged like slabs of granite.

Gru looked at Gu En's somewhat slender frame and could not help sneering.

"Where did this skinny monkey come from? You dare come to the Soul Ancestor arena to die before even gathering all your soul rings?"

"Kid, these bear paws of mine have shattered plenty of hard bones. Let's see whether that lousy spear of yours can take a beating!"

Laughter also rang out from the stands.

"Is this masked guy here to make us laugh?"

"Fierce Bear, don't embarrass yourself. Show us your claws and tear him apart for me."

Gu En ignored their mockery. He merely held the Bone Spear level and leaned slightly forward.

"The match begins!"

"Roar!"

Gru let out an angry roar. Two yellow and two purple soul rings pulsed beneath his feet, and his first and second soul rings lit up simultaneously.

His body rapidly swelled, becoming covered in thick brown fur. His hands turned into massive bear claws as they slammed toward Gu En with overwhelming force.

Rending Bear Claw!

Faced with an attack capable of splitting mountains and shattering stone, Gu En did not even use a soul skill.

He shifted his feet slightly. His body, tempered by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and strengthened by the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, erupted with a startling burst of instantaneous speed.

"Too slow."

Gu En sidestepped the bear claws, and the Bone Spear in his hand shot out like a venomous snake, trailing a pale streak of light.

Clang!

Gru's reaction was not slow either. He swung a palm backward and struck the spear shaft.

However, the moment his bear claw touched the Bone Spear, his expression changed.

It did not feel like striking wood or ordinary metal. It felt like slamming into an immovable mountain of divine gold!

A terrifying force of vibration rebounded along the spear shaft. Gru felt his entire right arm go numb in an instant, and he could even hear the groan of bones reaching their limit.

"How could this brat's strength be so great?!"

Gu En pressed his advantage without mercy. The Bone Spear traced an arc through the air, and with the faint propulsion of spatial folding, its tip instantly accelerated and viciously struck Gru's waist.

Bang—!

With a muffled boom, Gru's more than two-hundred-jin body flew away like a tattered sack, crashing heavily into the arena's protective wall and leaving behind a huge crater.

The entire venue fell silent.

Gru struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with shock and fury.

"Bastard! I'll kill you!"

He frantically activated his third soul skill, turning his entire body into a living battering ram as he charged at Gu En.

Gu En's eyes turned cold as he fiercely drove the Bone Spear into the ground.

"Get lost."

He did not use a soul skill. Relying solely on his powerful physical strength, he held the spear one-handed and viciously lifted it toward the incoming mass of flesh.

That strike precisely pierced Gru's armpit, the weakest point in his defense.

Then Gu En exerted force with both arms, actually tossing that massive "Fierce Bear" into the air before sweeping the spear sideways and knocking him directly out of the arena.

From beginning to end, not once had Gu En lit up the soul rings beneath his feet.

Of course, the main reason was that he had no way to conceal the age of his soul rings. Once two purple and one black ring appeared, who knew how much trouble it would cause?

"The winner... Bone Spear!"

The host's voice was somewhat dry.

The spectators in the stands looked at one another, then erupted into applause like rolling thunder.