Du Busi: Have I Become a Remnant of the Old Era?

Lu Chen looked straight into Xue Ling'er's eyes, his tone calm yet carrying unquestionable certainty:

"I saw you take out a Level Four Soul Cannon before.

I assume you know that your Mental Domain is actually very suited to the Soul Engineer path."

Xue Ling'er's face filled with bitterness at his words, and she let out a helpless sigh.

"So what if I know? I do like Soul Tools, but looking across the continent, where is there a place for someone like me?

"The Sun Moon Empire is too far away, and the border is tightly sealed. I simply can't get through.

"The academies of Star Luo, Heavenly Soul, and those other countries only care about the strength of one's Martial Soul.

"A pure support like me, who can only share vision and has no offensive ability whatsoever, is ignored by everyone.

"As for Shrek... although it has a Soul Tool Department, without a recommendation letter from someone at the city lord level, I wouldn't even know which way its gates opened.

"Besides, I'm already fifteen. I'm long past the enrollment age for those academies."

Lu Chen was slightly stunned after hearing that.

Thinking it over carefully, that really was the case.

The empires of Douluo III's original continent might proclaim that they valued Soul Tools nowadays.

But deep down, they still clung to that outdated doctrine of Martial Souls above all else.

Moreover, most academies had age and Soul Power Level requirements for admission.

Once someone exceeded the age limit, unless they caught the eye of an academy teacher or higher-up,

it was very difficult to enroll.

Meiying was the same.

She was nearly fourteen this year, and although her Soul Power Level was sufficient, she was on the older side.

If not for Vina's influence, it would have been difficult for her to enroll as well.

That was precisely why Douluo Continent could not compare to the Sun Moon Empire.

It was too rigid and lacked the will to reform.

If Xue Ling'er had been born in the Sun Moon Empire, she would likely have entered Mingde Hall long ago with her talent.

Why would she have to suffer indignities in this Soul-Hunting Town?

But... this worked out perfectly!

"Actually, there is a place where you can learn Soul Tools for free. It just depends on whether you're willing to go."

Lu Chen raised his brows and began to tempt her.

Xue Ling'er's eyes suddenly lit up as she anxiously asked, "What place?"

Meiying's heart skipped a beat. That tone, that rhythm... those familiar tactics.

She looked at Lu Chen with a strange expression.

Lu Chen gave a light cough and spoke three words.

"Body Sect."

"Huh?"

Long Aotian's eyes nearly popped out as he said in astonishment,

"Brother Lu, when did our sect start offering Soul Tool classes?

"I stay in the sect every day. How come I've never heard of it?"

"If I say we have them, then we have them. Why all the nonsense?"

Lu Chen shot him an irritated look.

When he turned back to Xue Ling'er, his expression instantly became as warm as a spring breeze.

"As long as you join my Body Sect, I can make the decision to have at least a Level Seven Soul Engineer personally teach you.

"And I'll cover all your future Soul Ring needs. I'll definitely select the most suitable spiritual-type Soul Beasts for you."

"A Level Seven Soul Engineer?!" Xue Ling'er cried out in shock.

Within the three great empires of the original continent, Soul Engineers of that level were exceedingly rare.

Shrek probably only had two or three of them.

"Brother Lu, our sect doesn't even have anyone who can weld iron. Where are we supposed to get a Level Seven Soul Engineer?"

Long Aotian lowered his voice, his face utterly earnest. "And doesn't the sect master hate Soul Tools and such fanciful tricks the most?"

Lu Chen rolled his eyes, looking as though he hated that Long Aotian had failed to meet his expectations.

"You're from the old family line too. What's our sect's code of conduct?"

"Body and soul as one, I alone reign supreme!" Long Aotian puffed out his chest.

"Not that one. The more vulgar one!"

"Uh..."

Long Aotian scratched his head and answered tentatively, "Could it be... if we can rob it, we don't buy it; if we can take it, we don't ask?"

Lu Chen revealed an approving expression, as though he could finally teach him, and clapped his hands.

"Exactly! If we don't have one ourselves, can't we go to the Sun Moon Empire and 'invite' one back?"

If Level Eight Soul Engineers were not strategic assets,

most of whom stayed in the core of Mingde Hall and were difficult to target,

Lu Chen would have even wanted to directly "invite" a Level Eight one back.

Xue Ling'er and Meiying: ???

The two were so shocked that their mouths hung slightly open, completely petrified.

They had long heard that the Body Sect acted domineeringly.

But this was the first time they had seen someone speak of "robbing talent" with such righteous confidence.

Tang Ya was trembling all over from holding back her laughter.

The more Lu Chen spoke, the more animated he became, adopting an arrogant air as though he commanded the world.

"Besides, I'm the young sect master now. My teacher is already old.

"His thinking is rigid, and he can't keep up with the tides of the times.

"Remnants of the old era like that should peacefully retire in the sect.

"The world will ultimately belong to young people like us!"

"Brother Lu is incredible!"

Long Aotian's blood boiled as he listened, his face full of worship. "I will definitely follow Brother Lu's footsteps, overthrow the old forces, and forge a new sect!"

"Is that so? It seems you two little bastards have grown your wings and think these old bones of mine ought to be put in a coffin?"

A sudden, heavy voice sounded from behind them.

Accompanied by a terrifying pressure that sealed heaven and locked earth, it instantly enveloped the entire room.

"Holy shit!"

Lu Chen and Long Aotian shrank their necks in unison like cats whose tails had been stepped on.

They cried out and leaped into the air.

When they turned around, several figures had somehow appeared in the room.

At their head was Du Busi, his old face dark as he stared at them gloomily.

To his left stood Luo Wei and the Sixth Elder, Guan Yi, whom they had just parted with not long ago.

To his right stood the Fifth Elder, White Bone, and the Seventh Elder, Twin Fists.

As well as the Second Elder, Mo Yuan, known as Jade Eyes, who had reached Level Ninety-Five.

The Body Sect's five great elders had all gathered!

Lu Chen's heart pounded wildly.

Good heavens, had they just finished robbing the Sun Moon Empire and happened to walk straight into the line of fire?

"Master... Elders, why are you here?"

Lu Chen and the others hurriedly stood straight, bowing respectfully and behaving as meekly as quails.

The Second Elder, Mo Yuan, chuckled. His smile was gentle as jade.

"The young sect master is so young, yet his ambitions are lofty. He wishes to lead our sect through reform and renewal. This old man is greatly gratified."

Lu Chen looked embarrassed and gave an awkward laugh. "Second Elder, you flatter me. I was just spouting nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."

Du Busi looked at him sideways and snorted coldly.

"Weren't you quite impressive just now? You wanted this 'remnant of the old era' to enjoy his retirement?

"What, wilted already?"

The other elders exchanged glances, unable to suppress the smiles at the corners of their mouths.

Lu Chen gave a foolish grin and immediately began flattering him.

"Master, listen to yourself. You and the elders are the pillars that stabilize our sect.

"Without you shielding us from the wind and rain up front, how would your disciple dare to jump around outside?"

"Hmph! Brat, you're all honeyed words."

Du Busi scolded lightly, though he could not hide the hint of pride in his eyes.

If this boy could truly shoulder the banner sooner, he would gladly enjoy some peace and leisure.

Meiying and Xue Ling'er were already so stunned that they barely dared breathe.

Who was Du Busi? He was one of the continent's absolute strongest experts.

Now that the Body Sect's upper echelon had appeared together, the impact left their minds completely blank.

Meiying recovered faster. She pulled Xue Ling'er along and bowed tremblingly.

"Greetings, Your Excellency of the Body Sect!"

Du Busi merely swept a cold glance over them.

He gave an "Mm" through his nose, his attitude exceedingly indifferent.

What a quick change of face...

The two women silently complained.

That was Du Busi. The way he treated his disciple and outsiders could not have been more different.

At that moment, Elder White Bone looked at Lu Chen with intense interest in his eyes.

"Young Sect Master, Elder Luo said that not only did you break through to Soul Grandmaster, but you also obtained two Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings?

"Could you let this old man have a look?"

The moment those words were spoken, even Du Busi's gaze became heated.

They had hurried back from the Sun Moon Empire because of the astonishing news Luo Wei had brought.

Originally, Du Busi had believed that Lu Chen's first Soul Ring reaching six thousand years was already the limit.

Who could have imagined that he had actually broken through the ten-thousand-year barrier?

Naturally, Lu Chen had no objection. He smiled faintly as his Soul Power surged.

"Buzz—!"

The next instant!

Two black rings, dark as ink and radiating an icy aura, suddenly rose from beneath his feet.

In that instant, the light throughout the entire room seemed to dim by several degrees.

Even the well-traveled Titled Douluo all drew in sharp breaths.

"It really is a ten-thousand-year first ring!"

The Second Elder, Mo Yuan, had a brilliant light burst from his eyes as he exclaimed,

"Some exceptional monsters in the sect can possess ten-thousand-year rings as their first and second Soul Rings, but most achieve it by forcefully raising them through a second awakening.

"For the young sect master to directly devour a ten-thousand-year ring from the very beginning and forcibly absorb it, this old man has never heard of such a thing."

Lu Chen's heart stirred as he caught a key piece of information and quickly asked,

"Second Elder, this second awakening... exactly how much can it increase a Soul Ring's age?"

Long Aotian hurriedly perked up his ears as well.

The Secrets of the Body had not explained such details.