The Heaven Dou Empire lay in the northeastern corner of the Douluo Continent, bordering the Star Luo Empire to the south and the Dou Ling Empire to the east.
Heavenly Spirit City lay northwest of Shrek City.
Back when Tang Ya had been evading the Iron Blood Sect's lackeys, she had deliberately chosen to live in the outskirts of Shrek City.
After two days of travel, Lu Chen and Tang Ya finally arrived at this second-largest city of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Heavenly Spirit City covered a vast area, and Soul Tool technology could be seen everywhere within its walls.
Though it was not as prosperous as the Sun Moon Empire, it far surpassed ordinary cities.
The streets bustled with people and brimmed with the rich atmosphere of everyday life.
Prices here were also far more affordable than in Shrek City.
"Come have a taste! Freshly made candied hawthorns, sweet and sour!"
"Fresh hot buns! Big meat buns straight from the steamer, only five copper Soul Coins each!"
"Flavor Pavilion's new branch is now open! Braised Soft Bone Rabbit, steamed Soft Bone Rabbit, charcoal-grilled Soft Bone Rabbit... all at half price.
Today only! Welcome, honored guests, come in and sample them!"
"..."
Although Lu Chen had only just returned from the modern society of One-Punch World, the sight of this exotic scene still felt uniquely charming to him.
As the two walked along, Lu Chen suddenly spotted a Soul Tool grill on a roadside stall.
The grill looked exceptionally high-tech, with various mechanical components revolving around the central firebox.
Clusters of orange-red flames roasted large chicken legs above, sizzling as grease dripped from them.
It was enough to make anyone's appetite surge.
Before Lu Chen could react, Tang Ya had already darted over.
Leaning toward the stall, she wrinkled her delicate nose and pointed at the crisp-skinned chicken legs on the grill as she asked:
"It smells so good! Boss, how much are these chicken legs?"
Seeing a customer, the vendor immediately began pitching his wares with a smile.
"My chicken legs are grilled in a professional Soul Tool oven. The heat is even, and the flavor is far better than anything grilled by hand!
One Silver Soul Coin each. Honest pricing for all!"
"What? That expensive?!"
Tang Ya, who had been full of enthusiasm moments ago, immediately wilted upon hearing the price. She did not even feel like bargaining.
Over the past two days, Lu Chen had eaten like a starving ghost reborn. His stomach was like a bottomless pit, and he could eat more in one meal than others did in several days.
Money had flowed away like water.
She only had ten Silver Soul Coins left on her, and that was supposed to cover their future living expenses.
Tang Ya turned around and glared helplessly at Lu Chen. "Let's look for something else to eat.
Until we find a way to make money, we need to save every Soul Coin."
Lu Chen coughed awkwardly. "Don't worry, Sister Xiao Ya. I'll go make some money later."
"Tch, so you're broke."
The vendor read their expressions and realized he had encountered a pair of paupers.
His earlier enthusiasm vanished at once, and he said flatly, "If you're not buying, leave. Don't block my business."
"You!"
Tang Ya was instantly angered and was just about to argue.
A somewhat lazy voice, carrying a hint of carefree arrogance, suddenly cut in from the side:
"Boss, when you run a business, harmony brings wealth. Barking orders at such a pretty young lady doesn't quite fit Heavenly Spirit City's standards of hospitality, does it?"
Lu Chen raised an eyebrow and looked toward the voice.
The crowd automatically parted as a youth of around thirteen or fourteen approached, waving an ostentatiously refined folding fan made of jade-like bone and walking with measured, formal strides.
He wore a long robe of dark purple silk, with a translucent mutton-fat jade pendant hanging at his waist.
He was dressed exactly like a young nobleman.
The youth had fair skin and regular features, but his slightly narrowed peach blossom eyes always carried the weariness of someone who had not slept enough.
"This... young master."
The vendor's expression changed. Making a living in Heavenly Spirit City required sharp eyes.
Seeing the youth's attire, he immediately knew that the newcomer was no ordinary person and hurriedly put on a fawning smile.
"You're right, sir. I'm clumsy with words, I'm clumsy with words!"
As the youth approached, Lu Chen stepped forward and quietly shielded Tang Ya behind him, his gaze turning faintly cold.
At the same time, he felt rather helpless.
Could it be that he had just entered the city and already run into some young nobleman's face-slapping act?
Yet, to Lu Chen's surprise, the youth did not even glance at the lovely Tang Ya.
Instead, as though he had discovered a priceless treasure, his peach blossom eyes flew open as he stared fixedly at Lu Chen.
A brilliant glint flashed deep within his eyes.
Lu Chen's skin crawled under that stare, and his heart skipped a beat.
Fuck, this guy doesn't like women—did he set his sights on me instead?
"Bei Yuxuan."
The youth suddenly closed his folding fan and gave Lu Chen a slight bow.
His tone remained lazy, but it now carried a touch more pride.
"The eldest son of the Bei Yu Family of Heaven Dou City. A level-thirty-five control-type battle Soul Elder."
The barbecue vendor was instantly startled by those words.
"So it is the eldest son of Duke Beiyu's family! This lowly one failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me, Young Master Bei Yu!"
"The Bei Yu Family?"
Lu Chen was puzzled. He had never heard that surname before.
Still, this fellow's introduction was quite unusual. What Soul Master revealed all his details the moment they met?
Tang Ya hurriedly leaned close to his ear and explained in a low voice:
"Duke Beiyu is one of the six great dukes of the Heaven Dou Empire. His family controls more than half of the empire's entertainment establishments, such as hotels and inns.
Duke Beiyu himself commands the northwestern army of the Heaven Dou Empire and specializes in resisting the Sun Moon Empire's naval forces. He is extremely powerful!
I heard that he had a son late in life and dotes on his eldest son immensely, but no one has ever seen him in person."
The Bei Yu Family was based in Heaven Dou City, not too far from the Tang Sect, so Tang Ya knew a little about them.
Lu Chen's gaze shifted slightly. This Duke Beiyu held considerable power if he could command an army.
Moreover, a thirteen-year-old battle Soul Elder was absolutely a top-tier genius in the Heaven Dou Empire.
He could stand shoulder to shoulder even with Shrek's students.
"What do you want?"
Lu Chen's expression remained calm. He was not intimidated by the other party's background.
No matter how powerful one's backing was, one still only had one life.
Seeing that Lu Chen showed no fear after hearing of his background, Bei Yuxuan's eyes shone even more brightly.
His eyes swept back and forth over Lu Chen's body.
"Stop staring. I'm not into that!"
A chill ran down Lu Chen's spine, and he hastily rejected him.
"Uh... into what?"
Bei Yuxuan froze, not understanding at first. Still, he did not dwell on it. After examining Lu Chen again, he smiled in satisfaction.
"I see that you're well-built, brother, yet short on funds. Are you interested in working with me and trying your hand at the 'Life-and-Death Arena' in the Junior Great Spirit Arena?
I'll cover the entry fee. Of the winnings, you get thirty percent and I get seventy."
"The Life-and-Death Arena?" Tang Ya cried out in alarm.
That was a gambling arena where there were no restrictions on Soul Power Level, and only victory, defeat, and life or death mattered!
Lu Chen's heart stirred, and he instantly understood.
So this guy had his eye on me because he wanted me as a thug!
Still, the Soul Arena was indeed the fastest place to make money.
Ordinarily, Soul Arenas matched opponents of similar strength based on factors such as a Soul Master's Soul Power Level and combat experience, ensuring fairness in beginner-level matches.
There was no need to worry too much about a Soul Scholar encountering a Soul Elder.
If he could rack up consecutive victories and place bets along the way, becoming rich overnight would not be difficult.
At the same time, it seemed like a perfect place to become famous.
What could be more impactful than sweeping aside powerful enemies in the Soul Arena with the body of a Soul Scholar?
Lu Chen's eyes flickered as he asked, "We've never met before. What makes you so certain I can win?"
Bei Yuxuan smiled confidently. "My Martial Soul is extremely sensitive to the flow of blood and vitality.
In my vision, your Soul Power fluctuations are only around level ten, but the blood and vitality inside your body...
They're like those of a thousand-year Soul Beast wearing human skin!"
He suddenly became excited. "If Old Chen had not already confirmed it, I would have thought you were a Soul Beast Transformation!"
A thousand-year Soul Beast! That was equivalent to a Soul Elder or even a Soul King-level powerhouse!
Although the intensity of one's blood and vitality could not represent true combat strength, possessing such a powerful physique meant his strength could not possibly be weak.
If he entered the Soul Arena, he would definitely be a dark horse.
Bei Yuxuan could already see heaps of Gold Soul Coins flying into his hands.
Before you continue