Something Bad Happened—Someone Had Their Eye on Him

The Heaven Soul 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.

To evade the Iron Blood Sect's lackeys, Tang Ya had deliberately chosen a residence on the outskirts of Shrek City.

After two days of travel, Lu Chen and Tang Ya finally arrived at this, the Heaven Soul Empire's second-largest city.

Heavenly Spirit City sprawled across a vast area, and soul tool technology could be found everywhere within it.

Though it was not as prosperous as the Sun Moon Empire, it still far surpassed ordinary cities.

The streets bustled with people and brimmed with the rich atmosphere of daily life.

Prices here were also far more affordable than in Shrek City.

"Come taste these freshly made candied hawthorns—sweet and tangy!"

"Fresh hot buns! Steaming pork buns straight from the basket, 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 half price.

Today only! Esteemed customers, please come in for a free taste!"

"..."

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, Lu Chen suddenly spotted a soul tool grill on a roadside stall.

The grill looked highly technological, with all sorts of mechanisms turning around the central fire pit.

Clusters of orange-red flames roasted large chicken legs above, making the oil sizzle.

The sight was enough to whet anyone's appetite.

Before Lu Chen could react, Tang Ya had already darted over.

Leaning close to the vendor's stall, her delicate nose twitching, she pointed at the crispy-skinned chicken legs on the grill and asked:

"It smells so good! Boss, how much are these chicken legs?"

Seeing customers, the vendor immediately began his pitch 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 hand-grilled!

One silver soul coin each. Fair prices for all!"

"What?! They're that expensive?!"

Tang Ya, who had been full of excitement, immediately wilted at the price. She did not even feel like haggling anymore.

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 in one meal what others would consume 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 living expenses for the future.

Tang Ya turned back and glared helplessly at Lu Chen. "Let's find something else to eat.

Until we figure out a way to make money, we need to save every soul coin."

Lu Chen coughed awkwardly. "Don't worry, Sister Ya. I'll go make some money later."

"Tch, so you're broke."

The vendor read their expressions and realized he had run into a pair of poor people.

His earlier enthusiasm instantly vanished as he said flatly, "If you're not buying, leave. Don't block my business."

"You!"

Tang Ya was instantly angered and was about to argue.

A somewhat languid voice, carrying a hint of frivolous cynicism, suddenly cut in from the side.

"Boss, harmony brings wealth in business. Barking orders at such a pretty young lady does not suit Heavenly Spirit City's way of treating guests."

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow and followed the voice.

The crowd automatically parted, revealing a boy of around thirteen or fourteen approaching with a jade-bone folding fan in hand, which he waved in an affectedly elegant manner.

He wore a dark purple silk robe, with a translucent white jade pendant hanging from 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 a sleepy weariness, as if he had not woken up yet.

"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 this person had an extraordinary background and hurriedly put on a fawning smile.

"You're right, sir. I'm clumsy with words, truly clumsy with words!"

As the youth approached, Lu Chen stepped forward and quietly shielded Tang Ya behind him, his gaze turning slightly cold.

At the same time, he felt rather helpless.

Don't tell me we just entered the city and already ran into some young nobleman's face-slapping act?

Yet, contrary to Lu Chen's expectations, the youth did not even glance at the lovely Tang Ya.

Instead, as though he had discovered a priceless treasure, his peach-blossom eyes abruptly widened as he stared intently 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.

Holy shit, does this guy not 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, though it now carried a touch more pride.

"The eldest son of the Bei Yu Family of Heaven Dou City. A thirty-fifth-rank control-type battle Soul Elder."

The moment he said this, the grill vendor was startled.

"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 rather unique. What kind of Soul Master revealed all his cards the moment they met?

Tang Ya hurriedly leaned close to his ear and explained in a low voice.

"Duke Beiyu is one of the Heaven Soul Empire's six great dukes. His family controls most of the empire's hotels, inns, and other entertainment establishments.

Duke Beiyu himself commands the Heaven Soul Empire's northwestern army, specializing in resisting the Sun Moon Empire's maritime forces. He is extremely powerful!

I heard he had a son late in life and dotes immensely on his eldest son, but no one has ever seen him in person."

The Bei Yu Family was based in Heaven Dou City, not far from the Tang Sect, so Tang Ya knew a little about them.

Lu Chen's eyes shifted slightly. This Duke Beiyu was quite influential if he could command an army.

Moreover, a thirteen-year-old battle Soul Elder was absolutely a top-tier genius in the Heaven Soul Empire.

He was no inferior even compared to Shrek.

"Do you need something?"

Lu Chen remained calm, utterly unfazed by the other party's background.

No matter how powerful one's backing was, one only had a single life.

Seeing that Lu Chen showed no fear after hearing of his background, the strange gleam in Bei Yuxuan's eyes grew even brighter.

His gaze swept Lu Chen from head to toe.

"Stop looking at me. I'm not into that!"

A chill ran down Lu Chen's spine, and he hurriedly refused.

"Uh... into what?"

Bei Yuxuan froze, not understanding at first. Yet he did not dwell on it. After examining Lu Chen again, he smiled in satisfaction.

"I can see that you are strongly built, Brother, yet your pockets are empty. Are you interested in working with me and taking a shot 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 with no limits on soul power rank, where only victory 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 hired thug!

Still, the Soul Arena really was the fastest place to make money.

Ordinarily, a Soul Arena would match Soul Masters with opponents of similar strength based on factors such as soul power rank and fighting experience, ensuring fairness in junior soul battles.

There was no need to worry too much about a Soul Scholar encountering a Soul Elder.

If he could maintain a winning streak and place bets along the way, becoming rich overnight would not be difficult at all.

At the same time, it seemed to be an excellent place to make a name for himself.

What could be more impactful than sweeping aside powerful opponents in a Soul Scholar's body within the Soul Arena?

Lu Chen's eyes flickered as he asked, "We've never met before. Why are you so certain I can win?"

Bei Yuxuan smiled confidently. "My Martial Soul is extremely sensitive to the flow of blood and qi.

In my vision, although your soul power fluctuations are only around rank ten, the blood and qi within your body...

It is like a thousand-year soul beast wearing human skin!"

He suddenly grew excited. "If Old Chen had not already confirmed it, I would have thought you were a transformed soul beast!"

A thousand-year soul beast! That was comparable to powerful Soul Elders and Soul Kings!

Although the strength of one's blood and qi did not represent actual combat ability, possessing such a formidable body meant his strength was surely not weak.

If he entered the Soul Arena, he would definitely be a dark horse.

Bei Yuxuan could already see piles of gold soul coins raining down on him.