Identity Is What You Make It

Lu Chen discreetly glanced at the old man behind Bei Yuxuan, inwardly alarmed.

The old man looked utterly ordinary, with lowered brows and a submissive demeanor.

His hands were tucked into his sleeves, and his aura was so thoroughly restrained that he resembled withered wood. He was dressed like an ordinary servant.

Who would have thought he was actually a Titled Douluo?

But on second thought, it made sense.

As the eldest son of a duke—and a child born in his father's later years—he would naturally need top-tier protection whenever he went out.

Lu Chen gathered his thoughts and looked at Bei Yuxuan in confusion. "You're the eldest son of a duke. You shouldn't be short on money, should you?"

There were only two reasons to take part in the Soul Arena: money, or improving one's practical combat ability.

Given Bei Yuxuan's family background, either of those needs could easily be met. There was no need for him to come all the way to the Soul Arena and put himself through this.

At those words, Bei Yuxuan flicked the folding fan in his hand and gave a soft snort.

"Brother, talking about money is so vulgar. I may not lack money, but I enjoy the fun of earning it through my own abilities."

The corner of Lu Chen's mouth twitched slightly. That reason really was plain and unpretentious.

But that worked out perfectly. The other party did not lack money, while he desperately did.

Still, nobles were difficult to read, especially with a Titled Douluo standing beside him.

Although Lu Chen possessed an Immortal Body, he had no confidence in escaping unscathed before a Titled Douluo, much less with Tang Ya at his side.

He needed to give himself an identity.

After a pause, Lu Chen's eyes lit up, and he put on an interested expression.

"That's great... But when joining Soul Arena matches, do you need to provide information about your sect?"

"Why do you ask, brother?"

Bei Yuxuan shook his head. "You only need to provide your name, age, and soul power rank to participate. There's no need to report your sect."

As he spoke, he changed the subject and casually probed, "By the way, I still haven't asked where you're from.

"With your talent, the force behind you must be extraordinary, right?"

He took the bait!

Lu Chen was delighted, but his expression remained unchanged as he replied blandly.

"Since you can tell how strong my body is, can't you guess my background?"

Bei Yuxuan's heart jolted as he abruptly realized something. He cried out, "Could you be from the Body Sect, brother?!"

Lu Chen hurriedly raised a finger for silence, stepped quickly toward Bei Yuxuan, and lowered his voice.

"Keep it down! I finally managed to sneak out. If my master finds out, I'll be thrown back into a medicinal bath when I return."

Seeing Lu Chen's nervous appearance, Bei Yuxuan's eyes instantly lit up.

He became completely certain that Lu Chen was a member of the Body Sect.

Even the old man behind him, who had kept his brows lowered and his eyes meekly downcast, shifted his gaze slightly toward Lu Chen.

Although the Body Sect had close ties with the Heaven Soul Empire, it had yet to become the empire's protector sect.

It operated with extreme secrecy in the outside world, and every one of its disciples possessed formidable strength.

"No wonder this little fellow is already nine, yet his soul power fluctuations are only at rank ten.

"If he's from the Body Sect, then it makes sense," Old Chen murmured inwardly.

After disciples of the Body Sect awakened their Body Martial Souls, they would not immediately attach Soul Rings.

Instead, they would spend several months, or even a year, tempering their bodies and increasing their physical strength.

That was to prepare them to absorb Soul Rings with higher cultivation years later on.

But this was the first time he had seen someone like Lu Chen, who had tempered his body for several years and forcefully trained it until its strength rivaled that of a soul beast.

Still, that also reflected just how much importance the Body Sect placed on this little fellow.

"Could the Body Sect be planning to let this little fellow absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as his first?!"

A thousand-year first Soul Ring was unprecedented throughout the ages!

Once that thought arose, Old Chen completely abandoned his intention to recruit Lu Chen.

A core disciple of the Body Sect was not someone he could casually lay a hand on.

Tang Ya, standing nearby, was utterly confused, several question marks popping up in her mind.

Since when had Lu Chen joined the Body Sect? And when had he gained a master who loved stuffing him into medicinal baths?

No, this was not the time to think about that.

Seeing that Lu Chen seemed genuinely prepared to enter the arena, Tang Ya hurriedly grabbed his arm and anxiously lowered her voice.

"Lu Chen, are you really going to the Soul Arena? It's too dangerous!

"Everyone there is a ruthless desperado who kills without blinking. The weakest among them are Great Soul Masters, and there are plenty of Soul Elders too!

"You don't even have your first Soul Ring. You're no match for them at all!"

As she spoke, she tried to pull Lu Chen outside. "There are plenty of ways to make money. At worst, I can go outside the city and catch wild beasts to eat. We'll always be able to fill our stomachs.

"There's no need to risk your life over so little money."

Although she knew Lu Chen's Body Martial Soul could strengthen his body, he had only just awakened.

He had never learned any combat techniques at all. Going straight into a life-and-death battle was no different from seeking death!

Lu Chen felt warmth rise in his heart. He took Tang Ya's slightly cool hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

His voice carried a reassuring certainty. "Sister Tang Ya, trust me. I'm confident."

After comforting Tang Ya, he turned to Bei Yuxuan and got straight to the point.

"You're the eldest son of a duke, so you don't lack money. But I do.

"Thirty-seventy is too low. How about forty-sixty—you get four, I get six."

Bei Yuxuan froze slightly, then burst into laughter and sharply slapped his folding fan against his palm.

"Straightforward! Brother Lu truly is a man of temperament! I, Bei Yuxuan, have no interest in money. I just like dealing with people like you.

"If you need money, you only have to tell me. Why risk yourself in the Soul Arena?

"From now on, every expense you have in Heavenly Spirit City will be on me!"

After confirming that Lu Chen was a core disciple of the Body Sect, Bei Yuxuan had completely given up on making him fight in the Life-and-Death Arena. Instead, he wanted to befriend him properly.

The Body Sect had tremendous potential. Building a good relationship with such a genius would greatly benefit him in the future.

Yet Lu Chen waved his hand and refused with a smile. "Brother Bei, I, Lu Chen, don't like owing favors.

"Besides, I genuinely want to see the Soul Arena for myself. Our previous agreement still stands, doesn't it?"

He still wanted to use the Soul Arena matches to attract the Body Sect's attention. How could he give up so easily?

"Brother Lu, if you want to see the Soul Arena, I can simply take you there to watch. There's no need for you to enter the arena personally." Bei Yuxuan still tried to dissuade him.

Lu Chen said nothing. He merely looked at him quietly, his gaze firm and without the slightest hint of compromise.

Seeing Lu Chen's resolute attitude, Bei Yuxuan stopped insisting and laughed heartily.

"Fine! Since Brother Lu insists, I'll arrange it for you!

"But forget about the split. A Soul Arena ticket only costs ten gold soul coins. I can afford that much."

"No."

Lu Chen still shook his head. "A promise once spoken cannot be taken back. I said forty-sixty, so it must be forty-sixty."

He knew full well that the most effective way to quickly draw people closer was to bind their interests together.

As the eldest son of a duke, Bei Yuxuan had access to immense resources and connections.

Whether Lu Chen needed cultivation resources or information in the future, he might need the other man's help.

"Since Brother Lu values loyalty and righteousness so highly, then I'll gladly accept!"

Bei Yuxuan laughed heartily, growing even more satisfied with Lu Chen. "Most Soul Arena matches are held at night. Let's eat something first and build up our energy."

Before long, the group arrived before an imposing restaurant.

On the restaurant's plaque, four gilded words—Heaven Joy Grand Hotel—shone brilliantly, exuding an extraordinary air of grandeur.

"Heaven Joy Grand Hotel!"

Tang Ya's eyes widened round as she exclaimed, "This is the finest restaurant in Heavenly Spirit City! Just one night's lodging costs over a thousand gold soul coins!"

"This hotel belongs to my family. It's passable, I suppose. It's still far inferior to our main establishment in Heaven Dou City."

Bei Yuxuan waved his hand with an indifferent expression. Then he stepped aside and made an inviting gesture toward Lu Chen and Tang Ya.

"Brother Lu, Miss Tang Ya, please come in. I've already had lunch arranged."