Street Thugs

"Hey, these two girls are real beauties!"

"Tsk, tsk..."

"Just look at them. They're much prettier than Cuihua at the Yihong Brothel."

Lu Xuan and the two girls had barely left Flender's shop when three thugs blocked their path.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan frowned at the same time, instinctive disgust rising in their hearts. They moved closer to Lu Xuan. Dugu Yan curled her fingers, ready to summon her martial soul.

Seeing Soul Power surge around Dugu Yan, Lu Xuan raised a hand and stopped both girls before they could act.

He looked perfectly calm. "Yanyan, Lingling, don't rush. Today, I'll teach you something new."

"Something new?"

Both girls stared at him, baffled.

Three thugs had cornered them in the street, leering and making their intentions plain. At a moment like this, who had the mind to learn something new?

Though still puzzled, they relaxed a little and watched Lu Xuan.

Just then, Lu Xuan lifted his right hand. The Divine Black Jade Bamboo Flute appeared in his palm, its smooth surface gleaming deep black.

Holding the flute, Lu Xuan swept a cool gaze over the three men blocking their way. "You're nothing but petty thugs. Get lost before I make you. Otherwise, you won't walk away unscathed."

His warning only drew a burst of unrestrained laughter.

The sleazy leader narrowed his triangular eyes and looked Lu Xuan up and down. "Hahaha! Kid, your uncle here isn't into boys! No matter how well you blow that flute, it won't do a thing for me. I'm only interested in those two pretty little girls beside you!"

"Bu Le?"

Lu Xuan caught the man's self-introduction and immediately recognized him.

So these three were Suotuo City's notorious Hooligan Trio!

Lu Xuan had arrived in Suotuo City a full ten years early, avoiding many events from the original story. Yet by sheer coincidence, he had still run into these three old hands at making trouble.

Then again, that worked out nicely. Three Soul Ancestors were perfect for practice.

"Yanyan, Lingling, watch closely!" Lu Xuan charged forward with the Divine Black Jade Bamboo Flute in hand.

His steps looked unhurried, but in the next instant he flashed silently in front of Bu Le. He thrust the Jade Flute forward, its tip striking Bu Le squarely in the chest.

"What Soul Skill was that?"

"He didn't show any Soul Rings!"

"He's a tough one. Get him together!"

The three thugs had confidence in their own strength. Lu Xuan's warning had sounded like a bluff to them, but now they stopped sneering and unleashed their Soul Power.

Three powerful waves of Soul Power erupted. Four Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—circled each of them, their layered halos flashing. All three were genuine Four-Ring Soul Ancestors!

Bu Le sank into a defensive stance, his Soul Power dense and heavy. The Heavenly Gauze Twin Covers appeared around him, wrapping his body in a pale green barrier. His martial soul combined sturdy defense with powerful offense, making him a difficult opponent.

Beside him, E Kao activated Martial Soul Possession. A faint white glow surrounded him as his Swan martial soul took shape.

A cold gleam flashed in the last man's palm. Tian Ya drew his narrow Netherworld Short Blade, its edge glinting with a biting chill. His tricky, unpredictable attacks excelled at controlling the field and striking by surprise.

Power attack, agility attack, and control—the three major soul-master roles complemented one another perfectly. Years of committing crimes together had made their teamwork seamless.

With strength like that, they could do more than run wild on Suotuo City's streets. They could hold their own against a squad from a proper academy. They were a street gang no one could afford to underestimate.

Unfortunately for them, they had picked the wrong target. Lu Xuan was far stronger than they were.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling watched from the side, their eyes fixed on the fight as they waited for Lu Xuan's demonstration.

"Watch closely."

Before Lu Xuan's words had faded, his entire bearing changed.

His relaxed posture tightened. A restrained gleam passed over the smooth surface of the Divine Black Jade Bamboo Flute.

He shifted his feet lightly. No explosive surge of Soul Power followed, yet his movements flowed with effortless rhythm. His steady, overwhelming presence made the three Four-Ring Soul Ancestors' hearts tighten.

Before they could react, Lu Xuan flicked his wrist. The Divine Black Jade Bamboo Flute cut through the air as he unleashed the graceful, elusive Jade Flute Swordplay!

Flute shadows flickered, feints and strikes interweaving. He used no brute force, yet every move was precise and sharp, aimed at angles they could scarcely defend. Each strike sealed off their movements and escape routes, displaying the exquisite depth of his Martial Arts.

Bu Le and the others were dazzled. They struck back, but could not so much as brush Lu Xuan's clothes.

Lu Xuan was now using Jade Flute Swordplay!

Derived from the Jade Flute, the swordplay used the flute in place of a sword. As it moved, it sounded like a dragon's cry, its motions carrying the elegant poise of a reclusive master.

The Jade Flute was not especially sharp, so its techniques focused on striking acupoints. They were meant to subdue an opponent, not kill.

And with Lu Xuan's mastery of Sky-Crossing Shift, the three men fought for ages without landing a single blow.

Tian Ya knew they could not overpower Lu Xuan head-on. A vicious glint entered his eyes. "Take out those two girls first!"

He was certain that with the girls in their hands, Lu Xuan would hesitate!

Before his words had faded, Tian Ya lunged for the seemingly defenseless Ye Lingling at the edge of the fight. The Netherworld Short Blade flashed as he became a blur, his attack swift and vicious.

But Lu Xuan had seen through him.

Sneak past him to attack someone else?

Not a chance.

Tian Ya had barely taken two steps when Lu Xuan bent the middle finger of his left hand, gathering a thread of concentrated Soul Power at its tip.

With no wasted motion, he unleashed Divine Finger Flick. A fine but piercing force shot through the air.

Bang!

Soul Power burst against Tian Ya's neck, knocking him unconscious on the spot.

E Kao mistook Lu Xuan's response to the attack from the side for an opening. Delighted, he seized what he thought was his chance.

He drove his Swan martial soul to its limit. Wings beat behind him, stirring a howling wind as he surged forward and attacked Lu Xuan head-on, hoping to catch him off guard.

"You overestimate yourself."

Lu Xuan gave a cold snort, and his Soul Power surged.

He neither dodged nor retreated. Thrusting his hand forward, he sent a powerful wave of Soul Power across the gap with Air-Splitting Palm!

Invisible force swept outward and met E Kao's charge head-on.

Bang!

E Kao had only just taken flight when the palm strike sent him hurtling away.