An Ordinary Life or a Meteoric Rise?

"Let you off? Who do you think I am, Bimawen?!"

Lu Chuan was banking on sheer arrogance. The more brazen he acted, the more frightened the others became.

Across from him, the men dropped to their knees in a row. They had no idea what a Bimawen was, but they could tell he had no intention of letting them off easily.

Their leader was an old hand. He pulled a Soul Tool from his robes and offered it up with both hands.

"Senior! I'll give you everything I own! Please spare my life!"

The others followed suit, pulling out the Gold Cards, gems, and other valuables they had hidden on them.

"We'll pay for our lives too!"

With his hands clasped behind his back, Lu Chuan quietly cracked an eye open.

Whoa. Was that bag full of Gold Soul Coins? They're filthy rich. Well, it's all mine now. Heh heh heh.

"Fine. I'll give you a chance. Leave your things and get lost."

"Yes, yes! Thank you for showing mercy, Senior!"

They hurriedly set everything on the ground and fled without looking back, terrified he might change his mind.

Zhu Zhuqing finally breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to bow.

"I'm Zhu Zhuqing. Thank you for saving my life, Senior. I can never repay you, but I'll remember this kindness. If you ever need anything, I'll do whatever it takes."

Lu Chuan was a little speechless at her solemn expression. Wasn't the beauty supposed to offer herself to the hero who saved her? It wasn't like I was ugly.

Oh well. There's plenty of time. I can win over this little wildcat slowly.

"Go collect what they left behind and bring it to me."

"Yes."

Zhu Zhuqing obediently went over, used the leader's Soul Tool to gather all the Gold Coins and jewelry, then handed it to Lu Chuan.

"Senior, it's all here."

"Senior, I'll take my leave now. If you need to find me, please send word to Shrek Academy in Suotuo City."

"Shrek Academy? What are you going to that lousy school for?"

Lu Chuan frowned, feigning confusion.

"As far as I know, it's a third-rate academy. It's had more than forty students since it was founded, but only a handful graduated. The rest either ended up disabled or died. I'd advise you not to go."

Zhu Zhuqing looked bewildered. Was Shrek Academy really that awful?

If Shrek's prospects were so poor, why had Dai Mubai chosen to go there in the first place?

But then she thought about it. This senior's strength was unfathomable. He had no reason to lie to her, much less make up an entire story to fool her.

Could the rumors be true? Did Dai Mubai spend every day drinking and chasing women to escape reality?

If so, what was she supposed to do?

Thoughts churned through her mind as doubt and despair grew heavier.

Lu Chuan took in the conflict and confusion on her face, then continued at an unhurried pace.

"I don't know what you're going to that third-rate academy for. But if you want to grow stronger, I can offer you a deal."

"What deal?"

Zhu Zhuqing's head snapped up. Her cool eyes fixed on Lu Chuan, a trace of wariness in them.

He was so powerful. What could she possibly offer him in a trade?

She had only a few dozen Gold Coins and some spare clothes. He certainly wouldn't want those.

Then the only thing of value she had was her body. Did he want her to sell herself in exchange for protection?

Lu Chuan missed the wariness in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. Instead, he looked at the system panel.

For a commissioned trade, Zhu Zhuqing would certainly want to grow stronger. But Super Defense was all he had, so he couldn't help her.

That left the first option: a time-limited trip to the world of Battle Through the Heavens.

Ding! Trade offer: One—time-limited travel to the world of Battle Through the Heavens.

Trade conditions:

1. Collect one level of the other party's Soul Power in exchange for one day in the world of Battle Through the Heavens.

2. Accept a sufficiently valuable treasure in exchange for one day in the world of Battle Through the Heavens. (For example: a Spirit Bone, an Immortal Herb, or a God-given Spirit Ring.)

"The deal is simple. I'll take you to a world unlike Douluo Continent. Soul Power doesn't exist there. Instead, they have a form of energy called Dou Qi."

Zhu Zhuqing's pupils contracted slightly. She looked at Lu Chuan as if he were insane.

A world unlike Douluo Continent?

No Soul Power, only Dou Qi?

Disbelief filled her cool eyes. She clenched her hands without realizing it. Her first instinct was not to believe him.

She murmured under her breath, her brows drawn tight.

"Senior, it isn't that I don't want to believe you. It's just too incredible."

I knew it. Getting anyone to believe this would be hard.

Before I came to this world, if someone had told me they could take me to another world for a better life, I'd have thought they were crazy—or trying to lure me across the border to harvest my kidneys.

Lu Chuan sighed. To get things started, he needed Zhu Zhuqing to believe him and agree to the trade willingly. Once she grew stronger, she could attract more customers.

He cleared his throat.

"I'm actually about your age. I just turned eighteen."

"Senior, I'm twelve..."

"That's beside the point. I'm young. You can tell I have no Soul Power, can't you?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly.

Earlier, she had assumed their strength differed so greatly that she couldn't detect even a trace of his Soul Power. Only now did she realize that wasn't the case at all.

Lu Chuan lifted his chin slightly, his voice brimming with confidence.

"I went to that world of Dou Qi to train, and that's how I gained my current strength. I'm not exaggerating when I say no one on the entire Douluo Continent can hurt me!"

Truthfully, Zhu Zhuqing was tempted.

If this was real, why the hell would she need to look for Dai Mubai? She could escape that damned fate herself.

She should ask about the terms first. If she could accept them, she'd take the gamble.

"I believe you. What do I have to give?"

"You have two choices. Give me one level of your Soul Power, or pay me with a Spirit Bone, an Immortal Herb, or some other rare treasure."

Zhu Zhuqing froze. Her cool expression turned instantly exasperated.

A level of Soul Power, a Spirit Bone, or an Immortal Herb she had never even heard of—every option was far more than she could afford.

She was silent for two seconds, then took a decisive step back.

"...Goodbye."

Lu Chuan folded his arms and watched her walk away.

"Ah, what a shame. One level of Soul Power for a trip to a world full of opportunities. You could gain far more than you lose.

Without the courage to risk everything, do you think your talent alone will get you anywhere near becoming a Titled Douluo?

In an age when Soul Masters are everywhere and low-level ones are treated like dirt, some old man might take a fancy to your looks one day. You wouldn't even be able to fight back."

Zhu Zhuqing slowed. Lu Chuan's words kept turning over in her mind, though she filtered out the trash talk at the end.

A new world full of opportunities.

For just one level of Soul Power, she might find a completely different path to strength.

Should she take the gamble? At worst, she could sleep less and train harder to make up for the loss.