Still Training? I'm Here to Break Off Our Engagement!

Lu Chuan raised an eyebrow and absorbed all the Dou Techniques in his mind.

He had to admit it: if even these lowly Yellow Rank Dou Techniques were this powerful, what would Black Rank, Earth Rank, or even Heaven Rank techniques be like?

He turned to Ya Fei and the others waiting nearby.

"Go back and make preparations for the Dou Techniques. Ya Fei, stay behind."

Ya Fei paused, then nodded softly.

Jia Lie Bi and Ouba Pa exchanged a glance. Without lingering, they left the courtyard together.

Xiao Zhan could tell Lu Chuan wanted to speak with Ya Fei alone.

He looked at Xiao Yan and called, "Yan'er, come with me. I have something to tell you."

"Huh? All right."

Xiao Yan blinked, then hurried after him.

Xun'er gave Ya Fei a long look and found an excuse to leave as well.

Before long, only Lu Chuan and Ya Fei remained in the courtyard.

Lu Chuan pointed to a stool beside him.

"Sit. I kept you here because I have something important to ask. The Mittel Auction House can send messages quickly, can't it?"

Ya Fei sat down and replied gently,

"Yes. We raise Magic Beasts specifically to carry messages, so they travel quickly. But they can only reach our headquarters in the Tiandou Imperial Capital."

"That's enough. Spread word of Martial Soul Awakening to the Imperial Capital. Reach as many people as you can."

Ya Fei understood. Lu Chuan was no longer content with a small city like Wutan City.

But once the news reached the Imperial Capital, it would likely attract the Misty Cloud Sect's attention too. Wutan City would be bustling then.

"Of course. Is there anything else, sir?"

Lu Chuan shook his head.

"No. Go on."

"Yes."

Seeing that Lu Chuan had no hesitation and was not playing hard to get, Ya Fei bit her lip, rose, and left.

She was beginning to doubt her own charm.

Was my face not pretty enough? Was my figure not shapely enough? Or did he think I was just a useless ornament?

Full of questions, Ya Fei returned to the Mittel Auction House, wrote a letter, and had someone deliver it to headquarters in the Imperial Capital.

What she did not know was this:

To Lu Chuan, testing his various Dou Techniques in combat was his top priority.

No man alive could resist the dazzling flashes of a move he could unleash with a flick of his hand. Even the most beautiful woman had to take a back seat to a spectacular, powerful Cultivation Method.

Lu Chuan rose and walked to an open area of the courtyard, then began trying out his Dou Techniques one after another.

First, he thrust out a Shattering Stone Palm. Dense Soul Power drove a fierce gust into the ground, and fine cracks spread across the stone slabs beneath his feet as fragments flew in every direction.

Then he launched into a succession of punches and kicks.

Driving knees, whipping kicks, and rapid-fire punches followed one after another, sending gusts of force sweeping through the courtyard.

Every strike he unleashed with Dou Qi set his blood racing. He felt exhilarated, his spirits soaring.

Only when he had drained his Dou Qi did he stop, sit cross-legged, and begin cultivating.

In the days that followed, Lu Chuan awakened Martial Souls for members of the Ouba and Jia Lie Families, gaining another batch of Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods in the process.

They were not as lucky as the Xiao Family. Of their sixty-eight members combined, every Martial Soul was an ordinary weapon or farming tool. Iron blades, Longswords, hoes, and sickles were everywhere. Not one was rare, let alone enhanced by a special element.

After seeing them off, Lu Chuan could not help shaking his head.

As expected, in this world, Dou Di bloodlines mattered most. For ordinary people, turning their fortunes around was next to impossible.

Just then, Ya Fei opened the door and came in, holding a Dou Technique manual.

"Sir, I'm here to awaken my Martial Soul."

Lu Chuan felt a strange flicker in his heart. Perhaps he was imagining it.

The slit in Ya Fei's qipao seemed a little higher than before, and her chest looked fuller too.

He pushed those thoughts aside, put the Dou Technique manual into System Space, and motioned Ya Fei forward to awaken her Martial Soul.

Ya Fei slowly raised her hand. A dagger hovered in midair.

The instant she saw her Martial Soul clearly, the hope in her eyes went out. Disappointment and loneliness took its place, and her shoulders slumped.

She sighed under her breath, her voice full of bitter self-mockery.

"Ah... Just an ordinary Martial Soul, after all. What was I hoping for?"

Ya Fei quickly suppressed her disappointment and forced herself to rally. Her usual gentle, composed smile returned to her face.

"Sir, I'll take my leave."

Lu Chuan nodded lightly. As he watched her walk away, his heart filled with sympathy.

In a world where strength was everything, beauty like hers would only invite trouble if she lacked the power to protect herself.

System, return to Douluo Continent.

At the same time Lu Chuan departed, on a clearing in the Xiao Family's Back Mountain,

Xiao Yan focused his mind, wholly absorbed in training to control his Martial Soul.

Yao Lao floated nearby, leisurely stroking his graying beard as he offered guidance.

"You don't need to force its power. Try treating the flame as part of your own flesh and blood, then guide your Soul Force to merge with it..."

"I know, Teacher!"

Xiao Yan's face twisted with effort as he strained to control his Emberfire Martial Soul.

After several sustained attempts, the flickering flame finally responded. It swayed gently, slowly changed shape according to his wishes, and gradually wrapped around his hands.

But it lasted only a few seconds before returning to its original form.

Xiao Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead and complained,

"Phew... Teacher, isn't this too hard? It feels like it won't listen to me."

Yao Lao replied evenly,

"Of course it is. The bare minimum for condensing stable, solid fire from your own Dou Qi is a fourth-grade Alchemist. Did you think it would be easy? Clear your mind and keep practicing!"

Xiao Yan's shoulders sagged as he heaved a sigh. He could only gather his focus and try to summon the flame again.

Meanwhile,

an elegant Carriage traveled at an unhurried pace along the main road to Wutan City. The Misty Cloud Sect's mountain-and-moon emblem was clearly marked on both sides.

Inside the Carriage, Nalan Yanran sat alone and silent, gazing at the scenery passing outside the window. An unease she could not explain lingered between her brows.

Seeing her gloomy expression, Ge Ye asked,

"Yanran, why the long face? You'll be free of this engagement soon. You ought to be happy."

Nalan Yanran shook her head gently, her eyes still on the trees and grass outside. Her heart felt heavy.

"Elder Ge, I can't explain it. I just can't shake this sense that something bad will happen."

"If you ask me, you're worrying too much about what your grandfather and father think.

"Xiao Yan can't even advance beyond the third stage of Dou Qi now. He's no match for you. The Nalan Family will surely support you in breaking off the engagement."

Nalan Yanran leaned lightly against the carriage window. "I hope so," she said quietly.

Then she fell silent, staring blankly at the passing scenery without another word.

Seeing her like this, Ge Ye knew there was no point saying more. He closed his mouth and sat quietly beside her.