The Heaven Dou Empire is located in the northeast corner of the Douluo Continent, bordering the Star Luo Empire to the south and the Dou Ling Empire to the east.
Tianling City, meanwhile, is located to the northwest of Shrek City.
Tang Ya had specifically chosen to live on the outskirts of Shrek City to evade the clutches of the Iron Blood Sect.
After two days of travel, Lu Chen and Tang Ya finally arrived at this second-largest city of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The entire Tianling City covered a vast area, and spirit tool technology was ubiquitous throughout the city.
While not as prosperous as the Sun Moon Empire, it far surpassed ordinary cities.
People bustled to and fro on the streets, which were filled with a thick atmosphere of daily life.
The prices here were also much more affordable than in Shrek City.
“Come and try some!
Freshly made candied haws, sweet and sour!” “Fresh hot buns!
Big meat buns straight from the steamer, only five bronze coin!” “Flavor Pavilion’s new branch is opening!
Braised Soft Bones Rabbit, Steamed Soft Bones Rabbit, Charcoal-Grilled Soft Bones Rabbit…
everything is half price!
Today only!
Customers are welcome to come in for a tasting!” “…” Although Lu Chen had just returned from a modern society like the One-Punch Man world, seeing this exotic scenery for the first time still felt uniquely charming.
As the two were walking, Lu Chen suddenly noticed a spirit tool grill displayed on a roadside stall.
The grill had a very high-tech appearance, with various mechanical parts rotating around a central furnace.
Clusters of orange-red flames roasted the large chicken legs above, making them sizzle with oil.
It was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
Before Lu Chen could even move, Tang Ya beside him had already dashed forward.
Approaching the vendor, her delicate nose twitched slightly as she pointed to a crispy chicken leg on the grill and asked: “It smells so good!
Boss, how much for this chicken leg?” Seeing a customer, the boss immediately began his sales pitch with a smile: “My chicken legs are roasted on a professional spirit tool grill.
The heat is even, and the taste far surpasses manual roasting!
One silver soul coin each, fair prices for all!” “What!
So expensive?!” Tang Ya, who had been full of excitement, instantly wilted upon hearing the price, losing even the mood to haggle.
Over the past two days, Lu Chen had been like a starving ghost reincarnated; his stomach was like a bottomless pit, capable of eating several days’ worth of food for an average person in one meal.
Money was flowing out like water.
She only had ten silver coin left on her person, and that was for their future living expenses.
Tang Ya turned back and gave Lu Chen a helpless glare.
“Let’s find something else to eat.
Until we find a way to make money, we have to save every soul coin we can.” Lu Chen gave an embarrassed cough.
“Don’t worry, Sister Xiao Ya, I’ll go make some money in a bit.” “Tch, so you don’t have any money after all.” The boss saw their expressions and realized he had encountered some paupers.
His previous enthusiasm vanished instantly, and he said indifferently, “If you’re not buying, then leave.
Don’t block my business.” “You!” Tang Ya was instantly infuriated and was about to argue.
A slightly lazy, somewhat cynical voice suddenly cut in from the side: “Boss, opening a shop for business is about harmony bringing wealth.
Ordering such a beautiful young lady around doesn’t quite fit our Tianling City’s way of hospitality.” Lu Chen’s brow twitched slightly as he looked toward the voice.
The crowd parted automatically as a young man of about thirteen or fourteen years old walked over with measured steps, fanning himself with an elegant jade-boned folding fan.
He was dressed in a dark purple silk robe, with a translucent mutton-fat jade pendant hanging from his waist.
The standard attire of a noble young master.
The youth had fair skin and regular features, but his slightly squinted peach-blossom eyes always held a hint of drowsy lethargy.
“This…
Young Master.” The boss’s expression changed.
Having a keen eye was a basic skill for making a living in Tianling City.
Seeing the other party’s outfit, he knew they were someone of significance and quickly switched to a fawning smile: “You’re right, it was my clumsy tongue, my clumsy tongue!” Seeing the youth approach, Lu Chen took a step forward, subtly shielding Tang Ya behind him, his gaze turning slightly cold.
At the same time, he felt somewhat helpless.
Could it be that as soon as he entered the city, he would encounter the cliché plot of a noble young master showing off and getting slapped in the face?
However, to Lu Chen’s surprise, the youth didn’t even glance at the pretty Tang Ya.
Instead, as if he had discovered a rare treasure, his peach-blossom eyes suddenly widened as he stared intently at Lu Chen.
A brilliant light flashed deep within his eyes.
Lu Chen felt his skin crawl from the stare, and his heart skipped a beat: Holy crap, could this guy not be into women and instead has taken a liking to me?
“Bei Yuxuan.” The youth suddenly snapped his fan shut and bowed slightly toward Lu Chen.
His tone was still lazy, but it held a bit more arrogance: “Eldest son of the Bei Yu family of Heaven Dou City, Level 35 Control System Battle Spirit Ancestor.” As soon as these words were spoken, the barbecue boss was instantly shocked: “It’s the arrival of the eldest son of Duke Bei Yu’s household!
This lowly one failed to welcome you properly, I hope Young Master Bei Yu can forgive me!” “Bei Yu family?” Lu Chen was puzzled; he had never heard of this surname.
But this guy’s introduction was quite unique.
Who reveals their entire background the moment they meet another Spirit Master?
Tang Ya beside him quickly leaned in and whispered an explanation in his ear: “Duke Bei Yu is one of the six great dukes of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The family controls more than half of the hotels, inns, and other entertainment venues in the empire.
Duke Bei Yu himself commands the Heaven Dou Empire’s Northwest Army, specifically defending against the Sun Moon maritime forces.
He is extremely powerful!
I’ve heard that he had a son late in life and dotes on his eldest son excessively, but no one has ever seen him in person.” The Bei Yu family’s seat was in Heaven Dou City, which wasn’t too far from the Tang Sect, so Tang Ya knew a bit about the situation.
Lu Chen’s eyes flickered.
This Duke Bei Yu’s influence was not weak if he could control an army.
Moreover, a thirteen-year-old Spirit Ancestor was definitely considered a top-tier genius in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Even compared to Shrek, he wouldn’t fall short.
“Is there something you want?” Lu Chen’s expression was calm, not at all intimidated by the other party’s background.
No matter how strong the background, one only has one life.
Seeing that Lu Chen showed no fear after hearing his background, the light in Bei Yuxuan’s eyes grew even more intense.
His eyes scanned up and down Lu Chen’s body.
“Stop looking, I’m not into that!” Lu Chen suddenly felt a wave of revulsion and quickly rejected him.
“Uh…
into what?” Bei Yuxuan was stunned, not catching the meaning, but he didn’t dwell on it.
He sized up Lu Chen once more and smiled with satisfaction: “I see that you have a robust physique, brother, but you seem short on cash.
Are you interested in collaborating with me to play a round at the Junior Great Spirit Arena’s ‘Life and Death Arena’?
I’ll cover the entry fee.
As for the winnings, it’ll be thirty percent for you and seventy for me.” “Life and Death Arena?” Tang Ya cried out in surprise.
That was a gambling arena where spirit power levels didn’t matter, only victory, defeat, life, and death!
Lu Chen’s heart stirred, and he instantly realized: So this guy took an interest in him because he wanted him to be his fighter!
However, the Spirit Dueling Arena was indeed the fastest place to make money.
Generally, the arena would match opponents of similar strength based on factors like spirit power level and dueling experience to ensure the fairness of junior duels.
One didn’t have to worry too much about a Soul Scholar encountering a Spirit Ancestor.
If one could achieve a winning streak and place bets accordingly, getting rich overnight would definitely not be difficult.
At the same time, it also seemed like a good place to become famous.
What could be more impactful than sweeping through powerful enemies as a mere Soul Scholar in the Spirit Dueling Arena?
Lu Chen’s eyes gleamed as he asked, “We’ve never met before.
How are you so sure I’ll win?” Bei Yuxuan smiled confidently.
“My Spirit is extremely sensitive to the flow of blood and qi.
In my vision, although your spirit power fluctuations are only around level ten, the blood and qi in your body…
Is practically like a thousand-year-old Spirit Beast wearing human skin!” He suddenly became excited.
“If it weren’t for Old Chen already confirming it, I would have thought you were a Spirit Beast in human form!” A thousand-year-old Spirit Beast!
That was equivalent to a Spirit Ancestor or Spirit King expert!
Although the intensity of blood and qi didn’t represent actual combat power, having such a powerful physical body meant his strength was likely not weak at all.
If he entered the Spirit Dueling Arena, he would definitely be a dark horse.
Bei Yuxuan could already see piles of gold coin raining down on him.