The forest was dark and quiet, broken only by the faint glimmer of moonlight filtering down through the canopy. On a large rock, Lu Yuan sat with a wine jar in hand, lazily drinking as though the world and its troubles had little to do with him.
Across from him, Xiao Wu was still sorting through her own thoughts after listening to Lu Yuan's calm explanation of what had happened.
"Thank you," she whispered, her heart full of mixed emotions.
She remembered it clearly: she had been captured by a Contra, her soul beast identity nearly exposed in front of others. She thought everything was over. But when she woke up again, she found herself here in the Star Dou Great Forest. That could only mean one thing—Lu Yuan had rescued her.
Still, he didn't make it easy.
"Hurt! What a polite little rabbit," Lu Yuan chuckled, tapping the jar on his knee before taking another long drink. "The family doesn't need two sets of words."
"You and I are not family."
Xiao Wu pouted and turned her head away. This guy—always trying to take advantage of her with his words. Shameless! But deep down she could feel something she refused to admit: maybe it wasn't so bad that he had been the one to save her.
She hesitated for a moment before asking in what appeared to be a casual tone, though her heart raced underneath: "Do you already know who I am?"
Her expression was calm, but her inner world was storming. If Lu Yuan knew… then what? Hiding her identity as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast among Shrek Academy's spirit masters had already been crumbling at the edges. After that battle, so many pairs of eyes had been watching. Her exposure was almost inevitable. And once revealed, there'd be no going back. She wouldn't be able to move freely in the soul master world again.
But what did that matter?
Tang San hadn't shown himself in over half a year. Xiao Wu told herself countless times that he must have had an accident, that he might not even be alive. But heart and hope were stubborn things. She had clung to denial. Yet meeting Lu Yuan here, being saved in this way, reminded her that some bonds from her past might truly have been severed.
Perhaps this was simply fate.
Lu Yuan stretched lazily, not even hiding it. "Isn't it a hundred-thousand-year-old rabbit?"
His casual words made her small heart tighten, but he didn't seem interested in interrogating her further. Instead, he continued drinking carelessly. "Why didn't I take your soul bone? Because the rabbit's soul bone…" He shrugged. "It's not for me."
In Xiao Wu's eyes, no spirit master could resist a hundred-thousand-year soul bone—yet this man did. For a moment her defenses softened. "Anyway," she murmured, "I still have to thank you."
That moment of fragile quiet didn't last.
Suddenly, Lu Yuan's drunken indifference vanished. His eyes snapped open, fierce and sharp, and the air around him dropped in temperature.
In one smooth movement, he slid his left arm around Xiao Wu's waist, pulling her close, while his right hand unsheathed the long sword strapped to his back. Spirit power erupted from his body, six soul rings swirling ominously up and down around him.
Alarmed, Xiao Wu whispered, "What's wrong?"
She had never seen Lu Yuan so serious. Most of the time he wandered about with a drunken grin, spouting nonsense, half serious and half teasing. But—this! This was a hunter's instinct, sharper than almost any soul master she knew. In that instant she forgot entirely that his arm was still wrapped firmly around her waist.
"Little rabbit, stay close to me." His voice was like steel.
The words had barely left his lips when a thunderous noise split the air.
BOOM!
From behind two towering trees, a massive figure burst forth, a mountain of muscle and fur leaping into the air. Giant fists, big as boulders, came crashing down toward them like the wrath of heaven.
"What the—"
Lu Yuan felt the impact of a black mountain falling upon him. Instinctively, he pulled Xiao Wu back with him, swinging his sword in a blur.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…"
Sword Qi lashed out in waves—"Ding ding ding"—striking against the colossal figure. But to Lu Yuan's dismay, his Sword Qi simply scattered like needles on an iron wall. There was no real harm done.
"Er Ming! It's me! Stop!"
Xiao Wu suddenly ran forward, blocking the massive beast before Lu Yuan could swing again.
The creature froze mid-strike, one massive palm still raised. It was Er Ming—the Titan Giant Ape. His voice boomed like thunder across the forest: "Sister Xiao Wu, this human dares to hug your waist! I'll teach him a lesson!"
Lu Yuan blinked. "Black monkey, what the hell are you shouting about?"
Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed furiously. Damn Er Ming! Saying that out loud? She quickly waved her hands, fearful that fist and sword would clash again. "Er Ming! He just saved me. He's my savior!"
Her eyes darted nervously between the two. This was a disaster waiting to explode.
"Little rabbit," Lu Yuan muttered, frowning. "What did the black monkey say?"
"He said… thank you for saving me," Xiao Wu lied smoothly, cheeks glowing. No way was she telling him the truth.
The Titan Giant Ape crossed his arms and rumbled again, furious. "I am a Titan Giant Ape! Not a black monkey!"
"What did the monkey say this time?" Lu Yuan asked again, unimpressed.
"He said he's happy to meet you," Xiao Wu covered for Er Ming without missing a beat.
Lu Yuan grinned broadly. "Black monkey, happy to meet you too! Here, have a drink!" He casually tossed a wine jar upwards.
Xiao Wu's veins throbbed. Lu Yuan's audacity had no limits, but under her glare, Er Ming reluctantly caught the jar—and downed it in one mighty gulp.
…
By the time Xiao Wu bid Lu Yuan farewell, her heart was full of contradictions. She waved, softly whispered a final "thank you," and turned back toward the forest.
Looking once more at Heaven Dou City in the distance, she sighed. Her identity exposed, she knew in her heart—she would never again step freely into the world of spirit masters.
But perhaps that was fine.
Far away, inside Heaven Dou City's grand Martial Soul Hall, anger boiled like wildfire.
"Salas!" Yue Guan slammed a hand down, glaring coldly at the kneeling bishop below. "Why did those two dogs—Tang Hao and Tang Xiao—appear in Shrek Academy?"
His voice shook the hall with fury. If the Hall had known those two titled monsters were going to show up, they would have unleashed overwhelming force.
Salas trembled, unable to defend himself. How could anyone have predicted Tang Hao and Tang Xiao would suddenly appear? Sneaking into Heaven Dou City under his nose! He wanted to shout that he wasn't a god—how could he possibly know? But he dared not speak such words.
Yue Guan's voice cut deeper: "Because of your incompetence last time, Tang Xiao carried off Tang San under your nose. And this time—because of your oversight—a hundred-thousand-year soul beast slips away again! The Pope is furious!"
He stepped forward, his face twisted with disdain.
Salas fell flat on his knees, bowing deeply. "Elder Ju, this is my failure. Please, intercede with the Pope for me. I swear there won't be a next time."
His words quivered with desperation. He knew there was no point in struggling. His men had been negligent. And—Tang San's escape was his fault.
Yue Guan sneered. "The Pope doesn't care for your worthless guarantees! Not only did you let a soul beast slip, you caused one of our Title Douluo to lose an arm!"
The next moment, Soul Power sharpened into a blade in Yue Guan's hand. Without hesitation, he struck.
"AHHHH!"
Salas' left arm was severed in an instant, blood spraying as the elder contemptuously slipped it into his storage guide. Sweat poured down Salas' ashen face, his entire body trembling from pain and rage.
He knew the truth. Yue Guan—this dog—wasn't punishing him only for failure. He was after the soul bone!
…
As Yue Guan departed the hall, casually twirling the precious hundred-thousand-year soul bone in his hand, he smirked. "I'll absorb this on my way back."
His laughter echoed in the corridors, while outside, the continent itself was beginning to tremble once again.
The storm had returned to Douluo.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Douluo Continent buzzed with rumors—old grudges had boiled over, and waves from the clash between the Martial Soul Hall and the united sects still rippled through every city and sect. For half a year, things had seemed almost peaceful. But all at once, chaos had returned. The alliances of the great sects—now splintered—left smaller groups on edge, all weighing which side to gamble their future on.
Talk of the next Continental Soul Master Elite Competition was everywhere. Despite the lack of fallen titled Douluo in the recent fighting, the casualty list of Soul Emperors and Soul Sages was enough to scare even the bolder soul masters.
"Is the competition really still on? After all this?"
"Nobody wants their brains bashed in for glory!"
Such worries skipped through the ranks, but beneath it all, the world was desperate for normalcy after so much bloodshed—hoping that maybe, just maybe, the spectacle would go on as planned.
Meanwhile, Shrek Academy was a disaster zone.
Dean Flender paced in his ruined office, groaning as he tallied up damage bills and tried not to think about how little money was left. Fighting grandmasters and titled Douluo might have been good for reputation, but not for repairs—and definitely not for his heart.
Why, oh why, did trouble always find its way to him? After those geezers finished, all they did was pat him on the back and waltz off, leaving shattered walls and roofs in their wake. Flender was powerless to chase them for compensation, and everyone knew it.
Director's office.
A crowd had gathered—Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji, Tang San, Dai Mubai, the whole core of Shrek, and Wu Ya among them.
"Little… Mistress!" Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled, his lips quivering as tears welled up unwillingly in his eyes. He had suffered constant anxiety over these last days, tormented by bad news, uncertainty, and fear. Now, to see Tang San in the flesh again—
"Teacher, I'm back," Tang San said, smiling as he faced Yu Xiaogang, then turned to greet the others with a clenched-fist salute. "Brothers, I'm back!"
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar—each of them rushed over, enveloping Tang San in a group hug. Even the normally serious Dai Mubai gave him a hearty punch in the chest, breaking the tension with a grin. "Where've you been the past six months, you little punk?"
"It's a long story…"
Tang San took his time telling everyone about the many hardships, close calls, and lessons he'd learned during his absence. He spared no details—the close escapes, the paths through unknown forests, and, of course, his burning concern for Xiao Wu.
When Yu Xiaogang finally found his voice, he spoke softly but firmly, "Little San, are you staying this time?"
Tang San nodded, resolve gleaming behind his tired eyes. "Teacher, I want to stay—I need to fight in the Continental Soul Master Advanced Academy Elite Competition. And…"
He hesitated, pain flickering on his face. "I want to stay and find Xiao Wu. Even if she's already—" He cut himself off, unwilling to complete the thought, cheeks flushing as he struggled with emotion.
A dark cloud gathered over the group. The mention of Xiao Wu's disappearance, her uncertain fate—all of it brought up bad memories and worse fears, not just for Tang San but for everyone who cared for her.
Lu Yuan, that bastard! Tang San's mind raged. If he dared hurt Xiao Wu, there'd be no forgiveness. Not ever.
Flender scowled, irritation flashing across his face. "Are you crazy? With all that's happened, do you really think the Soul Master Competition will go on like normal?"
Yu Xiaogang placed a careful hand on Tang San's shoulder, his gaze reassuring. "Actually, I think it will."
Tang San's explanation was earnest and logical. "The Elite Tournament isn't just a competition, it's a tradition. What happened between the Martial Soul Hall and the three great sects didn't involve the two empires—or the ordinary academies. Canceling now would cause even more panic."
Falnder grunted, but Yu Xiaogang's eyes flickered with hope. "Bibi Dong isn't petty enough to throw away the entire tournament over one conflict, but we'll have to stay on our guard for tricks and schemes."
As if on cue, thoughts of past betrayals and ambushes circulated among those assembled. And yet, the hope for victory, for Shrek to prove itself again, rekindled in their hearts. Especially for Yu Xiaogang, who was quietly desperate for a win—not for glory, but so his theories, and his students, would finally have the recognition they deserved.
"And your father, Tang San?" Falnder asked, his expression a mix of concern and dread. He silently prayed that Tang Hao would stay clear; ever since Tang San's arrival, peace had become nothing more than a daydream for a tired dean.
"My dad and uncle are gone," Tang San confessed. "Uncle Tang Xiao thought Martial Soul Hall would come for him, so he hurried back to Clear Sky School. My father… left to take care of some very important things. He told me that adversity, not comfort, is what makes a soul master truly strong."
"Good!" Dai Mubai raised his arms in a rare show of levity. "Now our brothers can fight side by side again. We'll work together—and one day, we'll defeat Lu Yuan!"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly winced, pressing a fist to his chest. Falnder rushed to steady him, worry etched on his features.
"What's wrong, Xiaogang?"
"Sit, rest! Wuji, fetch the medicine." The others looked on, afraid yet full of respect for their teacher, who'd suffered so much out of love for his students.
Back in the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City, Lu Yuan was making his usual rounds—staggering from bar to bar, wine jar in hand, wearing an air of easygoing carelessness that fooled exactly no one who actually knew him.
That's when he bumped right into Tang San.
"Lu Yuan! What happened to Xiao Wu?" Tang San shouted, voice cold as steel. He'd spent days scouring the city for answers, his obsession with Xiao Wu fueling every step he took. But no matter how many corners, alleys, or inns he searched, Lu Yuan had been nowhere to be found—until now.
Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes, sizing up his sudden adversary. "Why, if it isn't you," he drawled. "Looking for trouble now?"
Tang San stepped forward, every muscle in his body tensed for a fight. "Tell me what happened to Xiao Wu. Or else."
Murderous intent radiated between them, thick enough to choke. Even Tang San, knowing he likely couldn't win, would gladly risk everything for Xiao Wu.
Lu Yuan's smile faded. "So you think you're tough?" he sneered. "Maybe you need a reminder!"
Without warning, the air crackled with energy as Lu Yuan drew his sword in a blur. Three razor-sharp Sword Qi blasts flew toward Tang San like bolts of lightning.
Tang San's eyes glowed faintly purple as he twisted through the air, avoiding the strikes with incredible speed and launching his hidden weapons in the same breath. "Ding ding ding!" The deadly objects flickered through the air—but Lu Yuan, surrounded by swirling Sword Qi, knocked them aside with contemptuous ease.
Before Tang San could react, Lu Yuan was already at his back, sword arced in a devastating swing.
CLANG! Tang San just managed to summon the Clear Sky Hammer, blocking the blow, but the impact left his arms shaking violently.
"Give me back Xiao Wu!" he shouted, staggering but refusing to relent.
He fired his Zhuge Crossbow at Lu Yuan, swinging the Clear Sky Hammer in a rapid series of eighteen strikes. The ground trembled with each blow, but Lu Yuan barely blinked.
On the last hammer swing, Lu Yuan's eyes flashed and a wave of black Sword Qi shot forth, smashing into Tang San and sending him rolling back ten meters.
Lu Yuan wiped the imaginary dust from his hands and turned to leave. "This was boring," he muttered. "Too easy."
Tang San could only stare in defeat as Lu Yuan vanished back into the city's crowds.
Back at Lu Yuan's temporary home, things were no less tense. The rumor that Lu Yuan had spirited away a hundred-thousand-year soul beast had spread fast—dozens of spirit masters circled nearby like vultures, each hoping for a clue or a shot at his secrets.
Chen Xin was the first to confront him. "Where is the hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
Lu Yuan groaned, exasperated. "How many times do I have to say it? She's gone. Released. No more questions!"
But Chen Xin's doubts weren't easily shaken. "It doesn't matter what I believe. There are plenty of forces out there who want a piece of you. The only thing protecting you is their fear of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. If they strike from the shadows, who knows what they'll do?"
The grim reality hadn't escaped Yu Luomian's notice either, who was eager to take his daughter and Lu Yuan's son back to the safety of their own clan—the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family. He pushed his agenda with friendly zeal, hoping to lure Lu Yuan back for good.
"Fine," Lu Yuan muttered. "Take Xiao Yu and Little Chili with you. I'll come back soon. Stop nagging."
But Liu Erlong was having none of it. "Don't think you can dump your old mother here while you run off! We're all in this together."
After more bickering and a few threats, they all agreed to gather at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School for the time being. Safety, after all, was not to be taken for granted now.
With the moon hanging low over Tiandou City, Lu Yuan wandered alone, half-lost in his own thoughts. Everywhere he stepped, his reputation followed—drunken fighter, savior of rabbits, target of envy and hate.
He paused on a quiet street, a shadowy figure appearing in his path.
"Who are you?" Lu Yuan asked, cautious now.
From beneath a black robe, a harsh, rasping voice replied, "We've met before, in the soul beast forest, about half a year ago."
Lu Yuan squinted, unimpressed, "If I don't remember, you must not have mattered."
The figure stepped forward, pushing aside her hood. A gaunt, haggard face was revealed—a woman, though the years had not been kind. "My name is Mie Li," she said. "I removed the soul masters who used to monitor you, just so we could have this meeting uninterrupted."
Lu Yuan shrugged, clearly unbothered. "So?"
Her eyes burned with intensity. "Your Martial Soul is of the same kind as mine—evil, feared, powerful. For us, the soul master world will never give forgiveness. You need allies. You need us."
Lu Yuan tilted his head, thinking she sounded unhinged. "Not interested."
But Mie Li pressed on. "You don't understand—the day you lose control of that sword, the entire continent will know you for what you are: an evil soul master."
Lu Yuan winced, as if someone had doused him with ice water. Evil? Him? He'd never seen himself that way. So what if his sword was darker than most? So what if he walked a line others wouldn't dare? He'd saved more lives than he'd taken. Right?
But before he could sort the truth from lies, Mie Li's words grew more frenzied. "Your sword—the power is too great for you alone. Only someone like me, someone with experience, can help you master it! Join us, or the world will destroy you."
Lu Yuan gritted his teeth and drew his sword. "Enough."
Sword Qi flashed, but Mie Li blocked the attack with metal-hard claws. She cackled, ecstatic to see the blade up close. Lu Yuan's annoyance only deepened.
He activated his soul skills—sky distorted, Sword Qi rained down. Yet every strike was blocked by that inky-black shield. The two clashed, neither willing to back down.
Suddenly, Lu Yuan was gone—vanished. Mie Li tensed, sensing movement above. "Chichichichichi—" dozens of Sword Qi fell from the sky, but Mie Li shattered them with a surge of power.
Lu Yuan smirked, pride swelling. Uncle Ning's soul bone really did give him a handy escape—'Dark Night Assault.' Short bursts of invisibility, double speed, perfect for hit and run.
As the battle reached a fever pitch, another shadow zipped into the fray, slicing the night with a blade of green light that crashed into Mie Li's darkness.
A second black-robed figure appeared, this one more graceful, more dangerous. Lu Yuan swept an admiring glance—definitely a woman, though her features were hidden beneath the hood.
"Have we met for a drink?" he teased, even as her aura screamed danger.
She ignored his words, twin emerald scythes cutting a green cross through the air. Mie Li blocked the attack with a powerful barrier and, sensing the risk, retreated into the darkness without another word.
"You're in danger," the newcomer said coolly.
Lu Yuan grinned, even now unphased. "You planning to cut my waist next?"
She offered no answer, only a warning: "If you dare set foot in Martial Soul City, you will die. Remember that." And with that, she vanished into the night, leaving Lu Yuan blinking in genuine confusion.
Moments later, his allies arrived—Chen Xin, Ning Fengzhi, and even Dugu Bo. They looked him over, worry in their eyes.
"You alright?" Chen Xin asked.
Lu Yuan just took another sip of wine. "Why wouldn't I be?"
They exchanged glances, all too aware that enemies—old and new—were circling closer than ever before.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the outskirts of Tiandou City, the night air carried voices deeper than moonlight. Beneath a lonely ridge, Mie Li was attended by two men in black robes, kneeling in reverence.
"Master, did you see him?" one whispered.
Mie Li's reply came at a hush, her rasp more intense than ever. "I saw him."
"Then… why didn't you just take him?" The subordinate's confidence faltered under Mie Li's glare. "With your power, Lu Yuan isn't so hard to capture—"
"A strong one arrived. One I did not expect."
She examined the green scar on her palm—the same wound from the mysterious woman's strike just moments before. She weighed her chances and grimaced. Even if she'd subdued Lu Yuan, would he really be useful? They'd threatened, cajoled, and shadowed him all this time, but he was stubborn as steel.
Another subordinate piped up, voice full of ambition and stupidity: "Master, what about Lu Yuan's family? If we can't capture him, shouldn't we target his children?"
CRACK! Mie Li's palm streaked out, backhanding both her men to the dirt. "Fools! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School guards them. Attacking there is a death wish."
Cowed, the black-robed men shuffled back. Mie Li glowered, issuing a single cold order: "Watch him. Only watch."
"Yes!" they chorused, terrified by her anger.
Long after she had gone, the two huddled together.
"Why bother with Lu Yuan at all?"
"Don't you get it? He's the only one who can destroy the killing capital. Even if someone else tries, they'd never unite the other evil soul masters, or stand against the Martial Soul Hall…"
"Still, who'd fight for our side?"
"Only another evil soul master would dare. Unless… they're insane!"
Their whispered doubts drifted away on the wind, lost among the overhanging branches.
As turmoil simmered at the edges of the city, Tiandou's life pressed forward. Martial Soul Hall, in public, played it cool—declaring the skirmishes nothing more than "minor incidents."
But everyone knew that Douluo Continent was holding its breath. And now, with the Elite Competition waiting just ahead, a storm of new rivalries and wagers began to build behind brightly lit facades.
Dreams Machine's office, usually stifling with the scent of old paper and stronger tea, was positively frenetic.
"Lu Yuan!" the old instructor bellowed, voice echoing down the corridor. "You greedy bastard!"
Lu Yuan lounged with both feet on the table, swirling his last shot of wine lazily.
"You said three hundred jars of fine wine if Tiandou Royal Academy wins the championship!" the old man protested, slapping an agreement onto the table as if it were an imperial edict.
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Your memory's fading, Old Dream. I count three hundred jars as a bonus for the win—the daily wine during the competition is, of course, on the Academy." He tapped at the rules with a smirk. "What? Board and lodging—wine counts as food, doesn't it?"
Dreams Machine nearly burst a vein. He'd written those rules himself and somehow, Lu Yuan still found a loophole. "Fifty jars more. We split the difference!"
Lu Yuan snorted. "Not enough."
They haggled back and forth, stubborn as two snails locked horn-to-horn, until finally—
Another two hundred jars of fine wine!
As Lu Yuan strode away, Dreams Machine clutched his forehead, ruing the day he'd tried to outwit the boy. "Robber! Bandit! Arrogant little rascal…"
But rules were rules, and the Elite Competition was about to ignite every soul master's passion across the continent.
On the grand day, Emperor Xue Ye's voice soared over the packed stadium. With one gesture, the great banners of the Continental Soul Master Academy Elite Competition unfurled, dazzling the audience with their colors and energy.
The seeded team, Tiandou Royal Academy's first team, was set to skip straight to the finals—one privilege among many as the crowd favorites. The rest would scrap and fight for the last shot at glory.
Meanwhile, in the dim lounge of Tianshui College, preparation was everything.
"Is tomorrow's battle plan clear?" Shui Bing'er's tone carried the weight of leadership as she surveyed her team.
"No problem!" came the sisters' enthusiastic reply, each standing tall with ready hearts.
"Sure victory! Sure victory!" their chorus rang through the stone-walled room, echoing their shared resolve.
Tomorrow, Tianshui would face the Blazing Academy—one of the famed five elemental schools. It would be a match to remember.
Just then, the door swung open.
"Little beauties, all hard at work?"
Lu Yuan sauntered in, wine jar in hand, looking every bit as relaxed as a man without a care in the world. These days, he was familiar to the girls—sometimes a nuisance, sometimes a source of laughter.
"Want a drink?" he offered, tilting the jar invitingly.
Shui Yue'er's smile sparkled. "Count me in! I didn't get to talk to you much at Lu Xiaoyu's full moon banquet last time."
Before anyone could answer, Shui Bing'er shook her head. "No way. Tomorrow's match matters—we're not drinking and risking our strength."
Lu Yuan tried to lean on her shoulder, adopting a tone of boozy charm. "Don't be like that, Bing'er. It's not like all of us are resting until the final."
Shui Bing'er gently shrugged him off. She kept her poise, but her face burned at his obvious maneuver. "Some of us actually need a plan to win. Not all of us are you."
He shrugged. "It's just Blazing Academy. Pour some water on them and you'll win."
Half the girls burst out laughing; the rest shook their heads. If only things were that easy!
"Bing'er, I actually came looking for you," Lu Yuan said, his usual playfulness softening ever so slightly. "And you, Yue'er—come along too."
Shui Bing'er gave her teammates a stern look. "If anyone skips out and gets drunk tonight, they're off the roster for tomorrow."
Shui Yue'er pouted, sitting in the corner and grumbling about 'abuse of authority'—but inside, she knew her Big Sister's command was for the team's good. Her own resistance to alcohol was pitiful, she admitted.
One of the girls patted her shoulder. "Bing'er's stiffer than she seems, but let's be real—if Lu Yuan pours another round, half of us would pass out before the match!"
A little later, at Lu Yuan's home, the gentle sound of laughter and tinkling glasses filled the air. Despite her earlier protests, Shui Bing'er found herself raising a glass of wine with Lu Yuan and the others.
"To victory!" she declared. They clinked glasses; the warmth of friends and competition making the moment light despite everything at stake.
"And where's your son?" Shui Bing'er asked curiously. She'd been shocked at first to learn Lu Yuan had a child, but with all that had happened and knowing the kind of wild, passionate life he lived, she almost admired it.
"With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School for now," Ning Rongrong answered, her cheek pressed to Lu Yuan's shoulder. "We wanted to bring him to cheer you all on, but he's too small to travel."
"Rongrong's right," Lu Yuan said, pouring another round. "Too young for this storm."
The wine began to flow more freely. Zhu Zhuqing leaned back, her face flushed, and unbuttoned her coat, fanning herself as the heat crept higher.
Shui Bing'er, growing bolder, lifted her glass and locked eyes with Lu Yuan. "Let's see if you can finally drink me under the table, champion."
"And me!" Ning Rongrong joined in, her words blending with laughter.
Rising warmth and soft moonlight turned the gathering sweet and strange. Shui Bing'er's cheeks were aglow, her resolve melting under wine's influence. Zhu Zhuqing lay on the bed, lips parted in a soft smile, while moonlight danced across her delicate waist and the smooth curve of her hip.
"Lu Yuan, don't let me win too easily!" Shui Bing'er giggled, seizing his arm. Within moments, she was fast asleep against his palm—peaceful as a kitten.
Ning Rongrong murmured sleepily, "Lu Yuan Big Brother, fetch me some water…"
He grinned, "How about you just sleep here, little troublemaker?" With a gentle tug, he lay both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing down, tucking them side by side.
The fragrance of wine, the warmth of friendship, and the silent moonlight made this strange little household feel as safe as any fortress.
As he slipped away for a late-night bath, Lu Yuan glanced back—smiling at the chaos and comfort in the same glance. He knew the world would not stay still for long. Enemies watched, new waves were coming. But for tonight, just tonight, he let himself be happy.
Outside, cities buzzed with excitement. The tournament would begin at dawn; passions would ignite, alliances would falter, and heroes would rise—or fall.
The storm's center, though, was right here: a swordsman, a handful of women, and the secret, trembling heart of Douluo itself.
--
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