Wang Chen was not the type to go soft just because his opponent was a girl. In his eyes, men and women were equal—if they stood against him, they would all be struck down the same.
Wang Mengting: Σ_(」∠)
She felt a sharp, searing pain in her abdomen. Blood sprayed from her mouth as her body folded over like a shrimp, collapsing onto the ground and trembling uncontrollably.
With a single casual strike, Wang Chen had defeated her. His presence now radiated with even greater dominance.
"Who else refuses to yield?!"
The Wang family youths surrounding the arena had just witnessed both Wang Teng and Wang Mengting—the most talented of their generation—fall effortlessly before Wang Chen.
How could they dare to step forward? Their strength was far inferior to Wang Teng's, let alone Mengting's. If they tried to challenge Wang Chen now, it would only mean being trampled.
One by one, they shook their heads, not daring to answer.
Judge Wang Yuan watched Wang Chen, who stood alone, suppressing the entire younger generation of the Wang clan like a blazing star. He could not help but laugh heartily.
Descending from the air, Wang Yuan clasped Wang Chen's hand and turned to address all the spectators:
"The outcome of this clan tournament is already clear. The champion is none other than Wang Chen!!"
The stands erupted in cheers and applause.
Wang Chen's talent and strength were undeniable. With such a genius rising among them, the Wang family's future prosperity was assured.
In the crowd, Wang Chen's father and mother wept tears of joy.
Their son had surpassed all expectations. They had only hoped he might place second or third, but never dreamed he would defeat a Soul Elder like Wang Teng and seize first place.
As Wang Chen's status soared, those seated nearby began eagerly striking up conversations with his parents.
With the talent Wang Chen had just revealed, who could imagine his achievements ten or twenty years from now? If they didn't flatter and build ties now, they might never have the chance in the future.
At the same time, deep within Wang Chen's soul, the pace of the Black Book's restoration suddenly quickened.
Elsewhere, in the stands, Wang Teng—who had just been healed and awoken—watched as all eyes were fixed upon Wang Chen.
His former pride had completely vanished.
In full view of the entire clan, he, a three-ring Soul Elder, had been defeated by Wang Chen, a mere two-ring Grand Soul Master. The humiliation was unbearable.
His eyes were red, clearly from tears. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth, his heart swearing silently:
Wang Chen, don't get too proud. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. What I lost today, one day, I will take back!
At the center of the arena, Wang Yuan held Wang Chen's hand kindly.
"Chen'er, to think such a genius would appear in this generation of the Wang family… There's no need for you to participate in the rest of the matches. Come with me."
With that, he led Wang Chen away toward the Wang family's treasure vault.
Before leaving, Wang Yuan instructed the other judges:
"Oversee the rest of the matches. Compile the final rankings and report them to me."
"Yes, Elder Wang Yuan!"
While the other youths continued their contests, Wang Chen followed Wang Yuan to the gates of the clan's treasure vault.
Looking at the place that ordinary clansmen were never allowed near, Wang Chen asked:
"Elder Wang Yuan, this is…?"
Smiling, Wang Yuan replied:
"Chen'er, as the most outstanding genius of the younger generation, the clan has prepared a special reward for you."
He then led Wang Chen inside.
The moment Wang Chen stepped past the gates, a chill ran down his spine. A powerful sense of danger made every muscle tense.
The vault was laced with soul tool traps.
Wang Yuan tapped lightly on a floor tile. With a click, it slid open to reveal a hidden password input device.
Once he entered the code, the oppressive aura vanished.
"The treasure vault contains all the priceless treasures our clan has collected over the years," Wang Yuan explained. "So its defenses are extremely strict—traps, arrays, even a Soul Sage guarding it."
It was clear that Wang Chen's victory had elevated his status greatly. Things he would never have been allowed near before were now opening to him.
The vault had three floors:
The first held rare medicinal herbs.
The second stored precious metals.
And the third… held the true treasures.
A Soul Sage guarded this floor.
When they arrived on the third level, they saw an old man with snow-white hair and clouded eyes reading a book.
Wang Yuan bowed.
"Uncle, I've come to collect the reward for the clan tournament."
The old man replied:
"My memory isn't so poor. The clan head's orders from a few days ago—I haven't forgotten."
His gaze then fell on Wang Chen, surprised.
"Oh? Not that boy Wang Teng?"
Wang Yuan chuckled and patted Wang Chen's shoulder.
"Wang Teng was defeated by this young one."
The old man, as a Soul Sage, could sense Wang Chen's true level. His eyes widened in shock.
"To think a Grand Soul Master could defeat a Soul Elder… Remarkable. Truly remarkable."
He disappeared briefly into a side room, then returned holding a finely crafted soul tool case.
Handing it to Wang Chen, he said seriously:
"This is too precious. Keep it quiet. Tell no one—not even your parents."
That afternoon, back in his home, Wang Chen sat cross-legged on his bed and curiously opened the case.
Floating before him was a crystalline leg bone, glowing faintly with a lure that stirred the very soul.
"This… a Soul Bone!" His pupils contracted sharply, shock flooding his face.
Having lived on the Douluo Continent for years, he knew exactly how rare soul bones were. Especially within the Sun and Moon Empire, where soul beast resources were scarce, their value was beyond measure.
But before he could study it further, the Black Book deep within his soul suddenly stirred violently…