Douluo: One man returns, Fan Tianyin smashes Tang San to death

Lu Yu and Wang Sheng walked side by side on the stone path, their steps light and quick, with a noisy crowd and the occasional sound of horses' hooves behind them.

The team's defeat last night didn't seem to leave much of a shadow on their faces. Lu Yu's expression remained as calm as ever, with even a faint smile on his lips, while Wang Sheng was deep in thought, his brows slightly furrowed, clutching a piece of leftover rations from last night, which was now somewhat deformed.

Last night's team battle saw Thanos' team unexpectedly lose to the Puppet team, whose strength wasn't considered top-tier.

After the game, everyone gathered at the wooden table in the dormitory, around a dim oil lamp, but the atmosphere was not heavy.

Meng Yiran sat on a wooden chair by the window, the moonlight shining on her face, making her look somewhat pale.

Her eyes were lowered, and her slender fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, making her appear somewhat uneasy.

Xiao Wu sat beside her, her soft hand gently resting on Meng Yiran's shoulder, her eyes full of concern.

"Yiran, are you alright?"

Xiao Wu's voice was soft, tinged with worry, "We were all terrified when those people kidnapped you. You must have been very scared, right?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Yiran shook her head slightly, forcing a smile. "Sister Xiaowu, I'm fine, really... it's all over now."

She paused, her voice lowering, "It's just because of me that Brother Lu Yu couldn't play in the match, causing everyone to lose... I really feel bad about it."

Her voice was choked with emotion, and her gaze swept over the people around the table before settling on Lu Yu with deep regret.

Lu Yu was drinking the hot soup in his bowl when he heard this. He looked up, a smile flashing in his eyes, and waved his hand. "Don't take it to heart. Winning and losing are common in competitions. You can't win every game."

His tone was relaxed, as if losing the game was nothing more than a trivial matter.

Meng Yiran frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, "Brother Lu Yu, are you really not angry? With your strength, if you were here, we would definitely have won..."

Ning Rongrong, sitting to Meng Yiran's left, chuckled and patted the back of her hand. "Yiran, you're overthinking it! It's just a competition. If you lose, you lose. You can win next time."

"Our team has lost before, but look, everyone's doing just fine."

Ning Rongrong's voice was clear and crisp, with a hint of playfulness. She turned her head to look at Lu Yu, a sly glint in her eyes, "Besides, when has Lu Yu ever taken winning or losing so seriously? Look at him now, isn't he eating with gusto?"

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere immediately lightened considerably.

Looking at everyone's smiling faces, Meng Yiran's tense nerves relaxed a little, but the guilt in her eyes had not completely disappeared.

She lowered her head, bit her lip, and murmured, "You really don't blame me?"

Xiao Wu gently squeezed her hand and said softly, "Why blame yourself? Blame the people who captured you. Humph, next time we meet, I'll teach them a lesson!"

She waved her little fist, looking cute yet serious, which drew another round of chuckles from the crowd.

Lu Yu put down his soup bowl, turned his gaze to Wang Sheng beside him, and changed the subject, "Wang Sheng, didn't you say last night that you had refined a new thing? Take it out and let me see."

His voice carried a hint of mockery, but a spark of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

Wang Sheng was biting into a piece of dry rations when he heard this. He was taken aback, swallowed the food in his mouth, chuckled, and took out a small glass bottle from his soul tool.

The bottle contained a pale purple liquid that shimmered slightly under the light, like flowing starlight, mysterious and alluring.

"Brother Lu Yu, this is a potion I stayed up all night to concoct. It's called the Negative Potion."

Wang Sheng scratched his head, his tone somewhat uncertain, "I don't know how effective it will be, I'm not sure, I wanted you to take a look."

He gently placed the medicine bottle on the table; the bottle clinked softly against the wooden table.

The sound drew everyone's attention.

Lu Yu raised an eyebrow, reached out and picked up the potion bottle, shaking it in a pretentious manner, but a golden light flashed in his eyes—his appraisal skill had been quietly activated.

The next moment, the information about the potion clearly appeared in his mind: a negative potion that can increase a Soul Master's level by one level after consumption, lasting for half a month, but the side effect is that the Soul Master's level will decrease at a rate of three percent per day, and will return to the original level after half a month. It is only effective for Soul Masters of Soul Grandmaster level and below.

Lu Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, and his heart stirred.

The potion's effects are undeniably powerful, instantly boosting soul power by one level. For a Soul Master at the Soul Sect level, this is practically a qualitative leap. Even if it only lasts for half a month, it's enough to turn the tide of battle at crucial moments.

However, the side effects are equally undeniable. A drop in level over half a month means that a Soul Master's strength will continue to weaken, and taking it during periods of frequent battles carries a great risk.

He calmly placed the medicine bottle back on the table, but his mind was already racing.

His fusion skill can refine potions and eliminate side effects. If he could refine such potions on a large scale, he might be able to save the expense of buying experience cards and directly improve his strength through the potions.

However, this is contingent on sufficient medicinal materials and controllable refining difficulty.

He looked at Wang Sheng and asked calmly, "How many more batches of this potion can you make?"

Wang Sheng sighed with a bitter face, "Brother Lu Yu, I accidentally concocted this potion. The family doesn't provide many medicinal materials, especially the main ingredient, Kui Mu Hua, which is extremely rare."

My dad went through a lot of trouble to buy one; you can't find it on the outskirts of the Starry Sky Forest, you can only find it deep inside.

He paused, his tone somewhat helpless, "I don't even know if I can refine another bottle."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu frowned slightly, his original plan instantly falling apart.

He had originally intended for Wang Sheng to refine several more potions, using the fusion skill to refine them to a level without side effects, so that he could stir up a storm in the Soul Arena. However, it now seems that the scarcity of medicinal herbs has dashed this idea.

He sighed softly and patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder, "It's alright, this potion is already quite good. If the side effects can be resolved, it can definitely fetch an astronomical price."

Wang Sheng scratched his head and chuckled, "That depends on your skills, Brother Lu Yu. My skills aren't as good as yours."

Lu Yu smiled but didn't reply. His gaze fell on the pale purple potion, and he secretly plotted a new plan.

The next morning, Lu Yu and Wang Sheng got up early, walked through the bustling streets of Soto City, and arrived at a simply decorated inn.

A faded sign hung on the wooden door of the inn, and two waiters stood in front of the door, lazily greeting guests.

Lu Yu pushed open the door and entered, and saw Wang Yuan sitting at the wooden table in the lobby, holding a bowl of hot tea and smiling at them.

"Lu Yu! You little rascal, you've gotten even more imposing in just a few months!"

Wang Yuan stood up, laughed heartily, and patted Lu Yu on the shoulder.

His gaze swept over Lu Yu, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, "Wang Sheng has really struck gold by following you."

Our Wang family's status has risen dramatically in recent years because of you!

Lu Yu smiled slightly and said modestly, "Uncle Wang, you flatter me. I was just lucky."

"We heard you came to Soto City, so Wang Sheng and I came to visit. We also have something we'd like to ask for your help with." His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, carrying a hint of friendliness while remaining polite.

Wang Yuan waved his hand and said generously, "We're brothers, no need to be so polite! Just say what you need, and Uncle Wang will definitely help if he can!"

He sat down again, gesturing for Lu Yu and Wang Sheng to sit down as well, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Lu Yu didn't beat around the bush; he lowered his voice and told them what he wanted to investigate.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuan's expression gradually turned serious, his brows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Lu Yu, this matter is not simple. If something really goes wrong, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it, and I won't be able to help much."

His tone carried a hint of worry, clearly indicating that the seriousness of the matter exceeded his expectations.

Lu Yu's gaze was firm, and he said in a deep voice, "Uncle Wang, I know this matter is not simple, but it is very important to me. Please help me investigate."

He paused, then added, "No matter the outcome, I have to give it a try."

Wang Yuan stared at Lu Yu for a moment, then sighed and nodded, "Alright, I agree."

I will tell you what I found out in three months.

Wang Sheng, standing to the side, kept his head down, his expression equally solemn, as if he knew the weight of this matter, but he did not interrupt.

After leaving the inn, Lu Yu and Wang Sheng walked side by side toward the Soul Arena.

The streets were bustling with people and filled with noise, but Lu Yu seemed preoccupied, his mind replaying Wang Yuan's reaction.

Just then, a shrill laugh came from ahead, breaking his thoughts.

"Hey, aren't these Thanos's team of trash? Weren't we taught them a lesson enough yesterday? They dare to show their faces again today?"

The two men speaking were dressed in gray battle robes with a ferocious puppet embroidered on their chests; they were members of the Puppet Team that defeated Thanos's team yesterday.

They stood at the entrance to the arena, arms crossed, their faces full of mockery.

Upon seeing the two men, Wang Sheng gritted his teeth, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked. "It's them! They're the ones who beat us senseless yesterday!"

His voice was filled with anger, and his eyes were practically spitting fire.

Lu Yu merely glanced at the two of them indifferently, his tone as calm as if he were talking about something trivial, "Let's go."

He patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder and turned to enter the Soul Arena.

The two men wouldn't let it go, one of them shrieking, "What, pretty boy, you can't even say a word? Thanos's team? You're nothing but rubbish!"

Their laughter was jarring, drawing stares from many passersby.

Lu Yu stopped and slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping coldly over the two of them, but a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. "Stubborn to talk, huh? Then let's see on the field."

Lu Yu stood in the preparation area of ​​the Soul Arena. Sunlight streamed through the tall dome, casting shadows on the ground and outlining areas of interplay between light and shadow.

Beside him, Wang Sheng was tidying up his soul tool, his face showing a hint of eager excitement.

The surrounding noise rose and fell, the shouts from the audience, the whispers from the team members, and the distant shouts of the referee announcing the results of the match, all blending together into a lively sea of ​​noise.

Lu Yu's gaze remained calm and detached, as if all the commotion had nothing to do with him.

"Brother Lu Yu, those guys from the puppet team are so arrogant, but why don't we see any real skill on the field?"

Wang Sheng raised his head, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, his tone tinged with curiosity, "You were provoked by them just now, why weren't you angry at all?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

He patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder, his voice calm and measured, conveying a sense of conviction: "A Soul Master's confidence comes from strength, not empty words."

Arguing with them is a waste of time, disrupts your mindset, and does nothing to improve your game.

Want them to shut up? Then beat them into submission on the field with your fists.

Upon hearing this, Wang Sheng's eyes lit up, as if a flame had been ignited in his pupils.

He nodded vigorously, clenched his fist, and whispered, "I understand, Brother Lu Yu! Let's show them the power of Thanos's team today!"

Lu Yu chuckled lightly, said nothing more, but turned his gaze to Zhao Wuji not far away.

Zhao Wuji was standing beside Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and the others, whispering instructions to them, his rugged face showing a hint of seriousness.

Clearly, he attaches great importance to today's match.

Lu Yu led Wang Sheng over, and Ning Rongrong immediately came to greet them, her pretty face showing a hint of reproach: "Lu Yu, Wang Sheng, where did you two go so early in the morning? We thought you were going to miss the competition!"

Lu Yu ruffled Ning Rongrong's hair and said with a smile, "I went to see Wang Sheng's father, which delayed me a bit, but I made it back in time."

Don't worry, the match is about to start, we need to get ready.

Xiao Wu stood to the side, arms crossed, and snorted, her tone playful: "Hmph, Lu Yu, don't forget, today is our day to shine! We lost yesterday, so we're going to get our revenge today!"

Lu Yu looked at Xiao Wu, a gentle light flashing in his eyes.

He stepped forward and gently patted Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong on the shoulders, his voice deep yet full of strength: "Don't worry, we won't give our opponents a chance today."

Let's go, get on stage!

Led by Lu Yu, the members of Thanos's team strode confidently toward the arena.

In the audience, all eyes were focused on them.

In yesterday's competition, the Thanos team made a name for themselves with their amazing performance, especially Lu Yu's almost overwhelming strength, which made many Soul Masters look at him with new eyes.

When he appeared on stage again today, a murmur rippled through the audience.

"That Lu Yu was terrifying yesterday. I bet today will be another massacre."

"Who are the opponents? It seems to be... the Gale Team? Tsk, a level 46 Soul Master leading the team, they probably won't even last ten minutes."

On the field, the captain of the Gale Team was a tall and thin young man with a sinister look in his eyes. His spirit rings were shining brightly under his feet, and his configuration of four yellow and two purple spirit rings was considered excellent among ordinary spirit masters.

He stared at Lu Yu, trying to overwhelm him with his presence, but found that Lu Yu only glanced at him indifferently, his gaze as calm as if he were looking at an insignificant ant.

The starting whistle blew, and Team Gale launched the first attack. (End of Chapter)