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

Lu Yu's gaze sharpened, and he quietly circulated his soul power, asking in a deep voice, "Who goes there?"

The night was as dark as ink, enveloping Wuhun City, with only a few stars twinkling in the sky, illuminating the exquisite yet solemn residence in the city.

Lu Yu stood on the bluestone path in the backyard of Hu Liena's residence. The air around him was filled with a faint fragrance of flowers, mixed with the coolness of the night dew.

He raised his head, his gaze passing through the tall sycamore trees in the courtyard, and looking at the tightly closed vermilion gate. Behind the gate, a dim yellow light shone faintly, warm yet carrying a hint of alienation.

He took a deep breath and walked forward slowly, his clothes fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

Before he even got close to the gate, several figures suddenly emerged from the darkness, swift as cheetahs, surrounding him with chilling killing intent.

The leading Soul Master was tall and imposing, his Soul Power fluctuations revealing his Soul Emperor strength. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he shouted sharply, "Who goes there! Trespassing on the Holy Maiden's residence in the dead of night! State your name!"

Lu Yu stopped and calmly glanced at the five Soul Masters surrounding him.

Their spirit rings flickered in the darkness, and although their spirit power fluctuations were strong, they were nothing to fear in his eyes.

He smiled slightly, his voice deep yet carrying an undeniable composure: "I am Lu Yu, a servant of Her Highness the Holy Maiden. I have come to report an important matter concerning the apothecary."

"Pharmacy?"

The leading Soul Master frowned, his suspicion deepening. "The Holy Maiden's servant? Hmph, visiting in the dead of night, how do you know you're not an assassin? Produce me!"

Lu Yu raised an eyebrow, as if he had expected the other party to react this way.

He calmly took out a jade tablet engraved with the emblem of the Spirit Hall from his pocket and handed it over: "This is a token bestowed by the Holy Maiden. You may verify it."

He paused, then emphasized, "This matter was personally arranged by the Holy Maiden, and we must report to her immediately."

If you delay, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear the consequences.

Upon hearing this, the Soul Masters surrounding him changed their expressions slightly, exchanged glances, and showed some hesitation.

The leading Soul Master took the jade tablet, probed it with his Soul Power, and after confirming that it was correct, his expression remained gloomy.

He sneered, "That sounds nice, but if it's false, do you know what crime it is to deceive the Holy Maiden?"

He waved his hand, signaling the people beside him to withdraw their soul power, and then said, "Take him in. If the situation is not true, hmph, you know the consequences yourself!"

Lu Yu's lips curled up slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, but he said nothing more. He simply nodded and followed the others through the backyard toward the brightly lit hall.

He walked steadily with his back straight, unmoved by the hostility of the surrounding Soul Masters.

After all, with his Soul Douluo strength, even if all these Soul Masters attacked together, they wouldn't be able to stop him.

Pushing open the door to the hall, a faint scent of sandalwood wafts out. The hall is elegantly furnished, with several landscape paintings hanging on the walls and a bronze lamp on a table, its flickering light casting a warm and tranquil glow over the entire hall.

Hu Liena, dressed in a light gold dress, sat upright in the main seat, flipping through a scroll in her hand. Hearing the noise, she raised her head, her gaze falling on Lu Yu, and she frowned slightly.

“Your Highness, this person claims to be your servant and requests an audience regarding matters concerning the apothecary.”

The leading Soul Master bowed respectfully, but his tone carried a hint of probing, "We dare not act on our own initiative, so we brought him here to verify."

Hu Liena's gaze lingered on Lu Yu for a moment, and Lu Yu subtly winked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

A flicker of realization crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and nodded, saying, "That's right, I arranged for him to investigate the apothecary."

"Thank you all for your hard work. This matter needs to be kept confidential. You may leave."

The Soul Masters were taken aback, seemingly not expecting Hu Liena to so easily acknowledge Lu Yu's identity.

The leading Soul Master hesitated for a moment, then bowed and said, "Your Highness, regarding this apothecary shop..."

Hu Liena waved her hand, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "The apothecary is cooperating with the Spirit Empire. This is a matter of great importance, and if word gets out, it may cause unnecessary trouble."

Just remember, what happens today must not be revealed.

"Yes!"

The Soul Masters responded in unison, then respectfully withdrew, giving Lu Yu a wary glance before leaving.

Soon only Lu Yu and Hu Liena remained in the hall. The air seemed to quiet down instantly, with only the lingering scent of sandalwood and the gentle flickering of the lamps.

Hu Liena put down the book, got up and walked closer to Lu Yu, her eyes filled with a hint of reproach: "You rascal, you came here in the middle of the night without telling anyone beforehand, and now I have to cover for you."

Lu Yu chuckled, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing: "Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent; this little matter is a piece of cake for you. Besides, if I had informed you beforehand, there wouldn't have been this surprise of a late-night visit."

Hu Liena rolled her eyes at him, but a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

She turned and walked to the table, personally poured Lu Yu a cup of tea, and handed it to him softly, saying, "Speak, you don't come here without a reason. What is it this time?"

Lu Yu took the teacup, his fingertips touching the warmth of the cup, but his gaze fell on Hu Liena's face.

Her expression was as lively as ever, yet it carried a hint of weariness, with a faint trace of worry between her brows.

He paused slightly and asked, "What's going on with those Soul Masters in the backyard? You never used to have such heavy guards here."

Hu Liena sighed, sat back in her chair, looked out the window, and said in a low voice, "The Martial Soul Empire has been in turmoil lately. The Star Luo Empire has sent assassins to try to kill my brother and me several times."

The teachers were worried about our safety, so they specially arranged these guards.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu frowned slightly, his tone becoming more concerned: "Are you alright? Are you injured?"

Hu Liena was taken aback, then a hint of warmth flashed in her eyes, and she shook her head and said, "I'm fine, and my brother is alright too."

But... these days, I'm always on edge.

She paused, then looked back at Lu Yu with a hint of teasing, "As for you, coming here so late at night, you didn't just come out of concern for me, did you?"

Lu Yu chuckled, put down his teacup, and said seriously, "Of course I have something to ask of you."

There's been a bit of a problem at the apothecary, somewhat related to the Martial Soul Academy. I don't want to get involved personally for the time being, so I'd like to ask you to help me talk to them about it.

Hu Liena raised an eyebrow and readily replied, "Leave this small matter to me."

I'll talk to the college, don't worry.

She paused, a hint of inquiry in her eyes. "But you're not one to trouble others, so why did you suddenly decide to ask me this time?"

Lu Yu remained silent for a moment, looked at her calmly, and slowly said, "I came because it's you."

These words, though simple, sent a jolt through Hu Liena's heart.

She lowered her eyes to hide the turmoil within them, and whispered, "You're always like this, half-true, half-false, making it impossible for anyone to understand you."

She raised her head, looking directly at Lu Yu, but her tone was heavier, "Lu Yu, will we really be fighting each other from now on? Can you... please not hurt my brother?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

He knew that these words would come out of Hu Liena's mouth sooner or later.

His hatred for the Spirit Hall, especially his grudge against Bibi Dong, is irreconcilable.

But Hu Liena was different; her presence always left a soft spot in his heart.

He said in a deep voice, "I'm afraid my feud with Bibi Dong will never be resolved in this lifetime."

But Xie Yue... he has no deep-seated hatred for me.

Nana, you've made many concessions for me over the years, and I don't want to put you in a difficult position. If that day ever comes, I will try my best to avoid a direct confrontation with him.

A complex look flashed in Hu Liena's eyes, a mixture of emotion and helplessness.

She whispered, "My teacher... she's actually a person with a tragic life."

Outsiders only see her strong personality, but in private, she is as vulnerable as a child.

The kindness she showed in raising my brother and me is something my brother and I can never repay in this lifetime.

She paused, then lowered her voice even further, "Neither my brother nor I can escape the Spirit Hall."

Lu Yu remained silent.

He could sense Hu Liena's struggle, the pain of being caught between emotions and principles, which made his heart clench.

He walked slowly closer, gently took her hand, and whispered, "I understand your difficulties."

Nana, I will try my best to find a solution that benefits both of you, so as not to put you in a difficult position, and so that you don't lose someone important to you.

Hu Liena looked up, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, which quickly faded.

She gently withdrew her hand and forced a smile, saying, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."

"I'm going to the Star Dou Forest for training in a few days. Will you come with me?"

Lu Yu was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

A few days later, at the entrance to the Starry Sky Forest, the morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and amidst the swaying shadows of the trees, Lu Yu and Hu Liena walked side by side.

The roars of beasts echoed from the depths of the forest, and the air was filled with the fragrance of grass and trees and the dampness of the earth.

Hu Liena wore a tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her slender figure. The fluctuations in her soul power indicated that she had broken through to level 77 Soul Saint, and her aura was more composed than ever before.

She turned her head to look at Lu Yu beside her, her eyes filled with a touch of emotion: "In just a few years, you've actually reached the Soul Douluo level. It's truly enviable."

"A prodigy like you, must cultivation be effortless?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu shook his head and chuckled, "It's not that easy."

Cultivation is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat.

Those who rely on external forces for rapid advancement, while using medicinal herbs and potions to temporarily improve their skills, will mostly leave hidden injuries that hinder future breakthroughs.

He paused, his gaze fixed on the distance, his voice calm yet firm, "I only reached the Soul Douluo level after a year of arduous training in the Star Dou Forest."

Now I focus more on cultivating myself naturally, for only with a peaceful mind can I go further.

Hu Liena chuckled and teased, "Look at your tone, you're even more long-winded than an old scholar."

"Enough. Prodigies and geniuses are one in a million; I, a mere mortal, should just focus on cultivating honestly."

Lu Yu smiled without saying a word, but his gaze softened unconsciously.

Hu Liena looked at him, but memories of her days in the Killing City from many years ago flooded her mind.

At that time, Lu Yu was all alone, yet he remained clear-headed and calm in the face of endless slaughter.

His image was already deeply etched in her heart, and she could never forget it.

"Lu Yu".

She suddenly stopped and looked at him earnestly. "Although I had a miserable time in the Killing City, I always felt at ease with you by my side."

Do you... still remember that time?

Lu Yu was taken aback, met her gaze, and slowly nodded: "I remember."

Those were difficult days for me too, but with you by my side, I wasn't so lonely.

Hu Liena smiled, a smile that carried a hint of satisfaction, but also a touch of melancholy.

She said softly, "During this training, I want to improve my strength on one hand, and on the other hand... I also want to spend more time with you."

Lu Yu felt a warmth in his heart, but he didn't say much, only nodded slightly.

At the edge of the Starry Sky Forest, the morning mist, like a veil, gently shrouds the towering ancient trees, while sunlight filters through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Lu Yu and Hu Liena walked side by side, their feet crunching softly on the fallen leaves.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and grass, mixed with a faint, almost imperceptible, sense of danger.

Hu Liena wore a light gold dress with the badge of the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall tied around her waist. Her steps were light but hesitant.

Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were pondering something. Occasionally, she would look up at Lu Yu beside her, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"Nana, your brows are so furrowed."

Lu Yu's voice, tinged with a hint of mockery, broke the silence of the forest.

He wore a long black robe with gold patterns, his steps were unhurried, and a faint smile played on his lips. "Your Highness is of noble status. Combat experience is a small matter. Take your time. With me here, what are you afraid of?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Liena rolled her eyes at him, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up, revealing a faint smile.

She stopped and turned to face Lu Yu, arms crossed, her tone slightly reproachful: "You're such a chatterbox! You talk as if you're so great."

She paused, her gaze softened, and her voice lowered, "However... I am indeed a little worried."

"I felt uneasy as I ventured deeper into the Starry Sky Forest."

Lu Yu looked at her, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

He stepped forward, patted her shoulder, and said firmly, "With me here, you'll be fine."

No matter how dangerous the Star Dou Forest is, it's just a testing ground.

"Let's go deeper, find some spirit beasts to practice on, and your combat experience will improve!"

Hu Liena nodded, the unease in her heart slightly dispelled by Lu Yu's confidence.

She took a deep breath and followed Lu Yu's steps, and the two walked into the depths of the forest.

Along the way, the towering ancient trees grew increasingly dense, almost blocking out the sunlight, and a damp, chilly feeling permeated the air.

Occasionally, low-level soul beasts could be heard growling from afar, but they seemed to sense the presence of the two and did not approach.

After traveling for about half an hour, the surrounding atmosphere suddenly changed.

Lu Yu paused slightly, his gaze sweeping around, his brows furrowing.

Hu Liena also sensed something was wrong. She whispered, "Lu Yu, don't you think... it's a little too quiet?"

Before the words were finished, a deep roar came from not far away, and then several huge figures rushed out of the forest—three soul beasts, huge in size and fierce in aura. One of them was a giant python covered with dark green scales, which exuded the pressure of a 60,000-year-old soul beast.

Lu Yu narrowed his eyes, immediately shielding Hu Liena behind him, and whispered, "Don't move, step back!"

Hu Liena gripped her short blade tightly, her eyes wary. But she quickly noticed that the soul beasts didn't attack directly; instead, they circled around them, their eyes filled with a strange hesitation. (End of Chapter)