Douluo Sharingan, I really didn't coerce Xiao Wu!

Chapter 96 Entrusted by Someone

The Continental Soul Master Tournament is a competition that prioritizes strength, allowing Soul Masters and academies from all walks of life to battle and select the most outstanding contestants.

If the preliminary rounds are a competition for entertainment or promotion, then the qualifying rounds are the real platform for all parties to select their elites.

Initially, Chen Xuan's main reasons for participating in the competition were twofold: one was to challenge various powerful individuals, and the other was to join a powerful force.

Only by relying on empires, clans, sects, etc., can one develop better and obtain support such as resources, experience, and protection.

Now, someone has finally approached him, proving that his previous efforts and hard work in the competition were worthwhile.

Although he hasn't been on the field many times, the results have been quite good.

"Uncle, there's no need for the palace formalities. Just tell me what's important." Chen Xuan got straight to the point, disliking running around and finding it too troublesome.

"Brother Chen, you have a straightforward and honest personality. I enjoy dealing with intelligent people like you," the man dressed in the ghost-patterned robe chuckled, his smile conveying a sense of friendship.

"What a damn straightforward guy," Chen Xuan muttered under his breath, thinking, "Even if you're a beauty, don't mess around."

Afterwards, the two found a small teahouse nearby. Since it was in the suburbs, there were not many people around, so it was very quiet.

"Uncle, just say what's on your mind," Chen Xuan said with a smile. Although he had guessed the other party's intentions, he thought it best to pretend for the time being.

The richly dressed man nodded, seeing how straightforward he was, and without hiding anything, revealed the purpose of his trip in full.

He stated his purpose, explaining that he had come specifically from the palace to invite Chen Xuan to join his forces, promising 100,000 gold coins, beautiful women, and a ten-thousand-year-old soul bone—a very sincere offer.

However, there are prerequisites for obtaining a ten-thousand-year-old soul bone: one must not switch jobs within five years and must make significant contributions.

"Isn't this just empty promises?" Chen Xuan grumbled, but didn't say it aloud, giving the other party some face.

To be honest, in my past life in the modern world, in that dark and dreary factory, I ate a lot of empty promises, like pay raises and promotions. I heard them so many times that I became immune to them.

"Um... Uncle, I'd like to know, is it tens of thousands of soul bones?" Chen Xuan said in a low voice.

Ten-thousand-year-old soul bones are rare and extremely precious, practically priceless. However, he doesn't really care for them. He has two at home, one thirty thousand years old and the other over twenty thousand years old.

The richly dressed man laughed heartily, "Don't worry, Brother Chen, that soul bone is something I obtained a few years ago. It's absolutely suitable for agility-based characters. As for its age..."

He paused, hesitated for a moment, and then continued, "Brother Chen, as you know, soul bones are rare and priceless. I won't lie to you, this soul bone is only a little over 12,000 years old. Although it's a bit young, it's definitely suitable for you, so don't worry."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan was stunned for a long time, unsure how to respond.

To be honest, after more than 12,000 years, he was actually a bit disgusted with soul bones that were less than 20,000 years old.

Chen Xuan lost interest. It was not only empty promises, but also a lack of sincerity. Who would believe that a noble family only had a ten-thousand-year-old soul bone?

"Uncle, may I ask what official position you hold in the Empire?" Chen Xuan asked. If it was a high-ranking position, comparable to that of Prince Xuexing, then it was worth considering.

"Earl," the richly dressed man said, with considerable pride.

"Huh?" Chen Xuan's eyes widened, looking completely bewildered, thinking he had misheard.

The richly dressed man raised his head slightly, his face full of pride, and repeated, "Brother Chen, I am a count in the empire."

Chen Xuan was taken aback by these words and fell silent.

Earl is one rank higher than Viscount. When the preliminary rounds ended, Emperor Xueye said that after the competition, the captains and vice-captains of the top five academies would be granted the title of Viscount. If they won the championship, they would be promoted one rank to Earl.

Chen Xuan finally understood why they only offered him a ten-thousand-year-old soul bone and made empty promises; it turned out they were just trying to lure him in.

Moreover, it's possible that the ten-thousand-year-old soul bone is also fake, since this is the highest level a noble can offer.

"My house is on fire, see you later." Chen Xuan made up a story, being a realistic person for once, and left without looking back.

The richly dressed man stood bewildered in the wind, still not understanding what was going on.

Chen Xuan was speechless. What kind of nonsense was this? The Earl had the nerve to try and win him over. After the competition, he would be a Viscount. What was he thinking?

He wasted his time and got excited for nothing, thinking it was someone like Prince Xuexing.

"Young friend Chen, where are you in such a hurry to go? Would you do me the honor of a chat?"

After Chen Xuan had walked ten miles, a deep and powerful voice suddenly rang out nearby, followed by a man who appeared and blocked his way.

This is also a middle-aged or elderly person, of average height, dressed in luxurious clothes, and also an aristocrat.

This time, Chen Xuan was smarter and asked directly, "Uncle, what is your rank? How many ranks higher than a viscount?"

The middle-aged man was quite proud. He held up two fingers and said with a smile, "Young friend, I am a marquis, which is two ranks higher than a viscount."

"There's a gas leak in my house." Chen Xuan turned and left without pausing for a moment.

It wasn't that he was arrogant, haughty, or looked down on others; it was just that the rank of Marquis was too low. It was already good enough if his family had a Soul Emperor.

For ordinary people, or even great soul masters, such an invitation from a noble is rare and hard to come by, but it is limited to those below level 30.

Chen Xuan was quite helpless. It wasn't that he looked down on these nobles, but did their titles mean anything? Not to mention Emperor Xue Ye, even Prince Xue Xing wouldn't bother with them.

Then, he continued on to his home, having some things to take with him and also to see his younger sister.

"Young friend Chen, would you do me the honor of a chat?"

This time, it was a middle-aged lady with delicate skin, very well-maintained, looking like a woman in her thirties.

"Big sister, what is your title?" Chen Xuan asked directly.

Although it's impolite, it's very effective.

Although the middle-aged noblewoman was puzzled, she still answered truthfully, "The Duke."

"My kitchen is on fire. See you later..."

Soon, Chen Xuan arrived at the familiar street and was about to get home.

"Young friend, please wait a moment."

Chen Xuan turned around and looked at the person who had come in with a blank expression, already somewhat numb.

"Uncle, please state your identity first."

"Marquis".

"goodbye."

……

Chen Xuan felt that most of the day had been wasted, as he had spent the entire day dealing with these nobles.

At least send someone of princely rank. These people really have no say. Even Meng Shenji, the chief student of Tiandou Academy, can say a few words to Emperor Xueye.

Half an hour later, Chen Xuan finally arrived at the villa area in the suburbs, where his home was right next door.

"Kid, stop right there. Someone wants to see you. Come with me."

Suddenly, a cold, slightly aged voice rang out from the surroundings, and a man in black robes emerged from the shadows.

"State your identity first, or there's no point in talking." Chen Xuan subconsciously assumed that he was being invited like those nobles.

The man in black robes laughed, revealing a mocking smile, and said coldly, "Kid, has no one ever told you that you're arrogant?"

Chen Xuan stiffened, instantly snapping back to reality, and belatedly realized that something was wrong.

He then re-examined the person in front of him. In broad daylight, the person was dressed in a black robe, revealing only the lower half of his face, making him appear very mysterious.

Chen Xuan's heart tightened. He couldn't sense any fluctuation of soul power on this person. His aura was restrained, his cultivation level was unknown, and there was not a trace of soul power leaking out. He was just like an ordinary person.

A chill ran down his spine, and his heart sank. This man in black robes was incredibly powerful, definitely above the Soul Saint level. So far, no one he had ever encountered had given him such a strong sense of crisis as the man before him.

"Who are you?" Chen Xuan's hair stood on end. The other person was filled with murderous intent, and this time, he was really in grave danger.

"All you need to know is that I was entrusted by someone to come and take you away."

"Don't ask so many questions. You're not worthy to know my identity yet. Just come with me."

(End of this chapter)