"Our Loulan Clan has a traditional martial arts tournament held once every three years. Only the outstanding disciples of the clan can participate, and the ultimate winner gets a chance to enter the clan's secret chamber to select a manual as a prize," Loulan Erlun slowly said. "If Mr. Pixiu is interested, I can make an exception and let you join this tournament. Of course, the premise is that you need to show sufficient strength."

Thunderstorm heard this and a slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. He glanced at Luo Chen beside him, who had remained silent, then turned to Loulan Erlun and said, "Alright, I accept your challenge."

In the following days, Thunderstorm and Luo Chen settled down at the Loulan Clan's arrangement. They began preparing for the upcoming martial arts tournament. The true purpose behind this transaction gradually came to light. It turned out Thunderstorm was so adamant about the Sky Dragon manual because it's linked to a greater secret that would affect the fate of the entire Divine Fire Empire.

The day of the martial arts tournament arrived swiftly. That morning the sunlight flooded the entire training ground, where various buildings glimmered under the sun's rays. The crowd formed a huge circle, waiting for the competition to begin. Inside the Fang Pavilion, Loulan Erlun and two middle-aged men were already waiting there.

Thunderstorm, with Luo Chen at his side, shot up to the Fang Pavilion like a sharp arrow. Their arrival immediately caught the attention of the entire venue. Loulan Erlun gazed at Thunderstorm and Luo Chen, a flash of approval in his eyes. He knew today's competition would be an unprecedented showdown.

As the martial arts tournament began, intense battles unfolded in the training ground. Thunderstorm and Luo Chen also participated in the matches, displaying remarkable strength. Their performance not only won the audience's cheers but also raised Loulan Erlun's evaluation of them.

After fierce battles, Thunderstorm and Luo Chen finally stood out and entered the final match. Their opponents were two outstanding disciples of the Loulan Clan — Erchui and Sanzhu.

The final began, and both sides exerted every ounce of their strength in attack and defense. The coordination between Thunderstorm and Luo Chen was seamless, their moves unique yet powerful, leaving their opponents overwhelmed. Erchui and Sanzhu, however, were not willing to be outdone; they relied on their rich combat experience and profound cultivation to engage in fierce resistance against Thunderstorm and Luo Chen.

The competition reached a feverish stage, and the crowd's cheers kept rising and falling. Inside the Fang Pavilion, Loulan Erlun watched with great interest, occasionally nodding in praise.

Luo Chen, startled, hadn't expected the negotiation to suddenly turn. He hurriedly looked toward Thunderstorm beside him. However, Thunderstorm's expression remained as cold as before, that pair of deep eyes showed no ripple, as if this upheaval hadn't touched his heartstrings.

"So you don't want to refine the Qi Gathering Powder?" Thunderstorm's voice was calm and cold, as if everything was under his control.

Loulan Erlun, hearing this, finally revealed a smug smile. This smile showed his confidence in the negotiation, as if everything was within his expectations. However, this smile made Thunderstorm's expression change; he keenly sensed something was amiss.

"Mr. Pixiu, it seems you don't know. A few days ago, I just acquired a Soul Stone at the Dawson Auction House," Loulan Erlun said, his tone containing an undisguisable pride.

Thunderstorm furrowed his brows, asking in a low voice, "Impossible, Soul Stones are extremely scarce; where did they obtain it?" His heart was filled with doubt and confusion, this unexpectedly acquired Soul Stone disrupting his plans.

Loulan Erlun merely smiled faintly and shook his head, saying, "A merchant who escaped from Death Island by chance consigned it to be auctioned at the Dawson Auction House. You know, this bidding cost me a full fifty thousand Golden Soul Coins..."

"Fifty thousand Golden Soul Coins?" Luo Chen's heart tightened, this number was undeniably astronomical to him. On the Soul Origin Continent, an ordinary family's yearly expenses were just a few dozen Golden Soul Coins; fifty thousand Golden Soul Coins could allow them to live a prosperous life for several generations. Luo Chen couldn't help but be amazed at the Loulan Clan's financial prowess.

Thunderstorm's expression also became very solemn; the development seemed to deviate suddenly from his expectations. He stands quietly there, his aura showing a slight instability, a situation Luo Chen had never seen before. He knew very well that Thunderstorm was an extremely composed person; for him to show such an expression indicated that the matter was indeed extraordinary.

However, Loulan Erlun did not stop his offensive. He unexpectedly said again, "But Mr. Pixiu, although I have obtained the Soul Stone, unfortunately, the amount is still lacking a little."

Thunderstorm kept watching the expression on Loulan Erlun's face, trying to read more information from it. He asked in a deep voice, "So?"

Loulan Erlun smiled, continuing, "So, I can exchange some other things with you for a small portion of the Soul Stone, how about it?" His tone carried the cunning and shrewdness of a businessman.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.