Volume One, Chapter 9: Every Beauty, I Want Them All!

The burly man saw everyone scattering in all directions, yet only Fang Yuan remained so calm by his side. A playful smile curled at the corner of his mouth. He took a hearty gulp of wine and asked, “Young brother, everyone else is running for their lives, why are you so composed? Aren’t you afraid of death?”

Though the burly man appeared bold and uninhibited, his eyes were sharp as an eagle’s, trying to pierce through Fang Yuan’s thoughts.

Fang Yuan smiled softly, setting the cup back on the table, his gaze tinged with mockery. He certainly couldn’t tell this man that all the chaos was of his own making. Even if he did, the man wouldn’t believe it.

“Run? Run where? The one who can kill three Title Douluos just like that—if he wished, this entire town would be reduced to ashes. Rather than flee, I’d rather savor some fine wine before I die.” With that, Fang Yuan stood and took the wine jug from the bartender, pouring himself another cup.

“Not a bad outlook! Young man, I admire your optimism!” The burly man laughed heartily, draining his cup, yet the smile never left his lips. He seemed reluctant to speak further.

“Don’t you wonder why I’m not running?” the burly man finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

“No, I don’t.” Fang Yuan shook his head gently, a calm smile playing on his lips. “Everyone has their secrets. Even though you and I both belong to the Spirit Hall, we’re ultimately just passing acquaintances. Fate brought us together; why pry too much?”

He raised his cup in a silent toast before draining it in one smooth motion.

The burly man’s demeanor shifted unexpectedly; a faint smile spread across his face. “How do you know I didn’t seek you out on purpose?”

At those words, the man’s aura surged violently. His black robe fluttered as if stirred by an unseen wind, and a tremendous wave of soul power burst forth from him, revealing his cultivation as a Title Douluo—another Title Douluo!

“What’s going on? Another Title Douluo involved in the soul-hunting operation in the Star Dou Great Forest?”

The sudden change made Fang Yuan’s pupils constrict sharply, but he quickly regained his composure. Come on, he had a cheat that could instantly kill Title Douluos. Those Title Douluos begging for mercy were more his style; nothing to fear here.

The burly man shifted, putting a meter of distance between them. In his hand appeared a snake spear, wrapped in soul power, seeming capable of piercing through the void. “Young brother, allow me to introduce myself. I am She Long, the Snake Spear Douluo, one of the elders of the Spirit Hall. I just came by the tavern for a drink, and unexpectedly ran into the source of this chaos.”

“You’re here to capture me?” Fang Yuan asked cautiously, sensing that the Snake Spear Douluo held no hostility.

“Hahaha, don’t overestimate me, young brother. I got wind of your exploits from Huliena—killing three of our Spirit Hall’s Title Douluos with zero soul power is truly impressive. Besides, I’m not responsible for the soul-hunting operation in the Star Dou Great Forest. That’s someone else’s mess, and I don’t want to get involved. But I do owe you thanks for taking out Yue Guan and Ghost Phantom. I’ve despised those two for a long time—arrogant and disrespectful. They got what they deserved.”

She Long laughed, scratching his head, showing none of the elder’s usual solemnity. He didn’t call Fang Yuan a lowlife but instead joined in criticizing their own people.

“So what do you want? You’re not just here for a chat, are you?” Fang Yuan knew this man had an agenda. If he dared attack, Fang Yuan wouldn’t hesitate to destroy him instantly.

“Of course it’s not that simple. But rest assured, I’m not like those three fools you killed. I’m here to propose cooperation.” She Long lowered his spear and extended a rough, dark hand toward Fang Yuan.

“Cooperation? What’s in it for me? You know I have no soul power, which means I don’t need your help hunting soul rings. As for money—do you think someone with my abilities still cares about petty coins?” Fang Yuan challenged. If She Long couldn’t offer enough benefits, he might as well try his luck at the Ice and Fire Two Forms Eye; maybe there he could find the divine herbs to awaken his martial soul.

“Hahaha, young brother, I like your straightforwardness. There’s an old saying: even heroes struggle with the allure of beauty. I remember watching the All-Continent Elite Academy competition—it made me feel young again.” She Long’s smile was harder to suppress than AK’s, like an old man reminiscing about the past.

“And?” Fang Yuan replied coolly. “If you just want to share your feelings, there’s no need for cooperation. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

She Long began listing off with evident pride, “The twin sisters of the Xingluo Empire, Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, are rare beauties with cool demeanors; Ning Rongrong, daughter of Ning Fengzhi from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, born with noble qualities; Dugu Yan, daughter of the old poison master Dugu Bo, with her unique heterochromia; Fire Dance from the Blazing Fire Academy, fiery and graceful; Shui Bing’er of the Tianshui Academy, a rare cold beauty; and our Spirit Hall’s saintess Huliena, born with a bewitching fox martial soul—each a stunning figure...”

He spoke as if recounting treasured jewels, not at all like a Title Douluo, but more like a mischievous old man in his sixties.

Fang Yuan, who had been about to leave, paused. Though he emphasized benefits, he was originally just an ordinary office worker. With the Left and Right Hand as his longtime companions, he wasn’t exactly disinterested in women—especially the famous female figures of Douluo Continent. He’d been wondering how to get acquainted with them.

“So? Any women catch your eye? If you cooperate with us, I guarantee you can meet them openly and honorably.” She Long confidently patted his chest.

Fang Yuan’s eyes sparkled, a playful smile curving his lips. “Elder She Long, children make choices. I want them all!”

“All of them! Young man, don’t be too arrogant!” She Long was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Fang Yuan’s appetite to be so vast. The women he mentioned were all prominent female soul masters, backed by empires or supported by Title Douluos. Even with all his connections, She Long could only legitimately bring one.

But Fang Yuan? He wanted them all! Youth dared to dream big!