Douluo Continent: I got the Sharingan at the start!

Han Yu touched her chin, looking thoughtful.

His mimicry skill involves creating illusions based on his own thoughts.

Then what others can see is the appearance he created.

Han Yu gave Yuan Gun Gun a makeover, removing his fat.

It's completely unrecognizable from his previous appearance now.

"From now on, I'll call you Fatty, and you can call me Ahan."

Yuan Gungun nodded, naturally understanding why Han Yu wanted to do this.

He knew about hiding one's identity.

"I understand, Ahan."

Yuan Gungun chuckled and immediately got into character.

"Let's go. Let's set off. It's getting late. Everything should proceed according to plan."

Han Yu nodded and strode forward, with Yuan Gun Gun following closely behind, heading straight for the center of Mingdu City.

Wherever there are people, there will be an underground world, whether it is the Heavenly Soul, the Fighting Spirit, the Star Luo, or the Sun and Moon Empire.

The underground world is divided into many kinds.

The lowest level are those who make a living through pornography, murder, and human trafficking.

More sophisticated activities include arms sales, underground political transactions, and the resale of rare resources.

Whether it's the low-level or high-level underground world, in reality, they are all just playthings in the hands of powerful figures.

Otherwise, how could they possibly continue to exist?

In the underworld of Mingdu, there are three main forces: the largest, Xishui Alliance, as well as Pingfan Alliance and Aodu Chamber of Commerce.

Among them, the Ordinary Alliance, which sounds the most ordinary, controls the entire sex industry in Mingdu and is considered the most superficial underground force.

The Audu Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, controls guilds similar to assassin guilds, thief guilds, and some criminal organizations.

They make a living by extorting protection money, assassination, theft, and other shady dealings.

The Xishui Alliance is much more sophisticated than them, engaging in the most profitable drug and arms trade in the underworld, and also trafficking people.

The relationship between the Ordinary Alliance and the Audu Chamber of Commerce is very close, and they seem to be forming an alliance to fight against the Evening Water Alliance.

However, their backers were clearly not as powerful as the Xishui Alliance, and they didn't interact much with each other. It was only through the compromises of the powerful figures behind them that they were able to maintain peace.

The three major underground forces are all involved in the resale of rare metals, since this stuff can be extremely profitable.

Once you can penetrate the mining channels, the cost is extremely low, but the selling price is so high that it makes you much more profitable than anything else.

To give a simple example, among rare metals, there is a type called Soul-Forging Silver that has an extremely high affinity for soul power. It can be fused into any metal, enhancing its affinity for the soul power of soul masters, while also increasing the toughness and hardness of the metal.

It is essential for almost all high-level soul tools.

Soul-forging silver, a rare metal, is only produced in the Sun Moon Empire. Its production is moderate, and the cost of mining it is about 500 gold soul coins per kilogram.

But this stuff sells for as much as 100 gold soul coins per gram on the market, a profit of 200 times!

How could this not drive people crazy?

Even if there are various forms of exploitation in the distribution channels, the profits are still enormous.

Among the many rare metals, Soul Forging Silver only has a moderate profit margin.

Some of the rarer metals are even more expensive, with prices that are simply unbelievable.

The enormous profits were tempting, and the influence of the three major underground forces in Mingdu could be found throughout the country, so naturally they wanted a share of the pie.

It brings them substantial profits every year.

This is even under the circumstances where the state monopolizes the industry and treats rare metals as strategic materials, prohibiting their export.

The three major underground forces named this competition the "Mingdu Soul Mentor Elite Competition".

It shines alongside the All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition.

Han Yu chose the Xi Shui Alliance, which was the strongest of the three underground forces, but was subtly restrained by the other two forces.

As for why, only he himself knows.

The preliminary round of the Xishui Alliance was held at a high-end hotel in the city center. One of the reasons for choosing this location was its proximity to the Mingyue Hotel, which meant that participants wouldn't have to walk too far.

The Green Hotel, a hotel with a very distinctive name, is only a little over a kilometer away from the Mingyue Hotel and just two kilometers away from the Sun and Moon Empire Palace.

It is located in an absolutely prime location.

However, the hotel's name is often mispronounced, making it easy to mistake it for that kind of hotel.

But that's how it got its name.

This is a property of the Xishui Alliance, but whether the Xishui Alliance headquarters is located here is unknown.

The Qingse Hotel may not appear as large as the Mingyue Hotel, with only five floors above ground, but those who know it well understand that its true strength lies underground.

At the hotel's main entrance stood four burly men, all over two meters tall, dressed in tight black outfits, coldly scrutinizing the passing crowds.

Before Han Yu and Yuan Gungun even got close, a burly man in black came up and blocked their way with a wave of his hand.

"The hotel is closed to the public today. Please leave."

Yuan Gungun stepped forward, a slight smile on his handsome face, and said:

"We are here to participate in the Mingdu Soul Instructor Elite Competition."

The burly man in black paused for a moment, his expression softening noticeably. Soul Masters held a far higher status in the Sun Moon Empire than in other countries, and offending a Soul Master, even if that person wasn't of high rank, was never a wise choice.

"Sorry, the preliminary rounds for Soul Masters have already begun and will be ending soon. You're late."

The burly man in black said with a look of regret, but his expression also showed a hint of respect.

Han Yu stepped forward, her tone arrogant, like that of a spoiled young master, and said haughtily:

"I'm betting 200,000 of my own gold soul coins to represent the Xishui Alliance in the final competition and help you win the championship."

"If I fail to qualify, then this 200,000 gold soul coins will be yours."

The burly man in black paused, seemingly incredulous. "Two hundred thousand gold soul coins? Are you sure?"

Underground gambling is no secret; such a large-scale competition couldn't have been organized without the tacit approval of higher authorities.

Therefore, the burly man in black did not try to hide it, but he was frightened by the amount Han Yu mentioned.

Even nobles rarely spend so much.

Moreover, he's betting on himself. Isn't he afraid that Xi Shui Meng will use underhanded tactics to get his money?

In the mind of the burly man in black, these two young men were probably just descendants of some nobles who were looking for fun when they had nothing better to do.

Moreover, he was filled with a strange confidence in his own abilities.

Han Yu maintained his arrogant tone, saying, "A mere two hundred thousand gold soul coins is nothing more than a drop in the ocean for me."

"If you can't make the decision, go find someone who can."

As she spoke, Han Yu took out a black gold card with gold trim. This was the highest-tier gold card in the Sun Moon Empire.

Looking at the gold card in Han Yu's hand.

"Please wait a moment." The black-clad man's expression immediately became more respectful.

After a brief bow to Han Yu, he walked quickly toward the entrance of the Qingse Hotel, exchanged a few words with his companion at the door, and then swiftly entered the hotel.

Not long after, a middle-aged man dressed in an elegant white robe walked out of the Qingse Hotel.

Seeing Han Yu and Yuan Gungun standing outside the hotel, he quickly stepped forward, his face beaming with smiles, and said:

"My men are ignorant. Please follow me, distinguished guests."

As he spoke, he made a gesture of invitation.

Han Yu was somewhat surprised by his straightforwardness. After nodding in acknowledgment, he and Yuan Gungun walked into the Qingse Hotel.

The interior of the Green Hotel was indeed very green and simple, with no indication that it was the place where the Mingdu underground forces ranked first.

Moreover, it is a very important stronghold of the Xishui Alliance.

The entire hotel has a luxurious feel, with white porcelain decorations everywhere, from the floors to the walls.

All colors are predominantly white and red.

Upon entering the hotel, the middle-aged man stopped and said, "Distinguished guests, may I ask who is participating in our Mingdu Soul Master Elite Competition?"

Yuan Gungun said, "He wants to participate, and I will accompany him." As he spoke, he pointed to Han Yu beside him.

The middle-aged man nodded and said, "May I ask how you gentlemen are addressed?"

Yuan Gungun said, "My older brother is called Ahan, and my name is Ayuan."

A glint flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes. He could tell, of course, that this was just a casual, perfunctory remark, probably taken from a single character in one of their names.

However, the middle-aged man did not press the matter. Many Soul Masters have peculiar hobbies, and many people have reservations about participating in underground competitions, so quite a few use aliases.

The way this underground competition was able to win them over was definitely not by name, but by not inquiring about the secrets of powerful soul masters. This was very important.

Only incentives can retain them.

"Since the competition has been going on for a while and will be ending soon, time is a bit tight. Could you please demonstrate your Soul Master status? I'll arrange the match for you immediately. Also, regarding the betting you mentioned earlier..."

Han Yu tossed the dark gold card in her hand, and it slowly fell into the middle-aged man's hand.

"Such strong control."

Han Yu's skillful maneuver completely stunned the middle-aged man.

"This is the Ruijin Money House Black Gold VIP Card, which is valid in mainland China. Fatty, you go upstairs with this guy to place your bets later."

Han Yu said calmly.

As he spoke, he slightly raised his right hand. The middle-aged man only felt a blur before his eyes, and a long sword appeared in Han Yu's right hand. A white light suddenly shone, and the incomparably sharp sword energy instantly soared into the sky, emitting a sharp whistle in the air.

Cold sweat instantly poured down the middle-aged man's forehead.

He quickly said, "Please stop, I've confirmed."

Han Yu nodded, and the long sword in his hand disappeared.

"Since you say time is tight, then take us there quickly."

Wiping away his cold sweat, the middle-aged man led Han Yu and the others to a soul-guided elevator inside the hotel lobby.

Then, holding a soul-guided communicator, he said a few words before leading the two into the elevator.

The elevator continued downwards, stopping after about ten seconds. When the doors opened again, a cacophony of noise mixed with an atmosphere of decadent luxury rushed towards us.

In stark contrast to the simple and unassuming hotel lobby, the opulent splendor of the hotel's underground world immediately dazzled everyone.

Everything was gold, even the mirrors.

It was as if this underground world was made entirely of gold.

After the middle-aged man led the four out of the elevator, they first passed through a magnificent, prototype-like hall, and then entered a large door directly in front of them.

There were two guards at the gate. Upon seeing the middle-aged man, they immediately opened the gate and invited him in.

Stepping inside felt like entering another world; the light here was much softer than outside.

The sheer size of the area surprised even Han Yu.

This is a circular domed hall, the ceiling of which appears to be drawn with countless golden lines in a neat and regular pattern.

The enormous dome provides ample light to the entire hall.

Rows of seats extend neatly downwards.

And there is a sloping escalator around the outside.

At the end of each soul-guided escalator, there is a circular room suspended in mid-air.

It is impossible to see with the naked eye how these rooms are suspended in mid-air.

There are eighteen such suspended rooms and soul-guided escalators in total. They are subtly arranged in a circle.

In the center of the hall is a circular platform, with a diameter of over thirty meters.

Although it is far less spacious than the competition stage of the All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.

But that's already quite astonishing. Don't forget, this is the underground world.

At this moment, dozens of metal tables were set up on the competition stage, with soul-guided light flashing from time to time.

Around the round platform, there were also some metal tables.

The total number exceeded one hundred. Some of the metal tables were now empty.

The outer ring of sapphire blue velvet chairs was filled with people.

But they were all quiet, intently watching the people working at the metal tables in the center.

Conservative estimates suggest that there were over two thousand people watching. Judging from their clothing and attire, they were all either wealthy or of high status.

Those who can watch the battle in person are all big bettors, with bets of at least 10,000 gold soul coins or more.

Ordinary people can only place bets at peripheral betting points of these underground forces.

Just one sub-region attracted hundreds of Soul Masters under the age of thirty to participate, which shows that this underground black market competition is quite attractive!

"Excuse me, how many people are there from the Xishui Alliance in this competition?" Han Yu asked the middle-aged man who was leading the way.

The middle-aged man respectfully said, "We have a total of 264 Soul Masters participating. With you, that makes 265."

Some Soul Masters have already finished their creations.

Today is the qualifying round. To pass the qualification review, you need to create a level 3 soul tool.

Of course, this must be done within a certain timeframe.

As you can see, each Soul Master has an hourglass on their desk.

However, there is only half an hourglass left, about half an hour, before the final Soul Master is finished being made.

I don't know if you still have time.

Han Yu smiled proudly, "That's enough."

He was no longer himself, but was playing the role of a nobleman's son; from this moment on, he had clearly made an emotional adjustment. (End of Chapter)