"It's all thanks to Senior Bei Bei's help. If he hadn't drawn most of the fire, I'm afraid I wouldn't have won so easily," Lu Cheng stretched and replied with a smile.
Yan Shaozhe's eyes narrowed slightly. He found Lu Cheng more and more disagreeable. He had heard that when this kid was in the Mingdou Mountain Range, he had even gotten into a dispute with Elder Xuan. Among all the elders in the academy, not a single one liked him…
This actually suited his wishes. Once they returned to Shrek Academy, no matter how he dealt with this kid, surely no one would stand up to speak for him.
Still too young, not understanding the concept of forbearance.
Yan Shaozhe sneered inwardly.
If this youth could endure and wait until he had sufficient strength before talking back like this, Yan Shaozhe would have nothing to say. But now…one must know that a genius who has not yet grown up is not worthy of being called a powerhouse.
"Once we return to the academy, we will settle this account slowly." Yan Shaozhe waved his hand and flew away.
This tense, head-on confrontation left Ling Luochen, Gongyang Mo, and the others at a loss.
"Young Lord…" Wu Feng shrank into the corner, glanced at the departing Yan Shaozhe with some displeasure, and spoke softly.
But Ning Tian shook her head, not even sparing Yan Shaozhe a glance. "Since my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School has chosen to bet on Lu Cheng, we will never play both sides. Don't worry, we will take action when the time comes."
Jiang Nannan glared at the departing Yan Shaozhe with her beautiful pink eyes, walked over to Lu Cheng's side, and gently adjusted the youth's collar while leaning close to his ear to whisper.
"How is it?"
"After the finals, we leave."
The corner of Lu Cheng's mouth curled up as he gently pinched the beauty's soft cheek, causing her pretty face to flush red. Jiang Nannan gave a playful pout and slapped his hand away.
"So many eyes are watching…"
However, her expression relaxed. Obviously, given Yan Shaozhe's petty and narrow-minded nature, if they really returned to Shrek Academy, Lu Cheng would likely be targeted to death.
Color gradually returned to Teacher Wang Yan's face as he looked at Lu Cheng with a complex gaze. "Don't be angry with Dean Yan. You are the ace of our preparatory team. As long as we are united, we will surely achieve the final victory…"
Lu Cheng smiled but said nothing.
…
Deep into the night.
Inside the hotel.
In the dormitory.
Lu Cheng sat cross-legged on the soft bed with his eyes closed, feeling the circulation within his Dantian. Having now reached the peak of a Rank 57 Soul King, his soul power, mental force, and even his physical body were already comparable to an ordinary Soul Saint, let alone his group of spirit souls.
Earlier, when he summoned the Snow Empress, pulling off a "come, mother" move…
was not for the sake of victory, but purely to show off his skills.
What he wanted was an overwhelming victory that would stop abruptly right before the finals. Therefore, in the remaining two matches, he would not hold back in the slightest.
This could be considered exposing some of his trump cards.
But it didn't matter. According to the message Lang Ya had secretly delivered yesterday, the Body Sect's Sect Master, Du Busi, had already personally arrived in Star Luo City, so there was no need to worry about any harassment from Shrek Academy.
Therefore, even if Yan Shaozhe noticed anything unusual now, it would be too late.
Unless Elder Xuan personally came, there might be some trouble. Otherwise, relying solely on a newly promoted Rank 95 Super Douluo like Yan Shaozhe, he would still be no match for the top experts of the Body Sect.
Buzz…
As his soul power completed another cycle within his body, the Golden Core in his Dantian expanded and contracted, its light growing even more brilliant. However, Lu Cheng's brow furrowed slightly, and the circulation through his body's meridians gradually came to a halt, the golden light dissipating.
"Someone is coming. It should be a powerhouse of the Titled Douluo level," the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm poked its head out in his spiritual ocean and warned.
"Mm." Lu Cheng nodded inwardly without making a sound.
His mental force was not weak, and he could vaguely sense the visitor's aura. It was solid and profound; though the footsteps seemed light, they actually carried immense force. It was clearly a powerhouse of the strength attribute. Coupled with being a titled Douluo, the visitor's identity was obvious.
It had to be Cheng Gang, one of Star Luo's Guardian Douluos who, in the original work, was suppressed single-handedly by Elder Xuan during the tournament.
But logically speaking, Yan Shaozhe was also on the top floor of the hotel. Even if Cheng Gang, as a fellow titled Douluo, concealed his aura well, Yan Shaozhe should have noticed.
So now, it seemed that either the old fox was hiding to watch the show, or…he had reached an agreement with Cheng Gang.
The latter was highly possible. After all, in the original work, Elder Xuan didn't show his face early on. Even if he did, he was considered an ancient living fossil whom few could recognize…at least Cheng Gang wasn't one of them, which was why he dared to trouble Huo Yuhao.
But now, Yan Shaozhe had personally shown his face. At least for now, he was the face of Shrek Academy. Even if others didn't know Shrek's Mu En, Elder Xuan, or Qian Duoduo, it was impossible for them not to know Yan Shaozhe, who had served as the dean of the Martial Soul Department for decades.
Yet, knowing that Yan Shaozhe was present, Cheng Gang still dared to make a move against him…
With a thought he looked toward the window.
A black-robed figure slowly emerged. The figure pulled back his hood, revealing a man of about fifty or sixty with short brown hair standing on end like steel needles and graying temples. He narrowed his eyes and smiled, saying, "This old man is truly lucky. Though you, a monster, can deceive others, you cannot escape this old man's Wisdom Eye."
"And who might Your Excellency be?" Lu Cheng glanced at Cheng Gang with interest.
"I am one of Star Luo's Guardian Douluos, Cheng Gang. You beast, how dare you run rampant in the human world? Do you think there are no powerhouses among us humans?" Cheng Gang looked down at Lu Cheng with contempt, and his titled Douluo aura slowly spread out, sealing the room.
"Outsiders may not know, but this old man knows very well. You beast must be a hundred thousand-year-old spirit beast transformed into a human, attempting to secure a place in the human world and use a human body to help you become a god. Heh, a beautiful thought, but unfortunately…you met me."
Cheng Gang wore an expression of having long seen through all of Lu Cheng's disguises, looking completely at ease.
"Oh?" Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips.
"Is Your Excellency so certain?"
"When you used your Soul Skill today, you exposed your true spirit beast form, didn't you? From what I saw, it resembled a snow girl, who is none other than the Snow Empress, the head of the Three Great Heavenly Kings of the Far North! Jie jie jie, my luck has finally turned. Once I slaughter you and take your soul bone…"
"So that's how it is." Lu Cheng nodded slightly, appearing as if he had given up struggling. "But I have one more question. This is the Star Luo Hotel, which must have layers of security. As a Star Luo Guardian Douluo, it's not surprising that you can come and go as you please. But I am from Shrek Academy, staying on the top floor under the protection of our teachers. How did you get in?"
"I…" Cheng Gang frowned slightly, sensing that something was off. But looking at Lu Cheng, who was only at the Soul King Realm and seemed to be waiting for death, he put his mind at ease again and laughed heartily.
"Since you are a dying person anyway, there's no harm in telling you so you can die with understanding. You mean Yan Shaozhe? He hates you so much his teeth itch. In fact, my visit today was pre-arranged with him. In the Mingdou Mountain Range incident, that fool Elder Xuan caused all the disciples of Shrek's official team to die miserably, yet you alone were unharmed. Thus, he has a huge grievance against you. Moreover, he also stated outright…no matter how formidable your talent is, you are absolutely not the future Pavilion Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion of Shrek Academy. That position belongs to Elder Mu's great-grandson, Bei Bei, and you are merely a thug. Once we return to Shrek Academy, he will deal with you properly…"
"Shut up!!!"
Just as Cheng Gang was speaking with a playful look, his mind suddenly jolted, his expression changing drastically. He frantically looked around, and in the next instant, the surrounding world seemed to shatter and reconstruct.
When his vision cleared again, in the distance, Emperor Xu Jiawei of Star Luo was shouting in a furious rage.
He, on the other hand, was currently standing outside the window on the top floor of the Star Luo Hotel. His titled Douluo aura was completely exposed, alerting almost more than half of the tournament teams in the hotel. A dense crowd of people poked their heads out of the windows, fixing their gazes on him, their faces filled with shock and astonishment.
Clearly, they had just come to participate in a tournament, but they never expected to witness such massive gossip. It was simply…too shocking.
"How can this be…" Cheng Gang's pupils dilated in shock, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He glanced around and saw Yan Shaozhe standing not far away, staring at him coldly, his eyelids twitching wildly.
Only the youth was leisurely leaning against the window, smiling as he observed him like any other onlooker.
This time…it seemed he had offended everyone to death.
Just when did it start?!!
That guy is simply too terrifying.
Even as a Titled Douluo, he hadn't noticed a single thing!
He had known about the boy's illusion techniques beforehand but had scoffed at them, never expecting that he would also fall victim to them.
"Your Majesty, he is a spirit beast in human form! He is a spirit beast in human form!!"
Cheng Gang grit his teeth and said ruthlessly.
Even if he couldn't get it, he had to at least muddy the waters. Otherwise, he would have completely offended Shrek Academy, and he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences when those old fogies came to settle scores later.
"Shut up!!"
Beside Emperor Xu Jiawei, a black-robed figure barked angrily and slapped him away with a single strike.
Cheng Gang clutched his swollen cheek, his face filled with rage. He looked up angrily, but upon recognizing the newcomer's identity, a flash of terror crossed his eyes, and he lowered his head, falling silent.
The Hall Master of the Star Luo Enshrinement Hall, the anchor of the entire Star Luo Empire, the Blue Luan Douluo Ye Yu, was a living fossil with a cultivation of at least Rank 97. With such seniority, Cheng Gang was in no position to argue.
"Fool…"
The black-robed elder glanced indifferently at Cheng Gang and said softly, "You were used as a tool without even realizing it."
"I…" Cheng Gang looked extremely aggrieved.
"Little friend Lu Cheng, this matter is our Star Luo Empire's fault. I apologize to you on his behalf." Emperor Xu Jiawei ignored Cheng Gang, forced a smile, and spoke to Lu Cheng.
With so many eyes watching, the Star Luo Empire was bound to become a laughingstock.
Even when the tournament was hosted by the weakest Douling Empire, nothing had ever gone wrong. Yet in the Star Luo Empire, a Guardian Douluo had actually broken into the hotel to rob someone.
This had truly thrown away all of Star Luo's face.
"Oh? But I am a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form. Is Your Majesty not going to capture me?" Lu Cheng asked with interest.
"He dares?!!"
A sharp cry echoed through the night sky.
Zhang Lexuan, clad in a light blue dress, slowly materialized in front of Lu Cheng. Her beautiful face was covered in frost, and her light blue eyes stared coldly at Emperor Xu Jiawei in the distance, as well as Cheng Gang behind him. Her own titled Douluo aura was not concealed in the slightest.
In particular, the rise of her final two eerie red soul rings caused a wave of shock.
Even Emperor Xu Jiawei felt his head ache more and more.
At this point, he couldn't even figure out what conflict had arisen within Shrek Academy, how many factions they had split into, or why it was such a mess…
Before, he thought that although this youth was exceptionally talented, he was unfavored and neglected and thus could be easily dismissed. But now, it seemed…he would have to bleed some assets.
"If he dares to act against you, I will start a massacre right here!"
Zhang Lexuan barked without showing any mercy.
The crescent moon in the sky seemed to be stained with a layer of blood-red halo, and the surrounding atmosphere gradually grew strange.
And the beauty's originally light blue dress also seemed to gradually turn into an eerie crimson.
"Wait!"
Emperor Xu Jiawei's eyelids twitched wildly.
His throat bobbed.
"Little friend Lu Cheng is an honored guest of our Star Luo Empire. Naturally, we would not do anything to him. What Cheng Gang said earlier about a spirit beast in human form was purely a misunderstanding…"
Emperor Xu Jiawei smiled bitterly. "His cultivation is too shallow. He only knows that a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast can transform into a human, but he doesn't know that a spirit beast with over two hundred thousand years of cultivation can no longer transform into human form, let alone the Snow Empress of the Far North…"
"…"
Cheng Gang felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body trembling.
He really hadn't known this.
Had he truly wronged this youth?!!
"Sister Lexuan…"
Lu Cheng gently held the beauty's soft hand. Her icy aura instantly dissipated, and her dress gradually faded from bright red back to light blue. Sparing Lu Cheng a glance filled with slight worry and displeasure, she still withdrew her aura into her body.
"Our Star Luo Empire is willing to compensate little friend Lu Cheng with a ten-thousand-year soul bone as an apology for Cheng Gang's intrusion. What do you think?"
Emperor Xu Jiawei also let out a sigh of relief.
"That works."
Lu Cheng nodded with a smile.
Quit while ahead.
There was no need to offend the Star Luo Empire to death.
He only needed to create a conflict between himself and Shrek Academy, making Yan Shaozhe lose face, and that would be enough.
Didn't you see that the old fox's face had already turned green with rage, and he had slipped away long ago?
As the dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department, he not only failed to protect the safety of his own student but even allowed others to break into the student's resting area for interrogation. It was simply…
However, what followed was sheer ecstasy.
Because the other academies suddenly realized where the conflict between Shrek and Lu Cheng lay.
To treat such a monstrous student, who was worthy of being recorded in the history books, in this manner… Shrek Academy was simply insane.
And from Cheng Gang's words earlier, it could be inferred that Lu Cheng was highly likely a lone wolf…a civilian genius.
In that case, why not take the opportunity to poach him?!!
Almost all the teams were crushed so hard by Lu Cheng's monstrous talent that they couldn't lift their heads. And considering Lu Cheng's age, he could still participate in the next tournament. If Lu Cheng was already this monstrous in this tournament, let alone five years later…
That would likely be a nightmare for all teams.
Not to mention, Lu Cheng's value went far beyond the tournament. It could even be said that winning the tournament was merely the most insignificant benefit of recruiting Lu Cheng. He was practically guaranteed to become a Super Douluo, or even…a Limit Douluo!
Thus, the next day.
Near Shrek's resting area,
Teachers from various academies walked past seemingly nonchalantly, but in reality, they secretly slipped notes to Lu Cheng.
All of them offered extremely generous terms.
Even when Princess Xu Jiujiu walked past seemingly casually, the content of her conversation involved poaching Lu Cheng and the conditions the Star Luo Empire was offering.
Only Yan Shaozhe stood to the side, his face green with rage and filled with resentment.
Notes:
(2/2)