"We surrender! We surrender!"
Sang Qi shouted in panic.
Beside her, War Spirit's body also stiffened. He was also a beast spirit, and at this moment, his body almost subconsciously wanted to bow down toward the opposite side, as if facing the pressure of a monarch, originating from the deepest depths of his bloodline.
"Phew..."
Lu Cheng exhaled a cloud of white mist, glancing indifferently at the Yu Linglong that didn't dare to move beneath his feet as the fully drawn fire bow slowly dissipated.
"The winners are... Team Lu Cheng!"
Only then did the referee announce the match result with a strange look in his eyes.
If it were a battlefield, this kid would have already headshot the Yu Linglong with an arrow. As for War Spirit and Sang Qi, they would basically have been cleared out one after another without any surprises, so announcing the victory was normal.
But what surprised him in particular was that a long-range Soul Master, an archer known for high explosive power, could be so formidable in close combat; it was truly eye-opening.
"So strong!" Ning Cong's eyes were filled with excitement. If Lu Cheng hadn't turned the tide, this round would have probably been difficult.
Lu Cheng smiled. How could his arrows be so easy to tear apart? He had just held back a bit, after all, as that was more conducive to better showcasing himself.
As for the Yu Linglong... he was just a tool.
In an instant, Lu Cheng frowned slightly. It felt like a strange gaze was piercing his back like a needle, making him feel uncomfortable all over. He subconsciously looked up toward the very back of the spectator stands, where a fiery red figure was standing up. Her pretty face was full of dullness, bewilderment, and disbelief as she stared fixedly at him.
Ma Xiaotao?!!
Lu Cheng's eyelid twitched. Was this right?
Wasn't she an inner academy disciple? Why would she come to watch a mere new student assessment?
And what was with that look? Like she wanted to eat him alive?
Lu Cheng's scalp felt numb from the gaze, and he hurriedly avoided her eyes. Although in the simulator, for the sake of the rating, he had toyed with the two women in the palm of his hand and made them cry their eyes out, the simulation was just a simulation after all. It shouldn't involve reality, right?
Right...?
Lu Cheng felt a bit guilty saying this, because at this moment, his intuition told him that this Ma Xiaotao was just like the Ma Xiaotao in the simulator—the one who had stayed at Shrek Academy for decades after his death, carving a monument for him and keeping a silent vigil until she voluntarily died to follow him...
Lu Cheng's face turned dark.
"Are you okay? You don't look too well," Ning Cong said with some surprise. Then, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda reappeared in his palm, and a ray of light surged into Lu Cheng's body, restoring his Soul Power.
"I'm fine, much better," Lu Cheng forced a smile.
That gaze became increasingly burning, even greedy.
He didn't dare to meet her eyes at all, fearing that if he did, he would completely lose his composure.
"In that case, let's go eat..." Ning Cong was in a good mood as he pulled Lu Cheng and Xue Linger toward the cafeteria.
The Yu Linglong climbed to his feet and stared at the departing figures of Lu Cheng and the others with a complex gaze, exhaling a long breath.
Even though he had studied Lu Cheng countless times lately, he still hadn't seen through him. He was completely convinced by this loss; the opponent had utterly defeated him in a totally overwhelming manner.
And it wasn't until this moment that he slowly began to realize something.
Lu Cheng's arrows earlier... seemed a bit weaker than usual.
Was it intentional?
"Let's go; time to head back." Tang Ya's pretty face still held a sense of lingering excitement as she pulled Jiang Nannan's hand.
The rest of the spectating new students also dispersed.
After this battle, Lu Cheng's name as the New Student Devil King would surely spread throughout the Outer Academy in a very short time.
...
On the shaded path leading to the cafeteria.
Lu Cheng's expression shifted like dark clouds as he pondered something.
Meanwhile, Ning Cong cheerfully discussed today's victory, even starting to fantasize about taking first place in the Promotion Trials and receiving the rewards.
"Sigh, A Cheng... you don't look so good? Were you injured during the match?" Ning Cong noticed Lu Cheng's expression wasn't quite right and asked with concern.
"I'm alright, I..." Lu Cheng forced a smile and was about to explain something when a fiery red figure appeared under a tree ahead, leaning against it as if waiting for something.
Lu Cheng's face turned even darker.
"A Cheng? A Cheng?!!"
Ning Cong didn't realize any of this and looked at his old friend in surprise. No matter what happened, Lu Cheng usually maintained a calm and composed demeanor, but now his face had visibly darkened.
"I'm fine, you guys go ahead..." Lu Cheng took a deep breath.
"Really? Okay then, be careful." Ning Cong looked worried, then noticed the woman in red ahead. She wore a black gauze hood, making her face unclear, but judging by her clothes, he could roughly tell she was a senior sister from the Inner Court.
Since there was no danger, it might just be Lu Cheng's private matter, so it wasn't convenient for him to interfere.
Watching Ning Cong and Xue Linger leave.
Only then did Lu Cheng brace himself and step forward. "Senior Sister... Xiaotao, do you need something from me?"
"You know me?"
The woman's lips curled into a faint smile as her nearly 1.8-meter-tall frame looked down at Lu Cheng.
This was the first time Lu Cheng looked up from such a perspective and the first time he felt that the mountains were so towering and majestic, even half-obscuring the beauty's face. After all, in the past, he had always looked down from a teasing perspective at her when she was just a little sprout.
However...
'This is bad.'
Lu Cheng was in no mood to notice this. His throat moved as fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.
Although his suspicions were confirmed—that Ma Xiaotao had likely also experienced the simulation—it would be disastrous if he were truly recognized. Right now, he was truly powerless, while Ma Xiaotao was already a genuine Peak Spirit Emperor.
"I heard Sister Nannan mention that the strongest of the Inner Court's new generation is Ma Xiaotao, whose Martial Soul is also the Divine Fire Phoenix. Since my Martial Soul also possesses Divine Fire, my Martial Soul feels a sense of familiarity toward you, so I figured..." Lu Cheng said, thinking quickly.
"Oh? Is that so?" The woman's smile became even more brilliant. "But you look like a certain old friend in my memory. We should have met before, right?"
"I don't know you; you must have remembered wrong." Lu Cheng swallowed and gave a forced laugh.
"If you don't need anything, I'll be going now. My classmates are waiting for me."
"In that case, this senior sister won't disturb you. I wish you a pleasant time. By the way, Lu Cheng, I still have to thank you for helping me with my martial soul's Second Awakening..."
"It's a small matter, haha, not worth mentioning." Lu Cheng laughed, subconsciously nodding as he tried to take the chance to leave.
But he suddenly froze.
'Wait...'
A woman's voice echoed faintly from behind, accompanied by a fragrant breeze. Lu Cheng turned around, but his body froze in place, not daring to move. A soft, warm sensation came from behind as Ma Xiaotao's body leaned in, her arms wrapping around his waist.
Slender, fair fingers gently brushed against his cheek.
Her breath was like orchids.
But her tone carried a hint of anger and excitement that made her voice tremble.
"Lu Cheng, then I really must thank you properly..."
Notes:
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