Douluo Continent: We agreed on a simulation, but they've come to life?

Meng Hongchen blinked, looked at Lu Cheng in the cafeteria, and Ju Zi and the others beside her, and smiled: "Long time no see, Senior Cheng."

"Hmm?" Xiao Hongchen, like a jackal that has smelled carrion, also came over, his eyes sizing up his sister and the man in front of him with a slightly unfriendly look.

Ah Meng is very arrogant at the academy.

The guy who made her greet him... is pretty handsome, though slightly less so than him.

Chapter 177 Mingdu Soul Guidance Academy Comes to Challenge? First Encounter with Ghost Nana!

"Senior Cheng? When did Mingde Hall get such a person?" Xiao Hongchen narrowed his eyes, revealing a scrutinizing look.

The other party was dressed in the attire of a Mingde Hall disciple, making them easily distinguishable from ordinary Royal Academy disciples.

"I've heard a bit about that. Rumor has it that he's a disciple of a powerful family from another province. He's now studying in Mingdu and his talent is indeed extraordinary. He became a seventh-level Soul Master at the age of eighteen and is said to have easily passed the tests of many mentors. I just don't know why he chose Researcher Xuan Ziwen..." Lin Xi leaned over and whispered.

"Oh?"

Xiao Hongchen's expression froze. This talent was probably among the top three in the entire Mingde Hall, and could even be said to be no less than his.

No wonder her younger sister is so fond of him.

Seeing the other party cast his gaze, Xiao Hongchen didn't refuse and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Laughing at the mortal world..."

Lu Cheng watched as a cheerful and lively girl with long, silver-white hair cascading over her shoulders, her deer-like agility, waved goodbye to him and left, along with the young man beside her who had just made eye contact with him.

A smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

If used properly, this kid could be a fine weapon. He has good character and top-notch talent... especially in the area of ​​soul tools.

But that's a story for later. For now, it's best to keep a low profile and avoid provoking Jing Hongchen. A blond guy should act like a blond guy; he can't just pat Jing Hongchen's face and act all arrogant: "Old Deng, the Ghost Fire (mecha) is parked downstairs. I'm picking up your granddaughter."

I'm afraid I'll be killed by Jing Hongchen.

Fortunately, the remaining senses from the simulator were still somewhat useful. Meng Hongchen's attitude towards him was clearly ambiguous. You should know that this girl was definitely not like this with other Mingde Hall disciples, especially men. She seemed to be all smiles, but in reality, she kept her distance from them.

This girl isn't just obsessed with looks, she's obsessed with a specific kind of looks.

After being captivated by Wang Dong'er, the protagonist never forgot her even after returning to the Sun Moon Empire. It wasn't until Wang Dong'er removed her men's clothing that his Dao heart was completely shattered.

"Perhaps we can try to win over Meng Hongchen, but we still need to proceed with caution regarding Xiao Hongchen and the head of Mingde Hall."

Lu Cheng frowned slightly.

The status of Mingde Hall in the Sun Moon Empire is self-evident, and he felt it especially deeply when he imitated it for the second time. Jing Hongchen's status in the Sun Moon Empire is also self-evident. He is Kong Deming's first disciple and one of the top five combatants in the empire. It is difficult to win over such a "good family" in the Sun Moon Empire.

But to say there was no opportunity is not entirely true.

His Majesty ascended the throne by murdering his brother. Compared to the previous Sun Moon Emperor, this generation, and even the royal disciples like Xu Tianran, are all ruthless, treacherous, and cunning. In addition, the Nine Princes' Succession Struggle is imminent, and the Sun Moon Empire is truly shrouded in dark clouds. If Jing Hongchen takes one wrong step, he will fall into an abyss.

The old emperor in his previous life tried to sow discord and frame him, but he hasn't settled accounts with him yet.

If that's the case, then let's settle our debt in this lifetime.

"Let's wait for the right opportunity."

Lu Cheng glanced one last time at the cafeteria entrance. Xiao Hongchen was arm in arm with another boy, while Meng Hongchen gracefully trailed behind. Seemingly noticing his gaze, she smiled brightly, her red lips curving into a cute gesture.

"Senior Cheng knows Senior Meng and the others?" Ke Ke exclaimed in surprise.

"I guess so." Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow; this girl was always so easily startled.

Even Ju Zi cast a strange glance at him, but thinking about it, Cheng Lu was probably a direct descendant of a duke from another province, so it was normal for him to be familiar with a disciple of a wealthy family like Meng Hongchen.

"..."

Outside the cafeteria.

Meng Hongchen lightly touched the hair tie between her red lips, neatly tying up her loose hair, regaining her former image as the school's big sister. Xiao Hongchen hesitated for a moment, then asked, "A-Meng, do you know him?"

"Brother, don't you think this looks familiar?" Meng Hongchen rolled her eyes at him.

"Familiar?" Xiao Hongchen was too slow-witted to process it.

"Alright, the list of people going to Shrek Academy for the exchange program has been finalized, and you're on it," Meng Hongchen said with a light laugh.

“Normal.” Xiao Hongchen said calmly. Since it was something his grandfather had brought up, he, as the eldest grandson of the Hongchen family, was naturally the “hostage” that had to be exchanged.

“But I didn’t see my name on the list.” Meng Hongchen shrugged.

"It must have been Grandpa who advocated for it," Xiao Hongchen said calmly. This was his responsibility as an older brother; he didn't want his younger sister to go to that dangerous place.

"What about me?" Lin Xi asked, leaning closer.

"The main members of the previous competition, including all the reserves, are on the list for this exchange competition. It seems that Shrek Academy is very concerned about losing to us in the competition..." Meng Hongchen's beautiful eyes were slightly mocking.

"So Shrek Academy didn't make any statement?" Lin Xi muttered, slightly dissatisfied.

“Yes, there are. Bei Bei, the most outstanding disciple of Shrek Academy who has just entered the inner academy, and Tang Wutong are both on the exchange list. The other party has obviously gone all out,” Meng Hongchen said.

"Heh, they've reached the end of their rope." Lin Xi sneered. "A mere Bei Bei, a wild dog who was kicked to death as a reserve team member in the last competition, is worthy of being called the most outstanding disciple? Shrek Academy will destroy itself sooner or later. I don't know why the hall master agreed to the exchange."

"..."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

There's no way around it; whenever the previous competition is mentioned, one can't help but think of Lu Cheng, a guy whose name is etched deep in my memory and I can't forget him.

An insurmountable mountain among all the younger generation of disciples today.

Even Xiao Hongchen, who used to be very arrogant, was completely defeated and subdued in that battle.

In fact, not a single young disciple from the entire Sun Moon Empire team, or even from any other team present, could resist the thrill of seeing that figure. Young people always admire the strong, especially a monstrous talent like him who surpasses his peers in every aspect.

"I wonder if we'll ever meet again in this lifetime." Xiao Hongchen said with a regretful expression, "He and I were like heroes who cherished each other."

"Brother, stop flattering yourself. He is, but you aren't." Meng Hongchen chuckled and glanced at her brother indifferently.

"Cough cough cough..."

Xiao Hongchen looked embarrassed, glancing left and right.

……

"I heard that the Mingdu Soul Master Academy is here to hold another arena competition?"

Inside the laboratory.

Keke's big mouth was stuffed full of snacks as she gossiped.

Lu Cheng smiled as he flipped through the lab report. It was quite fun to have such a cheerful person in the lab, but... Mingdu Soul Instructor Academy?

In the original novel, this academy did appear when the second All-Continent Soul Master Tournament was held in Mingdu. Its overall strength was by no means bad, and it even had the confidence to compete with the Royal Academy.

Moreover... the current princess, Xu Tianzhen, is also Xu Tianran's only younger sister, and she lives in this academy.

"Orange, listen to me."

Bored, Keke approached the orange, who always looked sleepy, lazily lying on the lab table. When Keke woke her up, the orange straightened up, stretched, and showed off its graceful figure.

He then slapped Keke on the head: "So noisy!"

"You heartless bastard! I came back to share the information with you as soon as I heard it, and you complain that I'm noisy!" Keke started to complain.

"Quiet down, both of you." Lu Cheng, curious about the second half of the information, forcefully silenced the two of them. "Keke, continue."

"Hehehe, I didn't expect you to be interested too, Senior Brother. I thought you were the kind of boring guy, like Teacher Xuan... cough cough cough." As if learning from his previous lesson, he quickly looked around, like a mouse afraid of a cat, and only continued after not seeing Xuan Ziwen.

"Even the Mirror Hall Master personally greeted them. It's said that the other side is quite arrogant, demanding a duel right off the bat, and they clearly came prepared. Their strongest member is obviously a level seven Soul Master..."

……

Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Guidance Academy

Soul Guidance Trial Grounds.

The land, spanning several hectares, and the open-air venue, capable of accommodating several thousand people, were all filled with students who came to watch the spectacle.

There was a large crowd, mostly dressed in the uniforms of the Royal Academy, though there were also a few in orange uniforms... disciples of the Mingdu Soul Guidance Academy. But since this was the Royal Soul Guidance Academy's home ground, they were outnumbered.

The venue was packed, but there was no entrance fee.

Students in this age group have the strongest sense of collective identity. They take this kind of "invasion and provocation from other departments" very seriously, wishing they could personally step in and beat up the other side. At the same time, they cheer and shout for the disciples who win the game and bring glory to their side.

"Wow... so many people." Lu Cheng smacked his orange juice, looking at the huge crowd, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. The place was packed.

"Hehe, those noobs from Mingdu Soul Tool Academy come to exchange and spar several times a year, but they're basically asking for a beating. They get beaten to a pulp by our Royal Academy and then slink away. This year will probably be no different." Keke grinned, showing her little tiger teeth.

Her voice wasn't quiet, and several Royal Academy disciples who heard her voice showed kind and satisfied smiles, with an expression that said, "I approve of you."

Some disciples from Mingdu Academy looked displeased, but since they were in the enemy's base camp, they didn't dare to say anything. They could only sit quietly to the side, waiting for the match to thoroughly humiliate these arrogant guys.

"I wonder what insights you have gained from your visit today, sir?"

On the platform, Jing Hongchen sat leisurely, looking at the old man opposite him with a hint of helplessness.

That old bastard is like a persistent leech, always pestering people. He challenges them several times a year, but the difference in strength between the two sides is quite significant. Every time, the Royal Soul Guidance Academy manages to crush the other side's head. After a while, he got annoyed, but he couldn't refuse. So, this old bastard started spreading rumors that the Royal Academy was afraid of his Mingdu Soul Guidance Academy and dared not accept the challenge.

"Hehe, just you wait and see." The white-haired old man didn't say much, only revealing an air of unrevealing secrets.

"..."

Jing Hongchen raised an eyebrow slightly. Could it be... that the other side really has something to say this time?

However, he shook his head after thinking about it. When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it. Our side can now be described as having a strong army. Although Ma Rulong is on a mission outside, his grandchildren are all around him, and there are quite a few level 5 and 6 Soul Masters in Mingde Hall. Why should we be afraid of him?

He gave Lin Jiayi a wink, and the latter ordered the competition to begin.

Cheers and applause filled the air.

Lu Cheng sat leisurely in the competition area.

Mingdu Soul Master Academy isn't weak; after all, it's the second-best academy in the Sun Moon Empire after the Royal Academy. But it's not that strong either. Several of its disciples were defeated by the disciples of Mingde Hall. The battles were average for it, as they were all students at the fifth-level Soul Master realm. But for some of the lower-grade disciples, it was a visual feast.

However, the Mingdu Soul Master Academy also brought out a heavyweight figure: Princess Xu Tianzhen of the royal family.

The girl, with delicate features, not very tall, and somewhat thin, had a rather eccentric and straightforward personality. As soon as she entered the arena, she tilted her head back and said some nonsensical things, which made the disciples of the Royal Soul Guidance Academy on the other side grit their teeth in anger.

This girl actually enjoyed it. She was rebellious and unwilling to obey her father's arrangements, which is why she ran away to Mingdu Soul Master Academy.

Now, as the vanguard, they are going to make a run for the Royal Soul Master Academy.

Because of her status, others dared not use their full strength, but she actually had some real power. The Sun Moon Empire's royal martial soul, the Sun, was second only to the ultimate attribute, fire. With the help of her soul tool, Xu Tianzhen was like a fish in water.

He successively defeated several disciples of the Royal Academy.