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

Since we're here... we'll have to endure the might of thunder.

"Second Soul Skill: Thunderous Might!"

Countless bolts of lightning rose from the ground, and a pale purple soul ring slowly rose from beneath his feet, a gesture of respect for Lu Cheng, a fellow expert.

Just as countless people suddenly stood up, looking at Lu Cheng's figure with astonishment, confusion, or worry.

A blazing flame shot into the sky.

Behind Lu Cheng, a huge three-legged firebird phantom slowly emerged, resembling the true form of the Golden Crow, carrying a desolate and ancient aura, and looking directly down at the Jade Spirit Dragon in the distance.

The blue lightning tyrannosaurus phantom behind him suddenly weakened at this moment, seemingly due to the suppression hidden deep within the bloodline of the beast soul master.

This shiver from the depths of his heart made Yu Linglong's hair stand on end.

Despite his desperate struggle, his fighting spirit crumbled in an instant, and his sharp momentum was repeatedly thwarted.

"Ultimate Fire! No, something even more terrifying than Ultimate Fire." Fan Yu's pupils dilated in shock. No wonder Yan Shaozhe sent Ma Xiaotao to snatch him away personally. He exhaled a breath of turbid air and gave a bitter smile.

What's the point of fighting over this?

In the next instant, Lu Cheng seemed to be possessed by a golden crow, his eyes like two great suns, his whole body blazing and dazzling, trailing a golden tail, and he swung out his fire bow with his left hand, knocking away the unsuspecting Jade Spirit Dragon.

He suddenly leaped up, stepping onto the fire bow.

The bow was pressed against the neck of the Jade Spirit Dragon, while Lu Cheng pulled the bowstring with one hand. A fiery red arrow materialized from his right hand, its sharp point aimed directly at the Jade Spirit Dragon's head.

At such a short distance, once fired, there is almost no chance of survival.

……

Chapter 53 Ma Xiaotao: I'd recognize you even if you turned to ashes!

"We surrender! We surrender!"

Sangqi cried out in panic.

Zhan Ling, who was also a beast spirit, was stiff. At this moment, his body almost instinctively wanted to worship the other side, as if facing the pressure of a king, which came from the deepest part of his bloodline.

"call……"

Lu Cheng exhaled a puff of white mist, glanced indifferently at the Jade Spirit Dragon that dared not move at his feet, and the fully drawn fire bow slowly dissipated.

"The winner is... Lu Cheng's team!"

The referee then gave a strange look and announced the result of the match.

If this were a battlefield, this kid would have already blown Yu Linglong's head off with a single arrow. As for Zhan Ling and Sang Qi, they would be eliminated one by one without any major surprises. Therefore, it would be normal for him to declare victory.

But what surprised him most was that a ranged Soul Master, an archer known for his high burst damage, was so formidable in close combat, which was truly a pleasant surprise.

"Amazing!" Ning Cong's eyes gleamed with excitement. If it weren't for Lu Cheng's heroic efforts, this situation would have been much more difficult.

"..."

Lu Cheng smiled. His arrows were not so easy to tear apart; he had simply softened them a bit, as this would allow him to better showcase himself.

As for Yu Linglong... he's just a tool.

In an instant, Lu Cheng frowned slightly, as if a strange gaze was pricking his back, making him feel uncomfortable all over. He subconsciously raised his head and looked towards the back of the stands. A fiery red figure was standing up, her pretty face full of blankness, astonishment, and disbelief, staring intently at him.

Ma Xiaotao?!

Lu Cheng's eyes twitched. Is this right?

Isn't she an inner court disciple? Why would she come to watch a mere freshman assessment?

And what's with that murderous look in her eyes?

Lu Cheng felt his scalp tingle from the stare and hurriedly looked away. Although in the simulator, he had played the two women ruthlessly for the sake of the score, making them cry their hearts out, a simulation is still a simulation and shouldn't involve reality, right?

Probably...

Lu Cheng felt a little guilty as he said this, because his intuition told him that this Ma Xiaotao was just like the Ma Xiaotao in the simulator, who stayed at Shrek Academy for decades after his death, carving a monument for him, guarding him quietly, and even willingly sacrificing herself to follow him...

Lu Cheng's face darkened.

"Are you alright? You don't look too good." Ning Cong asked with some surprise. Then, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda reappeared in his palm, and a beam of light surged into Lu Cheng's body, restoring his soul power.

"It's alright, I'm much better." Lu Cheng forced a smile.

That gaze grew increasingly intense, even greedy.

He dared not make eye contact with him at all, for he feared that if they did, he would completely lose control.

"In that case, let's go eat..." Ning Cong was in a good mood and pulled Lu Cheng and Xue Ling toward the cafeteria.

Yu Linglong got up, staring at the departing figures of Lu Cheng and the others with a complicated expression, and gently exhaled a breath of stale air.

Even though he had studied Lu Cheng countless times in recent days, he still couldn't see through him. He was completely convinced of his defeat in this match, as his opponent had utterly crushed him.

And it wasn't until this moment that he slowly came to his senses.

Lu Cheng's arrows seemed weaker than usual.

Was it intentional?

"Let's go back." Tang Ya's pretty face still showed lingering desire as she held Jiang Nannan's hand.

The other freshmen who were watching also scattered.

After this battle, Lu Cheng's name as the new Demon King will surely spread throughout the entire outer academy in a very short time.

……

The tree-lined path leading to the cafeteria.

Lu Cheng's expression shifted between dark and gloomy as he pondered something.

Ning Cong chuckled as he discussed today's victory, even fantasizing about taking first place in the qualifying rounds and receiving the reward.

"Hey, Cheng... you don't look too good? Did you get injured during the competition?" Ning Cong noticed that Lu Cheng's complexion was off and asked with concern.

"It's alright, I..." Lu Cheng forced a smile, about to explain something, when a fiery red figure appeared under a tree ahead, seemingly waiting for something.

Lu Cheng's face darkened even more.

"Acheng? Acheng?!!"

Ning Cong was unaware of all this and looked at his former friend in surprise. No matter what happened, he always remained calm and composed, but at this moment his face had visibly darkened.

"I'm fine, you guys go first..." Lu Cheng took a deep breath and said.

"Really? Okay then, be careful." Ning Cong's eyes were filled with worry. Only then did he notice the woman in red in front of him. She was wearing a black veil, so his face was not visible, but he could roughly tell from her clothes that she was an inner court senior.

Since there is no danger, it is probably Lu Cheng's private matter, and he should not interfere.

Watching Ning Cong and Xue Ling'er leave.

Lu Cheng forced himself to step forward: "Xiao Tao... Senior, is there something you need?"

"You know me?"

The woman's lips curled into a faint smile as she looked down at Lu Cheng from her nearly 1.8-meter-tall frame.

This was the first time Lu Cheng had ever looked up at a mountain and felt how majestic and imposing it was, completely obscuring half of the beauty's face. After all, he had always looked down at the little radish head from a teasing perspective.

but……

You're going to suffer.

Lu Cheng had no time to pay attention to this; his throat bobbed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Although his conjecture was proven, and Ma Xiaotao had most likely also undergone the simulation, he would be in big trouble if he were recognized. Right now, he was truly powerless, while Ma Xiaotao was already a genuine peak Soul Emperor.

“I’ve heard Sister Nan Nan say that Ma Xiaotao, the strongest of the new generation in the inner courtyard, also has the Divine Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, which is the same as my Martial Soul. Right now, my Martial Soul feels a sense of familiarity with you, so I suppose…” Lu Cheng said in a moment of inspiration.

"Oh? Is that so?" The woman's smile grew even brighter. "But you remind me of someone I know from the past. We must have met before, right?"

"I don't know him, you must be mistaken." Lu Cheng swallowed and chuckled awkwardly.

"If you have nothing else, I'll be going now. My classmates are waiting for me."

"In that case, I won't bother you any longer. Have fun! By the way, Lu Cheng, I really need to thank you for helping me awaken my martial soul for the second time..."

"It's a small matter, nothing to mention," Lu Cheng chuckled, nodding subconsciously, and then tried to take the opportunity to leave.

Suddenly, his whole body stiffened.

and many more……

A soft female voice sounded from behind him, and a fragrant breeze caressed his face. Lu Cheng turned around, but his body froze on the spot, not daring to move. Then he felt a warm touch behind him, and Ma Xiaotao's body enveloped him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Slender, fair fingers gently stroked his cheek.

Her breath was as fragrant as orchids.

His voice trembled with a mixture of anger and excitement.

"Lu Cheng, then I really have to thank you properly..."

……

P.S.: The last chapter will be updated later~

Chapter 54 Ma Xiaotao: I hate you

"Stab~"

As smoke rose from the chimneys, in a small courtyard in Shrek City, Lu Cheng held a string of bluefish in his hand, flipping them over and skillfully sprinkling them with seasonings before grilling them over a fire.

The grass carp made a sizzling sound, especially on its skin, which was gradually turning a pale yellow sheen. This was a sign that it was fully cooked; in a little longer, it would burn.

"Are you done?"

A soft, charming voice came from beside his ear. Lu Cheng's expression froze, and he nodded mechanically.

"I want you to feed me, Senior Brother..." The voice entered his ears, and the fragrance wafted from the beauty's breath, filling Lu Cheng's ears and making him feel a little itchy.

Lu Cheng was helpless and at her mercy. Thinking back, he remembered that he had always directly refused her advances. Even when this girl pestered him and acted coquettishly, he always maintained a calm and indifferent expression.

but now……

Their lifeline has been seized.