I'm not targeting anyone. I just wanted to say that everyone here is trash!

As he pondered, the other party glanced his way, surprise in his eyes, then nodded with a beaming smile.

The corner of Lu Cheng's mouth twitched.

He had forgotten this guy was a spiritual-type, sensitive as hell.

Soon, however, Wei Ling'er narrowly lost to Dark Demon Tiger Huang Zichen. Both had fought themselves into a genuine fury, their tempers flaring. If Lang Ya had not separated them with his spiritual power, blood might well have been spilled today.

Next, Lang Ya sparred with the grandson of a Star Luo Empire court elder. Both were at the peak of Soul Emperor and outstanding among their peers, displaying considerable might. Even Lu Cheng watched intently. This could count as his first glimpse of this world's pseudo-high-level combat power.

"They're all so strong..." Zhang Lexuan's pale blue eyes sparkled, glimmering with a light called envy.

She had only obtained her second Soul Ring a few months ago and reached rank twenty-three. She was still some distance from Soul Elder, let alone this bunch of monstrous talents.

"Perhaps."

Lu Cheng remained composed. Before his maxed-out talent, these fellows had, at most, been born a few years earlier than him. Sooner or later, he would catch up. Among those his own age, even that pointy-headed Lang Ya would be brutally thrashed and left streets behind.

After all, as the saying went, even geniuses came in different grades and ranks.

The girl's eyes brimmed with longing, yearning to grow stronger in the future.

"Brother Cheng, do you think we'll stand on that stage together someday..."

"Aim higher."

Lu Cheng brushed a finger over the girl's pert nose, then casually ruffled her dark hair. Watching the battle onstage, he smiled. "Soul Emperor is within arm's reach. If you're going to envy someone... they should at least be a Soul Douluo."

"I don't have freakish talent like yours." Zhang Lexuan stuck out her tongue. "By the time I reach Soul Douluo, I'll probably have slogged my way into being an old granny."

As she thought about it, the girl's eyes suddenly darted around, as though something had occurred to her. She shyly played with her hair. "Brother, what if someone bullies me?"

"I'll beat them up for you," Lu Cheng answered without thinking.

"What if you can't beat them either?"

"Over my..."

Lu Cheng froze. Wait, why does this script feel a little familiar?

Jokes were jokes and fooling around was fooling around, but Prisoner Three was still an authority on picking up girls. This routine would not go out of style even tens of thousands of years later. What girl could withstand that line...

"Say it." Zhang Lexuan grew impatient, shaking Lu Cheng's arm.

"Then they'll have to step over my dead body."

Lu Cheng stared at the little girl with utter seriousness.

Clearly, those words had struck straight to the girl's heart.

The corners of her mouth rose involuntarily, and even her gaze grew a little dreamy...

Seeing her standing there in a daze, he smiled and gently tapped her head. "With me here, why think so much?"

"Mm-hmm~"

Zhang Lexuan's face was full of happiness.

In her heart, Lu Cheng truly was no different from a hero.

Although the boy was only a few months older than her, he indulged her little whims, and any difficulty was readily solved before him. It was so easy, so happy, as though she did not have to think about anything. Even the sight of his back gave her a boundless sense of security...

"Is this all you people from the Heavenly Soul Empire amount to?"

After Lang Ya's narrow victory, Huang Zichen curled his lips and began provoking them again.

It seemed like a casual arena match between young people.

In reality, however, it represented the two nations' dignity.

Its significance was considerable.

Huang Zichen was clearly acting on instructions. Since they could gain nothing from Lang Ya, they would press their advantage and reap more victories through Huang Zichen.

After all, the latter was only rank thirty-three, falling neatly within this age bracket, while Wei Ling, the only one considered his opponent, had already been defeated. What followed would be victories virtually in the bag.

The nobles on the Dou Ling Empire's side folded their arms across their chests, watching cheerfully. Of the three nations, theirs was the weakest, whether in military strength or the talent of the younger generation. Although they were slightly stronger than the other two nations in Soul Tools, it was only by a sliver. They were better at Soul Tools than the original continent's nations, and better at Martial Souls than the Sun Moon Empire...

On the Heavenly Soul Empire's side.

The younger generation from the Body Sect, the Black Tortoise Sect, and others gathered together, glaring at him furiously. Everyone knew this fellow was exploiting a loophole, yet they could not say anything.

After all, a loss was a loss.

"Then it looks like no one dares to accept the challenge."

Huang Zichen curled his lips, sweeping a contemptuous gaze over his peers from the Heavenly Soul Empire.

Clack~

The next second.

An odd sound rang out.

Everyone looked toward the very back, only to see, with peculiar expressions, a handsome boy staring in annoyance at a piece of watermelon rind on the floor. Whatever had happened, all they saw was that boy "stepping" forward.

"Fuck, a bit unlucky..."

Taking in the suddenly silent crowd and the countless gazes directed his way, Lu Cheng's mouth twitched.

Where did that watermelon rind come from?

[Side quest: Make your mark]

[If you want to become the person Zhang Lexuan clings to, how can you lack sufficient strength to rely on? Step forward voluntarily and declare, "I'm not targeting anyone. Everyone here is trash," then win this match on behalf of the Heavenly Soul Empire; rewards will be awarded according to your performance rating]

[Accept?]

A side quest?!!

Lu Cheng froze. No wonder a standalone chapter had appeared. It seemed these dumplings had been made just for this saucer of vinegar.

To become the girl's white moonlight.

Naturally, he first had to occupy an extremely important place in her heart. Being childhood sweethearts was clearly the best choice. Indulge her, love her, cherish her, make it so that her world held only him.

Then personally arrange to collect his own boxed lunch.

There was no helping it. Only a dead white moonlight could truly be etched into the bones and engraved upon the heart...

And Zhang Lexuan's fate was notoriously rough. Thus, strength was indispensable if he wanted to carry out the subsequent series of plans. At the very least, he had to survive first.

So...

I accept!

"Oh? Looks like someone still wants to give it a try?" Huang Zichen curled his lips, his face full of mockery. Judging by this boy's appearance, he was ten at the very most. Had he even reached Soul Grandmaster, daring to accept the challenge?

"Not really a matter of giving it a try." Lu Cheng shook his head and sprang lightly onto the arena.

His eyes coolly sized up Huang Zichen.

"Against a piece of trash, it hardly counts as trying..."

"You're calling me trash?!!" Huang Zichen looked stunned. He had never imagined he would be insulted so viciously.

Lu Cheng silently offered an apology.

Sorry, for the rating...

"Don't misunderstand. I'm not targeting you. I'm saying that everyone here is trash..." The boy stood tall, looking down indifferently over the crowd.

Even Lang Ya, a representative figure of the Heavenly Soul Empire's younger generation, cast him a startled look.

Those words seemed to include him too?

"..."

The scene abruptly fell silent.

Zhang Lexuan's little mouth formed an O, her face utterly blank.

No matter how much time passed, this scene would leave an indelible shock in the girl's heart.

In the distance, Wei Ling'er arched her slender brows, a flicker of curiosity flashing through her emerald-green eyes...