Having no opponent felt like... having no opponent.

"It was him?"

In the crowd, a beautiful woman in her thirties or forties, dressed in a light pink dress, looked slightly surprised. The dress perfectly outlined her graceful figure, making her look like a ripe peach, delicate and tempting.

He forced himself to remain calm, but inside, his heart was churning with turbulent emotions.

"Mom, you recognize him?" Nan Shuishui asked in surprise, following the beautiful woman's gaze.

It was right there in the crowd, the reigning "champion" who was currently enjoying immense popularity.

Of course, this is just something people have heard by word of mouth.

It's said that guy represented Shrek Academy in the previous competition and clearly won the final championship, but he betrayed them at the last minute and conceded defeat on behalf of Shrek.

They "gifted" the championship to the Sun Moon Empire.

Of course, the Sun Moon Empire vehemently denied it, claiming that the championship was won by the Sun Moon Empire Royal Team with all their might in the previous competition and had nothing to do with Lu Cheng.

In the Sun Moon Empire, image-recording crystals are abundant, so many people know the truth and have even witnessed the terrifying, sky-covering figure firsthand. In contrast, image-recording crystals, which are similar to Soul Tool, have not yet become widespread on the original continent.

It still relies on the most primitive form of oral tradition.

This means that what reaches her ears will be somewhat distorted.

But this doesn't mean the girl wasn't interested in it.

She was very interested in this guy.

After all, who wouldn't admire such a legendary, invincible powerhouse during their teenage years? Even if she knew that legends were bound to be exaggerated, if Lu Cheng could win this competition, then he would still be the unparalleled number one among the younger generation in her heart.

"Not only do you recognize him, but the snow lotus you consumed was given to you by him..." Nan Shuishui's expression was complicated as memories from that year gradually surfaced. She originally regarded Lu Cheng as Ferocious Beast in human form as well, after all, he was able to appear on equal footing with the Ice Empress and Snow Empress, the two masters of the Far North.

Unexpectedly, he was actually human.

And back then... how old was he?

Twelve years old, or thirteen?

He was able to dominate negotiations of that level, leaving her completely stunned; he was simply too extraordinary.

"That Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus, it was actually given to me by him?" Nan Qiuqiu's pretty face was full of blankness.

The Earth Dragon Sect's current surge in strength is entirely due to that Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus from back then, which cleansed the marrow and essence of their younger generation, causing their Martial Soul to mutate.

The main force of the Earth Dragon Sect participating in this competition consists of three Soul Emperor and four Soul King, with her being at the peak of the Soul Emperor.

After their mother broke through to the Titled Douluo, the Earth Dragon Sect even showed signs of surpassing the Heavenly Dragon Sect. But no one expected that the instigator of all this was actually... a young boy.

"Back then, it was a barter system. He brought Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus and took the treasures from the underground cave in the backyard. After they left, I went down to investigate myself, and there was a lot of extreme ice-attribute energy inside. I reckon they took quite a few treasures back then as well."

Nan Shuishui looked at the spirited figure with complicated emotions, shook her head and said, "So whether it was a loss or a gain, it's hard to say for sure what happened back then."

"Therefore, after you meet him, you must keep this matter buried in your heart and never mention it..."

"Mmm." Nan Qiuqiu nodded obediently, but her pink eyes were actually filled with even more curiosity.

How come this guy has so many secrets?

It gave her the impression that she was old despite being so young...

Lu Cheng curled his lips into a smile as he stood in the spectator area, overlooking the intense battle below. His terrifying Spiritual Power covered the entire arena, naturally taking in Nan Shuishui's unusual expression.

If this matter had been exposed back then, it would most likely have caused considerable trouble. After all, he was still very weak at the time, and if Shrek Academy caught him, it would be difficult to explain, and he could be deliberately targeted.

But now...

Heh, this mystery is enough for Nan Shuishui to carry to her grave. Yes, I was acquainted with the two Heavenly Kings of the Far North when I was twelve, so what?

Who dares to judge me? Who dares to question me?

Given Lu Cheng's current reputation on the mainland, calling him a "monster" wouldn't be an exaggeration. He's ruined Shrek's reputation, and then led the Body Sect attack on the Illustrious Virtue Hall, humiliating the old emperor of the Sun Moon Empire by trampling his head underfoot...

One case after another, one incident after another.

Only he could have done that.

Lu Cheng's lips curled up in a smile.

The feeling of having no rivals is like... having no rivals at all.

"Hey old man, I'm talking to you! What are you looking at? Go eat your chicken leg..."

Lu Cheng spoke sarcastically to Xuanzi, who was eyeing him with a sinister Xuan Zi.

Xuan Zi: "..."

Grass!

His face was covered in black lines, and his veins were bulging.

This is absolutely outrageous!

Can't I even glare at you secretly a few times?

But upon seeing the tall, barely visible figure behind Lu Cheng, Xuan Zi's lips twitched, and he shrank back to humbly eating his chicken leg. He was already outmatched at Level 98, and now that his opponent had reached the pinnacle of advancement, he was even less likely to win...

He received orders from Mu En not to cause any trouble; winning the championship was the most important thing.

"Hmph!" Xuan Zi snorted coldly, turned his gaze away, and continued to stuff the chicken leg into his mouth, tearing at it viciously, as if the chicken leg were Lu Cheng himself.

The glances that had been furtively directed at Lu Cheng gradually shifted away. If even Xuan Zi wasn't giving them any face, wouldn't he just be ready to throw punches at them?

Lu Cheng ignored those people and focused his attention on the Shrek Academy team.

The captain was still Bei Bei, but the main team members weren't the mixed bag he'd expected. Instead, they were all full of energy, with simple faces, and seemed to be...

Clear Sky Sect?

Lu Cheng nodded slightly. It made sense, after all, Shrek Academy was completely ruined now, and they couldn't win the championship without resorting to some underhanded tactics.

Since the Clear Sky Sect was under Tang San's command as well, it was normal for them to be temporarily pulled in to make up the numbers.

However... this is also a good thing.

Lu Cheng smiled.

If Shrek Academy had gone it alone, with only Bei Bei, Tang Wutong, and the others, he would have been worried, fearing that Tang San might be up to something again. But since it was the Clear Sky Sect that came... then there was no problem.

This actually shows that Shrek has become so empty.

However, Shrek made ample preparations for Bei Bei. In the original story, Bei Bei was only at the Soul Emperor level at this time, but now... he has reached the Soul Saint.

Moreover, he exuded an aura of transcendence.

It also radiates a power of light.

Clearly, there's a high probability that he accepted Mu En's legacy of light, and he might even have given the Dragon Core to Bei Bei. After all, without the blessing of the Chosen One, Huo Yuhao simply couldn't compete with Mu En's grandson.

However, with the Dragon Core combined with the Light Sacred Dragon Martial Soul and the Soul Saint Realm, he could actually hold his own against Long Aotian.

Although the latter consumed the Immortal Herb, he was only Level 74, at the Silver Rank, and had not developed the power of his Body Martial Soul to its fullest potential.

In conclusion, this tournament is probably the most star-studded tournament in history.