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

"We surrender! We surrender!"

Sang Qi cried out in panic.

Zhan Ling, who was also Beast Martial Soul, stiffened. At this moment, his body almost instinctively wanted to bow down to the opposite 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 Yu Linglong 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 much surprise, so declaring victory would be normal.

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 very difficult.

"..."

Lu Cheng smiled. His arrows weren't so easily torn apart; he had simply softened them a bit, as this would allow him to better showcase his abilities.

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 eye twitched. Was this correct?

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 a chill run down his spine from the stare and hurriedly looked away. Although in the Simulation Device, he had thoroughly toyed with the two women, making them cry their hearts out, for the sake of a high score, Simulation was still just Simulation. It shouldn't involve reality, right?

Probably...

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

Lu Cheng's face darkened.

"Are you alright? You don't look too good." Ning Cong asked with some surprise, and then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile 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 Greed.

He dared not make eye contact with him even for a moment, fearing 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 towards 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 lost this match wholeheartedly, as his opponent had completely 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 in a panic.

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 brooding, as he continued to ponder something.

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

"Hey, A-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 further.

"A-Cheng? A-Cheng?!"

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 said, taking a deep breath.

"Really? Okay then, be careful." Ning Cong's eyes were filled with worry as he noticed the woman in red in front of him. She was wearing a black veil, obscuring her face, but by her clothing, he could roughly tell that she was a senior student from the inner academy.

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. "Xiaotao... Senior, is there something you need?"

Do 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 the first time he had ever felt that the mountain peaks were so majestic and imposing, even obscuring half of the beauty's face. After all, he had always looked down at the little radish head from a teasing perspective.

but...

It's going to happen.

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, Ma Xiaotao had most likely also undergone Simulation, he would be in serious 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 Nannan 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 quickly, trying to come up with a solution.

"Oh? Is that so?" The woman's smile grew even brighter. "But you remind me of someone from my past. We must have known each other 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 Second Awakening my Martial Soul for the second time..."

"It's nothing, haha, not worth mentioning." Lu Cheng chuckled, nodding subconsciously, and was about to take the opportunity to leave.

Suddenly, his whole body stiffened.

etc...

A Youyou 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 agitation.

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

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