While he was lost in thought, the other person cast a glance toward him, looking surprised while nodding with a smile.
Lu Cheng's lips twitched.
He forgot that this guy was a mental type, incredibly sensitive.
Soon, however, Wei Linger suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of the Dark Demon Tiger, Huang Zichen. The two had fought with real fire and grew frustrated; if Lang Ya hadn't separated them with his mental force, blood would have surely been spilled today.
Immediately after, Lang Ya began sparring with the grandson of a Star Luo Empire-enshrined elder. Both were at the Peak of Spirit Emperor and were standouts among their peers. Their prowess was impressive enough that even Lu Cheng watched seriously, marking his first time witnessing the pseudo-high-end combat power of this World.
"They're all so strong..." Zhang Lexuan's pale blue eyes sparkled, shimmering with a light called envy.
She had only obtained her second spirit ring a few months ago, reaching Rank 23. She was still a long way from becoming a Spirit Elder, let alone comparing to these prodigies.
"Perhaps."
Lu Cheng's expression remained calm. In the face of maxed-out talent, these guys were at most just born a few years earlier than him; he would catch up sooner or later. Among peers, even against that pointy-headed Lang Ya, he could utterly crush him.
After all, as the saying goes, even among geniuses, there are different levels.
The girl's eyes were full of longing, a yearning to become stronger in the future.
"Brother Cheng, do you think in the future, we might stand on the stage together..."
"How unambitious."
Lu Cheng hooked his finger against the girl's pert nose and idly ruffled her jet-black hair. Watching the battle on stage, he flashed a smile. "A Spirit Emperor is within arm's reach. If you're going to be envious... it should at least be of a Spirit Douluo."
"I don't have your perverted talent." Zhang Lexuan stuck out her tongue. "By the time I reach Spirit Douluo, I'll probably have turned into an old lady."
As she thought, the girl's eyes suddenly darted around as if she'd realized something. She shyly toyed with her hair. "Brother, what if someone bullies me?"
"I'll help you beat them up," Lu Cheng said without a second thought.
"What if you can't beat them either?"
"Then they'll have to step over my..."
Lu Cheng paused. Wait, why does this script seem a bit familiar?
Jokes aside, Old Three was still an authority when it came to picking up girls. This routine wouldn't go out of style even in tens of thousands of years. What girl could resist that line...
"Say it!" Zhang Lexuan urged, shaking Lu Cheng's arm.
"Then they'll have to step over my corpse."
Lu Cheng stared seriously at the little girl as he spoke.
Clearly, this sentence struck a chord in the girl's heart.
Her lips curled up unconsciously, and her gaze became somewhat dazed...
Seeing her dazed, he smiled and lightly tapped the girl's head. "With me around, why think so much?"
"Mm-hmm~"
Zhang Lexuan's face was full of happiness.
In her heart, Lu Cheng was indeed no different from a hero.
Even though the boy was only a few months older than her, he indulged her little whims. Any difficulty would be easily resolved before him. It felt so easy and happy, as if she didn't need to think about anything; even his back gave off an endless sense of security...
"Is this the only level you people from the Heavenly Soul Empire have?"
After Lang Ya's narrow victory, Huang Zichen curled his lips and continued to provoke them.
It seemed like a casual arena match between youths.
But in reality, it symbolized the face of both nations.
It was of no small significance.
Huang Zichen's actions were clearly prompted. Since they couldn't gain an advantage over Lang Ya, they would press their luck and secure more victories through Huang Zichen.
After all, the latter was only Rank 33, perfectly fitting this age bracket, and his only recognized opponent, Wei Linger, had already been defeated. The upcoming victories were practically guaranteed.
The nobles of the Dou Ling Empire watched the scene with arms crossed and amused expressions. Among the three empires, they were the weakest in both military strength and the talent of the younger generation. Although they were slightly stronger in spirit tools than the other two, it was only by a hair. They were better at spirit tools than the other original continental nations but better at martial souls than the Sun Moon Empire...
On the Heavenly Soul Empire's side.
The younger generation from the Body Sect, Xuanming Sect, and others huddled together, glaring back. Everyone knew this guy was taking advantage of a loophole, but they couldn't say anything.
After all, a loss was a loss.
"Well then, it seems no one dares to accept the challenge."
Huang Zichen curled his lips, his contemptuous gaze sweeping over the Heavenly Soul Empire's youths.
Clack~
The next second.
A strange sound rang out.
Everyone looked toward the very back, only to see with strange expressions a handsome boy staring in frustration at a watermelon peel on the ground. But regardless of what had happened, all they saw was that the boy had "stepped" forward.
"Dammit, that's some bad luck..."
Lu Cheng's lips twitched as he looked at the silent crowd and the countless gazes fixed on him.
Where did this watermelon peel come from?
[Side Quest: Making a Name for Yourself]
[To become the person Zhang Lexuan relies on, how can you not have sufficient strength? Step forward 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 granted based on performance rating.]
[Do you choose to accept?]
A side quest?!!
Lu Cheng was stunned. No wonder an independent chapter appeared; it seemed this whole setup was just for this moment.
If he wanted to become the girl's "white moonlight"...
He naturally had to first occupy a vital position in her heart. Being childhood friends was clearly the best choice: indulge her, love her, cherish her, and make her world revolve only around you.
And then personally arrange his own boxed lunch.
It couldn't be helped; only a dead white moonlight is truly unforgettable...
Zhang Lexuan's fate was famously tragic, so to implement the subsequent series of plans, strength was indispensable—at least he had to survive first.
So...
I accept!
"Oh? It looks like someone else wants to give it a try?" Huang Zichen's lips curled into a playful smirk. Looking at the boy's appearance, he was ten years old at most. Did he even reach the level of a Spirit Grandmaster before daring to accept the challenge?
"I'm not here to 'give it a try.'" Lu Cheng shook his head and leaped lightly onto the arena stage.
His eyes indifferently sized up Huang Zichen.
"Against a piece of trash, it doesn't even count as a trial..."
"You called me trash?!!" Huang Zichen looked stunned; he never expected to be insulted so crudely.
Lu Cheng apologized silently in his heart.
Sorry, but it's 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 at the crowd.
Even Lang Ya, the representative of the Heavenly Soul Empire's younger generation, cast a startled glance.
This sentence seemed to include him as well?
"..."
The scene suddenly went silent.
Zhang Lexuan's small mouth formed an 'O' shape, her face completely blank.
No matter how much time passed, this scene would leave an indelible shock in the girl's heart.
In the distance, Wei Linger's willow-like brows arched, and a hint of curiosity flashed in her emerald-green eyes...
Notes:
ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
Read advance chapters at p@atreon/holyangelicdemon