Translator:Larbre StudioEditor:Larbre Studio

What kind of luck is this said Ann Chaoyang, taken aback by the results of the lot drawing. Afterwards, he shook his head and smiled a self-mocking smile but returned to his relaxed manner because the pressure wasnt overwhelming. In fact, a part of him looked forward to the fight.

From his point of view, he hadnt accumulated any losses which meant that he was safe from being disqualified even if he lost, and it would make such an excellent experience: having an intense battle with an Inhuman Mighty One who practices a different style of Martial Art. This idea was reinforced by Lou Chengs fight with Veigar the day beforehow it gave Lou Cheng a boost in his proficiency in actual combat, and how it filled a void in his root pulp caused by overly fast advancements.

Seeing that Ann Chaoyang wasnt too bothered by the abysmal lot he drew, Lou Cheng immediately began poking fun at him.

This is what you get for provoking me with the Eating Song just now!

Ann Chaoyang couldnt decidewhether he wanted to frown or smile, then Lou Cheng continued, trying to sound serious. You know, I have the supernatural ability to reflect curses and bad luck, and its basic application is that anyone that hurts me, provokes me or makes fun of me will receive retribution.

Then, he drew a cross on his chest with a finger, in the wrong sequence.

Believe in Lou Cheng and you shall become immortal!

I almost believed it until you said that last line chuckled Ann Chaoyang after a short pause.

Unable to hold it in any longer, he burst into laughter along with Peng Leyun, Ren Li and Zhong Ningtao.

You almost fell for it? Quoting Xiao Mings catchphraseWith your IQ, if you were a girl, I could swindle you go to bed with me twice, thought Lou Cheng, laughing along.

In a good mood arent you? said Ann Chaoyang, looking towards Lou Cheng as he bundled his long hair together.

Indeed, replied Lou Cheng happily, feeling relaxed mentally and physically.

His trainings bore fruit, his morph was imminent, and his next opponent wasnt an Inhuman Mighty One. What was there to be unhappy about?

Then, Yan Zhekes reply to his previous message came.

See! I told you you wont get an Inhuman opponent with my good karma blessing you! Now I can be completely at ease. Ill skip the cheering part later now that I have lent you all my good karma!

Completely at ease? Completely? Ke, you seem to have exposed your true feelings Lou Cheng chuckled, feeling even better.

Then Peng Leyuns lot was drawn. His opponent was a Japanese samurai who was neither Tang Zexun nor Mouko Yamashita.

After him, there were only two brackets remaining, and after confirmation, it was decided that Ren Li would be the lucky one to be awarded walkover.

Do girls with a bad sense of direction have better luck in general? whispered Lou Cheng, edging towards Ann Chaoyang.

Possibly. If their luck isnt good, then they would be lost all the time, quipped Ann Chaoyang, playing along with Lou Chengs joke.

The two glanced over, only to see Ren Li with her cheeks puffing up slightly, looking very unhappy.

What is she unhappy about? Ann Chaoyang whispered, confused.

Lou Cheng pondered. I guess shes disappointed at missing out on a fight

The two exchanged looks, then began pitying the unappreciated walkover lot.

In the Lou Cheng Fan-club forums, Eternal Nightfall Yan Xiaoling had tagged Unparalleled Dragon King.

Is this Baco guy strong? What level is he at? How much weaker is he compared to our Lou Cheng?

Close to Inhuman probably, replied Unparalleled Dragon King, But his power mainly stems from Nanyang evil arts, and the strongest curses happen to be ineffective against Lou Cheng. Its fine if he doesnt use them, but if he does its going to turn into a real comedy. So, all things considered, hes a cut below Lou Cheng. Based on Lou Chengs usual outstanding performance on the spot, Bacos chances of winning are slim.

Haha, seems like our prayers came true! [swirling into a dance] replied Yan Xiaoling.

Seems like you have to start waking up on time. [funny expression] replied Okamotos fan.

[grovels with head in hands, shivering] replied Yan Xiaoling.

Dont worry, Ill make sure you follow through with what you said! (Pats shoulders) [arms crossing solemnly] replied Brahman.

Before the duel began, at the side of Shengxiang representatives, Wahkua gaunt, olive-complected and barefooted Sadhu clad in red robeswalked down from the upper seats, and stopped before Baco.

Watch out for his supernatural ability to reflect curses.

I have seen his data, Baco replied gruffly, adjusting the scarlet bandages on his hands.

Though he looked skinny for a famous Shengxiang boxer, every inch of his muscles was toughened like steel, capable of releasing explosive bursts of strength. His stumpy eyebrows curved at their ends and gave him a vicious appearance.

Curses are not the end to my spells, he said confidently.

Snap! Beneath his scarlet bandages, a cluster of what seemed like tiny life forms began to wriggle, a sight that would make ones stomach turn.

Knuckles cracking, Baco suddenly clenched his fist, before striding past Wahku and towards the arena.

Lou Cheng, who was impatiently lurking on the edge of the venue, hopped into the arena and got into position as soon as the previous fight ended.

He was still in his good mood from before, and for once he did not make his presence known by visualizing the Army Formula, which would have applied mental and spiritual pressure on the incoming Baco. He was fairly carefree and at ease.

But of course! Once he mastered Emperor Yan Statue, his Zhurong Force could soon be enhanced, which meant that he would soon begin morphing and officially step into the threshold of Immortals.

This held great symbolic importance, similar to how mastering Force Concentration would put one into the Dan stage. It marked that one was truly fit to be called a Mighty One, worthy of being in the upper levels of the Martial Arts world.

Once he reached this stage, even if he lost the competition and went home without any prize money, Wu Qinggui would still raise his spokesperson pay accordingly. On top of that, there was the bonus for winning the Nationals.

This was the worst case scenariobut objectively speaking, against Baco, who was not an Inhuman,he had a high chance of winning. Although he still took him seriously, there wasnt enough pressure to affect his mood.

On top of that, the ticket-booking to America went without a hitch, and Ke went out of her way to wake him up by waking up earlier than usual. Then there was that piece of news from Mom, telling him that the house they recently purchased went up in value by 50,000 RMB, in a matter of months. He was also getting along swimmingly with his new teammates

Everything in life seemed so wonderful ,thought Lou Cheng, without a care in the world. He didnt waste the waiting time either, and visualized the heavy, majestic, scorching and terrifying Emperor Yan Statue in his mind, slowly guiding the Flame Force in his body to condense and mutate.

This was the process of enhancing Zhurong Force to Emperor Yan Force!

The truth was, even without the enhancement, with the basic mastery of Emperor Yan Diagram, he could use the Emperor Yan Force through a series of steps and visualization. However, since he had to compress the force during battle, the visualization would have taken a good couple of seconds, making it quite useless in actual combat.

Once he had enhanced his Flame Force correspondingly, he can save those couple of seconds and effectively utilize Emperor Yan Force in battle. If his root pulp mutated and completed his morph, then he wouldnt even need the series of steps, every strike with brief visualization would be imbued with Emperor Force.

Wisps of flame merged as rays of scarlet turned white. Lou Cheng, while enjoying the changes within in his body,slowly built up a main path of Emperor Yan Force that branched out into more paths.

That was when Baco walked into the arena, and saw the young man casually standing in a relaxed manner, with a smile and not a trace of bloodlust.

Such arrogancesuch carelessness thought Baco, the flame in his eyes burning brighter.

Strangely, Lou Cheng felt no pressure at all, instead he felt like he was in the state of enlightened mind like in Xian Xia novels, even his Flame Force seemed alive.

Without paying much heed to his opponents reactions, he smiled at Baco and bowed.

The referee raised his right hand.

Begin! he boomed.

With the wonderful feelings coursing through him, he felt mentally and physically at ease. He stepped out with his left leg, naturally visualizing the Attainment Formula.

In the low hum of the ancient character, he covered thirty plus feet within a step, appearing before Baco with a whoosh. Swinging his right arm using the forward momentum, his punch flew out with a boom, imbued with a violent Flame Force from visualizing Yan Emperor Statue halfway.

Bacos heart skipped a beat. Seeing that he was unable to dodge in time, he steadied himself and held both hands in front of his chest.

Lou Chengs punch went at the speed of lightning, enveloped with a layer of dazzling whiteness, landed right on his opponents hands.

Boom!

Amidst the sounds of explosion, waves of tumbling flames and blasts of gusts, Baco involuntarily took a step back. Thats when he realized his scarlet bandages were in flames. A part of them was already charred, with black particles falling and turning to dust, fluttering in the wind.

This Bacos iris shrunk.

Since when was Lou Chengs Flame Force this powerful?!