The Shengxiang stadium in Fuluo was brightly lit and packed with people. It had the unique atmosphere of a crowded and passionate place.
"The competition will start with a double-elimination format. There will be one round every day. Whoever loses two rounds will go home until the top 16 are left." Leader Zhong Ningtao explained the situation as he led Lou Cheng, Peng Leyun and the rest to their pre-determined seats.
It's almost the same as the provincial youth tournament last year … Lou Cheng nodded slightly. He observed the stadium as they walked and tried to be a good husband.
Shengxiang was deeply influenced by the Buddhist culture. Golden statues of Wisdom Kings and Arhats were placed around the venue. Some of them looked evil, some of them looked solemn, some of them looked bitter, and some of them had lowered eyebrows. Looking at them, one would inexplicably feel a sense of anxiety and trepidation.
Under the suppression of these Buddha statues were three wide arenas in the shape of the Chinese character "Tri". There were many "Swastikas" engraved around the arenas, giving off a sense of tranquility, illusion, and detachment.
One inside and one outside. The combination of these two feelings seemed to be able to affect the emotions of the fighters in the arena.
"The work of a master …" Ann Chaoyang was listening to music with his headphones on, but he controlled his voice so that it was no different from normal.
Peng Leyun returned from his daydream. He glanced over and laughed softly.
"This is the home field advantage."
Those Buddha statues and those "Swastikas" were probably the work of the eminent monks of Southern Buddhism. They were the enhanced version of the "Forwarding" Formula that Lou Cheng wrote for Wang Xu. They were used to disrupt the minds and spirits of non-Saravada monks and create the most advantageous environment for themselves.
"Yeah." Ren Li took two steps forward and took a picture of the Buddha statues and the Swastikas. She walked back to Zhong Ningtao, who looked like he was facing a formidable enemy. She said innocently, "Leader, I'm not blind. I can't see you guys. It's just a few steps. I won't get lost."
"It's always better to be safe than sorry …" Zhong Ningtao replied earnestly. He felt exhausted from the past few days.
Beside him, Lou Cheng was sending the picture he just took to Yan Zheke and discussing the home field advantage with her.
"Ahem." Zhong Ningtao cleared his throat. "We're about to enter the arena. Everyone, keep your spirits up. Oh right, the contestants who can enter this competition are mostly equivalent to Rank-6 martial artists. All of you, be careful. Don't be too careless. These are all geniuses from their countries, or former geniuses!"
"Okay." Lou Cheng nodded solemnly, indicating that he understood.
Theoretically speaking, he was only at the level of a top-notch Rank-6. He had yet to truly step into the door of the inhuman stage and undergo a transformation.
Therefore, when facing these strange contestants who did not know much about Kung Fu, they could not afford to be careless!
Just as Peng Leyun was about to say something, the broadcast sounded. It was repeated in Shengxiang and English.
"It's our turn!" Zhong Ningtao called out in a hurry. He straightened his back and stood in front of the team.
Seeing this, Ann Chaoyang took off his earphones and hung them around his neck. Peng Leyun's gaze became more focused. Ren Li and Lou Cheng silently switched their phones to silent mode and stuffed them into their pockets.
After more than ten seconds, the impassioned melody of the national anthem rose. Lou Cheng and the rest, who were inexplicably excited, walked out of the passageway unhurriedly under Zhong Ningtao's lead. They entered the arena and headed for the VIP seats.
Not long after he appeared in front of everyone, he suddenly felt a prickling sensation on his skin. Following the source of the prickling sensation, he saw a burly man with exaggerated muscles in the Japanese delegation. He was wearing a traditional samurai outfit and was looking at him with a deep gaze.
Bam!
Their gazes seemed to meet. Light gathered in Mouko Yamashita's eyes, forming a white wave. It was so bright that Lou Cheng felt as though he was looking at a strong light.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and his pupils suddenly darkened. It was as though there was a boundless starry sky in his eyes. The scarlet sun and sparkling stars swallowed all the external light as it rotated slowly.
At the same time, Ren Li's heart skipped a beat. She followed Lou Cheng's gaze and happened to see a beautiful girl in an elegant kimono with exquisite makeup. Her round face was cute, her eyes were like mirrors, and her aura was quiet and gentle. It was as though she was just an illusion.
The current successor of Xinzhai Sect, Kaori Karasawa!
Whoosh! A strong wind suddenly blew in the arena, blowing chaotically. No one knew where it came from and where it went!
Ann Chaoyang also "found" inspiration and reacted as though he was reminded of the scenery. Instinctively, he turned his head and made eye contact with a skinny, yellow-robed monk in red robes. He felt his disgust and abandonment towards everything in the world.
All illusions should be broken free from them!
"Water" gushed out from his mind, containing a sense of vitality. It washed away Ann Chaoyang's melancholy and despair.
What a powerful mental infection! Ann Chaoyang took a deep breath, retracted his gaze and looked at the other Mighty Ones.
Beside him, Peng Leyun saw Veigar at first glance. He saw his cold face, his well-ironed blue general uniform and the dancing electric snakes in his eyes.
Crackle!
A strange sound was heard in mid-air. The lights in the Shengxiang stadium dimmed for a moment before returning to their former glory!
Lou Cheng shifted his gaze away from Mouko Yamashita. His footsteps swept past Kaori Karasawa, Wahku, and Veigar without the slightest hesitation. Feeling their unique aura, he relied on the secret assistance of the Army Formula and Fighting Formula to not be at a disadvantage.
Finally, his gaze landed on the Nanzheng delegation. He saw the tanned Banam sitting with his arms crossed. He was looking at the four of them coldly, like a wild beast staring at its prey.
The national anthem stopped. Lou Cheng and the rest returned to their seats and sat down, no longer looking around. Veigar, Mouko Yamashita and the rest also retracted their gazes.
"I really don't know what the Japanese Shengxiang are thinking, giving us four wild cards …" said Ann Chaoyang softly as he ran his fingers through his half-length hair.
Even with four countries combined, there would only be five Inhumans below the age of 24!
Hearing this, Zhong Ningtao made a self-deprecating joke. "Maybe they didn't expect us to be so rude."
"Yeah …" Ren Li nodded slowly, as though she had taken his joke for the truth. She turned to Peng Leyun and the rest and asked curiously, "Why are you guys here?"
"I've been at the Inhuman stage for a while now and haven't had any actual combat experience. My hands are itching. Since there's such a good opportunity, I decided to come," replied Peng Leyun with a smile.
"Aren't there so many Inhuman seniors in the Shang Qing Sect?" asked Lou Cheng in surprise.
Why wouldn't there be any actual combat experience?
The corners of Peng Leyun's mouth curled up as he laughed, "You also said that I'm a senior. Challenging a senior for no reason will lead to a scolding. My senior brothers and sisters of the same generation as me rarely return to the sect after I advanced."
Seems like you're a demon in the Shang Qing Sect too … Lou Cheng was enlightened and mocked him in his mind.
After their exchange, Ren Li took the initiative to speak. She smiled elegantly and said, "I've just completed my metamorphosis and want to use actual combat to get used to the Inhuman stage. That's why I signed up."
"I was sent here by my master to gain more experience and experience so as to strengthen my foundation for the Inhuman stage in a year's time," replied Ann Chaoyang.
"Hmm, what about you?" Ren Li looked at Lou Cheng. Peng Leyun and Ann Chaoyang were also waiting for his answer with interest.
Now that everyone was more familiar with each other, Lou Cheng didn't go through the motions like he did at the airport. After thinking for a while, he nodded sincerely and said,
"Need money …"
The surroundings suddenly became quiet. Lou Cheng felt that Peng Leyun and the rest were looking at him strangely, as though they were looking at something unbelievable.
Just as he was about to speak, the lot-drawing ceremony started and a bunch of formalities went through.
Taking out his phone secretly, Lou Cheng secretly took a photo and sent it to Yan Zheke. He also described to her how he felt when he made eye contact with Mouko Yamashita and the rest.
"You guys look pretty impressive," replied Yan Zheke with a smile. Yan Zheke sent an emoji with its hand covering its mouth and said, "I thought it was a bit strange when I saw that the organizing committee called you guys' Team Stuck Abroad '. Today, I browsed the forum and saw' Unparalleled Dragon King's' explanation. Then I figured it out. You guys are not 'Team Stuck Abroad', but 'Team Stuck Abroad'! Hmm, especially you, the big pervert! "
Towards the end of her sentence, she seemed to have thought of something. Her pretty face turned red and her eyes seemed to be both angry and happy.
Lou Cheng felt something and calmed down. [Snickering expression] He replied,
"I don't agree with what others say …"
Except for Little Fairy!
While chatting, Unparalleled Dragon King came to him and said with anticipation,
"Little Tiger, I've found a few resources but they only have a fixed broadcast of one arena. We'll be depending on you later! Remember to take a photo for the live broadcast! "
He implored with an expression of prostration.
"Sure, but I have other things to do. If it doesn't clash, it's fine." Lou Cheng was grateful to Unparalleled Dragon King for providing the video of the competition. He didn't reject him but gave him a heads-up.
If it really didn't work out, he could ask Peng Leyun or Ann Chaoyang for help!
Not long after, the lot-drawing ceremony officially started. There was only one way to avoid this double-elimination round, and that was to not meet each other from the same country.
First, Peng Leyun was picked and would face a boxer from Shengxiang. Then, Ann Chaoyang would face off against a Mighty One from Miluo.
After another minute, Ren Li's name was called. Her opponent was a monk from Shengxiang, Fewahku.
Lou Cheng waited patiently. When it was nearing the end, he finally heard his name,
"China, Lou Cheng!"
He adjusted his sitting position and saw that the guest had drawn his opponent,
"Japan, Ichiei Sakata!"
Ichiei Sakata? Lou Cheng nodded thoughtfully. He recalled the information about this samurai in his mind.
This was one of the five Inhumans that Zhong Ningtao had specially reminded of. He was also a disciple of the Extreme Hadou Sect and a fellow disciple of Mouko Yamashita. He used to be on par with Mouko Yamashita and had supernatural abilities. He was gradually surpassed by Mouko Yamashita and was about to turn 24. He was still stuck at a bottleneck and had no hope of advancing.
Heh, I've been imitating Mouko Yamashita for the past few days and ended up against someone from the Extreme Hadou Sect. What a coincidence.
…
Over at the Japanese representative team, Ichiei Sakata, whose hair was dyed blonde, looked at the matchup with a solemn expression. He could almost imagine the headlines about him that would appear soon,
"Can the genius of the past return to glory?"
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