Late July's sun was scorching. Even if it was 8 a.m., it was still intolerable and threatening to many people.
After knowing that his rival at Top 32 Knockout was Xing Jingjing, Lou Cheng's mind start to turn and he recalled the content that Yan Zheke had described.
This friend of his darling had the supernatural ability to affect the surrounding air, affecting the vision and hearing of her opponent. This would result in a hallucination effect.
It seemed like Absolute Reaction could control it... Lou Cheng mumbled under his breath. Then he laughed softly and said, "Ke, hehe, Coach Yan, do you have a video clip of Sister Jingjing's fights?"
"Yes, I have, but I feel that they may not be of much use ay... Last year, Sister Jingjing only took part in the University Martial Arts Competition. Plus Huahai had Ann Chaoyang, the Seventh Pin lead fighter, so her chance to fight an opponent with Dan stage, never came. I don't think any of the fights she had with other Professional Ninth Pins would be any reference to you... " Yan Zheke answered as she thought about the possibilities.
A year before Peng Leyun entered Shanbei University, Huahai University was the champion of the National University Martial Arts Competitions. Their foundation was strong, and they had many Mighty Ones. Even now, Ann Chaoyang who was in the fourth year was considered martial arts prodigy with Peng Leyun and Ren Li. Also, because he always looked sleepy, people also called him "Powerful Sleepy Tiger". It was said that he was raging towards the Sixth Pin.
"Hmm, but we should still take a look at it. This will give me an objective and clear impression of her supernatural ability. If I were to lose to her on this end, how am I going to face everyone? How am I going to be able to face your gang of best friends?" Lou Cheng said humorously.
"Oh, true... Cheng, today I'm not going to root for you... " Yan Zheke's tone became faster and lighter. "If you lose to Sister Jingjing, I think I can laugh at you for at least half a year. "
Having said this, she added another point seriously, "Don't be careless. I think that, maybe, Absolute Reaction, is not that reliable or effective."
"Huh?" Lou Cheng was filled with shock and suspicion.
"Think about it. What's the basic principle of Absolute Reaction?" Yan Zheke said softly in a deep tone.
Lou Cheng started to think along the lines of what he had learned, what he had seen. "After the fighter had trained to the finest details, and all the strength within the body is in complete control. Plus the combination of spirit, qi and blood, the body becomes sensitive to the surrounding energy. So whenever, and whatever moves the opponent decides to throw out, regardless prep action or line of vision, within the fighter, something will be aroused. This is what we call Absolute Reaction."
"So, what's the transfer medium of such disturbance?" Yan Zheke was leading him on.
"Air... " Lou Cheng suck in a breath uncontrollably.
Considering this, it was completely plausible that Xing Jingjing's supernatural ability would affect the execution of Absolute Reaction...
This is not going to be an easy fight...
In that moment, the first thing Lou Cheng thought about was that special characteristic of the Jindan. That special ability to help Lou Cheng to sense Zhan Xuming getting closer. This could possibly block the supernatural ability of Xing Jingjing. However, he thought about it again and decided to give that idea up. This was because it would have gone against his original plan and principle, which was not to rely on the Jindan but to use his own strength and ability.
During the battle with Liu Xunzhen yesterday, he did use the Jindan right at the end to recover from his fatigue, but at that time, the game was already set. He had already won, so there was no impact on the game. If he did not use it, it would just mean a little trouble.
However, if he was to rely on the Jindan this round, it would not be interesting at all.
He had to think carefully how to fight this round... Lou Cheng and Yan Zheke exchanged some warm words before they ended the call. He took off his clothes and stood under the shower, his thoughts flying everywhere, his mind churning the whole time.
One side was her boyfriend, the other side, her best friend. Yan Zheke was somewhat troubled by this situation. After the call, she sat on her bed, with her feet tucked under. She thought about the battle in the morning.
Whose side should I stand on?
Just at this moment, someone knocked on the door. She quickly changed the way she was sitting. She sat nicely with her legs crossed in front of her and said, "Who's there? Sister Linxi?"
She could somehow recognize the footsteps of her cousin, Ji Linxi.
"Your ears are good!" Ji Linxi opened the door and stood there smiling, while leaning against the door frame. "We're heading out to the sea to have some fun. Want to come along?"
She was half a head taller than Yan Zheke. Her looks could be considered as better than average and looked more like the younger Ji Mingyu, as compared to the younger cousin.
"No, not going. Not fun at all. I don't like such gatherings that are too loud, too messy." Yan Zheke's pretty brows came together a little.
To be honest, to take Grandpa's yacht out to the sea and enjoy the clear blue skies would really lift her spirits, help her relax. If there were some fish around, she could even have a chat with them. It was interesting.
But now, without Cheng's company, she did not feel anything for these activities. Plus her cousin invited her friends and they would be having another kind of gathering and party in Shanghai. So since she did not like such gatherings, she decided to reject it.
Ji Linxi laughed heartily and said, "I see, a lot of boys will be disappointed. They are all waiting for our pretty and demure lady."
As Yan's father had good denies, in this generation of the Ji Family, Yan Zheke's looks were top of the top. In addition, she was always gentle and had the aura of a learned person.
"Demure? When was I ever demure?" Yan Zheke burst out laughing.
Yup, I got to let Cheng know that people have praised me for being demure!
"You're always quiet and demure when we have dinners and gatherings! You never talk!" Ji Linxi laughed. "Alright, it's fine if you don't go. Just go shopping with me when I'm back."
"Ah... " Yan Zheke frowned.
This was not a simple task at all!
After she bid her cousin goodbye without moving an inch, she remembered the conversation that they had just now. Then suddenly, she realized that, within that few sentences, she had actually "nagged" at Cheng twice...
For the earlier difficulty, she already knew the answer, so she smiled and mumbled to herself,
"Sorry, Sister Jingjing!"
I would totally ditch friends for a guy!
He jogged slowly into the arena. Lou Cheng stopped in front of the large screen to confirm the fights.
"Center arena, morning, fourth match, number 18, Lou Cheng, 19 years old, Professional Ninth Pin vs. number 79, Xing Jingjing, 20 years old, Professional Ninth Pin."
Fourth match... Lou Cheng was just about to leave the screen, then suddenly a girl in professional wear appeared next to him. Grinning, she smiled and said, "Mr. Lou Cheng, right?"
"Right, anything I can help you with?" Lou Cheng asked curiously.
"Fang Siqi, staff from the committee of this youth competition." The professional looking lady's smile was as refreshing as the spring breeze. "I'll bring you to your lounge."
"My lounge?" Lou Cheng heard it and was a little confused. He saw her documents and name tag before being convinced.
Fang Siqi smiled and answered, "You'll get it when you're there."
She stretched it her hand and signaled for him to walk forward. She brought Lou Cheng through the arena. When they reached the other end of the arena, they entered a lounge with many rooms.
"Mr. Lou Cheng, we have got a quiet room for you, with the viewing room, the wood figure room, the massage room, the water therapy room, the shower room... They could help you relax and recover before or after the competition... You could choose any of those without a label... " Fang Siqi explained in detail.
Lou Cheng seemed to remember something. He asked, "Is this the VIP lounge for seeded fighters?"
"Yes, you've sufficient rights to use here." Fang Siqi answered humbly.
If Lou Cheng was already 24 or 25 years old, even if he was performing extraordinarily well currently, black horse, the lead of Committee would never make such an arrangement. Everyone was working by the principles with no fear of offending someone.
However, a 19-year-old fighter of Dan stage, a less than one year experience Dan stage, raised their expectations so much on how much more he would develop. So whenever they had the chance, they would try to express well. This was the most normal.
"I understand." Lou Cheng nodded his head and did not say anything else.
Once he had shared this privilege with Yan Zheke, he suddenly felt some more pressure.
If he had just managed to get to use the VIP lounge, and then in the next match, if he was beaten by Xing Jingjing, it would be so embarrassing!
From the start of Top 32, there was only the fight at the center arena left. 16 matches, eight in the morning, eight in the afternoon, with some minor program in between.
This also meant that all the matches would be on the broadcast!
Seeing the television crew get ready, Wei Renjie smiled at Chu Weicai and Sun Yixing. He said, "If Lou Cheng wins another two or three round, our name, our brand, Xiushan would be known by all... Such a pity that he doesn't have time to take part in the preliminaries... "
Sun Yixing had already confirmed Lou Cheng's physical and mental condition with Chu Weicai. He did not have the slightest bit of jealousy. He earnestly said, "If he could take part, with the state our province is in, maybe we'd have hope in getting into the second round of the preliminaries."
He simply could not think of protesting. He had no benefits or odds of winning such genius.
Of course, with a comparison, there would be the injury. Especially when Wei Renjie was repeatedly mentioning Lou Cheng. He was facing a great amount of torture and jealousy.
"Lou Cheng's future is not at Xiushan... " Chu Wei said, half sighing.
After yesterday, together with Lou Cheng, the name of Gushan Martial Arts School was now the black horse that everyone in the province now knew. His promotional value was definitely more than a million!
This was the advantage of being friends first!
Wei Renjie listened intently and felt a surge of emotions. "Yes, you're right. The pond is too small for such a big fish."
Match after match, Lou Cheng finally got the sign from the staff that he should leave his lounge. He walked, and with many pairs of eyes staring at him, he stepped up on to the arena. Xing Jingjing was already standing there. She was wearing a set of black martial arts suit, making her skin look even fairer and colder.
Seeing her, Lou Cheng suddenly thought of something his girlfriend had earlier said.
Sister Jingjing's supernatural ability stemmed from fear. It was fear and mind to avoid danger.