If the victories in the previous rounds had turned Lam Minh into a "lucky" phenomenon, his overwhelming win against the "Queen" Mai Tuyet Trinh had transformed him into a hurricane, sweeping through all media outlets and social networks across the ASEAN bloc.
The name Lam Minh topped every search ranking. The hashtag #TheSheepUnmasked became a global trend. People no longer called him "Lucky God," but instead used nicknames filled with awe and curiosity: "The Emperor of Acting," "The Master of Pretense," and the most popular one, "The Tiger in Sheep's Clothing."
The video of the semi-final match was analyzed down to the millisecond. Martial arts experts, military analysts, and physicists were all invited on television to explain what had happened.
"The way he moves, it violates all basic principles of physics," a physics professor said with a bewildered expression. "It's as if he can bend the space around him."
"That final block," a former MMA champion commented, "it wasn't just technique. It contained a kind of power I've never seen before. He didn't just block; he absorbed and completely neutralized his opponent's attack force."
"Minh-ology" was elevated to a new level. People were no longer studying him to find luck, but to uncover the secret behind his terrifying strength. His house was surrounded by reporters 24/7. Mrs. Mai had to slam the door shut and didn't dare to go outside.
Lam Minh, the epicenter of the storm, was surprisingly calm. He took a few days off from school with the excuse of "needing to rest before the finals" and hid in his room, enjoying the fruits of his labor.
[Current Immortality Points: 5800/5000 (to unlock Foundation Establishment Simulation)]
"Finally, enough!" He let out a sigh of relief. "System, unlock the Early-stage Foundation Establishment Simulation for me!"
[CONFIRMED. CONSUMING 5000 IMMORTALITY POINTS.]
[UNLOCK SUCCESSFUL. WISHING THE HOST MANY JOYFUL "DEATH" EXPERIENCES WITH THE NEW OPPONENT!]
"You always love to jinx me, don't you," Lam Minh muttered.
He immediately gave it a try. The scenery was no longer the "Alley of Death," but a dark, gloomy jungle. This time, the opponent was an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Madakaros. It was larger, and its ferocious aura was ten times stronger than the Qi Refining one.
Lam Minh charged in to attack. But a harsh reality presented itself. All the attacks of a Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator were like a mere tickle to it. The Foundation Establishment creature just let out a roar, and a wave of pressure emanating from its body sent him flying. Then, with a single, simple move, it tore him in two.
[Host has revived.]
[Death in Simulation. Killed by an Early-stage Foundation Establishment enemy. Damage level: Torn in half. Received 200 (2000/10) Immortality Points.]
"Ugh... hurts like hell!" Lam Minh clutched his head. Even though it was a simulation, the feeling of being torn apart was incredibly real. "But... 200 points per death! Sweet!"
He threw himself into "suicide" a few more times, quickly accumulating over 1000 points. But he also realized that with his current strength, he stood no chance of winning against this Foundation Establishment creature, even with 30 minutes of [Invulnerability]. He could only harass it a little, not inflict any fatal damage.
"Looks like I need to quickly break through to the Late-stage, and then the Peak-stage," he murmured.
While Lam Minh was busy power-leveling, the media storm surrounding him took a new turn.
Ly Thien Ba, the "Monster" from Asian International High School and his opponent in the finals, held a press conference. In front of hundreds of cameras, with his muscular physique, he took a steel crowbar and bent it with ease.
After this display of power, he looked straight into a camera, his voice full of provocation.
"Lam Minh, I admit you're pretty good. You've fooled everyone. But those tricks won't work on me. My power is real! The power of an Awakened!"
He raised his fist. "In the finals, I won't give you a chance to act. I will crush you from the very first second! I will show the whole world who the truly strongest one is!"
Ly Thien Ba's arrogant challenge immediately caused a storm. The showdown between the "Tiger in Sheep's Clothing" and the "Awakened Monster" was hyped to its peak. This was no longer a high school match; it had become a battle between two schools of power: one mysterious and sophisticated, the other explosive and destructive.
To Quyen called Lam Minh, her voice filled with worry. "Have you seen the news? That Ly Thien Ba guy is so arrogant! You have to be careful."
"I know," Lam Minh replied, his voice still calm.
Quynh Nhu sent a short text: "That guy looks really strong. Don't let him beat you into the hospital, punching bag. It'd be a pain for me to have to visit."
Lam Minh just smiled. He turned off his phone and looked out the window.
An Awakened? Power equivalent to an Early-stage Qi Refining cultivator?
"That's fine," he murmured. "Using you as a warm-up before facing the Foundation Establishment creatures in the simulation isn't a bad idea."
He turned back, his eyes burning with belligerence.
"Ly Thien Ba, I hope you won't disappoint me."
The final match of the century. The whole world was waiting.