Chapter 346: The Students Only Need to Fight Through Their Injuries, but the Academy Has Much More to Consider
The stands erupted into cheers.
The majority of the spectators were overjoyed by Huo Yuhao's victory, their cheers echoing through the arena.
"Good job, Huo Yuhao! You didn't disappoint us!"
"Huo Yuhao, hurry up and send Shrek Academy packing!"
However, those who had bet on Shrek Academy's victory were now utterly dejected, their faces filled with despair.
Huo Yuhao's win meant that Shrek Academy's chances of victory had plummeted even further. If they couldn't turn the match around, all the money these gamblers had wagered would be completely lost.
On the VIP Stage
Xu Tianran watched as the referee declared Huo Yuhao victorious, a smile forming on his face.
"At critical moments, it's always Huo Yuhao who steps up and puts Shrek Academy in its place. Mirror Hall Master, your Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy has truly produced an outstanding student.
I don't recall ever seeing such a gifted young man from the Sun Moon Empire. He is an absolute genius."
"Your Highness, there is no doubt that Huo Yuhao is a peerless talent." Jing Hongchen nodded, his smile widening as he looked toward the stage.
"Your Highness, from this day forward, the myth of Shrek Academy's invincibility will be shattered by Huo Yuhao!"
On the Shrek Academy Side
"Nannan actually lost?" Cai Mei'er stared at the scene, her face filled with disbelief.
"Even with an assassination weapon personally crafted by Tang San, she still couldn't defeat Huo Yuhao?
The Sun Moon Academy doesn't even have experience training Ultimate Martial Souls, yet Huo Yuhao is already this powerful.
If we bring him to Shrek Academy and train him properly, won't he become even stronger?"
Among Shrek's current team, Jiang Nannan was second only to Xu Sanshi in terms of raw strength.
However, with the Twin Soul Chasing Spheres, Cai Mei'er had been convinced that Jiang Nannan had surpassed even Xu Sanshi, making her the strongest in their lineup.
Her plan had been for Jiang Nannan to defeat Huo Yuhao, crushing his arrogance and making him realize that there were always greater heights to reach.
Then, once his pride was broken, she would persuade him to join Shrek Academy.
But now?
Jiang Nannan had lost.
And with her defeat, Cai Mei'er's plan had crumbled.
Even so, she hadn't given up on recruiting Huo Yuhao.
If he joined Shrek Academy, he wouldn't just become one of their future top experts he could also help Ma Xiaotao suppress her evil fire.
After all, as time passed, Ma Xiaotao's problem would only grow worse.
Shrek Academy had no effective method to suppress the Evil Phoenix Fire, and they couldn't possibly expect Ma Xiaotao to follow in Ma Hongjun's footsteps and visit brothels to relieve her condition.
Xu Sanshi's Determination
Xu Sanshi was shocked as he stared at the battlefield.
However, rather than dwelling on Jiang Nannan's defeat, his biggest concern was her safety.
To him, her well being was far more important than any tournament victory.
Struggling to push himself off the stretcher, he gritted his teeth and said:
"I have to check on Nannan.
If she suffered severe injuries because of Huo Yuhao, then from this day forward, I will be his sworn enemy!"
Although he was injured, He Caitou's Revitalizing Silver Cigar had fully healed his external wounds, leaving only some internal injuries.
Those wouldn't prevent him from walking, but Cai Mei'er had ordered him to stay put and rest.
Now that Jiang Nannan's condition was unknown, his anxiety only grew stronger.
"Xu Sanshi, you're injured. Stay put."
Cai Mei'er immediately stopped him.
"There's still a team battle after the individual matches."
Although competing would worsen Xu Sanshi's internal injuries, Shrek Academy had strict rules.
Unless a competitor was severely injured, they were required to fight all for the sake of Shrek's eternal glory.
And all the students agreed with this philosophy.
For students, it was simple: they just had to fight, no matter how injured they were.
But for the academy, there was far more to consider.
"But, Dean Cai, I'm really worried about Nannan's safety…"
Xu Sanshi hesitated, his concern for Jiang Nannan outweighing everything else.
Cai Mei'er sighed.
"I understand, Xu Sanshi. But you have to think about your own condition too.
Here's what we'll do Wu Feng, Ning Tian, you two go retrieve Jiang Nannan and check on her condition."
Wu Feng and Ning Tian nodded.
"Understood, Dean Cai."
They activated their flying soul tools and swiftly retrieved Jiang Nannan.
Ning Tian examined her and reported:
"Dean Cai, Senior Xu, Jiang Nannan only suffered some external injuries, primarily frostbite.
It seems Huo Yuhao held back, deliberately avoiding serious injury, so as not to weaken our team for the later rounds.
However, the poison mist from the Twin Soul Chasing Spheres is still in effect. We'll need help from Tang Sect, since we don't have the antidote."
Xu Sanshi had mentally prepared himself for Jiang Nannan's injuries, but hearing it confirmed still left him feeling uneasy.
"I was too quick to judge. Huo Yuhao… actually has good character. I misjudged him."
He turned to Ning Tian.
"Find He Caitou and Bei Bei. Tell them we need their help."
"Understood."
Ning Tian rushed toward the Tang Sect waiting area.
Since she lacked healing abilities, she had no choice but to seek out He Caitou and Bei Bei one for treating wounds, the other for neutralizing poisons.
Soon, Bei Bei and He Caitou arrived.
Bei Bei detoxified Jiang Nannan, while He Caitou healed her wounds.
Moments later, she regained consciousness.
Xu Sanshi immediately rushed forward.
"Nannan, are you okay?"
She glanced at him briefly, her expression indifferent.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she replied in a detached tone:
"I'm fine."
Seeing her cold demeanor, Xu Sanshi felt a pang of sadness.
He had always wanted to repair their relationship, but they still hadn't made any progress.
They were so close, yet it felt like there was an uncrossable chasm between them.
If only he hadn't hurt her in the past, maybe she wouldn't treat him this way now.
Forcing a smile, he said:
"That's good. As long as you're okay."
Suppressing his disappointment, he turned to Cai Mei'er.
"Dean Cai, who's going up next? If even the hidden weapons failed against Huo Yuhao, who else can we send?"
Cai Mei'er's expression darkened.
Under the tournament rules, the round robin phase consisted of seven individual matches.
Each win earned the team one point, while winning the team battle awarded five points.
If one person won all seven individual matches, there would be no need for a team battle.
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