"Should we go all out?"
Huo Yuhao's expression was utterly serious. Facing their old rivals, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, he treated them with the utmost gravity.
To speak frankly, only four teams in this tournament could realistically stop them from claiming the championship: Shrek Academy, Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, the Body Sect (disguised as Snow Demon Sect), and the Holy Spirit Church.
At that thought, he glanced subtly at Chen Junting.
Well… maybe him too.
Chen Junting gave a faint, serene smile. "No need."
Just three simple words. The veterans of the team weren't surprised—but Nan Qiuqiu, new to the group, was momentarily stunned.
His tone was gentle as jade, yet his arrogance was overwhelming.
Looking around the room, everyone else seemed to find this perfectly natural.
As team captain, Ning Tian set the tone decisively: "Since our opponent is Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy—whether by Sun Moon's design or their own bad luck—we'll crush them in the next round. Perfect timing: we had a bye in Round One, faced weaklings in Round Two, so let them become the sacrificial offering to announce the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's dominance."
Qin Lan shot up a thumbs-up, grinning cheekily.
"Sis-in-law, you're awesome!"
Then immediately followed with: "Ning Tian, you rock!"
Wu Feng's inner monologue:
'Ning Tian's so cool—I'm screaming!!!'
After discussion, the team decided: since only Xiao Hongchen on the Sun Moon team had broken through to Soul Saint, they'd counter with Huo Yuhao—who possessed equivalent combat strength. Team Captain Ning Tian, along with Chen Junting and Gu Tianchen, would continue watching from the sidelines.
"So who goes first for us?"
"Xin." ×2
Ning Tian and Chen Junting spoke in perfect unison.
"Tsk—Boss and Sis-in-law are too in sync," Qin Lan teased.
Ignoring the jab, they turned to the calm Dugu Xin. "Any issues?"
Before Dugu Xin could answer, Huang Chutian scratched his head innocently. "But isn't Brother Xin a control-type soul master? Wouldn't it be better to save his soul power for the team match?"
The room fell silent.
"Chutian…" Dugu Xin's voice turned icy. "Do you really think the Sun Moon team will have a team match after the individual rounds?"
Huang Chutian: …Okay, that's arrogant—but logical!
"But why send Xin first?" Wu Feng chimed in. "Wouldn't I make a better vanguard?"
"Because we predict that Sun Moon will open with Meng Hongchen," Chen Junting explained. "Her martial soul remains unexposed. With her Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad venom, she can poison opponents unnoticed—securing victory effortlessly."
"Even if they know her secret," Ning Tian added smoothly, "without countermeasures, they're helpless against her toxins. So if we send Xin first, we'll repay them in kind—with Green Viper Venom."
---
Next Morning
"Brother, the situation looks grim," Meng Hongchen said as she and Xiao Hongchen walked toward the arena.
"How's it grim? This is perfect!" Xiao Hongchen clenched his fist, eyes blazing with excitement. "Chen Junting's no longer with Shrek—he's with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect! I'll finally get my revenge!"
"Brother, your big mouth's gonna trip you," Meng Hongchen rolled her eyes. "If he's not holding back, how could you possibly beat him? Honestly, you'll be lucky if you're not left toothless."
Stung by his sister's bluntness, Xiao Hongchen's triumphant expression crumpled. "Meng, can't you have some faith in your big brother? I'm a Soul Saint now—and a Grade 7 soul engineer! Toothless? That's laughable!"
Meng Hongchen sighed. "Brother, wake up. Grandpa said Chen Junting was already a Soul Saint when the exchange tournament ended. And Huo Yuhao's no slouch either—his Ultimate Ice martial soul makes him a solid Soul Saint-level threat."
"I say we forfeit."
"Forfeit?!" Xiao Hongchen gaped. "Meng, are you feverish? Forfeit in front of His Majesty and Grandpa to the Three Great Empires? That'd disgrace the empire!"
"It's strategic surrender," Meng Hongchen insisted. "Our win rate is low. We've already secured enough points for the round-robin stage. Better to conserve strength, then let Shrek and Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect clash later while we reap the benefits—"
"Meng." Xiao Hongchen cut her off, his face grave. "I know you're smarter than me, and surrender is tactically sound. But do you know why Grandpa made me captain—not you?"
Meng Hongchen froze.
"In some cases," Xiao Hongchen said quietly, "victory isn't the point. Remember—this is our home ground. The people expect greatness from us. Losing to Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would hurt, yes—but it's better than forfeiting."
He gripped her shoulders tightly. "If we forfeit, do you grasp the public outrage? A loss means we fought hard—people might grumble, but they'll understand. But forfeiting? His Majesty and Grandpa losing face is the least of our worries!"
His words carried the weight of responsibility.
Meng Hongchen sighed softly, then nodded. She finally saw the difference between them—her thinking was small-minded compared to his.
"Brother, I understand."
"Good." Xiao Hongchen released her, eyes softening. "You'll open the individual matches. With your advantage, you can eliminate two or three before they react. Then I'll go second—if possible, I'll clinch the individual round outright and skip the team match. Besides…"
He glanced at the ominously overcast sky.
"Maybe the heavens favor us today."
"Got it!"
Soon, as teams entered the arena, Xiao Hongchen led his squad to the field—and instantly spotted the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect lounging in their pavilion.
They sat utterly relaxed, radiating effortless confidence.
It was as if they didn't even consider the Sun Moon team worthy of attention.
Just then, Chen Junting noticed the lingering stare. He slowly opened his closed eyes to see Xiao Hongchen striding toward him.
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing." Xiao Hongchen forced a smile, stung by the indifference. "I've just decided to settle our score in this match!"
"Oh? Me specifically?" Chen Junting feigned surprise, then sighed regretfully. "Terribly sorry—but I won't be competing in this elimination round. Still, I've arranged a suitable opponent for you."
"What did you say?!"
Xiao Hongchen's fury exploded.
He trained relentlessly for this rematch—and Chen Junting wouldn't even fight him?!
"Don't be so agitated," Chen Junting said calmly. He patted Xiao Hongchen's clenched fist—and under his touch, the fingers involuntarily loosened, much to Xiao Hongchen's shock.
"Isn't participation what truly matters in tournaments?"
His tone was neutral, devoid of mockery.
Yet Xiao Hongchen fell utterly silent.
After a long pause, he turned and led his team away.
His retreating figure radiated dejection—a stark contrast to Chen Junting's faintly upturned lips.
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