At dawn's first light, Tianhai City stirred awake.
Cool sea-scented breezes swept through its streets, early risers already bustling toward another day.
Near Tianhai Stadium, competitors from across the alliance prepared for the day's finals.
Fang Yang stood by his hotel window, watching the sky brighten,
a faint smile playing on his lips.
He'd "miraculously" claimed the Youth Singles Championship—a victory that sent Donghai City and Donghai Academy into euphoria.
"Fang Yang—we're leaving," Gu Yue's cool voice called from the hall.
"Coming," he stepped out.
In the corridor, Class Zero stood ready.
Xie Xie waved dramatically: "Lord Champion! Finally gracing us with your presence!"
"Cut the act, Xie Xie," Fang Yang laughed, lightly punching his shoulder. "Where's Tang Wulin?"
"Dragged off by Senior Sister Mu Xi again," Xu Xiaoyan reported. "It's the Finals of the Forging Championship—he's going all out for the title!"
"He'll crush it," Zhang Yangzi added confidently.
Fang Yang nodded, unshaken in Tang Wulin's forging prowess.
His "lucky" championship? It began after his annihilation of Ye Xinglan.
With only Class Zero left in Singles, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, and even Xu Xiaoyan voluntarily forfeited to avoid humiliation.
"This… violates tournament rules!" the organizer stammered.
"We choose to forfeit—where's the violation?" Xie Xie retorted, smug.
Reluctantly, the organizers accepted the unprecedented sweep:
- Fang Yang: Champion
- Gu Yue: Runner-up
- Tang Wulin: Third Place
- Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi: Ranks 4–7
"Most absurd Singles bracket ever!" staff still whispered in awe.
"Donghai Academy monopolized the top seven!"
---
"Let's go," Fang Yang rallied. "The team matches await!"
They marched toward Tianhai Stadium, spirits high.
---
Meanwhile, VIP Box 7 overlooked the arena—floor-to-ceiling soul-guided glass displaying any live or past match.
Wu Zhangkong stood impeccable in white, ice-blue hair flowing.
Beside him, Shen Yi—Shrek's escort teacher, his junior sister—snow-white hair cascading, emerald eyes gleaming with bittersweet joy.
"Zhangkong… it's been years," Shen Yi murmured, voice thick with longing.
"Hm. Shen Yi," he replied—frosty, yet softer than usual.
Shen Yi's heart ached.
Once, she'd trailed him as a giggling junior sister. Now? Only formal names remained.
"That student of yours—how did he so easily defeat Xinglan?"
She leaned closer, curious. "Ye Xinglan is a Disciple who was internally designated to join the Inner Court!"
"His martial soul is Elemental Flame," Wu Zhangkong stated flatly. "Beyond that—I know little."
"Elemental Flame… indeed." Shen Yi smiled wryly, then sighed. "Do you still resent them? The truth of that day—"
"Enough," Wu Zhangkong cut her off.
"I resent no one—only myself," his voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm a walking corpse. I live only to find a way to revive her."
("Too simple!" Tang San's voice echoed distantly. "Rise, my love!")
"Bing'er… I've found the way. Wait for me—I'll ascend and resurrect you!" Wu Zhangkong vowed inwardly.
"You haven't changed…" Shen Yi sighed.
"Would you love me if I had?" His eyes froze over.
Shen Yi chuckled softly. "No. Then you wouldn't be the 'Azure Blade of Ice' who made Long Bing fall so deeply."
Wu Zhangkong fell silent, gaze distant, memories flickering in his eyes.
After a long pause: "I visited her recently."
"You returned to Tian Dou?" Shen Yi's eyes sharpened.
"Will you never come back to the Academy? Master was heartbroken when you left…"
"I… have no face to face Master," Wu Zhangkong whispered, guilt-ridden.
Shen Yi studied him. "You're grooming these children… as penance for Master?"
"Unfortunately…" He shook his head. "My two best—Fang Yang and Gu Yue—joined the Spirit Pagoda."
"Ah…" Shen Yi winced. "Shrek is neutral—but unless they join the Tang Sect, the Inner Court forbids allegiance to other factions."
(Such was the "neutrality" of the righteous Shrek Academy!)
"Yes. A pity," Wu Zhangkong murmured.
"I invited them to the Tang Sect… they refused."
Shen Yi hesitated, then asked gently:
"Zhangkong—Master misses you terribly. Won't you visit him?"
"I…" Pain flickered in his eyes. "I've wronged him too deeply."
"You're wrong," Shen Yi insisted.
"Only by apologizing in person can you earn his forgiveness."
"…Must it be me alone?" he whispered.
"Yes. Only you."
Shen Yi smiled faintly. "I'll wait for that day…"
Wu Zhangkong said nothing, eyes fixed on the arena.
Shen Yi saw the crack in his resolve—and held her peace.
Silence settled between them, the stadium's distant cheers echoing, two souls suspended between past and present—familiar, yet achingly distant.
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