Hu Liena's personality was something Xie Yue understood well. The more Yan acted like this, the more she disliked it.
Fortunately, the three of them had grown up together, and Hu Liena regarded Yan as a brother. This prevented her feelings from escalating into full-blown disgust. However, there was no chance she could ever like someone like Yan romantically.
Hu Liena was peculiar in her affections. The better you treated her, the less she valued you. Conversely, if you showed her disdain, she'd throw herself at you like a moth to a flame, even willing to betray Spirit Hall and her teacher, Bibi Dong.
It was maddening, to say the least.
"Let's go. Our match is about to begin. Let's wrap it up quickly and then focus on watching Shrek Academy's battle," Xie Yue said, shaking off his strange thoughts. He shot Yan another glance before heading toward the arena.
Meanwhile, over at the Emperor Team, the atmosphere was tense.
Their familiarity with Shrek Academy was undeniable—after all, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had defected to join Shrek!
"Boss, Yanzi and Lingling might be competing later. What if we…"
Before Yu Feng could finish, Oslo clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Shut up, idiot!" Oslo hissed, his face dark with irritation. Does this guy ever learn?
Mentioning Dugu Yan in front of Yu Tianheng was like poking a bear.
Oslo still remembered how devastated Yu Tianheng had been back then. The proud young man had cried inconsolably for over a month, unable to regain his focus despite the efforts of his teammates, their mentor Qin Ming, or even his grandfather, Yu Yuanzhen, the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Yuanzhen had even come to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy personally to lecture Yu Tianheng. But none of it had worked.
Everyone had feared Yu Tianheng would sink into despair permanently—until Yu Feng stepped in.
What did Yu Feng say? Something so devastatingly blunt that it snapped Yu Tianheng out of his funk. Of course, the cost was Yu Feng being soundly beaten for his trouble.
His words? Something about Dugu Yan being better off with Dai Mubai.
Ever since then, Yu Tianheng had thrown himself into training, vowing to one day defeat Dai Mubai and…
"I may not be able to beat them now, but I'll keep working. Yanzi, wait for me!" Yu Tianheng clenched his fists, glaring daggers in Dai Mubai's direction. Watching Dugu Yan holding onto Dai Mubai's arm, he ground his teeth so hard he nearly broke them.
What he didn't realize was that the idealized "forest" he yearned for… spent every morning and night alongside someone else.
Yu Tianheng had watched every one of Shrek's matches so far. He knew full well he couldn't beat Dai Mubai. He might not even be able to best Tang San. But for the sake of his goal, he'd train harder than ever before.
"We may not be able to defeat these Shrek monsters, but the Empire's honor forbids us from surrendering. Do your best, leave the rest to fate, and give it your all!" Qin Ming encouraged his team.
As a former student of Shrek Academy, Qin Ming was thrilled to see his alma mater's growth. He had already discussed with the three Heaven Dou Imperial Academy deans his plan to return to Shrek Academy once his students graduated.
Qin Ming owed everything to Shrek Academy, and with the school in need of manpower, he had no intention of shirking his responsibility, even if it meant disappointing the deans.
The Emperor Team: "…"
Watching Qin Ming's joyful expression, Yu Tianheng and the others felt utterly defeated.
Sure, Shrek Academy was his former school. But did he have to be so happy when his current students were about to get trounced?
"We may not be able to defeat Shrek Academy? Do your best and leave it to fate? Are you rooting for us, or them?"
They wanted to complain but couldn't. Qin Ming's personality was an open book.
If you asked him about training tips, he'd teach you. If you started by praising Shrek Academy, he'd not only teach you but also personally guide you through the solution, smiling all the while.
Learning this, the Emperor Team had quickly adapted. Now, every conversation with Qin Ming began with compliments about Shrek Academy.
As the match drew near, Qin Ming's excitement grew obvious, scratching his head sheepishly as his students rolled their eyes.
"Shouldn't I be happy for my juniors? If you lose to Shrek, it just means they're stronger. It's not your fault," he reassured them.
"Wouldn't it be worse to lose to the Star Luo Imperial Academy? How do you think people back home would see you then?"
Yu Tianheng and the others twitched at his words. Damn, he made too much sense, and they couldn't argue.
Losing to Shrek was almost… dignified. Losing to Star Luo would have been humiliating.
The matches proceeded with fiery intensity. Unlike the preliminary rounds, where several battles occurred simultaneously, the finals featured only four matches a day, each held on a single stage.
Spirit City wasn't like Heaven Dou City, filled with ordinary spectators. Most of Spirit City's residents were spirit masters, with only a small fraction being non-spirit master relatives.
The grand arena of Spirit City could hold 10,000 people, and now it was packed to capacity.
Dai Mubai couldn't help but marvel at Spirit Hall's foundation.
10,000 people, and at least half are spirit masters?
And that didn't even include all the spirit masters residing in Spirit City, let alone those cultivated in secret.
Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could muster a 5,000-strong spirit master army in short order. Spirit Hall's potential was simply on another level.
No wonder Bibi Dong had the confidence to aspire to rule the Douluo Continent. A spirit master army far outclassed any ordinary military force.
This round, Spirit Hall Academy faced Thunder Academy from the Heaven Dou Empire.
Thunder Academy had lost to both Shrek Academy and Godwind Academy during the qualifiers. Ranked third in their division, they had advanced only to fall short yet again.
Godwind Academy, having placed second, enjoyed a bye this round and advanced directly to the next stage.
(End of Chapter)
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