NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Facing Tianhai Academy
"Captain, you're amazing! Looks like the championship is already in the bag!"
As Jing Shaoyu returned to his teammates, Xie Xie gave him a big thumbs-up, full of admiration.
"Haha, not quite, not quite," Jing Shaoyu replied modestly, smiling.
"Not quite?!" Xie Xie exclaimed. "I feel like your willow alone could sweep the whole youth division, not to mention that terrifying carnivorous flower. I just can't imagine how soul masters under fifteen can handle two thousand-year spirit beasts!"
"Exactly!" Tang Wulin agreed eagerly, nodding.
"Alright, you two," Xu Xiaoyan interrupted, a bit annoyed, "let him have lunch and rest! We have a team match this afternoon."
"Hehe, Xiaoyan's protective!" Xie Xie teased with a mischievous grin, making Xu Xiaoyan even more annoyed.
"Move it!" came Gu Yue's cold voice.
"Yes, heading back to the hotel!" Xie Xie straightened up immediately, pulling Tang Wulin along at a brisk pace.
Seeing this, Jing Shaoyu couldn't help but comment, "Gu Yue's authority truly goes deep."
"Hmph!" Gu Yue gave a slightly unnatural huff at Jing Shaoyu's words, then turned and left.
Jing Shaoyu and Xu Xiaoyan exchanged a look, both of them chuckling before following Gu Yue's lead.
---
Tianhai Grand Hotel, Dining Hall
It was a rare sight for Jing Shaoyu and his four teammates to sit at one table for a meal.
"Captain, what's the strategy for this afternoon's match?" Tang Wulin asked eagerly. "Are Xie Xie and I leading the charge again, like in the previous rounds?"
"Hehe, I'd love to!" Xie Xie joined in excitedly.
Jing Shaoyu considered it. Their strategy had worked well so far, and even though this was the third round of the five-person team match, there was no need to reveal too many cards. Xu Xiaoyan had yet to enter the fray, adding an air of mystery that could unsettle future opponents.
"But our opponents this round are from Tianhai Academy," Xu Xiaoyan reminded them. "Three of them are members of Tianhai Academy's second team, so we can't underestimate them."
"Oh, really?" Jing Shaoyu was surprised, and Tang Wulin and Xie Xie turned to Xu Xiaoyan, also intrigued.
"Yes!" Xu Xiaoyan nodded. "I saw the roster for Tianhai Academy's seven-person youth team this year, and three names match our opponents' this afternoon."
The "second team" was shorthand for the junior division at Tianhai Academy, in contrast to the senior division team, called the first team. Academies as prestigious as Tianhai and Hailu commonly used this structure to differentiate junior and senior teams, reflecting both their organizational strength and the quality of their student body.
For Donghai Academy, however, such a system wasn't yet necessary.
"So, should we adjust our strategy, considering they're from Tianhai's second team?" Xie Xie asked. "After all, Tianhai Academy's second team won last year's youth division team championship."
"No..." Jing Shaoyu was about to respond when Gu Yue spoke up unexpectedly.
"This afternoon, Shaoyu and I will handle it alone. The rest of you don't need to move."
"Huh?" The other four were taken aback, all looking at Gu Yue with confusion. But Gu Yue didn't seem inclined to explain, giving Jing Shaoyu a look that he could interpret for himself, then promptly left.
Jing Shaoyu was left puzzled.
"Captain, Vice Captain, what's going on?" Tang Wulin asked, scratching his head. Jing Shaoyu gave a wry smile. "Since she's already said it, let's go with her plan."
He couldn't fully understand Gu Yue's intent. Could it be...?
---
Afternoon, Tianhai Grand Arena
The arena was packed, even more so than during the individual matches in the morning. Team battles were undoubtedly more exciting, a fact that attracted the crowd.
The arena's three battle platforms were all set up for the third round of the five-person team match. Sixteen teams would compete for eight spots, divided into three groups: the first two groups with three matches and the last with two.
Donghai Academy was facing Tianhai Academy on the central platform, the largest one.
Jing Shaoyu and his team stood ready on the platform, with Instructor Long Hengxu cheering them on from below. This trip to Tianhai City had been an undeniable triumph for Long Hengxu, who felt nothing short of vindicated. In a quiet corner of the audience, Wu Zhangkong and a gray-haired woman watched the match closely.
Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue stood at the forefront, with Tang Wulin and Xie Xie behind them, followed by Xu Xiaoyan, who gazed at the front two, puffing her cheeks in slight frustration.
With a calm expression, Gu Yue met the eyes of Tianhai Academy's five-person team. Their leader, Bi Ran, flanked by Wu Hanyu and Lei Jun, were all junior members of Tianhai Academy's second team—a Soul Elder and two Soul Grandmasters. Their spirits were Iron Wave Shield, Thunder Wolf, and Thunder Elemental Spirit, with soul power levels of 31, 27, and 28, respectively.
Standing behind them were the Wang sisters, Wang Sicheng and Wang Nianxi, both Control-type Soul Grandmasters with 25 and 24 levels of soul power and a unique Golden Ring spirit.
Bi Ran, Wu Hanyu, and Lei Jun eyed Jing Shaoyu cautiously. A Soul Elder who could summon a thousand-year spirit beast was a formidable opponent, especially given his youth.
Their strategy was straightforward: neutralize Jing Shaoyu, then pick off the rest of Donghai Academy's team. They believed that once Jing Shaoyu fell, the others would crumble.
Gu Yue would have scoffed at their plan.
"Prepare yourselves!" the referee announced, glancing between the two teams.
Both teams remained steady, with Tianhai Academy forming a standard battle formation. Bi Ran, as the defense specialist, led at the front, followed by Wu Hanyu and Lei Jun as attackers, while the Wang sisters anchored the rear.
Donghai Academy's setup was unconventional. Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue were in front, with Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Xu Xiaoyan in the back—a stark contrast to their previous rounds.
Bi Ran frowned slightly, noting Donghai's change in formation. He hadn't expected Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue to take the lead. Was Jing Shaoyu planning to summon that thousand-year plant spirit beast again?
If so, they would need to act swiftly to take him down before he completed the summoning.
"Let the battle begin!" the referee announced.
"Move!" Bi Ran shouted.
With a roar, he charged forward, shield in hand, followed by Wu Hanyu and Lei Jun, their bodies crackling with lightning. The Wang sisters cast supportive spirit skills from the rear, golden rings gleaming above Wu Hanyu and Lei Jun.
But Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue didn't flinch. Gu Yue took Jing Shaoyu's hand, turning into his embrace, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. Then, a blinding silver light exploded, covering the entire platform.
"Roar—!"
A deep, resonant dragon roar echoed through the arena. Spectators watched in awe as a beautiful, seven-colored dragon materialized above the platform. Hovering mid-air, it gazed down with
majestic, multicolored eyes, exuding an aura of supreme authority.
The Origin Dragon God had descended!
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