NOVEL NEXT Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Finals of the Junior Division
The following few days of competition passed peacefully for Jing Shaoyu.
Firstly, there was the Junior Division of the Designer Competition, in which Jing Shaoyu won the championship without question. As a Level 4 Designer, he was leagues ahead of his peers, making his victory unsurprising.
Next, the Junior Division of the Soul Master Tournament saw Jing Shaoyu advancing to the final match, where he would face none other than Gu Yue. In what could only be described as fate, Xie Xie's concerns did not materialize, and both Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue reached the finals of the Junior Division's Individual Competition, securing East Sea Academy's place as the biggest winner of this event.
Finally, in the Junior Division's Five-Person Team Competition, the East Sea Academy squad also made it to the finals. The previous matches had gone smoothly, with Xu Xiaoyan still not having the chance to participate, which left her somewhat dissatisfied. To ensure her trip wasn't in vain, they'd already planned their strategy for the final match to include her.
Their opponents for the final were the team from Hailu Academy, the academy widely regarded as the strongest overall contender in this year's Tianhai Federation Tournament. Their captain was none other than Wang Dongqi, who had been defeated by Gu Yue in the individual tournament, along with the sisters Zhou Tian'er and Zhou Hanyou, both of whom had been knocked out by Jing Shaoyu.
Soon, the final day of the Junior Division matches arrived.
The Tianhai Grand Stadium was packed with spectators, all excitedly awaiting the day's events. Today would see the crowning of champions in four categories: Junior Division Individual Champion, Three-Person Team Champion, Five-Person Team Champion, and, most prestigious of all, the Seven-Person Team Champion!
As many spectators believed, watching the earlier rounds was optional, but missing the final was unthinkable! No matter how exciting the earlier matches were, losing in the last round would make a competitor seem like a clown.
To ensure the Junior Division finals received maximum attention, the competitions for the Youth and Adult Divisions were put on hold. Thus, only a single large arena was set up for all four finals today.
In the morning, five minutes before the Junior Individual Finals, Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue separated at the competitors' area, each walking to opposite sides of the stage. Behind them were Xu Xiaoyan, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie, along with the very excited Long Hengxu.
For East Sea Academy's Intermediate Division, this year's tournament was an overwhelming success, with at least one guaranteed championship title. Long Hengxu was already imagining his return to East Sea City with the prospect of promotions, raises, and respect in the air—a thrilling thought indeed.
Wu Zhangkong was also present, though he kept to a corner of the stands, accompanied by Shrek Academy's teacher, Shen Yi.
As Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue approached the arena from opposite sides, the crowd erupted in cheers. This final was full of appeal. Both contestants were from East Sea Academy, teammates on the same squad, and even possessed a Martial Soul Fusion ability together. This compelling "rivals-in-arms" dynamic was incredibly enticing to spectators who loved drama.
However, the audience was in for a disappointment, as both Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue had their own plans.
For the first time in the history of the Tianhai Federation Tournament, both contestants in the final declared forfeits. The referee was stunned.
Yes, as soon as the referee signaled the start of the match, both Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue simultaneously declared their surrender. Neither wanted to fight the other; each wished to yield the championship to their companion. This unexpected turn of events was anticipated by both of them, and they exchanged knowing smiles, sharing a deep understanding.
Gu Yue's body shimmered with a silvery light before she vanished from the arena, leaving Jing Shaoyu smiling and shaking his head. In the end, Gu Yue had the advantage; mastery over spatial elements had its perks.
Seeing Gu Yue voluntarily leave the arena, the referee was overjoyed and immediately stepped forward to announce, "I hereby declare the champion of the Junior Division Individual Competition in this year's Tianhai Federation Tournament to be Jing Shaoyu!"
The announcement was quick and eager, as though fearing that Jing Shaoyu might leave the stage as well.
Jing Shaoyu chuckled. This title was a gift from Gu Yue, so there was no way he would refuse it.
The sequence of events was so swift that the audience fell into a brief silence, only to erupt in an uproar afterward. There were curses, disappointment, frustration, and disbelief, all culminating in a single sentiment: "Refund!"
This reaction was understandable. The spectators had come in high spirits to see an exciting match, only to be met with this anticlimactic ending. Their frustration was only natural.
However, this was of no concern to Jing Shaoyu. The tournament committee was the one with a headache now, as his and Gu Yue's actions were completely within the rules. There was nothing in the rulebook against forfeiting. It was simply that no one had ever anticipated that both finalists might choose to forfeit.
It was likely that, after today, the committee would be amending the rules.
"Your disciples are certainly amusing," Shen Yi remarked to Wu Zhangkong with a chuckle.
"Yes," Wu Zhangkong replied with a nod, "but choosing to forfeit in a major competition means they'll face double the training when we return."
"Ah…" Shen Yi's expression turned a bit awkward, feeling she might have unintentionally brought up a sore topic.
When Jing Shaoyu returned to his teammates, Xu Xiaoyan beamed and exclaimed, "Brother Shaoyu, that's amazing—another championship title!"
"Haha, but my goal is to win three championships, so I'll be counting on you to perform in the afternoon, Miss Xiaoyan!" Jing Shaoyu replied with a smile, patting her on the head.
"Alright, kids, let's head back to the hotel to rest. We have a big match coming up in the afternoon!" Long Hengxu said cheerfully as he joined them. He didn't care about the peculiar scene on the stage; as long as East Sea Academy held the championship title, the specifics were irrelevant.
"Yes!" the group replied in unison.
In the afternoon, the Tianhai Grand Stadium was as packed as ever. Despite the unexpected outcome of the morning's individual finals, anticipation for the team matches remained high. The Three-Person Team match had been thrilling, with Hailu Academy defeating Ninghai Academy thanks to superior teamwork, despite being evenly matched in skill levels.
The Hailu Academy trio of Wang Dongqi, Zhou Hanyou, and Zhou Tian'er, who had just claimed the Three-Person Team Championship, were also the core members of the Hailu team facing East Sea Academy in the upcoming Five-Person Team Final. This next match promised to be a spectacular showdown, fittingly referred to as the "Duel of the Champions."
As the two teams lined up on the arena stage, the referee took his place between them, his expression stern. "Announce your names."
"East Sea Academy, Jing Shaoyu."
"East Sea Academy, Xu Xiaoyan."
"East Sea Academy, Tang Wulin."
"East Sea Academy, Xie Xie."
"East Sea Academy, Gu Yue."
Following their positions, each member of the East Sea team announced their names in sequence.
"Hailu Academy, Wang Dongqi."
"Hailu Academy, Zhou Hanyou."
"Hailu Academy, Zhou Tian'er."
"Hailu Academy, Zhao Ya."
"Hailu Academy, Dongfang Ningjing."
The five Ha
ilu Academy members were all striking young women, making for a visually pleasing lineup.
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