"Tang San."
A lean, tall figure blocked the mandatory path for the Shrek Academy group's return.
Ma Hongjun looked at the man in the Spirit Hall Academy uniform, his dead fish eyes fixed, "Why does someone always block our path?"
Two days ago it was Huo Wu, and this time it's another.
Yes, this time it wasn't Huo Wu, but the man who often came with a smile to get close, and inexplicably cheered for them during their matches—Feng Xiaotian, the captain of the Spirit Hall Academy team.
Xiao Wu's radar was inexplicably triggered, and she glared at the obstacle.
Tang Sui stood in a line with Ning Rongrong and the others, her expression like she was watching a good show. She glanced at Feng Xiaotian, then at Tang San, whose face was filled with helplessness.
Private duels were not allowed between competing academies, so Tang San wasn't worried about Feng Xiaotian doing anything to him.
Besides, facing Feng Xiaotian was much easier than facing Huo Wu.
"What is it?"
He looked at Feng Xiaotian with a subtle expression.
When the promotion matches first began, Feng Xiaotian often visited the Shrek Academy side. But he hadn't appeared since, and even... he felt that Feng Xiaotian's aura was different this time? Su Dan Novel Network.
Thinking of Huo Wu, who had been blocking them, their siblings, every few days, Tang San turned his head, pulled his heartless sister from Ning Rongrong's arm, and placed his hands seemingly gently on Tang Sui's shoulders. In reality, he used a bit of force, rendering Tang Sui immobile. On the surface, he smiled insincerely at Feng Xiaotian and said:
"If you're still here to block my sister and me because of Huo Wu, you can see for yourself, my sister has recovered very well. Please tell Miss Huo Wu of the Blazing Academy not to worry anymore."
Tang Sui, dragged into the mess: ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ
Brother, your talent for talking nonsense has improved again. You know perfectly well why they're here to block you!
"I'm not here for that."
Feng Xiaotian shook his head, his voice carrying a hint of restraint and suppression, "The draw has been made. Tomorrow, you and our Spirit Hall Academy will be opponents."
"Oh?"
Tang San gazed at Feng Xiaotian. Just as the Master had predicted, Shrek Academy's luck wasn't good. After facing Lightning Academy, they would face another strong opponent, and it was likely the most powerful opponent in this competition besides their Shrek Academy.
"So, you're here specifically to inform us that we'll be facing each other tomorrow?" Tang San said deliberately.
Feng Xiaotian's eyes twitched. He stared at the pretending-to-be-clueless Tang San. The playful expression was long gone from his eyes, replaced by seriousness. "Tang San, you just fought with Lightning today, and I don't want to take advantage of you. Tomorrow, I will be the first to appear, and I hope you will be too. Let the two of us decide who will be the final champion of the promotion matches. If I lose, Spirit Hall Academy will voluntarily concede."
He said this to Tang San with utmost seriousness.
Tang San was stunned for a moment. From Feng Xiaotian's tone, he clearly heard a hint of killing intent.
He didn't understand why the guy who used to smile so often had suddenly become so serious. But at this moment, Feng Xiaotian exuded an oppressive aura, along with a trace of hostility.
Tang Sui, caught in the middle, wore an expressionless face, dutifully serving as her background.
The gazes of the other Shrek Academy members were also focused on Tang San, none of them looking away.
The atmosphere became stiff for a few seconds, and Tang San was the first to shake his head, "I'm sorry, I cannot agree to this."
A single match to decide the victor held no loss for Shrek Academy. Dai Mubai was heavily injured and clearly couldn't participate in tomorrow's match, a significant blow to Shrek Academy.
But even so, Tang San did not agree to Feng Xiaotian's request lightly.
"Tang San, aren't you brave enough?" Feng Xiaotian's eyes took on a piercing sharpness and provocation. He almost danced on Tang San's lightning, continuing, "As an older brother, aren't you going to hide behind your sister forever?"
Tang Sui's eyes flickered slightly, and she glanced over calmly. Tang San's pupils contracted for a moment, his demeanor sharpened, and there was a brief pause, but he quickly returned to normal.
"We are a team, and I cannot decide the choices of my teammates with my own will. I can only represent myself, not the entire Shrek Academy team," Tang San said calmly, playing to his strengths.
Feng Xiaotian looked at the unyielding Tang San, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, "Tang San, you're a coward. I don't want to hear these excuses! I just want to have a fair fight with you. Like Dai Mubai and Yu Tianxin today, a good and satisfying battle to see who's better!"
"Agree to it, Xiao San."
Supported by Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, who hadn't fully recovered despite Tang Sui's second spirit ability, spoke weakly.
"I can see that Feng Xiaotian is serious and won't resort to tricks. Since that's the case, what's wrong with giving him a battle between men? Moreover, if I'm not mistaken, his request should be related to that Huo Wu."
Dai Mubai, who had once been surrounded by flowers but still possessed a sharp eye, cut to the chase.
Feng Xiaotian remained silent but didn't deny it, clearly revealing his thoughts had been guessed correctly by Dai Mubai.
However, he wasn't selfishly deciding the honor of the entire academy on his own. This decision was made after discussions with the academy teachers who led them and his teammates.
—Aside—
Actually, I initially considered Feng Xiaotian as the male lead, but looking at the outline, alas, it wasn't suitable. This also relates to the subsequent plot, abba abba.