Whoosh—!
Like a gust of wind, Elder Xuan vanished.
"Junior Brother Chen, you've got real guts," Bei Bei said, joining Chen Junting with a mix of awe and amusement.
Chen Junting exchanged a knowing smile with Ning Tian. "It was worth a try. Worst case, Elder Xuan scolds me. Best case? Xiao Feng and Senior He get to compete—win-win."
"True enough," Xu Sanshi agreed, arms crossed. He added shamelessly, "Take after me—thick skin pays off! Look at Nannan now—she's practically accepted me!"
"Hah—!"
The group's faces darkened. Chen Junting's eye twitched. Was Xu Sanshi insulting himself… or insulting everyone else?
"Xu Sanshi!" Jiang Nannan's face flushed crimson. Her right leg snapped up—then crashed into Xu Sanshi's chest like a whip.
"Agh!"
Xu Sanshi flew five meters before scrambling upright with a handspring. Then—unbelievably—he thumbed up. "Nannan, your strength's amazing!"
Jiang Nannan's teeth gnashed. If not for the crowd, she'd bury herself in a hole to escape this humiliation.
The others winced.
"How can Sanshi be so shameless!?" Bei Bei groaned.
Chen Junting pointed at Xu Sanshi—now eating kicks from a furious Jiang Nannan while praising her strength—and deadpanned, "I think pairing Senior Xu with Sister Nannan was a mistake. He's gotten worse."
"Senior Bei Bei, let's just leave," Wang Dong pleaded, unable to watch. "We're reserve team members now—we should celebrate!"
"Oh?" Wu Feng sidled up, eyes gleaming. "Is Young Master Wang treating us?"
"Absolutely!" Wang Dong puffed his chest. "Spent a fortune at the gala, but I've still got cash for dinner!"
"No need to go out," Bei Bei chuckled. "Xiao Ya's prepared a feast for us. Come to my place."
Xu Sanshi, nursing his bruises, smirked. "Hope it's not takeout reheated again…"
Bei Bei's smile turned dark.
"Nannan, Sanshi once told me…"
Another scream echoed through the arena.
---
Sea God Pavilion
"Elder Mu, that's how it went," Xuan Zi reported, detailing the Outer Sect's selection tournament—and Chen Junting's proposal.
"Heh… these kids care deeply for each other," Mu En murmured, reclining with a faint smile.
Xuan Zi pressed, "Elder Mu, what's your decision?"
"Why refuse?" Mu En countered. "Does the tournament cap team sizes?"
"No," Xuan Zi admitted. Smaller academies rarely fielded strong teams anyway—most sent whoever was available. Even with extra members, their weakness and the tournament's rules made victory impossible.
"Exactly," Mu En said. "As Chen Junting said—those not eliminated deserve rewards. Letting them join broadens their horizons."
He paused, expression turning grave. "Besides… those Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect kids might not even compete next tournament. Sun Moon Empire's pushing to include sects in the next Continental Team Competition."
Xuan Zi's face hardened. "Next tournament's in Ming Du, Sun Moon's capital! They're scheming, aren't they?"
"Perhaps." Mu En rose slowly. "After talks with the sect and intel from the Three Empires, Sun Moon's itching for war—likely within twenty years."
"You mean… they'll use the tournament to scout us?"
Mu En didn't answer. Sun Moon's plans were deeper than mere reconnaissance. A trap, perhaps?
"Then let's stop them!" Xuan Zi urged. "If they want it, we block it!"
"Impossible." Mu En's gaze sharpened. "Don't underestimate human nature. Just as Shrek's honor drives you, sects will seize glory—even at great risk. They won't pass up fame for caution."
Xuan Zi feigned ignorance. "Elder Mu, I'm just a simple man. You handle the politics—I'll go prepare training drills for the kids."
He vanished in a blink.
Mu En sighed. His time was short. He could only hope Zhang Lexuan would mature before his end.
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