Wang Jinxi's tone turned cold. "What Xie Xie means is that this arrogant attitude of yours is actually bringing shame to Shrek."
He was calmer than Xie Xie. He knew he couldn't directly provoke Shrek Academy. But the girl's veiled remarks were truly infuriating, so he chose to phrase his response more carefully.
"Shrek's glory — we will defend it with our strength. Outsiders have no right to criticize us!"
Ye Xinglan's gaze grew even colder. Her eyes swept over the group as if looking down at a bunch of ignorant frogs at the bottom of a well. Although she didn't belittle them directly, the implied meaning in her words was clear enough — in her eyes, the people before she weren't even qualified to evaluate Shrek.
"Strength?" Xie Xie suddenly laughed, but there was no warmth in it. "So Shrek doesn't just teach combat skills — it also teaches this art of 'looking down your nose at people,' huh? No wonder you and those two before are so self-righteous."
He exaggeratedly tilted his head back. "I'm impressed, I'm impressed. I really have to admit defeat in this aspect."
"You—" Ye Xinglan raised an eyebrow, a cold glint flashing in her eyes as her spirit power began to stir around her. "All you can do is run your mouth!"
"What? Can't argue, so you want to fight? Bring it on — you think I'm afraid of you?"
Xie Xie didn't back down either.
Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, a faint, indescribable cold suddenly enveloped the entire space, causing both Xie Xie and Ye Xinglan's movements to pause simultaneously.
Ye Xinglan keenly sensed that the spirit power around her was as if trapped in an invisible quagmire, being silently dissolved by some kind of power. Her pupils contracted slightly.
She looked around in surprise and suspicion, eventually locking her gaze on the blue-haired boy who had been silently watching the exchange.
Was it him?
"Xie Xie — mind the influence."
Huo Yuhao stepped forward, shielding the others. A deep light flashed in his ice-blue eyes. "We're in the spectator stands."
His voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it made the disapproving glances from around them pause and instinctively look away.
Only then did Xie Xie notice the frowning expressions of the surrounding spectators. He shrank his neck.
"Sorry, Boss. I got a bit carried away."
Tang Wulin silently walked to Xie Xie's side and said to Ye Xinglan: "Student Ye — we respect Shrek, but respect is a two-way street. Since we can't agree, let's not talk. You probably have things to do, don't you?"
"Yes." Xu Lizhi finally found an opening to speak. He quickly said: "Xinglan — we're up soon. We should get back."
Ye Xinglan took a deep breath. Her gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao for a moment, then she snorted coldly and turned to leave.
"Watch closely. You're about to see Shrek's strength firsthand. When that happens — you will apologize for insulting the academy's reputation!"
The last two words were spoken with emphasis, echoing in the corridor as her departing figure faded away.
Xu Lizhi shot an apologetic look at the group, then followed.
Gu Yuena had stopped eating at some point, gazing at Ye Xinglan's retreating figure.
She'd lost her appetite.
"Is there something wrong with that woman's head?"
Xie Xie was still angry at Ye Xinglan's arrogant attitude. "Sharing food is considered malicious? She probably poisonous-tests cafeteria food before eating it too, doesn't she?"
Getting no response, Xie Xie looked around at the others in surprise. He saw them looking back with complex expressions.
Huo Yuhao spoke first. "Xie Xie — I know you were speaking for us. But if you keep this up, I'm worried you'll... die young."
He admitted — he couldn't match Xie Xie's taunting ability.
Tang Wulin and the others nodded in agreement.
"You should probably focus on practicing your speed instead of your attack. Only if you're fast enough can you survive."
Wang Jinxi patted Xie Xie's shoulder, his expression sincere.
"Seriously — the lethality of your mouth is worth the six of us combined. Not even Yuhao and Gu Yuena can match you in this area. If you ever face an enemy alone one day... sigh."
Openly mocking Shrek Academy... Xie Xie really dared to do it.
Xie Xie also gradually realized. "I just said a few things — not a big deal, right? It's not like Shrek's elders would target me for that?"
Xu Xiaoyan thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"I doubt it."
For little students like them, what elder would lower themselves to target them?
"Right." Xie Xie shrugged. "I really don't get why that Ye girl is so proud. Just because she's a Shrek student?"
There were so many staff members at the Spirit Transmission Tower, yet he had never seen any of them constantly giving others dirty looks.
They were strangers. If you had some advice, couldn't you just tell Xu Lizhi privately? Why did you have to say it publicly?
"Because she does indeed has that strength, right?" Xu Xiaoyan said. "The purpose of Shrek students coming here is only one, isn't it?"
Xie Xie furrowed his brow, understanding. "True — being able to represent Shrek in the exhibition match at ten years old, their strength certainly isn't weak."
Just as they finished speaking, the broadcast timely announced: "Today marks the beginning of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition. We are very honored to have invited an elite team from Shrek Academy to engage in a unique match with our Tianhai Alliance team."
"In light of Shrek Academy's strong strength, our Tianhai Alliance's last seven-person championship team from the youth division will challenge Shrek Academy's seven-person junior team. Without further ado, let's welcome the Tianhai Academy representative team and the Shrek Academy representative team to the stage!"
The entire venue erupted into thunderous cheers.
Last year's youth division champions against the junior division?
Xu Xiaoyan was somewhat surprised. "They didn't send last year's junior division champions? The youth division... they have Soul Kings, don't they?"
The Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition was held every three years. Last year's youth division champions were all adults over twenty — and included Soul Kings.
Xie Xie also frowned. "Playing it safe like this is one thing. But if they lose..."
They'll lose face completely.
Representing the Tianhai Alliance were last year's youth division champions — seven students from Tianhai Academy.
They wore uniform silver uniforms, all looking particularly spirited. The team consisted of five males and two females. Their steps were synchronized, their movements revealing well-trained tacit understanding. Everyone appeared full of energy, their eyes sparkling with eagerness.
And from the other side of the stage came those wearing green tracksuits. Among them, Xie Xie spotted four familiar figures.
Yu Longheng, Ning Yue, Ye Xinglan, and Xu Lizhi.
The moment they noticed the four, Ye Xinglan seemed to sense something and turned her head. Her delicate chin lifted slightly, her neck forming a graceful arc, looking down on everyone like a proud swan.
Yu Longheng noticed Ye Xinglan's movement and shifted his gaze toward Huo Yuhao. His eyes narrowed at once, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.
So, we meet again… Huo Yuhao.
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