Chapter 252: Entrance Conflict, Old Grudges Resurface
As time passed, the massive competition arena was now packed with spectators.
Han Li, Xue Ye, and the other high profile guests did not enter through the main entrance. Instead, they used a reserved passageway and were already waiting in the backstage lounge. They had yet to appear in the VIP stands.
The participating academies, however, did not receive such special treatment.
Though they entered through a separate passage from the audience, they still had to walk under the public's gaze, essentially serving as a showcase for the competitors.
"So many people…"
Even after training at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Tang San's group aside from Ning Rongrong and Dai Mubai still felt uneasy under such scrutiny.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar, in particular, instinctively wanted to shrink away.
"Stand tall, all of you! Right now, you represent Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. With the first team absent, you are the face of the academy. Straighten up and keep your spirits high!"
At the front of the group, Flender dressed in an elegant instructor's robe looked uncharacteristically dignified. That was, of course, if one ignored the look in his eyes.
Hearing his words, the group instinctively straightened their postures.
Only Ning Rongrong remained indifferent, glancing around the crowd with interest, while Dai Mubai kept his head low, his expression dark.
Flender noticed but chose not to comment. Shaking his head, he swiftly submitted their registration and led the team inside.
There was a designated area for participants, and once they entered, they wouldn't have to endure the judgmental stares of the crowd any longer.
Even in this short time, Flender had already overheard several unfriendly remarks most of them aimed at him and Ma Hongjun.
And yet, he couldn't retaliate.
With the opening match ahead, he couldn't let his students' mental states be affected. Quickening his pace, he urged them forward.
Only after stepping into the competition grounds did the group finally relax.
As they headed toward the resting area prepared for Heaven Dou's second team, Ma Hongjun muttered, "This is completely different from regular spirit battles. Just knowing that so many people are watching makes me uncomfortable."
Oscar nodded in agreement. He felt the same especially since he had no direct combat ability.
"It's fine to feel that way now. Just make sure to go all out when you step onto that stage."
Flender glanced at his disciple, thinking he was being a little pathetic.
"Teacher, I was just saying. Don't worry, once I'm up there, I'll show them what a true Phoenix is!"
Ma Hongjun patted his round belly confidently.
"You'd better…"
Before Flender could finish his sentence, he stopped abruptly.
A group of people stood in their path, blocking their way.
It was another participating academy an instructor at the front with students behind him.
The students eyed them with open hostility.
"Teacher Shi, it's them. They were the ones who started the fight back then and even injured Teacher Ye Zhiqiu. But…"
The student's voice trailed off as if realizing something.
"Keep talking. But what?"
The lead instructor, expression unchanged, grabbed the student by the collar and pulled him forward.
After a brief hesitation, the student gritted his teeth and continued, "But… at that time, they claimed to be from Shrek Academy, not Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team."
"This is…?"
Flender frowned in confusion.
If he wasn't mistaken, he had never seen these students before.
Before the opposing group could respond, Ma Hongjun's voice rang out from behind him.
"Yo, I was wondering who this was it's just the trash from Canghui Academy! Where's your old turtle of a teacher? Why isn't he here?"
"Oh, what's this? You suddenly feel brave again? Found some new people and thought you could get revenge? Bet you didn't expect to see me as part of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, huh? What's wrong? Gonna back down again?"
"Hahahaha!"
As Ma Hongjun finished speaking, Tang San and the others chuckled.
The tension they had been feeling vanished as they recalled past events.
However, none of them noticed that Ning Rongrong's expression had darkened.
For the others, that incident was a fond memory.
But for her, it was a time when she had been excluded from the group.
Back then, she hadn't thought much of it. But looking back now, she only felt foolish.
"Very well, Flender. Is this your attitude?"
The Canghui Academy instructor, his face shadowed and grim, spoke with a tone that was both dry and eerie.
"Shi Nian, don't start pinning things on me. You can clearly see that I had no idea about this."
Flender frowned.
He vaguely recalled Zhao Wuji mentioning this incident, but he hadn't paid it any mind at the time.
Still, when had Shi Nian become an instructor at Canghui Academy?
This could be troublesome.
Fortunately, they had the backing of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
No matter how petty Shi Nian was, he wouldn't dare make a move here.
"Teacher, why waste words on them? What can they even do? Once we're on the stage, we'll crush them like the weaklings they are."
One of the Canghui Academy students sneered.
Ma Hongjun, emboldened by his backing, spoke without fear. Judging by his teacher's reaction, it was clear he knew the opposing instructor but so what?
They had strong support now. Were they supposed to be afraid of trouble?
He couldn't let his teacher bring up past mistakes. After all, their conflict with Canghui Academy had started because of him. But now that they bore the name of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Flender might choose to avoid trouble rather than escalate things.
He didn't want a lecture before going into battle.
"Shut up."
Flender shot a glare at his disciple but abandoned any thought of backing down. Turning to Shi Nian, he said, "I don't know exactly what happened before, but you're the ones blocking our way now. If there's an issue, let's settle it in the ring. If you win, I'll personally apologize on behalf of my students. If you lose, we drop the matter. What do you say?"
With more and more people turning their attention to them, Flender decided to cut things short before word spread to the Education Committee.
Otherwise, he would face disciplinary action even if the incident had occurred before they joined the academy.
"Heh… Flender, you and your students are just as shameless as ever."
The sinister looking middle aged man from Canghui Academy let out a dry chuckle, as if he found it amusing.
He had barely spoken a few sentences, yet somehow, it seemed like he was the unreasonable one.
"Hey, you Shi Nian, or whatever your name is listen up! This has nothing to do with me. Do whatever you want with them."
"Go ahead, make trouble for them if you like. But if you so much as think of involving me, I won't hesitate to make you disappear. I, Ning Rongrong, mean what I say. Now, move aside."
Ning Rongrong finally lost her patience.
Call them whatever you want but why drag her into it?
She hadn't even lifted a finger during that whole mess.
Never mind the reasons she hadn't even used a single buff back then!
Pushing past the others, she stepped forward and pointed at Shi Nian's face, unleashing her frustration.
Her words silenced the entire scene.
Shi Nian's face twitched.
Why did I have to run into this troublesome young lady?
In Heaven Dou Empire, any soul master with some knowledge knew that Ning Rongrong was someone you did not provoke.
Beside him, one of his students whispered, "Teacher Shi Nian, she really didn't do anything."
Shi Nian shot him a look.
No kidding?
Forget whether she was involved or not even if she had been, he would have to pretend she wasn't.
Damn it.
Hadn't this kid said they were just from some run down academy?
Now they were from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?
This made things significantly more complicated.
Even if they were from the infamous second team, they were still backed by the imperial family.
However, losing face was not an option.
They were just a bunch of brats students with no real connections.
As long as he didn't go too far, he could still put them in their place.
First, though, he had to deal with this problem.
Fortunately, it seemed like Ning Rongrong wasn't particularly close with the others.
With that in mind, Shi Nian forced a stiff smile and turned to her.
"Of course, Miss Ning. This matter has nothing to do with you. If I misspoke earlier, I sincerely apologize. Please send my regards to Sect Master Ning as well."
"Forget it. This is boring. Move aside we need to pass."
Ning Rongrong glanced back at her teammates, who stood in stunned silence.
Then, without another word, she strode past Shi Nian and his group, heading toward the waiting area.
What a waste of time.
She had been in a great mood, excited about today's guaranteed victory in the opening match.
She had even planned to demand a reward from her father afterward.
Now?
She wasn't in the mood anymore.
"In honor of Miss Ning, we'll let this go today. We'll see you in the ring."
Now that Ning Rongrong was gone, Shi Nian slowly swept his gaze over the rest of the team, memorizing their faces.
Then, with a sinister smirk at Flender, he led Canghui Academy's team away.
"Teacher, he…"
Ma Hongjun moved closer to Flender, only to have his mouth covered by his teacher's hand.
"You all of you watch what you say."
Flender's eyes flashed with warning.
"Shi Nian is a Soul Sage. And I can tell you right now I am not his match."
He paused before continuing.
"Shi Nian is known as 'Dream Reaper Shi Nian' in the soul master world. His martial soul, the Nightmare Phantom, is extremely sinister and difficult to counter. Many who have crossed him have vanished without a trace. Do not go looking for trouble."
"Right now, you are students of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. He likely won't dare to make a move. Just focus on the competition. I'll handle this matter with him separately."
"Alright, let's go. If not for Rongrong, we would have been humiliated today."
Flender sighed and took the lead.
Though Ning Rongrong had distanced herself from them with her words, it had been the quickest and most effective way to defuse the situation.
Now, he even owed her a favor.
As they followed Flender, the group was noticeably quieter.
For the first time, they truly felt the weight of Ning Rongrong's status.
They also realized just how much more serious they needed to be about this tournament.
Some of them were still upset about what she had said earlier.
But deep down, who wouldn't want to stand where she stood?
Just as they were about to reach the waiting area, a sudden uproar erupted behind them louder than when they had entered.
"Look! It's Tianshui Academy!"
Instinctively, they turned around.
And as they did, they spotted a familiar figure in the Tianshui Academy lineup.
Their pupils contracted.
Out of the corner of their eyes, they all glanced at Dai Mubai.
Because among the students of Tianshui Academy
Zhu Zhuqing was standing there.
(End of Chapter)
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