The battle against Kamikaze Academy ended with absurd swiftness.
Under the referee's desperate intervention, Feng Xiaotian finally escaped Lucien's brutal handling.
The crowd was still buzzing, not with excitement for glorious skillful combat, but in disbelief—because of the beating. Feng Xiaotian, the proud genius, reduced to a mop on the floor.
Lucien? He simply staggered back to the Huangdou Camp, drinking happily.
"Gulp, gulp… ha~ hiccup!"
"Yufeng, you smelly brat! Not bad just now. Come, drink with me!" Lucien shoved a jar into Yufeng's hands.
Yufeng forced a smile. Normally he'd never drink, but with Lucien staring at him, refusing could only equal death. He clutched the jar like a lifeline. "T-thank you, Brother Lucien!"
Lucien slapped his back approvingly. "From now on, next match—you and me."
Yufeng froze mid-sip. …This, this is blessing or disaster?!
The other teammates immediately clapped his shoulders.
"Good luck, Yufeng! We believe in you."
"Don't worry, you can fly."
"…"
The pressure of the entire team had been dumped on his head.
Frantically, Yufeng whispered, "Brother Lucien, I won't even change clothes after this match. Come find me anytime. We're allies now, right? Allies…"
He panicked beyond words.
Dream Shenji's Office, Tiandou Royal Academy.
After the match, Meng Shenji received urgent petitions from the Five Elements Academy deans. Their demand: immediately disqualify Lucien from further participation.
His performance was too terrifying. If he remained, no other student could even play.
Meng Shenji leaned back, fingers tapping rhythmically on his desk, a sneer curling his lips.
Hah. When I warned you fools not to request Lucien, you wouldn't listen. Now you see him, and suddenly you're afraid?
Cancel?
Cancel my ass.
With Emperor Xue Ye himself sitting in the stands to watch Lucien, could they dare declare, sorry, he's not allowed?
Ridiculous!
Meng Shenji chuckled deep in his chest. "Alright then. You wanted him? Now enjoy the monster you begged for. Hah… Tiandou's championship will be ours. And your so-called elites will be hammered like nails."
Boom!
The sound of the door bursting open pulled him from his thoughts.
"Chief, there is a school from Soto City applying to join our Academy." Bai Baoshan entered, arms full of documents. "They call themselves… Shrek Academy."
Meng Shenji squinted at the name. Familiar. "Shrek…? Where have I heard this before…"
"Not a formal academy, but they're decent. Actually, Qin Ming, our teacher, originated from Shrek."
Meng Shenji brightened with recollection. He quickly skimmed the files, lips curling. "Twelve-year-old Soul Venerable? Not bad. With a few talents like that, even if they're no Lucien, they could strengthen the next generation after the Huangdou Team graduates."
But then he paused at the conditions written out. His face darkened. "All their teachers must be accepted too, and must completely control their own students' training while we cannot interfere? What a damn joke!"
Baoshan coughed awkwardly. "They claim they'll win honors for Tiandou Royal if we accept."
Meng Shenji snorted, waving dismissively. "Report it up, and reply. Conditions will only be decided once we see the talent in person."
He wasn't stupid. Paper records meant little until he laid eyes himself.
Arena – Tiandou Cup continues.
Lucien lounged in the resting area, already pink-cheeked from the jug in his arms.
"Gulp, gulp… ha! Happy!"
Yu Tianheng sat alone, as far as possible in the corner, face twisted.
Then poking his head inside came… Feng Xiaotian.
"Brother Lucien~"
Yu Tianheng sneered. "What's this? Want another abuse session already?"
Feng Xiaotian ignored him, setting down a sealed jar with an ingratiating grin. "Brother Lucien, I heard you love drinking. Please, try mine."
Lucien sniffed once. His eyes lit. "Oh? This one's good!"
He tilted his jug back happily. Then his eyes sharpened, falling onto Feng Xiaotian like a hawk. "…You brat again. What do you want?"
Feng Xiaotian coughed, leaning close, whispering. "Brother Lucien. Please. In the next round, we fight Blazing Academy. I beg you… spare one person. Their Huo Wu—don't hit her."
"Hmm?" Lucien blinked, swirling his drink.
Feng Xiaotian gritted his teeth. "In return, I'll give you another altar of top-grade wine."
Lucien grinned. "Only her, right? The others are fair game."
"Yes! Please hammer the rest to death nicely. Just… not her."
Lucien roared with laughter, clapping his jug to his lips. "Done! Your wine buys her mercy. The rest—hah, I'll flatten them!"
Yu Tianheng, overhearing from a corner, almost vomited blood. Now even enemy captains are bribing him during the Cup?! This is too insane!
Arena Floor.
"Next match—Tiandou Royal Academy versus Blazing Academy! One minute to prepare!"
On the Blazing side, Huo Wushuang's face was grim. He could still see Feng Xiaotian's crumpled form in his nightmares.
"Brother, do we really need to use that plan?" Huo Wu whispered.
"Of course! Better scolded than crippled," Huo Wushuang growled.
Huo Wu bit her lip as her noble pride warred with reality. But he's right. Against Lucien… who can even resist?
Across the field, Lucien swayed with his jug. He burped contentedly, raising his blade.
"All other bastards—I'll chop. But the girl? Fine. Drinking buddy's request."
Emperor Xue Ye in the VIP box leaned forward again, eyes glittering.
Show me just how far this monster stretches his strength…
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