CHAPTER 70 — THE NIGHT BEFORE FORMATION
Even at night, the stone corridors carried sound. Footsteps from patrol squads. Low conversations drifting through open windows. The distant hum of formations embedded deep into the mountain foundations.
But for Azure Dragon's team, the night felt heavier than usual.
They returned to their assigned residence just after dusk.
No one spoke much.
Training earlier had taken more out of them than any public match.
Not physically. Mentally.
They had all been forced to confront something uncomfortable. Limits. Habits. Blind spots they had carried without realizing.
Chen Wulian was the first to break the silence once they reached the common hall.
"…I hate this part," he muttered, dropping onto a bench.
Bai Qianlan glanced at him. "The quiet?"
"The thinking," Chen replied. "Feels like waiting for a punch you can't see."
