"Challenge?" A steady voice, tinged with interest, suddenly rang out. "I'm very interested as well."
Xue Shiming led the members of Heaven Dou Team One out from the corner of the passage behind Ice Seal Team. Their steps were measured, carrying a presence that could not be ignored, naturally making the members of Ice Seal Team move aside to clear a path.
Many in Heaven Dou Team One fixed burning gazes on Chen Xiaojun. This rumored "Tanhualang," their subject of study, already had intelligence files piled up like mountains.
Xue Shiming himself wore a smile as his gaze met Chen Xiaojun's directly. "Chen, that battle four years ago was truly satisfying. It was also the first defeat of my life."
"In this tournament, you and I must properly compete again and decide who stands above the other."
His tone was open and upright. As a Prince, being able to acknowledge defeat so frankly made his magnanimity and attitude impossible not to respect.
Chen Xiaojun narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Your Highness praises me too much. That match back then..."
Before he could finish, a slightly willful female voice cut him off from the side. "I say, cousin, if you act too modest, it gets a little hypocritical!"
Ye Zijun folded her arms and lifted her chin slightly. "Our captain wants to fight you and win back some face. Isn't that perfectly natural, the most normal thing in the world? Hiding it and talking around it—aren't you tired?!"
Chen Xiaojun smiled helplessly. His cousin's personality really was a little hard to handle. Still, this was his fault.
Just then, a tall, powerfully built figure stepped out steadily from behind Xue Shiming. It was Tang Chen.
His sharp gaze locked onto Chen Xiaojun, and his voice was deep. "Chen, four years