Time slipped by in a flash, and Ling Yun's days passed in a regular rhythm between classroom lessons at school and cultivating the Myriad Rivers Return to Origin Method at night.
Before he knew it, the day of the Free Combat competition had arrived.
During this period, Ling Yun had only symbolically livestreamed himself playing games twice.
After all, he had already met his livestreaming hours for the month long ago, so there was no need to work overtime.
His fan count had therefore "only" risen to thirty million, making this one of his rare "low-profile" periods.
On the day of the competition, Ling Yun and Wang Qinghe arrived at the venue early under the guidance of their coach, Zhao Ruixue.
"Yunyun, listen carefully," Zhao Ruixue said as she helped Ling Yun arrange his protective gear, reminding him once again in her habitually affectionate tone. "It's an elimination format. There are thirty-two people in your weight class. You need five consecutive wins before the championship is secure. You mustn't let your guard down in any match."
Beside them, Wang Qinghe had long since grown accustomed to hearing Zhao Ruixue call him "Yunyun," having gone from surprise at first to taking it for granted.
Ling Yun nodded seriously. "Understood, Teacher."
He had practically heard these words enough to grow calluses on his ears, but his attitude remained proper.
"Oh! Isn't this Teacher Zhao?"
A voice filled with unmistakable mockery cut in.
A burly, ordinary-looking man sauntered over, an ill-intentioned smile hanging on his face.
"The students you brought this year... They look all right? Don't tell me they'll be like last year, relying on Wang Qinghe to carry the team and win the women's championship while the men's team..." He smacked his lips. "Couldn't even make it to the finals, right?