"The second match of the quarterfinals: Longcheng Martial University versus Huadu Martial University. Competitors from both sides, please enter the arena." The referee recovered his composure, then stepped onto the platform and made the announcement.
At that moment, Fang Yao and Lin Yueyue sat to Lin Hao's left, while Jiang Weiwei and Su Xiaorui sat to his right. Lin Xiaorou was in his arms. He was surrounded by beauties, and every member of Shancheng Martial University's team looked on with envy.
"As expected of Great God Lin. Five beauties sitting around him. I doubt anyone in the history of the Hundred Schools League has ever had that."
"Now I finally understand what it means to have a beauty on each arm, surrounded by blossoms."
"Shh, keep it down. In my years of chasing girls, I've learned that Great God Lin isn't being embraced on both sides by beauties right now. He's in an Asura Field. Haven't you noticed? The temperature around us has dropped."
"Exactly. I can feel a sinister killing intent circling around us, too."
The matches between the Wu University teams on the field were incredibly fierce, and cheers rose and fell from the stands. But Lin Hao had no mind to watch. His head was full of thoughts about how he was the Jiang Family's son-in-law and Fang Wei was Fang Yao's father. He sneaked a glance at Fang Yao on his left, then at Jiang Weiwei on his right. When neither of them seemed to react, he finally let out a long breath of relief.
A cute little hand holding a lollipop reached out in front of Lin Hao. "Big brother, have some candy. Sister Yao bought it for me." Lin Hao saw Lin Xiaorou's adorable little face and gave a bitter smile. Then he unwrapped the lollipop and put it in his mouth. His mouth was sweet, but his heart was bitter; Lin Hao was probably feeling that more than anyone.
At Longcheng Martial University's match, Lin Hao didn't see Duan Yue take the field. Longcheng Martial University had defeated Huadu Martial University with just two starters.
In the third quarterfinal, Longying Martial University faced Jiangnan Martial University. Jiangnan Martial University managed another one-against-five sweep in the quarterfinals, sending the audience into a frenzy.
In the fourth quarterfinal, Shencheng Martial University faced Qingzhou Martial University. Both teams had ranked among the top five in the previous competition. Qingzhou Martial University's number-one prodigy, Ye Shuangshuang, took the field. With her masterful Water elemental ability, she defeated Shencheng Martial University, itself a top-tier Wu University, and advanced to the semifinals. That settled the four semifinalists: Shancheng Martial University would face Longcheng Martial University, and Jiangnan Martial University would face Qingzhou Martial University.
Jiang Weiwei turned to Lin Hao. "Longcheng Martial University won the last Hundred Schools League. What are you planning to do?"
"From their performance just now, Longcheng Martial University probably hasn't even shown half its strength. Their captain, Duan Yue, didn't even take the field. To keep what happened in our match against Modu Martial University from happening again today, I'll be enough on my own tomorrow."
"All right, just be careful. I'll take the team back first. You can spend time with your family." Jiang Weiwei smiled faintly.
Lin Hao fell silent for a moment. "How about we go eat together?"
Jiang Weiwei shook her head. "I still need to check on Wang Meng and the others, so I'll pass."
Seeing that, Lin Hao said no more. He took Lin Xiaorou's little hand, then left with Lin Yueyue and Fang Yao. Lin Xiaorou waved her cute little hand at Jiang Weiwei. "Goodbye, pretty big sister." Jiang Weiwei smiled and waved back, but no one noticed the trace of bitterness in her heart.
That evening, Lin Hao and the others had dinner at a nearby restaurant. Lin Yueyue saw what was on Lin Hao's mind and left with Xiaorou first. Lin Hao and Fang Yao strolled slowly along the lake outside the school. Neither said a word. What had happened that day had shaken both of them, and Lin Hao didn't know how to begin.
After a long while, Lin Hao finally broke the silence. As a man, he needed to give Fang Yao an explanation. They hadn't made their relationship official, but anyone with eyes could tell that Fang Yao liked Lin Hao. And it went without saying that Lin Hao felt the same. "Yaoyao, about what happened today..."
"I know." Fang Yao didn't let him finish. From Lin Hao's expression that day, she had already guessed most of the story. Lin Hao probably didn't even realize how important the Concentration Method was to the Jiang Family. "I could tell Uncle Jiang really thinks highly of you. Otherwise, he wouldn't have passed such an important Martial Art on to you. And haven't I kept things about my family from you, too?" She smiled faintly.
"But..." Lin Hao tried to say more, but Fang Yao suddenly took his large hand. "You dummy. Your actions today were already a huge surprise for me. At least you kept your promise. This is for the best. Just look at my dad today—he practically treated you like a treasure. Now I don't have to waste my breath trying to talk him around."
Seeing that Fang Yao didn't want to bring up Jiang Weiwei, Lin Hao said no more. They walked a little longer, then went their separate ways.
Meanwhile, in Jiang Weiwei's room.
Jiang Weiwei stared resentfully at Jiang Tianhai, while Su Xiaorui brewed tea for him nearby. Seeing the look on his daughter's face, as if she wanted to bite him, Jiang Tianhai couldn't hold back and spoke first. "Ahem, Weiwei, I did it for your own good. If I hadn't stepped in, that old fox Fang Wei would've snatched Lin Hao away."
"Even so, you shouldn't have used your own daughter as a bargaining chip. How am I supposed to face Lin Hao after this?"
Jiang Tianhai's eyes widened. "Just act as you normally would. It's not like he can turn against us. If anything happens, your dad will back you up."
By then, Su Xiaorui had finished making the tea and set it in front of Jiang Tianhai. "Exactly. Uncle Jiang is right. If you don't make a move, Lin Hao will run off. You saw it yourself today: if Uncle Jiang hadn't shown up, Uncle Fang would've brought Lin Hao under his wing. Then you wouldn't even have anywhere to cry."
"Ah, at least Xiaorui understands me."
Watching Su Xiaorui and her dad sing the same tune, Jiang Weiwei felt as if her head had doubled in size. The worst part was, the other team members had seen it, too. What am I supposed to do? Answers online, please—I'm in a real hurry.
In the Jiangnan Martial University conference room, only Principal Xing Tianhe and a sweet-looking girl in a white dress were present.
"Qingmeng, are you still not going to compete in tomorrow's semifinal?"
"I'll see how things go. Tomorrow's the last day of the competition, after all. No matter what, I'll have to compete in the final. If Ye Shuangshuang really is as formidable as you say, I'll take the field last and win the match." The woman in white was none other than Jiangnan Martial University's number-one prodigy, Liu Qingmeng.
"The strongest opponent in this competition isn't Jiangnan Martial University. You weren't there today, but an incredible prodigy appeared on the field."
"Oh? If even you say so, Principal, he must be extremely powerful. Could it be Duan Yue from Longcheng Martial University?" Liu Qingmeng asked curiously.
"No. He's a student from Shancheng Martial University. He's their captain, Lin Hao. Though he's only at Bronze High-rank, he beat Modu Martial University so thoroughly they couldn't fight back."
"A Bronze High-rank beating Gold? Then I'll have to take a good look at this Lin Hao tomorrow." Liu Qingmeng was even more curious about him now.
After parting ways with Fang Yao, Lin Hao returned to his room. As soon as he walked in, he saw Mo Zixuan gazing at him with boundless admiration. Mo Zixuan rushed up to him and hugged his leg. "Brother Lin, you're incredible! From now on, I, Mo Zixuan, am your number-one underling. If anyone tries to take that spot from me, I'll fight them to the death." Lin Hao's face immediately darkened, and he gave Mo Zixuan a kick, sending him away. "Get lost. Today's been chaotic enough already. Don't come in here and make it worse."
Mo Zixuan chuckled. "Brother Lin, you have no idea. They were all fighting over who got to be your underling just now. I sent them all packing."
Lin Hao ignored the fool and casually asked, "How are Wang Meng and the others?"
"Don't worry, Brother Lin. Mengzi and the others have pretty much recovered. Principal Jiang treated them himself."
Hearing Mo Zixuan's words, Lin Hao finally felt a little more at ease.
Before you continue