The Dispute

Wang Zhi nodded and sat down beside Zhou Tian'er.

"Now that everyone's here, I'll keep this brief."

Zhang Zhenpeng spoke up.

"The spots for next year's Tianhai Competition have been decided."

"For the team event, we've entered the Three-Person Team Match."

"The participants are..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the four people present.

"Zhou Hanyou, Zhou Tian'er, and Wang Dongqi."

"And one substitute: Wang Zhi."

The moment he finished, the atmosphere in the office grew tense.

Wang Zhi could feel that hostile gaze intensify.

He turned his head and met Wang Dongqi's eyes.

Her gaze held scrutiny, displeasure, wariness, and a hint of concealed hostility.

Wang Zhi frowned.

He had no idea how he had offended this senior student.

Seeing Wang Dongqi's expression, Zhou Tian'er instantly erupted.

"Wang Dongqi, what's your problem?!"

She sprang to her feet, hands on her hips, and glared at Wang Dongqi.

"Xiao Zhi is my little brother. What?"

"That look on your face—are you saying you have a problem with all of us?!"

Wang Dongqi looked furious.

She did have a problem with it.

Since last year, she had trained and prepared for next year's Tianhai Competition alongside the Zhou Sisters.

The three of them worked together seamlessly, and with Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, she was confident they could achieve good results in the team event.

But now, Wang Zhi had suddenly appeared.

A ten-year-old child, a One-Ring Soul Master.

She'd heard he had taken on five Two-Ring Soul Masters from Class One all by himself yesterday, but they had only been new students. How impressive could that really be?

More importantly...

No matter how she looked at it, she felt she was the easiest one to replace.

Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, a unique advantage that belonged to the sisters alone. No one could take their place.

In a Three-Person Team Match, three people took the field. If Wang Zhi joined them, she would be the only one who could be dropped.

Wouldn't that make all her hard work over the past year a waste?

The thought made Wang Dongqi's expression darken further.

Watching the scene unfold, Zhang Zhenpeng sighed inwardly.

He had been so focused on announcing Wang Zhi's addition that he'd forgotten to consider Wang Dongqi's feelings.

After all, the three of them had been working toward the Tianhai Competition since last year.

Anyone would struggle to accept seeing a year's effort go to waste because someone new had suddenly shown up.

He hurriedly spoke up to explain.

"Dongqi, Wang Zhi is only joining the competition as a substitute."

"You, Tian'er, and Hanyou will still be the ones competing."

Wang Dongqi's expression eased slightly.

A substitute?

That meant she wouldn't be replaced.

Her tightly pressed lips relaxed a little, but she still eyed Wang Zhi with suspicion.

After hearing Zhang Zhenpeng's explanation, Zhou Tian'er understood why Wang Dongqi had been targeting Wang Zhi.

But understanding didn't change anything.

Wang Zhi was her little brother. Whatever the reason, Wang Dongqi shouldn't have treated him like that.

She folded her arms and turned to Zhang Zhenpeng.

"Teacher, Xiao Zhi is incredibly talented. How can he be a substitute?"

There was a note of displeasure in her voice.

Zhang Zhenpeng felt helpless.

How could this little girl not understand?

Still, he explained patiently.

After all, Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er were his prized students, and he was naturally much closer to them than he was to Wang Dongqi.

"Tian'er, Wang Zhi is only ten years old, and he's still a One-Ring Soul Master."

He spoke patiently.

"Dongqi is already a Two-Ring Soul Grand Master, and her Soul Power is at rank twenty-nine. She'll definitely become a Three Rings Soul Elder before next year's Tianhai Competition."

Zhou Tian'er pursed her lips, unconvinced.

"She's already fourteen, a year older than me and my sister. If she'll only be a Three Rings Soul Elder next year, that's not all that impressive."

At that, Zhang Zhenpeng helplessly covered his face.

Wang Dongqi's expression immediately darkened again.

She hadn't expected Zhou Tian'er to turn on her like this for a child she'd only known for a month.

What was wrong with being fourteen?

Even if she turned fifteen next year...

A fifteen-year-old Three Rings Soul Elder would be an outstanding student at any academy!

What did she mean, "not all that impressive"?!

She drew a deep breath, ready to retort, but a calm voice cut her off.

"Dean, how about this?"

Wang Zhi stood up and looked at Zhang Zhenpeng, then turned to Wang Dongqi.

"I'll fight Senior Student Wang."

"Whoever wins competes. Whoever loses becomes the substitute."

He spoke calmly, as if suggesting something perfectly ordinary.

The office fell silent for a moment.

Zhang Zhenpeng was slightly taken aback, then nodded.

"Fine."

The team event depended on cooperation. It was best to settle the matter now; letting it drag on would only hurt their results.

He looked toward Wang Dongqi.

Wang Zhi looked at her too.

"What do you say, Senior?"

Wang Dongqi studied the calm-faced boy before her, her gaze complicated.

Ten years old, and a One-Ring Soul Master.

He was challenging her, a rank-twenty-nine Two-Ring Soul Grand Master?

She gritted her teeth, then finally nodded.

"Fine."

No matter what, she still wanted to compete.

Zhou Tian'er opened her mouth, about to say something, but a hand caught her.

She turned and saw Zhou Hanyou.

Zhou Hanyou shook her head and said softly,

"This is best for everyone."

Zhou Tian'er looked into her sister's calm eyes and finally fell silent.

The group made their way to the Training Ground.

Zhang Zhenpeng stood at the edge of the field, acting as referee.

Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er stepped aside, their eyes fixed on the two figures in the arena.

Wang Zhi stood in the middle of the field, his expression calm.

Wang Dongqi stood opposite him, Flash Thunder Sword in hand, her expression grave.

Though she was displeased with Wang Zhi, Wang Dongqi didn't underestimate him now that they were facing off.

She had heard that Wang Zhi had taken on five Two-Ring Soul Masters from Class One by himself yesterday.

Even if they were only new students, defeating five Two-Ring Soul Masters was proof enough of his ability.

"State your names and ranks."

Zhang Zhenpeng's voice rang out.

"Wang Zhi, One-Ring Soul Master. Martial Soul: Mask."

Wang Zhi spoke calmly.

"Wang Dongqi, Two-Ring Soul Grand Master. Martial Soul: Flash Thunder Sword."

Wang Dongqi replied gravely.

Zhang Zhenpeng raised his hand, then sharply brought it down.

"Begin!"

The moment the word left his mouth, Wang Dongqi sprang into action.

As an Assault Type Soul Master, she was naturally suited to quick, decisive fights.

The best way to deal with a Summoner Type Soul Master was to defeat the summoner before they could build up their forces.

As two yellow Soul Rings rose beneath her feet, a long sword appeared in her hand.

The blade was blue-purple, wreathed in electricity. Silver arcs of lightning danced across it, crackling loudly.

The sword gleamed brilliantly.

She swung her right hand.

A bolt of silver lightning shot from the tip of her sword, heading straight for Wang Zhi.

The strike was fast and precise.

It was clearly the result of countless hours of practice.