Ling Luochen Replaces Dong'er in Battle

Dai Huabin glanced at the words on the slip of paper and casually handed it back to Zhang Lexuan.

"Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy"

He pronounced the name in a very flat tone.

Zhang Lexuan nodded, her cool face revealing no emotion.

"They're not particularly strong, but we can't let our guard down."

Dai Huabin smiled and said, "Wipe them all out shouldn't be too difficult, but Dong'er is too exhausted today and definitely won't be able to play tomorrow."

Wang Dong'er forcibly activated her Twin Martial Souls and completed an astonishing one-versus-three attack. The overdraft of her Soul Power was a minor matter; it was the mental exhaustion that required time to recover.

"Yes, that's what I think too," Zhang Lexuan agreed. "So what do you mean?"

"This time, why don't we let Senior Luo Chen take over Dong'er's place?"

Dai Huabin suggested.

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, who seemed completely unconcerned.

"Anyway, our opponent is the Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy, so Sister Xiaotao and my older brother definitely won't bother to bully the weak."

These words made both Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng raise their eyebrows.

Dai Yueheng laughed and said, "Huabin, I'm really not interested. It's not even enough for me to warm up."

Ma Xiaotao, on the other hand, had a "you're smart to know what's good for you" expression.

Zhang Lexuan thought about it for a moment and concluded that the arrangement was reasonable.

As a control-type Soul King, Ling Luochen's strength is among the top in the Inner Academy, more than enough to replace a Soul Elder.

Furthermore, giving the Reserve Team more opportunities to cooperate with the senior students from the Inner Academy will be beneficial for the later competitions.

"Okay, this arrangement is very safe." Zhang Lexuan nodded in agreement.

Di Lingxi, who had been listening quietly to the side, couldn't help but move closer to Dai Huabin when she heard that she wasn't on the competition schedule again. Her long golden hair swayed.

She tugged at Dai Huabin's sleeve, her tone tinged with grievance:

"Huabin, I want to fight too, can I join you?"

Her beautiful eyes were filled with longing, enough to melt anyone's heart.

Zhang Lexuan reached out and naturally touched Di Lingxi's head; the smooth texture made her reluctant to let go.

After spending time together, she discovered that although Di Lingxi was somewhat indifferent to everyone except Dai Huabin, she was essentially as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.

Of course, this goodwill was limited to a few people closest to Dai Huabin, such as Zhu Lu, as well as the mysterious Bing Hanyue and Xue Qingyao.

"Ling Xi, be good."

Zhang Lexuan's voice was unusually gentle.

"Our official list of participants for this competition has already been submitted, and we can't change it now, so we can't let you participate."

Upon hearing this explanation, Di Lingxi's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, showing some disappointment.

"All right."

She muttered something under her breath, then turned to Dai Huabin.

"Hey Huabin, it's a promise. After the match, you have to take me out and have some fun, and you have to grill meat for me too."

"Must."

Dai Huabin immediately agreed.

He also liked Di Lingxi very much; the current Di Lingxi was not as indifferent as she was in the original novel.

Perhaps because Dai Huabin's memories do not contain Huo Yuhao's tragic experiences from the original novel, Di Lingxi does not experience any pressure or worries now.

Having received the promise, Di Lingxi became happy again.

The matter was settled, and Zhang Lexuan publicly announced that Ling Luochen would replace Wang Dong'er in the next team match.

Ling Luochen had been sitting quietly in the corner. When she heard her name called, a glint of light flashed in her icy blue eyes, and she nodded slightly in response.

She was naturally very happy to be able to play alongside Dai Huabin.

The atmosphere was just right when Ma Xiaotao suddenly spoke up. Leaning back in her chair, she glanced at Dai Huabin with her captivating phoenix eyes, her tone tinged with amusement.

"Huabin, you've really forgotten the old for the new."

She pointed to herself with her finger, then pointed to Ling Luochen next to her.

"Or is it that Sister Xiaotao is no longer as important to you as Luo Chen?"

As soon as he said that, everyone's eyes turned to Dai Huabin.

Dai Yueheng laughed gleefully from the side.

Wu Ming even burst out laughing:

"Xiaotao, are you jealous?"

Ma Xiaotao glared at Wu Ming: "Shut up, I'm just standing up for us old friends."

Despite this sudden "attack," Dai Huabin showed no sign of panic.

He simply smiled, looked at Ma Xiaotao, and calmly replied:

"Sister Xiaotao, you're really wronging me."

"Oh? How so?" Ma Xiaotao looked at him with great interest.

"Think about it, you're Soul Emperor of level 67, the captain of the Shrek Seven Devils' main team."

Dai Huabin said calmly,

"Sending you to fight an unknown Qianling Academy is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. If word gets out, people will say that Shrek is bullying the weak. I'm doing this to protect your reputation."

His words flattered Ma Xiaotao, making her feel comfortable, and he presented his reasons in a very respectable way.

After hearing this, Ma Xiaotao gave a coquettish sigh:

"Hmph, glib tongue."

"These are my heartfelt words," Dai Huabin said sincerely.

Only after calming down Ma Xiaotao, this "Evil Fire Phoenix" who was easily ignited, did Dai Huabin breathe a sigh of relief.

He stood up and said to Zhu Lu Di Lingxi:

"I'll go check on Dong'er."

"Go ahead," Zhu Lu nodded obediently.

Di Lingxi waved her hand and instructed, "Go quickly and come back soon. Chat with me in a bit."

Dai Huabin responded and turned to walk towards Wang Dong'er's room.

He left a room full of girls, each with their own thoughts, watching his retreating figure.

Dai Huabin walked to Wang Dong'er's door and knocked lightly twice.

There was no response from inside.

He thought about it and realized that Wang Dong'er's Soul Power was exhausted, so she was most likely sleeping soundly now.

He gently pushed open the door, and a faint fragrance wafted out from the room through a crack.

The room was dark, with heavy curtains drawn.

He tiptoed inside, leaving the door slightly ajar.

The room was a bit messy; a coat was casually draped over a chair, and several open books lay on the floor.

This perfectly reflects a girl's daily life, brimming with vitality.

Dai Huabin's gaze fell on the large bed in the center of the room.

Wang Dong'er was lying quietly on the bed, covered with a thin blanket.

She changed into a pink silk nightgown, her long, light blue hair cascading over the pillow, making her already delicate face appear even whiter.

Perhaps due to excessive exertion and a slight fever, her cheeks were flushed with an unnatural redness, and her breathing was even and deep; she was sleeping soundly.

Dai Huabin walked to the bedside, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

He quietly watched the person on the bed.

Asleep, Wang Dong'er lost the arrogance and stubbornness she displayed when awake. Her delicate features were completely relaxed, and her long eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyes, making her look serene and well-behaved.

"I... won't lose..."

Suddenly, Wang Dong'er's lips moved, and she uttered a few indistinct murmurs.