In the Academic Affairs Office,
Ning Rongrong let out a long breath of relief, found a chair, and slumped against its back.
Xiao Wu stretched and sat down nearby, the flush still lingering on her face. "Oh, my goodness. That victory banquet was more exhausting than the match."
"Those junior students were way too enthusiastic..."
"Xiao Wu, don't even get me started." Dugu Yan gave her a resentful look. "We didn't even get to do anything in today's match before it was over."
"Exactly." Ning Rongrong perked up, chiming in with a resentful tone. "You and Zhuqing stole the whole show today. I didn't even get the chance to use an assist Soul Skill."
"I'm the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, you know! I'd finally gotten the chance to show off..."
"Hehe." Xiao Wu laughed awkwardly and instinctively smoothed her braids. "How was I supposed to know they were that easy to beat... I only bumped into them, and they went down..."
"Bumped into them?" Dugu Yan's eyes widened. "You call that a bump?"
"Next time, next time I'll go easy on them!" Xiao Wu hurriedly promised.
"If there's a next time, you might as well just compete by yourself from now on," Dugu Yan said crossly. "We'll cheer you on from below the stage, all right?"
Everyone started grumbling over one another, and the Academic Affairs Office filled with laughter.
"...How about this?" Zhao Linchuan suddenly spoke. Everyone was drawn to his voice and fell silent at once, turning to look at him.
"We shouldn't all compete together in future matches. That way, no one gets to experience the match properly."
His gaze swept over them. "From now on, one Battle Soul Master can compete alongside one support-type Soul Master."
"Or two Battle Soul Masters can go onstage directly