Zhou Li's words sounded light, yet they landed on Miao Guanyu's heart with the weight of a thousand tons.
Wait until next season?
To a genius like him, who stood at the pinnacle of his generation, those words sounded like the most thorough rejection imaginable.
Miao Guanyu's body stiffened for a moment. Then he slowly, but resolutely, shook his head.
"No."
He spoke a single word, lifted his head, and looked straight at the grandmaster who was both his teacher and his friend.
"Teacher Zhou, I have to fight."
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unshakable resolve.
Zhou Li looked at him. Something seemed to flicker in those cloudy eyes, then they returned to stillness.
He didn't try to persuade him again. He simply lay back in his rocking chair and closed his eyes.
"Suit yourself."
Miao Guanyu bowed deeply to Zhou Li, then turned and left the office.
His steps were no longer as precise and steady as they had been when he arrived. Instead, they faltered slightly.
But with every step, his wavering resolve diminished, replaced by a fierce determination to burn his boats.
He wasn't fighting to win. He wanted to prove his swordsmanship and experience firsthand the terrifying power capable of vaporizing everything.
Nine o'clock the following evening.
The Professional League's Round of 64 matchups, which would determine who advanced to the Round of 32, officially began.
Light flashed, and Miao Guanyu appeared right on time atop one of the enormous arenas.
Almost as soon as he appeared, the viewership in the match's dedicated livestream began to skyrocket.
Countless virtual avatars flooded into the stands, and the comments instantly filled the screen.
"He's here, he's here! God Miao has arrived!"
"Go, God Miao! The honor of Southern Martial University rests on you!"
"God