Shrek Waste!

Tang San swayed slightly.

The stone platform beneath his knees continued to crack.

Xiao Wu looked at Tang San.

Ge, surrender.

Tang San did not respond immediately.

He raised his head to look at Tang Chen.

Tang Chen's six soul rings remained intact.

From the start of the match until now, Tang Chen had used only two soul skills.

Yet he had completely crushed Shrek Academy's formation.

Tang San slowly lowered his arms.

Shrek Academy...

Surrender.

The black light sphere instantly dissipated.

The force pressing down on Tang San withdrew.

Tang San lost the support of his arms and tipped forward.

He propped himself up with his palms, still kneeling in the center of the cracked Soul Arena Platform.

The host teacher stepped forward immediately.

"Tang San surrenders, eliminated!"

"Shrek Academy team match defeated!"

Dai Mubai still wanted to keep fighting.

Yu Tianheng raised a dragon claw, and thunder landed heavily on his chest.

Dai Mubai's body flew backward, crashing into the Soul Power Barrier.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo moved forward simultaneously.

The turtle shell slammed into his arms.

Dai Mubai lost his footing and tumbled directly off the Soul Arena Platform.

"Dai Mubai out of bounds, eliminated!"

Xiao Wu looked at Tang San and stepped forward.

Zhu Zhuqing blocked her path.

"The match is already over."

Xiao Wu raised her hand.

Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Spirit Cat sharp claws were already poised before her.

Xiao Wu stopped moving.

She glanced at the center of the Soul Arena Platform and finally withdrew her Martial Soul.

"All members of Shrek Academy are eliminated."

The host teacher walked to the center and announced loudly:

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy wins!"

A wave of discussion erupted in the Auditorium.

The flags of Heaven Dou Royal Academy unfurled in the wind.

Tang Chen put away the Destruction Scepter.

The six soul rings merged into his body one by one.

He walked over to Tang San.

Tang San was still kneeling on the ground.

His team uniform was torn, his arms were stained with stone debris, and his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul had already been withdrawn into his body.

"Can you stand up?"

Tang San propped himself up with his hands.

His body swayed, but he did not get up immediately.

Tang Chen looked at him.

"Need me to give you another chance?"

Tang San looked up.

"I lost today."

"Remember today."

Tang Chen turned around.

"Before the next challenge, make sure you can handle defeat."

Tang San watched Tang Chen's departing back.

Dai Mubai was helped to the Field Side by Yu Tianheng.

Xiao Wu stood below the Soul Arena Platform, her eyes still fixed on Tang San.

Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar lowered their heads, and no one spoke again.

Zhu Zhuqing came to Tang Chen's side.

She reached out and grabbed Tang Chen's sleeve.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

Dugu Yan walked over from the other side.

She raised a hand to brush the debris from Tang Chen's shoulder.

"How much soul power did you use for that black light sphere just now?"

"Less than thirty percent."

Dugu Yan's movement paused.

Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes to look at her.

Dugu Yan withdrew her hand.

"That's good."

Zhu Zhuqing neatly adjusted Tang Chen's collar.

Her fingers brushed past the Silver Swan Pattern, then gently smoothed the fabric.

"In the next match, don't let yourself get too close to the opponent."

"I'll pay attention."

"You said that yesterday too."

Tang Chen glanced at her.

Zhu Zhuqing did not let go of his sleeve.

Dugu Yan stood on the other side, raising a Jade Bottle to hold out before Tang Chen.

"Drink it."

Tang Chen took the Jade Bottle.

"More medicine to regulate the meridians?"

"Mm."

Dugu Yan glanced at Tang San on the Soul Arena Platform.

"You suppressed him for so long today, your soul power consumption shouldn't be small."

"He isn't worth me consuming too much soul power."

Tang Chen uncapped the Jade Bottle and drank the Medicinal Liquid.

Dugu Yan nodded in satisfaction.

Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly at his side.

Both of their fingers landed on Tang Chen's sleeve at the same time, then stopped simultaneously.

Tang Chen looked at the two people beside him.

"Do you two still need something?"

"No."

Dugu Yan looked away.

"No."

Zhu Zhuqing also withdrew her hand.

On the Soul Arena Platform.

Tang San finally propped his body up and stood.

His legs still could not exert full force.

The host teacher recorded the match results.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy won consecutively.

Shrek Academy was defeated by Tang Chen's hand once again.

And this time.

Tang San knelt and surrendered under everyone's gaze.

Nightfall descended upon Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The lights of the Main Arena had already gone out.

When Tang Chen returned to the Hillside Courtyard, Dugu Yan was standing beneath a tree.

She had changed out of her match uniform and wore an Emerald Green Long Dress. Her long hair draped behind her shoulders, and a belt at her waist drew in a slender waistline.

Hearing footsteps, she raised her head.

"You're back?"

"Mm."

Tang Chen walked up to her.

Dugu Yan did not speak immediately.

She raised a hand to press against Tang Chen's chest, then checked along the lapels once over.

"No injuries today?"

"No."

"What about soul power consumption?"

"Less than thirty percent."

Dugu Yan's fingers paused on his chest.

She raised her eyes to look at Tang Chen.

"You always make it sound so easy."

"That is the fact."

"Then why did you drink the medicine I gave you?"

Tang Chen glanced at the Jade Bottle in her hand.

"You already brought it."

Dugu Yan pressed her lips together.

"If I brought it, you have to drink it."

She uncapped the Jade Bottle and handed the Medicinal Liquid to Tang Chen.

Tang Chen took the Jade Bottle and drained it in one gulp.

A faint medicinal fragrance drifted through the courtyard.

Dugu Yan took back the Jade Bottle and stared at his face for a moment.

"Are you really not feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

"No."

"What about your meridians?"

"Normal."

"Soul power circulation?"

"Also normal."

Tang Chen answered very quickly.

Dugu Yan let out a soft hum.

"You only ever say you're fine."

She turned and walked over to the Stone Table, placing the Jade Bottle on the surface.

Her skirt brushed against the green grass, the emerald green fabric looking very soft in the moonlight.

Tang Chen came up behind her.

"You've been watching the match the whole time today."

"I'm your teammate."

Dugu Yan sat on the Stone Bench and looked up at him.

"Isn't checking on a teammate's condition supposed to happen?"

"The match is already over."

"Even if it's over, I have to check."

She reached out and grabbed Tang Chen's sleeve, pulling him down beside her.

After Tang Chen sat down, their shoulders touched.

Dugu Yan did not back away.

She took out a jade box from the Storage Soul Tool and placed it on Tang Chen's lap.

"There is new medicinal liquid inside."

"You already gave me a bottle."

"That bottle was for before the match."

"And this bottle?"

"For after the match."

Dugu Yan raised a hand to open the jade box.

Jade bottles were neatly arranged inside, each body engraved with delicate patterns.

"One bottle a day."

"I don't need it."

"You do."

Dugu Yan picked up one of the bottles and placed it in Tang Chen's hand.

"You are the team's core now."

"There are still matches ahead."

"If something happens to you in a match, the entire team will be affected."

Tang Chen lowered his head to look at the jade bottle in his hand.

"Are you only worried about the team?"

Dugu Yan's fingers paused for a moment.

She averted her gaze.

"Of course."

"I am the vice-captain."

Tang Chen put the jade bottle away into his Storage Soul Tool.

"I understand."

Dugu Yan watched his movement.

"Drink it now."

"I already drank one earlier."

"That was for today."

"This bottle is for today too."

Dugu Yan turned around and reached out to take the Storage Soul Tool.

Tang Chen raised a hand to block her wrist.

"Drink it tomorrow."

Dugu Yan did not pull back her hand.

She looked down briefly at their hands.

"You've learned to put me off now."

"I haven't."

"You have."

Dugu Yan raised her face.

The distance was too close; her long hair slipped from her shoulder and brushed against Tang Chen's arm.

A faint herbal scent drifted closer with the night wind.

"Today on the stage, why did you keep blocking from the very front?"

"The opponents weren't strong."

"Even if they weren't strong, you could have let Tianheng strike first."

"This is faster."

"You always only think about being fast."

Dugu Yan raised a hand, her fingertips landing on Tang Chen's shoulder.

A speck of dust from the stone platform was smudged there.

She brushed the dust away, but her movement did not stop immediately.

"If you get injured, I'm the one who has to brew medicine for you."

"Ye Lingling can heal."

"She can only recover injuries."

Dugu Yan looked at him.

"I can also condition your meridians."

"So you're more suited than Lingling?"

"I didn't say that."

"You already said it."

Dugu Yan withdrew her hand.

Her cheeks flushed with a shallow red under the moonlight.

"I just want you to know that there are many ways I can help you."

"I know."

"What do you know?"

"You remind me every day."

Dugu Yan did not reply.

Her fingers slowly landed on Tang Chen's sleeve, gently twisting a corner of the fabric.

"Then did you remember?"

"I remembered."

"Remember what?"

"You care about me a lot."

Dugu Yan immediately raised her gaze.

She looked at Tang Chen for a moment, then turned her face aside.

"I care about the team."

"Mm."

"Don't let your imagination run wild."

"I'm not."

"You just said it out loud."

"I was only repeating your words."

Dugu Yan raised a hand and gave his shoulder a push.

The force was very light.

Tang Chen did not dodge.

After she pulled her hand back, the courtyard grew quiet.

The night wind swept past the treetops.

Dugu Yan sat for a moment, her eyelids gradually growing heavy.

Although today's match had ended quickly, she had been maintaining her soul power by the soul arena platform the entire time, and her mind had never truly relaxed.

Tang Chen noticed her movements slowing down.

"Sleepy?"

"No."

After Dugu Yan answered, another moment passed.

Her head gently rested against Tang Chen's shoulder.

"I'm just sitting for a while."

"Alright."

Tang Chen did not move.

Dugu Yan leaned more securely against him.

One of her hands was still clutching Tang Chen's sleeve, her fingertips not loosening.

Tang Chen looked down.

Her eyelashes drooped quietly, and her breathing grew steady.

"Dugu Yan."

She did not respond.

Tang Chen raised a hand and tucked the long hair that had fallen beside her face behind her ear.

Dugu Yan's brows twitched slightly, but she did not wake up.

Her cheek pressed against the side of Tang Chen's shoulder, her emerald green long dress spread out beside the stone bench.

Tang Chen sat for a while before speaking:

"Go back to your room to sleep."

Dugu Yan still did not open her eyes.

Tang Chen supported her shoulders.

Dugu Yan immediately raised a hand and hugged his arm.

"Don't move."

"If you sleep out here, you'll catch a cold."

"Then stay with me."

With her eyes closed, her arm did not loosen.

Tang Chen looked at her.

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"I know."

Dugu Yan buried her face into the side of his shoulder.

"Today you stood in front of me the whole time."

"Now it's my turn to watch over you."

Tang Chen did not try to persuade her further.

He raised a hand and condensed a layer of life force.

Emerald green points of light fell, enveloping both their bodies.

The chill of the night was blocked outside.

Dugu Yan's fingers gradually relaxed, yet they still grasped his sleeve.

"Tang Chen."

"Mm."

"In tomorrow's match, you aren't allowed to stay too far from me."

"Alright."

"If Huo Wu gets close to you again—"

Dugu Yan paused for a moment.

With her eyes closed, her fingers tightened again.

"You have to dodge."

"I'll pay attention during the match."

"Pay attention after the match ends too."

Tang Chen looked down at her.

Dugu Yan did not open her eyes, merely moving her body a little closer to his side.

"I don't like other people touching you."

The courtyard quieted down once more.

Tang Chen raised a hand and gently pressed the top of her head.

"Understood."

Only then did Dugu Yan relax.

Leaning against Tang Chen's shoulder, she quickly fell fast asleep.

Tang Chen did not push her away.

He merely adjusted his sitting posture to make her more comfortable.

Moonlight fell through the gaps in the tree leaves.

A maple leaf drifted down onto Dugu Yan's hair.

Tang Chen reached out and removed it.

Dugu Yan stirred in her sleep, her palm shifting from his sleeve to his hand.

Her fingers slid in, entangling with his in a ten-finger clasp.

Tang Chen looked at their intertwined hands and did not pull away.

Until the night grew deeper, he carried Dugu Yan back to her room.

Dugu Yan still had not woken up.

Tang Chen laid her down on the bed, and just as he prepared to withdraw his hand, she caught his sleeve.

"Where are you going?"

"Right here."

"Really?"

"Mn."

Only then did Dugu Yan release the sleeve.

She shifted toward the inner side of the bed, leaving a spot beside her.

Tang Chen sat on the edge of the bed.

Dugu Yan closed her eyes, raising a hand to pat the mattress beside her.

"Come over."

"You sleep your sleep."

"I'm already awake."

"You're still closing your eyes."

Dugu Yan opened her eyes.

Moonlight fell upon her face, reflecting a faint layer of luster.

She looked at Tang Chen.

"Now I'm awake."

Tang Chen did not expose her.

He took off his outer robe, placed it aside, and then lay down on the outer side of the bed.

Dugu Yan immediately leaned over.

She pillowed her head on Tang Chen's arm, one hand resting across his chest.

"That way no one will touch you."

"Do you have to manage things like this even when sleeping?"

"I have to."

Dugu Yan closed her eyes.

"You are my teammate."

"Teammate again?"

"Also..."

Capping her words, she stopped.

Tang Chen looked toward her.

"Also what?"

Dugu Yan did not answer.

Her palm pressed lightly against Tang Chen's chest.

"Wait for you to think of it yourself."

Tang Chen grasped her wrist.

Dugu Yan did not pull away.

She pressed her fingers against Tang Chen's palm, gradually interlocking them with his.

"Tang Chen."

"Mn."

"Win against Shrek Academy tomorrow."

"We will win."

"Don't let me see you get hurt."

"I won't."

"You promised."

"I remember."

Dugu Yan opened her eyes, looking at Tang Chen close beside her.

She reached out to tidy the scattered black hair across his forehead.

"Then sleep."

"Alright."

Dugu Yan moved slightly closer into his embrace.

The palms of the two remained joined the entire time.

Outside the window, moonlight fell upon the edge of the bed.

Dugu Yan closed her eyes, sleeping quietly by Tang Chen's side.

The third day.

Heaven Dou Main Arena.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy once again stepped onto the Soul Arena Platform.

Tang Chen walked at the very front of the team.

The silver team uniform fit his figure closely, the swan pattern on the chest clearly visible under the sunlight.

Zhu Zhuqing followed on his right side.

Dugu Yan stood at the left rear, her emerald-green long hair bound behind her head, the silver belt at her waist swaying gently with her footsteps.

Yu Tianheng held the match roster.

"Today's opponents are Godwind Academy."

"Captain Feng Xiaotian, rank 48 Soul Power."

"Martial Soul Gale Dual Wings, both speed and attack are very strong."

"His Self-Created Soul Skill can launch thirty-six consecutive slashes."