The corridor leading back from the arena was quieter than the stadium above.
But only slightly.
Even through the thick reinforced walls of the preparation area, the distant roar of tens of thousands of spectators still echoed faintly through the stone structure.
The semifinal had ended only minutes ago.
Yet the energy of the crowd had not diminished.
If anything, it had grown even louder.
Because something unexpected had happened in the arena.
The masked captain of Sun Moon Academy—
Was no longer fully masked.
Lin Huang walked calmly through the corridor.
The broken half of the mask still covered part of his face, though the damage was obvious now.
In his arms, Honghong rested comfortably, her cerulean tails swaying lazily behind her as if the chaos of the battle had meant absolutely nothing.
"…Hmph."
She looked mildly pleased.
The fox spirit had enjoyed the show.
Behind them, several members of the Sun Moon team followed through the corridor entrance.
But none of them were smiling.
Not even slightly.
The moment Lin Huang stepped into the preparation chamber—
The atmosphere exploded.
Ma Xiaotao moved first.
She crossed the room in two steps and grabbed the collar of his coat before he had even finished closing the door.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"
Her golden eyes burned with fury.
Lin Huang blinked.
"…Hello to you too."
Xu Tianzhen slammed both hands against the table nearby.
"Do you have ANY idea what you just did?!"
Wu Feng crossed her arms tightly, glaring at him like she was considering whether throwing him back into the arena might improve the situation.
"The entire continent just saw your face."
Lin Huang opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
"…Yes."
Ning Tian sighed quietly from the side of the room.
The support-type soul master pressed two fingers against her forehead.
"You broke the plan."
Her voice wasn't loud.
But the disappointment in it was far more dangerous than Xiaotao's shouting.
Lin Huang shifted slightly.
"Well…"
Meng Hongchen covered her mouth, her face still faintly red.
"Now everyone is going to stare at you…"
Her voice was half embarrassment, half accusation.
Long Xiaoyi stood near the wall.
Silent.
But the calm look in her eyes was somehow more threatening than Xiaotao's yelling.
Lin Huang wisely avoided making eye contact.
Jiang Nannan finally spoke.
Her voice was softer than the others.
"You could have been hurt."
Her violet eyes studied the crack across the mask.
"If that spear had been aimed differently…"
She didn't finish the sentence.
But the implication hung quietly in the air.
Across the room, Su Mei stood with her arms crossed.
She had been leaning against the table the entire time.
Watching.
Waiting.
Her expression didn't show anger.
Which somehow made the situation worse.
"Young master."
Lin Huang froze.
Su Mei raised one eyebrow.
"Explain."
Honghong looked from one face to another.
Then back at Lin Huang.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit shifted slightly.
And quietly hid behind his shoulder.
Clearly deciding that this was not a good moment to be visible.
Lin Huang cleared his throat.
"Well."
He glanced around the room.
Seven pairs of eyes were staring at him.
Some furious.
Some worried.
Some both.
"…Technically speaking," he began carefully, "it wasn't entirely my fault."
Ma Xiaotao's grip on his collar tightened.
"Oh really?"
Lin Huang nodded seriously.
"Yes."
He gestured vaguely toward the arena above.
"The spear hit the mask."
Wu Feng stared at him.
"…We saw that."
Xu Tianzhen pointed toward the ceiling.
"THE ENTIRE CONTINENT SAW THAT."
Ning Tian sighed again.
"The point isn't the spear."
She gestured toward the broken mask.
"The point is that it broke."
Lin Huang rubbed the back of his neck.
"…Right."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Then Ma Xiaotao released his collar and stepped back.
But the glare she gave him suggested the argument was far from over.
"You're lucky the fight was already won."
Wu Feng nodded.
"If that had happened earlier in the match…"
Xu Tianzhen crossed her arms again.
"…we would have had a much bigger problem."
Lin Huang raised an eyebrow.
"Bigger than this?"
Seven voices answered at once.
"YES."
He sighed.
"…Fair."
Honghong peeked over his shoulder again.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit looked vaguely satisfied.
From her perspective—
The situation was very entertaining.
The preparation chamber remained tense for several seconds after the shouting stopped.
Not calm.
Just… quieter.
Lin Huang straightened his collar slowly after Ma Xiaotao released it, while Honghong continued peeking over his shoulder with obvious curiosity. Her cerulean tails swayed slowly behind him, as if she were watching some strange human ritual she did not fully understand.
Or perhaps simply enjoying the chaos.
Across the room, Xu Tianzhen exhaled sharply and crossed her arms.
"You really don't understand the problem, do you?"
Lin Huang tilted his head slightly.
"…I broke the mask."
Wu Feng stared at him.
"That's not the real problem."
Ning Tian stepped forward calmly, though the faint crease between her brows made it clear she was still annoyed.
"The problem," she said, "is what happens after people see your face."
Lin Huang blinked.
"…They recognize me?"
Ma Xiaotao groaned loudly.
"That's not the point!"
She jabbed a finger toward him.
"You're an idiot."
Lin Huang opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
Xu Tianzhen walked closer.
Her gaze moved across his partially revealed face.
Then she sighed.
"You realize what you look like, right?"
Lin Huang raised an eyebrow.
"…Yes?"
Wu Feng snorted.
"That's the problem."
Meng Hongchen covered her mouth again, clearly embarrassed by the direction the conversation was taking.
"Now the entire stadium knows…"
Long Xiaoyi, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
Her voice calm.
"But the real issue is attention."
Everyone in the room nodded.
Ning Tian folded her hands calmly.
"From now on," she said, "you keep the mask."
Lin Huang shrugged.
"That was already the plan."
Xu Tianzhen pointed at him immediately.
"And you don't turn off Infinity again."
Ma Xiaotao nodded sharply.
"Ever."
Wu Feng added with a grin that was only half joking,
"If you do, we'll break your legs before the enemy can."
Lin Huang raised both hands slightly.
"…It wasn't off."
Ning Tian shook her head.
"It was weakened."
He paused.
"…Fair."
Jiang Nannan stepped closer, still studying the broken mask.
Her voice was quiet.
"When Infinity is active, people can't approach you easily."
Lin Huang nodded.
"That's the idea."
Wu Feng crossed her arms.
"And when you weaken it—"
Ma Xiaotao finished the sentence.
"—people can."
Lin Huang frowned slightly.
"…People?"
Xu Tianzhen pointed toward the ceiling again.
"You heard the crowd."
Ma Xiaotao added,
"And that was before they saw your face."
Meng Hongchen nodded nervously.
"There were already people asking about you in the stands…"
Wu Feng grinned.
"And they weren't asking about your combat ability."
Lin Huang finally understood.
"…Oh."
The room fell silent for half a second.
Then Xu Tianzhen stepped forward.
She grabbed his arm.
"From now on," she said calmly, "if someone tries to approach you—"
Ma Xiaotao immediately grabbed his other arm.
"—we handle it."
Wu Feng smirked.
"Try getting past us first."
Ning Tian sighed quietly.
"…This is becoming ridiculous."
But she did not move to stop them.
Long Xiaoyi simply watched with calm eyes.
Jiang Nannan hesitated briefly.
Then quietly moved closer as well.
Lin Huang looked down at the cluster of arms now holding onto him.
"…You know people can see this, right?"
Xu Tianzhen shrugged.
"Good."
Ma Xiaotao nodded.
"Let them."
Wu Feng added casually,
"That's the point."
Honghong watched the entire scene with interest.
Then she slowly climbed higher onto Lin Huang's shoulder.
Her tails wrapped lightly around the back of his neck.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit looked at the group of girls surrounding him.
Then lifted her head slightly.
As if silently declaring:
He already belongs to us.
Lin Huang sighed.
"…This is going to be a long tournament."
The door to the preparation chamber opened again.
This time the room didn't explode into chaos.
But everyone turned to look.
Several tournament officials entered first, carrying projection tablets and formation documents.
Behind them—
Three familiar figures stepped into the room.
Lin Huang's father.
His mother.
And his grandfather.
In his mother's arms was a very small bundle wrapped in soft cloth.
Lin Yuxin.
The moment Lin Huang noticed them, his posture relaxed slightly.
"Mother."
His mother smiled faintly.
"Congratulations on your victory."
Behind her, Lin Zhenyuan was already laughing quietly.
"That spear of yours nearly split the arena in half."
Lin Huang rubbed the back of his neck.
"…About that."
Before he could continue, the small figure in his mother's arms moved.
Tiny hands reached forward.
Yuxin had clearly noticed him.
She made a small sound.
"Ah—"
Lin Huang stepped closer automatically.
His mother lowered the baby slightly so he could take her.
Yuxin immediately grabbed onto his clothes with surprising strength for someone so small.
Her little hands clutched the fabric near his collar.
Lin Huang smiled faintly.
"Hello there."
For a moment, the baby simply stared up at him.
Then—
She leaned forward.
And bit him.
"—Ow."
Lin Huang blinked.
The bite wasn't strong.
But it was very deliberate.
He looked down at her.
"…What was that for?"
Yuxin released his shoulder and stared at him with the serious expression only babies somehow managed to have.
The room went silent.
Then Wu Feng burst out laughing.
"She bit you!"
Xu Tianzhen covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Ma Xiaotao crossed her arms with a smirk.
"…Even your sister thinks you deserve it."
Lin Huang sighed.
"…I feel attacked."
Honghong peeked over his shoulder.
Her cerulean ears twitched as she watched the small human curiously.
"…Hmph."
The fox spirit tilted her head slightly.
Apparently judging the situation.
Yuxin noticed her.
Her tiny hands reached toward the fox spirit immediately.
Honghong blinked.
Then slowly leaned backward.
Clearly unsure how to react to this small creature attempting to grab her tail.
Lin Huang's father laughed openly.
"Well."
"At least someone in the family agrees with the girls."
Lin Huang gave him a flat look.
"You're enjoying this."
"Of course."
Lin Zhenyuan leaned slightly on his cane while chuckling.
"The boy finally causes trouble and the entire household reacts."
Lin Huang's mother simply shook her head.
But the faint smile in her eyes was impossible to miss.
One of the tournament officials stepped forward at that moment.
He cleared his throat.
"There is also an announcement regarding the tournament schedule."
Ju Zi immediately focused on him.
"What happened?"
The official hesitated briefly.
Then turned the projection tablet toward the group.
The image displayed the current state of the arena.
Or rather—
What remained of it.
The stone floor had been shattered across nearly half the battlefield.
Several barrier formation pillars had cracked.
Even parts of the surrounding reinforcement structures were damaged.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Wu Feng exhaled slowly.
"…Oh."
Ma Xiaotao smirked.
"That explains things."
Xu Tianzhen sighed.
"Of course it does."
The official continued carefully.
"Due to the… structural damage caused during the semifinal match…"
His eyes flicked briefly toward Lin Huang.
"…the arena will require reconstruction and reinforcement."
Ju Zi asked immediately.
"How long?"
The official answered.
"Ten days."
A brief silence followed.
Then Ji Juechen nodded once.
"Enough time."
Xu Tianzhen leaned back slightly.
"So the final will take place in ten days."
Ma Xiaotao rolled her shoulders.
"Good."
Wu Feng grinned.
"More time to prepare."
Lin Huang gently adjusted his hold on Yuxin.
The baby had already calmed down again and was now holding onto his sleeve like it belonged to her.
Her tiny fingers refused to let go.
He glanced toward his mother.
"Ten days."
She nodded.
"Yes."
Her gaze moved briefly across the room.
Then toward Ju Zi.
"Which also gives everyone time to prepare properly."
Lin Huang understood what she meant.
Across the room, Ju Zi's eyes met his.
A silent message passed between them.
Ten days.
More than enough time.
Outside the preparation chamber, the distant roar of the stadium had already begun fading.
But across the capital, the news was spreading rapidly.
The final of the Continental Elite Tournament would take place in ten days.
Sun Moon Academy.
Versus Shrek.
And after the chaos of the semifinals—
The entire continent would be watching.
While the Sun Moon team dealt with the aftermath of the semifinal, the atmosphere inside another section of the massive stadium complex was far more restrained.
The Shrek Academy preparation chamber was quieter.
Not silent.
But focused.
The large projection screen mounted on the far wall still displayed the final moments of the semifinal battle.
The moment when Lin Huang's spear had pierced through the Star Luo formation.
The image froze just before the spear stopped in front of Xu Jiujiu's face.
The room remained quiet for several seconds.
Then Wu Ming leaned forward slightly in her chair.
"…That wasn't just a technique."
Ling Luochen nodded slowly beside her.
"It was intent."
Her pale blue eyes remained fixed on the projection.
"Pure spear intent."
Across the room, Chen Zifeng crossed his arms.
"And not weak either."
Xixi tilted her head thoughtfully.
"The way the air split before the spear moved…"
She shook her head.
"That wasn't normal."
Han Ruoruo stood near the center of the room.
Her expression remained calm.
But her eyes had sharpened slightly while watching the recording.
"That strike wasn't meant to kill."
Her voice was quiet.
But everyone heard it.
Wu Ming nodded.
"He stopped on purpose."
Ling Luochen glanced toward the screen again.
"And he stopped perfectly."
The projection replayed the moment again.
The spear halting less than an inch from Xu Jiujiu's face.
No tremor.
No hesitation.
Perfect control.
Han Ruoruo spoke again.
"That means two things."
Everyone looked toward her.
"He has overwhelming power."
"And even greater control."
At the far side of the room, Dai Yaoheng leaned against the wall.
His arms crossed as he watched the projection silently.
When the recording ended, he finally spoke.
"That wasn't a student."
The room turned toward him.
Dai Yaoheng's gaze remained fixed on the screen.
"That was a battlefield commander."
His words hung in the air for a moment.
Then Wu Ming nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
Ling Luochen spoke again.
"And he was still holding back."
Chen Zifeng frowned slightly.
"How can you tell?"
Ling Luochen answered calmly.
"The bracelets."
Her eyes moved toward the moment in the recording where Lin Huang removed them.
"Suppressing restraints."
"And the weights."
Xixi whistled quietly.
"He destroyed the arena while wearing those."
Wu Ming laughed softly.
"That's reassuring."
Han Ruoruo turned away from the projection screen.
Her expression remained thoughtful.
"Ten days."
Wu Ming nodded.
"The final."
Ling Luochen folded her arms.
"Sun Moon Academy."
Chen Zifeng added,
"And Lin Huang."
Dai Yaoheng pushed himself away from the wall.
For a moment he remained silent.
Then he spoke again.
"He's not just strong."
Everyone looked toward him again.
Dai Yaoheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"He's used to fighting seriously."
The room grew quiet again.
That detail mattered.
Because many academy tournaments were exhibitions.
Demonstrations of talent.
But the way Lin Huang moved—
The way he ended the fight—
That wasn't tournament behavior.
That was battlefield instinct.
Han Ruoruo nodded slowly.
"We'll need a full team strategy."
Wu Ming smirked slightly.
"Good."
"I was hoping this tournament would finally get interesting."
Ling Luochen glanced once more at the frozen image of the spear stopping in front of Xu Jiujiu.
Then she spoke quietly.
"The final won't be simple."
Outside the preparation chamber, the massive projection screens above the stadium had already updated.
The message was now displayed across the entire capital.
FINAL MATCH — TEN DAYS
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy
versus
Shrek Academy.
And after the events of the semifinal—
The anticipation surrounding that battle had grown enormous.
But inside the Shrek chamber, the excitement felt different.
Not curiosity.
Not spectacle.
Preparation.
Because the next time they stepped into the arena—
They would be facing Lin Huang directly.
Night fell slowly over the capital of the Sun Moon Empire.
The massive tournament stadium that had shaken with tens of thousands of voices during the day now stood mostly quiet beneath the moonlight.
But the city surrounding it had not slowed.
If anything—
The excitement had only grown stronger.
Projection arrays across the major avenues of the capital now displayed the same message repeatedly.
FINAL MATCH — TEN DAYS
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering AcademyvsShrek Academy
Every time the projection shifted across the sky, crowds gathered beneath the floating screens to discuss the upcoming battle.
Some argued over strategy.
Others debated which academy would win.
And many were still talking about the same moment from the semifinal.
The broken mask.
The spear strike.
The overwhelming pressure that had followed.
The capital had not seen a tournament this intense in decades.
Inside the Sun Moon residence complex assigned to the team, the atmosphere was calmer.
Not completely relaxed.
But calmer than before.
Most of the group had gathered in one of the larger training courtyards inside the compound.
The moonlight illuminated the stone ground softly while the faint glow of formation lanterns hung from several pillars surrounding the area.
For the moment—
No one was fighting.
No techniques.
No sparring.
Just quiet preparation.
Lin Huang sat on one of the stone benches near the edge of the courtyard.
Honghong rested comfortably in his lap.
The fox spirit had curled into a small ball, her cerulean tails wrapped loosely around herself as she slept.
"…Hmph."
Even in sleep, she occasionally made small noises of contentment.
Lin Huang gently brushed a strand of her cerulean hair away from her face.
Across the courtyard, several members of the group were still discussing the final.
Wu Feng leaned against one of the pillars with her arms crossed.
"Ten days."
Ma Xiaotao nodded.
"That's plenty."
Xu Tianzhen sat on the edge of the courtyard wall.
"Shrek won't waste that time either."
Ji Juechen stood nearby, his sword resting across his shoulder as always.
"They won't underestimate us."
Ning Tian closed the strategy tablet in her hands.
"And we won't underestimate them."
A few steps away, Ju Zi and Xiao Hongchen were already discussing possible formations for the final match.
"Shrek relies heavily on coordination," Ju Zi said calmly.
"They fight as a single unit."
Xiao Hongchen nodded.
"Which means breaking their rhythm will be important."
Meng Hongchen leaned against the table nearby.
"And if that fails?"
Ju Zi's eyes flicked briefly toward Lin Huang.
"Then we rely on overwhelming strength."
The conversation gradually softened.
Even Ma Xiaotao's earlier anger had cooled.
Though every now and then she still shot Lin Huang an annoyed look whenever the broken mask came to mind.
Across the courtyard, Lin Huang's parents had already retired for the evening.
Lin Zhenyuan had also left earlier after laughing far too loudly about the destroyed arena.
Only the younger generation remained awake now.
Lin Huang leaned back slightly against the stone bench.
The night air was cool.
Quiet.
Honghong shifted slightly in her sleep but didn't wake.
For a moment—
Everything seemed peaceful.
But then Lin Huang's gaze shifted.
His crimson eyes lifted slightly toward the dark edge of the courtyard wall.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But his expression changed slightly.
Something faint had brushed against his perception.
A presence.
Very weak.
Very distant.
But unmistakable.
Malice.
Across the courtyard, Ju Zi noticed immediately.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You felt it too."
It wasn't a question.
Lin Huang nodded faintly.
"Yes."
Ning Tian looked up from her tablet.
"What is it?"
Lin Huang's gaze remained fixed on the darkness beyond the courtyard.
"They're here."
The words were quiet.
But everyone in the courtyard heard them.
For a moment—
The peaceful atmosphere vanished completely.
Ma Xiaotao's eyes sharpened.
Wu Feng straightened from the pillar.
Xu Tianzhen slid off the wall.
Ji Juechen's hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword.
Lin Huang looked up toward the distant stadium rising above the city skyline.
The final would take place in ten days.
The entire continent would gather to watch.
But some of the people hiding in the shadows of the capital had not come for the tournament.
They had come for something else.
Something far darker.
Lin Huang gently adjusted Honghong in his lap.
The fox spirit stirred slightly but remained asleep.
His crimson eyes remained fixed on the darkness.
The trap had already been set.
Now—
They only needed their enemies to step into it.
Far above the capital, the projection arrays shifted once more.
The message appeared across the night sky again.
FINAL MATCH — TEN DAYS
But for those who understood the danger already gathering in the city—
The real battle would begin long before the final ever started.