As Huo Wu's voice fell, the rest of the Blazing Team looked like deflated balls. Their original soaring battle intent dimmed, even the flames flickering around their bodies losing their luster.
They knew that once Dugu Yan's toxic mist became uncontrollable, they had already fallen into a disadvantage. Combined with Gu Xuan—who, despite being only Rank 33, possessed power that was not at all inferior to their vice-captain Huo Wushuang—their chances of victory had dwindled to nearly zero.
If Huo Yun and Huo Yu had been able to take down Yu Feng and then threaten Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, they might have had a strong chance. However, they never expected that the two Defense Type soul masters, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, would possess such outstanding offensive combat capability.
Ultimately, it came down to an incomplete study of the Emperor Team. Although they had data, it only offered a superficial introduction.
After Huo Wu surrendered, Gu Xuan ceased the output of his third soul skill and silently retracted his Martial Soul.
Though Huo Wushuang felt unreconciled, he was already poisoned. He was forced to abandon his offensive, but he did not retract his Martial Soul; he needed to rely on his own soul power to resist the invasion of the Jade Phosphor Violet Poison.
Once the rest of the Blazing Team retracted their martial souls, the Emperor Team followed suit.
Seeing this, the commentator's voice rang out: "Emperor Team versus Blazing Team—Emperor Team wins! Let us congratulate the Emperor Team on achieving a five-match winning streak!"
Prior to this, the Emperor Team had been on a four-match streak, which was why they were matched against the six-match streak Blazing Team.
In the spectator stands, some viewers were cursing while others were jubilant, clearly reflecting the different teams they had wagered on.
However, the Blazing Team had only been fighting here for a few months, so their fan base wasn't as large as the Emperor Team's; thus, the crowd was mostly filled with cheering.
At that moment, Gu Xuan's calm voice sounded. "Sister Yan, please detoxify these two first."
Gu Xuan then looked at Huo Wu and asked. "You all should be from Blazing Academy, right?"
Although Huo Wu was annoyed by the loss, the opponent's attitude was good—proactively offering to detoxify Huo Wushuang and Huo Lie—so she couldn't bring herself to maintain a cold face.
Huo Wu replied flatly. "That's right. But don't get too comfortable; next time, the victory will definitely be ours."
Gu Xuan chuckled. A warm, genial smile spread across his handsome face, making it hard for Huo Wu to find a reason to lash out.
"We will be here for quite a long time. We welcome your challenge whenever you're ready!"
Huo Wu felt a bit stifled. Didn't that basically mean the Blazing Team was inferior to the Emperor Team?
But by then, Huo Wushuang had already supported Huo Lie over to Huo Wu's side. Huo Wu cast a burning glance at Gu Xuan and said. "We'll see about that!"
Gu Xuan smiled helplessly and shook his head without further words. In the original records, this girl Huo Wu was exactly like this—hot-tempered, daring to love and hate, and possessing a stubborn refusal to lose since childhood due to her extraordinary talent.
To Gu Xuan, it didn't matter. In fact, he rather appreciated girls with such strong personalities; conquering them was far more interesting.
Of course, it wasn't that Gu Xuan "had feelings" for her; it was merely a simple appreciation of a beauty.
Dugu Yan stepped up to Gu Xuan's side, looking at him with a beaming smile as she said softly. "What's this? Taken a liking to that girl?"
Gu Xuan turned to look at Dugu Yan's smiling face. Hearing that tone, he felt a mysterious chill run down his spine. What did this mean? Testing him?
'Heh, test my foot! Right now, you're number one in my heart.'
Gu Xuan smiled slightly and replied. "They are from Blazing Academy. I'm just building some good rapport, though it seems they aren't very appreciative."
As he spoke, Gu Xuan intentionally leaned his mouth toward Dugu Yan's ear and whispered. "Sister Yan, next time, after you poison them, if I ask for your help to detoxify them, you should intentionally refuse. Let them suffer a bit!"
Gu Xuan's sudden proximity caused Dugu Yan's face to flush slightly. Hearing his words, she pouted and gave him a sidelong glance, replying, "Wow, you really have a wicked heart!"
Gu Xuan immediately feigned offense. "Hey, how is this wicked? They lost but still put on such arrogant airs. I'm just helping their elders temper their dispositions. It's a good deed!"
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at him. "So you get to be the 'good guy' while I'm forced to play the villain?"
As the two bantered, the rest of the Emperor Team filed off the stage. Yu Tianheng frowned as he watched the intimacy between Dugu Yan and Gu Xuan, but eventually followed them down in silence.
Gu Xuan placed a hand on Dugu Yan's back, guiding her off the stage as he said. "Sister Yan, how can you say that? Those with great ability naturally have to bear more pressure. If I had your strength, I wouldn't need to beg you for help."
Being pushed along by Gu Xuan, the corners of Dugu Yan's mouth curled up. She smiled and replied. "Is this how the Great Young Master Gu Xuan begs for help? You won't even say the word 'please'."
Gu Xuan's expression became a bit unnatural. Although Dugu Yan didn't object to his physical touch, why was this plot development different from what he imagined?
Shouldn't he just unleash his "heroic aura," flash a protagonist-level handsome and charming smile, and have the girl immediately swoon?
Alas, reality was not imagination. Gu Xuan gave a sheepish laugh and replied. "Of course I'm saying please! It has to be a feast. Later, let's go have some fun at the Doutian Manor!"
Doutian Manor was the property of Prince Xue Xing and the largest aristocratic entertainment venue in Heaven Dou City. Inside, if you could think of it, they could do it.
That old man ate the imperial grain but did the work of a dog; all kinds of dirty deeds strictly prohibited by law were available there!
Yet, while everyone cursed him, everyone wanted to be him.
Dugu Yan nodded with satisfaction. Under Gu Xuan's gentle nudging, the two returned to the Emperor Team's lounge.
The others had already arrived. Qin Ming was sitting on a single leather sofa, a stack of files in his hand. Clearly, he had recorded their performance during the match.
Upon entering, Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan stopped their playing around and sat obediently on the sofa, waiting for Qin Ming to speak.
"Ahem..." Seeing that everyone was back, Qin Ming cleared his throat. "To be honest, I am very satisfied with your performance today!"
This was Qin Ming's first sentence. As soon as he said it, everyone—including Gu Xuan—let go of the tension in their hearts, and smiles broke out on their faces.
Qin Ming continued. "First, I want to praise Gu Xuan. He has only been with the team for three days, yet he handled the tactical arrangement and command for today's battle perfectly. I am extremely satisfied with his performance."
Hearing this, everyone secretly gave Gu Xuan a thumbs-up. Though he had only been with them for three days, he had already earned their trust and respect.
Aside from his own strength and talent, it was his trust and selflessness toward others; the method of limit-surpassing soul ring absorption alone was enough to win their hearts.
Gu Xuan didn't dare take all the credit and immediately replied. "Teacher Qin, this was only possible through everyone's collective effort. It actually didn't have much to do with me. Even if Tianheng or Sister Yan had set the tactics, the result would have been the same."
Hearing this, Qin Ming nodded slightly, even more pleased with Gu Xuan. As the saying goes, calm and composed, not seeking fame. This was indeed a seedling with excellent talent and character.
However, excessive modesty is a form of pride. Qin Ming said directly, "Gu Xuan, you needn't be modest. I have records of everyone's performance here. Regardless, in my eyes, your performance exceeded theirs."
Hearing this, the others didn't feel any jealousy; instead, they felt further motivated. After all, Gu Xuan was only fifteen (a reminder: Gu Xuan's true age is twelve, fifteen is his falsified age!!!). At Rank 33, his strength already surpassed them all.
Putting Qin Ming aside, Gu Xuan was now the target they were all chasing!
(End of Chapter)
---
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.