Chapter 58 Last-minute change of general: Ye Liuyun replaces Tang San
Watching Zhu Zhuqing's departing figure following Ye Liuyun, Yu Xiaogang felt a surge of blood rushing to his chest—the anger of having his authority challenged.
"Stop!"
Yu Xiaogang whirled around, pointed at Ye Liuyun's retreating figure, and angrily rebuked:
"Ye Liuyun! You're ruining her, and you're ruining Shrek Academy!"
"You have no idea what teamwork is, or what it means to sacrifice for the team! You only care about yourself; you're selfish, cold-blooded, and heartless!"
"If everyone were like you, only caring about themselves, how could Shrek Academy win the championship? How could they compete with the geniuses of the entire continent?"
Ye Liuyun finally stopped.
He slowly turned around, becoming unusually serious.
An invisible sense of oppression emanated from his body.
He looked at Yu Xiaogang, a cold, extremely sarcastic smile curling at the corner of his lips:
"What are you pretending for?"
"Team spirit?"
"Sacrifice?"
Ye Liuyun stepped forward, his voice not loud, but every word pierced the heart:
"Speak of benevolence and morality when you open your mouth, and talk about morality and benevolence when you shut up."
"But why is it that every so-called 'sacrifice' is made by others? Why don't you sacrifice yourself?"
"Let Zhu Zhuqing sacrifice her dignity to integrate, and let everyone sacrifice their bodies for special training."
And what about yourself?
"Besides standing on the shore and talking, enjoying the honors your disciples risked their lives for, what have you sacrificed?"
Yu Xiaogang turned pale and was rendered speechless by the rebuttal:
"You…"
Ye Liuyun didn't give him a chance to refute. The level 36 soul power fluctuation on his body suddenly erupted. It was a kind of condensation and weight far exceeding the same level, making the surrounding air viscous.
"Want to win?"
Ye Liuyun's eyes were confident as he pointed to himself:
"It's very simple."
"Just let me do it, that's all."
"Among all the Soul Masters in the world, I am invincible among those of the same level."
"As long as I'm on the stage, it's a victory."
Arrogant!
Extreme arrogance!
But seeing the terrifying aura that Ye Liuyun was unleashing, the people present were unable to refute him for a moment.
Because he was indeed the strongest student at Shrek Academy.
Yu Xiaogang stared intently at Ye Liuyun, the muscles at the corners of his eyes twitching.
He wanted to refute, to scold Ye Liuyun for being arrogant and ignorant.
Ye Liuyun's one-on-one strength was obvious to all; even Dai Mubai was no match for him.
But then a sudden thought flashed through his mind, and he remembered the information he had just obtained—the Heaven Dou Royal Team.
That was a Silver Fighting Spirit team, with all members being Soul Elders and possessing top-tier martial souls such as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and the Jade Phosphor Serpent.
Their strength was far beyond what those weak teams could ever match.
Good... very good.
Since you're so arrogant, since you want to...
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, and instead revealed a meaningful expression on his face.
"Good."
Yu Xiaogang nodded, his voice returning to calm:
"Since you're so confident, since you think you're the best."
"Then I'll give you that chance."
He looked around at the crowd and announced in a deep voice:
"In the next team battle, the Shrek Seven Devils will change their formation."
"Tang San is off the field to rest."
"Ye Liuyun will take Tang San's place as the core of the control system and command the entire team!"
These words caused an uproar in the audience.
"What?"
Oscar and Ma Hongjun panicked and rushed forward:
"Master, isn't this inappropriate?"
"Third Brother has been controlling the game so well lately, and our teamwork has only just become more refined. If we replace our core commander now, what if..."
"Yes, Master, Ye Liuyun is indeed powerful, but he has never cooperated with us!"
Even Tang San looked astonished, his brows furrowed.
"Teacher, isn't it too risky to change commanders at this critical juncture?"
He didn't understand.
Why did the teacher give the stage to Ye Liuyun when he was clearly trying to prove that he was the one in charge?
Yu Xiaogang raised his hand to interrupt the crowd's doubts and said in an unquestionable manner:
"My mind is made up, there's no need for further words."
After saying that, he glanced at Tang San and waved:
"Little San, come with me for a moment."
...
A secluded spot in the woods.
Tang San looked puzzled: "Teacher, what are you doing...?"
Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant sky, a cold smile playing on his lips:
"Little San, do you think I shouldn't have let him take the field?"
"The teacher did this for a deeper reason."
Yu Xiaogang turned around, patted Tang San on the shoulder, and explained earnestly:
"Ye Liuyun is indeed extremely talented, but precisely because of that, he is too arrogant. So arrogant that he looks down on tactics, teamwork, and even you."
"If we don't break his undefeated record, there will always be someone in the team who thinks, 'It would be better if Ye Liuyun were the one to play.'"
At this point, a glint of light flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes:
"Our next opponent is the Heaven Dou Royal Team. Their captain, Yu Tianheng, possesses the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, making him incredibly powerful."
"Ye Liuyun's unorthodox, solo fighting style is bound to lose when he encounters a top-tier, well-organized team like this!"
"I sent him up there so he would run into a wall and lose!"
"Only when he suffers a severe setback, and realizes that he is nothing without the team and without your command, will he become honest and face reality."
"And…"
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, his eyes full of expectation:
"Only when we lose the game without you will everyone truly understand how indispensable you, Tang San, are to the Shrek team."
"This is a price that must be paid in order to establish authority."
After hearing these words, Tang San suddenly understood.
I see.
This was what was known as "feigning indifference to lure the enemy into a trap".
Let Ye Liuyun be the epitome of failure, using a crushing defeat to highlight his own perfection and importance.
This would not only curb Ye Liuyun's arrogance, but also further consolidate his leadership position in the team.
The confusion in Tang San's eyes dissipated, replaced by deep respect for his teacher.
He lowered his head and bowed respectfully.
"Use a borrowed knife to kill someone, and to restore morale of the army."
"The teacher is wise."
Yu Xiaogang brought Tang San back.
Both of them had regained their composure, especially Tang San, whose gaze towards Ye Liuyun held less confusion and more of a nonchalant air of "luring the enemy into a trap."
"The plan has changed."
Yu Xiaogang walked to the table, placed his hands on the surface, scanned the entire room, and finally locked his gaze on Ye Liuyun like a hawk:
"Originally, I planned to let you rest for a few days before challenging that strong team from the Heaven Dou Royal Family through the Soto Grand Soul Arena."
"But since Ye Liuyun is so confident in himself, he feels that tactics and command are superfluous."
"Then, there's no better time than today."
Yu Xiaogang pulled a match schedule from his pocket and slammed it heavily on the table:
"I've already had someone make the arrangements. Tonight, tonight."
"Shrek Team, face off against Heaven Dou Royal Team!"
Everyone was taken aback by these words.
"Tonight? So soon?"
Oscar exclaimed in surprise.
"Master, we haven't studied their information yet."
"The strong don't need to pick and choose their days."
Yu Xiaogang coldly interrupted him, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority and a highly targeted warning:
"Ye Liuyun will take over the position of Control System in place of Tang San. This is the opportunity he requested to prove himself."
"Everyone, go back and rest immediately to get ready. Tonight's battle is about Shrek Academy's honor."
At this point, Yu Xiaogang narrowed his eyes and added meaningfully:
"Let's get the ugly truth out of the way."
"We used to be an undefeated team."
"If anyone causes a breakdown in team coordination due to individual heroism, and the team loses the game..."
"Then don't blame me for being ruthless; I'll settle both old and new scores!"
This was practically like pointing at a monk and calling him a bald monk.
Everyone knew that these words were meant for Ye Liuyun.
If we lose, it's Ye Liuyun's fault for disobeying orders and being arrogant.
We win? That's because we were an undefeated team to begin with.
This was a "dead end" where you could only win, and there was a high probability you'd lose.
Meeting adjourned!
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[end of the chapter]