Chapter 88 — WHEN TEAMS LEARN TO STAND ALONE
The training grounds of Vermillion Phoenix Academy were quiet in a way that felt unnatural.
Not empty.Not abandoned.
Just... restrained.
The wide expanse of stone platforms, suspended fields, and modular arenas sat beneath a crimson sky veined with faint formation lines. Normally, this place buzzed with energy at all hours. Shouts. Clashes. The roar of techniques colliding. Today, there was none of that.
Azure Dragon Academy’s team stood in a loose line at the edge of the grounds, bags set down, weapons resting at their sides. No one joked. No one lounged. Even Chen Wulian, usually incapable of standing still for more than five seconds, kept his arms folded and his mouth shut.
Because i Ying was standing in front of them.
She looked... tired.
Not physically. ntally.
The kind of exhaustion that ca from seeing too many promising people pushed into situations where talent alone would not save them.
Her gaze swept over the group once. Slowly. Deliberately.
"Stage Three, Part Two," she began, "is not a continuation."
She let that sink in.
"It’s a reset."
Chen frowned slightly. Qin Shuo adjusted his glasses. Ling Yifan straightened instinctively. Long Hao’s expression did not change, but his attention sharpened.
i Ying clasped her hands behind her back.
"Everything you learned about fighting together," she continued, "is now a liability."
No one argued.
"You will not have formations. You will not have rotations. You will not have soone watching your blind spots because they trust you’ll do the sa."
Her eyes hardened.
"And if you hesitate because soone wears the sa uniform as you, you will lose."
She paused.
"Or die."
That got Chen’s attention.
Before anyone could speak, i Ying raised a hand.
"Before we talk about what you need to do," she said, "you need to understand what everyone else has already done."
She turned and flicked her fingers.
A projection flared to life in the air between them.
Academy emblems rotated slowly.
"Several academies," i Ying said, "have made last-minute roster adjustnts. Perfectly legal. Perfectly calculated."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Dragon Turtle Academy did not co to Vermillion to play fair."
The emblem of Dragon Turtle Academy expanded.
New nas appeared beneath it.
Chen leaned forward. "Uh... weren’t they already terrifying?"
i Ying ignored him.
"First," she said, pointing.
XING YANLONG
"Divine-Tier Physique — Abyssal Black Turtle Physique."
The air felt heavier just reading it.
"A pure defensive monster," i Ying continued. "Extre endurance. Abyssal suppression. Regenerative capabilities that scale under pressure."
Qin Shuo frowned. "So... he doesn’t go down."
"No," i Ying replied. "He waits until you do."
Chen swallowed. "I hate him already."
i Ying’s finger moved.
FANG ZHAO
"Mystic Peak Talent — Tiger Soul."
"Offensive specialist," i Ying said. "Instinct-driven. Explosive growth during combat. Thrives in chaos."
Jin Ruolan’s eyes glead faintly. "That sounds fun."
"That sounds dangerous," Ouyang Xue’er corrected coolly.
"They are the sa thing," i Ying replied.
Her finger moved again.
The third na caused a subtle shift in the air.
YUE HANRAN
"Mystic Mid Talent — Water Serpent."
i Ying paused.
Then corrected herself.
"...That was the public record."
The projection flickered.
The text changed.
DIVINE-TIER — PRIMORDIAL WATER SERPENT SOVEREIGN
A sharp intake of breath rippled through the team.
"Another divine talent?" Zhao Ming muttered.
"Yes," i Ying said. "And unlike most, this one has been refined personally."
She looked directly at Ling Yifan.
"Yue Hanran is the Dragon Turtle Dean’s personal disciple."
Silence.
"And as of this morning," i Ying continued, "he has been designated acting captain for Dragon Turtle Academy in Stage Three."
Chen blinked. "Wait, didn’t they already have—"
"They did," i Ying said flatly. "They replaced him."
That landed harder than any technique.
"They were always planning this," Qin Shuo murmured.
"Yes," i Ying said. "They built their roster for this stage."
Her hand moved again.
A fourth emblem appeared.
SILVERMOON ARROW ACADEMY
A single na slot glowed beneath it.
Blank.
"They also introduced a new participant," i Ying said. "No public data. No recorded battles. No disclosed talent."
Chen frowned. "That’s... unsettling."
"That’s intentional," i Ying replied.
She waved the projection away.
"This is the field you’re entering."
She took a step forward.
"Now," she said, "we talk about you."
Her gaze shifted from person to person.
"Chen Wulian."
Chen straightened instantly. "Yes, Instructor!"
"You are loud," i Ying said. "You are aggressive. And you draw attention like a beacon."
Chen smiled sheepishly. "It’s a gift."
"It’s a weakness," i Ying replied without hesitation. "In a free-for-all, you survive by controlling when people notice you."
She stepped closer.
"You will train restraint. Ambush initiation. Hit-and-withdraw tactics."
Chen’s smile faded. He nodded. "Understood."
"Qin Shuo."
Qin t her gaze calmly.
"You rely on structure," i Ying said. "In this stage, structure will betray you."
Qin frowned. "...Then what do I rely on."
"Your mind," i Ying replied. "Solo prediction. Environntal manipulation. You don’t outfight people. You outlast their decisions."
Qin exhaled slowly. "That’s... acceptable."
"Ouyang Xue’er."
Ouyang straightened.
"You are strong," i Ying said. "But you subconsciously protect allies."
Ouyang’s jaw tightened.
"In this stage," i Ying continued, "hesitation equals defeat. You will train commitnt."
Ouyang nodded once. No argunt.
"Jin Ruolan."
Jin grinned. "Yes?"
"You enjoy the fight," i Ying said. "Too much."
Jin’s grin widened. "Is that a problem?"
"It is when it blinds you," i Ying replied. "You will train discipline. Kill intent without emotional escalation."
Jin’s grin slowly sharpened instead of fading. "Understood."
"Zhao Ming."
Zhao froze. "?"
"You hide behind others," i Ying said bluntly. "You’re capable, but you defer."
Zhao swallowed. "...I do."
"You will train initiative," i Ying said. "First strike. First movent. No permission."
Zhao nodded fiercely.
i Ying turned.
"Ling Yifan."
Ling Yifan t her eyes.
"You already know what to do," i Ying said quietly. "But know this."
She leaned in slightly.
"In this stage, leadership ans nothing. Blood ans nothing. Legacy ans nothing."
Ling Yifan’s hands tightened.
"Only your spear does."
He nodded once. "I understand."
Finally—
Her gaze settled on Long Hao.
The air around him felt... still.
"Long Hao," i Ying said.
"Yes."
"You are dangerous," she said simply.
Chen blinked. Zhao’s eyes widened slightly.
i Ying did not look away.
"You survive because you choose when to act," she continued. "In this stage, that choice will define you."
Long Hao inclined his head. "As always."
i Ying’s eyes softened just a fraction.
"Train awareness," she said. "Not power."
She stepped back.
"That’s all."
Silence followed.
Then Chen inhaled sharply, stepped forward, and threw his arms wide.
"ALRIGHT," he declared loudly. "NO MORE BROODING."
Before anyone could react, he lunged.
Arms wrapped around shoulders. Qin yelped. Zhao squeaked. Jin laughed. Ouyang stiffened before sighing in resignation. Ling Yifan froze for half a second before letting it happen.
Even Long Hao was dragged in, blinking once in mild surprise.
Chen squeezed tighter.
"Listen up," he said, voice rougher now. "I don’t care that we’re about to beat each other unconscious."
Zhao snorted.
"I don’t care that the rules say we’re enemies," Chen continued. "Or that only one of us wins."
His grip tightened.
"What I care about," he said, "is that every single one of us walks into that arena knowing we earned our place."
He looked around the circle.
"No regrets," he said. "No holding back."
Ling Yifan closed his eyes briefly.
"...Agreed."
Jin nodded. "I’ll fight you all properly."
Ouyang smirked. "I wouldn’t want anything less."
Qin sighed. "...Statistically, this is unhealthy."
Chen grinned. "Emotionally, it’s perfect."
"Unfortunately, Only Five of you will be able to compete because of the rules."
"Chen ia Auto-Qualified since he’s the captain."
"I’m sorry Squad 2, you won’t be able to participate but don’t slack on your training since we might need you anyti."
Long Hao did not speak.
But his hand rested, steady, against Chen’s shoulder.
i Ying watched them from a distance.
For a mont, just a mont, she allowed herself to believe—
They might survive this.
[Chapter ENDS]
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