Xie Yue stood silently, his gaze deep and calm.
In the duel just now with Yan, even though he had fought with all his might, he had still lost.
Yan, throughout the battle, had not revealed his full strength.
He had not even displayed the external spirit bone — Flame Wings — that was his true trump card.
Xie Yue knew well that if Yan had truly used those blazing wings, his defeat would have been even more decisive.
And yet, he felt neither frustration nor disappointment.
On the contrary, he was fully convinced by this loss — and even faintly exhilarated.
Because he knew that only by clashing with the truly strong could he grow faster and stronger himself.
With a faint smile, Xie Yue walked over to Yan and patted him on the shoulder.
"Yan, you're incredible," he said with genuine admiration. "Looks like I'll have to work even harder — otherwise, I really won't be able to catch up to you."
Xie Yue had always been someone who could accept defeat gracefully.
Straightforward and sincere, he was as open-hearted as a big kid.
Yan appreciated that kind of attitude — and was happy to have such a friend and comrade to grow stronger alongside.
"You're already amazing," Yan replied. "That's the only reason I lost to you so many times before. Let's both keep pushing forward."
At that moment, the rest of the team gathered around, all still moved by the intensity of the fight they had just witnessed.
Sun Chuantao grinned.
"Boss, Brother Yan — you two are incredible! As expected of four-ring Spirit Ancestors, you're on a whole different level!"
Xie Yue laughed, encouraging him with a wave of his hand.
"Don't envy us, Chuantao. You're not far from level forty yourself. Keep training hard — you'll break through soon."
"Don't worry, Boss, I won't slack off!" Sun Chuantao said confidently.
"Good. But from now on," Xie Yue said with a small smile, "don't call me 'Boss' anymore. It's time to change how you address me."
As he spoke, his eyes unconsciously flicked toward Yan.
Everyone instantly understood what he meant.
His expression was serious — not a hint of jest.
In the Spirit Hall Battle Team, strength alone determined one's status.
After today's match, Xie Yue clearly recognized that the gap between himself and Yan was more than just half a level of spirit power.
That was why he said what he did.
Hu Liena, realizing what her brother intended, immediately protested.
"Brother, what are you saying?! You're the leader of the Spirit Hall Battle Team! No one can replace you! Even if Yan beat you this time, you can't just say something like that!"
Her tone was sharp, and her gaze turned toward Yan — her expression tinged with anger.
Her words overflowed with protectiveness toward her brother — and open hostility toward Yan — as though Yan's victory were some kind of challenge to her personally.
But Xie Yue only smiled faintly and gently patted her shoulder, signaling her to calm down.
"Nana, don't make a fuss. You should change how you address him too. Don't keep calling Yan by his name so casually. Don't forget — we wouldn't have made it out of the Death Canyon alive if it weren't for him."
The other teammates exchanged uncertain glances.
The tension between the siblings left them awkward and unsure of what to say.
Sensing their discomfort, Yan chuckled softly and broke the silence.
"Nana's right!" he said with a teasing grin. "No one can take your brother's place as the leader in everyone's hearts. Losing once doesn't mean he'll lose next time. If he still feels unsatisfied, he can keep calling me 'Brother Yan' — at least until he beats me. How's that sound?"
His joking tone immediately lightened the mood.
Laughter broke out among the team, and the tense atmosphere quickly dissolved.
After all, Yan was a year older than Xie Yue, and now stronger as well — it wasn't unreasonable for him to be called "Brother Yan."
In their minds, the two had always been equals in strength.
But where Yan was bold and fiery, Xie Yue was calm and steady — traits that made him a natural leader.
Though Yan seemed to have changed recently, none of them could be sure whether this new composure would last or fade with time.
And besides, as captain, Xie Yue had always been conscientious and responsible, earning the deep respect and affection of his teammates.
Xie Yue scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
"Alright then, Brother Yan — it's settled."
"Good," Yan replied, smiling. "And if you beat me in the future, you can change how you address me too."
"Deal."
Xie Yue then turned to his sister.
"Nana, you should call him 'Brother Yan' from now on too."
"Hmph! I don't want to."
Hu Liena pouted, her tone full of stubborn defiance.
Yan didn't mind.
Whatever Hu Liena said or did now, it no longer affected his mood.
His modest and easygoing demeanor in this moment had already won over everyone present.
The team members now regarded him with even greater respect.
They found him warmer, more approachable — no longer the distant, intimidating figure they once knew.
Suddenly, Xu Yu stepped forward, concern in his eyes.
"Boss, Brother Yan — you both worked hard. Let me heal your injuries."
"Alright," they replied in unison, exchanging a brief glance.
Although they had only sustained minor external wounds, the physical fatigue and mental strain from their battle were impossible to hide.
Xie Yue, having fought against the searing Blazing Sand Prison, was in worse shape — burns still marked his arm and cheek.
Xu Yu slowly released his martial soul — a golden scepter shimmering with divine light materialized in his hands.
Three spirit rings — two yellow and one purple — encircled the staff, spinning gracefully and glowing with brilliance.
Soft golden radiance flowed from the scepter, spreading outward until it enveloped both Xie Yue and Yan.
Within the gentle light, a soothing warmth seeped through their bodies, like a clear spring washing away fatigue.
Yan closed his eyes, feeling that miraculous energy coursing through him — carrying away exhaustion and pain, replacing it with comfort and calm.
When he opened his eyes again, the burns and bruises on his body were gone — as though they had never existed.
Under Xu Yu's healing, both Xie Yue and Yan quickly recovered their strength.
"Thanks, Xu Yu," Yan said sincerely.
"Brother Yan, you're welcome — this is what I'm here for," Xu Yu replied with a grin.
Just as the group basked in the light-hearted atmosphere, two figures slowly approached from the distance.
Their silhouettes grew clearer with each step.
Zhang Ping, ever sharp-eyed, was the first to notice.
"Teacher Lin and Teacher Liu are coming," she whispered to the others.
Everyone turned to look in the direction she pointed.
The two were the Spirit Hall Battle Team's instructors — experienced and capable mentors.
Yan immediately recalled the details about them from memory.
The elder of the two, with a streaked white beard, was Teacher Lin Zhendong (OC), the team's head instructor — an Eighty-Fifth Level Power Attack Battle Douluo, bearer of the Black Tiger Martial Soul.
The other, a tall, graceful man with refined
bearing, was Teacher Liu Can (OC), a Sixty-Sixth Level Agility Attack Spirit Emperor, whose martial soul was the Cheetah, renowned for its astonishing speed.
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