Xuan Zi raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the noisy crowd and landing on the direction of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Xuan Zi's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable power, enough for everyone around to hear clearly:
"Winning is winning, losing is losing. We at Shrek are not sore losers."
After saying this, he turned his head and looked at Zhang Lexuan, who was still keeping her head lowered beside him, his tone softening significantly:
"The matter of you going to the Sun Moon Empire is forgotten. You are the future of the Academy; you cannot ruin your prospects because of a bet."
"Isn't a reputation of 'Shrek is inferior to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy' all that Xu Tianran wants? Just give it to him."
"After we return to the Academy, I will take responsibility for any issues."
Although this would damage the Academy's honor, Zhang Lexuan was also the Academy's future.
A reputation is ultimately hollow; the future is what is real.
Hearing Xuan Zi's words, Zhang Lexuan's body jolted violently.
She raised her head in disbelief, her eyes filled with shock and gratitude, and tears finally could not be held back, spilling from her eyes and sliding down her cheeks.
Zhang Lexuan opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, it only turned into a choked sentence: "Elder Xuan, I have brought shame to the Academy."
She knew that Elder Xuan was easing her predicament and protecting her; she would never forget this kindness in her life.
How important is Shrek's honor?
In the hearts of their group of inner court students, Shrek's honor was greater than everything!
In order to preserve the Academy's honor, Zhang Lexuan had actually already prepared herself to go to the Sun Moon Empire.
Xuan Zi gently patted Zhang Lexuan's shoulder; the force was not great, but it carried a warm strength:
"Alright, instead of blaming yourself here, you should think about how to improve yourself."
His eyes turned sharp: "Today's humiliation must be repaid a hundredfold in the future!"
Zhang Lexuan nodded forcefully, the tears in her eyes gradually stopping, replaced by a resolute light.
She took a deep breath, wiped away the tear stains on her face, and slowly straightened her body.
Although her face was still pale and her body still weak, her eyes had become bright and sharp once again.
Subsequently, supported by Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming, Zhang Lexuan slowly turned around and walked back toward the Soul Dueling Platform.
Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming supported Zhang Lexuan; both of their faces carried worry and heartache, but they did not say much, only silently supporting her with their actions.
When the supported Zhang Lexuan reappeared at the entrance of the Soul Dueling Platform, the entire arena instantly quieted down.
The spectators who were cheering just a moment ago stopped their movements, and all eyes focused on this figure who appeared slightly disheveled but still held her back straight.
Some were curious, some sympathetic, some gloating, and some carried a hint of admiration.
Supported by Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming, Zhang Lexuan walked onto the Soul Dueling Platform step by step.
Her steps were somewhat staggering, and every step she took seemed exceptionally difficult, yet she was unusually firm.
She walked to the center of the Soul Dueling Platform, stopped, slowly raised her head, swept her gaze over the dense crowd of spectators below, and finally landed on the direction of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Lexuan's voice, though still carrying a hint of weakness, was exceptionally clear:
"Shrek is willing to accept the bet and the loss. We have lost this battle; Shrek Academy is inferior to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."
The moment this sentence was spoken, the entire arena fell into a dead silence.
Everyone was stunned, including those spectators who had just been cheering for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
They did not expect that Shrek Academy would actually admit defeat so decisively.
And also admit in public that they were inferior to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?
Where is your Shrek Academy honor?
Did a single defeat break your spine?
This result exceeded everyone's expectations.
Facing the skepticism, Zhang Lexuan did not offer any explanation.
Having already lost, explanations were superfluous.
After saying this, Zhang Lexuan closed her eyes, as if she had exhausted all her strength, and did not say another word.
Seeing this, Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming immediately supported her carefully and turned to walk off the platform.
Their movements were gentle and swift, fearing that Zhang Lexuan might be stimulated any further.
The moment Zhang Lexuan walked off the Soul Dueling Platform, everyone from Shrek Academy stood up silently.
There were no complaints, no angry roars of unwillingness, just eyes bloodshot, silently following behind Zhang Lexuan as they walked toward the arena exit.
Although their hearts were filled with unwillingness and stifled rage, Elder Xuan had already spoken, so these students dared not have the slightest doubt.
Xuan Zi walked at the very front of the group, his expression calm, yet carrying an invisible aura that made people afraid to approach easily.
Watching the group from Shrek Academy leave in an orderly fashion, the spectators in the arena reacted in various ways.
Most of the spectators' faces were filled with anger and dissatisfaction; many of them had bet their entire livelihoods on Shrek Academy.
They thought it was a guaranteed win, but they did not expect such a result in the end.
Someone couldn't help but curse out loud: "What continent's number one? It's completely a hollow reputation! You caused me to lose so much money!"
Others pointed at the departing backs of Shrek Academy, their tones filled with mockery and disappointment.
But there were also many spectators who expressed admiration for Shrek Academy's actions.
They looked at the Shrek students who remained honorable despite their defeat, looking at their frankness in accepting the bet and the loss, and couldn't help but nod:
"This is the true style of a gentleman! Winning is winning, losing is losing; no excuses, no playing dirty. Shrek Academy is indeed worthy of its reputation!"
"Although they lost the competition, this demeanor is still admirable."
Although these voices were faint, they were clearly heard by those around.
However, the majority of the voices still belonged to the cheers and applause for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
After a brief silence, thunderous cheers erupted in the arena.
It was even more enthusiastic and surging than the cheers for The Four Little Ones just now, as if it were going to blow the roof off the entire arena.
"Long live Sun Moon! Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is awesome!"
"Xu Tianran is awesome! Too amazing! Truly a heaven-sent genius!"
"Shrek has been kicked off the pedestal for the first time in ten thousand years! The Sun Moon Empire is the true powerhouse!"
"Does the Crown Prince still need underlings? I eat little and know how to serve people!"
"His Highness the Crown Prince..."
In the enthusiastic wave of sound, no one knew who shouted "Long live Sun Moon" first, and then this sentence spread across the entire arena like a prairie fire.
Whether they were spectators who had bet on the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy or those simply conquered by this brilliant competition, they all joined in the cheering.
They waved their arms, shouting loudly, their faces overflowing with excited and happy smiles.
Although most spectators had a different stance than the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, and some even had grievances with the Sun Moon Empire, they had to admit that this grand final was truly too exciting.
The peak collision between Spirits and spirit tools, the ultimate display of tenacity and courage, and the fighting Spirit of never giving up until the last moment all made them watch with boiling blood, calling it a thrill.
What made them feel even more shocked was Xu Tianran, this Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire.
Before this, many people only knew that he was the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, with a noble status, but they had never thought his strength would be so terrifying.
The cheering continued for a long time, not subsiding for a long while.
Until the spectators' throats were a bit hoarse and their emotions had gradually calmed down a bit, the host's voice rang out again through the amplification spirit tool.
His voice carried irrepressible excitement and trembling, yet he still maintained the necessary composure: "Dear spectators, please quiet down!"
The arena gradually quieted down, and everyone's gaze focused back on the host, looking forward to him announcing the final result.
The host took a deep breath, his face overflowing with a brilliant smile, and used all his strength to announce loudly:
"After a heart-stopping peak confrontation, Shrek Academy has admitted defeat!"
"I announce, the grand champion of this All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament belongs to—the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy!"
"Let us use the most intense and enthusiastic cheers to congratulate the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy on defending their championship!"
"Congratulations to Crown Prince Xu Tianran! Congratulations to all the members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy!"
The moment his voice fell, cheers erupted again, even more violent and surging than before.
Ribbons sprayed out from all around the arena, colorful, drawing beautiful arcs in the air.
Falling on the spectators' heads and bodies, and also on the members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Xu Tianran was surrounded by his teammates, a faint smile on his face; although he was still somewhat weak, it was hard to hide the light in his eyes.
On the arena, the flag of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy fluttered high, intertwined with the ribbons flying all over the sky, forming an incomparably brilliant picture.
At this moment, all honor belonged to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Belonged to Xu Tianran.
Belonged to every member who fought with all their might for this victory.
And the departing backs of Shrek Academy became the footnote to this victory, and also planted a seed full of suspense for the future Spirit Master's world.
Will today's humiliation truly be repaid a hundredfold in the future?
And can the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy hold onto this hard-won honor and create a new era of their own?
The answer, perhaps, can only be left to time to reveal.
But at this moment, the entire arena was shrouded in the joy and cheers of victory.
Although Xu Tianhao did not participate in the competition, he also enjoyed this honor.
Watching the dejected figures of Shrek Academy leaving, the corners of Xu Tianhao's mouth turned up slightly.
The glory belonging to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, belonging to the Sun Moon Empire, had only just begun.