Upon hearing this, Xie Xie subconsciously pointed at himself, then at Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, and Xu Xiaoyan beside him.
He couldn't help but raise his voice to confirm, "Us? You mean... the few of us?!"
Huo Yuhao's gaze swept over them calmly, his tone flat. "There's no one else here besides you."
Xie Xie was immediately left speechless. Although he had been vocal earlier, after personally witnessing the Shrek Academy youth team's overwhelming performance, he had to admit they were truly strong!
Their seamless coordination, their combat prowess far exceeding their cultivation level... all of it made him feel immense pressure.
Among their group, perhaps only Gu Yue and Huo Yuhao were qualified to match up against them.
As for himself... Xie Xie was self-aware. Facing a team of that caliber, he probably wouldn't be of much use if he went up.
Teacher Wu Changkong did not immediately respond to Huo Yuhao's sudden request.
Instead, his icy blue eyes grew even more profound, as if seriously contemplating the matter.
A moment later, Wu Changkong finally lifted his gaze, refocusing it on Huo Yuhao, his voice devoid of emotion. "How do you want to fight?"
Huo Yuhao had already thought it through and answered without hesitation, "Just like today's exhibition match!"
His eyes swept over the arena set up in the center of the stadium. "Right here, a five-person team battle against them!"
Wu Changkong pondered for another moment, but ultimately shook his head slowly."If it were a private sparring match or arranged duel, given my relationship with Teacher Shen Yi, perhaps it could be arranged."
He analyzed the practical situation in a steady voice. "But to have a public showdown here, on the official grounds of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition... that's likely impossible."
He gestured towards the grand, formal stadium facilities around them and the staff who hadn't fully dispersed yet.
"This is the venue officially used by the Tianhai Alliance for the Grand Competition. All schedules, timings, and even venue usage are strictly planned and managed."
"Adding a match last-minute, especially one involving a special guest team like Shrek Academy, is not something that can be easily accomplished just because both sides agree."
Hearing this, a glimmer of understanding flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes; he had grasped the "sticking point" of the matter.
So, he nodded and didn't persist or argue further, as if the idea had been a mere whim that he had now completely let go of.
The lingering excitement from the exhibition match gradually faded, and the opening ceremony officially drew to a close.
Under the direction of their leading teachers, the participating teams from various academies began to withdraw in an orderly manner, returning to their hotels to rest and recuperate, preparing for the various events of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition starting officially tomorrow.
At night, the sea breeze carrying a slightly salty scent brushed against the hotel windows.
Not long after dinner, the other four members of Class Zero were summoned to Huo Yuhao's hotel room.
The room wasn't large, and the five of them gathered together felt a bit cramped, but the atmosphere became inexplicably solemn.
Gu Yue's calm, dark eyes swept over Huo Yuhao's composed yet resolute face, then looked at the others who had been summoned, already understanding in her heart.
She was the first to speak, her voice cool. "You haven't given up? You still want to... fight Shrek Academy?"
Facing the gazes of the others—some puzzled, some curious—Huo Yuhao slowly nodded.
He and Shrek Academy could be considered "old acquaintances."
The arrogant, overbearing Shrek teachers and students he encountered in Ten Thousand Stars City, who disregarded the Spirit Pagoda's rules.
Fan Yu, whom he encountered in the spirit tool shop in Shrek City Ten Thousand Years Ago, who threatened him relying on his status as an eight-ring Soul Engineer.
And then today, that arrogant, sharp-tongued Ye Xinglan!
The impressions these people from Shrek Academy left on Huo Yuhao were almost invariably linked to words like "overbearing," "bullying the weak with power," and "aloof."
The feelings of frustration and humiliation he felt from them, like tiny grains of sand, had been accumulating in Huo Yuhao's heart.
Today, Ye Xinglan's performance—seemingly righteous but actually unreasonable—acted as the final straw, pushing his patience to its limit.
He didn't want to feel this "wronged" anymore!
He wanted to retaliate, to give Shrek Academy's always-arrogant "face" a good, hard slap!
That's why he had asked Teacher Wu Changkong to arrange a public, fair duel against Shrek Academy at the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition site!
Huo Yuhao's gaze swept over these classmates he spent every day with. "Don't you think Shrek Academy's behavior today was excessive? Don't you... want to vent this frustration?"
"Of course we do!"
To Huo Yuhao's surprise, the first to chime in was actually Xu Xiaoyan, her small face filled with indignation.
However, under the focus of everyone's gaze, she seemed a bit embarrassed. Her voice lowered, and her eyes dodged slightly.
"But... but we're too weak."
"In a team battle, I'm afraid I wouldn't just be unable to help; I might hold everyone back."
"Wouldn't it be better... better if you fought them in an individual match?"
Although Tang Wulin and Xie Xie didn't speak, they both nodded, a flash of helplessness and regret in their eyes.
Clearly, they also agreed with Xu Xiaoyan's words, feeling they would be the ones holding the team back if they participated.
Seeing their look of unwillingness mixed with a lack of confidence, Huo Yuhao's face revealed a confident smile.
"Who says you can't help?"
His words made everyone freeze, their eyes turning to him in unison.
"As long as we coordinate properly, arrange tactics reasonably, and each person plays to their strengths,"
"Everyone will definitely have their own shining moment in the match!"
He looked around, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice. "Here's what we'll do..."
After hearing Huo Yuhao's battle arrangements and tactical ideas, everyone's eyes lit up. Their previous hesitation and concerns were replaced by an eager excitement.
Huo Yuhao's plan wasn't wishful thinking; it was based on a deep analysis of each person's Martial Soul characteristics, ability limits, and potential for team coordination.
The tactical concept was clever, each part interlocking, placing everyone's role in a crucial position.
This meant that if this duel could truly happen, it wouldn't be Huo Yuhao's solo performance, but a team victory achieved through the united efforts and individual strengths of all five members of Class Zero!
At this, Xie Xie was the first to get restless. He slapped his thigh, trying hard to put on a serious expression of "this is important, duty calls," but the gleam in his eyes betrayed his excitement.
"Let's do it! Hearing Yuhao say this... it seems this duel must be fought! Not fighting would be letting down all this frustration we've bottled up!"
Tang Wulin's eyes were also filled with eager Battle Intent, but he quickly thought of the practical issue. "But Teacher Wu said it's almost impossible to have a public duel on the official grounds. The organizers wouldn't agree."
Hearing this, a mysterious smile appeared on Huo Yuhao's face as he slowly said, "Where there's a will, there's a way. Rules are rigid, but people are flexible."
He looked at the friends before him. "As long as you all agree and are willing to fight for this opportunity together, then... tomorrow, leave it to me!"
"Of course we agree!"
Xu Xiaoyan almost immediately answered again, waving her small fist. "I've disliked those Shrek people for a long time!"
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin exchanged a glance and spoke almost in unison, "We agree too!"
Finally, everyone's gaze fell on Gu Yue.
She didn't immediately voice her stance. Instead, meeting Huo Yuhao's gaze, a certain power seemed to flow within her pitch-black eyes.
A moment later, she spoke softly, "Go ahead and do it, Yuhao."
"No matter the outcome, no matter the process, I will... support you."
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.