Chapter 185: Five vs Seven

Facing the audience's thunderous applause, the two teams stepped onto the arena. Since there was only this one match today, their venue was naturally set on the most prominent central arena.

Unlike before, the spectators did not all back the Heaven Battle Royal Academy team as usual; they split into two groups. One group still firmly supported the Heaven Battle Royal Academy team, while the other favored the Blue Overlord Academy, the support being roughly fifty‑fifty.

After all, the Blue Overlord Academy, now composed entirely of beautiful women, was truly irresistible. Who could refuse beautiful women?

Even those supporting the Heaven Battle Royal Academy team did not denigrate the Blue Overlord Academy; the atmosphere among the audience was very harmonious.

Duguyan and Zhu Zhuyun led the remaining five women onto the ring, standing opposite Tang San, Dai Mubai and the other nine participants.

"Why are they?" Ning Rongrong was instantly astonished, and Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing were equally puzzled. When did the Sleek people run to the Heaven Battle Royal Academy? That question also rose in their minds.

"Rongrong, do you know them?" Duguyan turned to Ning Rongrong; she didn't know Tang San and the others, only recognizing the four former teammates. Yang Ruolin, Bai Chenxiang and Ye Lingling also cast curious glances.

"The blond leader is Dai Mubai, the average‑looking one is Tang San, the woman is Xiao Wu, the chubby‑eared, flirtatious one is Ma Hongjun, and the one with peach‑blossom eyes is Oscar," Ning Rongrong gave a very brief introduction of the Sleek members, and the women quickly identified them, since their traits were so obvious.

"So it's them," Duguyan and Ye Lingling instantly lost any goodwill toward these people; they had lived with the three women for two years and naturally had heard from Ning Rongrong about the Sleek's conduct.

"Tang San? The surname Tang…" Yang Ruolin narrowed her eyes, looking at Tang San. She and Bai Chenxiang had only joined this big family for ten days, still unaware of everything about Tang San, nor that he is Tang Hao's son, but that didn't stop her from feeling a slight dislike, because she hates anyone with the surname Tang.

As for Bai Chenxiang, she had no strong thoughts; the Sensitive One Clan's resentment toward the Clear Sky Sect was never as strong as the Breaking Clan's, and she didn't know Tang San, so she regarded him just as a stranger.

On the other side, the atmosphere for the Heaven Battle Royal Academy team was extremely tense. Especially Dai Mubai, who had harbored a simmering, nameless fury, but when actually facing the Blue Overlord Academy, his resolve gradually waned. When he saw Zhu Zhuyun, his courage was increasingly outweighed by his timidity.

Zhu Zhuyun's exquisitely cold and stunning face and her extremely voluptuous figure gave Dai Mubai no appreciation at all; instead, his legs trembled slightly and his spine grew cold. At this moment, the little Dai Mubai was desperately trying to shrink into his shell. Who knows how many psychological shadows Zhu Zhuyun had cast on him before.

Tang San's expression was somewhat solemn, but he let out a slight sigh of relief. With Yu Tianyun absent, his confidence surged. His gaze lingered longest on Duguyan, because he had heard of Duguyan's terror from the four members of the former Imperial Battle Team, and he estimated that Duguyan would not be much weaker than Yu Tianyun.

Oscar's demeanor was comparatively relaxed, his gaze more restrained, and he did not stare indiscriminately at the women of the Blue Overlord Academy. Although he had spent little time with Yu Tianyun, his impression of her was good; seeing that these women seemed closely connected to Yu Tianyun, he naturally avoided doing anything that might offend her.

Unexpectedly, Ma Hongjun, whose mind was filled with lewd thoughts, also refrained from staring at the Blue Overlord Academy women; he merely averted his gaze, showing a look of wanting to see but daring not to.

He could only glance sideways a few times, but when he caught a glimpse of Bai Chenxiang, he felt an inexplicable emptiness inside.

But he didn't think much; a single man seeing another's beauty usually feels this way, and he was familiar with it, having experienced it many times with Dai Mubai and Oscar.

In fact, Ma Hongjun didn't dare to openly stare at the Blue Overlord Academy women because he knew the consequences of provoking them; Yu Tianyun's kick was still fresh in his memory.

But Xiao Wu was different; she furrowed her brows, wore an unhappy expression, and muttered, "A bunch of people dressed like bar girls—what's so proud about that?"

Xiao Wu's voice was faint and went unheard by the Blue Overlord Academy women amid the cheers; otherwise she would surely have been singled out.

After speaking, she kept stealing glances at the women of the Blue Overlord Academy, especially noticing Ning Rongrong, who had once been about the same size as her but was now much larger, which instantly sparked envy and jealousy. At the same time, she couldn't help glancing at Tang San beside her, her eyes filled with melancholy.

The remaining four members of the former Imperial Battle Team remained calm, though their gazes were complicated; after all, two opponents had been their former teammates. Their relationship wasn't especially close, but they had studied together for years, so their feelings couldn't be simple. At that moment, the chief referee approached.

"Both sides, salute; non‑participants, leave the ring,"

The women of the Blue Overlord Academy had no trouble and graciously performed a bow. Several members of the Heaven Battle Royal Academy team bowed reluctantly, with some unwillingness.

Then, from the Heaven Battle Royal Academy side, Oscar and Ma Hongjun stepped down from the ring.

However, to everyone's surprise, on the Blue Overlord Academy side, Ning Rongrong and Duguyan also stepped down from the ring.

That moment caused a sudden uproar.

"Why only five people?"

"Are the two beauties in the audience not competing?"

"Is this looking down on the Heaven Battle Royal Academy team, or are they preparing to give up?"

"Are the beauties really that arrogant? But I like them!"

"……"

The audience immediately buzzed with discussion, finding it strange and puzzling that the Blue Overlord Academy fielded only five participants.

Meanwhile, the Heaven Battle Royal Academy team felt a mix of confusion, a hint of relief, and some anger.

Especially Tang San, whose eyes flickered with fire, possessing a Dual Birth Martial Soul and innate full soul power; although he usually pretended to be easygoing, his pride was stronger than that of all the Sleek. In his view, the Blue Overlord Academy's actions were an insult to him, Tang San. He snorted coldly, thinking, "Looking down on me will make you pay the price."

Immediately, Tang San stopped overthinking and signaled his teammates to take their positions.

At this moment, Dai Mubai felt somewhat relieved, and his fear of Zhu Zhuyun lessened a bit. He wasn't as proud as Tang San; otherwise he wouldn't have gone so far to survive with the Sleek.

Dai Mubai, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo stood at the front, Tang San in the center, Xiao Wu and Oscar each on his sides, while Yufeng positioned in front of Tang San, ready to take off at any moment.

On the other side, the Blue Overlord Academy had Yang Ruolin alone at the front, with Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing on her left and right, while Bai Chenxiang stood behind them with Ye Lingling, clearly to protect Ye Lingling.

In the VIP seats, Prince Xuexing's expression was somewhat grim.

He oversaw the Heaven Battle Royal Academy, and good results would bring a smile to his face. But the Blue Overlord Academy's actions clearly looked down on the Heaven Battle Royal Academy, which made him feel embarrassed.

His gaze fell on Yu Yuanzhen sitting in the front row, and he wanted to stand up and say something, but he immediately recalled that the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect and their royal family were currently in a honeymoon period.

If he spoke recklessly and worsened the relations, his elder brother—Emperor Xueye would surely punish him severely. Although gaining the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect's support was the achievement of his great‑nephew—Xueqinghe, it was genuinely beneficial to the Heaven Battle Empire, so damaging the relationship would have serious consequences; he and Xuebang might lose all power.

After understanding this, Prince Xuexing sat down properly again.

But the next second, Xuexing felt delighted again, as someone voiced his thoughts.

Saras murmured, "Lord Yu, does your sect's Blue Overlord Academy look down on the Heaven Battle Royal Academy? Why did they field only five participants?"

At the same time, Chen Xin, seated on the other side, moved his lips slightly, explaining the situation to Ning Fengzhi, which slightly startled Ning Fengzhi; Chen Xin told him about his daughter's and her sisters' cultivation levels, and the perceptive Ning Fengzhi quickly inferred some things.

Confronted with Saras's sarcastic remark, Yu Yuanzhen merely sneered, glanced at him, then turned to Emperor Xueye and said lightly, "Your Majesty, the students from the Heaven Battle Royal Academy are indeed quite outstanding; a lineup of Three Soul Sect and Four Soul Respectors is extremely rare in our Heaven Battle competition zone."

Xueye thought to himself, "You old fool, since you know, why does the Blue Overlord Academy still field only five? It's still looking down on my Heaven Battle Royal Academy."

Of course, Xueye only sneered in his mind; Xuexing never stepped forward to criticize, so he wouldn't say anything either. Who couldn't see Saras's provocative sarcasm? He's not a reckless twenty‑something hot‑blooded youth; he prepared to force a smile in response to Yu Yuanzhen.

"However," before Xueye could speak, Yu Yuanzhen continued, "Your Majesty, my granddaughters‑in‑law fielding only five is not because they look down on the Heaven Battle Royal Academy; if you knew their strength, you wouldn't find it odd."

His words instantly drew the attention of everyone in the front rows of the VIP seats. All granddaughters‑in‑law? Very strong? The crowd's gaze at Yu Yuanzhen grew complicated. Only Yu Yuanzhen and Chen Xin could discern the Blue Overlord Academy women's cultivation, as both were Title Douluo with strong spirit power. Moreover, they had only just learned of the women's strength, so they quickly inferred a reason for the five‑person lineup.

However, Saras was puzzled; being too far away, he couldn't sense the women's soul power levels, and his gaze turned to Yu Yuanzhen, seeking an answer.

Saras wasn't surprised that Yu Yuanzhen ignored him; he would be surprised only if Yu Yuanzhen spoke kindly to him, since people from the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect are all so arrogant.

On the other side, Ning Fengzhi had opened his mouth, intending to say a few kind words for Yu Yuanzhen, but the phrase "my granddaughters‑in‑law…" instantly silenced him; he clenched his teeth, his gaze at Yu Yuanzhen becoming more plaintive, while Chen Xin even squeezed his fists, producing a faint sound.

"Oh?" Xueye was also curious and asked, "According to Lord Yu, the participants from the Blue Overlord Academy are all the wives of the heir? Which of Lord Yu's grandsons? Such fortune is truly enviable."

Yu Yuanzhen was slightly taken aback, "Shouldn't your concern, Xueye, be why the Blue Overlord Academy fielded only five? Why are you now focusing on your own granddaughters‑in‑law?"

Immediately, noticing Ning Fengzhi's and Chen Xin's plaintive gazes, he cleared his throat lightly, straightened his expression, and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, you flatter me wrongly. My little grandson is a notorious flirt, always courting girls; as a grandfather, I cannot meddle in the youths' affairs. Sigh!"

"Ah, Lord Yu, your words are off the mark. Young men are hot‑blooded; a talented heir like that naturally attracts young ladies. It's normal, no need to worry," Xueye smiled faintly, a few thoughts flashing through his mind.

The girls of Blue Tyrant Academy, although he didn't know all of them, he still knew a few. For example, Ning Rongrong, Duguyan, and Ye Lingling — he had seen them more than once before; one was Ning Fengzhi's daughter, one was Dugubo's granddaughter, and Ye Lingling was a member of the Ye Family of the Nineheart Sea Crabapple.

Originally, Xue Ye still had some doubts — why would Duguyan and Ye Lingling go to Blue Tyrant Academy? They had been doing fine at Heavenly Battle Royal Academy before, but now he understood: they were someone's granddaughter-in-law, and it was only natural for them to go to that person's sect's academy.

Regarding Duguyan and Ye Lingling transferring schools, Xue Ye didn't know about it; he was merely a nominal dean, and because he was busy with official duties and in poor health, he hadn't bothered to inquire about the academy's affairs, let alone look into this matter in detail.

The main person in charge of Heavenly Battle Royal Academy's affairs was Prince Xue Xing, but since the transfer student was Duguyan, he didn't object either, after all he was still counting on Dugubo, so naturally he didn't pay much attention to this matter.

Moreover, the Three Great Teaching Committees and Xue Qinghe had no authority to intervene, after all those behind them wielded great influence, and besides, transferring schools was a personal choice, so they had no reason to interfere.

However, these three families were all formidable forces; even the weakest Ye Family was an extremely important clan. The Nineheart Sea Crabapple Soul Master's powerful healing abilities were renowned in high society; it was said that as long as someone still had a breath left, they could basically help cling to life.

Of course, for someone like Xue Ye suffering from chronic poisoning, even a Nineheart Sea Crabapple Soul Master couldn't cure it; after all, specialization dictates that they are only suited to treat injuries, and detoxifying is the work of poison Soul Masters or Yang Clan members, while a Nineheart Sea Crabapple Soul Master can at most help the person hold on a little longer.

Since the identities of Ning Rongrong and her two companions were already far from ordinary, Xue Ye felt that the remaining four girls' identities were naturally not ordinary either. And indeed that was the case: behind Zhu Zhu Yun, Zhu Zhuqing, Yang Ruolin, and Bai Chenxiang lay the influence of Soul Douluo.

(End of Chapter)