Chapter 166: Xu Jiawei's Thoughts

The day after the semifinals ended, Wang Yan sought out Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong.

"Yo, you two little guys, how's your recovery?"

The two quickly stood up.

"We're fine, what's up, Teacher Wang?"

In the previous team battle, they were merely a bit exhausted from using the Ice Sky Dragon Emperor, and after a night they had fully recovered.

Wang Yan smiled and said, "Nothing much; we happen to be unusually free this time, so I want to take you to personally witness a battle of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, just as a pre-match relaxation—how about that?"

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong exchanged a glance and nodded together.

"No problem."

Before, Wang Yan always used the excuse that it wasn't necessary to watch, not letting them go see the matches in which the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy participated; this was the first time he decided to bring the two to watch the battle of their biggest opponent.

As he led the way toward Star Net Plaza, Wang Yan asked, "Do you know why I previously didn't let you watch the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's matches?"

Tang Wulin tentatively asked:

""Because you were afraid it would hit our confidence?""

""That's right, but not entirely.""

Wang Yan nodded and sighed.

""Do you know? The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy employs different tactics in each match; in the just-concluded semifinal team battle, they only sent out their captain, Ma Long, alone. I can only describe his performance as stunning the whole arena—he consecutively used two seventh-level soul tools, almost single-handedly suppressing the seven members of Imperial Ao Academy, while the remaining six teammates simply employed direct soul cannon tactics. In the face of that terrifying barrage, the Imperial Ao Academy students didn't even get a chance to exert their full strength before being cleared off the stage, and their Soul Emperor–level expert was prioritized for focus fire, being sent out of the match right at the start—what point is there in watching such a match?""

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

You should know that before Xu Jiujiu entered the fray, Wang Yan's evaluation of Imperial Ao Academy had always been above Star Net National Academy, repeatedly emphasizing that it would be the second-strongest opponent after the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in this tournament, to boost their morale.

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong also agreed with his assessment; based solely on the configuration of one Soul Emperor and six Soul Kings, Wang Yan's evaluation of Imperial Ao Academy was not mistaken—this lineup, in this tournament, was possessed only by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Imperial Ao Academy, and the unscathed Shilake Academy.

Faced with such a formidable opponent, even Tang Wulin dared not say Shilake would surely win, yet the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy swept them away with overwhelming superiority? Huo Yutong frowned and asked, "Then, Teacher, why are you now willing to let us watch?"

""......"" Wang Yan fell silent for a moment, then said, "Two reasons: first, their captain Ma Long has finally begun to exert his strength; his dominance makes me realize that relying solely on Yaoheng, we would struggle to stop him, so we need you to personally witness his power; second, in the previous match we were essentially powerless, yet we unexpectedly still have a chance to turn things around—this is all thanks to you, and I hope that in the final we can also rely on your Soul Fusion Technique to reverse the situation."

Ma Long's dominant performance placed immense pressure on Wang Yan; he did not believe Yaoheng could lead such an incomplete team to victory against a Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy led by Ma Long, and combined with Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong's outstanding performance when facing desperation in the last match, he decided to stake everything on them.

As for the other few, they simply cannot threaten Ma Long, so watching them would be pointless; they'd be better off resting properly.

Soon they arrived at the spectator area of Shilake Academy in Star Net Plaza; Yaoheng was already seated, evidently also summoned by Wang Yan.

Seeing Wang Yan and the others approaching, Yaoheng hastily rose.

""Teacher, you've come.""

""Hmm."" Wang Yan gazed at the competition platform and asked, "How much longer until the match begins?"

""About ten minutes.""

While the two were talking, Tang Wulin suddenly felt Huo Yutong tug at his sleeve.

He looked at Huo Yutong and saw her subtly point toward the city wall without making a sound.

Following the direction she indicated, Tang Wulin saw Xu Jiujiu apparently looking their way, her expression seeming somewhat annoyed.

On the city wall, Xu Jiujiu unwillingly said to Xu Jiawei beside her, "Brother, I refuse to accept this; we were originally not supposed to lose."

Xu Jiawei gave a faint smile.

""What's there to be unhappy about? It's just that our skill was inferior—just as we hid you as our trump card, Shilake also hid a second Soul Fusion Technique as their trump card; when the two trump cards clashed, they won—it's that simple.""

Xu Jiujiu pursed her lips.

""But I haven't even used my strongest soul skill yet!""

Xu Jiawei said lightly:

""But that's not because you don't want to use it; it's because you never had the chance, right? Those two little guys from Shilake are indeed powerful—they already possess such strength now, and I greatly look forward to seeing how they'll perform five years from now.""

Xu Jiujiu snorted.

""I don't know how they'll be in five years, but at least this tournament they'll likely return carrying the shame of defeat; the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is too strong, and they've prepared excessively for this tournament. Even if Shilake Academy weren't having problems, even if they fielded their full starting lineup, they might still not have a chance.""

Xu Jiawei smiled helplessly.

""Jiujiu, you care too much about winning or losing this match; the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is the same as you—you both view this match too importantly, and your desire for fame and profit is also too strong, which is why you think Shilake Academy is wrong. Actually, in my view, Shilake Academy's approach has a deeper meaning.""

""A deeper meaning?""

Xu Jiujiu tilted her head in confusion, not grasping Xu Jiawei's meaning.

Xu Jiawei asked solemnly, "Jiujiu, what do you think of our Xu clan's strength?"

Xu Jiujiu answered without hesitation, "Of course it's very strong; we were able to lead the imperial populace to drive back invading enemies and ultimately dismantle the White Tiger Duke's lineage to become the rulers of the empire, all thanks to our family's strength. Nowadays, on the continent, great clans as historically established as our Xu are rare; even when the Spirit Hall ran rampant in those years, they couldn't do anything to us."

Xu Jiawei smiled gently and said:

""Then tell me why our Xu clan only acts when the nation faces crisis? This time, Shilake Academy's starting lineup being incomplete is definitely due to an accident; earlier I received a notice from Dai Hao that just a few days before the competition began, Shilake's starting members were still at his place fighting a bandit gang called Death's Hand. Combined with the tournament situation, they must have encountered an accident during the suppression operation. Yet, judging by the timeline, Shilake absolutely had enough time to send replacement starting members over, but they didn't—what do you think the reason is?""

Xu Jiujiu asked in surprise:

""Brother, do you mean Shilake doesn't care about winning or losing this tournament?""

Xu Jiawei lightly shook his head.

""I'm not sure whether Shilake actually values winning or losing this match, but I can be certain that Shilake's current leadership definitely places great importance on this generation of reserve team members; perhaps in their view, this extraordinarily difficult tournament is merely a trial for these youngsters—winning would of course be best, but losing can also temper their minds, and to them, Shilake's future is what matters most.""

Saying this, he turned his gaze toward Shilake City, a thoughtful smile curling his lips, and in his mind reappeared that venerable figure.

""You'd say I guessed right, wouldn't you, Dragon God Douluo Mu En?""

""......""

Xu Jiujiu had already fallen into a daze; she seemed to understand why Xu Jiawei was advising her not to care too much about winning or losing the match.

Meanwhile, as they conversed, the match on the field had already begun.

By the way, Xu Jiawei and Mu En's ideas are strikingly similar; evidently, Tang Buddha Ancestor favors this way of thinking, considering it superior.

But the problem arises: why, while holding that view, does he still vigorously promote the so-called glory of Shilake?

(End of chapter)