Chapter 406: The Decisive Match

Zhu Zhu Xuan and Ye Ye Qiuding's defeats doused the soaring morale of the Profound Heaven Star Academy with a bucket of cold water.

The once noisy tiers of seating had fallen utterly silent; many students wore expressions of shock—this sudden string of losses was simply unbearable to accept.

After all, based on the prior standings, the Profound Heaven Star Academy had already secured two wins and two draws; as long as they won just one of the two matches from the Second-Year Academy, even if the First-Year Academy didn't need to compete at all, the Holy Cup ticket would still firmly be theirs.

But no one expected the Second-Year Academy to lose two matches in a row.

Although among the four academies of the Profound Heaven Star Academy, the Second-Year Academy was indeed weaker, since the Fourth-Year Academy, by rule, included all Seven Pillars, making it the deepest in foundation and strongest in strength, while the Third-Year Academy had been elevated to an unprecedented peak by the prodigy Jiang Jiang Qinge.

The First-Year Academy was too young, yet it produced Li Luo, who possessed the Dual Phase, making him somewhat exceptional.

Compared to these three academies, the Second-Year Academy appeared dull, merely average.

Yet the Second-Year Academy of the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy was no stronger either; thus, many students believed that even if Zhu Zhu Xuan and Ye Ye Qiuding won just one match—or even if both drew—the ultimate victory would still belong to the Profound Heaven Star Academy.

But reality delivered a crushing blow.

Now both sides had two wins, two draws, and two losses—the scores were instantly tied.

The hard-earned advantage of the Profound Heaven Star Academy had vanished completely.

Whoosh!

After a long silence, the stands finally erupted in angry shouts; the Second-Year Academy students wore expressions of shame, forced to endure all the accusations, for Zhu Zhu Xuan and Ye Ye Qiuding's two defeats were impossible to hide.

Their failures also nullified the efforts of the Fourth-Year and Third-Year Academies.

Amid the chaotic noise, many eyes turned toward the First-Year Academy.

Or rather, toward Li Luo, seated on the First-Year Academy's viewing tier.

With the score now tied, the First-Year Academy, which had originally held only one match opportunity, instantly transformed from an afterthought into the decisive match.

"I never expected the deciding match for the ticket to fall to the First-Year Academy," said the Princess, her slender hand resting on the railing, her expression slightly resigned—this sudden turn of events had caught her off guard.

She hadn't anticipated the Second-Year Academy would perform so poorly.

The spectators here were all the academy's elite; all Seven Pillars were present, and now they gazed toward the First-Year Academy with varied expressions—clearly, this outcome had also exceeded their expectations.

"Now all the pressure falls on Li Luo—can he bear it?" said a burly youth slowly; his name was Wang Chao, also one of the Seven Pillars.

"The final match—win and you gain great fame; lose and you'll be vilified, scorned by all... I wonder what kind of outcome this young brother Li Luo will meet?" said Zhong Taiqiu, another of the Seven Pillars, smiling as his gaze lingered on Li Luo in the distance.

Others nodded; it was human nature—after such a crucial match, if they lost, many would need to vent their emotions; even though, from the overall picture, Zhu Zhu Xuan and Ye Ye Qiuding deserved the blame most, Li Luo couldn't escape it either.

The Princess smiled faintly and said, "Don't underestimate our young brother."

"It's not that we underestimate him—only that this situation seems to have been deliberately pushed by the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy from the start. Now the stage has finally reached the state they desired; the final match is truly unpredictable," said Gong Gong Shenjun, standing with his hands behind his back, his expression grave.

The Princess's expression shifted. "You mean the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy bet everything on their First-Year Academy match? That's extreme?"

Gong Gong Shenjun nodded. "The battles involving Zhu Zhu Xuan and Ye Ye Qiuding weren't truly their fault. Though their strengths were nearly equal, the opposing representatives clearly came with absolute determination—they unleashed their killing techniques at great personal cost. So although they won, they must have suffered lasting consequences."

"To make two outstanding students willing to pay such a price... the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy must have offered them promises and guarantees; otherwise, no ordinary person would risk their life so recklessly."

"After all, honor alone isn't worth sacrificing one's future."

"So from the beginning, perhaps the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy had their eyes fixed on these two Second-Year Academy matches—if the earlier matches turned unfavorable, they could use this to turn the tide; if favorable, wouldn't it suit them even better?"

"And for the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy to place such heavy emphasis on their First-Year Academy representative, that person must possess extraordinary ability. Though Li Luo possesses the Dual Phase and an impressive record, the final outcome still remains to be seen."

Listening to Gong Gong Shenjun's methodical analysis, even the Princess gave a slight nod, then furrowed her brows as she gazed toward the First-Year Academy; watching Li Luo's figure, she realized unconsciously that what had once been an insignificant match had now become the entire arena's focal point.

No one knew if Li Luo could withstand it—after all, this might be a match long-planned by the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy.

On the highest tier of the stands, Vice-Dean Su Xin watched the chaotic scene, then turned her head toward the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy's Vice-Dean and smiled. "Vice-Dean Qiu, your Blue Abyss Sacred Academy truly went to great lengths."

Vice-Dean Qiu Ji Zi smiled faintly. "Vice-Dean Su, don't mock us. Our Blue Abyss Sacred Academy's foundation simply can't match yours; to overthrow the superior, we must resort to unconventional tactics."

"I fear even these unconventional tactics won't work," said Vice-Dean Su Xin.

"Then we'll just have to see," replied Qiu Ji Zi cheerfully.

Vice-Dean Su Xin said no more; she understood such mockery was pointless. Both sides desperately wanted the Holy Cup ticket, so naturally they would deploy every means possible—yet the sudden reversal from a sure win to this state inevitably stirred some frustration.

Other senior figures on this tier also showed slight surprise; once they understood the situation, their varied gazes couldn't help but turn toward the young figure in the First-Year Academy.

"Heh, it seems House House Jinque will be the center of attention today," said Si Qing, Lord of Jin Quefu, smiling.

Zhu Zhu Qinghuo's face was dark, his eyes flickering with anger—he had witnessed Zhu Zhu Xuan's defeat; it was an outright disgrace to Ji Yanfu!

Beside him, Du Ze Yan remained expressionless. "Too much spotlight—fear Li Luo is too young to bear it."

Yu Yu Hongxi took a sip from her teacup and smiled sweetly. "A little setback isn't bad for the young. But Li Luo's character is resilient; his experiences far surpass those of ordinary youths. Though the pressure of this decisive match is immense, he may yet endure it."

Hearing Yu Yu Hongxi speak, the other lords' eyes flickered slightly, then they fell silent.

Meanwhile, the young Emperor tightly clenched his fists, his gaze locked on Li Luo's figure, silently cheering him on.

And under the full attention of the entire arena, Li Luo, the center of all eyes on the First-Year Academy's viewing tier, stood up.