Chapter 407: Protagonist Treatment

"Is this the true treatment of a protagonist? A match that was originally inconsequential can end up becoming a grand, decisive battle that draws the attention of all."

As Li Luo stood up, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, because this situation was truly something he hadn't anticipated. Although he knew the strength of the Second Star Grade wasn't as outstanding as the other grade levels, Zhu Xuan was, at the very least, considered the pillar of the Second Star Grade. He had thought that even if Ye Qiuding lost, Zhu Xuan could at least manage a draw, right?

Yet in the end, both of those unlucky kids lost.

He had already prepared himself to just be a bystander this time.

As it turned out, after all that, his match had become the decisive one.

The First Star Grade students in the stands had long since erupted, their hoarse, desperate cheers ringing out piercingly.

"Fly bravely, Brother Luo!"

"Brother Luo, suppress all enemies in the world!"

"Brother Luo, spread the might of our Holy Profound Star Academy!"

"......"

All the First Star Grade students were incredibly excited, because they could feel the gaze of the entire venue focused on them at this moment. Who could have imagined that they, as the freshmen of the First Star Grade, would play such a critical role in such an important match?

Although it was only Li Luo alone, the entire First Star Grade shared in the honor.

If Li Luo ultimately won, then their generation of the First Star Grade would surely be the most prestigious in history!

"They're cheering so happily now, but if I lose later, I'm afraid I'll instantly become a sinner for the ages." Listening to those fervent cheers, Li Luo curled his lips helplessly. How could he not know that while winning this final match would certainly earn him a reputation rivaling that of Jiang Qing'e and the Princess, losing would similarly invite a backlash of public opinion?

In truth, Li Luo didn't particularly want to see this situation. He would have preferred for Zhu Xuan and the others to win one match, and then he could just coast through his own, as long as the ticket ended up in the hands of their Holy Profound Star Academy. After all, the ticket matches weren't the Holy Grail War; there was no need to go all out and fight so brutally, as that would only pointlessly expose his own strength and trump cards. He was only participating in the ticket matches mostly because of the rewards the academy gave for winning.

But now, the "coasting" match had turned into a life-or-death battle. The Blue Abyss Holy Academy would definitely fight with their lives on the line, and the Holy Profound Star Academy was also determined to secure the ticket. Therefore, in this match, he could only fight with all his might. Otherwise, if they didn't even get the ticket, he shouldn't count on any rewards from the treasure vault; it would be a miracle if the academy didn't just give him a slap in the face.

"Li Luo, don't embarrass our First Star Grade!" Qin Zhulu's spirited and impassioned voice came from behind.

Li Luo turned his head and saw Qin Zhulu, Lu Qinger, Yu Lang, and the others all crowding around.

Yu Lang said with a heavy expression: "I didn't expect this match to really come to this. I had an inexplicable feeling earlier that our First Star Grade's match wouldn't be simple. I didn't expect it to actually come true. This is the kind of treatment only a protagonist gets. Li Luo, perhaps you've been implicated by me."

Li Luo glanced at him and said: "You're a perfectly good extra, why do you spend all day acting like a protagonist? You'd better be careful not to get too carried away with the role."

Yu Lang immediately said with dissatisfaction: "What kind of extra can become a Purple Glow student of the Holy Profound Star Academy with a Sixth-Grade Resonance? And also become a main pillar in a Purple Glow squad?"

Li Luo shook his head and sighed: "If having a thick skin could represent strength, you, Yu Lang, wouldn't just be a Purple Glow student; you should have a seat among the Seven Star Pillars."

Lu Qinger, Bai Mengmeng, and the others couldn't help but laugh.

Yu Lang, however, was indignant and muttered something under his breath.

However, being interrupted by a character like Yu Lang actually made Li Luo's mood much lighter. He met Lu Qinger's gaze, which was filled with encouragement and worry, and smiled: "Don't worry, although the pressure of the final match is great, my ability to withstand pressure over these years hasn't been practiced in vain."

Lu Qinger nodded slightly. Although the final match could bring Li Luo immense prestige, she was also worried that the pressure of such a match would be too great, causing Li Luo's mindset to become unstable.

Moreover, although she had confidence in Li Luo, she didn't blindly underestimate the First Star Grade representative from the Blue Abyss Holy Academy. She was also a clever person and vaguely sensed that the Blue Abyss Holy Academy seemed to have high hopes for that First Star Grade representative, which meant the opponent was definitely no ordinary character.

On Li Luo's side, he still needed to adjust his mindset and face the enemy in his most perfect state.

While they were talking, Li Luo suddenly noticed a commotion coming from the First Star Grade stands. He immediately turned his head and saw Jiang Qing'e walking down the steps, drawing countless eyes along the way.

"Senior Sister Jiang!"

Many students on the First Star Grade side called out excitedly.

After experiencing the great battle with Zhao Huiyin earlier, Jiang Qing'e's prestige within the academy had clearly risen to another level.

Facing those excited and reverent gazes, Jiang Qing'e nodded slightly and walked directly toward Li Luo.

Seeing this, Qin Zhulu, Bai Mengmeng, and the others all nodded at her and retreated one after another.

Lu Qinger's gaze lingered on Jiang Qing'e for a few seconds before she also stepped back a few paces; it was clear that the latter had come here to speak with Li Luo.

Jiang Qing'e walked straight to Li Luo's side and said: "Congratulations, you've finally waited for a good opportunity to make a name for yourself."

To her teasing tone, Li Luo rolled his eyes and said: "Those two idiots from the Second Star Grade are truly disappointing."

"This is a long-planned scheme by the Blue Abyss Holy Academy. The strength of Zhu Xuan and Ye Qiuding couldn't escape their calculations, so this result isn't too surprising," Jiang Qing'e said, looking at the messy battlefield among the mountains.

"But the fact that they would bet their treasure on this First Star Grade match really surprises me a bit, Blue Abyss Holy Academy," Li Luo said.

"They have this plan, likely because of that Lu Cang or Lu Cang."

Jiang Qing'e turned to look at Li Luo and said: "They seem to have a lot of confidence in these two brothers."

Li Luo smiled and said: "I understand what you mean. Don't worry, I won't underestimate the opponent. And I also want to see what kind of ability that Lu Cang has, to make the Blue Abyss Holy Academy tailor-make such a plan that requires the full cooperation of other grade-level students for them."

Jiang Qing'e nodded, then she reached out and took Li Luo's hand, ignoring the sudden roar that erupted from the surrounding stands, and said: "Don't hold anything back. Show your strongest strength. I know you've always liked to keep a low profile and hide yourself so that those enemies of the House of Luolan don't notice you, but merely showing weakness to the enemy is of no use. Sometimes, revealing your own edge is what makes people wary."

Li Luo was stunned, then he squeezed Jiang Qing'e's jade hand and let it go.

Lu Qinger, who was nearby, saw this scene and puffed out her cheeks slightly. Senior Sister Jiang's rank is truly high, isn't it? Is this her coming directly to the First Star Grade side to declare her ownership of Li Luo? Such behavior is just like her fighting style: strong and domineering.

But I won't be easily swayed!

That loveless engagement is unfair to both Li Luo and you, Senior Sister Jiang.

I will help you both find liberation!

And just as Lu Qinger was lost in her thoughts, the sound of loud bells and drums had already begun to ring out among the mountains.

That was the omen that the final battle was about to begin.

Li Luo turned around, waved at everyone, and then, under the gaze of countless nervous and expectant eyes, leaped down from the stands.

Jiang Qing'e watched the figure that swept down from the high platform like a great bird, falling straight toward the battlefield, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. Li Luo, today, under the eyes of all, let everyone know that the House of Luolan not only has a fledgling phoenix but also a true hidden dragon.