Chapter 407

Is this what true protagonist treatment really feels like? A match that was originally insignificant has turned into a grand finale watched by all.

As Li Luo stood up, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly, for this situation was truly beyond his expectations—he knew the Second Star Academy's strength wasn't as outstanding as the others', but Zhu Zhu Xuan was at least their pillar; he thought even if Ye Ye Qiuding lost, at least Zhu Zhu Xuan could secure a draw.

But in the end, both of these unlucky kids lost.

He had already prepared himself to just play a minor role this time.

Yet after all was said and done, his match became the decisive one.

The students from the First Star Academy on the stands had already erupted by now, their deafening shouts piercing the air.

"Brother Luo, fly fearlessly!"

"Brother Luo, crush all enemies under heaven!"

"Brother Luo, uphold the glory of Sacred Zhu Xuan Star!"

"......"

Every single First Star Academy student was wildly excited, for they all felt the gaze of the entire arena fixed upon them—who could have imagined that their brand-new First Star Academy would play such a pivotal role in such a crucial match?

Though it was only Li Luo himself, the entire First Star Academy shared in the glory.

If Li Luo ultimately won, then their cohort of the First Star Academy would surely become the most prestigious in history!

"You're cheering so loudly now, but if he loses, you'll all become eternal villains." Hearing the ecstatic cheers, Li Luo smirked helplessly—he knew full well that winning this decisive match could earn him fame rivaling Jiang Jiang Qinge and the Princess, but losing would bring just as fierce a backlash.

In truth, Li Luo didn't particularly want this outcome—he'd rather have Zhu Zhu Xuan and the others won one match, then he'd just coast through his own, ensuring the ticket ended up in Sacred Zhu Xuan Star Academy's hands; after all, the ticket match wasn't the Holy Grail War—no need to fight to the death and expose his true strength and secrets. He joined the ticket match mostly for the academy's reward.

But now the easygoing match had become a life-or-death one—Blue Abyss Sacred Academy would surely fight desperately, and Sacred Zhu Xuan Star Academy was determined to win the ticket, so this match had to be fought with all their might; if they didn't even secure the ticket, they shouldn't even dream of the treasure vault's rewards—the academy would be generous just not to slap them in the face.

"Li Luo, don't shame our First Star Academy!" Qin Qin Zhulu's enthusiastic voice came from behind.

Li Luo turned his head and saw Qin Qin Zhulu, Lü Qing'er, Yu Lang, and others gathering around him.

Yu Lang's expression was solemn: "I never thought this match would actually come—I had a strange premonition earlier that our First Star Academy's match wouldn't be simple, and now it's come true. This is protagonist-level treatment. Li Luo, maybe you've been dragged down by me."

Li Luo glanced at him and said, "A good extra who spends all day acting like the protagonist—watch out, you might get too caught up in the role."

Yu Lang immediately protested: "What extra could become a Purple Radiance student of Sacred Zhu Xuan Star Academy at Sixth Rank, and still be a core member of the Purple Radiance squad?"

Li Luo shook his head and sighed: "If appearance could represent strength, you, Yu Lang, wouldn't just be Purple Radiance—you'd have a seat among the Seven Pillars."

Lü Qing'er, Bai Bai Mengmeng, and others couldn't help but laugh.

Yu Lang grumbled in discontent.

But Yu Lang's interruption had lightened Li Luo's mood considerably; meeting Lü Qing'er's gaze—filled with encouragement and concern—he smiled: "Don't worry. Though the pressure of the final match is immense, my ability to withstand pressure isn't something I trained for nothing."

Lü Qing'er nodded slightly; though the final match could bring Li Luo immense fame, she also feared the pressure might destabilize his mindset.

And though she trusted Li Luo, she didn't blindly underestimate Blue Abyss Sacred Academy's First Star representative—she was intelligent, and she sensed that Blue Abyss Sacred Academy placed great hope in that student, meaning he was no ordinary opponent.

Li Luo needed to adjust his mindset and face his enemy in perfect condition.

As they spoke, Li Luo suddenly sensed commotion on the First Star Academy stands; he turned his head and saw Jiang Jiang Qinge descending the steps, drawing countless eyes as she walked toward them.

"Senior Jiang!"

Many First Star Academy students cried out excitedly.

After her epic battle with Zhao Zhao Huiyin, Jiang Jiang Qinge's prestige within the academy had clearly risen another notch.

Facing the excited, reverent gazes, Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded slightly, then walked straight toward Li Luo.

Qin Qin Zhulu, Bai Bai Mengmeng, and others all nodded to her, then stepped back.

Lü Qing'er's gaze lingered on Jiang Jiang Qinge for several seconds before she also stepped aside—Jiang Jiang Qinge's arrival clearly meant she had something to say to Li Luo.

Jiang Jiang Qinge walked directly beside Li Luo and said: "Congratulations. You've finally gotten your chance to make your name."

Li Luo rolled his eyes at her teasing tone: "Those two idiots from Second Star Academy were a disappointment."

"This was a long-planned move by Blue Abyss Sacred Academy. Zhu Zhu Xuan and Ye Ye Qiuding's strength was never beyond their calculations—so this outcome isn't surprising." Jiang Jiang Qinge gazed at the ruined battlefield among the mountains.

"But they bet everything on this First Star Academy match? Blue Abyss Sacred Academy really surprised me." Li Luo said.

"Their plan likely still centers on Lu Cang or Lu Cang."

Jiang Jiang Qinge turned to Li Luo: "They have great confidence in those two brothers."

Li Luo smiled: "I understand what you mean. Don't worry—I won't underestimate them. I also want to see what kind of ability Lu Cang has, to make Blue Abyss Sacred Academy devise a plan requiring such heavy cooperation from other academies."

Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded, then reached out and took Li Luo's hand, ignoring the sudden roar erupting from the stands around them: "Don't hold back. Show them your strongest power. I know you always prefer to conceal yourself, hiding your strength so those enemies from Luo Lan Mansion won't notice you—but merely appearing weak achieves nothing. Sometimes, revealing your sharp edge is what truly instills fear."

Li Luo froze for a moment, then gripped Jiang Jiang Qinge's jade hand tightly before letting go.

Lü Qing'er, watching this, subtly pouted—Senior Jiang's level was truly high; had she just come to the First Star Academy side to claim Li Luo as hers? Such behavior was just like her fighting style—domineering and forceful.

But I won't yield so easily!

That marriage contract without love is unfair to both Li Luo and you, Senior Jiang.

I'll help you both break free!

As Lü Qing'er's thoughts churned, a clear bell and drum echoed across the mountains.

It was the signal that the final battle was about to begin.

Li Luo turned and waved to the crowd, then leapt down from the stands, under countless tense and expectant gazes.

Jiang Jiang Qinge watched the figure leap from the high platform like a great bird, descending straight onto the battlefield, and a faint smile touched her lips: Li Luo, today, under the eyes of all, let everyone know that Luo Lan Mansion doesn't just have a young phoenix—it has a true latent dragon.