Su Zhan assessed his remaining stamina, calculating silently in his mind.
He would never sacrifice his foundation and future for momentary impulse.
The exchange tournament was merely one stop on his cultivation path—neither the beginning nor the end.
Since Vermilion Bird Academy required participation, he had come.
His goal of witnessing other academies' standards had already been achieved.
The empty fame of victory paled in comparison to solid progress.
He had seen too many examples in the academy's records of those who ruined their cultivation foundations for fleeting glory.
This exchange had already given them abundant gains.
They had witnessed different Life Soul abilities.
Even pushed their potential limits to the extreme.
Stopping here was perfect timing.
He held no deep grudge against Starlight Academy.
If he truly couldn't win...
Then he should know when to back down.
"The fifth individual match is about to begin. Please have the Vermilion Bird Academy contestant take position."
The referee's voice rang out.
Hearing this, Su Zhan stepped forward to approach the arena.
"Wait, Brother Su."
Xu Hao suddenly reached out to stop him.
Su Zhan turned his head.
Xu Hao was supporting himself against the wall to stand, though his legs still trembled slightly: "Let me go first."
"Your stamina is already depleted. You should rest more."
Su Zhan frowned, pointing at his still-trembling limbs: "Going up now is too dangerous."
"What are you trying to prove?"
Xie Xi snorted coldly: "You can't even hold your dagger steady."
"Don't mess around, Mouse."
Liu Ziming said seriously: "In your condition, you probably won't last three moves."
"I know in this state, I have no chance of winning the fifth match."
Xu Hao showed a relieved smile: "So, let me go first instead. Since I'll lose anyway, I might as well buy you some rest time.
My stamina is almost gone, and my teleportation range has shortened, but I can still use it a few times briefly.
I'll try to stall as long as possible. The rest will be up to you."
Su Zhan carefully examined Xu Hao's condition, then after a moment asked: "Are you sure?"
Xu Hao grinned: "Don't worry, I'm the one most afraid of dying. I know my limits and won't push too hard. Just don't blame me if I don't buy much time."
The tension in the preparation area eased immediately.
"Ha!"
Liu Ziming was the first to laugh, habitually reaching to pat Xu Hao's shoulder but pulling back mid-motion, settling for a light touch:
"That's more like it! Remember, if you dare play hero, I'll bring Su Zhan and the others to isolate you."
Su Zhan nodded slightly: "Act according to your capabilities."
The referee's whistle sounded.
Xu Hao took a deep breath and stepped onto the arena.
His opponent was a burly male student with fury burning in his eyes.
Clearly, the four previous losses had filled Starlight Academy's contestants with pent-up anger.
"Begin!"
The opponent gave Xu Hao no chance to catch his breath, instantly unleashing a violent surge of spiritual energy.
The ground cracked under heavy stomps.
The person charged like a cannonball, fist wind making Xu Hao's face sting.
"Swish!"
Xu Hao's figure disappeared, leaving an afterimage in his original position.
The opponent's heavy fist tore through the afterimage, hitting only air.
"Stop hiding!"
The opponent roared while turning around, fists igniting with crimson flames: "Have the guts to take my punch head-on!"
Xu Hao didn't respond, just gritted his teeth and activated teleportation again.
His figure flickered left and right across the arena.
Each time barely avoiding attacks by the narrowest margins.
Though slower than his peak condition, he remained as agile as a swimming fish.
"Bang!"
A fire fist grazed Xu Hao's shoulder, instantly charring his clothing black.
He grunted but used the impact force to teleport to the opposite end of the arena.
"Fifty seconds..."
Xu Hao counted silently in his mind, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
The opponent grew increasingly irritable, attacks becoming more fierce: "Coward! Does Vermilion Bird Academy only teach you to run away?"
Boos came from the spectator stands:
"Fight!"
"What kind of skill is just dodging!"
"Get off the stage!"
Xu Hao turned a deaf ear, once again narrowly avoiding a sweeping fire whip.
"Sixty seconds..."
Right at this moment!
The opponent's attack pattern changed, the flames on his fists suddenly turning blue.
Xu Hao's pupils contracted.
A technique change!
He mustered all his strength for one final teleportation, but was still sent flying by the residual energy.
"I surrender!"
Xu Hao shouted these two words before even landing.
The referee intervened promptly, blocking the opponent's pursuit.
Xu Hao collapsed sitting on the ground, but raised one finger toward the preparation area.
One minute—he had successfully lasted one minute.
Though defeated, his mission was accomplished.
The spectator stands instantly erupted with deafening cheers.
"Finally won!"
"Vermilion Bird Academy is nothing special!"
"See if they still dare act arrogant!"
"Yo, why aren't the Vermilion guys continuing their arrogance?"
The Starlight Academy contestant raised both arms high, enjoying the belated victory.
Preparation area.
Xu Hao limped back.
Liu Ziming was the first to rush forward, supporting him: "Well done, Mouse!"
Xie Xi tossed over a healing potion: "Good job."
Feng Jue silently took the dagger from Xu Hao's hand, wiped off the dust with his sleeve, and handed it back.
This simple action spoke louder than a thousand words.
Only after confirming Xu Hao's injuries weren't serious did Su Zhan feel relieved internally.
Wang Mingyuan's eyes filled with gratification.
Though they lost this match, the five young people's eyes shone brighter than ever before.
An excellent team.
Not defined by an undefeated record, but by this spirit of unity.
The medical team quickly came forward to examine him.
Their final conclusion: only significant stamina depletion, nothing serious.
"Brother Su..."
Liu Ziming said solemnly: "Given the current situation, my chances aren't great. But precisely at times like this, we must make them remember Vermilion's elegance."
He pointed toward the arena: "You take the final position. The first and last are what audiences remember most."
The preparation area fell silent.
Xie Xi's eyes focused, but she didn't refute.
Everyone understood the weight of this decision.
This placed the academy's honor entirely on Su Zhan's shoulders.
Su Zhan looked at his teammates.
What he saw was trust.
"Okay."
Su Zhan nodded gravely.
"I'm going up."
Liu Ziming tossed his hair, returning to his former unruly appearance.
He walked onto the arena with swaggering, confident steps.
His opponent was an average-built male student.
Earth-yellow spiritual energy chains wrapped around his arms, his eyes cold.
"Life Soul, Earth Pulse Shackles, S-grade, Dew Realm second stage."
The referee announced.
"Wow~"
Liu Ziming laughed: "Your academy is so sneaky, sending the strong ones only after our stamina is drained. How despicable."
The match began.
The opponent stomped violently, making the entire arena shake intensely.
Dozens of earth-yellow chains burst from the ground, assaulting Liu Ziming.
"So eager to bind me?"
Liu Ziming quickly dodged while still teasing: "This young master doesn't play those special preferences."
The chains suddenly changed trajectory, surrounding him from all directions.
Liu Ziming's back hit the chains, immediately freezing his movement.
"Bang!"
A heavy punch smashed into his abdomen.
"Cough..."
Liu Ziming staggered back, but forced out a rogue smile: "Is that all the strength you have? Tickling me?"
The opponent's eyes turned colder, the chains tightening abruptly.
Liu Ziming's lightning glow was suppressed to faint flickers, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Surrender."
The opponent said coldly.