"That's called confusing the opponent. I always knew my Brother Su would win."
Liu Ziming rubbed his leg as he hopped away, shifting the topic to Feng Jue: "You have no idea, after winning just now, even the stone-faced guy smiled. I think he doesn't need to find other doctors anymore - just looking at you instantly cured him."
"Just shut up already."
Xie Xi threw a healing potion into Liu Ziming's arms: "Keep yapping and next time I'll make you go first."
The triumphant gleam in Liu Ziming's eyes didn't diminish in the slightest, as if he himself had won the match.
Su Zhan leaned against the guardrail, watching his noisy teammates, his lips unconsciously curling upward.
The medic's bandaging hands applied a bit too much pressure.
He hissed in pain.
This earned him another round of exaggerated concern from Liu Ziming: "Be gentler! Can't you see this is the great hero of our Vermilion Bird Academy?"
At this moment.
An elderly man with snow-white hair walked slowly toward them - none other than Dean Li of Starlight Academy.
Seeing this, Wang Mingyuan stepped forward to greet him: "Dean Li."
"Professor Wang, you're too kind."
Dean Li's voice resonated deeply: "Vermilion Bird Academy truly produces exceptional talents. Seeing them today, the reputation is well-deserved."
"Not at all, Starlight Academy has profound foundations, and student Lin Xing's gravity manipulation is truly impressive."
Wang Mingyuan gave a slight bow: "If not for Su Zhan's lucky break, the outcome would still be uncertain."
"Professor Wang, you're too modest."
Dean Li waved his hand: "Your student Su here, being able to turn certain defeat into victory in a desperate situation - such mental fortitude and talent are truly rare."
Su Zhan and the others silently watched the two engage in mutual professional praise.
Dean Li's gaze swept affectionately over the Vermilion Bird Academy team members: "According to exchange meet rules, the team competition should be held five days after the singles matches conclude. However, I see these children are all injured. Better to let them recover properly first."
As he spoke, he took out an exquisite sandalwood box from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Mingyuan: "These are five specially formulated Starlight Jade Dew Pills from our Starlight Academy. They have remarkable effects on spiritual energy recovery. Have the children take them - they'll heal faster."
Wang Mingyuan received it with both hands, expressing sincere gratitude: "Dean Li, your consideration for the younger generation truly makes us feel unworthy of such kindness."
"Ah, in martial arts cultivation, what's valuable is connecting heart-to-heart."
Dean Li stroked his white beard and smiled: "Both our academies are cultivating new strength for Daxia, so we should naturally support each other. When the children have recovered, they're welcome to visit Starlight Academy anytime."
Liu Ziming whispered to Xie Xi from behind: "This old gentleman is actually pretty decent."
Xie Xi, unusually, didn't refute but nodded gently.
After speaking, Dean Li turned and left.
"Dean Li, please go safely."
Wang Mingyuan nodded slightly.
After Dean Li had completely left.
"Professor Wang, Dean Li is such a virtuous and respected elder."
Su Zhan gazed in the direction he had left, thoughtfully asking:
"He clearly saw us win five consecutive matches, yet still treated us with courtesy, even proactively postponing the team competition to let us recover. But why are Starlight Academy's students..."
He didn't finish, but everyone understood what he meant.
"Every one of them with their noses in the air."
Liu Ziming couldn't help interjecting: "When they first arrived, the way they looked at us - like we owed them money!"
Wang Mingyuan wore a meaningful smile: "What do you think Dean Li was like in his youth?"
Liu Ziming rushed to answer: "He must have been just like now - ethereal and dignified, kind-faced and benevolent!"
"Wrong."
Wang Mingyuan chuckled and shook his head: "Thirty years ago, Dean Li was famously known as Thunderbolt Hands. He had a fiery temper and never showed mercy in martial arts competitions."
Everyone showed surprised expressions.
"Awakener inheritance emphasizes teaching according to individual aptitude."
Wang Mingyuan explained: "Young people should behave like young people - full of vigor and vitality, competitive and eager to prove themselves. This is young people's natural tendency and also their driving force for progress. If we make these youths learn Dean Li's current steadiness, it would actually stifle their edge."
Xie Xi thought thoughtfully: "So Dean Li intentionally allows the students to maintain this kind of..."
"Arrogant attitude?"
Wang Mingyuan continued with a smile: "Exactly. When they reach Dean Li's age and have experienced enough victories and defeats, they'll naturally understand what true strong demeanor means."
Feng Jue spoke: "Step by step progression."
"Precisely so."
Wang Mingyuan nodded approvingly: "Remember, true strength isn't about smoothing away young people's edges, but about making those edges eventually grow in the right direction."
Everyone nodded.
Wang Mingyuan took the sandalwood medicine box gifted by Dean Li, a faint spiritual energy glow appearing at his fingertips as he carefully examined the pills inside.
After a moment, he nodded satisfactorily: "Starlight Jade Dew Pills - excellent stuff for healing injuries."
He distributed the pills to everyone one by one.
As Xu Hao received his, he said: "Dean Li's gesture is quite rare."
"Pfft, they're just a few pills."
Liu Ziming chewed on his pill while suddenly jumping up: "Everyone! Today we achieved complete victory - we must have a victory banquet tonight!"
He snapped his fingers: "At my family's Seaside Grand Hotel! All expenses covered—by Young Master Liu! Scream!"
The area fell into complete silence.
Only Xu Hao cooperatively raised his hand: "Young Master Liu, awesome!"
Liu Ziming's face immediately fell: "Hey hey, give me some face, everyone!"
"Young Master Liu is amazing."
Su Zhan gave him a thumbs-up.
When you receive others' gifts, your hands feel short; when you eat others' food, your mouth feels short. Giving this show-off playboy some verbal encouragement couldn't hurt.
The moment Liu Ziming saw Su Zhan's support, he immediately straightened his back: "See! Brother Su gets me! You've been there once, but you might not know. There are many places in my family's Seaside Grand Hotel you haven't seen. Just the seafood tanks alone take up an entire floor. The king crab legs are as thick as a baby's wrist, the abalones are each as big as a palm, and there's also..."
Xie Xi interrupted his torrent of words: "Liu Ziming."
"Ah?"
Xie Xi interrupted his incessant chatter: "Liu Ziming."
"Are we eating or not?"
Xie Xi narrowed her eyes.
Liu Ziming's torrent of words came to an abrupt halt: "Eat, of course we're eating."
"Then let's go."
Liu Ziming's incessant chatter came to an abrupt halt: "Eat, of course we're eating."
Liu Ziming quickly jogged to catch up: "Hey wait for me! Let me tell you, the hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool..."
Wang Mingyuan watched these lively characters and shook his head helplessly, but didn't stop them.
Su Zhan walked at the rear, watching Liu Ziming's back as he pestered Xie Xi while continuing to boast ahead, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
The singles competition had concluded perfectly.
His body felt exhausted.
It was time to relax a little.
A perfect opportunity to experience what a rich young master's life was really like.
He was actually quite looking forward to it.