"Mm. We'll win."
Dai Chengfeng smiled, then turned serious. "Today's a 4v4 match—me, Nana, Zhuqing, and Rongrong will fight."
"But whether we win or not also depends on you three."
"We've got this!" the three girls declared with absolute confidence.
Xiao Wu nodded too—but a flicker of disappointment crossed her face. Though it wasn't her battle, she still longed to join in. After all, she was now part of Dai Chengfeng's circle; she wanted to belong.
Dai Chengfeng seemed to read her thoughts. He smiled gently.
"Xiao Wu, you're too strong. You'll be our secret weapon."
"And Tang San knows you too well. If you go in, he'll have countermeasures ready."
"You staying on the sidelines means you can spot their weaknesses—and step in immediately if anyone gets injured. That role is just as crucial."
Xiao Wu blinked in surprise—too strong?—but quickly understood. Dai Chengfeng was comforting her, ensuring she didn't feel rejected. Her eyes instantly shimmered with touched emotion.
She beamed, nodding eagerly. "Alright! If anyone's hurt, let me jump in right away!"
"Deal," Dai Chengfeng promised, pinching her cheek playfully.
"Annoying~"
Xiao Wu shyly batted his hand away.
Now Dai Chengfeng turned to the other three, his expression sharpening.
"No need to review tactics—we'll stick to our usual formation. Rongrong, full support from the start. Zhuqing, flank and harass. Nana, control the field. I'll press the front line."
"But Tang San will have counters. Adaptability in the moment matters most."
"Remember: we're a team. One mistake can cost us everything—but one brilliant move can turn the tide."
"Understood!" the trio chorused.
Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing spoke up: "Chengfeng, leave Dai Mubai to me."
Dai Chengfeng paused, meeting her gaze.
"Zhuqing, you don't have to force yourself…"
"I'm not forcing anything." She cut him off, eyes resolute. "I need to make it clear to him: there's no future between us. And I know the White Tiger martial soul best—I'm the right one to handle him."
After a moment's silence, Dai Chengfeng nodded. "Alright. But don't overextend yourself. Switch positions if things go wrong."
"I will," Zhu Zhuqing replied curtly.
Ning Rongrong added softly, "I'll keep an eye on Zhuqing too—ready to support her anytime."
Hu Liena looped her arm through Dai Chengfeng's. "It's time. Let's go."
Dai Chengfeng took a deep breath, gazing out the window.
Sunlight bathed Spirit City as it woke. The silhouette of the arena stood clear in the distance.
"Let's move." He strode toward the door.
The others followed, the air thick with solemn resolve.
In the corridor, maids and guards bowed deeply, eyes brimming with reverence and anticipation.
At the palace gates, Dai Chengfeng halted.
"Wait here. I'll bid Mother goodbye."
He turned down another path—toward his mother's quarters. Though he'd spoken to her before, he needed to see her once more before the match.
In Empress Zhu Hongxiu's chamber, High Priestess Zhu Hongye stood waiting.
Clad in deep purple ceremonial robes, her hair coiled in a dignified bun, she bowed respectfully as Dai Chengfeng approached.
"Your Highness."
"Auntie Zhu, is Mother in?" he asked.
A flicker of pity crossed Zhu Hongye's eyes. "The Empress left early this morning, Your Highness."
Dai Chengfeng froze. "So early? Where did she go?"
"She didn't say, but… likely to the arena."
Zhu Hongye's voice softened. "Before leaving, she instructed me: if you came looking for her, tell you… 'Both sons are my flesh and blood. I'll sit in the most inconspicuous corner.'"
Dai Chengfeng fell silent.
He understood. His mother worried for both him and Dai Mubai. As a mother, she couldn't bear to openly cheer for one while watching the other suffer defeat. So she chose to watch silently, praying for both their safety.
"Did she say anything else?" he asked quietly.
Zhu Hongye shook her head. "Her Majesty was deeply distressed. Her eyes were swollen—she barely slept last night. Your Highness… please… show restraint today."
"Though she favors you, Dai Mubai is still her son."
Dai Chengfeng gave no reply. "I see."
He turned and walked away.
Back with the group, Hu Liena sensed his shift in mood. "What's wrong? Didn't find the Empress?"
"Mother went to the arena early," he said simply.
The girls understood instantly.
Ning Rongrong bit her lip. "The Empress must be heartbroken…"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes darkened, lost in thought.
Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks. "It's all Dai Mubai's fault! If he hadn't kept provoking Chengfeng, none of this would've happened!"
"Enough," Dai Chengfeng cut in, flashing his confident smile again. "No use dwelling on it now. Let's go."
Sunlight bathed his tall frame as he led the way.
His silver-white battle robe gleamed in the morning light, haloing him in sacred radiance.
Behind him, four stunning women followed—Hu Liena's fiery red, Zhu Zhuqing's ink-black, Ning Rongrong's aqua-blue, and Xiao Wu's soft pink—a tapestry of colors.
Meanwhile, at a luxury inn across the city, another team stepped through the gates.
Yu Xiaogang wore a deep blue robe, a jade belt cinching his waist, his long hair pinned with a simple jade hairpin. Already strikingly handsome, his deliberate grooming drew countless stares—but his furrowed brow revealed his unease about the coming battle.
Beside him walked Tang San, clad in snow-white robes, black hair like ink, features painted by heaven itself. His expression was calm, but flashes of intensity betrayed his inner turmoil.
Dai Mubai followed behind Tang San, golden hair blazing, devastatingly handsome yet grim-faced. Dressed in imperial golden battle robes—the formal attire of a Xing Luo prince—he made his statement clear. His fists were clenched, knuckles white, emotions pushed to the brink.
Ma Hongjun trailed Tang San's other side, eyes glued to him. He'd even styled his fiery hair neatly today, though his adoring gaze remained unchanged.
Tang Hao brought up the rear, hooded in his tattered cloak. Head bowed, face hidden, yet the aura of lethal intent made passersby instinctively veer wide.
From opposite ends of the city, two teams converged toward one destination: the Spirit City Arena.
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