"Making it to the finals this year—Tianshui Academy again!"
"They've been here three years straight!"
"No, idiots, they were the defending champions last year. Undefeated until now."
"Not necessarily this year. Lu Yuan's in the mix."
"Yeah, but he won't hit girls too hard, will he? My goddess is in that squad. If she gets beaten up, I'll riot!"
The stands were full of frantic chatter—half anticipation, half lovestruck panic.
Inside the Tiandou Royal Academy's rest area, Qin Ming was pacing like a man possessed.
"We've clashed with Tianshui before. Historically, our record is fifty‑fifty." He glanced around at the Royal Fight team. "Remember, Tianshui has a trump card that earned them the finals three years running—the Martial Soul Fusion Skill of Shui Binger and Xue Wu."
His eyes were solemn. "We must be prepared."
Everyone nodded seriously. Everyone except Lu Yuan.
He wasn't even listening. Sitting cross‑legged in the corner, wine jar balanced in hand, he was casually flipping through a thick dossier. Not the strategies. Not the recorded battle notes. His bleary eyes lingered on the attached portraits of the Tianshui girls.
Martial souls, levels, spirit skills… blah, blah, blah. All boring.
What he wanted were the stats that weren't there. Height? Weight? Three sizes? Nothing!
He shook his head regretfully and took another sip.
"All right, I've said what needs to be said," Qin Ming finished at last, his jaw tight with worry. "Everyone, get ready. This is the finals."
If only he knew—of all the people here, Lu Yuan was the one already most "ready."
"The finals between Tianshui Academy and Tiandou Royal Academy… on the stage!" the referee announced.
Shouts erupted across the arena.
But to everyone's surprise, Lu Yuan didn't stumble in last like in every other match. This time, he was actually at the front, swaggering and swaying toward the platform, his wine jar dangling like a general's banner.
Just before stepping onstage, he turned his head and glared at Yu Tianheng and Yufeng behind him, his drunken grin sharp.
"You brats better not mess around later. Obey my orders, you hear?"
Their mouths twitched violently.
We're the ones messing around? Brother, the whole world knows it's you!
But neither dared speak.
The moment Lu Yuan stepped on the stage, his gaze locked instantly on Shui Bing'er. Before the referee could even finish speaking, he leaned forward, voice carrying across the arena:
"Binger! After this match, let's go for a drink."
The crowd erupted in shocked laughter.
"Big Sister, you're so charming," he added, dead serious. "I think I'm in love with you."
The other Tianshui girls clamped their mouths to keep from bursting into giggles. Shui Bing'er stiffened under the pressure of a thousand eyes.
"Lu Yuan! Step back—the match hasn't even started!" she managed, her cheeks flushing.
The referee sighed and rubbed his temples. He'd refereed dozens of matches. None gave him migraines like the ones with this boy.
Lu Yuan simply winked. "See you later, Binger." And then—with stunning frivolity—he blew her a kiss across the platform.
The male students in the stands clutched their chests in agony.
"It's over! My goddess! She's going to fall for him!"
"How could she not? If I were her, I'd say yes too."
"No! Not acceptable! Tianshui has rules—no dating!"
"Boycott Lu Yuan! He's stealing hearts now too!"
The referee nearly tripped over his own flag. Hurry and get this circus started!
"The finalists: Tiandou Royal Academy! Captain—Lu Yuan, Soul King, fifty-third rank!"
Yu Tianheng froze. "???"
When the hell did this drunkard become our captain?
His team swallowed tears of blood as the announcer dutifully finished the introductions.
"And for Tianshui Academy! Captain—Shui Bing'er, forty‑first rank, Control‑Type Spirit Master!"
Shui Bing'er raised her chin, though her face was still pink from earlier.
"I am Shui Yue'er, thirty-second rank, Agility‑Type Spirit Master!" declared the younger girl standing at her side. With hair and eyes that mirrored Binger's, the resemblance was obvious. But her lips curved mischievously, unlike her sister's calm dignity.
Privately, she'd admired Lu Yuan from afar since the start of the tournament. Handsome, strong, bold—now here he was right in front of her. How could she waste the chance?
"Little beauty," Lu Yuan said cheerfully, pointing at her, "I remember you. After this match ends, let's drink together too."
The girl's grin widened.
"Yue'er! Stop making trouble!" Shui Bing'er snapped, mortified.
"This is a competition, not a blind date!"
The introductions dragged on awkwardly, filled with red faces and muffled snickers.
"Big Sister," Shui Yue'er whispered slyly, "aren't you being a little greedy? Don't try to keep him all to yourself."
Shui Bing'er facepalmed. Dear heavens why me.
Finally, the referee shouted the blessed words: "Game start!"
The platform instantly froze—literally.
Lu Yuan, mid‑stride, stopped in place. His sword arm poised, his wine jar tilted—but still as an ice sculpture.
Not just him. All seven members of Tiandou Royal Academy glimmered under crystal frost, trapped in a wide frozen field.
Across them, Shui Bing'er's eyes gleamed. Her first spirit ability, Ice Seal! Freezing multiple opponents in one move. Never before had Tiandou been caught so perfectly at the very start.
"Tianshui's first skill flowers beautifully!" the commentator shouted.
Qiu Ruoshui, another Tianshui girl, darted forward at once, twin ice daggers forming in her hands. "First skill—Ice Thorn!"
Simultaneously, Shui Yue'er and another teammate broke from the side, moving to flank. Seven against frozen statues—it was their best opportunity.
But the moment their blades neared, heat bloomed. The ice around Lu Yuan hissed, cracks spreading, then shattered apart like broken glass.
His smile curved behind the mist.
"Oops," Shui Bing'er gasped. It had been a trap. He hadn't really been stuck—just baiting them closer.
"Ice Ring Armor!" she countered instantly. Blue light pulsed, wrapping her three charging allies in crystalline armor.
Too late.
Lu Yuan twisted aside, dodging an icicle by a hair. His hand snapped out, catching two wrists at once. With casual ease, he spun and flung both girls straight over the edge of the platform.
"Eek!" they squealed in surprise, tumbling safely into the holding zone.
He laughed loudly. "Don't worry, don't worry! I like you girls too much to break you. Just sit down there, have a rest!"
Qiu Ruoshui lunged with her blades. But his wrist caught hers with a snap. A gentle twist—and she too spun weightlessly off the platform, landing beside her teammates.
The crowd roared.
"Three down!"
"Wait, did he just throw them out gently?"
"Even when he's brutal, he's… polite?"
Across the field, Shui Yue'er gritted her teeth. "Second skill! Zero Impact!"
A blue dolphin spiraled into being, shooting forward with piercing ice energy.
Clang!
Lu Yuan's sword blurred. The energy ring splintered into frozen mist. And faster than Yue'er could blink, a tap to her elbow sent her rolling gracefully—right off the platform to join her friends.
"Wha—?!" She sat dazed, butt on the ground.
From the side, Yu Tianheng's face twitched violently.
What happened to 'follow my orders'? He's tossing people like they're children's toys!
"Captain, do we join?" Yufeng asked nervously.
"Captain?" Dugu Yan muttered dryly. "Since when were we the captains? Haven't you heard? Lu Yuan promoted himself."
Yu Tianheng clenched his fists. "Bastard…"
But none of them dared move. Watching Lu Yuan play was safer than stepping in.
That left Shui Bing'er. Alone.
Lu Yuan turned with a grin. "Binger, I saved the best for last."
Her eyes narrowed, and her third ring flared. "Resist the Ice Ring!"
With a burst, a circle of icy energy pulsed outward, forcing Lu Yuan back several steps.
His eyes lit with delight, taking another long gulp of wine. "Now this… this is interesting!"
And he charged her again.
Again, her Ice Ring expanded, shoving him back.
But he only laughed louder, surging forward a third time.
The finals had only just begun…
And drunken chaos was about to collide with the Ice Queen.
--
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