In fact, from that moment on.
When Xuan Zi finally recognized Liu Yuan and confirmed that this fellow, whom he had personally expelled from Shrek, was actually the "peerless Genius" he had once tried every possible way to poach back... Xuan Zi already knew he was wrong.
However.
Xuan Zi was no ordinary person.
He was a veteran elder of Shrek Academy, a member of the Sea Gods Pavilion, and a ninety-eighth-rank Super Douluo!
Always valuing Face higher than the heavens and regarding his reputation as more important than his own life, he absolutely could not accept such a fact—that he, Xuan Zi, was a dim-witted old man with no eye for talent.
Ask him to lower his old Face and publicly admit his mistake?
To apologize to a junior he had viewed as an ant?
Or even to admit that Shrek's educational philosophy had problems?
Absolutely impossible!
Even if the truth was right before his eyes, he would only choose to be selectively blind.
So now, whenever anything involving Liu Yuan came up, Xuan Zi would seem to have a stress reaction.
It felt like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, or like a clown whose lies had been exposed.
He desperately needed to use other means to cover up his past mistakes and prove that he was still correct.
That was why he was acting so uncomposed at this moment.
"Elder Xuan?"
Ma Xiaotao, standing to the side, felt the violent and unstable spirit power fluctuations coming from Xuan Zi. She leaned in with some concern and asked in a low voice:
"Are... are you okay?"
The other Inner Court Disciples also cast concerned glances.
Hearing Ma Xiaotao's voice, Xuan Zi shuddered, and the crimson color in his eyes barely receded.
He took a deep breath, tried to put on an inscrutable appearance, and waved his hand:
"I'm fine, what could possibly be wrong with me?"
"It's just that seeing some clowns jumping around on stage is a bit of an eyesore."
Having said this, Xuan Zi's cloudy eyes turned slightly, as if he had thought of something, and his tone suddenly became serious:
"Xiaotao, and Yue Heng, you both listen well."
"You saw the match of the Sun Moon Royal Team just now. Those ignorant spectators were fooled by those two flashy spirit tool rays and actually gave them such loud cheers."
"This is simply a provocation to the glory of Shrek!"
Xuan Zi snorted coldly, his tone carrying an unquestionable domineering air:
"Therefore, I demand that in the upcoming matches, you do not rush to defeat your opponents."
"We must properly display our strength! Show off your Spirit Abilitys, your coordination, and the demeanor that belongs to the strong of Shrek, all to the fullest extent!"
"Even if you use a butcher's knife to slaughter a chicken, you must do it in a way that shakes the world! Let the entire audience and all the academies see clearly—who exactly is number one on the continent! What exactly are the true strong!"
Xuan Zi stated his thoughts completely.
Since Liu Yuan won cheers by being "fast," he would win back the Face by being "showy"!
Hearing Xuan Zi's words, a flame of excitement instantly ignited in Ma Xiaotao's phoenix eyes.
"No problem, Elder Xuan!"
She was naturally a person who liked to be flamboyant and had a fiery personality; this order was exactly to her taste:
"It should have been like this long ago! I will let them know that in front of my Evil Fire, those spirit tools are nothing but scrap metal!"
Dai Yueheng also curled his lips, revealing an arrogant smile:
"Don't worry, Elder Xuan, we will let those country bumpkins open their eyes."
For these proud sons of heaven from the Inner Court, hiding their strength? That was something only the weak needed to do.
The strong should shine brightly!
However.
Just when everyone was eager to act, a slightly timid but rational voice rang out inappropriately.
"Um... Elder Xuan."
Huo Yuhao, standing at the end of the line, looked at the fanatical atmosphere around him. After hesitating for a long time, he finally couldn't help but speak up:
"Is this... really a good idea?"
Swoosh—everyone's gaze instantly focused on Huo Yuhao.
Enduring everyone's gaze, Huo Yuhao bit the bullet and said:
"This is, after all, a knockout tournament, and there is a round-robin tournament afterward."
"If we show all of our Spirit Abilitys and strength without reservation now, that would be equivalent to exposing our trump cards in advance..."
"If the Sun Moon Royal Team or other strong teams study us specifically, we might be in a very passive position in the later matches..."
Before Huo Yuhao could finish his words, he was interrupted by a rough voice.
"Shut up!"
Xuan Zi turned his head abruptly, and those eyes that had just calmed down were once again filled with impatience and anger.
He was just worrying about having a belly full of Evil Fire with nowhere to vent it, and he didn't expect that little Huo Yuhao would dare to question his decision in public!
"Huo Yuhao, get your status straight!"
Xuan Zi pointed at Huo Yuhao's nose and scolded him mercilessly:
"You are just a member of the reserve team! Is it your place to speak here?"
"I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice! Do you need to teach me how to play a match?"
Xuan Zi was spitting while shouting, pouring all the anger he had received from Liu Yuan onto Huo Yuhao:
"Just do your own job! Don't forget, I am the real team leader!"
Huo Yuhao was scolded until his Face turned pale. He kept his head down, clutching the hem of his clothes tightly.
Although he felt incredibly aggrieved and uncomfortable in his heart, feeling that this approach of Xuan Zi was simply a taboo in military strategy, he could do nothing under the pressure of Xuan Zi's spirit power and status.
"Yes... Elder Xuan, I understand."
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