The tension in the practice room was palpable. Everyone from Excellent Era, from the trainers to the skilled players, had their eyes glued to the massive screen at the front of the room. On that screen, two characters from the world of Glory were locked in a fierce battle—One Autumn Leaf, controlled by Ye Xiu, and Chasing Haze, piloted by his best friend, Liu Hao.
This wasn't just a friendly sparring match. It was a battle between two of the greatest players in Glory's history. Despite their friendship, neither Ye Xiu nor Hoa was holding back. Their movements on the keyboard were a blur, fingers dancing across the keys with the speed and precision that had made them legends. Every attack, every dodge, every counter was executed with ruthless efficiency.
The characters clashed in the virtual battlefield. One Autumn Leaf moved with deadly grace, his sword strikes flowing like water, while Chasing Haze darted and weaved like a shadow, his quick, relentless attacks keeping Ye Xiu on his toes.
The air in the room grew heavy as the battle raged on. The trainers and players watching couldn't help but lean forward, their hearts pounding in sync with the on-screen action. Seeing Ye Xiu and Hao go head-to-head like this was a rare sight. Their rivalry was the stuff of legend, but their friendship had always kept it from becoming too heated.
Tonight, though, it was different. There was no holding back. Both were playing to win.
"Don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because we're friends!" Hao's voice came through the in-game chat, cocky and confident as always.
Ye Xiu smirked, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "I'd be disappointed if you did."
The audience couldn't help but smile at the exchange, but their focus quickly returned to the match as the two characters clashed once more. Chasing Haze's sword flashed in a rapid series of attacks, each one aimed with deadly precision. But Ye Xiu, with his years of experience and unshakable composure, deflected each blow with calm precision.
The screen flickered with flashes of light as One Autumn Leaf retaliated, unleashing a flurry of strikes that forced Chasing Haze to back off. The two characters circled each other warily, neither willing to give the other an inch. The match had reached a tipping point.
Hao, never one to back down, launched into another aggressive offensive, his attacks coming fast and furious. It was a high-risk strategy, one that had overwhelmed countless opponents in the past. But Ye Xiu was no ordinary opponent. His eyes tracked every movement, every feint, every split-second decision that Hao made.
Chasing Haze lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with terrifying speed. For a moment, it seemed like Hao had caught Ye Xiu off guard. But just as the attack was about to connect, One Autumn Leaf sidestepped a perfectly timed dodge that left the entire room holding its breath.
The counterattack came in an instant. One Autumn Leaf's sword glowed with power as Ye Xiu executed a deadly combination, his hands moving like lightning across the keyboard. The room seemed to hold its collective breath as Chasing Haze staggered under the onslaught.
Then, with one final, devastating strike, One Autumn Leaf delivered the finishing blow.
A deafening cheer erupted from the practice room. The trainers and players, who had been sitting in silence, were now on their feet, applauding and shouting in excitement. It had been a battle for the ages, a clash between two titans, and Ye Xiu had come out on top.
Ye Xiu leaned back in his chair, exhaling softly. His face was calm, but there was a faint smile playing on his lips. Across from him, Hao let out a frustrated laugh, throwing his hands up in mock surrender.
"You got me this time," Hao said, standing up from his chair. "But don't think I'm letting you off easy next time!"
Ye Xiu stood as well, crossing the room to meet his friend. He extended a hand, and Hao grinned as he took it, pulling Ye Xiu into a quick, brotherly hug. The tension of the match melted away in that instant, replaced by the easy camaraderie that had always defined their friendship.
"You fought well," Ye Xiu said quietly as they pulled apart.
"Yeah, well, you're still a pain in the ass to play against," Hao shot back, though his grin betrayed his pride. "You've still got it, old man."
The room was still buzzing with excitement, the other players talking animatedly about the match they had just witnessed. Even after all these years, Ye Xiu and Hao's rivalry still had the power to inspire awe.
As they stood there, side by side, sharing a moment of laughter, Ye Xiu couldn't help but feel a swell of gratitude. These were his friends—his teammates. They had been through so much together, and tonight's match was a reminder of just how strong their bond was. No matter how fierce their competition got, at the end of the day, they were still a family.
The cheers continued to ring out in the practice room, but for Ye Xiu, the real victory wasn't in winning the match. It was in knowing that, win or lose, they would always have each other's backs.
"Same time tomorrow?" Hao asked, grinning.
Ye Xiu chuckled. "You're on."
As the cheers and laughter began to settle in the practice room, the door to the main office creaked open. A figure stepped inside, and the mood shifted ever so slightly. It was Sun Xiang, one of the newer players on Excellent Era—a rising star with undeniable talent, but a chip on his shoulder that many couldn't ignore.
Sun Xiang's eyes scanned the room, landing on Ye Xiu and Hao, still grinning like fools after their match. He walked over with a slow, deliberate pace, the buzz of the room quieting as he approached.
"That was quite the show," Sun Xiang remarked, his voice cool, though there was an edge to it. He nodded at Ye Xiu, then Shaotian. "But I'm curious… How long do you guys think you can keep that up?"
Hao raised an eyebrow, his cocky grin fading. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Sun Xiang crossed his arms, his eyes locked on Ye Xiu now. "I'm just saying… we all know this team's been on top for years, but times are changing. You two might be legends, but even legends can fade. Don't you think it's time to pass the torch to the next generation?"
The room, which had been filled with lighthearted banter just moments ago, fell into an awkward silence. Some of the younger players exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of where this conversation was headed. Hao opened his mouth to fire back, but Ye Xiu held up a hand, stopping him.
Ye Xiu's face remained calm, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded Sun Xiang. "If you want the torch, you've got to earn it."
The words were simple, but the weight behind them was unmistakable. A few players shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension rising.
Sun Xiang's lips curled into a smirk. "I intend to."
For a brief moment, the two locked eyes—Ye Xiu, the seasoned veteran, and Sun Xiang, the ambitious newcomer. It was a silent clash of wills, one that didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the team. The atmosphere was thick, and it felt like something unspoken hung in the air between them.
Then, as quickly as the tension had built, Sun Xiang shrugged and stepped back. "No hard feelings, though. I'm just saying what everyone's thinking." He flashed a grin, though it didn't reach his eyes. "See you at the next practice."
With that, he turned and left the room, leaving behind a ripple of unease that spread through the team. The sound of the door closing behind him was like a final punctuation mark on the confrontation.
Liu Hao let out a low whistle once Sun Xiang was gone. "That guy… he's got some nerve."
Ye Xiu didn't respond right away, his gaze lingering on the door where Sun Xiang had disappeared. The playful atmosphere of the practice room was gone, replaced by an uneasy silence. Ye Xiu could sense it—the shifting tides within the team, the creeping fractures that were beginning to show.
He had always believed that nothing could come between their bond as a team, but Sun Xiang's words had hit closer to home than he wanted to admit. Things were changing, and the cracks were already starting to form.
"Let's get out of here," Ye Xiu said finally, forcing a smile for Hao's sake. "I could use a drink after all that."
Hao grinned and clapped him on the back. "You read my mind."
As they headed out of the practice room together, Ye Xiu couldn't shake the feeling that tonight had marked a turning point—one that wasn't going to be easy to ignore. The celebration, the camaraderie, even the playful rivalry with Hao —it all felt more fragile now, like something precious that could slip through his fingers if he wasn't careful.
In the hallway, they ran into Su Mucheng, their long-time teammate and another core member of Excellent Era. She beamed at them, completely unaware of the tension that had just unfolded.
"Good match tonight, guys! You both were amazing," she said brightly.
Hao grinned. "You missed the part where I almost wiped the floor with him."
Su Mucheng laughed, but Ye Xiu noticed something in her eyes—a brief flicker of concern as if she had sensed the underlying tension, even if she hadn't witnessed the confrontation.
As they walked out of the building together, Ye Xiu felt a weight settle on his shoulders. The team had won countless battles together, faced impossible odds, and triumphed against all challenges. But this… this felt different.
Sun Xiang's words echoed in his mind. Times are changing.
And Ye Xiu knew, deep down, that change was inevitable. The question was, how would they face it when it finally arrived? Would Excellent Era stay united, or would the team he had poured his heart and soul into begin to fracture?
As they stepped out into the cool night air, Ye Xiu caught a glimpse of the moon, high and bright in the sky, and he couldn't shake the feeling that darker days were on the horizon.
He had once believed that their team was unbreakable, that nothing could come between them. But now, for the first time, doubt began to creep into his thoughts.
Something was coming—something that would test not just his skills, but the very foundation of everything he had built with Excellent Era.
And as they walked down the street together, laughing and joking like old times, Ye Xiu couldn't help but wonder how much longer that laughter would last.