Tang Rou's focus had sharpened over the following weeks. As she trained with the team, participated in tournaments, and reviewed past matches, the lessons from her rivalry with Shade lingered in her mind. Glory had become more than a test of skill—it was a constant challenge to outthink, outmaneuver, and outgrow every opponent. And with Shade still looming in the background, she knew that complacency wasn't an option.
Today, the team was gathered for a strategic review of their recent matches. Ye Xiu, as always, stood at the center of the discussion, leading the team through a breakdown of their performance. The atmosphere in the room was relaxed but focused, the team comfortable in their routine but alert to Ye Xiu's insights.
"We did well in the last tournament," Ye Xiu said, swiping through a replay of their recent victory against a European team. "But there's always room for improvement. Watch how they tried to lure us into overextending—if we'd taken the bait, the match could have gone very differently."
Tang Rou nodded, her eyes locked on the screen. She had felt the subtle pressure during the match, but they'd held their ground and come out on top. Still, she knew that the higher they climbed, the more dangerous their opponents would become. Every team they faced was getting stronger, and every mistake would be more costly.
As the review continued, Tang Rou found herself slipping into deep concentration, her thoughts consumed by the strategies unfolding before her. But despite her focus on the match footage, her mind kept drifting back to the looming tournaments ahead. The National Championship was only a few months away, and it would be their biggest challenge yet. Teams from all over the country would be vying for the title, and the competition would be fierce.
"Shade's team will be there," Ye Xiu said, as if reading her thoughts. "Starlight isn't going anywhere. They'll be stronger than the last time we faced them."
Tang Rou felt her pulse quicken at the mention of Shade. She had expected as much. The National Championship was a perfect stage for their next encounter. But this time, she didn't feel the same uncertainty she had felt after the Winter Clash. She knew Shade would return stronger, but so would she.
"We'll be ready," Tang Rou replied, her voice steady.
Ye Xiu gave her a small nod, his expression unreadable but approving. "You've grown a lot since the last time you faced him. Keep that momentum going."
The review session wrapped up, and the team broke for lunch. Tang Rou grabbed her tray and joined Su Mucheng and Zhang Jiale at one of the long tables in the cafeteria. The conversation quickly turned to the upcoming National Championship, and Zhang Jiale couldn't help but speculate on which teams they'd be facing.
"I heard some new up-and-comers from the southern region are making waves," he said, taking a bite of his food. "Could be interesting to see how they stack up against us."
"Every year, there's someone new," Su Mucheng added. "But the real competition is going to come from the veterans. Starlight, obviously, but also the Thunderstrike team. They've been improving quietly, and their captain is known for his unpredictable strategies."
Tang Rou listened to the conversation, absorbing the information while keeping her thoughts focused. Every tournament was a new challenge, a new opportunity to test herself against the best. But in the back of her mind, she kept coming back to the same thought: the inevitable rematch with Shade.
She wasn't afraid of it. In fact, she welcomed it. Their rivalry had become a driving force for her, pushing her to become stronger with every match. And now, with the National Championship on the horizon, she felt more ready than ever.
That evening, Tang Rou returned to the practice room, the glow of her monitor casting a soft light across her face as she logged into Glory. The familiar hum of the game's interface greeted her, and she slipped into the private training lobby she had set up for herself. Tonight, she was focusing on refining her reaction speed and her ability to switch strategies mid-match.
Her hands moved fluidly across the keyboard as she ran through a series of drills, her focus narrowing until the outside world faded away. Each movement was deliberate, every decision calculated. She had learned a lot from her previous matches with Shade, and tonight, she was working to hone her instincts even further.
As she trained, the sound of footsteps broke the silence, and Tang Rou looked up to see Ye Xiu standing in the doorway, watching her with a curious expression.
"Still at it, huh?" he said, stepping inside and leaning casually against the wall. "You've been pushing yourself hard lately."
Tang Rou smiled, pausing her training for a moment. "I have to. The National Championship is going to be the toughest tournament we've faced yet."
Ye Xiu nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "True. But remember what I said before—it's not just about training harder. It's about training smarter. You've got the skills, Tang Rou. Now it's about refining them."
Tang Rou appreciated the advice. Ye Xiu had always been good at knowing when to push and when to remind them to step back and breathe. "I know. I just don't want to fall behind. Shade's improving, and I need to be ready for whatever he throws at me next."
Ye Xiu smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, so that's what's been driving you lately. The rivalry, huh?"
Tang Rou shrugged, though her smile grew. "I guess it's part of it. But it's more than that. I want to be the best, not just because of Shade, but for myself."
Ye Xiu gave her an approving nod. "That's the right mindset. It's good to have rivals, but in the end, you're always competing against yourself. You're your own biggest opponent."
Tang Rou considered his words, letting them sink in. He was right, of course. Shade pushed her, but ultimately, her growth came from within. Every challenge she faced, every tournament she entered, was a test of how far she had come—and how much further she could go.
"You'll do well in the National Championship," Ye Xiu said, pushing off from the wall. "Just don't burn yourself out before the real battle begins."
Tang Rou watched as Ye Xiu left the room, his words lingering in the air. She turned back to her screen, her focus renewed. The National Championship was her next target, and she knew it would be the ultimate test of her abilities.
But she wasn't worried. She had faced countless challenges before, and she had grown stronger with each one. And now, with everything she had learned, she was ready to face whatever came next.
The weeks leading up to the National Championship flew by, each day packed with training sessions, strategy meetings, and tournament preparations. The pressure was high, but Tang Rou thrived in it. She could feel herself improving with every match, her skills sharpening, her instincts growing stronger.
As the tournament drew closer, the team entered the final stages of their preparation. Every detail was scrutinized, every possible scenario analyzed. The National Championship was the biggest event of the year, and every team entering the tournament was hungry for the title.
But for Tang Rou, the stakes were personal. This wasn't just about winning another tournament—it was about proving to herself that she had truly reached the top. She knew Shade would be there, waiting for their rematch, but this time, she wasn't chasing him. She was standing alongside him, as an equal, as a rival.
And she was ready.
On the day of the National Championship, the arena was buzzing with excitement. Teams from across the country had gathered to compete, the energy in the air electric with anticipation. Tang Rou stood with her team in the lobby, the sound of fans cheering outside the arena filling the space around them.
The weight of the tournament pressed down on her, but she welcomed it. This was the moment they had been preparing for—the culmination of all their hard work. As they stepped into the arena, the bright lights overhead illuminating the stage, Tang Rou felt a surge of adrenaline.
She took her seat, her hands resting on the keyboard, her focus sharp. Across the stage, the other teams were setting up, their expressions focused and determined. But Tang Rou's attention was drawn to one team in particular: Starlight.
Shade, seated at the center of his team, hadn't removed his mask. His posture was calm, but Tang Rou could sense the intensity in the air between them. This was it—their rematch was coming.
As the countdown began for the first round of matches, Tang Rou felt a familiar calm settle over her. She had faced Shade before, and she knew she would face him again. But this time, she wasn't just ready.
She was prepared to win.
This chapter focuses on Tang Rou's preparation for the National Championship, diving into her growth as a player and the looming rematch with Shade. It highlights her determination and the importance of the rivalry in pushing her to new heights. The stage is set for the next major battle, with Tang Rou more focused and ready than ever before.