"Let the duel begin!" With a single command, Deng Kai officially announced the start of the magic duel Mo Fan had anticipated.
Ye Chenfeng, who had been watching the tension rise, glanced at Mu Ningxue. "Xuexue, how's life in the imperial capital been?"
Mu Ningxue, eyes fixed on the arena, replied without looking at him. "Mo Fan's going to lose."
Ignoring me, huh? Ye Chenfeng smirked. "Lose? Why do you think that?"
"Yu Ang's ice vine skill has reached the third level," she answered, as Yu Ang demonstrated this very skill on the field.
Mu Ningxue turned to look at Ye Chenfeng, as if to say, "See? I was right." Unfazed, Ye Chenfeng imitated her flat tone, "Mo Fan's fire magic has also reached the third level."
Mu Ningxue cast him a glance, unsure if he was mocking her. "Can't you be serious?" she muttered.
"Fire Burst!" Mo Fan unleashed his attack. Ye Chenfeng, tilting his head, grinned at Mu Ningxue.
Sighing, she added, "Yu Ang also has an Ice Silkworm Armor to restrain fire."
Ye Chenfeng, however, wasn't finished. "Mu Ningxue, you're missing the point. You think Mo Fan will lose because you know Yu Ang better—but that's only because you haven't truly paid attention to Mo Fan."
Her brow furrowed. "What are you getting at?"
Ye Chenfeng looked at her with a knowing smile. "It's like you've been drawn out of your little well, but you're not using your broader perspective. Sure, you've been to the imperial capital, but you're still too quick to dismiss the unexpected."
Mu Ningxue was caught off guard. He'd hit closer to the truth than she expected, though she couldn't quite find the words to argue back. Instead, she turned her gaze back to the field, her mind restless.
Ye Chenfeng observed her, noting the flicker of doubt crossing her usually serene expression. "You're used to living in a world that caters to you, where everything has always gone your way. But that doesn't mean you know the real Mo Fan," he continued, seeing her silent struggle to comprehend.
Meanwhile, in the arena, Mo Fan's voice echoed, "Thunder Seal: Fury Strike!" The duel ended with a blast of lightning, and the crowd watched in awe as Mo Fan claimed victory.
As the match concluded, Ye Chenfeng turned to Mu Ningxue. "Anything to say?"
Her expression was unreadable. "...Mo Fan did well," she finally muttered, her voice tight, her confidence shaken by his unexpected strength.
"Mu Ningxue, doesn't it strike you that his speed of improvement is extraordinary?" Ye Chenfeng pressed, sensing an opportunity to shift her perspective.
"Dual abilities are rare, yes," she said, glancing his way.
"Not just his abilities, but his speed. Three years to reach intermediate level, in both elements. Shouldn't you think about how he could progress so fast?"
"Perhaps…" Mu Ningxue's voice trailed off, her gaze softening as she reconsidered.
Ye Chenfeng stepped closer. "I'd advise you to keep practicing. Don't let the day come when you, with your head start, can't even keep up with him."
A mix of emotions flickered across Mu Ningxue's face. She opened her mouth as if to respond, but he abruptly hugged her and tousled her hair. "Remember to train hard!" With a teasing smile, he dashed off, leaving her standing dazed, her cheeks flushed and her hair ruffled.
In the silence, Mu Ningxue found herself unable to contain a half-smile, bemused and exasperated by his audacity. As his words sank in, she sighed, muttering to herself, "That ridiculous man…"