Zhao Manyan sneered. "Haha, if Old Ye doesn't step in, it's just to give you guys a chance to show off! Our captain is leagues above you little punks—understand?" His words were sharp, especially considering he had just endured their relentless attacks.
Damn it! If I hadn't advanced through the Three-Step Tower, I might not have survived.
Zhao Manyan glared at his opponents, his confidence bolstered by the narrow victory. Their taunts only fueled his resolve. There was no way he'd remain silent. He had to strike back with words, if not magic.
Meanwhile, Mu Ningxue stood off to the side, her irritation growing. She suspected Ye Chenfeng was off somewhere amusing himself. Her frustration bubbled over, and she immediately pulled out her phone, her fingers flying over the screen.
She didn't hesitate to release her anger.
Mu Ningxue: "Where are you? Why aren't you here for the competition?"
Ye Chenfeng stared at the message, slightly taken aback.
Ye Chenfeng: "What, you want me to cheer for you?"
Her frown deepened as she quickly replied:
Mu Ningxue: "Don't you take me seriously?"
Ye Chenfeng smirked as he typed back:
Ye Chenfeng: "You're always on my mind."
That response left her momentarily speechless. This guy, with his endless tricks and casual charm, always managed to unnerve her. Memories of their last encounter flashed through her mind, causing a flicker of hesitation.
"Do you think I can't beat Mo Fan?" she finally asked, her tone sharp.
Ye Chenfeng: "If you level up or get a soul seed, it's possible. A domain might also give you a chance."
The bluntness of his words made her grind her teeth.
Mu Ningxue: "..."
Ye Chenfeng: "If you can't beat him, just admit it. Don't let him take advantage of you, or I'll get jealous!"
She nearly laughed despite herself, though irritation still simmered. Enough was enough. Putting away her phone, she made a bold declaration to her instructor.
"Teacher, I want to fight!"
On the sidelines, Zhao Manyan's eyes widened. "Oh no! She's going up!" His gaze darted to Mo Fan. "Can you handle her?"
Mo Fan gave a confident smirk. "What, me? Scared? Impossible."
As Mu Ningxue stepped onto the battlefield, her cold and commanding presence transformed her. Snow and ice swirled around her, turning the arena into a frosty kingdom. She was no longer the reserved, untouchable goddess from the sidelines but an Ice Queen in her element.
Mo Fan's smirk faltered as the chill sank in. This wasn't going to be an easy fight. "Damn it! Did she eat explosives before coming here?" he muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile, Ye Chenfeng, still oblivious to the chaos unfolding, hailed a taxi.
"Master, hurry! My girlfriend is fighting my brother!"
The driver's jaw dropped. "What?!"
Without another word, he floored the gas pedal.
"Should we call the cops?" the driver asked, half-joking, half-serious.
Ye Chenfeng was momentarily confused. "Why would we call the cops? I'm going to enjoy the show!"
The driver slammed the brakes, sending the car into a sudden drift. Ye Chenfeng, nearly thrown forward, clutched the dashboard. "Master, what are you doing?!"
"Sorry, sorry!" The driver wiped the sweat from his brow. This young man was clearly enjoying himself too much.
By the time Ye Chenfeng arrived at the venue, the battle was nearly over. The arena was riddled with destruction, the ground a patchwork of craters and frost. He spotted Mu Ningxue, still radiating cold energy, and Mo Fan, looking slightly worse for wear but far from defeated.
Turning to Zhao Manyan, Ye Chenfeng asked, "Old Zhao, who won?"
Zhao Manyan let out a long sigh. "Man, that woman was on fire. She crushed my defense like it was nothing and went straight for Mo Fan! It was insane!"
Ye Chenfeng raised an eyebrow. "And then?"
Zhao Manyan continued, a trace of awe in his voice. "At first, it looked like she had the upper hand. But you know Mo Fan—he only gets stronger when he's angry. By the end, it was a one-on-two showdown!"
Ye Chenfeng's eyes narrowed as he processed the scene. He glanced back at Mu Ningxue, who stood tall despite the weariness in her posture. Could she really have pushed Mo Fan this far? Impossible!
Still, one thing was clear: both sides had given it their all, and the match was anything but ordinary.