Xie Yue stood quietly, his gaze deep and contemplative.
Despite giving his all in the duel with Yan, he had ultimately lost. Yan hadn't even revealed his full strength, his external spirit bone, the Flaming Wings, remained unused.
Xie Yue understood that if Yan had unleashed those wings, the defeat would have been even more overwhelming. Yet, he didn't feel disheartened or frustrated.
On the contrary, he fully accepted the loss and even felt a spark of excitement. He knew that only by battling stronger opponents could he accelerate his growth.
With a smile, Xie Yue walked up to Yan, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"You're amazing, Yan. Looks like I'll need to work harder if I want to keep up with you."
Xie Yue's straightforward personality had always been one of his most admirable traits. He was the kind of person who could accept defeat gracefully, like a carefree big brother. Yan appreciated this quality and felt more inclined to befriend and grow alongside him.
"You're already incredible. That's why I lost to you so many times before. Let's keep improving together."
The other team members, who had been observing the fight, gathered around, clearly moved by the intense battle.
Sun Chuantao grinned.
"Boss, Yan, you two are insane. Four-ring Soul Ancestors are truly on another level!"
Xie Yue chuckled, encouraging him.
"Chuantao, no need to envy us. You're not far from reaching level 40 yourself. Focus on training, and you'll get there soon."
"Don't worry, Boss, I won't slack off!"
Xie Yue turned to the group with a more serious tone.
"Alright, from now on, stop calling me Boss. It's time to change that."
As he spoke, his gaze briefly landed on Yan. The meaning behind his words was clear to everyone.
In the Spirit Hall team, strength was the only determinant of status. After today's match, Xie Yue fully recognized that the gap between him and Yan went beyond just the half-level difference in spirit power.
Upon hearing her brother's words, Hu Liena bristled.
"Brother, what are you saying?! You're the leader of the Spirit Hall team, no one can replace you! Just because Yan won this time doesn't mean you can step aside like this!"
Her protective tone and the sharp look she gave Yan were filled with a mix of frustration and defiance, as though Yan's victory was a direct challenge to her brother's position.
But Xie Yue gently patted her shoulder, signaling her to calm down.
"Nana, don't make a fuss. You should also address Yan respectfully from now on. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have made it out of the Death Canyon in one piece."
The other team members exchanged awkward glances, unsure how to weigh in on the sibling dispute.
Seeing the discomfort on their faces, Yan broke the tension with a light-hearted comment.
"Nana's right! No one can replace Xie Yue as the leader in everyone's hearts. Losing today doesn't mean he'll lose next time. If it bothers him so much, he can call me 'Brother Yan' until he beats me. What do you say?"
Yan's joking tone instantly dissolved the awkward atmosphere. The group broke into laughter, clearly relieved. It was the kind of playful compromise they all wanted to hear, and the tension dissipated.
Technically, Yan was a year older than Xie Yue, and now his strength surpassed Xie Yue's as well. Calling him "Brother Yan" wasn't unreasonable.
To the team, while Xie Yue and Yan were seen as equals in strength, Xie Yue's composed and reliable demeanor made him the natural leader. Yan's recent changes were noticeable, but they weren't yet sure if those changes were permanent or a passing phase.
Xie Yue scratched his head, laughing sheepishly.
"Brother Yan it is, then."
"Alright. But if you defeat me someday, you can change it back."
"Deal."
Xie Yue turned to his sister with a pleading look.
"Nana, from now on, you should call him Brother Yan too."
"Hmph! No way!"
Hu Liena pouted, clearly unwilling.
Yan, however, didn't mind. Nothing Hu Liena did could rattle him anymore.
Yan's humility and humor had completely won over the team. They now respected him even more and found him approachable rather than intimidating, as he once seemed.
Xu Yu, their healer, suddenly stepped forward, concern written on his face.
"Boss, Brother Yan, you both pushed yourselves hard in that fight. Let me heal you."
"Alright."
Xie Yue and Yan exchanged a glance, nodding in agreement.
Although the injuries they'd sustained were mostly superficial, the intensity of the battle had left them both drained, both physically and mentally. Xie Yue, especially, bore the brunt of his struggle against the Fiery Sand Prison, with visible burns on his arms and face.
Xu Yu summoned his spirit: a radiant golden scepter that shimmered with light. Three spirit rings, two yellow and one purple, circled around him, glowing brightly.
Golden light poured from the scepter, spreading out to envelop Xie Yue and Yan.
The warmth of the light seeped into their bodies, soothing their fatigue and healing their wounds. It was like a gentle stream washing away every ache and strain.
Yan closed his eyes, relishing the sensation of restoration. When he reopened them, his minor burns and cuts had vanished completely, as if they'd never existed.
Thanks to Xu Yu's healing, both Xie Yue and Yan quickly regained their energy.
"Thanks, Xu Yu."
"Brother Yan, it's my duty."
As the group shared a moment of camaraderie, two figures approached from the distance, their silhouettes gradually becoming clearer.
Zhang Ping, the sharp-eyed member of the team, was the first to recognize them. She whispered to the others:
"Teacher Lin and Teacher Liu are coming."
Everyone instinctively turned to look in the indicated direction.
The two figures were none other than the Spirit Hall team's advisors, both renowned for their expertise and dedication.
Lin Zhendong, the older man with a graying beard, was the team's main instructor, an 85th-level Power Attack System Spirit Douluo with a formidable Black Tiger martial soul.
Liu Can, the lean and refined middle-aged man beside him, was a 66th-level Agility Attack System Spirit Emperor, known for his lightning-fast Leopard martial soul.