Chapter 158: The Greatest Challenge

"Big news, big news, the league titan Duxing High School has been overturned."

"In the just-concluded five solo mode matches against Qishen Academy, Duxing High School lost an unprecedented four matches, with only their captain, Xiong Zhigang, managing to secure a victory."

"Major breaking news."

"The king of the high school league has been toppled."

"Qishen Academy isn't weak either, so it's not exactly a minor setback, is it?"

"The main point is that Duxing High School hadn't lost a single match before this—they were the undefeated champions of the league with a 64-match winning streak, and today they lost four matches in a row."

"In Duxing High School's nearly ten-year league history, they have never faced such a devastating defeat."

"Has Qishen Academy's team become that strong?"

"Thankfully, Xiong Zhigang defeated his opponent with ease to save face for their school."

"Yes, otherwise, losing all five matches would have been an embarrassment for Duxing."

"Isn't it already an embarrassment?"

"Principal Ye Xilan must be furious."

Numerous streamers, commentators, and industry insiders following the match discussed and marveled at the surprising turn of events.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

This outcome was truly astonishing. Duxing High School had been the undisputed champion of the Liuhe Base City high school league. It was normal for them to win consecutive titles, but today, they were completely defeated in solo mode. The shock it caused was beyond imagination.

Meanwhile, in another arena, unbelievable news also emerged. The super dark horse Quanye High School had exploded with surprising success. They had secured an incredible four victories out of five solo mode matches, utterly defeating the prestigious Petroleum First High School.

It was one thing for Quanye High School's ace players, Tsukiha Yaiba and Mizutani Hikaru, to perform strongly. But no one had expected the two substitute players, Wang Qiong and Cao Rui, to demonstrate incredible strength and defeat the star students from Petroleum First High School, Sun Bo and Nie Hong. They had both secured victories in solo mode.

"This weekend is crazy."

"Wang Qiong and Cao Rui were previously just substitutes on Quanye High School's team. The two girls were only at the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm, which was considered mediocre. Who would have thought they could defeat opponents at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm today? What happened?"

"Exactly. If you review the match footage, we can see they haven't undergone modern martial arts surgery or transplanted Inscribed Treasure Bones. Their improvement is hard to believe."

"Could this season be destined to be a miraculous journey for the dark horses?"

"It's still too early to say such things."

***

News in the league traveled instantly. Li Xiaofei and his teammates in the preparation area were immediately aware of the progress of other key matches.

If we win this match, our ranking on the league leaderboard will improve significantly.

A thought popped into everyone's minds. But they quickly realized one crucial issue—

How do we win?

Hongye High School was not a pseudo-strong team like Longteng High School. Every member of their team was a top star in the league. It was unrealistic to rely on Li Xiaofei to single-handedly turn the tide. The league's structure, divided into single-player and team modes, was designed to prevent one-man teams.

"We don't have any special tactics regarding the upcoming team mode." Principal Chen Fei looked relaxed. "Just treat it as routine training. Facing a top team like Hongye High School is a rare real combat opportunity. Learn from their strengths; winning or losing isn't important."

The team members nodded. But as martial artists, they couldn’t suppress their desire to win wholeheartedly.

"Principal, let me join the battle," said Yan Chiyu, suddenly volunteering.

The suggestion caught many by surprise. Indeed, if Yan Chiyu were to join the fight with Li Xiaofei, their team’s strength would drastically increase. There might be hope of overturning Hongye High School in the team mode.

Chen Fei looked thoughtful. He turned to Li Xiaofei and asked, "Xiaofei, what do you think?"

What do I think? I see with my eyes. I'm not Yuanfang. [1]

Li Xiaofei remained calm and said, "Principal, you decide."

Chen Fei looked at Invincible Qin, who slightly shook his head.

Chen Fei said, "The school doctor only said you can participate in training, not that you can compete... maybe next round."

Yan Chiyu's face showed a trace of unwillingness. She wanted to say more.

But Chen Fei waved his hand decisively and said, "It's settled."

Soon, the team members for team mode were confirmed. It was still Li Xiaofei, Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, Bai Qiqi, and Bai Longfei. The regular lineup. The five of them stood in a circle, facing each other. Fang Buyi extended his hand.

Clap, clap, clap.

The five hands tightly clasped together.

"Let's go!"

Each person shouted, cheering for themselves and their teammates.

The five entered the light core mainframe cabins amidst the thunderous cheers of the audience. They all understood that the cheers weren't for them. They were for their opponents. Victory and glory could only be earned through battle. The match began.

***

"The system has randomly selected the map, Stormy Snow Mountain."

"This is Li Xiaofei's lucky ground."

"Back when he faced Qingye High School, Li Xiaofei took on five opponents in this map and secured a pentakill, emerging as the MVP of the first round of the league, basking in glory."

"This is a development-focused map."

"Of course, Hongye High School has the strength and capability to choose a RUSH tactic."

"The players have been teleported to the battlefield..."

"Oh, Hongye High School has chosen not to rush. They are giving Red Flag High School enough respect, opting for a period of peaceful development."

"The next half-hour is the most crucial time for Red Flag High School."

"The beastmaster, medic, and weapons specialist must perform exceptionally well to create as many resources as possible for their team to have a chance against Hongye High School... Of course, this is difficult because the opposing team's beastmaster, medic, and weapons specialist are stronger."

In the livestream room, Shen Yan analyzed the match with a serious expression.

The match was being broadcast live on more than twenty large screens within the arena, as well as countless smaller screens throughout the base city. However, almost no one believed that Red Flag High School could win.

The focus of this match was on how far Li Xiaofei could carry Red Flag High School. Even those who normally didn't pay much attention to Red Flag High School knew that their unbeaten streak in team mode was due to a single person: Li Xiaofei.

It was this young man who, with his own strength, had brought Red Flag High School to a level they didn't naturally belong to. But now, Li Xiaofei faced a tremendous challenge. He and his team were on the brink of seeing their unbeaten myth come to an end.

The half-hour quickly passed under the watchful eyes of countless spectators inside and outside the arena. During this time, both teams completed all their preparations. When the three major professions reached their utmost potential, both teams began moving simultaneously.

As expected, the underdog Red Flag High School chose to defend, using their temporary camp as a stronghold. They had meticulously fortified a 500-meter radius with various traps, mechanisms, poison pits, and beast lures, relying on the terrain to offset the disparity in strength.

Meanwhile, Hongye High School had opted for an offensive strategy. The five strong members charged forward like arrows released from a bowstring, assuming a wedge formation as they advanced towards the Red Flag High School base.

The air seemed to fill with the tension of impending battle. A fierce clash was imminent.

At that moment—

"Wait! We've noticed something strange about Red Flag High School." Shen Yan's eyes lit up as he spoke, "Did any of you viewers notice? What’s different about Li Xiaofei and his teammates' current state?"

1. One of the main characters from the series Amazing Detective Di Renjie. ☜