Chapter 163: Challenging From Afar

The vast Hongye Stadium was incredibly quiet. The audience found it hard to accept the outcome. Even the most loyal fans of Hongye High School were silent.

They had lost! The full roster of Hongye High School's team had lost. You couldn't blame the team members for not trying their best. You couldn't blame bad luck. There was nothing to complain about.

There was only one reason for the loss. The opponent was too strong. To be precise, Li Xiaofei was too strong. He was like a formidable demon king. His presence in the lineup had created an insurmountable barrier.

Outside the light core main control cabin, Gu Haochen stood alone with a vacant expression. He remembered that night at the gala when the radiant Li Xiaofei had received the Kunlun and Qinling badges.

That night, he had sworn to rise. He had sworn to catch up to and surpass Li Xiaofei. It was after that night that Gu Haochen had meditated and comprehended the sword, breaking the shackle in his right hand and mastering the ability to forcefully break through realms.

He had touched the power of the Limit Breaking Realm as a first-year student. This kind of talent and strength was unprecedented. He had also received the martial arts legacy of the mysterious Sword Immortal, Twenty-Two Sword.

Gu Haochen had believed he was destined for greatness, and had the ability to defeat Li Xiaofei. But reality had taught him a harsh lesson.

Why is Li Xiaofei so unbeatable? Even Wang Siyu and I together were no match for him. Li Xiaofei clearly hasn't broken through realms. How can someone still in the Qi Refining Realm possess such terrifying combat strength?

Someone gently patted his shoulder, and Gu Haochen turned.

Wang Siyu had a slight smile on his face as he said, "Let's try again."

"Can we really defeat that monster?" For the first time, Gu Haochen doubted himself.

Wang Siyu replied, "Let's try."

"Try?"

"Yes, try. Because if you don't, you'll never know."

"But..."

"No buts. Tell me, what did you gain from that fight?"

"Gain? I... I only feel humiliated."

"Did you feel that your understanding and control of the Sixth Sword improved?"

"Huh? Well... yes, when I struck out with that sword, I felt an unprecedented fluidity. It was the best Sixth Sword I've ever achieved."

"That's it. Remember that feeling. You can strike out with an even stronger sword."

"But we lost."

"The purpose of battle is to become stronger. If a loss can make you stronger, then it’s worth experiencing ten or even a hundred times."

"To become stronger? I... still feel unwilling."

"No one can win all the time. Even someone as strong as Li Xiaofei would struggle against opponents in the Acupoint Opening or Meridian Expanding Realm. So don't worry about the present. Keep getting stronger, and one day, you'll find that when you draw your sword, there will be no one left who can stand against you."

"Senior, will that day really come?"

"It will, but first... you have to learn to accept failure."

"I understand."

At that moment, Li Xiaofei and Fang Buyi walked out of the light core mainframe cabin.

Wang Siyu stepped forward to congratulate them. "That was an excellent match. Red Flag High School deserved this victory."

Li Xiaofei replied, "This was the first match that injured me. Hongye High School's reputation is well-deserved."

Wang Siyu smiled. "There are still two more matches. We will do our best to defeat you and your teammates."

Li Xiaofei responded, "So will we."

The atmosphere was as harmonious as a reunion between old friends. Hongye High School’s school spirit deserved every bit of praise. Both teams returned to the preparation area to get ready for the second team-mode match. The atmosphere was extremely tense.

Led by some die-hard fans, the spectators in the stands began to sing, "Hongye Never Walks Alone," the school anthem symbolizing the Hongye Spirit.

Countless people were moved by the display. Despite being in such an unfavorable situation, Hongye High School fans were still doing their best to cheer for their team.

"This scene is truly touching. The reason Hongye High School has risen to become a top-tier school in such a short time is in large part due to their unity and cohesion. For ten years, the influence of the Hongye Spirit has extended beyond the campus and impacted the entire school district, including countless parents and residents."

"The Hongye team has created many miracles and reversed the course against many formidable enemies."

"This time, can they turn defeat into victory against the demon king Li Xiaofei?"

"Both teams are resting and discussing strategies in the preparation area."

"We have received news from other arenas."

"In the first team mode match, Duxing High School massacred Qishen High School. Their superstar captain, Xiong Zhigang, displayed unbelievable strength, taking on five opponents and annihilating the entire Qishen team, securing a pentakill."

"Indeed, the soul of Duxing has also shown its might."

"Xiong Zhigang seemed like an enraged deity as he completely crushed the Qishen team."

"Last season's Killer King has shown his prowess once again."

"It feels like Xiong Zhigang is challenging Li Xiaofei from afar, overshadowing Li Xiaofei's performance with his unparalleled match."

"Honestly, I can't wait for the showdown between Xiong Zhigang and Li Xiaofei."

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The commentators continuously provided real-time updates on other league matches.

Xiong Zhigang's incredible burst of power almost overshadowed everyone else's performance.

Qishen High School was one of the five prestigious schools, and they had just defeated Duxing High School 4 to 1 in the recently concluded solo mode, handing Duxing High School their worst defeat in history.

That clearly demonstrated the strength of Qishen High School's team. Yet, Xiong Zhigang had managed to completely slaughter them.

"A classic battle. Xiong Zhigang can be called the number one in the high school league."

"Indeed, his achievements are more convincing."

"It's not just convincing, it's dominant. This former Red Flag High School prodigy, who transferred to Duxing High School, is dominating the entire league."

Countless commentators and streamers were wildly praising him.

Meanwhile, at Hongye Stadium, the second team mode match began. The system randomly selected Sky City, a classic team battle map.

The setting sun cast its glow over the ancient, grand, desolate and mysterious ruined city. This time, Hongye High School once again opted for a strategy of development before offense while Red Flag High School committed to a strategy of defense and counterattack.

Compared to the previous Stormy Snow Mountain map, Sky City contained richer resources, which could maximize a team's strength—especially those with top-tier medics, beastmasters, and weapons specialists.

Therefore, this map provided the greatest advantage to Hongye High School. The scales of victory seemed to tilt back in favor of Hongye High School.