"There's no need to speak like that, is there?"
Zhao Xu, along with the disciples of his academy, quietly moved behind the disciples of the Go Nan Academy.
They had reaped substantial rewards this time, having collected many valuable items. Consequently, not only would their academy's ranking be secured, but they would also receive numerous good things, ensuring their academy's strength would improve next year.
Zhao Xu had always held a favorable impression of the Go Nan Academy disciples, and he had been particularly impressed by Yan Jiaojiao. He had been paying attention to her, and it was only because his own disciples had pulled him along that he hadn't immediately joined their side.
Now that the Go Nan Academy disciples had compromised, there was no point in these people persisting.
Zhao Xu glared at the people from the Sacred Cup Academy. In truth, he had found them quite irritating for a long time but had never had the opportunity to voice his displeasure. Considering that the academy competition was a contest between academies, Zhao Xu didn't want his impulsiveness to implicate the other disciples of his academy, so he had endured it.
But seeing how far the Go Nan Academy disciples were willing to go for Yan Jiaojiao, Zhao Xu's blood was completely ignited.
They always made concessions and showed magnanimity, allowing other academies to trample over them and act arrogantly. At first, it could be attributed to a desire to protect the innocent. However, as it happened more and more, everyone had become numb.
They learned these skills to strengthen themselves and protect themselves from being bullied. But if they couldn't even stand up when others unhesitatingly mocked them, what was the use of all the skills they had learned?
At this moment, Zhao Xu completely abandoned his past reservations, focusing solely on seeking justice for himself and for all the disciples who had been bullied before.
Therefore, he fixed his gaze on the disciples of the Sacred Cup Academy before him, his eyes filled with displeasure and anger.
"You prevented them from rescuing Yan Jiaojiao, and now you're calling them disingenuous. Furthermore, there are demonic beasts surging inside. You claim Yan Jiaojiao deliberately stayed behind; do you think Yan Jiaojiao is a fool?"
"Don't you think your words are utterly contradictory?"
Most people had heard of Zhao Xu's name.
A young prodigy, a disciple with strength surpassing that of other academies, yet he chose to remain in a mediocre academy. The disciples of the Sacred Cup Academy, with their strong competitive spirit, naturally looked down on someone like Zhao Xu, whom they considered timid. Thus, when they saw Zhao Xu step forward, although their eyes held a hint of apprehension, their words were still sharp: "Oh? You're not convinced?"
"Then don't plead with us to open the gates and save Yan Jiaojiao. If you were truly capable, why would you be here begging and complaining? Yan Jiaojiao's failure to come out is her own problem. Why should we pay for her? Have you even considered whether Yan Jiaojiao is worthy?"
The Sacred Cup Academy's words were rather excessive.
The situation had escalated beyond anyone's intentions.
The people from the Sacred Cup Academy had always disliked the Go Nan Academy, and now that they had an opportunity, they couldn't hold back their words.
"In my opinion, Yan Jiaojiao of your Go Nan Academy is merely a name known for nothing. She's clearly scared and deliberately caused this trouble. Don't worry, Yan Jiaojiao will naturally appear after this farce is over."
Yan Jiaojiao had been forced to stay in the Wretched Realm for their sake, yet these people insisted on suspecting her with the utmost malice.
Sheng Mo Bai, who usually appeared to be good-natured, was the first to object when someone spoke ill of Yan Jiaojiao.
Thus, amidst the crowd, Sheng Mo Bai suddenly soared into the air, and a crimson spiritual energy sphere shot directly towards the most talkative disciple of the Sacred Cup Academy.
Everyone watched as the spiritual energy sphere approached the disciple. Their first instinct was to warn him to flee, but Sheng Mo Bai's cultivation was higher than theirs, so their reactions were not as swift as his. At this moment, everyone dared not watch, closing their eyes.
This person was likely in grave danger.
Yet, even with their eyes covered, they couldn't conceal the excitement in their hearts.
The competition was not yet over. If the Sacred Cup Academy and the Go Nan Academy were to engage in a fierce fight at this moment, the final outcome would be the elimination of both teams!
In that case, regardless of whether these two teams held deep grudges or not, it would undoubtedly increase the chances of other teams rising to the top!
Therefore, everyone was eager for these two teams to fight immediately.
It was only after Sheng Mo Bai made his move that he realized this rule. He wanted to rectify the situation, but it was too late. The disciple had no intention of retaliating, nor did he intend to dodge Sheng Mo Bai's attack.
He intended to use his own injury to get the Go Nan Academy disqualified.
"This is bad!"
Jiang Yi Ling also realized something was wrong, but he lacked the ability to recall the spiritual energy sphere Sheng Mo Bai had unleashed. Just as everyone thought the Go Nan Academy would be directly eliminated, a voice, both familiar and clear, rang out—
"Hey? What are you guys doing?"
Everyone turned their heads in disbelief.
The entrance gate to the Wretched Realm was slowly opening.
The blinding light did not obstruct anyone's view. Some people's eyes were so dazzled they couldn't open them, yet they refused to close them, preferring to let tears stream down their faces rather than miss this sight.
This was a scene later etched into the souls of many.
The halo was colorful, like a seven-colored lotus slowly blooming, and Yan Jiaojiao stood at the center of the lotus, her eyes carrying a hint of confusion. Coupled with her stunning face, she was incomparably beautiful.
However, the crowd did not linger to admire the scenery.
They quickly retreated, took out their defensive weapons, and fixed their gazes intently on Yan Jiaojiao, who was slowly descending.
"You... Who are you?"
Everyone had assumed Yan Jiaojiao was dead in the Wretched Realm. Seeing her suddenly appear so vibrantly alive, and seemingly with enhanced cultivation, left them all in disbelief.
Could it be... Yan Jiaojiao truly wasn't dead?
But how was that possible?
Yan Jiaojiao should have died in the secret realm.
Was Yan Jiaojiao not afraid of those demonic beasts at all?
"Yan Jiaojiao?"
The disciples of the Sacred Cup Academy were the most incredulous.
They had made all their arrangements, so how could Yan Jiaojiao suddenly emerge from the secret realm?
They were bewildered, completely at a loss as to what was happening.
"What's wrong? I only fell behind for a moment, and you've all lost your memories? Who hit you?"
Everyone: "..."
Had they lost their memories?
They were simply in disbelief!
Wouldn't anyone go mad seeing someone they were certain was going to die suddenly appear before them?