Chapter 195: 195 Enemies on a Narrow Road_1
As a team captain, Ruan Chunen was more informed and grasped the implicit meaning in Tang Qian’s words. "Is the coach worried that after Wen Jiang’s departure, we won’t compare to her and will be under psychological pressure?"
Tang Qian didn’t try to soften the blow. "It’s not that you *might* not compare to Wen Jiang; you *definitely* won’t. You’ve been winning too easily so far. Have you ever considered what kind of situation you’ll face if you lose a match after Wen Jiang leaves?"
The four of them fell silent all at once. They all knew what Tang Qian was concerned about: the pressure of public opinion and the pressure to maintain their performance.
Once they won the championship, Mount Flower would represent the glory of Yunxia’s A-Rank Group. Wen Jiang’s departure would definitely be a major blow. All four of them were very clear that without Wen Jiang, they wouldn’t have won the championship.
In future competitions, whenever their performance wasn’t satisfactory, they could already imagine the kind of storm of criticism they would face.
Their talent wasn’t top-tier, and they knew it. They lacked Wen Jiang’s dominating presence, her ability to control a match. Even if they improved, guaranteeing wins against ordinary teams would still be difficult.
Not to mention facing a major association like Shaliye.
Shi Qi, Ruan Chunen, and Gong Yuan were veterans, having participated in a tournament before. They had already experienced being fiercely criticized after losing matches. That experience had been deeply unpleasant. If they were to win the championship now only to lose later, the pressure would likely be hundreds of times greater.
Though Chen Runyu hadn’t experienced it himself, he knew how fearsome online critics could be. He was aware that this was an issue they had to face sooner or later; he just didn’t know why their coach was bringing it up now.
"The pressure of public opinion is something you’ll inevitably face in the future," Tang Qian said. "Some players with weaker mental fortitude could be so affected that they might even end their professional careers. You were all chosen by me, and I sincerely hope you won’t have to face such circumstances."
"I’m bringing this up now so you clearly understand what you’ll be up against after Wen Jiang leaves, so you can mentally prepare. You can’t just want to enjoy the glory without being able to withstand the pressure that comes with it."
Shi Qi gave a wry smile. "Coach, we understand. I’ve thought about this issue before. Actually, isn’t this a good thing in a way? How many people like us get to join an association and play professionally? Many might go their whole lives without ever stepping onto a competition stage. At least now, we can rely on our teammates to win the championship. We’re incredibly fortunate, and we’re clear about what we’ll face afterward. I’ll give it my all. Even if Wen Jiang leaves the team, I’ll keep training hard and try to improve my performance in competitions, so at least next year’s results aren’t too dismal."
Ruan Chunen sighed softly. "Coach, we’re already very lucky."
His family was not well-off. However, he was fortunate to become a Spirit Card Master. He was even more fortunate for having decent talent, which allowed him to join the Mount Flower Association and improve his life. He had no specific goals before; his main objective at work became doing his best to achieve good results for the association. Now with a teammate like Wen Jiang, it felt like the championship had practically been gifted to them. He was aware of what he would face.
He was grateful, having received everything others could only dream of; he couldn’t possibly be so ungrateful.
He understood the pressure of public opinion; the coach was worried they wouldn’t be able to handle such a stark contrast. In reality, as long as they maintained the right mindset and ignored external opinions, they would be fine.
After all, he could confidently say he had always worked hard without slacking. As long as he didn’t succumb to a ’give-up’ mentality, he was doing right by his profession.
Everything else was an unexpected bonus.
Gong Yuan also silently nodded in agreement. Chen Runyu, who was naturally optimistic—partially because his family was very well-off and his professional career had been smooth sailing so far—also seemed to understand. Tang Qian was actually most worried about him.
Now, seeing that all four of them seemed to have a clear understanding of the stakes, Tang Qian nodded. After the serious talk, it was time to lighten the mood.
"Actually, there’s no need to be so down. I’ve seen your training, and there has been improvement. These cards are really good..."
Tang Qian hesitated for a moment before adding, "If more cards are released in the future, Mount Flower’s advantage with these new cards will allow you to achieve good results at the World Championships. We’ve made it to the top ten before. We’re not bad at all. With the addition of new cards, I’m optimistic about your future."
With Tang Qian’s words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Qian’s implication was clear: new card sets, perhaps similar to the ’Four Heavenly Kings,’ might be released in the future.
If Mount Flower could maintain this edge, their chances of winning at the World Championships would still be high.
"Winning a match is still a happy occasion. Come on, the association’s treating. Let’s go eat at the best hotel in Card City!"
"Great!!"
Everyone cheered and got ready for dinner in high spirits.
The mood wasn’t so cheerful next door at Sanctuary. Shaliye had not only lost the match but had also set an infamous record, one that would be chronicled in competition history.
Wen Jiang was naturally invited to dinner as well. She was mentally discussing the fourth Chapter of the Yunxia mythic civilization with Zero Egg. Perhaps it was just a contentious season. At the top floor of this hotel, they encountered the Shaliye Association, who had also come for dinner.
To be clear, it wasn’t Shaliye’s A-Rank Group they encountered, but their S Rank Group.
Shaliye’s A-Rank Group had just been eliminated. Even an association as conscientious as Shaliye wouldn’t treat its defeated team to a lavish dinner that night. The group they ran into was Shaliye’s S Rank team.
Hotels in Card City, considering the various associations, only had a reservation policy and didn’t offer exclusive bookings. Therefore, encountering other associations during mealtimes was possible. Still, they hadn’t expected to run into Shaliye of all teams, especially not like this.
There is a divide between S Rank and A-Level Spirit Card Masters. Usually, when they meet, those with a slightly better temperament might offer a nod of acknowledgment. However, it is generally hard for an A-Level Spirit Card Master to even earn a glance from them.
This was compounded by the fact that they were from two different countries.
Their initially joyful mood for the meal turned awkward and stiff the moment they encountered the S Rank players from Shaliye, who were also dining. Even Wen Jiang noticed how Chen Runyu’s and the others’ smiles became somewhat strained and hesitant.
S Rank players from major associations were typically popular figures, instantly recognizable.
It wasn’t that they were scared, but meeting the star players of the very association whose A-Level team they had just knocked out of the tournament that day was undeniably awkward.
Five S Rank players and their coach from Shaliye were present. Their core player, a substitute named Celia Akton, was an exquisitely beautiful blonde woman dining elegantly and quietly.
The Aktons were a noble family from the Sanctuary. Wen Jiang recalled seeing information online that Celia’s older sister had married another noble from the Sanctuary.
Naturally, this detail was unimportant and not something Wen Jiang particularly cared about.
However, as they entered, Wen Jiang noticed that one of the players sitting with Celia kept looking in their direction.
The look in their eyes was anything but friendly.