NOVEL WEB Chapter 109: The First Battle of the Finals, Tensions Rise!
Chapter 109: The First Battle of the Finals, Tensions Rise!
Every year, the Supernova Competition isn't just about the rising stars in the arena; it's also about the prominent figures in the judging panel.
The Empress of the Dragon Nation, Shangguan Lan, and the First Strategist, Xie Zhong.
These two are arguably the top figures in the Dragon Nation's power hierarchy, unchallenged by anyone.
What sets this year's finals apart from previous ones is that Xie Zhong's son and daughter are also competitors in the competition.
Xie Wei'an, as the eldest son of the Xie family, has all of Xie Zhong's efforts focused on him.
Coupled with Xie Wei'an's extraordinary talent, he's the most favored contestant.
"As long as Xie Wei'an performs normally, leading Zhuque Academy to victory shouldn't be a problem."
"Qinglong Academy isn't weak either, but they were unlucky to face the strategist's son."
"In this arena, victory or defeat happens in an instant, as it did last year when Ye Shuangning, the pride of the heavens, lost to that Li Mucheng."
"Actually, I also favor Zhuque Academy for the championship, but let's not forget that Qinglong Academy has an X factor."
"Yes, that Xiao Xingyu is this year's biggest dark horse and could give the Xie family's genius some trouble."
Before the competition even began, the chatter among the audience grew louder.
Most people believed that Xie Wei'an could lead Zhuque Academy to victory.
Of course, there were a few who favored Xiao Xingyu.
The host announced, "Both contestants please leave the stage and enter the preparation area for final warm-ups."
After Xiao Xingyu and the Murong siblings left the stage, Chen Qinian approached them.
"This year's competition format has changed from last year's, adopting a round-robin attack-defense system."
"We drew the defensive side."
"In contrast, Zhuque Academy is the attacking side."
Chen Qinian clearly explained that this year's finals format was a test of individual combat abilities, not team coordination.
"Who will go first?"
Chen Qinian's gaze swept over the three contestants.
"Director Chen, I'll go!"
Murong Yangshuo volunteered, patting his chest and stepping forward.
"Yangshuo, you're so eager?"
"Xingyu, during the first round's individual matches against Baihu Academy, both you and my sister competed, and I didn't get a chance."
"This time, let me experience the joy of an individual battle!"
In the first round where Qinglong Academy faced Baihu Academy, Xiao Xingyu and Murong Xinxin both competed and won, ending the match with a 2-0 advantage.
Since it was a best-of-three format, Murong Yangshuo didn't need to compete.
In this finals' round-robin attack-defense battle, Murong Yangshuo, itching to compete, decided to be the first to take the stage.
"Time's up, warm-up activities are over!"
"Please, Qinglong Academy, send out your defending contestant!"
At the host's words, Murong Yangshuo strode confidently onto the stage.
"Young Master Murong, I love you like a mouse loves rice!"
Among the audience were many of Murong Yangshuo's fangirls.
After all, Young Master Murong was a tall, rich, and handsome figure, the white horse prince in the eyes of young girls.
Facing the fanatical screams of his female fans, Murong Yangshuo blew a refined and unconventional kiss to the audience.
The screams of the fangirls became even more intense.
Below the stage, Xiao Xingyu's mouth twitched.
"Uh, Liu Jin, your brother is really something~"
Murong Xinxin murmured, "Not as much as you."
The host shouted, "Please, Zhuque Academy, send out your attacking contestant!"
A tall and handsome man stepped onto the stage, exuding an aura of intrigue and strategy.
"I didn't expect Zhuque Academy's first contestant to be their ace, Xie Wei'an!"
The host's surprised expression matched that of the audience.
Logically, in such a tense final, keeping the ace for last is the safest choice.
Xie Wei'an is undoubtedly Zhuque Academy's ace, far surpassing his teammates Xie Lian and Dongfang Qing.
But Zhuque Academy defied expectations by playing their ace in the first match!
Murong Yangshuo stood on the stage, stunned, clearly unprepared for Xie Wei'an's appearance.
"I thought I would face Dongfang Qing or Xie Lian, but I didn't expect to meet a formidable enemy right from the start!"
Murong Yangshuo's smile vanished, and he became serious.
In the preparation area below, Murong Xinxin's gaze flickered.
"My brother is usually a narcissist, very confident in his strength."
Xiao Xingyu nodded.
"Yes, Yangshuo is usually very confident, but now he looks like he's facing a formidable enemy."
Xie Wei'an's strength was known to all.
Even a narcissist like Murong Yangshuo felt unsure when facing him.
"Yangshuo, good luck!"
Murong Yangshuo glanced back to see Xiao Xingyu waving a glow stick for him, and Murong Xinxin's determined eyes.
"Even though the opponent is strong, as the son of the Dragon Nation's naval admiral, I can't lose face in front of my brothers and sister!"
Murong Yangshuo's eyes regained their determination, and he began to channel his spiritual power.
Xie Wei'an appeared calm.
He slightly parted his lips.
"It's over."
Murong Yangshuo was baffled, "What's over?"
"From the moment I stepped onto the stage, the match was over."
"Xie Wei'an, what do you mean?"
"I alone will defeat all three of you."
Trash talk is a necessary prelude to the competition.
Xie Wei'an's words were extremely harsh.
The host, enjoying the excitement, didn't mind adding fuel to the fire.
"Did you all hear that? Xie Wei'an claimed he will single-handedly defeat all three members of Qinglong Academy!"
"It's clear that Xie Wei'an is determined to win the championship, and I believe he has the strength to do so!"
Xie Wei'an's words ignited the stadium's atmosphere.
What is a final?
A showdown filled with tension and a clash of old scores and rivalries is the true final!
"Xie Wei'an, you may be arrogant, but you won't defeat me!"
As the defender, Murong Yangshuo was full of conviction, determined to uphold Qinglong Academy's dignity in the first battle.
"The match is about to begin!"
"Defender, Qinglong Academy - Murong Yangshuo."
"Attacker, Zhuque Academy - Xie Wei'an."
"Please, both contestants, summon your beasts."
"A friendly reminder: in this format, contestants can summon any number of beasts!"
The host announced the rules, giving the final statement before the battle began.
In the judging panel.
Shangguan Lan and Xie Zhong seemed to have their attention elsewhere, discussing an event from a few days ago.
"Empress, have we found out the identity of the man in the black robe?"
"I've already ordered the Imperial Soul Association to deploy all silver priests to secretly investigate the whereabouts of the man in the black robe, but there's no result yet."
The man in the black robe had kidnapped Medusa, turned the navy headquarters upside down, and escaped from Shangguan Lan's grasp.
This should have been a national sensation, but Shangguan Lan deliberately concealed the news.
No one in the country knew of this matter.
The man in the black robe was a taboo topic.
Xie Zhong pursed his lips and analyzed, "Empress, the man in the black robe is unknown in background, strength, and identity..."
"Such a dangerous person must be eliminated quickly!"
Shangguan Lan sighed, "That guy is elusive; catching him is easier said than done."
Xie Zhong was silent for a moment, then said something surprising.
"Empress, have you ever heard of being 'blind under the lamp'?"
"You mean..."
Xie Zhong continued his analysis.
"Isn't it possible that the man in the black robe has two identities?"
"In the black robe and wearing a ghost mask, he is the man in the black robe."
"Without the black robe and the mask, he could be an inconspicuous person in a city in the Dragon Nation, or he could be a high-ranking official or general?"
Shangguan Lan's body stiffened, and she looked at Xie Zhong.
"Your analysis makes sense, but by your argument, you could also be the man in the black robe?"
"Empress, you jest. Naturally, I am not, but you must pay attention to everyone around you who seems without issue."
Everyone around Shangguan Lan was a high-ranking official.
Like Strategist Xie Zhong.
Like the Imperial Guards [Imperial Soul Association] she personally trained.
And like the three major generals of the navy, army, and air force.
Shangguan Lan was highly suspicious and would doubt everyone around her.
But for now, she wouldn't suspect a two-star beast master at Qinglong Academy.
No one, without a god's perspective, would ever link a person capable of overturning the navy headquarters with an inconspicuous freshman at Qinglong Academy.
"For now, she has no reason to suspect me as a small figure. I should be safe."
Below, Xiao Xingyu occasionally glanced at Shangguan Lan in the judging panel.
"Connected to the Empress in heart, and playing mind games with her?"
That's a story for another time.
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