NOVEL WEB Chapter 120 - The Competition 23
As Lin Qingzhou said, he wouldn’t hold back. Zhuang Huaiya was hit hard, but he surprisingly managed to last half an hour, which was quite impressive.
After losing, he was still surrounded by the elite class students as they took him to the treatment room; no one changed their attitude because he lost.
Mai Dongzi also heard the conversation between Lin Qingzhou and Zhuang Huaiya on stage. Lin Qingzhou mentioned he wouldn’t go easy, but he didn’t really strike hard; it seemed he was feeding Zhuang Huaiya techniques instead. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to last so long.
Once the match was over, the therapist checked him. Zhuang Huaiya looked seriously injured, but the wounds were mostly superficial—nothing like fractures. He just needed to lie in the treatment chamber for an hour.
Lin Qingzhou was even less affected; Zhuang Huaiya couldn’t hurt him at all. As he left the stage, he glanced at Mai Dongzi, who understood that his attitude toward Zhuang Huaiya was because of her.
Mai Dongzi smiled at Lin Qingzhou. Although they had only met twice in the cafeteria of the special talent training center and hadn’t really spoken, she didn’t expect him to recognize their shared background.
David and the psychic girl had been fighting for a long time, both at the late-stage level four.
As they were about to enter extra time, the girl lost due to serious injuries. David also won, but it wasn’t easy for him; he was carried off the stage as well.
So tomorrow’s finals would be between Lin Qingzhou and David, with the winner competing against Mai Dongzi the day after for the first-year championship.
Though later matches are supposed to be more thrilling, the gap in cultivation levels between the competitors was too large, making the outcome nearly certain.
As expected, in the battle between David and Lin Qingzhou, Lin Qingzhou won effortlessly. Not only was his cultivation two levels higher than David’s, but his foundation was also equally solid, leaving David with no advantages in the fight.
To show her appreciation for Lin Qingzhou’s kindness toward Zhuang Huaiya and to respect her opponent, Mai Dongzi attended the finals in person. This was her only appearance at a competition not involving the Phantom Team, drawing the attention of the audience.
Since both finalists were from the combat department, all the combat students were present at the event. For someone like Mai Dongzi, who had talent but chose not to enroll in the combat department, everyone was eager to see her.
Before the match ended, Mai Dongzi noticed she was featured on the campus gossip forum: “The department flower of the first year personally observes her opponent today.”
“Looking forward to tomorrow’s match of the department flower.”
…
Mai Dongzi wasn’t sure why she was labeled the “department flower,” as there were at least three girls in the first-year arts department more attractive than her.
However, as a woman, being called a beauty or department flower was flattering, and she accepted the title with grace, considering it inconsequential.
“Captain, Lin Qingzhou is strong, no doubt, but he still has a long way to go to catch up with you,” Zhuang Huaiya specifically mentioned to Mai Dongzi.
He probably saw the gossip news speculating whether Lin Qingzhou had the ability to challenge beyond his level, with many believing he was fully capable of a strong fight.
Mai Dongzi never participated in regular student training, and so far, she hadn’t taken part in any personal competitions.
Although she was famous for her exceptional talent and had participated in survival live broadcasts, apart from the Phantom Team, no other students had seen her true skills.
Being an art student, her strength was gradually downplayed, which wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
Zhuang Huaiya, having faced both opponents, still had a say, but for the Phantom Team, his comments felt redundant; they knew their captain’s abilities well.
It was unclear if the excitement stemmed from the championship match or the curiosity stirred by the campus gossip forum, but when Mai Dongzi arrived at the venue half an hour early, the place was already crowded.
When she left the players’ lounge and stepped onto the field, she saw a sea of black-clad students.
All first-year students from the arts, command, and combat departments were present, and even a significant number from the ability and healing departments had shown up, including first-year instructors and mentors.
Mia Dongzi had originally planned to use her sound attacks against Lin Qingzhou, but since weapons were prohibited in this competition, she had to rely solely on her martial skills.
With her extensive battle experience, it was clear that not only was her cultivation level a whole rank higher than Lin Qingzhou’s, but even at the same level, he wouldn’t stand a chance against her.
Thus, like the fight between Lin Qingzhou and Zhuang Huaiya, her match against Lin Qingzhou also involved him feeding her moves. Shortly after the match began, Mai Dongzi noticed something peculiar: it seemed Lin Qingzhou’s cultivation had encountered a slight problem.
Mai Dongzi then remembered that, given Lin Qingzhou’s training potential, he should have advanced to the late stage of level five by now. However, he hadn’t, and his cultivation seemed unstable.
If it weren’t for an irreparable injury he had suffered, then it was likely a problem with his mental state that was affecting his cultivation.
From Mai Dongzi’s observation, it appeared to be a mental issue.
Thinking of the sound therapy she had learned, she had an idea.
After pushing Lin Qingzhou back with a palm, she asked, “I learned a piece from a sound therapist that’s perfect for your current situation. Would you like to hear it?”
Lin Qingzhou gave her a deep look, then without hesitation, he sat down cross-legged on the ground. In the context of the competition, this gesture was equivalent to conceding defeat.
As a result, the audience outside the arena began to buzz with conversation.
Mai Dongzi had initially wanted to arrange a private time with Lin Qingzhou, but seeing him take such decisive action, she understood his intent.
Although Lin Qingzhou had a certain level of trust in her, they weren’t familiar enough for complete trust, yet he was willing to give it a try.
With so many people watching, it provided Lin Qingzhou with the greatest sense of security.
Mai Dongzi didn’t mind his cautious behavior. She took out her flute and began to play the melody.
Sound therapy required a significant amount of mental energy, so the stronger the sound therapist’s mental power, the more effective the therapy would be.
Don’t underestimate that Mai Dongzi had only been studying for a few months; her sound therapy mentor’s musical treatment effects were actually less effective than hers.
After all, her mentor’s mental power level was only at level five, while Mai Dongzi’s mental power had already reached the early stage of level seven.
For mental issues, sound therapy typically begins with light hypnosis, then stimulates inner conflicts before providing reassurance, using this method to help patients resolve their mental problems.