Lan Xuanyu looked at Ye Lingtong then looked at Lu Qianxun and Chang Jianyi, who looked upset but was clearly different than before. Then he walked to one side silently, crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and meditated to rest.
Less than half a day more and the qualifier would come to an end. He wanted to wait there for Qian Lei to be out.
Lu Qianxun’s chest was undulating more than before, but he finally waved and walked away.
Chang Jianyi sighed heavily, glanced at Ye Lingtong, and walked away, too.
Seeing that both her teammates had left, and there was still a Liu Feng glaring at her like a ravening tiger, Ye Lingtong felt aggrieved as she cried and ran away.
Vice president’s office.
“Look at this great disciple you produced,” Ji Hongbin frowned and told Yin Tianfan what happened.
Yin Tianfan rolled his eyes, “What do you mean ‘I produced’, huh? Didn’t you teach him, too? I don’t think Lan Xuanyu did anything wrong. He had to make a decision at that point in time. This is not only about maximizing benefits, it is also about avoiding uncontrollable factors as much as possible. The rules of the qualifier did not stipulate that they cannot attack their peers in the same academy. After all, this is a group competition in itself. What’s more, Ye Lingtong was wrong in the first place — they saved her, yet she returned their kindness with ingratitude. Who’s to blame?”
Ji Hongbin’s voice deepened, “Xuanyu is still young, and if he kills so daringly, I’m afraid he’ll turn out like you! Even if he got into Shrek, there would be problems.”
Yin Tianfan was upset and said, “What do you mean by that? You’re completely wrong. This chap is nothing like me. He’s not as crafty as I am and more careful. Also, he knows his limits.”
Ji Hongbin gave him the side-eye and said, “You’re saying you don’t have limits?”
Yin Tianfan scoffed, “So what if I don’t? I live however I like, and I’m degraded to this place only because I have no limits, right? I’m living pretty well, eh?”
Ji Hongbin sneered, “Pretty well? Your wife doesn’t even care about you anymore, I don’t see how well you’re living.”
Yin Tianfan was like a cat who got stepped on the tail and jumped up, “Hey, you, you can talk about anything else, and I will tolerate it. But do not bring her up, I…”
Ji Hongbin said plainly, “What are you going to do? Fight? Sure, come at me.”
“Get out right now. This is my office!” Yin Tianfan glared at him in rage but didn’t really dare to hit him in the end.
Ji Hongbin scoffed, “I’ll go wait for the news. If Lan Xuanyu didn’t rise above others and distinguish himself in the qualifier, that is your problem.”
Time went by slowly, Lan Xuanyu and Liu Feng were still waiting. Qian Lei’s simulator still had not opened up, and this was a good sign.
Finally, it was time.
“Di di” sounds were ringing, and all of the simulators opened up. But actually, the one who really lasted until the end from Heaven Luo Academy was Qian Lei alone.
“Haha! Success.” Qian Lei climbed out of the simulator excitedly and pounced onto Lan Xuanyu to give him a big hug.
Yes, he lasted until the end and brought all the points back. It was without a doubt that they would definitely get into the top ten.
This qualifier round was much tougher than the first. They had to spend seven days in Star Dou Forest fighting a battle of wits and a contest of strength, especially against those last three teams from Ling Tian Academy. There was a chance of being wiped out each time there was a change, but they still managed to tide over.
“Xuanyu, do you think we will be first place?” Qian Lei asked excitedly.
Lan Xuanyu smiled, “I’m not very sure; let’s wait for the results.”
Ji Hongbin had already made his way over and heard Lan Xuanyu telling the whole process of the entire qualifier round. Seeing Qian Lei at this moment, he couldn’t help but praise them in his heart. From their previous encounter, it seemed very likely that they would get first place again.
If not for that episode with Ye Lingtong, their performance was close to perfect. Lan Xuanyu’s style of command was very similar to Yin Tianfan’s — he was tricky, cunning, bold, and was good at utilizing everything he could utilize.
This appeared to be both an advantage and also a problem because he wasn’t firm enough, but he could still succeed. He must say that Lan Xuanyu developed very quickly, and compared to that slow rising Soul Power of his, his talent in the commanding aspect was even stronger than Yin Tianfan.
“Xuanyu, there should be no problem for your team to get into the top ten. However, I must remind you guys that while the Shrek Academy values talent highly, they also place importance in students’ nature. Killing Ye Lingtong inside might have put you in a bad light; all of you must be mentally prepared.” Ji Hongbin furrowed his brows.
Lan Xuanyu was stunned while Qian Lei and Liu Feng looked at one another. Qian Lei couldn’t help but blurted, “It was Ye Lingtong who was selfish and overboard! Teacher Ji, how would it affect us?”
Ji Hongbin said, “I’m not too sure, but Shrek Academy is very strict on this. No matter what, Ye Lingtong is still your classmate whether it is in the qualifier or competition. Also, she is a girl. Shrek Academy’s criteria are often very meticulous.”
Qian Lei scoffed, “The Federation always promotes gender equality. Why aren’t they promoting this now?”
Lan Xuanyu then understood why Ji Hongbin looked so upset ever since they came out. Now that he recalled back, he was indeed quite reckless. Even if they didn’t have Ye Lingtong’s points, it wouldn’t affect them much. It was a rash decision made out of anger. He didn’t consider it carefully! He only thought that it was a simulated world and wouldn’t really harm her.
“Teacher Ji, I was wrong.” Lan Xuanyu bowed respectfully toward Ji Hongbin.
Ji Hongbin was taken aback; there was relief in his eyes. Like what Yin Tianfan had said, Lan Xuanyu knew his limits and was good at reflecting and self-correcting — this was the real meaning of having potential.
“A fault confessed is half redressed. Xuanyu, you must always remember that having a good heart is the most important. I’m not asking you to be pedantic and over-compensate, but you must hold on to your limits, and this will allow you to go far.”
Just at this moment, Mu Zhongtian suddenly strode over and seeing that Ji Hongbin was with Lan Xuanyu’s team, he quickly went forward.
“The total points are out.” A single phrase from Mu Zhongtian had immediately caught everyone’s attention.
“How is it? It’s out so quickly?” Ji Hongbin was shocked.
Mu Zhongtian said, “That’s right! Maybe because there were only 100 teams that participated. Only Lan Xuanyu’s team got into the top ten from our academy, and they are in first place.”
The moment he said that, Qian Lei and Liu Feng jumped up excitedly, but Lan Xuanyu looked at Mu Zhongtian in shock. He realized that Teacher Mu didn’t seem excited over this piece of good news. Instead, he seemed doubtful.
“Teacher Mu, what is it? Is there a problem?” Lan Xuanyu asked.
Mu Zhongtian said, “Xuanyu, this should be what I’m asking you. There’s news from Shrek Academy, and they said they want to have an additional test for you. They didn’t mention why though. What did you do inside?”
Additional test? Lan Xuanyu was stunned and immediately understood that Teacher Ji’s worry had surfaced indeed.
“Did they say what they’re going to test him on?” Ji Hongbin asked urgently.
Mu Zhongtian shook his head and said, “They didn’t and only asked him to get into the simulator for the additional test. If he doesn’t participate, his team would be stripped off the list, so he must take part in it. Right now, immediately!”
Lan Xuanyu took a deep breath, “Alright, I will take part.”
Ji Hongbin interrupted Mu Zhongtian who wanted to probe further and spoke sternly to Lan Xuanyu, “Xuanyu, remember. No matter what the test is about, you must stay true to your conscience. What you’re about to face is probably close to interrogation with torture regarding your heart.”