Chapter 289.1. Tactical Surrender?
The second elimination round of the Continental Advanced Youth Soul Master Tournament had ended. Forty-two teams advanced to the third round. Among those forty-two teams, only thirty-two of them could enter the round-robin stage. That would be dependent on their performance in the third elimination round.
Victory would ensure progression into the round-robin stage. Even if they failed, they still had an opportunity to fight for points in an additional qualifier round. After thest two elimination rounds, some of the weaker teams were showing signs of fatigue even though they had made it through. Their team members were hurt, and there were fewer of them who couldpete, along with other reasons that weakened their chances of progressing in future rounds. These constituted huge problems for them!
Such problems didnt exist for the Tang Sect. However, the atmosphere within the sect became tenser after the lot-drawing for the third elimination round waspleted.
Xu Sanshi lowered his head to look at his right hand, and a weird expression appeared on his face.
Huo Yuhao patted his shoulder and said, Third senior, its fine. You cant be med.
Jiang Nannan looked gloomy. You still dared to volunteer to draw the lot even though your luck is bad. Hmph!
Everyones expression was also very weird and serious at the same time.
Huo Yuhao chortled, Its just Team Sun Moon. Years ago, we also defeated them even though we were just members of the preparatory squad. Dont tell me that we are scared today even though weve improved significantly since five years ago?
Yes, Xu Sanshis luck was pretty bad, as he had managed to draw the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academys team in the third elimination round. This was only the elimination round, it wasnt the finals yet! There would still be many rounds and stages after this round. It was going to be tough no matter the oue, which would affect their energy in the future rounds even if they won.
Fortunately, defeat didnt mean direct elimination.
He Caitou nodded and said, Yuhao is right. In fact, we can advance through the additional qualifiers. Even if we dont risk everything against them, we can still enter the round-robin stage. At most, our ranking will be worse, but thats all.
Xiao Xiao was displeased. Do we really have to give up against them? No, we mustnt!
Huo Yuhao turned his gaze towards his teammates, and all he saw were their determined faces.
Jiang Nannan said in a firm voice, Yes, we must not give up! Even though its unwise, we shouldnt bow down in front of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Although were representing the Tang Sect, we are also from Shrek Academy! Shrek Academy never loses to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy! It is especially true since were representing the Tang Sect in this edition of the tournament, and Shrek might not be able tost all the way until the finals. Yuhao, I wish to fight to protect Shreks glory!
Im willing too, Xu Sanshi said dryly as he stopped looking at his hand.
Get lost, you unlucky chap! Jiang Nannan rolled her eyes at him.
Xiao Xiao said determinedly, I also hope to fight for Shrek and the Tang Sects glory.
He Caitou immediately added, Ill give my best as long as everyone is willing.
Out of the seven of them, four had already expressed their stand. Na Nas status in Tang Sect couldntpare to Shreks Seven Monsters. Everyones gaze was focused on Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao opened his mouth and wanted to say something. However, he was stopped by a gentle hand on his shoulder. Wang Donger took a step forward. She stood in front of Huo Yuhaos wheelchair.
Second senior, third senior, fourth senior, fifth senior. I agree with all of your thinking. However, have you thought of one point? If we go all-out against them, we must treat victory as our goal. In that way, how much fighting strength can we conserve even if we beat the Sun Moon team? We dont have any substitutes. Eldest seniors injury hasnt recovered either. All of you know about Yuhaos current condition too. Shrek and the Tang Sects glory isntpletely dependent on this tournament. I would also like to give my all, but what if we sustain more injuries? We might even die if things go awry. We are without Shreks halo as protection this time, and we are also arch-enemies with the Sun Moon team. I understand all of your intentions, but I dont agree that we should go all-out against them at such a time. If we give up on this round, we can still qualify. Well also have more time to rest. Well be able to fight in the round-robin stage in our best state.
After she established her rtionship with Huo Yuhao, Wang Donger rarely opened her mouth in a discussion. Huo Yuhaos words were usually more defining. Her sudden speech left everyone a little stunned.
There were four Soul Emperors and three Soul Kings among Shreks Seven Monsters. While Wang Donger was the youngest, she was a Soul Emperor that had twin martial souls. No one could neglect her presence!
Jiang Nannan furrowed her brow and asked, Donger, are we going to give up our glory just like that?
Wang Donger said, Sister Nannan, true glory lies in being the champions. This is only an elimination round. Even if we give up, no one will underestimate us. This is purely tactical! Its true that Im partly selfish, too. I dont want Yuhao to go all-out against the Sun Moon team right now, while only his right arm can move. Ive already struggled to ept his decision topete in this tournament. Hes only in this state because of me! I dont want him to get into any sort of harm again. If all of you choose to fight the Sun Moon team, Ill have no objections. However, my only request is that I be the first topete!
Wang Donger revealed a cold and ferocious look in her eyes after she finished herst sentence. All this while, she had beenbelled as Shrek Academys genius along with Huo Yuhao! However, Huo Yuhao had been shining too brightly, and made many important contributions to the academy. Along with her tendency to stay away from the limelight, her talents had been concealed.
Among the four who had suggested that they fight the Sun Moon team, He Caitou was originally not very willing. His thinking was very simr to Wang Donger. Furthermore, he also knew that both he and Huo Yuhao had topete in the underground tournament too! Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Donger came from the same ss. The three of them had passed the academys test many years ago and they shared a close rtionship with one another. Right now, Xiao Xiaos gaze became gentler as she saw how Wang Donger stood out for Huo Yuhao.
As for Xu Sanshi, he only followed Jiang Nannans wish. Jiang Nannan was the key figure out of the four of them, and so Wang Donger directed all her words to Nannan.
Jiang Nannan bit her lip lightly, and looked at Wang Donger with a stubborn look in her eyes. She eventually sighed and said, Alright. However, we must never give up if we meet Team Sun Moon again, no matter the circumstance. We must give it our all.
Wang Donger heaved a sigh of relief, and took two steps forward to hug Jiang Nannan. Sister Nannan, thanks. Her nose was getting a little runny, and tears almost flowed.
Jiang Nannan hugged her back and said as she smiled, I didnt consider the facts thoroughly. Theres no need to thank me. Donger, itd be great if you were a guy.
Xu Sanshi started coughing tremendously to one side. He was watching Wang Donger with a more alert look in his eyes.
Yuhao, you let your wife court my wife. Is that very interesting for you?
Whos your wife? Its all because of your unlucky hand. From now on, you wont be allowed to draw lots anymore! Jiang Nannan red at him, and he turned honest-looking and selfless once again.
Huo Yuhao didnt speak from the start until the end. However, his gaze was filled with softness as he watched Wang Donger. Rationally speaking, it wasnt the best time to fight the Sun Moon team. However, he wasnt going to object if everyone wanted to go all-out against them.
I still need to ask eldest senior regarding this matter before we decide, Huo Yuhao said.
Bei Bei agreed with Wang Donger. After that, Huo Yuhao told the tournament organizingmittee that they had decided to give up the fight during this elimination round.
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What? The Tang Sect has given up against us? Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were astonished when they heard the news.
Xiao Hongchen muttered, Does this mean weve beaten Shrek? They are Shrek Academys stronger team! Besides the team leader, the rest of Shreks team isnt that strong this time around!
Meng Hongchen pursed her lips and said, Brother, dont lie to yourself. How are you shameless enough to im that weve beaten them without fighting them at all? Arent you embarrassed? However, isnt it a good thing that theyve given up? If we fight them, we wont have it easy either. The future rounds will also be closer and closer together, which will affect our chances.
Xiao Hongchenughed bitterly. Just let me feel good in my heart, alright? Champions? Are you still thinking of bing the champions right now? Dont you know that As he spoke to that point, he paused for a moment, and his eyes were filled with resentment.
Meng Hongchenughed coldly and said, Why not? Will they necessarily win? I dont believe we cant beat them if we go all-out. Brother, with yourck of confidence, Im afraid that youve already
Xiao Hongchen covered her mouth and stopped her from speaking. Secret. This is a secret!
Meng Hongchen groaned at him and said, Alright, I wont say anything. The Tang Sect didnt give up because they were scared. Didnt you realize that they have no substitutes? They are more afraid than us that their abilities will be depleted. Thats why they chose to give up! Well win if we face them. Since they conceded defeat once, theres no way they can beat us again.
Xiao Hongchen caressed his sisters head and said, Im only praying that you wont meet Wang Dong. Are you confident that you wont be merciful on him when you meet him?