allendalepharm Chapter 180 It doesn't matter, I'll take action.
Chapter 180 It doesn't matter, I'll take action.
Chapter 180 It doesn't matter, I'll take action.
When Huo Yuhao changed his clothes and was led by Ling Luochen into the conference room, it was already full of people.
As the two walked in side by side, the conversation in the conference room paused for a moment, and everyone's eyes fell on their tightly clasped hands, their expressions varied.
Even Zhang Lexuan, sitting in the main seat, had a slight fading of her gentle smile, but she quickly composed herself and spoke:
"Yuhao, Luochen, you're here, please take your seats."
Ling Luochen nodded, pulled Huo Yuhao and walked straight to a seat at the back of the conference table, clearly indicating that she wanted to stay away from Ma Xiaotao on the other side.
This scene naturally did not escape Zhang Lexuan's eyes, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
Looking at Ma Xiaotao, she was resting with her eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.
Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but feel a little curious. Could it be that this girl's personality had really become much more restrained after her martial soul successfully evolved to the ultimate fire?
Zhang Lexuan composed herself, coughed lightly, and said gently, "Alright, now that everyone is here, I'll make an announcement. The order of the knockout stage matches is out. In our round of 16, we will be facing off against the Douling Royal Academy."
Although our academy currently holds a crushing advantage over any other academy due to Xiaotao and Yuhao, and our opponents have mostly forfeited in the round-robin stage, the knockout stage is different. We must not be complacent.
Shrek Academy had a smooth run in the round-robin stage. After Ma Xiaotao displayed her Soul Saint cultivation of the Ultimate Flame, in subsequent matches, whenever she was drawn into a team battle or individual battle, her opponents all chose to forfeit.
After all, the round-robin tournament schedule is very tight, with matches starting almost every other day.
In order to conserve energy for the other qualifying spot in the group, no team was willing to waste their soul power or even risk injury if they knew they were going to lose.
"The tournament has evolved over tens of thousands of years, and the rules have also changed continuously. The biggest difference between the knockout stage and the round-robin stage is that the competition format is no longer determined by drawing lots, but is conducted over two days, with team battles and individual battles respectively."
Zhang Lexuan's gaze swept across the entire room as she continued her explanation:
"In other words, even if we win the team battle, it's not enough for us to advance directly. If the opponent can defeat all seven of us with only three players in the individual battle, they can still turn the tide and eliminate us."
Despite saying that, Zhang Lexuan did not appear nervous.
With Shrek Academy's current setup, unless they are targeted in the second, second, or third battle tactics, Ma Xiaotao alone is enough to sweep aside the entire opposing team.
However, the knockout stage does not have this complex format.
What Zhang Lexuan really wanted to remind them of was their mindset.
At this stage of the competition, failure means direct elimination. No team will give up as easily as they did in the round-robin stage. They will definitely take the stage with the determination to fight with all their might.
"It doesn't matter, I'll take action!"
Before Zhang Lexuan could continue making arrangements, a clear and triumphant voice rang out.
With a flash of light, Liehuo Xingjiaoshu appeared on the conference table, her small body swaying as if she were taking on a huge responsibility.
As a plant that spends its entire life within the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire, after gaining sentience, its life revolves around chatting with the talkative Youxiang Qiluo Immortal, cultivating, sleeping, and playing with star anise.
When did she ever have the opportunity to manifest herself in front of so many humans?
Especially after displaying its prowess in front of others, it can run back into the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire and, in front of those other unsophisticated immortal herbs, vividly recount its heroic deeds.
That feeling, just thinking about it makes "grass" excited.
It can be said that Liehuo Xingjiaoshu was eager to make her comeback, and she was even more enthusiastic about the competition than any of the Shrek Academy team members present.
Looking at the Fiery Apricot Blossom on the table, swaying its body as if it were eager to try, Zhang Lexuan shook her head and said, "Senior Ajiao, I know you are in a hurry, but don't rush."
Regarding the upcoming elimination rounds, I'll briefly outline the arrangements. During the team battle phase, Ling Luochen, Xixi, Gongyang Mo, and Yao Haoxuan will form the core team.
The remaining three spots will be adjusted in real time based on the characteristics of the opposing academy. Also, unless we lose a team battle, Xiao Tao and Yu Hao will not be fielded.
Her arrangement was naturally for the purpose of training the reserve team members.
The previous performance of the reserve team members was also impressive to her. Not to mention that Jiang Nannan, who had the highest cultivation level, was already close to a Soul King with the assistance of the Soul Guidance Device.
Even the others have their own strengths, and their actual abilities cannot be judged solely by their soul power cultivation.
However, if Ma Xiaotao and Huo Yuhao are allowed to play in every match, then the competition will become purely a personal show for them, and the others will not gain any practical experience.
"No, no! Little Peach, tell her quickly why you won't let me play."
Liehuo Xingjiao was so anxious that she jumped directly from the table onto Ma Xiaotao's shoulder. If she had eyes, she would probably be staring wide-eyed right now.
Ma Xiaotao opened her eyes, a hint of helplessness in her expression: "Ajiao, Senior Sister must have her reasons for doing this. Don't worry, we'll definitely have a chance to shine in the semi-finals."
Ma Xiaotao was naturally extremely satisfied with Zhang Lexuan's arrangements.
Ling Luochen will be playing matches all the time, while I can finally relax.
What's even better is that Gu Yuena is currently staying in the Star Dou Great Forest, which means that Yuhao has a lot more free time.
Doesn't that mean that while Ling Luochen is playing, I can legitimately stay with Yuhao and do the things I like?
The thought of this possibility almost made Ma Xiaotao unable to suppress the smile on her lips.
Zhang Lexuan spoke up at the right moment, reassuring her, "Xiao Tao is right. With Xiao Tao's current strength, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she can sweep the entire field."
However, the knockout stage schedule remains extremely tight, posing a significant challenge to both soul power and mental fortitude. To be on the safe side and allow you to conserve your strength for the semifinals and finals, I made this arrangement.
Seeing that Liehuo Xingjiaoshu had finally stopped making a fuss, Zhang Lexuan changed the subject and took out several exquisitely made invitations from her storage soul tool, saying with a smile, "Alright, let's put the arrangements for the competition aside for now."
This is an invitation to a top-tier auction sent in advance by Starlight Auction House. I think everyone is very interested in it, and it's also a good opportunity for everyone to relax before the competition.
"Long live the Senior Sister!"
Xiao Xiao was the first to cheer, and the others' eyes also gleamed with eager anticipation.
As young people, we naturally like novel things, let alone the top auction that is said to be the most luxurious in hundreds of years.
Even if you're short on cash and can't afford to buy anything, it's still great to broaden your horizons and increase your knowledge.
After dinner, as the sun set, a magnificent sunset painted half the sky crimson, shimmering and radiant.
Since the opening of the Soul Fighting Tournament, Xingluo City has been bustling with people, especially on the main roads near Xingluo Square, which are extremely crowded.
The streets were bustling with people enjoying the nightlife and long queues of people buying tickets for the next day's matches.
Fortunately, Zhang Lexuan had already scouted out the surrounding terrain. After leading everyone through several relatively quiet streets, a pointed-roof building appeared before them.
The building is not particularly eye-catching among the surrounding high-rise buildings, except for a huge hammer pattern hanging above the entrance, and a circle of golden pedestal patterns below the hammer.
These two symbols correspond perfectly to the auction hammer and auction platform in an auction house, simple and direct.
At the main gate, a woman of about thirty years old, with a beautiful appearance and wearing a well-tailored purple dress, greeted the Shrek Academy students with a very friendly smile the moment she saw them arrive.
"Qingya, representing Starlight Auction House, welcomes all distinguished guests. I will now take charge of arranging everything for this top-tier auction."
Zhang Lexuan looked at the auctioneer who had personally delivered the invitation earlier and said with slight surprise, "Auctioneer Qingya seems to have anticipated that we would come tonight?"
Qingya's smile remained unchanged, and she simply shook her head gently in response to Zhang Lexuan's question.
"Qingya dares not presume to know the itinerary of our distinguished guests. I am merely here to wait, regardless of whether you arrive or not. At the same time, it is also to complete the task entrusted to me by His Highness Hisahisa."
She paused, then her tone became even more respectful: "Her Highness asked me to tell Mr. Huo that she wishes to have a private chat with him at the upcoming auction to discuss the last item up for auction."
Of course, His Highness also specifically instructed that this matter is entirely up to Mr. Huo's wishes, and you need not feel pressured.
Upon hearing Qingya mention Huo Yuhao in her series of words, the expressions of everyone present changed.
Xi Xi and the others were a little better off. Although they found it strange that the princess of the Star Luo royal family would be involved with Huo Yuhao, they realized that the other girls in the group were all closely related to Huo Yuhao.
After seeing this kind of thing so many times, you gradually become numb to it.
But Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao's pretty faces instantly tightened.
The wild woman who appeared out of nowhere last time was later revealed to be a princess of the Xingluo royal family through subtle questioning.
If they hadn't known that Huo Yuhao had no intention of staying to become the prince consort, they would have already tried to meet that vixen.
Unexpectedly, just a few days later, the other party took the initiative to come to their door again, and you can imagine how they felt.
In an instant, several scorching gazes converged on Huo Yuhao, making him feel cold sweat pour down his back, as if he were being roasted over a fire.
Huo Yuhao also began to have doubts.
Could it be that Xu Jiujiu is trying to get revenge on me? He's deliberately using the last item in the auction to keep me hanging.
You see, the reason he was interested in this auction was simply to see the excitement surrounding the last item up for auction.
But on second thought, given Xu Jiujiu's shrewdness and pride, it seemed unlikely that he would do something so petty.
In a flash, Huo Yuhao spoke calmly, replying in a composed tone:
"Then thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. But the auction is about to begin, and I think our time to catch up won't be very long, will it?"
After sensing the strange atmosphere, Qingya's heart sank. She thought Huo Yuhao would refuse outright, and that she was afraid she would mess up her mission today. She even imagined that she would be punished when she got back.
Hearing that Huo Yuhao did not directly refuse, she visibly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly nodded, saying, "I think Your Highness will not take up too much of Mr. Huo's time; perhaps it can be finished before the auction officially begins."
As for whether it's true or not, Qingya herself wasn't sure.
Her task was simply to bring the person to the princess; whether or not the person could be kept was up to the princess.
Overall, it's much better than not being able to bring anyone back at all.
Hearing that it wouldn't take up too much of Huo Yuhao's time, the previously strange atmosphere eased a bit.
Huo Yuhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded slightly to Qingya: "Then, I'll trouble auctioneer Qingya to lead the way."
"Mr. Huo, you're too kind."
After receiving Huo Yuhao's affirmative reply, Qingya bowed respectfully to everyone again before turning around and gracefully walking ahead to lead the way.
As the largest auction house in Xingluo City, the buildings on the ground are merely its entrance.
Led by Qingya, the group descended a red-carpeted staircase, spiraling downwards for nearly twenty meters before finally arriving inside the auction house.
The interior is decorated in a magnificent and opulent style, no less so than the Star Emperor Hotel.
The ground was paved with ivory-white jade bricks, and the surrounding walls were covered with intricate and ornate carvings. Exquisite crystal soul-guided lamps emitted a soft glow, dazzling and mesmerizing.
With Qingya personally leading the way, they didn't need to go through any tedious registration and walked smoothly to the end of the corridor.
There, two maids dressed in elegant gold gowns had been waiting for some time.
They first bowed to everyone, and then whispered a few words to Qingya.
Soon, one of the girls turned to the wall beside her and pressed a seemingly ordinary spot on it.
The originally smooth wall quickly rippled with water-like patterns of light, then slid open to both sides, revealing a white passage with a soft texture.
Soft white light emanated from all around the passageway, with pale blue halos forming lines on both sides as embellishments, making it look particularly unique.
"This is our No. 1 auction room, where we hold top-tier auctions. Only the most distinguished guests are invited here."
Qingya continued to lead the way, gently introducing everyone, "Distinguished guests, please continue with me."
As they were talking, Qingya finally stopped in front of a door with a number seven on it.
Beside the door stood two maids dressed in long gold dresses.
(End of this chapter)