Xia Huanao did not manage to get the Z-series items in the end. The trial item disappeared too quickly, vanishing after only one use. Its treatment was even worse than that of "Silly Thing," which at least left behind a bracelet after its one-time use. For him, not even a bracelet remained.
Xia Huanao sighed, putting aside his concerns about the Z-bracelet. He joined Shen Yu and the others at the shrine, helping Sakura Miyazaki with the day's concluding tasks.
After the festival officially ended, Xia Huanao and his group stood at the shrine's entrance. "We'll be heading back now. We'll visit again when we have time. Goodbye."
Xia Huanao and his companions enjoyed a simple break before returning to the Ming Long Kingdom. Although Man Ying wished to keep Xia Huanao and his group there, they dared not act under the overt and covert protection of the Ming Long Kingdom.
Upon landing at Ling Long City's international airport, Shen Yu and the others, with the Lunar New Year approaching, bought tickets to return to Jing Hai City. Xia Huanao and his group, however, needed to remain in Ling Long City to guard against any unforeseen circumstances. As for Yu Tingyun and Yu Linglong, one needed to accompany her boyfriend, and the other had some announcements to attend to, so they also flew to Jing Hai.
Having just disembarked and re-boarded a plane, Xia Huanao watched his girlfriend fly away and sighed. "No choice. Heaven is about to bestow a great task upon me. Let's find a place to stay."
Exiting the airport, Xia Huanao and Yu Long, Du Mian, and Zhi Shui were intercepted by Meng Tianya. "You're back. Let's go, emergency training before the New Year."
Xia Huanao pulled out two hairs. "Training? Is cramming useful? And training right before the New Year?"
"I don't know. It's an order from above. Hurry up."
Meng Tianya drove them to the training center on the outskirts of Ling Long City. "How is it? This is a newly built training center. They've already arrived and are waiting for the three of you."
Xia Huanao looked at the building, which exuded a sense of high-tech from the outside. "They're really willing to spend money on this."
Indeed, the entire exterior wall of the building was made of silver metal. Although it was a three-story structure, the first floor alone was not smaller than a standard school sports field. Outside the training center, there was also a courtyard almost as large as the building itself. The entire structure radiated extravagance and wealth.
Meng Tianya was also quite proud of the building. "Of course. For this grand competition, the entire nation's strength has been mobilized. You must win the championship!"
Xia Huanao and the others entered the training base. The remaining five team members were already gathered in the lobby. Looking at Xia Huanao, who entered last, Wang Zhen sneered, "Such an important matter, and you still have the leisure to go traveling. You truly don't take this competition seriously."
Xia Huanao shrugged. "You're right, I really don't take this competition seriously. Haven't you heard the saying: 'Strategically despise the enemy, tactically take them seriously'? If you're all on high alert, what if your morale collapses?"
"If we don't take it seriously, won't we capsize in the gutter? We've gathered here with a sacred mission."
Xia Huanao impatiently nodded. "Mhm, mhm, you're right. Our mission is very important, but pay attention, the competition hasn't even started yet."
Seeing that he couldn't win against Xia Huanao with words, Wang Zhen tried to assert his authority through his girlfriend. However, as soon as Xia Huanao stood next to Mu Zhishui, he became docile. After all, with Mu Zhishui as the captain, Xia Huanao was, in any case, one of Mu Zhishui's team members, and ranked fourth among those under twenty-five. If things escalated and training was delayed, he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.
Suffering a subtle defeat at Xia Huanao's hands, Wang Zhen returned to his chair, lost in thought. Yu Long then turned to Meng Tianya and asked, "So, are it just us here?"
Meng Tianya glanced at his phone. "Your coaching team has arrived."
Everyone turned to look and saw Zheng Xiaoxiao leading seventeen or eighteen people. Zheng Xiaoxiao waved to Xia Huanao. "Everyone's here. Let me introduce myself, I'm your head coach, Zheng Xiaoxiao. The team behind me will be responsible for your daily lives and needs in the coming days."
Xia Huanao and the others met their coaching and logistics teams, and then followed Zheng Xiaoxiao to a meeting.
In the main conference room, Zheng Xiaoxiao sat at the head of the table. The four members of the two age groups sat on either side of the table. "First, let me explain the competition format. The two teams will be divided into upper and lower groups. Those under twenty will be the lower group, and the twenty-five-year-old group will be the upper group. Each group will have two one-on-one matches and one two-on-two match. A one-on-one match is worth one point, and a two-on-two match is worth three points. Now, let's arrange the lineups."
Xia Huanao rolled his eyes and raised his hand. "Coach, I want to play singles."
Everyone looked at him. Yu Long and Meng Tianya both turned to Xia Huanao. This was different from the original arrangement; wasn't he supposed to play doubles? Why was he actively requesting singles?
Zheng Xiaoxiao, aware of the official arrangements, calmly asked Xia Huanao, "Reason?"
Xia Huanao explained, "No particular reason. It's just that one-on-one matches are worth less than two-on-two matches, so there's less pressure if I lose. Plus, one-on-one can be used as a sacrificial match. Using me to counter their strongest player or something, it's never a loss."
After speaking, Xia Huanao glanced at the other team members, seemingly seeking their opinions. Zheng Xiaoxiao also looked at Mu Zhishui to seek the captain's opinion. Before Mu Zhishui could speak, Wang Zhen voiced his disagreement. "Coach, I think he should be arranged to play team matches with Captain Mu. The captain needs to anchor the high-scoring team matches, and for the first one-on-one matches, Wu Gongping and Miao Longque are needed to boost morale."
Zheng Xiaoxiao asked Mu Zhishui, "Your opinion?"
Mu Zhishui nodded. "I think he's right. Three points are quite important, and the first one-on-one match does indeed need a win to build momentum."
Thus, through the efforts of Wang Zhen and Mu Zhishui, Xia Huanao's idea of playing singles was thwarted. With the lineups for the upper group decided, they began discussing the order for the lower group. Xia Huanao raised his hand again. "I, I have a suggestion. Let Chu Xiaodie play the two-on-two match. Her coordination ability is well-known. If you don't believe me, just watch last year's University Elf Competition. As for coordination, of course, she should team up with Captain Wang Zhen for the two-on-two match! Captain Wang is so strong, he can definitely carry Chu Xiaodie."
Wang Zhen pointed at Yu Long. "No, although I won the final match, Yu Long's strength is also very formidable. I think he can also coordinate with Chu Xiaodie."
Xia Huanao glanced at Yu Long, who quickly indicated he had no objections. Chu Xiaodie also looked at Yu Long and nodded in agreement. Xia Huanao smiled at the final groupings. With this arrangement, both three-point two-on-two matches would be played by their own team. Even if they lost all four remaining one-on-one matches, Xia Huanao was quite confident he could turn the tide with the two two-on-two victories.
Meng Tianya looked meaningfully at the eight people present. He knew Xia Huanao's intentions. Although Xia Huanao's suggestions appeared to be somewhere between reasonable and unreasonable, with Wang Zhen's assistance, they still achieved the most ideal state that Meng Tianya had considered.
Meng Tianya glanced at Xia Huanao, who, after the grouping was decided, leaned back in his chair silently. Zheng Xiaoxiao continued the meeting.
Toward the end of the meeting, room assignments were discussed. There were ten people in the conference room: six men and four women. The training center had double occupancy rooms. Xia Huanao quickly analyzed the best allocation plan, while Zheng Xiaoxiao sought everyone's opinions.
"I want to share a room with Xia Huanao. I hope to learn more from him during this short training period," said Wang Zhen.
Xia Huanao objected, "I'd rather share a room with A'Du. After all, A'Du and I are more familiar with each other, and our living habits are compatible."
Xia Huanao and Yu Long, by a two-to-one vote, rejected Wang Zhen's proposal. These two "troublemakers" successfully ended up in the same room. Wang Zhen seemed to have settled for the next best option and chose Miao Longque. Although Wu Gongping was also available, Wang Zhen decided to room with Miao Longque because Wu Gongping was a quiet person.
Su Xiaojiu also volunteered to share a room with Mu Zhishui, allowing Chu Xiaodie and Zheng Xiaoxiao, as teacher and student, to share a room. As for the quiet Miao Longque, he was left to room with the team leader, Meng Tianya.
With the final rooming arrangements decided, the meeting concluded. Zheng Xiaoxiao announced, "Alright, everyone is dismissed. After packing your luggage, you can explore the base."
Since they were intercepted at the airport, Xia Huanao and the other two had not prepared their luggage specifically. Fortunately, the training center had everything, allowing Xia Huanao and the others to settle in comfortably.
Xia Huanao collapsed onto the soft, plush bed. "This bed is too comfortable. I've never encountered such a good bed even in hotels."
Yu Long also tried sitting on the bed. "Yes, this bed is indeed soft. I never enjoyed such luxury even at the Yu family's home."
"Of course. This is what our Meng family has specially lent for all of you to use. It can greatly enhance your concentration."
Xia Huanao turned to see Meng Tianya entering through the doorway. After entering, he directly locked the door. Realizing that something important was about to be discussed, Xia Huanao sat up straight and looked around the room. Meng Tianya said, "Don't worry, there are no listening devices here, and the soundproofing is excellent."
Xia Huanao nodded. "Go ahead, what big matter requires such urgency to discuss with me?"