The referee confirmed the situation on the field before waving his flag: "Team battle concluded. Six Ling Sprite University wins the match with a score of one to zero. The entire match is over. Final score is two to two, with Six Ling Sprite University winning the series two to one and advancing to the semifinals."
As the referee's words echoed, the entire stadium erupted in cheers. All the spectators applauded. It had truly been an intense battle, and the way it concluded was rather dramatic.
In this match, Bei Mo University employed the Stealth Rock tactic previously used by Six Ling University. Ultimately, Six Ling University secured their victory through Bei Mo University's explosion strategy, making for an incredibly exciting spectacle.
The two teams met at the center of the arena to bow. The vice-captain of Bei Mo University asked, "Can you tell us why you chose Explosion and Seal, and why you swapped out three moves?"
This question was clearly directed at Wei Chiting and Yan Chunyu. The others from Six Ling University were also eager to know. Wei Chiting's Reuniclus was, after all, a derivative of Xia Hunao's overall gacha system, so its strange moves weren't surprising. But where did Yan Chunyu's sudden inspiration come from?
Wei Chiting thought for a moment and took out his phone. "This is a message Coach Xia sent me this morning, before the match began."
Everyone looked at Wei Chiting's phone. It contained only five short words: Explosion, Seal.
They checked the time. The message was sent five minutes before the match started. Their gazes then turned to Yan Chunyu, who also took out his phone. "Coach Xia sent me a message too, but compared to the vice-captain, he was a bit more verbose."
On Yan Chunyu's screen, it read: "Based on existing intel, infer electromagnetic levitation, beware of seismic magnitude, and carry Gravity as appropriate."
Xia Hunao's message was indeed remarkably concise, containing only twenty-four characters, yet it presented Yan Chunyu with quite a significant test.
Yan Chunyu explained, "After the Free Battle concluded, I had already inferred the moves. There was indeed a possibility, as Coach Xia suggested, so I took a gamble and brought Gravity."
The vice-captain of Bei Mo University nodded. "And the terrain change? Why did you decide to bring that?"
"Coach Xia told me before that I could rely on my teammates more. Sometimes, I could entrust the recovery from Wish to my teammates and carry other moves myself. Among the moves he listed for me at the time, there was such a move. That's why I swapped for Terrain Change. And because of this, I chose to have Xiao Die switch to Ribombee."
Hearing this, the members of Bei Mo University suddenly understood. However, the students of Six Ling University were still confused. "Why didn't you tell us about this beforehand? Even telling us during the match would have been something."
The two held up their phones, and simultaneously, another message appeared from Xia Hunao: "Before the match ends, the content of the previous message must be kept confidential."
Everyone: "You two are truly obedient."
Seeing their stares, Wei Chiting and Yan Chunyu felt a bit awkward. It was Lu Bingming who, in some respects, understood Xia Hunao better. "Alright, if Coach Xia made these arrangements, do you think he wouldn't have consulted Teacher Tong?"
Everyone looked at Tong Ruo, who stood at the end of the team. At that moment, Xia Hunao's voice boomed from outside the field: "Even if you asked Sister Ruo to keep it a secret for you, do you think I wouldn't use eavesdropping?"
Everyone turned to see Xia Hunao standing by the sidelines, smiling at them, a headset hanging around his neck. "Alright, leave the field after the match. What's so entertaining about staying here?"
After both teams left the battle arena, the Six Ling University members asked, "Coach Xia, what did you mean by that just now?"
Xia Hunao pointed to the badge on Tong Ruo's hat. "Do you see the badge on Sister Ruo's hat? That's a listening device. I asked someone to install it last night specifically to overhear your battle plans. And I've been watching the match from the stands today. See these wheels under my feet? They're for entering the field immediately after the match ends."
Everyone looked at Xia Hunao's feet. He was indeed wearing roller skates...
The coach of Bei Mo University walked over and looked at Xia Hunao. "You were right before; your team is an excellent team. And now, I also think you're a remarkable coach."
The crowd was confused. Did these two have some history?
Xia Hunao shrugged. "Everyone, do you think I can just play like this casually? Of course, I sought the consent of the organizing committee and the opposing coach."
The coach of Bei Mo University nodded. "Yes. When he came to discuss this with me earlier, I was quite surprised. I didn't expect our Coach Xia to go this far. Reaching the top eight and the top four are completely different concepts. However, our Coach Xia said back then that this was primarily to train your combat abilities in the absence of a coach, and that he believed in you. Honestly, I admire him for that. And he didn't completely abandon you in the end, did he?"
The Six Ling University members said, "But we didn't feel confident."
Seeing his teammates look at him, Xia Hunao said with undisguised pride, "You all need to build up sufficient confidence. Otherwise, how will you play the upcoming matches?"
Hearing Xia Hunao say this, the Six Ling University members nodded. However, Xia Hunao quickly shot himself in the foot. "But, I also asked the principal. Even if I mess up this time, she won't dock my salary; at most, you'll all have extra practice."
At these words, the Six Ling University members immediately split into two factions. The seniors were naturally unconcerned; they would be graduating soon after the match ended. But the juniors couldn't afford to slack off. They had another year, Lu Bingming had two, and Chu Xiaodie and Guo Shuang'er had three years of university life yet to begin. Who could stand up to extra practice?
Meanwhile, on the Bei Mo University side, the vice-captain approached his coach. "Coach..."
"I know what you want to ask. I'll ask you this: before the match, if I told you I wouldn't be involved in today's competition, what was your confidence level?"
"Not very high..."
After a brief chat, the two teams parted ways. The afternoon's match was for Jiang Ling Sprite Technology University. Xia Hunao sent everyone to watch the match on-site, under the guise of continuing to cultivate their tactical awareness, while he himself hid away in the villa.
Sitting on the bed in the villa, Xia Hunao toyed with a package he had received earlier. "Who sent this thing? I really want to meet them."
As he spoke, he heard Zheng Xiaoxiao's groans from the room next door, followed by the familiar sound of her smashing the wall. Xia Hunao rubbed his temples. "These two sisters are truly something. Fortunately, I sent them to watch the match, or else how would this end? But speaking of which, what kind of talent is this? They always manage to find a spot closest to my head to smash the wall, and it's always Sister Xiaoxiao smashing the wall."
Xia Hunao shifted his body forward. "Poor Sister Xiaoxiao. This also proves the old saying: debts from June must be paid quickly."
Although this saying fit the situation, Xia Hunao, you should think about it yourself. If you hadn't sold Zheng Xiaoxiao out, would the next room be in this state?
...
In the evening, Xia Hunao and the Six Ling University members watched the match recording they had made in the afternoon together. "How is it, everyone? Any thoughts?"
The group shook their heads. They hadn't found anything valuable in the match recordings. After watching these few matches, the only variable was that Jiang Ling Sprite Technology University, after its mechanical technology lineup, had indeed produced electronic and biological technology lineups, and they played exceptionally well.
After the match, as everyone was about to say something, they saw Tong Ruo descend from the second floor with a beaming smile. "What's wrong, everyone? The atmosphere is so somber?"
Xia Hunao looked behind Tong Ruo, not seeing Zheng Xiaoxiao, and couldn't help but look at Tong Ruo, thinking: Sister Ruo, you didn't really torment Sister Xiaoxiao all afternoon, did you? Can Sister Xiaoxiao handle it or not...
Wei Chiting pointed at the match recording playing on the projector. "Aren't we supposed to be researching our next opponent?"
Tong Ruo turned off the projector. "We'll talk about that tomorrow. Tonight, I permit you all to be happy. You can have a bit of fun, but be aware that Principal Zheng is resting, so you can't disturb her."
Looking at the smile on Tong Ruo's face, Xia Hunao confirmed, you really did torment Zheng Xiaoxiao all afternoon...
Tong Ruo came to Xia Hunao's side. "Come on, Little Xiazi, let's celebrate our advancement to the semifinals. You can't be absent."
Xia Hunao looked at the smile on Tong Ruo's face and whispered, "Sister Ruo, I this..."
Tong Ruo also whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, I won't bother you. I should thank you. If it weren't for you, what excuse would I have to play with Xiaoxiao all afternoon..."
Xia Hunao didn't know what expression he should wear at this moment, so he just smiled awkwardly and mingled with his teammates. Tong Ruo, on the other hand, stated that she wouldn't intrude on the young people's celebration and, after giving a few instructions, returned upstairs.
Downstairs, the group pushed aside the matter of dealing with the difficult Jiang Ling Sprite Technology University and focused on celebrating their second consecutive advancement to the semifinals.
Listening to the laughter from downstairs, Tong Ruo on the second floor slapped Zheng Xiaoxiao's behind. "Look at them, youth is so good."
Zheng Xiaoxiao, lying on the bed, retorted grumpily, "Are you thinking you're old?"
Tong Ruo slapped again. "Shut up. I haven't forgiven you yet. You even put a listening device on me. Haven't I punished you enough this afternoon?"
"Go find Xia Hunao. He asked me to do it; it wasn't my idea..."
"I don't care. I can't handle Little Xia Hunao, the great shota, so I'll just bully you. Honestly, aren't you worried we'll be eliminated in the quarterfinals?"
Zheng Xiaoxiao nodded. "Mm, Xia Hunao guaranteed that, at worst, we'll be eliminated in the semifinals..."
As soon as she said this, the entire villa fell silent. Tong Ruo paused. "Hmm? What's going on? Why has the celebrating noise downstairs stopped?"