As Ren Yuanhao returned to the coach's bench, Ye Lan was the first to rush forward and gently massage his shoulders.
If the streaming platforms knew that the popular goddess Ye Lan possessed such a tender and considerate side, her aloof persona would likely shatter in an instant.
But what did that matter?
"Come, come, have some spicy strips to calm your nerves," Yang Lingxue tossed a pack of spicy strips to Ren Yuanhao. Today, she wore a long purple dress, her two spiraling pigtails resembling Fireblossom from the game "BLOPS," giving her a spirited aura with a hint of mystery.
"Miss Yang, if eating spicy strips could calm me down, why would anyone need an air pump?" Ren Yuanhao quipped. Then, he turned his head to Ye Lan, "Miss Ye, how is Shen Lan Ni's condition?"
Ye Lan took out from her waist pouch...
In his discomfort, he could only circulate the Bì Hǎi Cháo Shēng Jué to alleviate his turbulent internal energy. Each circulation provided temporary relief. He believed that with time, he would definitely be able to control, guide, and perfectly master the internal energy fluctuations brought about by the attribute points increase.
Seeing his absent-minded and thoughtful demeanor, Yang Lingxue's lips curved upwards slightly, and she smirked slyly, "The art of war states, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' To win two matches, though somewhat difficult, I have a way."
"Don't tell me you know the opponent's strength and fighting style?" Ren Yuanhao's brows furrowed slightly.
"I don't."
Just as Ren Yuanhao's hope ignited, Yang Lingxue's words ruthlessly extinguished it.
"Miss, this is not the time for jokes."
Ren Yuanhao shook his head, his face etched with worry. Just as he was about to leave, Yang Lingxue grabbed his sleeve.
"I always thought you were quite sharp, but why are you so clueless today? I have no interest in Taekwondo, how could I know the opponent's strength? But if I don't know, it doesn't mean no one else does."
As Yang Lingxue spoke, she cast a direct gaze at Ye Lan. Ren Yuanhao felt as if struck by divine enlightenment, his mind instantly clear!
"That's right, with her here, gathering such information would be a piece of cake!"
Ye Lan, seeing their eyes glinting as they looked at her, was curious. Ren Yuanhao excitedly walked over and immediately shared his thought with her. Ye Lan smiled slightly, "A small matter, leave it to me."
In just twenty to thirty seconds, Ye Lan breached the entry portal of the event organizers and stole all the complete contestant information.
"Will what we're doing be considered unethical?" Ren Yuanhao hesitated.
"Hmph, they can use underhanded tactics, and we can't use a bit of high technology? Relax, put away your saintly demeanor."
Yang Lingxue had Ye Lan import the data into her phone, so Ye Lan could closely monitor Shen Lan Ni's every move. Then, she pulled Ren Yuanhao aside to discuss their strategy.
Meanwhile, Leng Zi Yu and her man were also reprimanding the four young men standing rigidly before them.
Judging by their physique, these four men were almost all more robust and muscular than Shen Lan Ni's disciples. Even stranger was how these individuals were exceptionally quiet off the stage, like radios with their power unplugged.
However, once on the stage, they entered a garrulous mode.
Leng Zi Yu's gaze was like a knife, sweeping over everyone. She lowered her voice to a deep register, "Tell me, what is the purpose of a competition?"
"Victory!" the four responded in unison. But no one noticed Pang Qiang, who had lost his match last night. He clasped his hands behind his back, knuckles cracking, his joints turning white, and one could even see the skin of his palms creased from dehydration or intense training.
Perhaps, after losing yesterday, he had trained without a moment's rest, drilled and corrected himself, ensuring he could overcome the natural defect caused by his fallen arches.
Perhaps, he stayed up all night, just to redeem himself on the stage.
However, the man he had incapacitated did not appear as expected. Of course, he wasn't Superman; how could such an injury heal in less than a day?
Therefore, he hated! And this gnashing hatred caused his shoulders to tremble slightly. He hated the man who defeated him, and even more, he hated the lack of an opportunity for revenge.
At this moment, Leng Zi Yu seemed to have perceived his thoughts, her tone becoming more mocking, like an old witch from a gingerbread house, "Pang Qiang, you don't need to fight this match."
Pang Qiang didn't look up, nor did he have the face to. As the strongest fighter in the team, he had lost in an exhibition match to someone who wasn't even a black belt. What face did he have left?
He seemed to hear the extremely low chuckles of his juniors on either side, and he could feel the sharp, eagle-like gaze from the man behind the coach.
It was a blade, constantly cutting into his skin and lungs, drawing blood.
For him, even dying on the stage would be more satisfying than being in this dazed state, subjected to ridicule.
At this moment, Leng Zi Yu walked up to the first man from the left, tapped his shoulder heavily, and said with absolute certainty, "Jin Wei, you're up for the first match. You won't disappoint me, will you?"