Chapter 1 Good News and Bad News

"Junior Brother Qiao Yu, get some rest. There will be a five-day break after the preliminaries. We'll be going now!"

Long Xiang, looking defeated, dashed out of the resting room, followed by the rest of the Jing University Team One.

After Yang Xiangdi said that sentence, they all felt a strange vibe in the room.

Creak!

Right after Jing University Team One left, Shen Jianshu and Ji Pingyang pushed the door open and walked in.

"Not bad, you bunch of stinky kids!"

A joyful occasion lifted one's spirits; Ji Pingyang was beaming with pride.

In the past, the number one seed in the Eastern Division had always been secured by Huaqing University. Qin Tianhao, that old codger, never missed a chance to brag in front of him. This year, he finally had a chance to hold his head high!

Shen Jianshu was also smiling. After reminding Qiao Yu and the others to rest well, and other unhelpful things, he finally got to the point.

"Alright, I have some good news and some bad news. Let's start with the good."

Shen Jianshu took a sip of tea and continued.

"The good news is that we are hosting this year. The 16 teams from the Western Alliance will come to Kyoto to participate in the promotion matches and the finals."

"The bad news is that in five days, your first-round opponent in the promotion match will be the veteran powerhouse, Meichuan Kuchaguan High School."

"Although Meichuan Kuchaguan has never won the championship in the combat competition, they have consistently made it to the top eight every time. Their best result was even a runner-up position."

"So, your first battle... might not be easy."

Shen Jianshu's expression was somewhat serious.

Yang Xiangdi, resting his chin on his hand, frowned and muttered, "Meichuan Kuchaguan... no pants to wear? What kind of idiot uses that as a school name?"

Qiao Yu and the others were originally thinking about tactics, but they almost spat out their drinks when they heard that.

Shen Jianshu was stunned for a moment, then he realized what Yang Xiangdi meant and smacked him on the back of the head with a Great Compassion Palm.

"Idiot! Meichuan is the name of a place in the Western Alliance. Their most famous specialty is kucha (bitter tea), where even an ounce of tea can be worth a fortune! What kind of nonsense are you thinking about in that brain of yours?!"

Shen Jianshu was exasperated.

"Professor Shen, don't be angry. At worst, when I have money in the future, I'll buy you some pants... ah, no, I'll buy you some kucha to make tea."

Yang Xiangdi covered his head and smiled sheepishly, afraid that Shen Jianshu would hit him again.

"Hmm, that's more like it."

Shen Jianshu smiled slightly.

"Alright, you guys get some rest. I just wanted to give you a heads-up so you can be mentally prepared. We two old fogies won't bother you any longer."

After Shen Jianshu and the other left, Zuo You suddenly asked, "Qiao Yu, do you have anything to do these next few days?"

"Huh? I don't think so." Qiao Yu shook his head. He promised Fang Biao Zhi that he would return to Su City, but that would have to wait until after the combat competition was over.

"Then..." Zuo You lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes into a ball with her fair hands. "Can you go with me to see Kyoto?"

Qiao Yu felt his heart skip a beat.

"Okay."

Zuo You looked up in surprise. "What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly. Say it again!"

"I said, okay!" Qiao Yu smiled, reached out, and ruffled Zuo You's hair, causing Zuo You to groan playfully.

He suddenly remembered that since he came to Kyoto, he had been constantly running dungeons and doing special training.

He'd been at Jing University for almost a year, and he hadn't had a chance to explore Kyoto City properly, let alone spend time with Zuo You.

A string that's stretched too tight is easy to break, and he felt he should relax a little.

"Great! Then come pick me up at the girls' dormitory tomorrow!" Zuo You excitedly grabbed Zhao Ziyue and left.

As soon as the two girls left, only the boys remained in the resting room, and Yang Xiangdi immediately howled.

"Wuhu~! A date! Brother Yu! What are you waiting for?! Quickly book a hotel! Get a themed suite!"

Qiao Yu was speechless and immediately punched Yang Xiangdi.

"What are you thinking about? It's just our first date!"

Yang Xiangdi's eyes lit up and he nodded. "You're right, it's not good to get a room on the first date. Then let's go to a private cinema! And watch a horror movie!"

Qiao Yu: "..."

He realized that it was impossible to discuss these things with Yang Xiangdi.

Pa!

Compared to the overly lewd Yang Xiangdi, Ma Fei's actions were much more practical.

He threw a black card directly at Qiao Yu's face, then put on a cool expression.

"All expenses tomorrow will be charged to my card. Don't embarrass our dorm!"

Qiao Yu's eyes lit up as he held the black card. He almost called Ma Fei "Dad." Having such a good brother in the dorm, what more could he ask for!

The next morning, Qiao Yu arrived at the girls' dormitory at Jing University and waited.

He had deliberately combed his somewhat messy hair neatly, shaved his beard clean, and even bought new shoes for today.

Many passersby recognized him as Qiao Yu, the necromancer from the Kyoto Second Team, and countless girls passing by glanced at him.

Many girls wanted to come up and strike up a conversation, but when they thought of Qiao Yu's feat of swinging Qin Qianyi around and smashing her everywhere on the stage yesterday...

Never mind, handsome guys are important, but their own lives are even more important.

Qiao Yu successfully scared off all the girls who wanted to talk to him with his abilities.

After waiting downstairs for half an hour, Qiao Yu finally saw Zuo You.

Today, Zuo You was wearing a light layer of makeup, and her already exquisite face was even more eye-catching. Her grey-purple hair made her skin look even fairer.

A white shirt paired with a black tie, and beneath her slender waist, a pair of long, fair legs were vaguely visible under her pleated skirt, highlighting the youthfulness and beauty of a young girl.

Qiao Yu was a little stunned...

"Dummy, what are you looking at!" Zuo You reached out and tapped Qiao Yu's forehead gently, feeling a little happy inside.

Women dress for those who appreciate them, and which girl wouldn't like her partner to be fascinated by her?

"No... nothing!" Qiao Yu reached out and scratched his head. He had fought many girls before, but dating a girl was a first for him!

"Should we go get breakfast first?" Qiao Yu asked tentatively.

"Okay!" Zuo You nodded.

Qiao Yu reached out and took Zuo You's small hand, and Zuo You's face instantly turned red.

The two arrived at the back street of the school, which was already bustling with activity. Countless vendors were pushing their breakfast carts and shouting.

Along the way, Zuo You attracted a lot of attention, and many boys couldn't help but turn around to take a second look.

"What do you want to eat?" Qiao Yu asked.

"Hmm... let's have soy milk and buns." Zuo You pointed to the stall closest to them.

Qiao Yu nodded and walked over with Zuo You.

"Auntie, hello, I'd like two cups of soy milk and four meat buns."

"Alright! Coming right up!" The auntie was very efficient and quickly packed the food and handed it to Qiao Yu. "That'll be 12 yuan total."

"Okay, swipe card." Qiao Yu took out the black card Ma Fei had given him and handed it over.

Zuo You was stunned. How could you swipe a card for soy milk and buns at a small stall?

"Qiao Yu, don't mess around! No one swipes a card for a 12-yuan breakfast!"

Zuo You quickly stopped Qiao Yu.

"Auntie, I'm sorry, he's just joking with you. I'll give you the money."

However, just as Zuo You was looking for money...

The breakfast stall auntie wiped her hands, nonchalantly took out a card swiping machine from her pocket...

"Beep! Card swiped successfully!"