The Way of the Deer and the Iris

"Thank you for your guidance. It has made me realize that there are always people more capable than me and that there is always something beyond my understanding. It has also made me see that I still have a lot of shortcomings."

Lin Feiyan first bowed to the Lanzhiyuan members at a 45-degree angle, then expressed her determination to Xue Youyou: "When we meet again in the league, I will be stronger than I am now, and I hope there will be an even more exciting match then."

After saying that, Lin Feiyan left with the group from Burning Heaven Academy. Before leaving, Lin Jinlan made a face at Xue Youyou.

No sooner had she left than Lu Yuan followed her, sliding across her knees and moving right in front of Xue Youyou in full view of everyone.

Then, he hugged Xue Youyou's leg tightly and said with a fawning expression, "Xue Youyou, if you have any complaints about life at the academy, just tell me. Don't be shy."

Upon seeing this, Su Wanrou, Lu Yutang, and Cui Yelan all glanced at Meng Yanqing in unison, feeling that the scene before them seemed somewhat familiar, as if their captain had done the exact same thing a few days ago.

Xue Youyou glanced disdainfully at Lu Yuan, whose attitude had drastically changed, and waved her hand, saying, "Just don't forget the 888 million service fee you promised me."

Lu Yuan smiled broadly and said ingratiatingly, "What? 888 million? 8888 million?"

Xue Youyou was startled, not expecting Lu Yuan to be so generous. Her gaze softened unconsciously, and even her tone became much more friendly: "I can't accept something for nothing. What do you want me to do?"

Seeing that she had successfully moved Xue Youyou, Lu Yuan immediately put on a tearful face, looked at Xue Youyou affectionately, and pleaded, "I have a dream, to win a championship for our Lanzhi Academy."

Xue Youyou had no reason to refuse Lu Yuan's request.

Winning the Lanzhou League championship was already part of her plan.

Although Meng Yanqing initially said that as long as she joined the second team to participate in the competition, Xue Youyou would never allow herself to lose once she was on the field.

Xue Youyou readily agreed: "Okay."

Indeed, Xue Youyou's answer was not "try her best" or "luck," but the simplest and most direct answer: "yes," as if the championship was already hers.

His tone of absolute confidence, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, infected everyone present, and a surge of passionate pride rose in their hearts.

Despite the seemingly arrogant words, not a single person voiced their doubts.

After witnessing Xue Youyou instantly defeat Lin Feiyan, the fifth-ranked player in the Ten Heavens last year, everyone believed that she had the ability.

If someone with this level of skill can't win the championship, then Lan Zhiyuan probably will never win it in her lifetime.

"Good, good, good! Truly a hero emerges from among the young!" Lu Yuan was so moved that she prostrated herself in admiration, wiping her snot and tears all over Xue Youyou's white silk.

Xue Youyou couldn't hold back any longer and kicked Lu Yuan, that old woman, away.

however--

Lu Yuan was kicked into the air, first with a "thud" her half-embedded in the ceiling, and then crashed heavily to the ground.

"Huh?" Xue Youyou's mouth opened slightly, her face showing surprise.

She had only kicked it casually, like kicking a soda can on the street. She swore she only intended to kick it a little bit away. Was it really that big of a deal?

Could it be that her physical abilities improved after she returned to her sheath with the Guanghan Slash?

Most importantly, what if this kick wipes out her 100 million?

Thinking of this, Xue Youyou asked with a guilty conscience, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Are you alright, Dean?"

Lu Yuan staggered to her feet, blood still trickling from her forehead, her gorgeous clothes stained with dust, and the bridge of her signature gold-rimmed glasses broken.

He doesn't look like he's alright at all.

Lin Yueyao, who was standing to the side, twitched her eyelids. Knowing Lu Yuan's strict class-based style, she knew that he would usually fly into a rage.

However, judging from Lu Yuan's previous attitude towards Xue Youyou, she probably wouldn't fly into a rage, but even so, getting angry is inevitable.

Just as Lin Yueyao thought Lu Yuan was going to show off her dean's authority, Lu Yuan, who had just gotten up from the ground, didn't even care about the bent gold-rimmed glasses on her nose, and ran back to Xue Youyou as if nothing had happened.

Then, she took out a clean lace handkerchief from her inner pocket, knelt down to wipe Xue Youyou's shoes, and asked with concern, "Xue Youyou, are your feet alright?"

Lin Yueyao: "?"

Everyone present: "?"

When I type a question mark, it's not that I have a problem, but that I think you have a problem.

Meng Yanqing felt someone poking her back. She turned around and saw Su Wanrou. She asked, "What's wrong?"

Su Wanrou said, "It's nothing, it's just that I feel the dean is ten times more professional than you, the captain, when it comes to asking for favors. I'm a bit impressed."

Meng Yanqing: "..."

Xue Youyou was completely exhausted. She stared blankly at Lu Yuan, who was enjoying herself, and after a long silence, she managed to squeeze out a few words: "I... am fine."

For the first time, she wondered if she was out of place in the world because she was too normal.

Lu Yuan continued, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, "Do you have any requests regarding teammates? I can replace them with anyone, no matter who they are."

Upon hearing this, apart from Meng Yanqing, the other three members of the second team, including Su Wanrou, became nervous, worried that they would be eliminated.

Especially Cui Yelan, who had previously been the most dedicated to playing the role of the villain in the "Black Snow Shadow" incident, she felt that she was destined to be replaced this time.

The four members of the team, excluding Lin Yueyao, all cast eager glances at Xue Youyou, their winks and expressions resembling those of concubines waiting for the emperor to choose their consorts.

Even Lin Yueyao was secretly flirting with Xue Youyou. Although she maintained the composure of the chief on the surface, she hoped more than anyone else that Xue Youyou would choose her as a teammate.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xue Youyou replied without hesitation, "Just keep it as it is."

Xue Youyou's answer caused the five members of the team to show disappointment, while Su Wanrou and the other two were all beaming with joy, feeling warm inside.

Only Meng Yanqing showed an expression as if she had long expected Xue Youyou to say such a thing. As the person who knew Xue Youyou best here, she knew that Xue Youyou was a beast tamer who was more proud and more narcissistic than anyone else.

This has nothing to do with abandoning teammates. A proud beast tamer like Xue Youyou would never suggest replacing a teammate because they are not strong enough, because doing so would be tantamount to doubting one's own strength.

Lu Yuan felt a little disappointed by Xue Youyou's answer. She secretly hoped that the five strongest people from Lanzhi Academy could team up to fight together.

The ideal lineup would be the top four players plus Xue Youyou to form a team, but since Xue Youyou had no intention of changing players, she had no choice but to give up.

Lu Yuan asked eagerly, "And what about the captain?"

"Well... oh..."

Xue Youyou was about to refuse, but before she could say anything, Meng Yanqing rushed up and pulled her away.