Huo Yuhao's words caused the anger rising in Long Huantian's heart to instantly dissipate quite a bit, and he began to seriously consider this youth's proposal.
After a moment of silence, Long Huantian's gaze became much more serious as he looked at Huo Yuhao, saying in a deep voice, "If... this can really be facilitated, it would indeed be a win-win situation."
The Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition is broadcast to the entire Federation.
The reason they spent a huge sum to invite Shrek Academy for an Exhibition Match wasn't just as simple as motivating the local students.
On a deeper level, it was also to use Shrek's golden reputation and massive influence to promote the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition.
But immediately after, Long Huantian looked at Huo Yuhao with an inquiring gaze and asked, "However... what benefit is there in this for you?"
"By taking the initiative to challenge a match you are certain to lose, you will only end up with a reputation for 'overestimating yourselves.'"
Clearly, in Long Huantian's mind, even the previous champion of the Tianhai Alliance's Youth Division was vulnerable before the Shrek youth team.
These Class Zero students before him, whose average age was likely only around ten, didn't have the slightest chance of winning!
Facing Long Huantian's puzzled gaze, Huo Yuhao straightened his back, a bright and pure smile appearing on his young face.
"When adults do things, they might always weigh the pros and cons and focus on gains and losses. But for us youths, sometimes, it's just about proving a point!"
These words were spoken with such force that Long Huantian's heart shook inexplicably.
Huo Yuhao met the other's gaze, his smile radiating intense confidence.
"Besides... Senior, nothing in the world is absolute. Before the result is out, who dares to assert that we... will definitely lose?"
Hearing this, Long Huantian couldn't help but fall into a daze.
How many years had it been since he had heard such a pure, even somewhat 'foolish' motivation?
In the world of adults, interests had long replaced spirit, and calculation often overshadowed passion.
His eyes flickered, clearly undergoing an intense internal weighing of options and a decision.
A moment later, Long Huantian took a deep breath, a flash of decisiveness in his eyes.
He looked at Huo Yuhao and said in a deep voice, "Fine! Since you have such determination, my Tianhai Alliance is not unreasonable either."
"As long as you can obtain Shrek Academy's consent to accept this challenge. Then, on the day of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition closing ceremony, we will specially prepare a formal arena for you!"
"Great! Then it's a deal!"
Hearing this, a brilliant smile finally appeared on Huo Yuhao's face.
He looked at Long Huantian with burning eyes, as if afraid he would go back on his word in the next moment.
Then, he immediately turned his expectant gaze toward Wu Changkong.
The most critical official obstacle had, through his 'maneuvering,' been cleared with Long Huantian's nod and promise to 'make it happen if it succeeds.'
The next main event naturally depended on whether Teacher Wu, this 'Senior Brother,' could persuade Shrek Academy's leading teacher, Shen Yi.
Wu Changkong had long since retracted his six spirit rings, returning to his usual cold and restrained appearance.
He first glanced at Huo Yuhao with those ice-blue eyes, his gaze complex and hard to read.
Then he turned to Long Huantian, his voice still flat and emotionless: "Can we leave now?"
Long Huantian stepped aside from the doorway and made a 'please' gesture: "Of course, Teacher Wu, please suit yourself."
Wu Changkong said no more, turning and walking straight out toward the corridor.
Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue exchanged a look and quickly followed.
The middle-aged man who had arrived first watched their retreating backs and couldn't help asking, "Dean Long, just... just like that? You're letting them go just like that?"
Long Huantian gave him a cold sidelong glance and let out a snort from his nose: "Otherwise? Did you want me to have a fight with them here?"
The middle-aged man's face turned pale from the retort, and he quickly lowered his head, saying repeatedly, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare..."
Seeing Long Huantian's displeased expression, he didn't dare say another word.
On the other side, after leaving the broadcast room corridor, Wu Changkong's pace showed no sign of slowing down; he continued forward toward the exit with his long legs without saying a word.
Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue had to quicken their pace to barely keep up with his rhythm.
Although Wu Changkong said nothing, it was clear from his reaction that he was still angry about Huo Yuhao's actions today.
Gu Yue gently squeezed Huo Yuhao's hand and looked at him with her calm black eyes, a hint of inquiry and worry in them.
Huo Yuhao understood her meaning and then gently shook his head, signaling her not to say anything for now.
In this way, amidst a subtle and tense atmosphere of silence, the three of them soon left the upper area of the stadium.
Inside the Tianhai Stadium, the preparation area belonging to Donghai Academy now appeared quite empty.
The main group had already returned to the hotel to rest; in this large area, only Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Xu Xiaoyan from Class Zero remained, waiting anxiously.
Xie Xie paced back and forth incessantly, occasionally craning his neck to look toward the entrance of the tunnel.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he stopped abruptly, pointing into the distance and shouting, "Ah! They're back! They're back! Teacher Wu and the others are back!"
Soon, Wu Changkong's signature white figure, along with Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue following behind him, appeared clearly in their sight.
They knew exactly what Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue had gone to do earlier.
When Huo Yuhao's voice came over the broadcast, they knew the first step of the plan had succeeded!
But now, what was the attitude of the Tianhai Alliance officials? Was Shrek Academy willing to accept the challenge?
All of this depended on the information these three brought back.
Seeing the undisguised expectation in the eyes of Tang Wulin and the other two, Wu Changkong's frozen expression seemed to turn even colder.
He instantly understood that in today's 'audacious' broadcast room incident, only he, the class teacher, had been kept in the dark.
Wu Changkong had always felt that Huo Yuhao was a steady and mature child who acted with discretion, being the most worry-free student in the class.
But today he realized that the more a child is usually worry-free, once they decide to 'cause trouble,' the commotion will definitely not be small—they'll create a piece of news that makes the entire Tianhai Alliance take notice!
Huo Yuhao first gave Tang Wulin and the others a look to stay calm, then took a deep breath and walked to Wu Changkong's side.
He looked up at his teacher's still expressionless profile and asked cautiously, "Teacher... Dean Long from the Tianhai Alliance has relented; he said as long as Shrek Academy agrees, he's willing to arrange an arena at the closing ceremony. You... should be able to persuade Shrek's Teacher Shen Yi to agree to accept our challenge, right?"
Wu Changkong's gaze first landed on Huo Yuhao, then his vision slowly swept over the other members of Class Zero.
He was silent for a moment before his cold voice rang out in the empty preparation area.
"You all... want to have a match with that Shrek team that much?"
This time, the response he received was five heads nodding forcefully almost simultaneously, their movements synchronized and their gazes incredibly determined.
It wasn't an impulse of the moment, but a decision made after careful consideration.
Huo Yuhao met Wu Changkong's gaze even more directly and said, "Teacher, there are some things we have to take back fairly and squarely with our own strength!"
Wu Changkong understood the meaning behind Huo Yuhao's words; he had already learned the beginning and end of yesterday's conflict.
The fault indeed did not lie with these Class Zero students, but with the deep-seated arrogance and baseless suspicion of the Shrek students.
He fell into a brief silence again, seemingly weighing something.
Finally, Wu Changkong spoke again: "If you want to challenge that Shrek Academy team... no problem."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the five of them one by one, his voice suddenly becoming heavier: "But... you must guarantee that the ones who win in the end... will be you."
"Yeah!!!"
After a brief silence, Xie Xie was the first who couldn't help it and let out a low cheer!
Then, uncontrollable smiles of excitement blossomed on the faces of the others.
Because they all understood that since Wu Changkong had made such a requirement, it meant... he had already agreed!
The smile on Huo Yuhao's face grew even more brilliant, a smile filled with the unique confidence of youth.
He straightened his back and responded with a powerful, resonant voice: "Teacher, don't worry!"
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You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion