The others who still had some sense noticed the situation was off and quickly reached out to stop him.
"Don't fight! don't fight! if you do, you'll get suspended! Everyone, stay clear-headed."
Lu Xiangyang could feel just how angry Shen Kuangye was—extremely angry.
He also knew Shen Kuangye genuinely intended to start a fight. Even though he kept saying "again, calm down," if they dared to speak, his fists would have landed on their faces.
But that was all the more reason he couldn't let Shen Kuangye do something reckless.
Even Ella's team was stunned by Shen Kuangye's gaze. They stammered, "Still wanna fight? Do you think we're scared of you?"
As Shen Kuangye stepped forward, Lu Xiangyang grabbed his sleeve and whispered, "Brother."
The oppressive aura around Shen Kuangye slightly eased at the sound of his voice. In a flat tone, he said, "Go behave at the match."
One match would be enough for him to settle this conflict.
Lu Xiangyang kept holding his sleeve, trying to persuade him: "Brother, don't fight."
Shen Kuangye remained unmoved. As he grabbed Lu Xiangyang's hand to free his sleeve, Lu Xiangyang added, "They're too thick-skinned. If you hit them, your hands will hurt too."
Shen Kuangye turned to look at him.
Cheng Rang snickered.
Li Shu couldn't help but shrug.
The remaining members of Ella: ???
What was even stranger was that Shen Kuangye really did let go, calmly uttering a simple, "Mm."
Lu Xiangyang quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
"What—"
Leah hadn't finished speaking when the commentators outside shouted, "Now let's welcome Ella's survivors to the stage!"
"Let's let you off this time. Don't get caught crying later."
They left after dropping their aggressive words.
"They really can't handle losing," Jiang Chi frowned.
Yi Shui released the hands he had just used to stop them, exhaustedly rubbing his temples: "Xiangyang, go play your match first."
After the match, they would properly set some rules for these little rascals. Getting into fights at the arena—really bold of them.
Having just argued, Ella's team felt it necessary to show Lu Xiangyang a warning.
But Lu Xiangyang wasn't intimidated. He copied what Kong Bai had done in the previous match: as soon as he stepped onto the stage, he banned the Hunter and the Priest first.
Leah tilted his head at him in confusion: "?"
In the match livestream:
[Hahaha, tit for tat!]
[Leah's glare could cut people in half.]
[He probably won't pick the Opera, right? After all, the Prophet is still alive.]
[This feels bad… scared he'll get crushed by Ella.]
[It's normal if he loses, Ella's team is pretty strong too.]
But Lu Xiangyang went straight for the Opera.
He thought about Ella's earlier contemptuous attitude and his heart sank slightly.
Why could they look down on others like that?
This battle, he had to win.
The match began, and his Opera immediately went for the Bartender at the small cabin.
The commentators paused briefly after a few words: "Sun is really aggressive this round."
It wasn't just them. Everyone could sense the immense pressure Lu Xiangyang was exerting in the game, with all strategies maxed out and aggressive pursuit. The Bartender didn't even have time to use Blink before being knocked down.
At this point, only two cipher machines had barely progressed.
Aurora's voice rose: "Sun has a chance this round! Could even get four captures. But it depends on the rescue—saving the Prophet would help, but not much, because the Opera has Blink."
After the survivor saved someone, the Bartender had no time to decode and was knocked down again.
Only three machines had progressed slightly. The Savage was half-health and couldn't rescue.
The Explorer had to step in, and the Prophet's bird was used.
But the Opera's focus was too precise—she kept targeting the Bartender, and with Blink in hand, the Explorer couldn't save him.
The Bartender, aided by the Explorer and Prophet's bird, performed a bold on-the-spot cocktail move, possibly showing off.
Lu Xiangyang blinked in immediately after the bird disappeared, knocking her down.
Drunken Shadow gasped: "This Bartender…"
His brain raced, eventually coming up with a strained explanation: "Maybe didn't expect Opera's Blink to be so decisive."
Aurora nodded in agreement: "Exactly."
The Opera losing a survivor was devastating. Plus, Lu Xiangyang was in perfect form—aggressive pursuit, strong awareness. After quickly knocking down the Prophet, he seemed to almost have x-ray vision, immediately finding the Savage who was hiding outside.
The Savage hadn't even mounted the pig before being struck!
Cheers erupted from the stands!
Drunken Shadow got excited: "A chance! If he knocks down the Savage before machines are finished, Sun's pursuit is perfect!"
In the end, because the machine progress lagged by 7%, the Savage was downed and hooked.
The Explorer outside stopped decoding and prepared to make a move at the gate chair. If possible, he'd grab someone.
But Lu Xiangyang's in-game vision stayed locked in that direction, and he quickly moved.
The Explorer had a magnet and Ferris wheel. He saved the Prophet at the last second, and the Savage was stunned during the rescue.
The Prophet rescued the Savage, but they were all half-health and could barely move.
In the end, Lu Xiangyang scored another four-capture round.
After the game, the director focused the camera on him. The black-haired boy calmly removed his headset, set down his phone, and left.
Everyone could only see his lean back and the EAR—SUN logo on his uniform.
"So cool, Sun!"
Aurora couldn't help but sigh. "For a rookie to perform like this is already amazing. EAR's entire team is in excellent form, taking a big lead in the first round."
Livestream chat:
[Wow, is this still the EAR I know?]
[Weren't they last place?]
[Ahhhh, keep it up, kids! I want to see you in playoffs!]
[10:0 in the first round! Little EAR is on fire.]
[Why is the esports team called Little EAR?]
[I think it's related to EAR's owner. I heard he might be hearing-impaired.]
Lu Xiangyang had just returned to the prep room when he was surrounded. Li Shu led a long stream of praise.
Lu Xiangyang had nowhere to hide until Shen Kuangye came to intervene.
"This is the first time we've had such a huge advantage."
Li Shu's voice trembled with excitement. "Let me play now! I feel terrifyingly strong!"
Shen Kuangye tilted his head at him: "Well played."
Lu Xiangyang's sparkling eyes met his. He slowly shook his head: "Not good enough yet."
He remembered what Shen Kuangye had said about his previous life, winning the Abyss Championship multiple years in a row. Lu Xiangyang wanted to catch up.
Defeating Ella was within his expectations.
For him to reach first place on the leaderboard within months, his talent spoke for itself.
Familiarity with rules and endless study of match replays allowed him to train efficiently. He didn't want to be a brother always needing protection; he wanted to stand on his own, supporting the team.
Yi Shui had learned this time—first thing, close the door to avoid trouble.
Ella didn't bother them anymore. They had just boasted about a four-capture round, but now were down 1:0, their pride hurt.
EAR leading 1:0 against Ella spread across the esports community.
It was like the former last-place team suddenly topped the class; everyone flocked to the livestream.
Some doubted:
[Maybe just a flash in the pan?]
[Playing above their level and think they're invincible?]
EAR soon proved them wrong.
In the second round, Ella played aggressively but made many mistakes due to nerves, barely ending in a draw against EAR.
They could only hope Lu Xiangyang's character pool wasn't too deep. Who knew his selection was as versatile as Kong Bai's?
[This is the true worth of first place on the leaderboard!]
[No way… some still think Sun only plays Opera and Ivy? His stream has every hunter!]
[Who is this boy? He looks so gentle, want to stan.]
[EAR's Sun, 18, first on the leaderboard, multi-role S rank, good temper, no swearing, super handsome, watch with WILD for best effect.]
By the third round, Ella's expressions grew serious.
They had underestimated EAR, thinking them lucky. Now they realized it wasn't luck—EAR's skill had genuinely risen, almost surpassing them.
In esports, gods fall, and new gods rise.
They had a strange premonition: WILD and SUN might be the next rising stars.
Eventually, Ella's hunter could only attempt a four-capture round. The map happened to be EAR's home—Aurora's Memories.
He chose Deer Head, planning to track ID and chase Shen Kuangye's Lawyer, but nearly got escaped through, ending with only three captures.
When Lu Xiangyang returned, he bounced in cheerfully.
"Coach," he said.
Yi Shui smiled: "Mm."
"Can I get a reward?" Lu Xiangyang asked.
"Of course," Yi Shui nodded.
If Ella couldn't achieve a four-escape round this time, they'd lose completely.
Their faces showed no smiles, all frowning as they discussed.
Meanwhile, Lu Xiangyang leisurely scrolled his phone.
"Guess what role Sun will pick this round?" Aurora asked.
"Maybe Fisherwoman or Red Butterfly?"
Drunken Shadow just said that when the screen displayed the role—Red Madame!
Some fans in the stands covered their mouths.
Red Madame, rarely seen on stage after many OP survivors and Ferris Wheels, last appeared last year.
And today, Sun, a newcomer to the professional league, chose Red Madame.
Not only did they not expect it, but the opposing BP didn't either.
At the start, Red Madame's mirror precisely hit the Air Force face, taking a direct hit.
Livestream comments:
[Ella's hysterical today?]
[This Air Force looks like a noob.]
[Coach didn't anticipate Red Madame?]
[Look at Sun's character pool.]
Lu Xiangyang was determined to catch the Air Force. He had Excited skill, giving a few seconds of invincibility at the start, ignoring the Air Force's gun.
Even OB attempts to protect were useless.
The moment the Air Force was hooked, the game was effectively over.
Ella's team turned gray; the match ended in a draw.
Aurora and Drunken Shadow said in unison: "Congratulations to EAR on winning this match!!"
The stands erupted in cheers.
Lu Xiangyang was undoubtedly the FMVP of the match.
He and Shen Kuangye were called for post-match interviews.
When the host asked: "Your team has improved a lot recently. Sun and WILD, any words for your future selves or fans?"
Shen Kuangye answered officially: "Keep it up."
[Bro, say more words, please!]
[Don't be so perfunctory, husband, say more!]
He passed the microphone to Lu Xiangyang, who earnestly said:
"I know we may not have played well before, and some teams may have underestimated us. But I want to say, we are no longer the EAR of the past. We are grateful for everyone's trust and support."
He even gave a slight bow to the audience.
Shen Kuangye tilted his head, only able to see the boy's tight lips and glowing eyes, smiling faintly.
He knew that after this battle, all teams would take EAR seriously.
Their journey was just beginning.
---
After the victory, EAR was ecstatic. Li Shu said: "I just want to show off in front of them now!"
Speaking of the devil, Ella passed by. Li Shu deliberately shouted: "Weren't you gonna get four of us?"
"Don't get cocky," Kong Bai frowned.
Li Shu snorted, dismissive.
That evening, Yi Shui decided to personally cook a celebratory meal.
Lu Xiangyang and Shen Kuangye had no objections, but everyone else looked uneasy.
Li Shu awkwardly laughed: "Brother, maybe we don't need this?"
Yi Shui widened his eyes: "Why? Didn't you say I cook well?"
Shen Kuangye even heard Cheng Rang whisper to Pei Xunan: "Can I pretend my stomach hurts now?"
"..."
A bad premonition struck him.
That night, Yi Shui was proud of his cooking: "Come eat, don't be shy."
Everyone waved them off: "Today's heroes eat first!"
Lu Xiangyang looked a little timid, pleading with his eyes at Shen Kuangye.
"..."
After hesitating a few seconds, Shen Kuangye picked a leafy green and ate it.
The others drank Yi Shui's rib soup like mad, but Shen Kuangye, expressionless under Yi Shui's expectant gaze, picked at the food.
That night, Shen Kuangye got food poisoning.
Just after vomiting in the bathroom, Lu Xiangyang anxiously watched from outside: "Brother, are you okay?"
Shen Kuangye rinsed multiple times until the taste was gone, then shook his head, stubbornly saying, "I'm fine."
Seeing his pale face, Lu Xiangyang felt guilty.
If he had known, he wouldn't have let Shen Kuangye shield him.
One glance and Shen Kuangye knew what he was thinking.
He lightly pinched Lu Xiangyang's face: "Don't overthink."
Lu Xiangyang, holding his sleeve tightly, asked nervously: "Brother, if you're still not feeling well, should we go to the hospital?"
Shen Kuangye's stomach felt better after vomiting once. He rubbed Lu Xiangyang's head: "Don't worry, much better now."
"Do you want something light to eat? I can make it." Lu Xiangyang asked.
Although his stomach still spasmed, Shen Kuangye smiled lightly: "Okay."
After Lu Xiangyang went downstairs, Shen Kuangye returned to the bathroom for a long while.
He realized why others were reluctant to eat.
When he came out, Lu Xiangyang was downstairs cooking noodles.
Only the kitchen light on the first floor was on. Lu Xiangyang, in little bear pajamas, focused intently on cooking. The warm light cast over him, making Shen Kuangye a little dazed.
He felt… like he had a home.
Shen Kuangye stood nearby, watching. Lu Xiangyang noticed and smiled: "Brother, three more minutes, okay?"
Shen Kuangye's heart skipped a beat. His Adam's apple moved, and he quietly hummed, then leaned against the doorway watching him cook.
When Lu Xiangyang brought out two bowls of noodles, Shen Kuangye instinctively handed the one with a fried egg to him.
Lu Xiangyang didn't stop him, quietly taking the chopsticks.
When Shen Kuangye stirred the noodles, he noticed two fried eggs at the bottom. He looked up at Lu Xiangyang, who lightly snorted: "Knew you'd give me the one with the egg."
Shen Kuangye smiled faintly, tasting the familiar flavor.
For some reason, Lu Xiangyang's cooking always tasted better than his own.
"Brother, I just looked up food poisoning. There might be aftereffects. Want me to stay with you tomorrow?" Lu Xiangyang asked, slightly worried.
Shen Kuangye's heart leapt. He playfully said: "Don't worry, I'll be fine, just hang out with your friends."
Lu Xiangyang hesitated: "Really?"
Shen Kuangye hummed: "Really, I'm fine now."
Lu Xiangyang observed a moment, saw his complexion improve and lips redden, and exhaled: "Alright then."
Shen Kuangye: "?"
Shen Kuangye: "..."