"Xiao Zhang, I concede. I admit defeat—you win!"
Qiangu Yunying withdrew her Flame Plundering Spear martial spirit. Her body felt weak, sweat soaked her clothes, and she spoke with a helpless smile.
Only then did Yin Zhang finally let out a long breath. With a flap of his wings, he slowly descended to the ground and dismissed his Charizard martial spirit.
It's finally done.
Although the System mission hadn't specified a time limit, Yin Zhang felt it was better to complete it as soon as possible. If the Charizard X Mega Stone were taken away, there was no guarantee he'd ever get another chance.
"Sister Yunying, thank you for the match."
Truthfully, Yin Zhang had held back during the later stages of the battle.
Once Qiangu Yunying's physical stamina began to decline, he could have overwhelmed her entirely with spirit abilities. A powerful technique like Solar Beam could even be cast instantly under Sunny Day.
Since he wasn't short on spirit power, ending the fight quickly wouldn't have been difficult.
But Qiangu Yunying had always treated him well—and because of Uncle Qiangu—he chose not to force a decisive victory. Instead, he dragged the fight out until she conceded on her own. That way, she preserved her dignity, and he still completed his mission.
"I declare Yin Zhang the winner!"
Wu Deqing announced quickly after snapping out of his shock.
Clap, clap, clap—
Applause erupted from the students. What they felt now wasn't disbelief anymore—it was awe.
By the later stages of the battle, everyone could clearly see the difference between the two.
Yin Zhang's spirit power reserves were astonishing. Because he fought while flying, his physical stamina was barely taxed, and his spirit power seemed endlessly abundant. He used high-consumption spirit abilities as casually as basic attacks.
Qiangu Yunying, on the other hand, was physically exhausted. Her grip on the Flame Plundering Spear had grown unsteady, and even jumping required great effort. Meanwhile, Yin Zhang only needed to flap his wings to evade her attacks with ease.
It was the perfect demonstration of "kiting."
"Phew—"
Qiangu Yunying wiped the sweat from her face and sat down directly on the ground.
Even though the ground was still scorching hot from Sunny Day, she no longer cared and focused on catching her breath.
"You brat, why aren't you helping Yunying up?" Qiangu Yuan walked over and lightly kicked Yin Zhang. "This is the first time she's ended up in such a sorry state—and you're the one who caused it."
The one who caused it?
Yin Zhang's face flushed slightly. He coughed and walked over.
"Sister Yunying, let me help you up. Let's go sit over there."
"Mm, fine. If I'd known your spirit power was basically endless and you spent it like it cost nothing, I would've conceded earlier," Qiangu Yunying said, rolling her eyes as she accepted his help. "Now I'm completely worn out."
Qiangu Yuan then turned to Wu Deqing, smiling.
"Teacher Wu, Xiao Zhang can officially join the Spirit Hall Academy Team now, right?"
Wu Deqing answered immediately.
"Of course. But with Xiao Zhang's current strength, should he be Captain or Vice-Captain?"
"Vice-Captain," Qiangu Yuan replied without hesitation. "After all, Yunying still has far higher spirit power. Anything else would feel awkward."
As for the former Vice-Captain, Zhou Wu—
He was already crying in the bathroom (funny.jpg).
Soon, another piece of news spread like wildfire through Spirit Hall Academy.
Yin Zhang had defeated the academy's strongest student—the Level 53 Spirit King, Qiangu Yunying.
Yesterday's rumors had barely cooled down when this bombshell reignited the entire academy.
Some even shouted that Spirit Hall Academy was about to produce a Deity.
Although no one truly believed it—after all, a Deity was a realm above a Titled Douluo—it perfectly reflected Yin Zhang's explosive popularity.
Hu Liena and Xie Yue hadn't been present for the match, but they were thrilled when they heard the news.
"Brother Zhang, you didn't tell me!" Hu Liena pouted. "I thought you were just sparring with Sister Yunying this afternoon."
Xie Yue added, "Brother Zhang, tell us how the battle went."
Yin Zhang laughed.
"It was alright. I had an early advantage due to information differences, then dragged things out until Sister Yunying conceded."
"Oh, so that's how it was," Hu Liena nodded thoughtfully.
Yin Zhang coughed lightly.
"Sister Yunying asked me to invite you both out for barbecue at noon. Want to come?"
"Barbecue? Yes, yes!" Hu Liena replied eagerly.
The dormitories in the Elite District were vastly superior to those of the lower grades.
Each student had a private room, spacious and fully equipped, far better than the crowded dorms of Nuoding Academy. The facilities were complete, and the living conditions could be called the best on the entire Douluo Continent.
After being helped back to the girls' dormitory by Zhou Yuanyuan, Qiangu Yunying took a moment to clean up and rest, washing away the fatigue from the battle.
Yin Zhang also returned to his own room, cleaned up, changed clothes, and headed out.
At the gates of Spirit Hall Academy—
Qiangu Yunying stood to Yin Zhang's left, casually resting her right hand on his shoulder.
Hu Liena stood on his right, tightly holding his hand.
Xie Yue stood slightly off to the side.
Xie Yue: I knew I shouldn't have come!
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