Time rewinds five minutes earlier.

In the front row of the audience, the leadership section buzzed with cheerful conversation.

“Principal Wang, once the provincial tournament ends, would your school be open to a friendly match with ours?” Asked Fu Huaiyang, principal of Jiangyang No. 1 High School, with a broad smile.

A friendly match refers to a competition held to foster camaraderie, exchange experiences, and improve combat standards.

Schools are inherently competitive, especially those close in rank. Every year, they vie for outstanding students through various tactics.

Although Jiangyang No. 1 High is a city-level key high school, it still falls a notch below Shengshui High. The two schools aren’t in the same city, so there’s no direct rivalry.

With Qiao Sang's recent rise at Shengshui High, particularly her victory yesterday over Ruan Yunwen, who owned the advanced-tier pet beast Glide Owl, using just her Treasure-Seeking Demon, Shengshui High had quickly become the talk of parents scouting for schools for their middle-school-aged children.

Tying Jiangyang No. 1 High to Shengshui High through a friendly match, coupled with some media promotion, would boost their reputation significantly.

The other principals present, experienced veterans, instantly saw through Fu Huaiyang’s intentions.

Before Wang Weidou could respond, Wu Zhipeng, principal of Hanwen Beast Taming No. 9 High, interjected casually:

“Principal Fu, isn’t Jiangyang No. 1 High quite far from Hanggang City? Why not first consult Principal Huang from Litan Beast Taming High School, since you're both in the same city?”

Huang Renbiao stayed silent, unfazed.

Friendly match with Litain? You mean letting my students get mentally crushed by Ding Yanjing? Fu Huaiyang glanced at Huang Renbiao and chuckled:

“Principal Huang is always so busy, but if the opportunity arises, I’d certainly welcome it. Of course, it’d only be for our first- and second-year students. After the final National Campus Beast Mastering league, we wouldn’t want to distract the seniors from their academics.”

Wu Zhipeng laughed.

“I’m not worried about distractions. With Litan’s consistent top-tier performance in the national tournaments, I doubt any of their students will struggle to get into elite universities. I imagine many institutions are already offering them scholarships.”

Then, turning to Huang Renbiao, he added:

“Principal Huang, are we scheduling our friendly match after the provincial tournament as usual?”

What a sycophant... Fu Huaiyang shot Wu Zhipeng a side-eye glance.

It’s not flattery; it’s networking. Wu Zhipeng’s expression subtly challenged him back.

Does this guy even get it?

As a longtime ally of Litan Beast Taming High, Wu Zhipeng knew about Ding Yanjing’s Guwei Blossom evolving into a Guwei Sunflower.

Sure, the students may dislike competing against Ding Yanjing, but if they can’t handle this, what real potential do they have? Facing adversity and overcoming it fosters growth. Only by confronting their challenges can they truly advance.

Meanwhile, Huang Renbiao replied evenly:

“That’s fine. However, if Jiangyang No. 1 High also wants a friendly match, it might need to be scheduled later. After the provincial tournament, our first- and second-year team members will be training with Ding Yanjing, leaving time for only one match.”

Wu Zhipeng grinned. Fu Huaiyang’s forced smile faltered slightly.

Though he’d anticipated rejection, it still stung, especially when Huang Renbiao accepted Hanwen Beast Taming No. 9 High before declining Jiangyang No. 1 High.

For principals at their level, public face sometimes outweighs practical benefits.

At that moment, Wang Weidou chimed in:

“Now, now, Principal Fu approached our school first for a friendly match. I’m sure he has no time to spare after that.”

Fu Huaiyang, startled, quickly brightened up.

“Exactly, Principal Wang, you’re absolutely right!”

Huang Renbiao glanced at Wang Weidou, who met his gaze head-on, a silent clash of wills erupting between them.

Just then, an announcement echoed through the venue:

“The matchups have been finalized. Please check the large screens.”

Almost immediately, a slightly chubby middle-aged man with a crew cut bolted upright in the leadership section, his expression incredulous as he stared at the virtual screen:

“How could this be?!”

Wang Weidou and Huang Renbiao turned toward the screen. When their gazes landed on two specific names, their eyes widened in unison, their faces mirroring shock.

Then, they locked eyes again, the tension between them now a hundredfold stronger.

Around them, other leaders froze momentarily, confusion and astonishment spreading as they noticed the unexpected pairing:

Ding Yanjing from Litan Beast Taming High School vs. Qiao Sang from Shengshui High School!

In the competitors' zone.

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Qiao Sang, your opponent is Ding Yanjing!” He Datou exclaimed in utter disbelief.

Xu Yixuan’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“First Ruan Yunwen yesterday, now Ding Yanjing today... What kind of luck is this?”

Luck? This was all orchestrated...

Qiao Sang glanced at Ding Yanjing, wondering if he was aware of the path his school had paved for him.

Ding Yanjing, however, merely raised an eyebrow at the matchup on the screen, his expression calm and unaffected.

Li Zonglin clicked his tongue.

“Didn’t expect Qiao Sang to face you right after beating Ruan Yunwen. I thought Old Zhang-”

He abruptly stopped mid-sentence.

Wang Rui frowned.

“If Old Zhang arranged this, it’s not exactly fair. Qiao Sang clearly has the skill to reach the top three. Forcing this matchup is low.”

“Maybe it really was a random draw.” Li Zonglin said.

“Qiao Sang’s strong, sure, but she’s no threat to Ding-ge. With Ruan Yunwen already eliminated, the first place is ours. There’s no need for tricks.”

Ding Yanjing spoke up:

“Whether Old Zhang set this up or not, it doesn’t matter. I’d face her sooner or later. No point overthinking it.”

Just then, Li Zonglin nudged Ding Yanjing, lowering his voice conspiratorially:

“Looks like Qiao Sang’s watching you.”

Ding Yanjing turned his head and indeed saw Qiao Sang staring at him.

He smiled at her, a friendly, almost charming gesture.

When it came to pretty girls about to lose to him, Ding Yanjing always played the gentleman.