Chapter 455: The Defeat That Wasn't, The Victory That Was

Amidst the searing blaze, the power within Chan Rong surged like boiling magma, transforming into waves of luminous martial qi that burst outward in a mist-like haze.

In his Sea of Consciousness, his thoughts rose like a blazing sun, dispelling every trace of negativity.

As his final words left his lips, Chan Rong’s incandescent, flame-lit eyes turned toward the Wanfa team’s construction site.

After watching the previous match between Wanfa University and Golden River University through the Spiritual Realm, Chan Rong had carefully reviewed the team’s roster. He had immediately determined that Li Zhen and Xiao Qingxuan were the ones to watch.

Upon returning, he had ordered an investigation into the Wanfa students he'd observed—and, as expected, the findings matched his instincts.

“Xiao Qingxuan’s background is murky, but anyone who racks up over ten thousand spirit coins in debt is certainly worth keeping an eye on.”

“Li Zhen’s control over Earthfiend Qi is quite unique. He may not be able to change the outcome of a match, but he can shave years off my lifespan and drain my health insurance. Better not let him get too close.”

However, one person had caught him off guard—Zhang Yu.

“I didn’t expect Zhang Yu to have earned a Military License in his third year. And he’s somewhat well-known even within Wanfa University.”

“But as a third-year, there’s no way he’s mastered the full Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes. He can’t possibly unleash the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might yet.”

“If he wants to stand on equal footing with me, he’ll need to refine himself for several more years.”

“Although later investigations revealed some surprises, my initial judgment was mostly accurate…”

These thoughts flashed across Chan Rong’s mind like lightning. Radiance pulsed around him as the battlefield below began to smolder.

The earth itself was catching fire spontaneously. Dirt and sand melted under the rising heat, scorched into molten forms.

With his mastery of the Great Sun Qi Sea Technique, Chan Rong was confident: even if he stood still and simply channeled his technique, that alone would be enough to defeat the enemy.

Under the relentless heat, his opponents wouldn’t even be able to complete the most basic construction tasks.

But then, a figure suddenly leapt into the air.

“Zhang Yu?”

“Got another trick up your sleeve?”

Chan Rong narrowed his eyes, watching the airborne figure, immediately shifting to a defensive stance.

Though reason told him he couldn’t possibly lose this match, his instincts wouldn’t allow him to underestimate any opponent—he wouldn't risk even the slightest economic loss.

Zhang Yu let out a hearty laugh.

“Now that’s a real military-grade technique! Can’t believe my first fight against a top-tier opponent is against someone this powerful.”

But just as the words left his mouth, Chan Rong realized something was off. Zhang Yu wasn’t charging at him—he was running away. Fast.

In the blink of an eye, he was almost out of the arena.

From afar, Zhang Yu’s proud voice rang out. “I gift you my first defeat in the intercollegiate league.”

“When I’ve mastered the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might, I’ll return to face you again!”

Chan Rong gave a cold chuckle. So my judgment was spot-on. Unless Mo Shangjin returns, this generation of Wanfa students is going nowhere.

On the sidelines, Su Yanyang watched the scene unfold and quietly applauded.

“Impressive. Only someone with a Military License would dare to be the first to surrender. That’s what I call leadership.”

Just as he was about to let out a dramatic howl and follow suit, he saw Xiao Yunji already dashing away like a streak of lightning.

“Vajra University, this match is clearly unbalanced! We look forward to a fair rematch next time!”

Xiao Yunji’s gaze lingered on Zhang Yu’s retreating figure.

While we hesitated and wavered, he took the first step without hesitation. Perhaps Zhang Yu is one of the few civil engineering students who… truly knows what responsibility means.

Li Zhen launched himself forward right after, quickly overtaking Xiao Yunji on his way out of the arena.

“Using military-grade strength from the start? Only a fool would stick around to fight that!”

As teammate after teammate accelerated their retreat, Su Yanyang hurried to catch up.

These guys are fast. So they’d planned this all along, huh?

…

Inside the Spiritual Realm Network.

A student from Vajra University watching the match remarked, “Did Wanfa just surrender without even trying? Are they done for?”

Li Zhen shot back, “What’s your rank at Vajra? How many matches have you competed in? Think you know better than us?”

Yu Xinghan chimed in, “If you’re not in your department’s top 100, don’t bother talking.”

Gongshu Jin added, “Exactly. When facing military-grade power, retreating before taking a single hit is a kind of victory.”

Ying Xin: “To lead your team to safety, unburdened by pride or ego, to be the first to surrender… isn't that the true winner of this battle?”

Shi Yunxiang: “Take notes, all of you. If you don’t know when to bail out, you’ll be shoveling dirt your whole life.”

Elsewhere, watching Zhang Yu’s dramatic exit, Mo Shangjin nodded.

“Well done. When it’s time to cut losses, cut them. When it’s time to run, run. You didn’t disappoint me today.”

He mused aloud, “In this world, the wise avoid fighting stronger foes. They build experience by crushing the weak.”

“A true powerhouse only fights the weak. Avoid the strong. That’s the rule.”

“You did exactly what you should’ve. If others can’t understand, that’s their failure. They simply lack a true champion’s heart. Ignore them.”

Zhang Yu waved it off with a modest smile.

“Nothing much. I just didn’t want my teammates to suffer losses. We had to pull off a strategic relocation and secure a tactical win.”

Inwardly, he thought, I’ll learn the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might soon. Why waste my life now fighting a military-grade monster?

“Heh. You’re absolutely right.”

Mo Shangjin turned to the slowly dimming "sun" in the sky, smiling faintly.

“If Vajra runs into us in the loser’s bracket, they’ll realize—this wasn’t their victory. It was their loss.”

“Because they failed to inflict serious damage on us, that alone makes this match part of their eventual downfall—and one of our reasons to win.”

…

As Zhang Yu led his team to a successful strategic withdrawal…

In the audience of the Spiritual Realm Network, a voice from Immortal Soldier University spoke.

Wangou Xuan muttered, “Even facing Vajra University, Mo Shangjin didn’t take the field. Looks like his injuries really are serious.”

He sighed. “A shame. With Wanfa now in the loser’s bracket, it’s unlikely I’ll get to face them.”

Remembering how Mo Shangjin had crushed his entire team last year—crippling them one by one and bankrupting their health insurance—Wangou Xuan’s eyes gleamed with hatred.

Just then, another voice cut in.

“You’re not the only one who wants a piece of Mo Shangjin.”

“He’s injured so many competitors over the years—who wouldn’t want to strike now that he’s down?”

Wangou Xuan turned toward the Spiritual Realm projection beside him.

“So you came, Xiangshan.”

Before him stood Xiangshan, the civil engineering prodigy from Demon-Beast University—a military-grade champion and last year’s top contender.

Watching the arena, Xiangshan thought, Just like Teacher Tianxiang said. Zhang Yu may have earned a Military License, but without years of refinement, he can’t use a military-grade technique. No threat for now.

Smiling, Xiangshan said, “At this rate, if Mo Shangjin doesn’t show up, Wanfa will be eliminated by either your Immortal Soldier University or Vajra University.”

Wangou Xuan narrowed his eyes. “You’re saying Demon-Beast University can’t eliminate us?”

Xiangshan replied flatly, “You think otherwise?”

“Everyone knows our demon race has the Low-Demon Rights advantage. Out of a hundred billion demons, only a billion are demon-kin—the rest are just beasts.”

“In civil engineering, that gives us a massive edge. It’s why Demon-Beast University dominates construction fields.”

He shot a casual glance at Wangou Xuan.

“That’s your human race’s structural flaw. Want to beat us? Start by letting your low-tier cultivators eat meat three times a day.”

Wangou Xuan snorted. “What the hell do you know? Demon-Beast University’s very reliance on that is why you’ll never surpass us in high-end Immortal Dao technology. You think your cheap demon-force advantage will last forever?”

“Wait until we achieve large-scale mass production of high-intelligence artifact spirits…”

Xiangshan waved him off. “Let’s talk when that happens. Didn’t Pleasure and Harmony University just have an incident? Even got tied up with cults.”

“We at Demon-Beast University only use soul cultivators. No artifact spirits. Much more stable.”

Wangou Xuan snapped, “That’s just growing pains for Immortal Dao advancement…”

Xiangshan smirked. “If I were you, I wouldn’t waste time on grand problems. That’s for Nascent Soul cultivators to worry about.”

“You’d do better worrying about whether your folks can afford meat—or worrying about Chan Rong. He seems like a real threat to your university.”

With that, Xiangshan’s figure vanished.

Wangou Xuan glared at the empty space, gave a cold snort, and disconnected from the Spiritual Realm.

…

Meanwhile, although their retreat was a strategic success, Su Yanyang and the others remained worried about future matches.

In the competition group chat:

Su Yanyang: We’re in the loser’s bracket now. What if we face another military-grade opponent?

Xiao Yunji: Mo-senior, how much longer are you going to lie down?

Mo Shangjin: If you all chip in for treatment fees, I might recover a bit faster.

Xiao Yunji: Zhang Yu, can you master the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might before the tournament ends?

Su Yanyang: Another military-grade labor force, plus tournament results—that’s a win-win. Why’s the department still delaying it? Making you wait until next year for the last of the Seven Absolutes?

Zhang Yu: Don’t be like that. The department has its own challenges. Everything’s got to go through proper procedures.

Just then, Zhang Yu glanced at his private messages and saw one from Director Gao.

Director Gao: You did great in this match.

Director Gao: News of our drop to the loser’s bracket spread fast. Lord Qiyun stepped in, and now Director Lin won’t give you any more trouble over the Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes.

Director Gao: The schedule’s been pushed up. On the first day of next month, you’ll learn the Seventh Absolute.