After being scolded by Ren Yunying, Chloe finally dragged herself reluctantly onto the arena platform, gripping the railing as she climbed up.
As soon as she stood up and looked around, Chloe's eyes immediately fell on Qu Yan standing opposite her.
A question mark slowly rose in her mind, and she turned to ask her companion:
"When did Sister Qu sneak over to that side?"
Qin Huaibei disapproved: "How can you use such a word? People might think my cousin is a monkey."
Chloe ignored his strange focus and repeated her question.
This time Anderson answered: "When we first entered the arena, she went to the other side with the others."
Hearing this, Chloe was silent for a moment, then looked back at Qu Yan who was limbering up on the opposite side:
"I guess it's because I'm not likeable after all. Otherwise, why would Sister Qu leave without saying a word?"
Qin Huaibei: "..."
Daniel couldn't bear it anymore: "She told you, but you didn't hear!"
"Is that so?" Chloe didn't seem to care much. "Well, that's that then."
As soon as she finished speaking, the sharp sound of a blade being unsheathed rang out, and a heavy sword suddenly appeared in Chloe's hand.
The blade of this sword was slightly curved, flashing with a sharp white light, with a faint hint of bloodthirst.
Chloe's slender fingers caressed the blade, then she rested the sword on her shoulder: "When do we start?"
As she spoke, her eyebrows arched up, the corners of her eyes carrying a reckless smile.
This display of confidence was so dazzling that it instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.
Coupled with the girl's strikingly beautiful appearance, after two seconds of silence, the audience erupted into thunderous cheers.
These cheers also stirred up the fighting spirit of Qin Huaibei and the others, who took out their weapons from their mustard rings amidst the noise.
Everyone in the audience had watched the Joint Military Academy Competition from five years ago.
That competition could be called a classic. Although many more had been held since then, only the one with Chloe and her cohort had maintained such a huge online following and discussion for five years.
Comparing the tender faces of the young cubs from five years ago with the faces of the young adults now gave people a sense of time and space being torn apart.
The atmosphere in the arena became even more feverish.
The group on Qu Yan's side was clearly affected as well, their movements becoming more brisk as they donned their protective gear.
One of the team members said with some dissatisfaction:
"Why are they all cheering for The No.1 Military Academy? They're students of our Tagar too, after all."
Another picked up the thread:
"What's there to be upset about? Which military school student nowadays doesn't like Chloe and her group?"
This was indeed true. Even if they weren't military school students, ordinary people would seek out recordings of the Joint Military Academy Competition to watch.
Compared to the purely dry military contests that came later, Chloe and her team brought their own humor and topics of discussion, making it easy to win people's favor.
Just as they were enthusiastically discussing this, Qu Yan timely reminded them:
"Alright, quiet down now. It's time to enter the arena."
As soon as she finished speaking, no one dared to open their mouth again.
The Tagar Military Academy team slowly walked towards the center of the arena.
During this time, one of the teammates remembered something and turned to the boy at the back who hadn't spoken a word:
"Hey, I know you really like Chloe, but this is a competition today. Don't let us down at a crucial moment."
The boy at the back raised his eyes and gave him a cold look, his eyes full of impatience.
It was a look of irritation.
The teammate who spoke choked, sheepishly turning his head back.
He had almost forgotten that the guy at the back wasn't exactly easy to deal with either.
After both teams had taken their positions, Chloe was the first to extend her hand towards Qu Yan, with a genuine smile:
"Sister Qu, we're facing each other again."
Qu Yan's expression remained calm as she gripped Chloe's hand and shook it firmly, her tone determined:
"This time, we won't lose."
Chloe raised an eyebrow: "Well then, let's see about that."
As soon as she finished speaking, a sharp whistle pierced through the entire arena.
Almost instantly, both teams rushed towards each other at the same speed.
In terms of reaction speed, they were evenly matched.
Whether intentional or not, the distribution of personnel in the arena was very loose, basically one-on-one.
Chloe faced Qu Yan, while the others spread out, forming an odd pentagon.
This arrangement made the entire competition less intense, but it also looked more aesthetically pleasing and orderly, rather than a meaningless free-for-all.
After years of practice, Chloe and her great sword could be said to work together seamlessly.
The sword in her hands was ever-changing, capable of any trick she wanted to perform, truly achieving unity between person and weapon.
Since this was considered a friendly match, Chloe didn't use any killing moves.
Even so, Chloe's sword strikes were still difficult to defend against.
Swift and sharp, always making one fear that the next second would sever a major artery.
As blade met sword, Chloe looked through the crossed weapons at Qu Yan, her expression playful as she said:
"Sister Qu is so amazing, to have fought with me for so long."
Qu Yan glanced at the clock not far away, seeing that only two minutes had passed, and didn't know how to respond.
So she could only furrow her brow and scold:
"Focus."
Chloe blinked innocently: "I am very focused."
As she finished speaking, the girl swung her great sword towards Qu Yan's knee in a backhand strike.
Qu Yan barely dodged it, while at the same time putting strength into her arm to slash with her sword.
After many years apart, Qu Yan's only feeling was — hmm, Chloe still fights as dirty as ever.
Even against her beloved Sister Qu, Chloe showed no mercy.
This was her way — no matter who she faced, nothing could stop her from using underhanded tactics.
Chloe's greatest advantage was that she was shameless enough.
No, it should be said that the greatest advantage of Chloe and those around her was that they were shameless enough.
Hearing the painful wails of her teammates from not far away, Qu Yan's expression became more serious, and she responded even more earnestly.
Chloe, however, remained calm and unhurried, even finding the leisure to chat with Qu Yan.
"I hadn't noticed before, but Sister Qu has become even more beautiful."
"Sister Qu, your sword is so pretty, much nicer than my blade. Where did you buy it?"
"Sister Qu..."
"Sister Qu..."
Qu Yan strongly suspected this was Chloe's strategy, attempting to distract her attention in this way!
So Qu Yan ignored it all completely.
Several minutes passed, and everyone present had accumulated some wounds as the battlefield gradually shrank.
No one knew who started it, but eventually Chloe and a student from Tagar ended up back-to-back.
They turned their heads and were both startled for a moment.
After a brief silence, Chloe made a split-second decision. She spun around and kicked the back of the Tagar student's heel.
With his stance destabilized, that student was immediately kicked down to his knees.
It turned out the one fighting that Tagar student was Daniel.
Seeing the young man kneeling before him, Daniel was momentarily at a loss. He instinctively reached out his hand and said:
"Hey brother, I know you can't beat me, but there's no need to pay such formal respects, is there?"
The Tagar student: "..."
Bullshit! As if he wanted to kneel down!
