Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul, the Fangtian Halberd, Empowers Me with Filial Piety

Chapter 61 Kowtowing is too feudal, how about calling him "master" instead?

As dusk settles, the night in Tianhai City is illuminated by countless soul-guided lights, making it as bright as day.

After a busy day, the federal residents returned home to enjoy a cozy dinner prepared by their wives, then settled comfortably on the sofa and turned on the TV.

At this moment, the most attention-grabbing event is naturally the Tianhai Alliance Grand Tournament, which has recently become a sensation throughout the city. This competition can almost be regarded as a regional selection for next year's All-Federation Grand Tournament, attracting countless eyes.

"Dear viewers, good evening! Welcome to Tianjin Tianhai Stadium. I'm your commentator, Su Yun'er!"

A clear and passionate voice resounded throughout the arena via the soul-guided loudspeaker, and also entered the living rooms of thousands of households in the Federation.

"Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night! After a day of fierce competition, the top eight teams for our doubles competition have all been determined!"

"And tonight, under these dazzling lights, we will witness the birth of the final four! Every match will be a fierce battle, so please stay tuned!"

Inside Tianhai Stadium, the atmosphere was bustling with noise, and a huge soul-guided screen floated in the air, capturing every detail of the stadium from various angles.

After two more intense battles in the afternoon, Jiang Yi and his partner successfully advanced to the quarterfinals, securing their tickets to tonight's quarterfinals.

In the waiting area, Jiang Yi stood calmly to one side, while Xu Xiaoyan seemed a little nervous, her face flushed slightly, and she was trying to adjust her state.

I never expected the event organizers to go to such lengths!
Compared to the daytime event, this was undoubtedly much more grand. Under countless spotlights, Xu Xiaoyan, who had always been a well-behaved girl, couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"I'm here, don't worry."

Jiang Yi turned his head and looked at her like this, and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

After several battles, the two of them grew much closer without even realizing it.

"The president is not tall!"

Xu Xiaoyan muttered and rolled her eyes at Jiang Yi, but she didn't actually dodge his hand; her cheeks just turned even redder.

"Smaller is better!"

Jiang Yi blinked, withdrew his hand, and spoke with a hint of teasing.

In his eyes, Xu Xiaoyan's personality is more lively and cute when she is petite; otherwise, she would lose her unique charm.

Just then, two figures, exuding a sharp aura, walked straight toward them.

"Is it you?"

Xu Xiaoyan looked up and was surprised.

The newcomers were Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, who would also be Jiang Yi and Xu Xiaoyan's opponents in their next match.

When Xu Xiaoyan learned of the draw results, she was very surprised. Why would Shrek Academy participate in the competition?
"Humph!"

Ye Xinglan snorted lightly, ignoring Xu Xiaoyan, and instead focused her gaze on Jiang Yi standing to the side.

Shrek Academy participated in the competition through special channels and was not involved in the final championship contest.

The event organizers were happy to create buzz, so they scheduled their match for the prime time slot of 8 p.m.

This is undoubtedly putting Shrek in a very difficult position, but Shrek is quite confident.

"Jiang Yi!"

Ye Xinglan stopped in front of Jiang Yi and slightly raised her chin.

Her bright, sharp eyes gleamed with fighting spirit, making no attempt to conceal their provocation.

In these matches, Jiang Yi made few shots, but each one was crucial, and his strength did indeed exceed her initial expectations.

But that's all. Tonight, she'll expose his true colors.

"What? Something wrong?"

Jiang Yi looked up at her with some confusion. Could it be that there was a pre-match trash talk phase?
"After this match, I really want to hear you say those words again in person..."

Ye Xinglan's lips curled into a confident smile, her voice clear yet tinged with obvious mockery.

"That's the saying... Our Donghai Academy is no worse than anyone else's!"

Ye Xinglan imitated Jiang Yi's tone from that day, exuding a strong sense of adolescent angst.

"..."

Jiang Yi was speechless for a moment, and a rare hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.

Brother, you caught me being a chuunibyou for the only time, didn't you?
He was just saying it casually, hoping to gain some favor with Wu Changkong.

Who would have thought that this young girl with blond hair would be so petty, still holding a grudge until now, and even coming to rub salt in the wound before the competition.

"Humph!"

Seeing that Jiang Yi was speechless for a moment, Ye Xinglan let out a soft snort, her smugness growing even stronger.

Are you scared now?

Suddenly, Ye Xinglan's eyes flashed again, and a thought arose in her mind.

She took half a step closer to Jiang Yi and said provocatively.

"How about we make a bet?" Simply defeating Jiang Yi was no longer enough for her; she had come up with an idea that would humiliate him even more.

"What are you gambling?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow, looked at Ye Xinglan, and waited for her to continue.

"Let's bet on this match!"

Ye Xinglan stared intently at Jiang Yi.

"If you lose, you'll have to go to the entrance of Shrek Academy, kneel down, and kowtow a hundred times. How about that?"

"Oh?" Jiang Yi chuckled and countered, "And what if you lost?"

"I can't lose."

Ye Xinglan raised her chin and gave a soft snort, but after a slight pause, she added a sentence.

"If I really lose... do whatever you want with me, I'll go to the gate of Donghai Academy and kowtow a hundred times."

"Tsk."

Jiang Yi stroked his chin, looked her up and down, and then shook his head.

"What? You don't dare?"

Upon seeing this, a hint of disdain flashed in Ye Xinglan's eyes.

"No, that's not it,"

Jiang Yi spoke slowly.

"I just think kowtowing is too feudal. We are civilized people. How about we change it? If you lose... then call me 'master' a hundred times. It has to be sincere and genuine, not perfunctory."

Jiang Yi's gaze swept over Ye Xinglan, with a hint of amusement and scrutiny.

This was the first time he had ever seen someone deliver themselves to his door.

Ye Xinglan frowned. The other person's undisguised gaze made her feel uncomfortable, as if she had become a fish on a chopping board.

Xu Lizhi, who was standing next to them, watched the two of them go further and further into their own world. His chubby cheeks twitched suddenly, and he almost dropped the steamed bun in his hand.

Xu Lizhi secretly tugged at Ye Xinglan's sleeve and whispered his advice.

"Sister Xinglan, how about... we just forget about it?"

For some reason, a strong sense of unease welled up in his heart, as if Sister Xinglan was deliberately jumping into some bottomless pit.

Ye Xinglan slapped his hand away, full of confidence and not taking it seriously.

"Just bet!"

Ye Xinglan readily agreed, for in swordsmanship, the brave always prevail when paths cross!

If we back down, where is our sword spirit?
"Okay! It's a deal!"

Jiang Yi looked at Ye Xinglan with a smile and raised his right hand.

"A word is settled!"

Ye Xinglan also raised her hand and gave him a high five as a pledge.

The two exchanged a smile, each lost in their own thoughts, as if they had already foreseen the other's surrender.

"Little foodie, let's go!"

Ye Xinglan gave Jiang Yi one last confident glance, then turned and left with Xu Lizhi, full of vigor.

Xu Lizhi watched her retreating figure, then turned back to look at Jiang Yi, who had a calm and collected expression, and his unease grew stronger.

But he had no choice but to grimace and hurry after them.

"Jiang Yi, what exactly is going on?"

After the two people walked away, Xu Xiaoyan came over and asked with her big, curious eyes.

She could tell that there seemed to be a past relationship between Jiang Yi and that girl from Shrek Academy.

"Well, that's a long story. It all started with Wu Ling..."

Jiang Yi smiled and recounted his previous encounter with Ye Xinglan.

……

Meanwhile, on the other side, in the private room on the dais.

The environment here is elegant and quiet, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle below. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the entire stadium.

Wu Changkong, dressed in white, remained as aloof and pure as snow. He stood by the window, with a gentle and graceful woman beside him, none other than Shen Yi.

(End of this chapter)