Douluo: Twin Origins, Suppressing the World

Chapter 142 Please defeat me severely!
Her lips parted slightly, trembling, as if Ma Xiaotao wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn't utter a word, only letting out a murmur mixed with inexplicable emotions:
"I see. Then it seems the champion this time will be Star Luo Royal Academy..."

For some reason, even though she felt her team would lose, Ma Xiaotao didn't feel much disappointment, only a little melancholy, and...

happy?

That's right, it's exhilarating.

Thinking about the failure she was about to face, Ma Xiaotao couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

Don't get me wrong, she doesn't have any strange Stockholm syndrome. This feeling of relief didn't come from thinking about her failure, but from thinking about those college executives who made her feel very uncomfortable.

Ma Xiaotao is now quite hoping that those reserve team guys can hold out until the time comes to face Star Luo Royal Academy.

If Shrek Academy's numerous championship titles were to be ended by a student they forced to drop out of school, how would the school's higher-ups feel?
The thought of such things seemed to ease Ma Xiaotao's suppressed emotions.

As for whether this defeat will be a blow to her competitive nature, Ma Xiaotao said it won't at all.

She wasn't in a good state to begin with because of the Grim Reaper incident, so it's normal for her to lose.

The culprits should be those higher-ups who forced her junior, Ling, to drop out of school.

If it weren't for them, even if the official team members were injured, they would most likely still have won the championship in this competition.

As for now, Ma Xiaotao believes that even a 10% chance of winning the championship is a sign of her respect for the elusive nature of miracles.

"Sister Xiaotao?" Ling Shuang waved her hand in front of Ma Xiaotao, who was staring blankly for some reason.

Ma Xiaotao suddenly came to her senses.

An excited expression appeared on that stunningly beautiful face.

She pulled Ling Shuang aside and earnestly asked, "Ling Shuang, can you promise me something?"

"Sister Xiaotao, what do you say?" Ling Shuang didn't immediately agree.

He and Ma Xiaotao did have a good relationship. He could agree to things that didn't have a big impact, but he couldn't agree to things that had a big impact.

After all, what if Ma Xiaotao wants her to hold back when she meets the Shrek Academy team?

Ling Shuang would not agree to such a thing. He had already promised Xu Jiujiu that he would win the championship for Xingluo Royal Academy, and he would not go back on his word.

However, when Ma Xiaotao made her request, Ling Shuang initially thought there was something wrong with her ears.

Ma Xiaotao solemnly said:
"I hope you won't hold back when you meet our academy team, and will defeat us with all your might!"

"Huh?!" Ling Shuang exclaimed in surprise, a rare occurrence for her.

This was the first time he had ever heard of such a request.

Ling Shuang's tone was more concerned as she placed her hand on Ma Xiaotao's smooth, fair forehead: "Sister Xiaotao, are you alright?"

Sensing the changes in Ma Xiaotao's body, Ling Shuang now strongly suspects that the evil fire within Ma Xiaotao's body is causing problems and affecting her mind.

Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain why Ma Xiaotao would say such a thing.

Feeling the touch on her forehead and the face so close to hers, she could even feel Ling Shuang's breath.

Ma Xiaotao's pretty face flushed slightly. The usually carefree Phoenix Goddess was now acting like a shy little girl: "I'm fine."

Seeing that Ling Shuang didn't seem to believe her, she could only reveal her own thoughts.

"The academy's higher-ups are targeting you, so I thought if you ended the academy's winning streak, their reaction would be quite interesting, so..."

Listening to Ma Xiaotao's words, Ling Shuang finally understood why Ma Xiaotao would make such a request.

He asked with some doubt, "What about you, Sister Xiaotao? Don't you care that Shrek's undefeated myth will come to an end?" In Ling Shuang's memory, Ma Xiaotao should still care a lot about the so-called Shrek glory.

He was unaware that Ma Xiaotao, because of his actions, no longer held the same positive feelings towards Shrek Academy.

The only reason they are willing to represent Shrek Academy in the competition now is because of Yan Shaozhe, the teacher who raised them.

Ma Xiaotao curled her lip in disdain: "Why should I care?"

"Although this may be one of my few failures, it's just that I wasn't in good form, so it's not shameful."

"And I would be very happy if I lost to you."

His scarlet eyes were fixed on Ling Shuang.

Ma Xiaotao never hides her feelings, just like when she confessed her love to Ling Shuang.

Feeling the intense gaze from the Phoenix Goddess, Ling Shuang turned her head away somewhat awkwardly.

Xue Di and Jiang Nannan's matter hadn't been fully resolved yet, so he really had no mind to accept another person's feelings.

Seeing Ling Shuang's actions, a hint of disappointment flashed in Ma Xiaotao's eyes, but she quickly calmed herself down.

She hadn't had high hopes to begin with, so the disappointment wasn't too great.

Anyway, there's plenty of time, and she doesn't believe she can't overcome Ling Shuang, this formidable obstacle.

"Don't worry, if we really run into each other, I won't hold back."

"Sister Xiaotao, I'm leaving now." Ling Shuang agreed to Ma Xiaotao's request, then turned and left, her back view showing a hint of haste.

His departing figure was reflected in her crimson eyes, and her fiery red lips were slightly upturned.

If she could make Ling Shuang act like this, then she must have defeated Ling Shuang in another sense, right?

…………

Back in the group, seeing Ling Shuang return, he lingered over and asked, "So, which number did you draw?"

“Zhouxi Academy,” Ling Shuang replied.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu immediately lost interest.

Before meeting Ling Shuang, Princess Xu Jiujiu had already researched almost all the participating teams' information because she had decided to represent Xingluo Royal Academy in the competition.

Zhouxi Academy, an ordinary advanced soul master academy located within the Douling Empire, was unremarkable in strength and could hardly arouse the princess's interest.

The other members of the Star Luo team were quite satisfied with the result, as they believed that an easy victory was the best outcome.

Xu Jiujiu suddenly remembered something and turned to Ling Shuang to ask, "Are you planning to make an appearance?"

She believed that an academy of this level was not worth Ling Shuang's personal intervention.

But Ling Shuang nodded: "Yes, let's go."

He was very cautious; what if some dark horse suddenly emerged from this academy?

Ling Shuang didn't want the deal to fail before she even made a move.

To ensure his trade goes smoothly, he plays in every game, though it just takes a little more time.

He's a responsible collaborator.

(End of this chapter)