CHAPTER 80 — THE NIGHT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED
They were happy for the victory but, no one planned to celebrate.
After the match, after the adrenaline faded and the arena emptied, Azure Dragon Academy's group simply… walked. No destination in mind. No schedule. Just following the glowing streets of Vermillion Phoenix Academy's city-district, a place that felt less like a school and more like a living capital built on fire and indulgence.
The night air was warm, not oppressive, scented with spice, alcohol, and something faintly metallic. Crimson lanterns floated overhead, suspended by formations instead of strings, drifting lazily as crowds moved beneath them. Music spilled out of open buildings. Laughter echoed. Somewhere far away, something exploded, and no one even looked up.
Long Hao and Ling Yifan had decided to train.
Chen Wulian stretched his arms behind his head, grinning like a man freshly released from prison.
"Ahhh," he sighed. "Victory tastes like freedom."
