Yet, Zhong Shenxiu’s answer provoked in her a sudden, overwhelming urge to bang her head against a wall!

Four simple words left Zhong Shenxiu’s mouth with utter nonchalance: “I’m not telling you!”

Xia Luo: speechless

On the stage now, the tide of the battle had completely turned, shifting one hundred and eighty degrees; now it was Anjifeiya being repeatedly kicked away!

“Anjiheya classmate, do you have any other moves left? Hurry up and use them. I haven't had my fill yet,” Austin had fully regained his initial composure.

Anjiheya had switched from offense to defense. She finally grasped the terrifying reality of Austin—this opponent was beyond her current capacity to defeat!

This was precisely why Laurent was reluctant to fight Austin. Once engaged with this man, you gradually realize your own insignificance; you fall into an invisible quagmire, unable to pull yourself free, starting to become irritable, lost, and helpless, culminating finally in despair!

And Austin, above all else, reveled in savoring the look of despair on others’ faces!

Fortunately, Anjiheya’s spirit had been tempered by countless grueling sessions with Robin, making her heart far tougher than the average person’s. Thus, she hadn't yet displayed the expression Austin craved, which was one reason he was dragging out the fight.

“Anjifeiya classmate, it seems you’ve reached your limit! Ah, I am truly disappointed in you,” Austin immediately adopted an expression of deep regret. “But don’t be sad. For a woman, reaching this level is already quite an achievement!”

The moment he finished speaking, Anjifeiya’s expression instantly chilled to the absolute extreme; the light emanating from her eyes seemed capable of freezing Austin solid on the spot!

“I truly despise you,” Anjifeiya articulated, each word distinct and measured.

Austin, however, was unfazed and continued, “Anjiheya classmate, you seem angry! That’s not good, it will cause you to lose your reason.”

Anjiheya increasingly felt the urge to kill this man. Unexpectedly, she thrust the sword in her hand deep into the ground. Then, she stretched both hands out flat before her.

Austin was momentarily stunned by Anjiheya’s action, thinking inwardly: Is this some new technique?

As he pondered this, anticipation grew. Anjiheya had provided him with too many surprises, especially those bizarre maneuvers.

He might not yet know that Anjiheya was not preparing a new skill, but intended to use the wrist guards gifted to her by Zhong Shenxiu!

Currently, Anjifeiya was driven by fury, overriding her reason. She simply could not tolerate Austin’s repeated condescension toward women! What was wrong with women? Women could be just as strong—Robin was the brightest example of all!

Just as Anjiheya was about to activate the wrist guards’ power, a voice suddenly echoed near her ear. It was a voice she knew intimately—Zhong Shenxiu’s!

“Hey, girl, will you be satisfied winning the match using the power of the wrist guards?”

Anjiheya’s body shuddered violently. Zhong Shenxiu’s question struck her like a beacon in the darkness, illuminating her heart, which had been clouded by rage!

As Zhong Shenxiu pointed out, even if she won using the guards, it wouldn't truly prove the capability of women. That outcome was not what Anjifeiya desired! What she truly sought was to prove to the world, using her own genuine strength: Women are not inferior to men!

Austin, waiting for Anjifeiya’s impending attack, felt a deep sense of confusion. He couldn't understand why Anjiheya’s raised hands had suddenly dropped, or why the expression on her face was now completely different from moments before.

While he was utterly bewildered, Anjifeiya’s next action truly froze him in place.

Anjiheya walked directly toward the referee and announced her forfeiture of the match!

This pivot was so sudden that even the referee took a moment to process it before reacting!

Instantly, the venue erupted. Everyone was captivated by Anjiheya’s nobility, and the applause thundered on without ceasing. Zhong Shenxiu, meanwhile, wore an expression that suggested, This student is teachable after all.

“What a magnificent match!” Cai Ni praised.

“I feel like that girl could have fought a bit longer; she might have still had a chance to win!” Fern commented with a touch of regret.

“This is called knowing when to pick up and when to let go! I think this girl is quite similar to our Captain,” Cai Ni remarked, glancing at Xia Luo. Xia Luo simply smiled at him without offering any opinion.

The match concluded, leaving only the awards ceremony.

Zhong Shenxiu had lost interest in watching any further and started to rise to leave. But at that exact moment, his expression shifted abruptly, and his entire body halted mid-motion!

Xia Luo found this very strange and quickly followed Zhong Shenxiu’s gaze. What puzzled her even more was that Zhong Shenxiu was staring intently at the small stone held in Fern’s hand!

A stone?

What was so interesting about a stone??

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ECH is in closed status.