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He had actually chosen not to fight, breaking his anima gourd and surrendering.

With his elimination, Lan Lan would be the strongest Four Star Hall student by default.

No one had expected this outcome.

Many were disappointed by this result—they had hoped to see a legendary battle go down between Gong Shenjun and Lan Lan, two of the strongest students that many present had ever seen. Their clash would definitely be at a much higher level compared to the other three halls.

Of course, with the disappointment came taunts, the best way that emotionally awkward youths knew how to deal with it.

"Strongest student of the Astral Sage College, strongest at cowardice."

"He had already made it all the way there. Even if it was a Duke he was facing, he shouldn\'t have chickened out, damn it."

"What a letdown."

"Well, at least now the Astral Sage College won\'t have a chance to take three golden resonant tree brooches in one go."

The mood at the Astral Sage College tower was a little subdued. They did not understand why Gong Shenjun had not fought. It was quite out of character for him.

Retreating under such circumstances would make others doubt the Astral Sage College\'s quality.

After all, he was supposed to be the Astral Sage College\'s strongest student.

He represented the lion\'s share of the school\'s reputation, compared to the other halls.

Li Luo was also surprised, and equally surprised to see that Vice Principal Su Xin looked rather unaffected. He had an odd feeling that she had most expected this outcome.

A vortex appeared, cutting through his thoughts. Gong Shenjun stepped out.

Usually, any appearance by Gong Shenjun would be greeted with cheers and murmurs in a reverent tone, but now the atmosphere was a little chilly.

No one felt good about his cowardice.

Gong Shenjun stepped out with a neutral expression. "Vice Principal Su Xin, I was not sure if I could win. I\'m sorry to have let down everyone\'s expectations."

"Senior Gong Shenjun," Duze Honglian burst out, unable to contain her frustration, "why did you not fight? Given your strength, who could say that you were going to lose, even though your opponent had already laid down a formation?!" Her ire was plain to see and hear, especially from someone whose admiration for Gong Shenjun was well-known among those who knew her. And to speak to him thus despite the difference in their status and strength was quite surprising.

Duze Honglian secretly had a crush on him, as the most eligible male around.

But perhaps because she had held too high an expectation for Gong Shenjun, she felt doubly betrayed by his sudden backing out.

Gong Shenjun looked at her silently.

"Go on," Vice Principal Su Xin said neutrally. "I\'m sure you had your reasons. Let everyone hear them."

All eyes.

Gong Shenjun laughed lightly. "Well, there\'s nothing much to explain. I was not sure I could withstand Lan Lan\'s Three Kowtows of the Enlightened Sage. And if I failed, I would be cursed by the Enlightened Sage Phantom, and my strength would be severely limited. If that happened, I would not only lose the hall-level competition, but also not be able to contribute to the mixed-level competition.

"The way I see it, the loss of the Four Star Hall golden resonant tree brooch is bearable, but if we lose the mixed-level competition, then we stand no chance at all. That is why I decided to bank the chips for the mixed-level competition instead."

Many of the students fell into a thoughtful silence.

So Gong Shenjun was thinking of the long term, biding his time for the mixed-level competition? That made sense. After all, the mixed-level competition was three halls in one team, and Gong Shenjun was a crucial piece in that lineup.

Of course, if he had won, then everything would’ve been fine and dandy, but if he lost, it was not just the one brooch that was at stake, but also Astral Sage\'s chances in the next round.

There were three golden resonant tree brooches up for grabs in the mixed-level competition. That was where the champion would be decided.

Perhaps Gong Shenjun\'s choice was the rational one after all. Besides, he had said it himself—he was not sure if he could take on the Enlightened Sage Scripture.

There was an intangible lightening of the atmosphere.

At the same time, Gong Shenjun\'s staunch supporters spoke out. "Senior, you only had the school\'s win at heart. You knew that this would be an unpopular choice, but you were noble enough to choose it anyway."

The other students looked a little ashamed as well.

Duze Honglian hesitated but did not speak.

Gong Shenjun smiled. "It\'s a fact that I surrendered without fighting. Perhaps I do lack some courage, or I would have fought him mano a mano. But I think the chance will come again in the mixed-level competition. Without fear of the after-effects affecting the school\'s chances, I will see how strong the Enlightened Sage Scripture is."

"Your rational choice cannot be faulted." Vice Principal Su Xin nodded. "But you should know that if you had won there, we would have a huge advantage."

Gong Shenjun looked at her in surprise, then he quickly caught on. "We already have two brooches? Junior Jiang, of course, but one more..."

"Li Luo," Vice Principal Su Xin answered. "He won the One Star Hall competition and took a golden resonant tree brooch for us."

Gong Shenjun looked at Li Luo oddly, then he quickly smiled. "Junior Li Luo, impressive indeed."

Li Luo shook his head modestly.

"Which means that I missed out on a golden opportunity," Gong Shenjun said fretfully.

Vice Principal Su Xin gave him a considerate look. "No matter. Taking three golden resonant tree brooches in the Hall-level competition is ideal, but two still gives us a good advantage. We stand a chance in the mixed-level competition."

Li Luo remained silent. A chance, yes, but because there were three brooches up for grabs in the mixed-level competition, it meant that every other school stood a chance as well.

Besides the personal gain for himself and Jiang Qing\'e, two golden resonant tree brooches as a final result didn\'t do the school any good.

If they lost the mixed-level competition, their victories would not mean anything.

He remained silent because the moment had passed. Smiles were breaking out across other faces as the students were now satisfied that Gong Shenjun had been looking out for the greater good.

In any case, Gong Shenjun was an important member in the Astral Sage College ranks.

"Everyone, rest well. Now that the first half of the Holy Grail Meet is over, you may well need a few days of rest. Await the format of the second half to be announced," Vice Principal Su Xin said kindly.

There was a tired cheer from the competitors, then they returned to their rooms.

Li Luo and Jiang Qing\'e purposely lingered at the back.

"Gong Shenjun did not speak the truth," Jiang Qing\'e murmured into Li Luo\'s ear, her voice further suppressed with resonant power.

Li Luo\'s eyes widened. "What? Why?"

Jiang Qing\'e shook her head.

"I have no proof, but somehow I feel like... he does not want to win."