NABC Chapter 40 The Problematic Team Successfully Requests Leave
Chapter 40 The Problematic Team Successfully Requests Leave
At this moment, Jiang Nannan stepped forward, her beautiful face showing clear apology and a hint of fatigue. She bowed slightly to Dai Youheng, "Junior Brother Youheng, I should also apologize to you."
Dai Youheng looked at her, "Senior Jiang? And what are you doing here?"
Jiang Nannan sighed, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "Ultimately, everything that happened today was because of me. If it weren't for that bastard Xu Sanshi, who targeted you with those inexplicable ideas and relentlessly pursued you, you wouldn't have been so exhausted, and you wouldn't have been ambushed by Dai Huabin. I'm truly sorry for causing you so much trouble."
Her tone was full of helplessness and apology, and even carried a deeper level of disgust towards Xu Sanshi.
After today's incident, she felt even more dissatisfied and exhausted by Xu Sanshi's indiscriminate behavior and how easily he was blinded by jealousy.
Dai Youheng smiled and said, "Senior Jiang, there's no need for that. This matter has nothing to do with you. My grudge with Xu Sanshi is our own business, and I will naturally settle things with him."
The more reasonable he acted, the more it highlighted Xu Sanshi's irrationality and Dai Huabin's despicable behavior.
Looking at his pale face and sincere eyes, and comparing it with Xu Sanshi's actions, Jiang Nannan's heart swayed completely.
She gently shook her head and said firmly, "No, this isn't your fault. Junior Youheng, get some rest. I've taken note of what happened."
After saying that, she nodded to Dai Youheng again, expressed her apology once more, and then turned and left, her back view appearing somewhat cold and resolute.
Clearly, Xu Sanshi's behavior today has completely ruined the little goodwill he had left with Jiang Nannan.
Huo Yuhao watched Jiang Nannan leave, then looked at his weakened brother and solemnly said, "Brother, don't worry! When I have the chance later, I will definitely defeat Dai Huabin fairly and squarely on the field to avenge you! And Xu Sanshi, he really went too far today."
Dai Youheng smiled and patted him again. "Alright, don't think about it too much. Go assemble quickly; there are still things to explain to your reserve team."
Huo Yuhao nodded heavily, asked a few more questions, and then turned and ran towards the direction where the reserve team was assembling.
Watching Huo Yuhao and Jiang Nannan's departing figures, a barely perceptible glint flashed in Dai Youheng's eyes.
Apologies and sympathy are sometimes more useful than deliberate flattery, and may even have future value.
Dai Youheng has made good use of his hypocritical side this time.
The Lan sisters watched from the side, and Lan Luoluo muttered softly, "Brother Youheng, you're too easygoing... They treated you like that..."
Dai Youheng composed herself, smiled faintly, and said, "It's just a minor setback, nothing to worry about. Let's go back."
His gaze swept over the reserve team members who were receiving instructions from Elder Xuan, lingering for a moment on Dai Huabin, whose face was gloomy, before casually looking away.
After the selection competition, the newly formed Shrek Seven Devils reserve team began special training personally guided by Elder Xuan.
However, the training process was far from smooth, and could even be described as full of problems and chaos.
The primary problem lies with Xu Sanshi.
Although he failed to be selected as one of the seven main players because he was eliminated by Dai Youheng early on, he still shamelessly came to the training ground every day, relying on his own strength and background.
Under the guise of observation, learning, and mutual progress, they actually had their eyes practically glued to Jiang Nannan, constantly trying to make small talk and fawning over her, which severely disrupted Jiang Nannan's training and mood, making her extremely annoyed and significantly reducing the effectiveness of her training.
Secondly, and most fatally, the problem comes from within.
The deep-seated conflict between Dai Huabin and Huo Yuhao. Dai Huabin is arrogant and proud, and forcing him to accept the command of Huo Yuhao, whom he utterly despises and whose cultivation is far inferior to his own, is worse than death for him.
He resolutely refused to accept Huo Yuhao's mental detection sharing, and even more so, he did not acknowledge Huo Yuhao's dominant position in the team. During training, he often acted independently, disrupting the rhythm and coordination of the entire team, making it impossible for the seven of them to form an effective synergy.
The entire reserve team was almost split into two parts.
Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, He Caitou, Bei Bei, and Jiang Nannan could barely work together, while Dai Huabin was completely an outsider and out of place with the team.
Looking at this reserve team that lacked any coordination and was riddled with internal conflicts, Master Xuan finally had to face reality and admit that his selection method for this chaotic battle had indeed had a major problem.
The team that was chosen is not a team at all, but a ticking time bomb that could turn on each other at any moment!
However, given Xuan Lao's status and temperament, it was impossible for him to publicly admit his mistakes. Therefore, he chose a less desirable solution.
Add a substitute for a substitute! In crucial moments, they can replace players who can't coordinate, such as Huo Yuhao or Dai Huabin. They can also help with training in normal times.
There are three readily available substitutes, but he can't call them all up as substitutes; he can only choose one.
The first one is Xu Sanshi, who "clocks in" to work on time every day. Although he is emotional, his strength is undeniable, and his defensive ability is top-notch, making him more than qualified as a substitute.
Then there's Dai Youheng. He's very strong and gets along well with the others, so he should be able to integrate into the team quickly.
The last one was Zhu Lu. Elder Xuan hesitated between the three. Judging from her personal strength and her amazing performance in eliminating Xu Sanshi, Dai Youheng was undoubtedly the best choice.
But when Elder Xuan thought about the complicated and conflicting relationships between Dai Youheng, Xu Sanshi, and Dai Huabin, he immediately felt a headache coming on. Bringing this kid in would probably lead to a fight even on the bench, making it impossible to lead the team!
Ultimately, for the sake of overall stability, Elder Xuan chose Zhu Lu from the three.
Firstly, Dai Huabin is the winner of the selection competition, and Elder Xuan needs to consider things from his perspective. He is the one who is currently isolated. If Dai Youheng or Xu Sanshi are summoned, he will be isolated even more severely.
Secondly, Zhu Lu and Dai Huabin can use the Martial Soul Fusion Skill Netherworld White Tiger, which can be used as an ace in critical moments, at least ensuring their cooperation with Dai Huabin.
Thirdly, Zhu Lu was only eighth in the selection competition, while the other two were eliminated early on. The substitute should be the top player after the seven winners to be convincing.
When Dai Youheng learned that Xuanzi had ultimately chosen Zhu Lu as his substitute and that he was completely out of the running for the competition, he was not disappointed at all; instead, he breathed a sigh of relief!
That was close! I barely escaped the selection rounds, and almost got dragged into the bench by that old jerk, becoming a substitute's substitute. I heard Xu Sanshi was sighing and lamenting, extremely unwilling to be selected.
However, for Dai Youheng, this was an excellent excuse.
He immediately found his homeroom teacher, Zhou Yi, and tried his best to put on a complex expression that was a mixture of disappointment, resentment, and feigned strength.
"Teacher Zhou, I would like to... ask for a period of leave." His voice sounded somewhat low and hoarse.
Looking at the student before her, who had been so spirited and increasingly calm and powerful recently, yet now seemed so dejected, Zhou Yi couldn't help but sigh. She had naturally heard about Elder Xuan's choice of Zhu Lu as a substitute.
"This child has suffered one blow after another. First, he was ambushed and eliminated in the selection competition, and then he missed out on the substitute qualification. I'm afraid his mentality has really collapsed." Zhou Yi thought to herself, feeling a rare sense of sympathy.
She tried to soften her tone, "Is it because of... Elder Xuan's choice?"
Dai Youheng didn't answer directly, but turned her head slightly, as if not wanting anyone to see the emotions in her eyes, and said in a low voice, "I just feel that I need some time to be alone and adjust my mindset. Please grant me permission, teacher."
This forced look of disappointment only confirmed Zhou Yi's guess. She thought about it; anyway, she would soon be one of the team leaders, leading the regular team members and the reserve team to Xingluo City to participate in the competition, and the academy's classes would be suspended.
It's good to let this child who has suffered a setback go out and relax, so he can adjust and avoid getting stuck in a rut.
"Okay." Zhou Yi nodded. "I'll grant you leave this time. But be careful and come back on time."