Three weeks— not too long, but not too short either. During this time, Fang Li indeed practiced with Wu Xiaofei and the entire group at least once every day.
The reason, of course, was for the "Gryphon Festa."
Under Fan Xinglou's instructions, Wu Xiaofei, Zhao Hufeng, Cecily, Li Shenyun, and Li Shenhua had officially formed a team and registered for the "Gryphon Festa."
However, the "Gryphon Festa" was a team battle.
Since Fan Xinglou, in her desire to satisfy her own combat cravings, usually placed the most emphasis on individual strength, her disciples, Wu Xiaofei and the group, rarely considered teamwork. Forming a five-person team posed a significant challenge in terms of cooperation.
Of course, this didn't mean these individuals were incapable of working together.
In fact, Zhao Hufeng and Cecily had once teamed up to participate in the "Phoenix Festa," so they had some synergy in combat. As for the Li siblings, Li Shenyun and Li Shenhua, who shared an almost telepathic bond, they didn't even need to speak to coordinate effectively. In this regard, there were no issues.
However, aside from the Li siblings, the others were indeed more accustomed to fighting alone.
Given this, Fang Li, under Fan Xinglou's instructions, spent three weeks practicing with Wu Xiaofei and the group, ensuring that the five of them could at least cooperate in battle.
Judging by how Wu Xiaofei and the group coordinated their actions earlier to effectively strike Fang Li, this goal had been largely achieved.
That's why Fan Xinglou remarked that, regardless of the results, the outcomes had somewhat exceeded her expectations.
"I thought that, aside from the twins, the others would still charge in recklessly, relying on their own strength as they did before."
Fan Xinglou was indeed somewhat surprised.
"What changed this time?"
Hearing this, Wu Xiaofei and the group all silently lowered their heads, while the Li siblings spoke in a self-deprecating tone.
"This was inevitable, Master."
"After all, losing continuously is quite embarrassing, Master."
As the twins said, during these three weeks of practice, Wu Xiaofei and the group had never once defeated Fang Li.
Even though their opponent was just one person— their Little Junior Brother— and they had joined forces, they still continuously lost to Fang Li, never winning even once.
If this were to spread, it would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar.
Who were these five individuals?
They were ranked third, fourth, fifth, ninth, and tenth in Jie Long's sequence, all of them Page One members.
Especially the top three, whose ranks far exceeded those of ordinary students.
Although Cecily and Zhao Hufeng were only ranked fourth and fifth respectively, their strength was no less than that of Toudou Kirin. In Seidoukan Academy, they would be ranked first.
As for Wu Xiaofei, aside from Fang Li, Fan Xinglou, and Orphelia— who were in a league of their own— he was nearly unmatched in the city of Asterisk. Even Sylvia Lyyneheym and Amagiri Ayato might not be able to defeat him.
Including these three, plus the twins who, when working together, could exponentially increase their combat power, a total of five people couldn't even defeat one person?
This was absolutely unbelievable.
Yet, this was the reality.
That was why, driven by their desire to win, Wu Xiaofei and the others finally chose to work together.
Fan Xinglou merely chuckled at this.
"Well, well… even I'm surprised."
As she spoke, her gaze shifted toward Fang Li.
"A year ago, you were nothing more than a fledgling, yet now you've grown to this level. No matter what you've experienced, this strength of yours is truly intriguing… It seems my wish has finally come true, hasn't it?"
Indeed, over the past three weeks— no, ever since Fang Li's Ranking Battle against Wu Xiaofei— Fan Xinglou's eyes had gleamed with an increasingly intense and dangerous light whenever she looked at him.
It was clear that the Monster Immortal had been holding herself back all this time.
Holding herself back from fighting Fang Li.
But that restraint wouldn't last much longer.
Fang Li was certain that sooner or later, his eccentric Master would lose control entirely and challenge him outright.
When that happened, there would be no avoiding the battle.
Fortunately, that moment had yet to arrive.
Because the Gryphon Festa was about to begin.
"Tomorrow marks the opening of the Gryphon Festa."
Fan Xinglou withdrew her gaze from Fang Li and turned back to Wu Xiaofei's group.
"I hereby bestow upon you the name Yellow Dragon Team. I trust you won't disappoint me."
—Yellow Dragon Team.
A name that required special permission from Banyuu Tenra, much like the Lancelot Team and Tristan Team from Saint Galahadworth Academy.
After all, Jie Long's emblem was the Yellow Dragon itself.
Being granted this name was proof of Fan Xinglou's high expectations for her disciples.
Thus, under Wu Xiaofei's lead, Zhao Hufeng, Cecily, Li Shenyun, and Li Shenhua all knelt on one knee and bowed in unison.
"We will not fail you, Master."
Fan Xinglou nodded in satisfaction.
—
With practice concluded, the group dispersed.
Fang Li exited Genbu Hall and made his way toward the Stars Room.
Behind him, Orphelia followed in silence, her crimson eyes locked onto Fang Li's back, never looking away.
Fang Li, of course, could feel her gaze.
But he chose to ignore it.
For the past three weeks, Orphelia had remained at Jie Long, shadowing Fang Li's every move.
Naturally, they had continued to share the same bed—yet spoke only rarely.
Fang Li focused on his own matters, never acknowledging Orphelia's presence.
Orphelia, in turn, simply followed him, watching his every action.
This strange dynamic had initially startled Zhao Hufeng and the others.
Especially since the "Ereshkigal" had taken up residence at Jie Long as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Zhao Hufeng had protested to Fan Xinglou about it multiple times.
But it was clear— Orphelia posed no threat at the moment.
For her, there was only one reason to stay.
She was searching for something within Fang Li.
Something she lacked.
And until she found it, the strongest Strega in the world would continue to follow him.
Until she no longer could.
"…I wonder if tomorrow's Gryphon Festa will be the deadline."
If not, things were bound to get even more complicated.
At least, that was Fang Li's thought.
(End of Chapter)
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