MY HIDDEN TALENT IS FORBIDDEN BY THE HEAVENS-Chapter 88: STAND ALONE

Chapter 88 — WHEN TEAMS LEARN TO STAND ALONE

The training grounds of Vermillion Phoenix Academy were quiet in a way that felt unnatural.

Not empty.Not abandoned.

Just... restrained.

The wide expanse of stone platforms, suspended fields, and modular arenas sat beneath a crimson sky veined with faint formation lines. Normally, this place buzzed with energy at all hours. Shouts. Clashes. The roar of techniques colliding. Today, there was none of that.

Azure Dragon Academy’s team stood in a loose line at the edge of the grounds, bags set down, weapons resting at their sides. No one joked. No one lounged. Even Chen Wulian, usually incapable of standing still for more than five seconds, kept his arms folded and his mouth shut.

Because Mei Ying was standing in front of them.

She looked... tired.

Not physically. Mentally.

The kind of exhaustion that came from seeing too many promising people pushed into situations where talent alone would not save them.

Her gaze swept over the group once. Slowly. Deliberately.

"Stage Three, Part Two," she began, "is not a continuation."

She let that sink in.

"It’s a reset."

Chen frowned slightly. Qin Shuo adjusted his glasses. Ling Yifan straightened instinctively. Long Hao’s expression did not change, but his attention sharpened.

Mei Ying clasped her hands behind her back.

"Everything you learned about fighting together," she continued, "is now a liability."

No one argued.

"You will not have formations. You will not have rotations. You will not have someone watching your blind spots because they trust you’ll do the same."

Her eyes hardened.

"And if you hesitate because someone wears the same uniform as you, you will lose."

She paused.

"Or die."

That got Chen’s attention.

Before anyone could speak, Mei Ying raised a hand.

"Before we talk about what you need to do," she said, "you need to understand what everyone else has already done."

She turned and flicked her fingers.

A projection flared to life in the air between them.

Academy emblems rotated slowly.

"Several academies," Mei Ying said, "have made last-minute roster adjustments. Perfectly legal. Perfectly calculated."

Her gaze sharpened.

"Dragon Turtle Academy did not come to Vermillion to play fair."

The emblem of Dragon Turtle Academy expanded.

New names appeared beneath it.

Chen leaned forward. "Uh... weren’t they already terrifying?"

Mei Ying ignored him.

"First," she said, pointing.

XING YANLONG

"Divine-Tier Physique — Abyssal Black Turtle Physique."

The air felt heavier just reading it.

"A pure defensive monster," Mei Ying continued. "Extreme endurance. Abyssal suppression. Regenerative capabilities that scale under pressure."

Qin Shuo frowned. "So... he doesn’t go down."

"No," Mei Ying replied. "He waits until you do."

Chen swallowed. "I hate him already."

Mei Ying’s finger moved.

FANG ZHAO

"Mystic Peak Talent — Tiger Soul."

"Offensive specialist," Mei Ying said. "Instinct-driven. Explosive growth during combat. Thrives in chaos."

Jin Ruolan’s eyes gleamed faintly. "That sounds fun."

"That sounds dangerous," Ouyang Xue’er corrected coolly.

"They are the same thing," Mei Ying replied.

Her finger moved again.

The third name caused a subtle shift in the air.

YUE HANRAN

"Mystic Mid Talent — Water Serpent."

Mei Ying paused.

Then corrected herself.

"...That was the public record."

The projection flickered.

The text changed.

DIVINE-TIER — PRIMORDIAL WATER SERPENT SOVEREIGN

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the team.

"Another divine talent?" Zhao Ming muttered.

"Yes," Mei Ying said. "And unlike most, this one has been refined personally."

She looked directly at Ling Yifan.

"Yue Hanran is the Dragon Turtle Dean’s personal disciple."

Silence.

"And as of this morning," Mei Ying continued, "he has been designated acting captain for Dragon Turtle Academy in Stage Three."

Chen blinked. "Wait, didn’t they already have—"

"They did," Mei Ying said flatly. "They replaced him."

That landed harder than any technique.

"They were always planning this," Qin Shuo murmured.

"Yes," Mei Ying said. "They built their roster for this stage."

Her hand moved again.

A fourth emblem appeared.

SILVERMOON ARROW ACADEMY

A single name slot glowed beneath it.

Blank.

"They also introduced a new participant," Mei Ying said. "No public data. No recorded battles. No disclosed talent."

Chen frowned. "That’s... unsettling."

"That’s intentional," Mei Ying replied.

She waved the projection away.

"This is the field you’re entering."

She took a step forward.

"Now," she said, "we talk about you."

Her gaze shifted from person to person.

"Chen Wulian."

Chen straightened instantly. "Yes, Instructor!"

"You are loud," Mei Ying said. "You are aggressive. And you draw attention like a beacon."

Chen smiled sheepishly. "It’s a gift."

"It’s a weakness," Mei Ying replied without hesitation. "In a free-for-all, you survive by controlling when people notice you."

She stepped closer.

"You will train restraint. Ambush initiation. Hit-and-withdraw tactics."

Chen’s smile faded. He nodded. "Understood."

"Qin Shuo."

Qin met her gaze calmly.

"You rely on structure," Mei Ying said. "In this stage, structure will betray you."

Qin frowned. "...Then what do I rely on."

"Your mind," Mei Ying replied. "Solo prediction. Environmental manipulation. You don’t outfight people. You outlast their decisions."

Qin exhaled slowly. "That’s... acceptable."

"Ouyang Xue’er."

Ouyang straightened.

"You are strong," Mei Ying said. "But you subconsciously protect allies."

Ouyang’s jaw tightened.

"In this stage," Mei Ying continued, "hesitation equals defeat. You will train commitment."

Ouyang nodded once. No argument.

"Jin Ruolan."

Jin grinned. "Yes?"

"You enjoy the fight," Mei Ying said. "Too much."

Jin’s grin widened. "Is that a problem?"

"It is when it blinds you," Mei Ying replied. "You will train discipline. Kill intent without emotional escalation."

Jin’s grin slowly sharpened instead of fading. "Understood."

"Zhao Ming."

Zhao froze. "Me?"

"You hide behind others," Mei Ying said bluntly. "You’re capable, but you defer."

Zhao swallowed. "...I do."

"You will train initiative," Mei Ying said. "First strike. First movement. No permission."

Zhao nodded fiercely.

Mei Ying turned.

"Ling Yifan."

Ling Yifan met her eyes.

"You already know what to do," Mei Ying said quietly. "But know this."

She leaned in slightly.

"In this stage, leadership means nothing. Blood means nothing. Legacy means nothing."

Ling Yifan’s hands tightened.

"Only your spear does."

He nodded once. "I understand."

Finally—

Her gaze settled on Long Hao.

The air around him felt... still.

"Long Hao," Mei Ying said.

"Yes."

"You are dangerous," she said simply.

Chen blinked. Zhao’s eyes widened slightly.

Mei Ying did not look away.

"You survive because you choose when to act," she continued. "In this stage, that choice will define you."

Long Hao inclined his head. "As always."

Mei Ying’s eyes softened just a fraction.

"Train awareness," she said. "Not power."

She stepped back.

"That’s all."

Silence followed.

Then Chen inhaled sharply, stepped forward, and threw his arms wide.

"ALRIGHT," he declared loudly. "NO MORE BROODING."

Before anyone could react, he lunged.

Arms wrapped around shoulders. Qin yelped. Zhao squeaked. Jin laughed. Ouyang stiffened before sighing in resignation. Ling Yifan froze for half a second before letting it happen.

Even Long Hao was dragged in, blinking once in mild surprise.

Chen squeezed tighter.

"Listen up," he said, voice rougher now. "I don’t care that we’re about to beat each other unconscious."

Zhao snorted.

"I don’t care that the rules say we’re enemies," Chen continued. "Or that only one of us wins."

His grip tightened.

"What I care about," he said, "is that every single one of us walks into that arena knowing we earned our place."

He looked around the circle.

"No regrets," he said. "No holding back."

Ling Yifan closed his eyes briefly.

"...Agreed."

Jin nodded. "I’ll fight you all properly."

Ouyang smirked. "I wouldn’t want anything less."

Qin sighed. "...Statistically, this is unhealthy."

Chen grinned. "Emotionally, it’s perfect."

"Unfortunately, Only Five of you will be able to compete because of the rules."

"Chen ia Auto-Qualified since he’s the captain."

"I’m sorry Squad 2, you won’t be able to participate but don’t slack on your training since we might need you anytime."

Long Hao did not speak.

But his hand rested, steady, against Chen’s shoulder.

Mei Ying watched them from a distance.

For a moment, just a moment, she allowed herself to believe—

They might survive this.

[Chapter ENDS]