The Price of Victory

The aftermath of the match was a whirlwind of emotions. Team Happy's victory had sent shockwaves through the Glory community, and the celebration that followed was nothing short of euphoric. The team members were surrounded by fans, reporters, and fellow players, all eager to share in the momentous occasion. But amidst the cheers and congratulations, Ye Xiu remained grounded, his thoughts already shifting to the future.

The team's journey to the championship had been a long and arduous one, filled with obstacles and setbacks. But for Ye Xiu, the real challenge was just beginning. He knew better than anyone that sustaining success in Glory was far more difficult than achieving it in the first place. The professional scene was unforgiving, and the target on Team Happy's back had just grown exponentially.

As the team made their way backstage, the atmosphere was electric. The adrenaline from the match was still coursing through their veins, and the reality of what they had accomplished was beginning to sink in.

"Can you believe it? We actually did it!" Tang Rou exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. Her character, Soft Mist, had played a crucial role in the victory, and the pride she felt was palpable.

"Of course we did," Ye Xiu replied with a grin. "We worked hard for this, and it paid off. But don't forget, this is just the beginning. We're champions now, and that means every other team will be gunning for us."

"Let them come," Bao Rongxing, better known as Steamed Bun Invasion, chimed in with his usual enthusiasm. "We'll just keep beating them!"

"That's the spirit," Ye Xiu said, though his tone was more measured. "But we need to stay sharp. There's no room for complacency."

The team fell into a comfortable silence as they continued down the hallway, each member lost in their thoughts. For some, like Qiao Yifan and An Wenyi, the victory was a validation of their hard work and a testament to how far they had come under Ye Xiu's guidance. For others, like Su Mucheng, it was a sweet reminder of the glory days they had once shared, now rekindled in this new chapter of their careers.

But for Ye Xiu, the victory was bittersweet. He had reclaimed his title as the Battle God, but it had come at a cost. He could feel the weariness in his bones, the toll that years of late-night gaming sessions and high-stakes matches had taken on his body. He wasn't as young as he once was, and the thought lingered in the back of his mind—how much longer could he keep this up?

As they reached the team's dressing room, Ye Xiu paused, his hand resting on the door handle. He turned to face his teammates, his expression serious.

"Listen, everyone," he began, his voice calm but firm. "We've come a long way to get here, and I'm proud of each and every one of you. But this victory isn't the end—it's just the start of a new chapter. The road ahead is going to be even tougher, and we need to be ready for it."

The team nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. They had experienced the highs and lows of the professional scene, and they knew that staying on top would require even more dedication and effort.

"We're with you, Captain," Su Mucheng said, her voice filled with determination. "Whatever it takes, we'll face it together."

Ye Xiu smiled, grateful for the unwavering support of his friends and teammates. "That's what I like to hear," he said, opening the door and leading them inside.

The dressing room was a flurry of activity, with staff members buzzing around, gathering equipment and preparing for the post-match interviews. Ye Xiu was quickly pulled aside by one of the organizers, who informed him that a press conference was scheduled in half an hour.

"Looks like we're not done yet," Ye Xiu muttered to himself as he glanced at the clock.

The press conference was a blur of flashing cameras and rapid-fire questions. The reporters were relentless, eager to capture every detail of Team Happy's miraculous run to the championship. Ye Xiu answered each question with practiced ease, his years of experience in the spotlight serving him well.

But as the conference dragged on, Ye Xiu's thoughts began to wander. He found himself reflecting on the past year—the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the pressure of leading a team from the bottom to the top. It had all been worth it, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

When the press conference finally ended, Ye Xiu excused himself and slipped out of the room. He needed a moment to clear his head, to process everything that had happened. He wandered through the empty corridors of the stadium, his footsteps echoing in the silence.

Eventually, he found himself standing in front of a large window that overlooked the city. The lights of Hangzhou sparkled in the night, a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped the sky. As he gazed out at the city, Ye Xiu felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. The adrenaline from the match had finally worn off, leaving him with a deep, bone-weary fatigue.

But even in his exhaustion, Ye Xiu couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. He had fought hard to get here, and he had no regrets. The road ahead would be challenging, but he was ready to face it, no matter what it took.

As he stood there, lost in thought, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see Su Mucheng walking towards him, her expression soft and understanding.

"You okay?" she asked, stopping beside him.

Ye Xiu nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, just needed a moment."

Su Mucheng leaned against the window, her gaze following his out over the city. "It's a beautiful night," she said quietly.

"It is," Ye Xiu agreed, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

They stood in companionable silence for a while, neither feeling the need to fill the quiet with words. After everything they had been through, moments like this—simple, peaceful—were rare and precious.

"You know," Su Mucheng said after a while, "I've been thinking. We've achieved so much, but there's still so much more we can do."

Ye Xiu glanced at her, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"We've proven that we can win," she continued, her eyes bright with determination. "But now we need to show everyone that it wasn't a fluke. We need to build something lasting, something that will stand the test of time."

Ye Xiu considered her words, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She was right. Winning the championship was an incredible achievement, but it was only the beginning. The true test would be in sustaining that success, in building a legacy that would endure long after they were gone.

"Let's do it," he said finally, his voice firm with resolve. "Let's show them what Team Happy is really made of."

Su Mucheng smiled, her expression one of quiet confidence. "I knew you'd say that."

As they turned to head back to the dressing room, Ye Xiu felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The future was uncertain, but he wasn't alone. He had his team, his friends, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

And in that moment, Ye Xiu knew one thing for certain—the spark that had driven him to the top of Glory hadn't faded. It burned brighter than ever, fueled by the knowledge that the journey was far from over.

The Glory's Champion was back, and this time, he was here to stay.