Word Count: 2,644 Words
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A fragrant breeze swept past as Meng Hongchen stood before them in a pale blue gown, her delicate figure framed in the dim lounge light. Her eyes shone with excitement as she gazed at Ling Bai, but that enthusiasm quickly dimmed when she realized he had come to the lounge to flirt with Han Ruoruo. Annoyance flickered across those beautiful eyes.
Damn it, one step too late!
"Meng, still not calling it a night?"
A veteran of countless such scenes, Ling Bai maintained his intimate posture with Han Ruoruo without the slightest hint of panic, his smile perfectly natural as he asked.
Meng Hongchen was a clever woman. She knew her feelings were one-sided and gave her no right to intervene in his private life. Her thoughts spun, and she decided to temporarily ignore Han Ruoruo. Pouting her red lips, she followed his lead and complained:
"My idiot brother drew your group and has been sighing endlessly in his room. I brought him down for a drink to calm his nerves."
She stomped over to a nearby pillar and dragged out Xiao Hongchen, who emerged with a thoroughly miserable expression plastered across his face.
Since the Jialing City incident, Xiao Hongchen no longer regarded Ling Bai as his lifelong archenemy. Instead, he now considered him potential brother-in-law material. He plopped down on the sofa opposite Ling Bai, practically radiating resentment:
"After drawing your group, I can't even focus enough to meditate!"
"No confidence in advancing?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Xiao Hongchen replied irritably. "Your Angelic Sanctuary has one spot guaranteed. Our Sun Moon Imperial Academy can only fight the Holy Spirit Cult for second place, and those evil freaks..."
He sighed heavily and drained an entire glass of wine. The Holy Spirit Cult represented a natural disaster for other teams, but to Ling Bai, they were merely fodder. Everyone at Sun Moon Imperial Academy suspected the Holy Spirit Cult would forfeit their match against Angelic Sanctuary to focus on securing second place.
Though four teams were officially fighting for two spots, in Sun Moon's eyes, Shrek Academy didn't even factor into the equation.
They were simply too weak.
Compared to crushing the helpless Shrek, Xiao Hongchen was far more interested in facing the Tang Sect. Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao, and the others had all been members of Shrek's reserve team in the previous tournament; they were his destined rivals.
"Brother, don't worry so much. Didn't Grandfather say he'd ask the Prince Regent to warn the Holy Spirit Cult not to harm Sun Moon Imperial Academy's team members? Win or lose, we won't have to worry about being slaughtered by those Evil Spirit Masters."
Meng Hongchen comforted her brother while casually leaning against Ling Bai's left side, as if the gesture meant nothing at all. Her eyes met Han Ruoruo's on his right, and invisible sparks flew between them.
"You could also look on the bright side."
Ling Bai said with a chuckle. "Teams that advance from the same group won't meet again before the finals. If Angelic Sanctuary and Sun Moon Imperial Academy both advance, our battle will be the tournament's grand finale."
Xiao Hongchen leaned back against the sofa. "That's true in theory, but the Holy Spirit Cult...
I've observed their strength from afar, and there are two people I'm really not confident against..."
Ling Bai nodded slightly. Xiao Hongchen was referring to Blue Silver Saintess Tang Ya and Bone Dragon Yan Feng. In this timeline, Xiao Hongchen hadn't foolishly taken enhancement drugs, so his spirit power hadn't broken through to Spirit Saint. His overall combat strength fell short of the two Evil Spirit Saints, making Sun Moon's chances of advancing extremely slim.
"Hey, what if we discussed a certain arrangement?"
Meng Hongchen suddenly stretched her neck like a thief, looking left and right to confirm no one could overhear. Satisfied, she lowered her voice conspiratorially:
"What if Angelic Sanctuary threw the match against Sun Moon Imperial Academy? That way, we'd take all twelve points. Even if we lost to the Holy Spirit Cult, we'd still probably advance on point differential."
Han Ruoruo's and Xiao Hongchen's pupils contracted in shock. Even Ling Bai was momentarily stunned. "That's blatant match-fixing."
"No, no, no, it's tactical cooperation!"
Meng Hongchen corrected with righteous indignation. "I don't know how the Empire got tangled up with the Holy Spirit Cult, but nobody likes those Evil Spirit Masters.
This tournament is being held in the Sun Moon Empire. It would be humiliating if Sun Moon Imperial Academy crashed out in the group stage!
So what do you say, will you consider letting us win? If you agree, I'll sacrifice myself for the nation tonight~"
She gently tugged one strap of her dress off her shoulder, revealing pearl-smooth, lustrous skin in a vivid demonstration of the ancient art of the strategic shoulder slip, then threw Ling Bai a coquettish 'come play, Your Majesty' glance.
"..."
Ling Bai clicked his tongue. Sun Moon Imperial Academy advances, avoids Angelic Sanctuary before the finals, and the price is Meng Hongchen offering herself...
Well now, two birds with one stone!
Not only would the academy successfully advance, but Meng Hongchen would get her wish to hook up with him!
Xiao Hongchen slapped his thigh. Why didn't I think of that? My little sister's a genius!
As one of only two women present and one with a close relationship to Ling Bai at that, Han Ruoruo observed Meng Hongchen's bright, scheming eyes with quietly growing displeasure.
Ling Bai sensed the sudden shift in his Elder Sister's aura and understood immediately. Though he was surrounded by beautiful women, there were almost none whom Han Ruoruo viewed with genuine hostility. Meng Hongchen had achieved that distinction today, and the reason was simple enough to grasp:
A Sun Moon Empire woman with ulterior motives.
Continental war loomed on the horizon. Ling Bai, Jianmu Douluo, and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan represented crucial forces for the three Douluo nations. Han Ruoruo felt obligated to help Ling Bai resist this 'bad woman's' seduction!
Just then, a server entered carrying a tray of pink drinks, each glass filled with ice, the liquid rising just above the cubes. The server bowed respectfully and withdrew.
"Rose wine. I ordered it to soothe my wounded soul. You should all try some."
Xiao Hongchen lifted his glass and drained the ice-cooled vintage in one gulp.
Ling Bai took a sip. A faint rose fragrance bloomed as the liquid slid down his throat, seeming to evaporate of its own accord as it spread a pleasant warmth throughout his body. Waves of heat radiated from his stomach, bringing a refreshing sensation as if every pore were opening at once. Xiao Hongchen's taste was indeed excellent.
The two men clinked glasses and chatted about everything under the sun, their atmosphere easy and unhurried. No one would have guessed their teams were competitors set to battle the very next day.
The two women, meanwhile, eyed the wine tray and then each other with instant, wordless understanding. This was no warm family gathering. This was needlepoint against wheat stalk!
Meng Hongchen moved to sit opposite Han Ruoruo and raised her glass with a smile that never reached her eyes:
"Senior Sister Han, it's been months. You look even more radiant than before."
"Since I've graduated from Shrek, I'm hardly your Senior Sister anymore."
Han Ruoruo parried calmly. "And speaking of radiance, that really is the province of youth, isn't it? So full of vigor, willing to throw themselves desperately at whatever they desire."
Meng Hongchen's beautiful eyes narrowed. Han Ruoruo was clearly calling her shameless for offering herself just to secure a group stage berth. Her voice turned cold:
"What's wrong with being bold? Only the young understand the young, and only the young can properly look after the young. Old folks from a different era can never keep up with a heart that's always racing."
Ling Bai's mouth twitched frantically. On the surface, Meng Hongchen was mocking Han Ruoruo, but she had unknowingly wounded an innocent bystander. Within his Spiritual Sea, cold winds howled and heavy snow fell. He could practically hear the grinding of teeth!
Han Ruoruo tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The flush on her pretty face only enhanced her mature allure as she replied gently:
"Those who've experienced more know better how to cherish, and can accept all his strengths and flaws with a calm heart.
Of course, none of that truly matters. What matters is that the affection is mutual."
Crack!
Meng Hongchen nearly crushed her wine glass as her composure shattered. No matter how silver her tongue, the intimate scene of Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo on the verge of kissing was undeniably real. She had witnessed it with her own eyes.
'Lip-friendship' was a step beyond mere friendship!
Flustered and enraged, Meng Hongchen challenged Han Ruoruo to a drinking contest. Ling Bai and Xiao Hongchen watched as glass after glass vanished, an entire tray of rose wine disappearing in the blink of an eye.
A server brought another round. Neither woman used spirit power to neutralize the alcohol; their tolerance was genuinely formidable. Without a flicker of spirit power, they downed glass after glass in quick succession, their eyes only growing brighter, as if each drink sharpened them further.
Thud!
An hour later, the great battle reached its conclusion. Meng Hongchen lay slumped across the table, completely unconscious.
Spirit Emperor versus Spirit Douluo. Spirit Emperor, defeated!
Han Ruoruo was deeply intoxicated as well. Her delicate body leaned against Ling Bai's arm, gaze dreamy and unfocused. From her face to her neck and the generous sweep of skin below, she was flushed an alluring shade of pink.
"I'll take Meng back." Xiao Hongchen lifted his sister onto his back.
"As for Meng's earlier proposal, I'll pretend I never heard it." Ling Bai raised a hand. "Deliberately throwing a match is something Angelic Sanctuary would never do."
"I understand." Xiao Hongchen nodded. "Meng got carried away. I apologize on her behalf."
"But what I can promise is this: if the Holy Spirit Cult dares face Angelic Sanctuary, I'll kill every last one who steps onto that stage. Destroying Evil Spirit Masters is the Angel Clan's sacred duty."
Ling Bai paused, then smiled. "Once they're all dead, you'll advance naturally."
"True enough, though those Evil Spirit Masters shouldn't be stupid enough to challenge a Seraphim."
Xiao Hongchen tossed out the quip and carried his sister upstairs.
"Elder Sister, let's head back too."
Ling Bai turned and found Han Ruoruo studying his face with quiet intensity.
"What are you looking at?"
"Nothing. Just that you're very handsome." Han Ruoruo pursed her red lips into a smile.
"Is Elder Sister a 'face-con'?"
"Who doesn't want their other half to be outstanding in appearance?"
The alcohol had swept away Han Ruoruo's usual reserve entirely. She gazed boldly into those brilliant golden pupils mere inches from her own, every shade of a woman's allure on full display.
She sensed the scorching flame within him. Leaning forward, she cupped his face and pressed a deep, lingering kiss to his lips. Yet the moment he reached for her, she swayed gracefully out of his grasp, her clear, bright voice leaving behind five unmistakable words:
"Not allowed to get frisky!"
Ling Bai shook his head with a smile. He didn't press the matter; seeing her safely into Shrek Academy's villa was enough.
...
The next morning.
Ling Bai led Angelic Sanctuary against Sun Moon Imperial Academy. What did it matter if he refrained from using spirit skills? The Angelic Domain, Angel Sword, and spirit bone abilities alone were more than enough. Ordinary Spirit Douluo were no match for him.
Meng Hongchen's eyes lit up the moment she saw him take the stage first. She bounced forward cheerfully onto the competition platform...
And conceded!
Sun Moon Imperial Academy surrendered cleanly and decisively. There was no point going head-to-head with a Spirit Douluo. They had resolved to save everything for their battle against the Holy Spirit Cult.
As evening approached, the first day of group stage matches drew to a close. Spectators returned to Mingdu's inner city, discussing the day's exciting battles along the way.
Their conversations weren't limited to the Continental Youth Elite Spirit Master Grand Tournament. Another competition was drawing just as much attention, one the public could actually participate in and profit from: the Mingdu Spirit Guidance Master Elite Tournament.
Jointly organized by Mingdu's three major underground powers with full imperial support, any Spirit Guidance Master under thirty could register.
The tournament ostensibly aimed to promote Spirit Guidance Device development through generous rewards. Each round offered substantial monetary prizes along with extremely rare metals.
Spirit Guidance Masters cared little for money; they could earn plenty through their craft. Rare metals, however, proved irresistible. Some couldn't be bought at any price, and certain types remained under strict imperial control.
In the tournament finals, each of the three major powers would field three genius Spirit Guidance Masters. The preliminary rounds served as talent selection, and the Duskwater Alliance, one of the three powers, had set up open recruitment at the Qingse Hotel, located one kilometer from the Bright Moon Hotel.
Tonight marked the Duskwater Alliance's final six-into-three competition. The winners would go on to represent them against Spirit Guidance Masters from Linglong Pavilion and the Alto Chamber of Commerce.
Six Spirit Guidance Masters were paired into three groups, each given two hours to craft a Spirit Guidance Device on the spot. Type was unrestricted, and the Duskwater Alliance provided a selection of rare metals for them to choose from.
When time expired, the Spirit Guidance Masters would duel using their freshly created devices. Life or death was not the organizers' concern. Losers were eliminated; winners advanced.
The competition venue gleamed with ostentatious splendor, as if the entire hall had been gilded in gold. The audience watched the six craftsmen at work in the central arena, fists clenching with barely contained excitement.
Competitions run by underground powers invariably involved gambling, and massive bets rode on each of the six Spirit Guidance Masters.
In VIP Room Number One, a shapely hostess opened the door as two figures settled into their seats overlooking the tournament floor. Nangong Wan laughed heartily:
"Brother Death Abyss, look! The two Spirit Guidance Masters wearing numbers 96 and 98 are Third Elder Dark Lightning's personal disciples. He values them so highly that he even petitioned the Cult Leader to retrieve Leaderboard Carving Knives from the Holy Spirit Treasury."
Ling Bai looked closer. An expert's skill was apparent at first glance. Numbers 96 and 98 moved with practiced fluidity and impeccable rhythm, their speed impressive yet never careless.
Both wore calm, composed expressions. Their hand movements were terrifyingly stable and precise. Rather than touching the auxiliary tools on the crafting platform, each produced a personal carving knife and began engraving directly.
The two Leaderboard Carving Knives, one crimson and one dark green, radiated an ancient, imposing air. Mysterious reliefs adorned their surfaces, and in motion they trailed brilliant, shimmering light.
Leaderboard Carving Knife Rank 62: Netherfire Crimson Dragon.
Leaderboard Carving Knife Rank 59: Darkness Green Dragon.
Respectable instruments both, though they weren't remotely in the same league as Heaven's Moon, the Rank 2 Leaderboard Carving Knife with three special effects that Ling Bai had gifted to Ning Tian.
Heaven's Moon had only one drawback: its previous ownership by the Sun Moon imperial family. Ning Tian couldn't use devices crafted with it during the Spirit Master Tournament without risking unwanted attention.
"Elder Dark Lightning's disciples are naturally outstanding, but those other two Spirit Guidance Masters strike me as equally exceptional."
Nangong Wan followed Ling Bai's gaze to where he was pointing.
Number 66. Number 88.
He frowned thoughtfully for a moment, then slowly uttered two names:
"Tang Si, Tang Wu..."