Under Shao Zheng's mediation, Lu Jun began direct negotiations with the leaders of various nations.
In the VIP room of Hua Xia, he glanced around the hall. Fifteen national representatives sat upright and serious.
Lu Jun felt not the slightest trace of fear. Not to mention he had captured the contestants from those nations, giving him the moral high ground — Shao Zheng was also standing firmly behind him.
The Greek representative was an old female attendant of the Parthenon Temple. Her aged voice spoke calmly, "Congressman Lu, state what you want."
Unexpectedly, the super-level experts of the various nations did not pressure him with arrogance. Their attitude wasn't that of elders toward a junior, but rather equals making a deal of mutual interest.
Lu Jun pondered for a moment. Before the meeting, he had already discussed matters with Shao Zheng. The man's vision was unmatched — he had precisely pointed out the bottom lines of the fifteen nations, from which the ransom plan had been devised.
He couldn't possibly keep nearly a hundred young elites imprisoned forever. Otherwise, how would the third stage — the Grand Finals — proceed?
Although after the Treasure Hunt Battle, everyone in the world already knew that the Venice Competition was practically meaningless the champion was already decided, and the so-called final duel was just a formality the process still had to be completed properly.
Lu Jun said, "One hundred million per person. And in addition, I want you to obtain for me the admission quota to the [Void Altar] of the Australian Saint Kay Temple Magic Association."
The representatives exchanged glances. The condition was acceptable, and they readily agreed. High-level negotiations like these were simple — each side understood their own goals and wouldn't waste time with empty words. Everyone got what they wanted.
The next day, one hundred billion yuan was transferred into Lu Jun's bank account. At the same time, a [Void Token] was delivered to him — it granted entry to the Void Altar for one month, a privilege sufficient to help a high-level mage break through to the Super Level.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Keeping his promise, Lu Jun immediately activated before the eyes of all the representatives. The void opened, the Nether Abyss roared, and a black-and-red Hell Furnace engraved with a spider insignia emerged from the darkness.
The Hell Furnace quivered slightly, and one by one, dozens of figures tumbled out from its pitch-black maw in disarray.
Zheluo, Yake, Reedy, and the other star contestants all appeared dispirited and broken, their expressions dull and defeated — their morale completely gone.
In the Venice training hall, the scattered hundred competitors looked toward their arriving national representatives. Their faces were flushed with shame; they had no face left to show.
Lu Jun couldn't care less about their feelings. He simply threw them there and let each find their own "mother" to take them home. He turned and left immediately.
Back at his quarters, he tallied his harvest. Once he sold all the heavenly treasures and spiritual materials he had collected from the Treasure Hunt Battle, his total assets would reach two hundred billion. The thought almost made him lose composure — at least for the early Super Level stage, his resources were now fully secured.
Good news came one after another. The Court's Chief Mage, Pang Lai, personally came to visit. The twenty billion he had given Pang Lai earlier for the purchase of the [Starsea Vein] had finally borne results.
Carrying a box in his hands, Pang Lai said cheerfully, "You're in luck. Recently, Europe's Astral Exploration Group — the [Wings of the Starry Sky] had several Wind Element Forbidden Curse Mages ascend into the sky and collect a large quantity of [Astral Dust]."
"The Saint Paul Magic Association in Europe used their alchemical technology to refine the latest batch of [Starsea Veins] and [Star River Veins]."
Lu Jun noticed a point of curiosity and asked in surprise, "Ascend into the sky?"
"Yes," Pang Lai casually explained. "Otherwise, where do you think the Starsea Veins and Star River Veins come from? Naturally, they have their origins."
Then, with a hint of righteous indignation, he added, "The continuous exploration of the starry sky by human nations isn't some vanity project, as some people believe. It's closely tied to the progress of human magical civilization."
"Unfortunately, combined-type Super Magic Tools capable of reaching the heavens are extremely rare, and there aren't many Wind Element Forbidden Curse Mages either. The progress has long stalled at the edge of the plane's crystal wall."
Upon hearing this, Lu Jun gained new knowledge that never appeared in the original canon. His horizons expanded greatly the magical world and his previous Earth with its technological advancements were similar yet different. In the field of aerospace, there was clearly a kind of magical modification.
He recalled the legend of the World Tree that connected the Summoning Plane, feeling deeply emotional. The higher his level grew, the more he was exposed to the world's hidden secrets and to knowledge completely unknown to ordinary mages.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Lu Jun opened the box. A radiant halo slowly rose and floated in mid-air about the size of a fist, glowing like an ancient star.
The Starsea Vein was similar to the Star River Vein, appearing like an immortal diamond. Through its crystal-clear surface, one could see countless starry points within — a vast sea of stars rising and falling, radiating an endless and majestic energy.
After a moment of admiration, he carefully stored the Starsea Vein and said gratefully, "Thank you for the trouble, Elder Pang."
Then, somewhat embarrassed, Lu Jun added, "There's one more thing I'd like to ask your help with. I have one hundred billion on hand — please help me purchase as many Thought Stones as possible. Any quantity will do. I don't mind if it takes all of it."
Pang Lai opened his mouth and then gave a helpless smile. "I've practically become your personal butler."
"Ah well," he sighed and shook his head. "You young ones are all pillars of the nation, but such resources are truly difficult to find. Thought Stones are nearly exhausted — every piece used is one less in existence. Most have long been privately hoarded by individual Super Mages."
"I suppose this old man will reluctantly lend you a hand then."
After parting with Pang Lai, Lu Jun stayed in his room, observing the Starsea Vein and Void Token in his spatial dimension. His heart surged with excitement — these two treasures practically guaranteed him advancement in two different elements to the Super Level!
Of course, he wasn't in a hurry to refine them yet. He was worried that becoming a Super Mage too soon might get him disqualified from the National Institute Competition.
Moreover, Lu Jun wasn't entirely confident yet. His Curse, Water, and Summoning Elements had only recently reached the peak of the Advanced Level. He still needed more time to polish and stabilize them.
After all, the success rate of refining a Starsea Vein was only around 50%. The one he held, freshly crafted and of perfect quality, could at most guarantee 70% success.
Having taken care of all the post-tournament matters, Lu Jun finally breathed a sigh of relief and found time to visit his teammates.
Mo Fan, Mu Ningxue, and Jiang Shaoxu were all in closed-door cultivation, absorbing their newfound resources. Only two unfortunate ones, Guan Yu and Dongfang Lie, were still severely injured and lying in bed.
Inside the ward, Lu Jun looked at Guan Yu and Dongfang Lie, both wrapped like mummies and lying unconscious with miserable expressions. Shaking his head helplessly, he drew a constellation in the air and summoned the Mermaid Princess.
Ding! The Mermaid Saint Spirit radiated divine energy. The sunlight within the crown of stars above her head surged brightly, bathing her entire body in a milky white glow. Her shimmering nightgown transformed into a pure white long dress.
Solar Mode!
Splash—! The mermaid exuded a dense life aura as milky-white water flowed over the two men's broken bodies. Their wounds healed rapidly, flesh regenerating over bone. The white bandages loosened little by little, revealing intact skin beneath.
Not only that — Lu Jun sensed that the damaged corners of their spiritual worlds were also being repaired! The healing power had penetrated even there.
He pondered for a moment. The Mermaid Saint Spirit, as a pinnacle Commander-level creature, had once again advanced her healing ability. At this rate, her restorative power might soon rival the Rebirth Divine Flame!
Quietly, Lu Jun left the ward and returned to his residence to meditate in silence, waiting for the Grand Final Duel to begin.
At this time, the National Institute Competition officials were facing quite the headache. Because of the upheaval in the Treasure Hunt Battle, the Hua Xia team was undoubtedly in first place, while most of the other fifteen national teams had gained almost no resources at all.
In the end, they had to reach a compromise as long as a team had managed to obtain even a little resource, they would be placed in the top eight. For example, Ayleen's British team, who had followed Mo Fan's lead, barely made it through.
Better late than never.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123