Chapter 292: Pre Tournament Encounter at the Camp
Han Li and his group had been back in Spirit City for some time. Although there was still a while before the finals, more and more people were arriving. The thirty teams that had qualified from the two empires, along with the two automatically advanced teams, made up a total of thirty two teams. After a short period of rest, they had all begun their journey toward Spirit City.
Han Li had also confirmed Tang San's whereabouts at this moment, Tang Hao was taking him through Sunset Forest in search of a suitable spirit beast to add a spirit ring to his Clear Sky Hammer. Despite Tang Hao's prior scouting and the fact that he had already wounded a suitable spirit beast, these creatures moved frequently. It was expected that in the latter half of their journey, father and son would finally catch up with the team.
The forces traveling from the Heaven Dou Empire were vast and imposing, creating an impressive spectacle. However, seeing the already eliminated Divine Wind Academy mixed in with the Blazing Academy team, along with the apparent closeness of Elephant Armor Academy to them, Ning Fengzhi frowned and turned to look at Xue Qinghe.
"Qinghe, do you know what's going on?" He subtly gestured toward the elemental academies' group and noticed Huyan Zhen giving him a smile. Left with no choice, he nodded back in acknowledgment.
The sound of horse hooves accompanied Xue Qinghe's response.
"Teacher, I inquired about this before we set off. According to them, they are now all officially members of Blazing Academy. Divine Wind Academy was indeed eliminated."
As he spoke, there was a trace of amusement in Xue Qinghe's expression. When he first heard the news, he had more or less guessed what had happened.
"The rules of the Spirit Master Tournament indeed don't explicitly prohibit this."
Hearing his answer, Ning Fengzhi instinctively looked around for Yu Yuanzhen.
Xue Qinghe, understanding his intention, lowered his voice. "Sect Master Yu also wanted to do the same when he found out, choosing Canghui Academy. However, Salas rejected the request."
"According to Salas, one case could be allowed, but not a second. Exploiting a tournament rule loophole once is skillful, but only this one time would be permitted. He has already adjusted the competition rules to prevent such occurrences in the future."
"You know that Spirit Hall always sets the tournament rules, and since this is reasonable, we can't really object."
Ning Fengzhi nodded without pressing further. He sifted through past intelligence reports in his mind and paused on the information regarding the two teams' public visit to Han Li.
He glanced at the ever composed Xue Qinghe, then at Ning Rongrong, who was playing around with Sword Douluo, and finally at the Royal Battle Team members, who still looked somewhat uneasy in the distance.
Ning Fengzhi thought of Tang San, who had been taken away by Tang Hao and had yet to return, and sighed inwardly.
Sigh, what a turbulent time. Hopefully, nothing unexpected happens on this trip to Spirit City.
While the tournament teams were making their way to Spirit City, Han Li was busy helping Zhu Zhuqing familiarize herself with the city and introducing her to Ma Xiunuo and Su Yuntao.
Brother Tao had gotten married technically, he had already done so before Han Li last left Spirit City. Normally a non drinker, he had indulged quite a bit on that day.
Ma Xiunuo was in good health. Thanks to the significant medicinal cleansing he had received from Han Li, he had now reached Rank 39 in cultivation and seemed full of energy.
Brother Tao had made even greater progress, now at Rank 48. After two spirit ring enhancements beyond his limit, his Lone Wolf Spirit had developed a strong reddish hue practically a half finished Fire Wolf. With one more spirit ring absorption, it should complete its transformation into a high tier martial spirit.
As for the spirit beasts they needed, Han Li had already arranged for someone to capture them. A small scale sacrificial offering would be enough to complete their evolution.
Additionally, Han Li planned to teach them Xuantian Skill. With this, their cultivation speed would improve significantly. Since neither of them was fond of combat, handling the orphanage duties would be more than sufficient for them.
Han Li casually reintroduced Zhu Zhuqing to the two, who simply smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, even giving him a thumbs up.
Yes, aside from Xiuer, whom they were already familiar with, this was the third time he had done something like this. Given how much time had passed, and the fact that there was only one new addition, they actually found it rather underwhelming.
After spending most of the day with them, Han Li and the girls quietly left.
As for the City Lord's eldest son, he was now involved in the business sector. Han Li had already made all the necessary arrangements for him, so there was no need to bring it up again.
Spending three days dealing with various trivial matters, Han Li suddenly realized he had once again found himself with nothing to do returning to the same idle state he had been in at Heaven Dou City.
The printing of the simplified version of Xuantian Skill was already being arranged by the merchant association, awaiting the right moment during the Spirit Master Tournament.
Within Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu had already begun implementing changes, first spreading Xuantian Skill among the Elder Hall's ranks. The rapid adoption meant that Han Li had been avoiding entering his spiritual space there were just too many vows pouring in. He had no interest in listening to the same monotonous murmurs over and over again. Fortunately, this phase would end soon.
As the days passed and the tournament finals approached, just as Han Li had predicted, there was no attempt from the Pope's Palace to contact him.
Not that he minded he was quite content with his free time.
Just a few days ago, the preparations on the Worship Hall's side had been completed, and now everything was ready for the tournament to begin. The participating teams were set to arrive today, and Han Li once again received a task taking over the duties that Xue Qinghe had been handling back in Heaven Dou City. However, unlike before, all he needed to do was make an appearance rather than personally oversee everything.
After changing into a modified ceremonial robe, Han Li nodded in satisfaction. Since he was likely to fight in this tournament, comfort was key he had no interest in experiencing a wardrobe malfunction mid battle.
"Go call Liu Erlong. Tell her it's time to fulfill her promise."
Stepping out of his residence, Han Li instructed a nearby guard. He needed to make an appearance at the area designated for the participating teams. This was supposed to be a routine duty, but Bibi Dong had suddenly sent word that she was assigning someone to assist him. He had no idea what she was up to, but he didn't mind giving her some trouble in advance.
"Yes, sir."
The guard turned and headed toward a nearby pavilion, where Liu Erlong had been staying. She had arrived even earlier than the competing teams and had been arranged to stay nearby by Han Li himself.
A large group of people set out toward the designated campgrounds. At the entrance, Han Li spotted Hu Liena, who was accompanied by a few guards as well.
"Greetings, Holy Son."
Hu Liena bit her lip and bowed respectfully.
"It's you? Long time no see. But tell me, what is the Pope sending you here for?"
Han Li glanced at her indifferently and asked.
"Teacher sent me to assist you and to observe the participating teams in advance."
Hu Liena kept her head down as she gave the official reason, though in truth, she was also confused by her teacher's orders. She had been in the middle of her cultivation when she was suddenly called away.
"Alright, that's fine. Just follow along, then."
Since Han Li couldn't make sense of Bibi Dong's thinking, he decided to ignore it and simply threw Hu Liena into the group. He was curious to see what she was planning.
"Understood."
Hu Liena nodded and moved to join the group, only to realize that the four women behind Han Li had already occupied the space near him. Left with no choice, she fell back slightly and ended up standing next to another woman.
The guards stopped outside the camp, while Han Li and his group continued inward. At the rear of the procession, Hu Liena and Liu Erlong sized each other up.
So this is Bibi Dong's disciple?
Who is she? Why haven't I seen her before?
Both saw the confusion in each other's eyes and began whispering in low voices. Meanwhile, Han Li didn't pause, continuing his way through the camp.
After learning Liu Erlong's identity and the reason for her presence, Hu Liena was left utterly bewildered. Han Li's actions were becoming harder and harder to understand. Forget it she would just report everything truthfully to her teacher later.
Liu Erlong, on the other hand, didn't think too much about it. She was simply here to fulfill a promise. As for Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang? The past was long gone and not worth lingering on. In fact, just thinking about it made her cringe. At some point, her mindset had completely changed. Once this was over and Flender's matter was resolved, she was even considering severing ties with her clan and traveling the world.
Their group stood out within the camp not just because of Han Li's attire but also due to the six stunningly beautiful women following him, each with her own unique charm.
Some recognized Han Li and whispered to their companions, but none dared to approach and interrupt.
As they passed by a particular pavilion, an uncertain voice called out:
"Erlong? What are you doing here?"
Han Li and his group stopped and turned back. The pavilion bore the mark of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The voice belonged to Yu Xiaogang, who had just stepped out. He was staring at Liu Erlong, who stood behind Han Li, with an expression of utter disbelief.
Han Li had made public appearances before, and each time, the women by his side were often discussed among the masses. Naturally, Yu Xiaogang had heard about it as well.
What he hadn't expected was to see Liu Erlong among them here, in Spirit City, standing with Han Li.
"So it's Grandmaster. Long time no see must be nearly ten years, right? Have you returned to your clan?"
Han Li smiled, as if greeting an old acquaintance. Technically, they did know each other. They had met multiple times back in Nuoding City.
Yu Xiaogang's expression twisted slightly at the question, and he forced an awkward smile.
"Greetings, Holy Son. I only came to visit my father."
Then, his eyes locked onto Liu Erlong once again, filled with anger, as if he had been betrayed.
Inside the pavilion, Yu Yuanzhen stepped out, glancing at both sides before taking note of the onlookers who had begun to gather. He turned to Han Li and gestured politely.
"Holy Son Han, why don't you come inside and have a seat?"
Since formalities were part of the process anyway, and given that he had just been invited, Han Li saw no reason to refuse.
With a slight smile, he nodded and led his group into the pavilion.
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