The potential points of contention were subtly smoothed over by Ning Fengzhi's gentle and unobtrusive approach.
Seeing that no one seemed to question the outcome of the match, Bibidong sighed inwardly, maintaining her composure as she handed three Soul Bones to the attendant beside her. "The champion of this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition is the Heavenly Dou Royal Team. Congratulations."
These three Soul Bones were originally carefully selected by her for Huliena and her companions. To say she had no other thoughts would be a lie, but given the circumstances, she couldn't afford to go back on her word in front of so many people, especially as the Pope.
As the results were announced, the arena erupted in applause, not only to congratulate the champions but also to show respect for the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
The stage was now in ruins, so the attendant had to carry the tray to the Heavenly Dou Royal Team's resting area.
Unlike the others who were visibly excited, Li Xun casually glanced at the three Soul Bones on the tray.
None of these Soul Bones were what he needed. Their skills were mediocre, and their quality and age were low. The best among them was undoubtedly the Wisdom Head Bone.
However, he already possessed an 85,000-year-old Blue Silver King Head Bone, so he wasn't particularly envious.
Sensing the subtle greedy gazes around him, Li Xun stored the head bone in his Soul Guiding Device. "I'd like to give this Soul Bone to my Teacher. As for the remaining two, you can choose among yourselves. But since there are only two left, those who don't get one will receive a reward in Gold Soul Coins instead."
Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan naturally had no objections, as they already possessed head Soul Bones.
Dugu Yan had obtained hers the earliest, a head bone and a left leg bone, which were part of the advance payment when Dugu Bo joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Zhu Zhuqing's head bone came from a 50,000-year-old Three-Eyed Magic Fox, while Ning Rongrong's was dropped by Shi Nian.
As for the left leg bone and right arm bone on the tray, none of the three had any use for them. Although Ning Rongrong currently lacked Soul Bones, these two were clearly unsuitable for her. The Explosive Right Arm Bone was best suited for fire-attribute Soul Masters, while the left leg bone was more appropriate for agility or power-type Soul Masters.
"We'll pass on these two Soul Bones," the three women said in unison.
Li Xun thought for a moment, then picked up the Swift Wind Left Leg Bone and handed it to Yang Qianjun. "Brother Yang, this is for you."
"Brother Li, how can I accept this? I didn't contribute much during the competition," Yang Qianjun stepped back, waving his hands in refusal.
"Consider it an additional investment in you and the Breaking Clan. After all, you'll have your hands full soon," Li Xun said, stuffing the Soul Bone into Yang Qianjun's arms. He then turned to the Shi brothers.
"Captain, we didn't contribute much either, and while this Soul Bone is good, it's not really suitable for us," Shi Mo and Shi Feng said, their eyes briefly flickering with desire. However, their Black Tortoise Turtle Martial Souls were water-attribute, making the bone incompatible, which left them feeling a bit regretful.
"Then I'll convert it into Gold Soul Coins for you," Li Xun said with a smile, storing the Soul Bone away. "But what about joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? Have you made a decision?"
"Captain, of course we'll join. It's just that after you asked us last time, we didn't find the right opportunity to tell you," Shi Mo and Shi Feng scratched their heads.
The commotion naturally caught everyone's attention, and Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu's eyes flickered with surprise.
"Sister Huo Wu, you didn't calculate that no one in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School could adapt to that Soul Bone, did you?" Shui Bing'er glanced sideways at Huo Wu.
"Little sister Bing'er, do I look like such a cunning person to you?"
Huo Wu chuckled lightly: "However, didn't you say that Li Xun promised that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School offers a ten-thousand-year Soul Bone before reaching level ninety?"
"I think this one is quite good, and probably only I am the most suitable for it."
"Then Sister Huo Wu, you'd better hurry! Even if a Soul Bone isn't perfectly compatible, absorbing it doesn't really cause any loss, right?" Shui Bing'er pouted.
Huo Wu narrowed her eyes, snorted softly, and turned her head away.
Seeing that the Soul Bone had been allocated, Bibidong slowly rose from her gilded chair: "Since the rewards have been distributed, I will say a few more words."
"I won't comment on Li Xun's team, although you are disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, you are also under the name of the Spirit Hall. Blazing Academy team, would you be willing to join the Spirit Hall?"
Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu were stunned, and their expressions gradually turned grim. How were they supposed to respond?
They knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had recently announced its affiliation with the Spirit Hall, but although they were nominally part of the same organization, they were essentially different.
After much hesitation, Huo Wu spoke first: "Your Excellency the Pope, I had already agreed to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School earlier. Although it's not a direct affiliation with the Spirit Hall, it now falls under its name."
"Your Excellency, I had also previously agreed to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School." Shui Bing'er, surprised by Huo Wu's sudden change for the sake of a Soul Bone, quickly responded as well.
Hearing their replies, the most astonished was not Bibidong but Feng Xiaotian. He looked at Huo Wu in disbelief and quickly claimed that he had also received an invitation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Seeing this, Bibidong's eyes narrowed, and she casually glanced at Ning Fengzhi. She hadn't expected the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to act so swiftly, already extending their reach to the three best talents of the Blazing Academy team.
Losing interest in the remaining participants, Bibidong scanned the crowd: "I declare this Soul Master Competition concluded."
Ning Fengzhi naturally noticed Bibidong's gaze, and seeing her end the event so decisively, his heart skipped a beat.
Bibidong's intentions are hard to guess.
In the tranquil pond, with a two-hundred-meter waterfall blending water and sky, Tang Hao looked at the scenery that remained unchanged from the past, his emotions complex and hard to articulate: "Xiao San, this is where your mother disappeared."
Tang San, now aware of his origins, felt a surge of sorrow and anger upon seeing the place where his mother once stayed: "Father, don't worry, I will definitely find the person who took mother away."
Tang Hao, seeing Tang San's expression, nodded in satisfaction and then patted his shoulder: "Come with me."
Without waiting for Tang San, he leaped forward with a single leg, covering over twenty meters in an instant.
Although the loss of his left leg made movement inconvenient, his eighty-level Soul Power was more than enough for him to move freely. Tang Hao led Tang San for six or seven days, finally stopping at the edge of an unnamed forest.
"Xiao San, release your Blue Silver Grass and focus intently on it. I shouldn't have brought you here so early, but the current situation leaves us no room for further delay."
Tang San stared blankly at Tang Hao, then without asking further questions, he chose a dry spot and summoned his Blue Silver Grass.
He closed his eyes, concentrating his mental energy on the Blue Silver Grass, and then gradually expanded his awareness to the surroundings.
After a long while, Tang San opened his eyes with a puzzled expression: "Father, what did you bring me here to experience?"
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/QueenTL
Thanks!