After the trial mission was completed, Zhou Haoyu gave everyone free time for the next stretch.
Although there was no longer the pressure of elimination, not a single person wanted to be the one dragging the team down.
During this period, Zhao Manyan, Nan Jue, Jiang Yu, and the others were all in seclusion, attempting their breakthrough to High-level.
Zhou Haoyu, even though he had already reached High-level in five elements, did not slack off in cultivation in the slightest.
With the aid of the Earth Holy Spring, Zhou Haoyu had already cultivated Lightning to the second Level.
Little Flame Belle was also close to advancing to Commander-level, but Zhou Haoyu wasn't in a rush to let her break through.
Before she advanced, Zhou Haoyu planned to first purchase a suitable Fire-element Soul Seed to raise Little Flame Belle's growth potential.
The Flame Belle's Heaven and Earth Calamity Fire was indeed a Heaven Seed, but if not cultivated properly, the Calamity Fire would be difficult to advance into Heavenly Flame.
As the days passed, the time to leave the Japan was approaching, and the Mentor Group also arrived in Tokyo by plane.
Most likely due to Zu Jiming's incident, Feng Li had deliberately contacted Zhou Haoyu ahead of time.
"Zhou Haoyu, regarding Zu Jiming's matter, we are already aware. The evidence is still in your possession, isn't it?"
Feng Li, as always, carried his stern demeanor, but his tiger-like eyes burned with a fiery rage.
Feng Li had never tolerated even the slightest grain of sand in his eye—let alone such a serious violation from Zu Jiming.
Harming one's teammates!!
The matter had already spread domestically, and General Jiang himself was furious to the point of wanting Zu Jiming flayed alive.
The relationship between the Jiang family and the Zu family instantly plummeted to freezing point.
"Mm, here it is."
Without hesitation, Zhou Haoyu handed the poisoned needle over to Mentor Feng Li.
The poisoned needle was only half the size of a silver needle—if one didn't look carefully, it would be hard to notice.
After careful inspection, Feng Li's expression darkened. "It is indeed the stinger of a Poison Bee."
Poison Bees were a fairly common venomous insect, and the only Poison-element mage in the team was Zu Jiming.
With both material evidence and witnesses, the matter of Zu Jiming harming his teammates was now fully settled.
"Mentor, how do you plan to deal with Zu Jiming?" Zhou Haoyu asked.
"Heh, this case is far-reaching, far beyond what we few mentors can decide. As long as the Zu clan doesn't interfere, at the very least he'll spend time behind bars."
Feng Li made no attempt to conceal the truth, stating it plainly.
Although Zu Jiming had attacked Jiang Shaoxu, in the end no irreversible disaster had occurred.
"For trash like him, if you ask me, abolishing his cultivation is far more fitting."
A young mentor with just as fiery a temper added coldly.
"Ahem, Xiao Liu, you can't put it that way. No matter what, he still has the Zu clan behind him."
Another older mentor quickly reminded him.
"Tch~"
Mentor Liu gave a cold snort, his eyes filled with disgust toward Zu Jiming.
"All right, Zhou Haoyu, notify the others." Feng Li instructed.
Zhou Haoyu nodded and immediately sent out a message to everyone.
After receiving the message, the others arrived at the hall one after another.
"Your performances these past days have been decent, the trial mission was completed smoothly—though most of the credit belongs to Zhou Haoyu."
Feng Li swept his gaze across them. Seeing that everyone had broken through to High-level, he gave a satisfied nod.
"The replacement member has already been decided. I believe you all have your guesses. We'll be bringing Zu Jiming back home, and tomorrow your new teammate will arrive."
Hearing this, no one was surprised.
For a scourge like Zu Jiming not to be expelled would have been an outrage against heaven.
As for the new teammate—no matter who it was, they couldn't possibly be worse than Zu Jiming, right?
Of course, Zhou Haoyu already knew who the replacement was—Lu Yilin of the Lu family.
This man's pettiness was no less than Zu Jiming's.
After giving a few more instructions, Feng Li and the other mentors departed—naturally not forgetting to bring Zu Jiming, the scourge, with them.
[Opening Condition: Fulfilled.]
[Opening in Progress.]
[Obtained Curse Borrowed Body Technique.]
"???"
Zhou Haoyu was completely dumbfounded. He didn't even possess the Curse element—what use did he have for drawing such a secret technique?
Forget it, better than nothing.
At worst, he could simply make the Curse Borrowed Body Technique public. That alone would be enough to infuriate the Zu clan's Patriarch and Elders to death.
The next day.
In order to welcome the new member, the group went to the airport to wait.
Before long, a young man dragging his luggage walked over.
[Opening Condition: Have Mo Fan directly or indirectly kill Lu Yilin.]
"Greetings, seniors. My name is Lu Yilin. Please take care of me during the trial period."
Lu Yilin wore a humble façade, yet his gaze drifted among the girls the entire time, finally stopping on Jiang Shaoxu.
Zhou Haoyu glanced at him. Judging from his aura, he had only just stepped into High-level.
For the Lu family to push him into High-level so quickly, they must have spent no small amount of resources.
Zhou Haoyu wasn't interested in dealing with this ill-omened fellow. Instead, he looked at Ai Jiangtu and said, "Old Ai, I plan to take Xue'er back home for a while. From here on, you'll lead the team for the trial."
"What??"
Ai Jiangtu and the others were stunned. As the captain, Zhou Haoyu was actually planning to leave temporarily.
Although taking leave during trials wasn't rare, Zhou Haoyu was the captain!
If the mentors discovered this, he would undoubtedly be criticized.
As for being expelled—unlikely. Zhou Haoyu was, after all, their most important trump card for winning the championship.
Of course, Zhou Haoyu knew this as well. But he absolutely had to take Mu Ningxue to Tianshan.
First, to strengthen Mu Ningxue's power. Second, to resolve the issue of her third element.
Mu Ningxue's third element was Summoning, but since her Ice element was overwhelmingly strong, it could very well cause her Summoning element to turn into the Undead element.
To resolve it, she had to contract with the Tianshan Little White Tiger.
Beyond that, Zhou Haoyu also had to rescue Qin Yu'er at Tianshan. That matter directly concerned Zhan Kong's treasure chest.
Before, Zhou Haoyu hadn't dared to offend the Holy City. But now, he no longer had such concerns.
There was also England Team's Ayleen—he should encounter her on this trip back home as well.
Oh, right—Dongfang Lie also had a treasure chest.
"We'll try to regroup with you all at the next trial point." Zhou Haoyu patted Ai Jiangtu on the shoulder.
Ai Jiangtu wore a helpless expression. If the mentors found out, he would also be implicated.
"Must you really go back?" Ai Jiangtu asked with serious confirmation.
Zhou Haoyu nodded.
Mu Ningxue had quietly stayed at Zhou Haoyu's side the whole time. Last night, he had already told her about this matter.
As for the mysterious Tianshan, she too felt some curiosity and longing.
"All right then. I'll do my best to cover for you two." Ai Jiangtu said.
"Good brother, I'll give you something nice in the future."
Zhou Haoyu wrapped his arm around Ai Jiangtu's shoulder and said with a smile.
If the next treasure chest didn't yield a Curse element, he could simply pass the Curse Borrowed Body Technique to Ai Jiangtu.
.....
For Advance Chapters
pateron.com/Translaterappu