That night.
Nine Nether Queen, who had always been diligent, delivered good news.
The undead she sent to the deep sea to find the Four-Colored Demon had succeeded, though there was a small incident during the process.
The incident was that the Royal Shroud Skeleton Queen discovered Nine Nether Queen's subtle movements and sent her Lesser Monarch Deep Sea Undead to hunt down the undead dispatched by Nine Nether Queen.
As a result, they were slain by Nine Nether Queen, who arrived to provide support, creating a significant feud.
However, these were minor issues.
The most important thing was that the Four-Colored Demon was now in hand.
This meant that the most crucial puzzle piece for fusion magic had been collected, and all that remained was for Feng Zhoulong to summon the Gate of All Beings!!!
Jiang Yuan immediately had Nine Nether Queen send the Four-Colored Demon to Feng Zhoulong in his name, also clearly stating the Four-Colored Demon's unique properties within the package.
He believed that Feng Zhoulong, who had been researching fusion magic in advance, would soon bring good news.
...
...
The plane landed in Venice.
The China National Team immediately took the special local transport—the Gondola Water Beast—to meet with the National Government Mentors.
"Sigh, who knows how long the Mentors have been enjoying themselves in Venice," Mo Fan sighed.
The National Training Hall had undergone training in various places around the world: deserts, tropical rainforests, swamps, and oceans.
In short, they went wherever it was difficult, and comfortable days within a city were few and far between.
The National Government Mentors, however, were elusive, communicating only through communicators all day long, and the only few times they met were when the National Training Hall underwent replacements and eliminations.
Mo Fan strongly suspected that the National Government Mentors had arrived in the water city of Venice much earlier and had been enjoying its local customs for many days!
"There's still some time before the competition starts, enough for you to enjoy yourself," Jiang Yuan said.
"I don't want to just enjoy myself; I want to experience the local customs here. This is a world-renowned water city, isn't it? Hahaha," Mo Fan said, scratching the back of his head and laughing, his peripheral vision constantly glancing at Mu Ningxue. Seeing no reaction from her, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As everyone chatted while admiring the unique scenery of the water capital, the Gondola Water Beast unknowingly pulled them to their destination.
The National Government Mentors were already waiting by the riverbank.
Upon seeing the National College Team arrive, the Mentors eagerly came forward to greet them.
However, they were not greeting Mo Fan and the others; they were greeting Jiang Yuan.
"Jiang Yuan, are you tired from the journey?"
"As expected of our China National Team's Captain, what you did in South America and Egypt has gained us considerable support from various magical organizations internationally for China!"
"When you return to China, there will likely be a very significant commendation ceremony!"
"..."
Mo Fan and the others heard nothing but warm greetings and endless praises for Jiang Yuan, almost elevating him to the heavens.
Jiang Yuan responded to each with a polite smile, behaving courteously, which made the Mentors like him even more.
The China National Team checked into their hotel.
From then until the National Mansion War, it was all free time.
However, everyone did not plan to use it for leisure; they only rested briefly before beginning intensive cultivation.
Even Mo Fan started his seclusion.
Before secluding himself, he asked Zhao Manyan to help him buy a Thunder Soul Seed.
Jiang Yuan had already reached maximum cultivation in all his elements, so he did not continue to cultivate.
However, after such a long time, his spiritual power realm had already touched the bottleneck of the Eighth Realm.
This was something that could not be broken through by meditation alone; it required an opportunity.
For example, a powerful spiritual treasure.
Or, a sudden breakthrough to the Eighth Realm in a moment of clarity.
Alternatively, if any magic element breaks through to the Super-Level, it can naturally propel spiritual power to the Eighth Realm.
Therefore, Jiang Yuan, having nothing to do, rented a Gondola Water Beast and toured the entire city of Venice, enjoying its water city scenery.
"Are you here to watch the National Mansion War?" asked the beast tamer controlling the Gondola Water Beast.
"Yes," Jiang Yuan nodded.
"Then you'll get to see some very exciting magical battles! More and more National Training Hall teams are arriving in our water city recently; the competition will start soon!" the beast tamer said enthusiastically.
"Which National College Teams have arrived so far?" Jiang Yuan asked casually.
"Well, there's Japan, the United States..."
As the beast tamer spoke, Jiang Yuan nodded occasionally.
A magnificent building flashed before his eyes, with lifelike golden twin-winged lions, looking very solemn and majestic.
The St. Mark's World Auction House.
Such a good place couldn't be missed.
"Please stop here for a moment."
"Certainly, as you wish."
The beast tamer directed the Gondola Water Beast to the shore: "I will wait here for your return."
Jiang Yuan stepped off the Gondola Water Beast and walked directly into the St. Mark's Auction House.
Inside, it was even more resplendent and magnificent than it appeared from the outside.
The attendant did not approach Jiang Yuan directly but stood in place, maintaining a welcoming gesture, which did not feel overly enthusiastic but was very respectful.
Jiang Yuan walked towards the auction hall.
With a card worth tens of billions, he easily entered the largest auction hall, where items were currently being auctioned.
"This is a complete set of Monarch-level exotic bones, which can be used to advance summoned creatures or refine artifacts, with a starting bid of..." the emcee introduced the item from above.
Jiang Yuan was not interested in this item and looked to see if there were any interesting items later on.
Item after item was brought out.
They were nothing more than artifacts, materials, advancement items, elemental seeds, and such. Occasionally, a few Asian Dragon cubs were put up, and their prices soared to astronomical figures.
Jiang Yuan did take a few extra glances at the Asian Dragon cubs and even made a bid, planning to buy one to play with.
But his interest wasn't very high, and as soon as someone else raised the bid, he gave up.
"Are the Asian Dragon cubs on display handsome?"
A delightful and charming voice sounded in Jiang Yuan's ear, as a slender woman in a light, sheer veil, with her face covered by a mask, sat in the seat next to Jiang Yuan.
Her eyes were like rippling autumn water, gentle yet alluring.
"You are?" Jiang Yuan felt a strange sense of familiarity, but he was certain he had never met this woman before.
"Let's get acquainted. I am Asha Ruiya, a candidate Goddess of Parthenon Temple." Asha Ruiya elegantly extended her right hand.
So it was this woman.
Jiang Yuan understood, and likewise extended his right hand: "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Jiang Yuan from China."
"I know you, Captain of the China National Team," Asha Ruiya smiled. "Your recent experiences have long inspired my admiration: the Destroyer of the Red Ornament Guild, the Hero of Puccini, a High-Level Mage with the power to defeat Monarch-level beings."
"..."
Jiang Yuan was momentarily speechless; what kind of prefixes were these?
They made him feel somewhat embarrassed.
"Since you know me, we shouldn't be meeting by chance now, should we?" Jiang Yuan asked.
"Captain Jiang is indeed clever. Can we talk somewhere else?" Asha Ruiya covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
"There's a lounge here; let's talk in the lounge."
Jiang Yuan stood up and headed to the lounge.
He was curious as to why Asha Ruiya had sought him out.