After leaving the St. Mark's World Auction House, Jiang Yuan once again boarded a gondola water beast.
His eyes observed the surrounding scenery, but his mind was preoccupied with the Black Dragon Emperor.
A peak-level dragon possessing Dragon Breath still wields considerable power. When it's time to fight Khufu, he can have him lead the Eight Directional Undead Monarchs to attack the other Pyramids.
Once the National Mansion War concludes, he can proceed to subdue the Black Dragon Emperor.
At this moment, that scoundrel Councilman Su Lu hasn't yet made a move on the Black Dragon Emperor, so there's plenty of time.
However, that Tyrant Barren Thunder could be used to tempt Mo Fan.
...
Half a day later, Jiang Yuan returned to his hotel just before dinner.
"Old Jiang, you're really relaxed. Did you meet any beautiful Venetian girls out there?" Mo Fan asked, winking, in the restaurant.
"Yes, I met hundreds," Jiang Yuan replied casually.
Suddenly, a gaze fell upon him.
It was Mu Ningjiao.
"No way, that many? Quick, introduce them to me—uh, to Lao Zhao!" Mo Fan said.
"You believe whatever I say, don't you?" Jiang Yuan retorted, annoyed.
"Of course! Don't you know how much I trust you?"
Mo Fan put on a pained expression, secretly glancing at Mu Ningxue.
At this moment, Mu Ningxue's face was frosty; she seemed to be in a bad mood, and he didn't know what had happened during the day.
"Xuexue, what's wrong, Xuexue?" Mo Fan lunged over.
Mu Ningxue pushed him away, coldly saying, "We're not that close."
"How can that be? Weren't we fine yesterday?" Mo Fan continued to shamelessly stick to her.
Mu Ningxue kept avoiding Mo Fan, but she didn't show any signs of impatience; on the contrary, the frost on her face melted considerably.
...
After dinner, Mo Fan found Jiang Yuan.
"Old Jiang, I want to discuss something with you."
"What is it?"
"I want to buy a Thunder Soul Seed with a domain, but I'm a bit short on cash. Can you lend me about a billion? I'll pay you back later." Mo Fan kept raising his eyebrows, trying to look charming.
He looked rather roguish.
"I remember you still owed me from before," Jiang Yuan said, sitting on the sofa.
"Oh, what's that little bit of money? Quick, lend me about a billion! Later, when I slay a few monarch-level demons, I'll pay you back all at once." Mo Fan painted a grand picture.
"No," Jiang Yuan refused cleanly and directly.
"Old Jiang, I know you're rich. Just lend me some! I'll do anything for you, consider me begging you, brother!" Mo Fan, seeing Jiang Yuan's refusal, immediately started to play the victim.
"Call me Godfather, and I'll give you a big treasure," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.
"?"
"Are you taking advantage of me? Old Jiang, you've disappointed me too much. I'm not borrowing anymore!"
Mo Fan spoke with indignation, as Jiang Yuan took out a black box. As soon as it was out, lightning flashed at its corners.
"Oh? What's this, Godfather?"
"Didn't you say I disappointed you?" Jiang Yuan slowly opened the box, and violent lightning instantly erupted, though all the electric snakes were confined to a very small area by him.
"How could I, Godfather, what are you saying! Quickly tell me what kind of treasure this is, I feel like it's a Thunder Elemental Seed!" Mo Fan's mouth was watering.
"It seems so, and it's a top-tier, domain, Soul Seed, with a six-fold power bonus."
"Holy crap! Godfather, you really are my Godfather! This must be prepared for me, I f*cking love you!!!" Mo Fan was practically about to pounce on him.
Jiang Yuan fully opened the box, and the untamed Tyrant Barren Thunder broke free, unleashing lightning wantonly in the room.
Jiang Yuan used spatial power to isolate it, to avoid messing up the room.
The moment Tyrant Barren Thunder appeared, Mo Fan impatiently made intimate contact with it.
After a while, Mo Fan completely subdued the Tyrant Barren Thunder.
And Jiang Yuan handed a promissory note to Mo Fan.
It was a promissory note for a billion, just waiting for Mo Fan to sign his name.
"I know what you're going to say, so don't say it yet. Even close brothers have to settle accounts clearly. This billion is already a huge discount for you; a Soul Seed of this level would sell for over a billion at an auction." Jiang Yuan spoke first.
"What close brothers? You're my Godfather!" Mo Fan quietly slipped the promissory note into his pocket.
As a result, Jiang Yuan took out another stack.
You little rascal, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Although a billion is a small sum, I can't just give it away for nothing, can I?
"Alright, alright, I'll sign, I'll sign." Mo Fan knew there was no escaping and signed his name.
To be burdened with over a billion at such a young age, he truly has a promising future.
However, Mo Fan was still very excited to get the Tyrant Barren Thunder. Without another word, he dragged Jiang Yuan to the Venice River Training Ground, rented a spot, and tested the power of the Tyrant Barren Thunder.
He was more than satisfied with all the data that was tested.
...
...
Days passed, and people from all walks of life gradually arrived in Venice. The National Training Hall also took their positions.
Everywhere began to get crowded.
Venice does not have a large capacity for tourists, so to avoid undesirable incidents, entry into the Water City was restricted.
However, as the date of the World Academy Tournament drew closer, more and more people arrived.
In front of the Venice Doge's Palace, thirty-two flags were raised high. These were the National Government countries that had secured their spots in the final National Mansion War.
The order of the flags also indicated the ranking of each National Training Hall's achievements during their training.
The China flag naturally ranked first.
However, the National Training Halls that could enter the final National Mansion War were all formidable, each considered a powerful magical nation in the world.
As the thirty-two flags fluttered in the wind and glorious salutes echoed over Venice.
The final stage of the World Academy Tournament, the Venice Water City National Mansion War, officially commenced!
As the sun rose, the sunlight under the magical salute cannons became dazzling and glorious, falling upon the vibrant faces of the National College Teams from various countries.
Everyone's gaze also fell upon them; after the tournament, they would all embrace a bright future!
"First, I would like to express my gratitude to the liberty temple, the Dubai Mage Tower, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Cape of Good Hope Magic Fortress, the Parthenon Temple, the Former Imperial Palace St. Peter's Cathedral, the Hunter Union... and all those who have come..."
Fabio, the Doge of Venice, spoke with high spirits and excitement, expressing gratitude to the world-renowned magical organizations and attendees of the tournament.
Those who could be seated there were all famous Archmages, and behind them represented the holy lands that mages yearned for.
The opening ceremony quickly concluded.
The next step was the tense and exciting drawing of lots.
As the captain of the China National Team, Jiang Yuan walked to the drawing box.
The scene was broadcast live to all parts of the world.
"That's the captain of the China National Team, Jiang Yuan!"