Chapter 171: The Continental Elite Advanced Soul Master Tournament Begins
A slight frown appeared on Ye Lingling's brows, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. She seemed to have sensed something, but didn't ask further, only saying softly, "Tang Chuan, I've come to thank you."
As she spoke, she slowly stepped forward, her white skirt brushing against the blue silver grass leaves at her feet.
"My Spirit, Nine Heart Begonia, has successfully evolved." At the end, Ye Lingling suddenly opened her arms, giving Tang Chuan a surprise hug.
His body stiffened instantly, Tang Chuan's hands hanging in mid-air, unsure what to do.
At that moment, the faint fragrance of the girl lingered around his nose.
"We're all classmates, we should help each other, no need to thank me."
"Besides, this is something I promised you. You leave the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and join our Heavenly Movement Academy, and I'll find a way to evolve your Spirit." Patting Ye Lingling's back somewhat awkwardly, Tang Chuan's voice carried a hint of unnatural restraint.
Just then, another crisp footstep echoed from the corner of the corridor.
Xiao Rui'er suddenly appeared, her long golden hair gleaming softly in the moonlight.
"???"
However, when her gaze pierced through the pillars entwined with blue silver grass and she saw the scene in the courtyard, her steps abruptly halted.
A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. Xiao Rui'er glared fiercely at Tang Chuan, then, without giving him a chance to explain, immediately turned and left.
"Damn it! It's over..."
Hearing the sound, Tang Chuan looked up sharply and met Xiao Rui'er's eyes, filled with disappointment and anger. His face stiffened instantly, and he hurriedly said, "Rui'er, let me explain."
But Xiao Rui'er had no intention of listening. Her long golden hair drew a resolute arc in the air, and she disappeared into the end of the corridor without looking back.
Just then, Ye Lingling gently tugged at Tang Chuan's sleeve, her voice soft and innocent, "Did Rui'er misunderstand something?"
"It's all my fault, I was too excited just now..."
"Should I go explain to Rui'er later?"
Hearing this, Tang Chuan straightened his back, feigning composure, and waved his hand casually, saying, "It's okay, she and you are classmates, what do I need to explain?" Although he said this, his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the direction Xiao Rui'er had left, while his fingers unconsciously rubbed the hem of his clothes.
"But... Rui'er seems quite angry."
"I said it's okay, so it's okay! Let's go, let's go find Dugu Bo to discuss the competition." Tang Chuan's voice, though feigning nonchalance, carried a hint of barely perceptible guilt.
"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition will begin in a little over three months. The academy needs to make some simple preparations first, I wonder if we can pull a few more people from the Royal Fighting Team."
...
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
At this moment, Heavenly Movement Academy was bustling with activity, and the training ground was filled with students in uniform.
Sunlight shone on the white jade teaching buildings, and the sound of soul skills being unleashed could be heard from time to time on the training ground, mixed with the instructors' guidance and the students' laughter.
The dean's office was now packed with people.
"Not bad, the academy has grown so much in just a few months."
Taking a deep breath, Tang Chuan stood by the window, gazing at the bustling scene on the playground, and sighed.
Not far behind him stood Dugu Bo, Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong, and other core members of the academy. Xiao Rui'er was also present, but deliberately stood in the farthest corner from him, arms crossed, looking out the window.
Pointing to the thick roster on the table, Dugu Bo stroked his beard and smiled, "The first batch of three hundred students have all passed the simple assessment. The academy's teaching staff is complete, and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has sent several support-type Soul Masters to teach."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong smiled slightly at Dugu Bo and nodded. She had been at the academy for over two months and was now quite familiar with Tang Chuan and the others, with a good relationship.
Just then, the office door opened, and Dugu Yan walked in with several teachers from the academy. Her gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Dugu Bo, and she said solemnly, "Grandpa, all the participating students are ready. They are just waiting for you to lead the team to the competition venue."
Dugu Bo stepped forward and gently waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit down.
After everyone had quietly taken their seats, he cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over each student present. His expression was serious as he began, "The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament is the grandest Spirit competition in the soul master world, initiated and hosted by the royal families of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, and co-organized by the Spirit Hall. The strength of the participants is second only to the Spirit Hall Elite Selection Tournament."
"There are several rules we must abide by."
"First, participating academies must send students under the age of twenty-five, and each academy must maintain a minimum of seven participants per match."
"Second, the purpose of the competition is friendly sparring; we must avoid injuring or maiming our opponents as much as possible. Deaths are strictly prohibited. Any academy found killing an opponent will not only bear the corresponding losses but will also be expelled from the Soul Master Tournament."
Upon hearing this, the office fell silent, save for the faint sounds of training exercises drifting from outside the window.
"Grandpa, this rule doesn't seem quite right, does it?"
Dugu Yan raised her hand to interrupt Dugu Bo, her brows furrowing slightly. "You know, since my spirit evolved into the Azure Phosphorous Serpent Queen, the power of my venom has increased significantly. Spirit skills are blind; what if the opponent is too weak and gets poisoned to death by accident?"
Dugu Bo sighed helplessly, his eyes filled with reassurance as he explained to his granddaughter, "These are the rules of the Spirit Hall and the two great empires; I can't do anything about it. I can only let you play when facing strong teams."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan pouted, muttering somewhat resentfully, "What if we encounter a weak team that deliberately provokes us… like Shrek Academy…"
Under Dugu Bo's serious gaze, she finally nodded.
Immediately afterward, Dugu Bo surveyed the crowd, his voice clear and forceful as he continued: "Besides these two strict rules, there's one more thing I need to remind you of. During the competition, participants are prohibited from using any medicine or food not created by food-type or healing-type Soul Masters.
In other words, if you want supplies on the competition stage, a support-type Soul Master must occupy one of the spots."
"Furthermore, there's another rule: you cannot use any weapons other than your Spirit. You must remember this, or you will be expelled from the competition." He then looked at Xiao Rui'er, who was leaning against the window not far away, "In that case, your golden spear that can devour life force is no longer usable."
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[end of the chapter]