บท 168: Return
Seven days have passed since the beginning of the final competition. Every team brought their strongest groups of geniuses. In fact, a few teams had a spirit sage but none of them were younger than the age of 30. It was clear that even those who have reached the level of Spirit Sage had exerted themselves greatly. Being able to reach rank 70 and higher at this age is categorized as the mark of a supreme talent.
The construction of the final competition was entirely left on the Spirit City and they chose to create a tremendously sturdy and large arena within one of the hunting grounds protected by them. A little north to the Spirit City is the Yellow Heart Province and within this province is a rare habitat under the Spirit City's watch known as the Reverse Waterfall Plains. Although a very scenic location, due to the surrounding towns, almost all of the high-level spirit beasts are extinct already. Still, it did not stop the Spirit Hall to bring this location under their control.
As the name suggests, the Reverse Waterfall Plains have a giant fountain in its center that continuously shoots freshwater as high as 80 meters. The size of the waterfall itself surpasses most of the ponds and only a small thicket could be seen surrounding the giant lake formed due to this marvel of nature, This region also used to be one of the two great sources of the water-type spirit rings but now Spirit Hall strictly forbade anyone from hunting here.
This has already divided aquatic-type martial souls and the other form of martial souls. Presently, most of the aquatic spirit masters can only be seen around coastal territories of the continent.
The grand arena for the final competition was formed inside of the giant fountain.
There were four bridges erected for the various families and civilians to enter the arena. It was not a simple arrangement, to say the least. The only people allowed to stay within the arena itself were the team members participating in the competition. One guardian that the factions sent with their teams and one ambassador who is allowed to move back and forth from the arena and the nearby towns where many individuals of interest stayed. Not only that, for anyone to enter the arena to view the matches needed to pay high prices where the profits will be divided by the three major factions of the continent.
Of course, there were many, many spirit essence tools set in every arena built on the continent for every individual to view the matches. Not to mention the fact that in these seven days, there were already a few fan-favorite teams and this allowed many viewers to be selective on which time to enter the arena. After all, the line-up for matches will be revealed every day in the morning. Of course, one thing was not revealed,
The bet.
This was the main focus of the powerhouses of the various factions and the reason why ambassadors were allocated to the teams in the first place.
For the team presented by the Spirit City, the Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan was presented as the protector of the team and Bibi Dong herself remained as the ambassador. This act simply shot her prestige within the hall through the roof because various elders who require a few things from other factions now have to contact Bib Dong.
Things weren't as simple as they seem, of course. Sixteen matches would occur every day. This meant that every team had potentially sixteen opportunities to gain resources.
For instance, the Spirit City is matched to face the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. This team is nurtured by the Heaven Dou Imperial Clan and is one of the seeded teams. There are many factions who require resources from the heaven dou imperial clan and the spirit hall. By now, Bibi Dong had already received many requests from the varying factions including the Star Luo Imperial Clan to get resources from the opposing teams while presenting an appropriate price but Bibi Dong was also clear on the fact that the Star Luo Imperial Clan would have approached the Heaven Imperial Clan to gain a few resources from the Spirit Hall.
This was the real face of the competition. There were no eternal rivals, only benefits. Even the teams who had already lost to the Spirit Hall would approach them with a calm expression while Bibi Dong herself would send many requests for resources.
Even before the break of dawn, many teams would wake up and start their routine of constantly reviewing various matches and contact their families for directions regarding the many resources needed to bet.
Inside the giant fountain, a beautiful crystal dome surrounded the arena. every civilian felt lucky to enter such an arena and only envied the stronger spirit masters for they can see such beautiful sceneries every day. Little did they know...
"The Sixth Priest wants the Diamond Staff held by the Gengxin City. We are prepared to provide the first level of his staff technique for it. Lana, go and seal this deal with the Nuoding Province's team."
"Yuehua, you will go to the Blazing Academy's region and tell them that we will only ask the Heaven Duo Imperial Academy the copy of their fire-type facilities only if they add their own copy of flame-type blueprint of their training grounds."
As Bibi Dong said so, Yuehua and Hu Lana left the office. Over the week, Bibi Dong used Hu Lana because of her unbridled charm that is known to even attract females and Yuehua who had amazing speaking skills to seal many deals. She herself manned the office.
While Hu Lana and Yuehua were without injuries, within the office, the remaining five members all held some form of surface wounds. Ah Yin could easily heal them but Bibi Dong wanted to continue feigning weakness. Every time they would fight a match, Hu Lana and Yuehua would get down the stage while Bibi Dong made sure to win only after a tiring battle. After all, if they won too easily, no other team would bet resources with them.
The main objective was to win, however. Their team had won all seven matches until now and had gained enough fame for other teams to approach them to provide compensation for the resources they want from the opponent team.
"I'm tired," Jun'er whined.
"Please stay quiet, I'm meditating," Ah Yin remarked. She could be said to be the most easygoing individual since she refused to participate in the money-making fiasco.
"Tch, Little Yin. How did you even land Ka-ul? He is easily the greediest individual..." Jun'er mumbled while Ah Yin shrugged.
"Ahhhhh! Oscar! Stop mumbling!" Erlong growled while Oscar looked at the irritated Erlong and then mumbled again, "Your granddaddy has a stinky tofu!"
Veins popped on Erlong's barely-haired head. She was opposite of Ah Yin and was easily annoyed.
Seeing them, Bibi Dong sighed. She honestly missed Ja Sun and Xie Xan. Despite wielding blades, Xie Xan was the best accountant and could easily help Bibi Dong organize this mess. Meanwhile, Ja Sun was simply devious and crazy enough to help her handle the political side of the mess and even manage to gain more benefits.
"But... it will take them at least a year to return..." Her eyes dimmed for a moment as she recalled the dangers and disgust filled within the Slaughter City.
"Ah! Sister Dong— Mmgh~!" Hu Lana's squeak echoed after a few minutes of waiting before she let out a moan. Everybody's expression turned cold as they expected the worst and rushed out of the office.
"Bastard! Let go of Lana!"
Erlong screamed. This corridor was quite peaceful and was only occupied by their team so they instantly felt that someone else was forcing themselves on Hu Lana.
"Who the hell are you calling a bastard?" The familiar voice instantly stunned the group as they stopped in their tracks. Hugging Hu Lana as she blushed happily, was Xie Xan. Of course, he had looked better. His hair had grown out, he was slightly paler than usual and had thinned down, too.
Ah Yin's gaze, meanwhile, landed on Ja Sun. Still tanned and burly but his hair had grown out, too.
"Hi..." Ja Sun waved his hand and Ah Yin gulped.
'How should I approach this situation... hug him? But that would show that I missed him and the bastard would try to take advantage later in the night... but I did notice his absence... hmm, I can play it cool. No point in giving him any more reason to try new things aside from the things we are already getting used to—'
As Ah Yin's thoughts jumbled, a shadow sneaked past an equally complicated Bibi Dong and Ah Yin before jumping Ja Sun with a fierce hug.
It was the bald maniac!
"You fucker!" Bibi Dong hissed as she tumbled down with Ja Sun while the man hit his head against the wall, making him scowl in pain. But as he felt Liu Erlong... well, around him, he couldn't help but purse his lips. If only he was as respected and loved in his previous life... he wouldn't have died a virgin.
However, Liu Erlong looked up and grinned, "I've gotten way stronger! That flower really helped me a lot... so... thank you. I wanted to say that ay before but you suddenly disappeared!" She let out her petty grievances but Ja Sun only narrowed his eyes. Tang Yuehua had just returned and she gasped in surprise.
"Who... are you, you balding—" Before Ja Sun could complete his sentence, Liu Erlong's eyes lit up and she suddenly headbutted his chest. With a snort but still a happy smile, she stood up and spat, "I've grown hair!"
"Yeah? Down there, too? You bald bitch!" Ja Sun coughed as he glared at the satisfied Erlong who took no notice of his words and crossed her arms calmly. Feeling the other's stare, Liu Erlong furrowed, "What?"
"Brother Ka-ul, here, let me help you up," Tang Yuehua hurried. Ja Sun was somewhat of a mentor to her so only she showed the slightest form of respect to him.
Sighing deeply, Ja Sun smiled, "Thanks, Yuehua... only you treat me well. My own girlfriend only beats me at night... Erlong has gotten crazier and Hu Lana has only gotten fat... I'm sure that something is also wrong with Dong'er and Jun'er after my absence..."
Ja Sun completed the speedrun of offending everyone once again.
However, Bibi Dong's pink pupils held a trace of purple as she frowned and observed Ja Sun.
"Quickly enter the office!"
Bibi Dong spoke coldly while a trace of doubt flashed in Ah Yin's eyes, too, as she gazed at Ja Sun.
---
"Ah Yin, use your domain to check his condition," Bibi Dong remarked once they entered the office. She sat behind the desk while making Ja Sun and Xie Xan stand in front of her. Ah Yin nodded seriously and once she activated her domain, her expression turned cold while her gaze turned slightly furious.
"Who... did this to you?" She inquired coldly as Ja Sun shrugged.
"Consequences of my greed. Don't worry about it. I have it under control."
"Like hell," Bibi Dong smacked her desk and raised her voice, "You have almost regressed to rank 62! Who did this and why?"
Ja Sun frowned for a moment. He wasn't surprised that Ah Yin would find it out eventually due to his close proximity with her but to think that even Bibi Dong found out...
Finally, he shrugged, "I don't know who did it. As anyone can expect, I'm not all-knowing and powerful. Once again, when I say I don't know who did this, I mean it literally. I don't know its name, origin, or strength. What I do know is how to heal this."
Bibi Dong and Ah Yin collectively frowned, clearly not satisfied by such an explanation and as such, Bibi Dong looked at Xie Xan and asked him to explain what happened and why they aren't inside the Slaughter City. With a shrug, he began explaining the situation within the city, how Ja Sun had decimated a small section of the Slaughter King's forces in the beginning, the 'invention' of the gun, the constant deduction of arrays, and even the fact that he would bathe in blood for the cultivation of his eyes.
These weren't secrets worth hiding so Xie Xan explained it all as to how Ja Sun managed to bypass the rule of the 100 victories, too. Hearing his vivid description, Hu Lana and others couldn't help but tremble. Especially Yuehua. She had a pale expression. She always knew that Slaughter City is a dangerous location because Tang Hao had entered it himself but didn't expect it to be such a vile location.
As for the last trial, Xie Xan glazed over many things but one thing was clear that he lost his consciousness after Ja Sun pushed him into the pool of Bloody Mary and then finally woke up outside the Slaughter City.
Gazes then landed on Ja Sun who smiled, "See? And you thought that Array formation is a useless profession for spirit masters."
He gazed at Bibi Dong who replied calmly, "Don't change the subject. There is a tear in your sea of spirit energy. I think you will regress to rank 62 in a few days and this speed will only increase. Ah Yin, can you heal this injury?"
Ah Yin shook her head. While Xie Xan was speaking, he had already tried to heal the injury but failed. This left Ah Yin a little dejected. She could heal others easily but with how dangerous injuries Ja Sun accumulated, she felt it increasingly hard to keep up with her skills. She couldn't regenerate torn limbs and now she couldn't heal torn sea of spirit energy, too.
"Oscar, have you already absorbed the immortal herb?" Ja Sun looked at Oscar who nodded and explained how a strange sphere was already forming within his sea of spirit energy. Hearing this, Ja Sun sighed. One of the two immortal herbs that could heal this tear was none other than the Immortal Herb Oscar had gotten. After all, the effects of the Immortal Herb were so amazing that Oscar had already formed a pseudo spirit core and would complete it probably once he reaches the level of Spirit Sage.
After replying that the core was only a beneficial thing, Ja Sun fell silent.
The joy of reunion and the knowledge that arrays were so divine if wielded properly was covered by the complicated emotions regarding Ja Sun's injury. Liu Erlong felt the worst. She was too easily excited and similarly, too easily saddened. Oscar was next. He wasn't a stupid individual. Everyone had gotten an Immortal Herb and everybody benefitted greatly. In fact, Liu Erlong's benefits were the highest, yet, Ja Sun inquired about his immortal herb. It was clear that the Immortal Herb he had absorbed could have helped Ja Sun.
"You said you already have a way to heal yourself..." Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes, "If that's a lie, tell me now. I... can arrange something for the time being."
"You can?" Ja Sun looked at Bibi Dong in surprise.
"Well," seeing her silent, Ja Sun hummed thoughtfully, "I will be in your care. Also, if possible, I still want to participate in the competition. Using the spirit skills is clearly not advisable but I have other methods. And also—"
"You cannot participate," Bibi Dong cut him off.
"Because I and Xie Xan came out too early?" Ja Sun inquired and Bibi Dong nodded.
In fact, Bibi Dong also did not know that Ja Sun had made an enemy out of Redstar. But Ja Sun still wanted to participate since he can gain many resources by making his mission difficult.
"What if I contribute the method of bypassing the requirement of Slaughter Arena to the Spirit Hall?" Ja Sun smiled.
The benefit of the Slaughter City, at least, the ones known by the Spirit Hall was simply the advantage of getting a Domain. This domain was obtained by the Slaughter Egg which Ja Sun had completely absorbed. Even if the Spirit Hall knows the way to enter the trials, they will only face the Three-headed Bat and the Serpent without any spirit skills for vain so Ja Sun wasn't stingy on this matter.
Hearing her words, Bibi Dong's eyelids jumped in surprise and she looked thoughtful.
"I have to discuss it with Master. In the meantime, you two will familiarize yourself with the various resources at play here. Yuehua, Lana, help them. Once you are familiar, you two will take over the organization of various resources and discussing it with other ambassadors."
Xie Xan and Ja Sun nodded.
Once Bibi Dong left, Ja Sun looked around with a grin before pulling close to Ah Yin, "Alright, everyone. It's time you began to describe everything you gained from the Immortal Herbs. I need to make a list of these benefits and compare it with my own records.
With that, Ja Sun first understood everyone's advantages and then also added that these advantages were on the surface. The most important benefit of an immortal herb is to permanently increase the user's talent and potential so as they continue to cultivate, they would be able to unearth more benefits.
Xie Xan then proceeded to demonstrate his domain but Ja Sun refrained from doing so. Not only would it quicken the depletion of his Spirit Energy but he also wanted to keep his domain hidden momentarily.
As for Bibi Dong and Qian Xunji, Ja Sun wasn't impatient. He didn't want to act hastily and relay the information that Redstar wanted Bibi Dong known without any form of necessity. If he acted irrationally, he may just end up earning Bibi Dong's ire instead.
Once Ja Sun and Xie Xan took an hour to familiarise themselves with the situation, under Ah Yin's constant support as the room was once again filled with blue silver variants, Ja Sun began to optimize a few more requests and resources. After all, he was explained in detail by Redstar regarding various resources that the other factions hold and it is within these resources that the other herb capable of healing his injury laid.
But first, he gazed at the current team that they would face.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Ja Sun didn't even think.
He was extremely interested in one of their Supreme Spirit Essence Tool...
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
And in return, Ja Sun placed the blueprint of three essence tools that contributed to 15 percent of Spirit Hall's income. Of course, this was a personal need for resources and the blueprint belonged to Ja Sun itself. Should Qian Daoliu be present, he would cough out his centipede soup just in anger and shock.
15% of the Spirit Hall's total income...
The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy accepted it without another thought.
And by the time Bibi Dong was discussing Ja Sun's proposal with her master, the news of this act only made her smile secretly. In reality, she wanted her team to have more members since winning had gotten increasingly difficult without revealing their trump cards. Ja Sun's and Xie Xan's addition would prove extremely helpful.
And with how Bibi Dong vouched for their strength and Qian Xunji's own knowledge of the benefits attained from the Slaughter City, he finally agreed to the deal.
But even when Ja Sun and Xie Xan were a part of the team originally, Qian Xunji had to personally relay the information to various factions about the addition of the two original members so that he could snuff up any dissatisfaction in the bud. Still, the news of Ja Sun's return who knew where he had been caught up shocked many individuals. These individuals included Ning Fengzhi who was present in the Gengxin City when the whole fiasco took place while Redstar's brows violently twitched. Tang Hao and the others of the Clear Sky Clan, especially Tang Peng were more than roused since they innately felt a sense of enmity against Ja Sun who 'kidnapped' Tang Yuehua.
Even in these seven days, Tang Yuehua barely had any contact with her family due to her responsibilities and also her... well, her brother's incidental rejection of her proposal. It was Tang Yuehua herself who felt more awkward around her family at the moment and actively avoided them.
This only made the Clear Sky Clan more dissatisfied with Ja Sun.
***
Shout-out to Joseph Bibb!
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