บท 169: An Attempt Was Made
While the orthodox factions bet resources, the various civilians that entered the mystical arena began betting gold. Aside from holding residence for the multiple participants, the large arena was wholly occupied by the magnificent seating area and the sky-blue colored square-shaped stage in the center that was 250 sq. meters in area. There was a large floating contraption above the stage that held four large screens displaying the situation of the stage. After all, the civilians weren't trained to view a few hundred meters of distance.
They looked in awe. Above them.
Through the large crystal dome was a magical scene of water. Within the gigantic fountain surrounding the arena were many aquatic life forms. Their bodies already mutated and evolved after countless years to not be affected by the flow of water. They miraculously swam around in the large fountain as it if was a calm lake.
Many fishes were layered with colorful corals and shells and their ribbed fins made many young viewers gasp in amazement.
There were three layers of viewing region. The Civilians were allowed to sit in the outermost region. Lower than them, in the middle, was the most luxurious region where the various leaders of the two Empires and numerous clans visited. Servants providing a feast not only with delicious food but also skimpy clothing. This area was also layered with a translucent screen that blurred anything from the outsider's view while allowed the various elders to view the stage clearly.
Qian Xunji, Tang Peng, the Clear Sky Twin Stars— Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, Yu Yuanzhen, The Two Emperors, and many other military leaders spoke amongst themselves. Their tones were soft and their expression gentle as if the two empires had never gone to many wars. As if they hadn't cut, killed, butchered— innocent and guilty— of their opponent faction and sent them straight to hell!
{A/N: Those who got that reference... I tip my imaginary hat to you.}
Below this region was the participant's viewing area. Here, the various teams and their teachers stayed and viewed. Each of these teams kept a distance from one another.
Almost everyone aside from the seeded teams looked battered for the most part.
Most of the men couldn't help but look at Hu Lana at one point or the other. Although every team boasted their own 'hunks' and 'beauties' that attracted the civilians, not many came close to the level of vain beauty held by the Spirit Hall's team...
'Except her...' They glanced at Liu Erlong and then looked away. Despite Bibi Dong's arrangements of only winning after being inflicted by some injuries and feigning a tiring victory, Liu Erlong was a menace that the equally skilled opponents did not want to handle. She could tank most of the attacks after spirit transforming since her crimson scales were extremely tough and every attack of her aimed to maim her opponent.
Though cute and bubbly to her teammates, she would turn into a fierce demon whenever she wished against her opponents.
Right now, the Star Luo Imperial Academy with Dai Taiyin as the team leader fought against the Godwind Academy. The Heaven Dou Empire had a total of four elemental academies that excelled in the research of fire, water, wind, and lightning-type martial souls and necessary spirit beasts for their benefits. Godwind Academy held one of the more troublesome opponents that the Spirit Academy had yet to face.
In fact, all the seeded and stronger teams still hadn't matched against each other. Every strong faction held the thought of squeezing out the benefits from the lower and weaker companions. However, after a week of competition, things had begun to change. The Godwind Academy vs the Star Luo Imperial Academy and the Spirit Academy vs the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had garnered great interest.
Through the stands, Ja Sun couldn't help but be surprised by Dai Taiyin, too.
'How the fuck did he... reach rank 70 already?' Ja Sun and others gazed at Dai Taiyin's seventh ring that had yet to be activated. Seeing him, Ja Sun couldn't help but recall Yu Xiaogang's quick rise in ranks. He had discussed this with Bibi Dong since she was more knowledgeable in this regard, however, her words were vague, too. She already implied that she had a few things to discuss after the day's competition.
And further inquiry about Qian Daoliu revealed that Ja Sun's master had taken off without relaying any information. The only thing that Qian Xunji even stated on the matter was that Qian Daoliu had been asked to teach someone.
"Could you not be so inappropriate?" Ah Yin scowled while having her arm around Ja Sun, too. Her words made others roll their eyes at the sheer hypocrisy displayed at the moment.
Cornering Ja Sun, she had no intent to move at the moment. Quite a few gazes landed on him. Ja Sun was a new face to many but Ah Yin was hailed in the hearts of almost every viewer alongside Hu Lana and seeing her so...
Ja Sun shrugged as he felt the killing intent. Xie Xan, too, was at ease as if the killing intent directed to him for being close to his fiance meant nothing to him.
"Well, clearly, I need to be more inappropriate," Ja Sun soothed the frustrated plant and pecked her cheek while compressing his voice, "You know, Liu Erlong did wrap me up tighter than you are doing now."
Ah Yin calmly gazed at him before smiling gently. Her Blue Silver Goddess shot out and tightly wrapped around his waist. Her actions made their teammates nod knowingly as if they didn't even need to know that Ja Sun was in the wrong... like always.
However, fully revealing how much he missed this, Ja Sun couldn't help but grin in a depraved manner and let out a throaty grunt, "Tighter, sweetheart. Ngh," he licked his lips.
"Aw, no! Hell, no!" There was a team of red-robed individuals sitting a little close to Bibi Dong's team but hearing his words, everyone quickly distanced themselves while they glanced at Ah Yin, too, with slight fear.
"Is it necessary," Bibi Dong sighed softly.
"Of course," Ja Sun pinched Ah Yin's blushing cheek before letting his arm around her shoulders, pulling Ah Yin in a warm embrace while kissing the top of her head.
"And Ah Yin," Ja Sun lowered his head, whispering, "I've got a month of outstanding time left now. And I want all of it in one night."
"Yeah, I'll stab you well!" Ah Yin almost hissed.
But seeing his clearly expectant expression, she couldn't help but deflate a little... fully knowing she was into it as well.
"Howl! Wolf Eagle!"
*Bang*
"Ahh..."
The first battle of the day came to a satisfying end with the Star Luo Imperial Academy keeping its winning streak and Godwind Academy finally meeting with a loss on the eighth day of the competition.
Once declared winners, Dai Taiyin silently looked at Ja Sun in the distance. Seeing him in close company with others and not even paying attention to the match, he couldn't help but snort coldly.
Zhu Ning appeared by his side and gently held his hand, "We'll defeat him for sure this time. Together."
She smiled and Dai Taiyin nodded. As they left, Ja Sun once again gazed at their departing figure. He would only try to rile up his opponents. Although he really missed his time with Ah Yin, his real purpose was not only to tease Ah Yin but also to become the center of attraction of his opponents. The past seven days, Bibi Dong and the other four had only fought weaker opponents those who didn't hold many resources in the first place.
But now...
'Time to put the greatest act...'
"Hey, did you spread the news?" Ja Sun looked towards Bibi Dong. Ja Sun sat in the corner followed by Ah Yin, Liu Erlong, Tang Yuehua, Bibi Dong, Oscar, Jun'er, Hu Lana, and Xie Xan. Ja Sun simply like corners so the seating came in such a manner. But the last area was still empty relatively. After all, only the teams of the various factions are allowed to sit here.
"I did," Bibi Dong leaned forward, "But it will take some time to get it rooted into other opponents. You'll have to act in that manner, too."
Everyone smiled unconsciously. It's annoying when they get duped but deceiving others... even Tang Yuehua— the 'good' girl of the team— had begun to slowly relish it.
"Hey! You're the one who took Sister Tang, right?!"
Ja Sun's and others' attention was caught by a cold remark from behind them. A team full of burly men and women were approaching them. All twelve of them above the ranks of Spirit Emperor. Well, every team was the same. Almost all of the opponents were men and women in their thirties and geniuses that have reached the threshold of rank 60. The leader of the group was a dark-haired youth with his short hair sticking up like needles. He wore a cut-sleeved trench coat with studded shoulder pads and had a deep v-neck tunic. The three females wore the same attire but had more conservative tunics on them.
This was the Clear Sky Clan's main team.
The other team consisted of this Clan's subordinates, especially the four attribute clans, and that team is taught by Tang Hao and Tang Xiao together. Meanwhile, this main team of the clan consists only of the hammer wielders of the clan.
"Sister Tang?" Ja Sun looked at the man curiously, "No, brother. I don't know of your sister. Why not introduce me?"
"She's right there!" The man looked at Tang Yuehua and nodded before looking at Ja Sun fiercely. Seeing this, Ja Sun almost laughed. The man was willing to accept that Yuehua entered their team with her own will but couldn't stomach Ja Sun himself.
"Oh, yeah I did. I also trained her... made her squeak in pain until she begged me to stop. But I did keep her satisfied..." Ja Sun smiled.
'With her progress, of course,' he compressed his words and sent it to others but his careless words made Yuehua blush fiercely. Oscar and Xie Xan couldn't help but look at each other.
They were the remaining men of the team. They also knew that beautiful women aren't targeted as easily as handsome men... their life in this competition will definitely be hard if Ja Sun continues to make enemies.
"You!" The man's body trembled while the expressions of his teammates turned dark.
"Brother Min, Brother Ka-ul enjoys joking. Please don't mind his words," Tang Yuehua spoke hurriedly, unwilling to make her family think bad of Ja Sun despite his efforts. She had finally made progress in her meditation and communication with Clear Phoenix again and felt that in a few days, she would be able to even command the Clear Phoenix to hunt a stronger spirit beast than her capacity. This was all due to Ja Sun's guidance and she didn't want him clashing with her acquaintances.
But Tang Min and Ja Sun had no such thoughts.
"Hear her words and get lost, boy," Ja Sun smiled.
"I'm sorry Sister Tang..." Tang Min clearly held Yuehua in high regard. There was a look of envy on his face, too.
"Oh?" Ja Sun pulled on this point instantly, "Yuehua, you didn't tell me about your suitor. Sorry for everything. Come, Tang Min, right? Let me tell you in detail how I trained her," Ja Sun patted the seat next to him.
He was going overboard in some matters but others didn't interrupt. For the most part, Ja Sun has only brought benefits to the team and even Bibi Dong held Tang Yuehua's hand at this moment.
'Let him handle this. If you get in between, he wouldn't hesitate to use your reputation to rile your opponent which will make things more complicated. Instead, it is better that all the subsequent insults do not pass through your name,' Bibi Dong replied with her voice compressed.
Tang Yuehua look a little reluctant but sat down eventually. Although she was part of the clan, she had already become an integral member of this team, too. So, she could understand Bibi Dong's concerns.
Seeing this, Tang Yuehua barely compressed her voice and sent it to Ja Sun.
"Brother Ka-ul... please don't hurt them too badly with your words. I don't know them well, but they are still my family."
Ja Sun smiled and winked at Yuehua which finally made her roll her eyes. This mentor of hers was clearly not good!
Seeing such interactions and being left ignored, Tang Min trembled with rage.
His gaze then fell on Ah Yin who calmly remained in Ja Sun's embrace without turning back as she watched another match already starting.
"You! You're Ah Yin, right?" Tang Min spoke up, his tone slightly awkward, "Leave him! You need a proper man."
"Like you?" Ah Yin turned her head as Ja Sun shrugged. He didn't plan to tear the man to shreds because of Yuehua's request, but even he only dared poke the Blue Silver Hornet's Nest because he enjoyed pain.
"Yes, like me!" Tang Min nodded instantly. His expression confident. Others felt bad for him. After all, only honest men have problems with Ja Sun most of the time and he seemed like one.
Observing Tang Min while his teammates being the best wingman as they stepped back for Tang Min to be properly appraised by the beautiful fairy that attracted many, Ah Yin finally narrowed her eyes. Tang Yuehua's heart thumped once she observed Yuehua's reaction.
"Ew," she muttered softly before turning her attention back to the match.
Ja Sun shivered for a moment. Such a ferocious attack that there was collateral damage. Oscar and Xie Xan closed their eyes.
An attempt was made.
They respected it as well.
Tang Min's expression, meanwhile, froze. His smile slowly turned stiff and his eyes blank. He glanced at Yuehua and as he saw her apologetic gaze, the honest fellow seemed to have gotten another injury.
"L-let's go..." he stated hoarsely and his teammates followed quickly but not before glaring at Ah Yin. Especially one brown-haired girl from the team seemed particularly venomous to Ah Yin.
"For your information, I didn't plan that much enmity," Ja Sun leaned forward and looked at Yuehua who could only sigh remorsefully. As another person who had been rejected recently, and in one of the worse manners, she understood her distant cousin's pain.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything serious," A calm and collected voice once again attracted the attention of the group.
It was the brown-haired Ning Fengzhi who came to greet alongside a relatively familiar figure. A Titled Douluo with a silver sword belted on his waist. Long silver hair tied on the top and let loose and a plain grey robe with bluish marking on his body.
Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo.
Ja Sun stood up and greeted the duo calmly.
"Brother Ka-ul, last time we endured an unfortunate accident. Even now someone is spreading a malicious rumor about you being injured while chasing Evil Spirit Masters. I hope you look after yourself."
After a small idle chat, Ning Fengzhi spoke and tried to gain more information from Ja Sun's expression. Seeing Ja Sun frown with a hesitant look on his face, Ning Fengzhi finally bade his farewell with a short consolation. But not willing to take risks until Chen Xin was far off, Ja Sun finally loosened up again.
"Well, as long as it works properly."
Ja Sun shrugged.
Finally, after the seventh match, the teams from the Spirit Academy and the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy were called out.
With a smile, everyone walked down. Although only seven members are allowed to step on the stage, there is a small shed and a seating area next to the stage for the teams battling against each other.
***
Shout-out to Aziz Aladwani, Matt, Little White!
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