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🕑 Added 2021-09-22 18:18:06 +0000 UTCTitle: The Display
The group had returned to the Spirit City after its construction for the first time and they were certainly dazzled. The hexagonal walls reached high and were thick enough to inspire awe from the viewers. The uniforms of the guards had been changed accordingly as the spirit masters actually looked like Paladin Warriors of the few fantasy shows Ja Sun watched in his previous world. And finally, the incomplete Supreme Pontiff hall was finally constructed.
The large seraphim's statue over the entrance of the Palace looked over the city and became the central attraction of the city completely. The group's arrival instantly caused them to be taken away by the guards into the Palace where they were greeted by maids. Their rooms were already prepared within the palace as they got the chance to freshen up and change into more elaborate clothing since they were no longer training.
Finally, Bibi Dong collected her teammates from their rooms and led them to the Official Hall of the Palace where the Supreme Pontiff conducted daily counseling events. After their training, Bibi Dong had paid an information service provider to understand the situation of the Star Luo Empire.
With the assistance of the Spirit City, the disaster of the Beasttaken tides are calmed down but the menace couldn't be removed. There were still reports and sightings of Beasttaken settlements within the deserted regions of the Empire.
[A/N: In canon, Dai Mubai states that the Wolftakens are a rare but definitive settlers of the Star Luo Empire. So, this Beasttaken event was taken as a means to introduce Ground Devil and also leading this event to the future canon.]
However, with the direct disaster removed, the Spirit City had gained an advantage inside the Star Luo Empire. For some reason, the advantage was not made use of. Instead, the Spirit City developed their bishops and Cardinals to preach towns and villages while making Qian Xunji's figure popular. Actual dharma figures, it meant, to be placed in the houses and to pray to. While those in the higher rings of the Empire scoffed since this sudden cult practice, too, wasn't used against the Royalty but further made use of by trying and better the lives of ordinary men and women, Ja Sun and like-minded individuals couldn't help but feel that there was more to what met the eye.
Why would Qian Xunji try to place himself as a figurehead of a religion? The prominent answer would be to raise his personal strength. But nothing of the sort had been noted for months. Instead, the Spirit Hall had been using a considerable amount of its assets to provide for the weak and needy in the two Empires while also promoting the fact that they do not wish for anything in return. It was simple charity from Qian Xunji's side that stumped the leaders of the continent.
As they entered the hall, aside from Qian Xunji who sat on a throne in the middle of the hall, to his right sat the Priests of the Elder's Hall, and to his left sat the actual Elders of the Spirit Hall that tended to the worldly operations of the faction.
Just from a single view, in just one hall, there were a total of fifteen Titled Douluos. And Bibi Dong explained it clearly that all of them even decided to show up because of her, Ah Yin's, and Ja Sun's status within the Spirit Hall.
This was a strength that could face the world, but unfortunately, they couldn't really face the world. They could fight with this high-end strength, but none of them were maniacs. Reaching this level requires time and patience, which often makes many shrewd and hard to understand. Qian Xunji was already a great example.
"Disciple Bibi Dong greets Supreme Pontiff."
Bibi Dong wore a long, white, one-piece dress with violet gems inlaid around the waist as it stuck to her curves. Standing right behind her, in the middle of the line formed of the eight teammates and next to Ah Yin, Ja Sun still couldn't help but click her tongue internally. His observations remained true. Bibi Dong had a set of menacingly attractive hips.
Others looked quite formal, too. Ah Yin wore an elaborate set of blue robes with silver hems and a silver shawl. Her blue hair was tied into a bun over the back of her neck and held together by a rather attractive silver pin almost ten centimeters long. Ja Sun had created it out of a mix of tin and gold but Ah Yin didn't need to know it, right? He could save money and effort by just making things look more beautiful.
Ja Sun, Oscar, and Xie Xan specifically decided to wear a three-piece suit so that they don't look too different. And like usual, Ja Sun still wore his Vajra Gauntlets over both of his hands, which attracted quite a few looks, too.
However, just like Xunji, everyone except the smiling Qian Daoliu gazed at the group in a daze. They weren't stunned by the beauty, for they had more important things to feel dazed about.
Bibi Dong still kept her head low until Xunji blinked. The right side of his face still covered by a mask as he coughed, "Dong'er, no need for formalities. Everyone, this is the team cultivated by Dong'er. And everyone also knows the origin of her team as much as I know. Are there still any doubts why we accepted only one position for the coming competition?"
To the sidelines, in the seating area where the Priests of the Elder's Hall sat and admired the group's cultivation, the Second Priest, well known as the Golden Crocodile, Yu Xiaogang's master, elbowed Qian Daoliu discreetly. It could be said that these two were the strongest force of the Faction.
"Old bastard. You set me up! I'm not letting you easily use the Last Dragon's Breath."
"We made a bet," Qian Daoliu colly replied.
"Bite my wrinkled ass!" Golden Crocodile glowered, "No bet. If you really want them to enter that location and try their luck, fine, but I need something in return."
Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile entered in a staring contest and the witnesses to this confrontation, the remaining five priests of the Elder's Hall fell silent and pursed their lips. They were well aware of the bet that the Grand Priest and the Second Priest were quarreling about.
"Supreme Pontiff, for personal confirmation, could I ask everyone to introduce themselves as Spirit Masters with their ages?"
One of the old elders spoke up and Qian Xunji nodded.
Standing straight, Bibi Dong smiled.
"Bibi Dong, 26-year-old. Rank 70 Spirit Emperor."
She had done it. Everybody's eyes shone with splendor inside the hall. Even Golden Crocodile whose disciple's ambition might place him against Bibi Dong. Nobody minded competition. After all, it is with the competition that the younger generation thrives.
"Ah Yin, 21-year-old. Rank 66 Spirit Emperor."
There was a visible reaction after the confirmation. They all knew that the Supreme Pontiff had no reason to lie about the ages amongst the core members of the Hall but this was too extreme for them.
"Xie Xan, 26-year-old. Rank 59 Spirit King."
Everyone nodded, appreciation in their eyes.
"Ka-ul, 22-year-old. Rank 57 Spirit King." Ja Sun had once again closed in on the gap since his cultivation was already passive at this point. He cultivated even when he pissed.
Once again surprise flickered in the eyes of the elders due to Ja Sun's age.
"Hu Lana, 26-year-old. Rank 56 Spirit King." Though exhausted, Hu Lana's demeanor, voice, and smile attracted everyone before they blinked and grew shocked. The appreciation in Qian Daoliu's eyes couldn't be stronger at this point.
He had once stated that at her own level, Hu Lana's charm was simply unavoidable. She had grown more than that. And Qian Daoliu also recalled how he spoke that Xie Xan needed a few lucky encounters but feeling the life growing inside of Hu Lana, the Grand Priest felt that Xie Xan shouldn't get any luckier. It would be too dangerous then.
"Liu Erlong, 25-year-old. Rank 55 Spirit King."
At Liu Erlong's turn, there was a slight hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.
"Xiao Jun, 24-year-old. Rank 50 Spirit Ancestor."
Jun'er smiled sweetly but only had curses in her heart for the group of elders. She still hadn't forgotten her time in the Spirit Hall but Bibi Dong had taught her well.
"Oscar, 25-year-old. Rank 40 Spirit Elder."
Oscar replied calmly, unfazed by the reaction of the group. He had come to respect Ja Sun greatly. And when Ja Sun admitted that his ability to create double the tofus with the basic amount of spirit energy used by his spirit rings, Oscar felt himself motivated. After all, nobody in this hall can boast to have assassinated a Titled Douluo while being a Spirit King except Ja Sun, thus, to Oscar, Ja Sun's words held more meaning.
"Tang Yuehua, 25-year-old. Rank 20 Spirit Grandmaster."
Tang Yuehua wore an elegant suit herself with wider-ended trousers. Her silver-blue hair flowed down to her waist with a sapphire crystal pin to the left to keep one side of her locks behind.
There were a few frowns in the room but Yuehua failed to care about it. She had always been the etiquette mistress of the group. And she was ready for such a result. Not only was she weaker, but her background was in opposition against the Spirit Hall.
"You all have done well," Qian Xunji spoke up. His voice naturally deep and magnetic.
"Wait for a moment for other teams to arrive, too," he continued and gestured for the group to stand close to the Priests' side. It was clear that their group was specifically asked to be the first to present themselves.
The next group arrived in two minutes and was led by a familiar face.
"Disciple Yu Xiaogang greets Master."
Yu Xiaogang didn't speak up Golden Crocodile's title and bowed towards him. His sharp gaze then fell on Ja Sun's group before he and his team introduced themselves. While Bibi Dong's team comprised of quite young members with the eldest only being 26-year-old, Yu Xiaogang managed to have a 30-year-old Rank 71 Spirit Sage under his command. Most likely due to his background but Ja Sun wasn't quick to dismiss that Yu Xiaogang's own ability might attract others, too. The man himself climbed 2 Spirit Ranks in two years, becoming a rank 47 Spirit Ancestor. Not to mention the fact that Dai Mu and the other few characters Ja Sun had dealings with had shown great changes. Maybe Xiaogang is different, too?
Yu Xiaogang had twelve members including him. There were a few familiar faces inside the group. One of them Ja Sun had roasted personally— Roldiarra. He was one step short of being a member of the team but given his disposition, Ja Sun was sure that he would have driven the other party mad in time.
But what shook Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang was the remaining seven teams of Spirit Hall that they had to compete against for the final spot.
Seven teams, twelve members. All of them at the age of 29 and 30 with Spirit Sage level cultivation.
Within the Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji personally looked to it that the competition doesn't fall short. This would be a competition between the slightly older and the slightly younger generation.
Now that the nine teams were introduced, everyone left the hall. Bibi Dong and her team were approached by a smiling Qian Daoliu outside the hall. How Qian Daoliu seemed to be inside the hall and then outside waiting for them was easy to understand: He is strong.
"Come on, Xunji would want to speak with you later so I might catch up with all of you and my students together," Qian Daoliu smiled. The sheer calmness he oozed infected the newer members of the team who were meeting Ja Sun's and Ah Yin's master for the first time. The two students appropriately bowed and then followed with everyone else.
Xunji didn't lead the group deeper into the Supreme Pontiff Palace that was reserved for the Elder's Hall but instead brought everyone out for some fresh air, which the group already had all this while, and settled in one of the private gardens nurtured on the foot of the mountain around which the Spirit City was created.
"First things first. Congratulations the two of you," Qian Daoliu looked at Hu Lana and Xie Xan. Not revealing any frivolity that they would usually around others, the two bowed slightly even when sitting cross-legged like others.
"And quite a lot of you have greater comprehension and skills other than just spiritual talent. Oscar, right? I have read the report on you, but personally observing you is no small surprise either."
Oscar's eyes widened momentarily before he nodded. He hadn't been in the group long enough to understand the implications of Qian Daoliu praising someone but Bibi Dong still kept a note even if she now understood that she could learn a thing or two from everyone, too.
"Finally... you bastard," Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes at Ja Sun but kept a smile, "You've tainted the perfection I barely managed to chance upon."
"She came onto me," Ja Sun lied, and everyone noticed.
Ah Yin rolled her eyes at his words.
"Anyway. Take good care of each other you two," Qian Daoliu chuckled.
"Master, you didn't contact us after Dragon Rising City. Did something happen?" Ah Yin inquired as Qian Daoliu nodded.
"Yes. I made slight advancements in my own cultivation. And it's not only me and you guys who have grown stronger." He stated meaningfully.
"At my age and cultivation, mind you, not spiritual but comprehension, each minor step is as hard if not harder than becoming a Titled Douluo."
Tracing his chin, Qian Daoliu sighed, "But it would seem that my value as your master is no longer in 'teaching' or 'imparting inheritances.' There is one thing I can still do to further your abilities— opportunities. Controlling more than half of the total spirit masters of the continent also means that we discover new relics and information daily. You all saw your opponents today. Win the competition entirely and it isn't just spirit bones that will come to everybody's name but a great opportunity... So try and win."
Everybody nodded.
"Tang Yuehua, right?" Qian Daoliu then looked at the woman as she stiffened up slightly, "Don't mind the views of other elders. They are dissatisfied because the Clear Sky Clan is genuinely strong and threatening. Take their frowns as a sign that they fear and respect the force behind you.
Anyway... do you perhaps know of Tang Chen?"
"Sir, you know grandpa?" Tang Yuehua gasped.
Qian Daoliu frowned, mumbling, "Hmm... respectfully calling him grandpa... that must mean he hasn't shown himself to show his true colors."
Tang Yuehua frowned.
Sensing her ire, Qian Daoliu looked at her, "Oh, don't worry about it. The two of us... can be called friends, if we have to name our relationship. Anyway, it's a genuine reaction because he's the cause of the decline of those Nine-headed Giants controlled by your clan."
Tang Yuehua fell into a daze and mischief unsuitable to Qian Daoliu's age flashed over his gaze, "Oh, look at the time. I must be going to complete my daily prayers."
With that, Qian Daoliu simply vanished. He faded away.
Everyone looked at each other speechlessly but Tang Yuehua kept note of what Qian Daoliu said in her heart. Truth or not, she felt the need to verify his words.
"Let's order some food and place it in his tab," Ja Sun offered, "My treat."
"Let's," Ah Yin shrugged.
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