Chapter 151: The Soul Master Tournament
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Meanwhile, in Spirit City.
On Pope Mountain, inside Qian Renxue’s study.
Jiang Bai, holding Jiang Li’er by the hand, pushed open the door and entered.
Behind a spacious desk, Qian Renxue—clad in a long, white-and-gold gown—was currently reviewing official documents. Several stacks of dossiers were piled upon the desk; noticeably fewer than before, suggesting that the newly established Cabinet had already begun to function.
To one side of the desk stood Yue Guan, his hands hanging loosely at his sides; his effeminate face wore its customary expression—a smile that was yet not quite a smile.
To the other side stood a tall, spirited young woman who was idly twirling her ponytail out of sheer boredom.
It was Tian Yue.
Upon seeing Jiang Bai and Jiang Li’er enter, Yue Guan’s eyes lit up slightly. His gaze swept back and forth between the pair, and deep within his pupils, a flicker of imperceptible sharpness flashed.
The aura emanating from these two...
He narrowed his eyes.
Yue Guan took a deep breath, suppressing the shock rising within his heart, while maintaining that same gentle smile upon his face.
Upon spotting Jiang Li’er, Tian Yue’s eyes also brightened, and she cast a second, curious glance in her direction.
Coincidentally, Jiang Li’er happened to look her way at that very moment. Their eyes met, and the two young women exchanged a brief nod—a silent acknowledgment serving as a greeting.
Qian Renxue set down her vermilion brush, raised her head, and a gentle smile blossomed across her exquisite face: "You’ve returned so soon?"
She paused, a hint of playful teasing in her tone: "It really was just a few days? I thought it would take at least ten days or half a month."
Jiang Bai, holding Jiang Li’er by the hand, walked up to the writing desk and smiled: "Of course—we always keep our word."
He glanced at Yue Guan and Tian Yue, then asked: "What were you discussing? May we listen in?"
Qian Renxue nodded, gesturing for them to take a seat nearby, before beginning her explanation: "It’s nothing major. Elder Ju simply came to inquire about who the Spirit Hall should field for the upcoming All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."
Qian Renxue continued: "The problem right now is that Hu Liena and Xie Yue have already been reassigned, leaving Yan as the sole remaining member of the Spirit Hall team."
Her fingertips tapped lightly against the desk: "Yan hopes to break through to Level 50 before the tournament begins, but he is currently the only high-level combatant on the roster. Although the other members have reached Level 40, I demand an absolute guarantee of victory!"
"The Spirit Hall team has always been the favorite to win. If our performance is lackluster this time, it won’t just be Spirit Hall that loses face—I, as the new Supreme Pontiff, will be disgraced as well."
Yue Guan seized the moment to interject: "Therefore, this humble servant took the liberty of petitioning Your Holiness: might we request that Miss Tian Yue return to the Academy to participate in this tournament?"
He turned his gaze toward Tian Yue, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Although Miss Tian Yue spent only two and a half years at the Spirit Academy, her talent is extraordinary. She has already attained the rank of Spirit Saint and possesses a wealth of combat experience. If she were to compete, the championship title would be all but guaranteed!"
Upon hearing this, Tian Yue curled her lip: "Elder Ju, please stop flattering me. I’ve grown accustomed to life in the Holy Knights Order; you want me to go participate in that kind of tournament? Spending the whole time following strict rules and waiting for a referee’s whistle? I’d be bored to death!"
She paused, then muttered under her breath: "Besides, fighting against a bunch of children—even if I win, there’s no glory in it..."
The smile on Yue Guan’s face froze. Jiang Li’er blinked, asking curiously, "The Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament? What is that?"
Upon hearing this, Yue Guan chimed in: "Miss Jiang, you may not be aware. The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is the largest-scale Soul Master competition in existence—spearheaded by our Spirit Hall and jointly organized with the two great empires."
"Held once every five years, the tournament requires participants to be no older than twenty-five and to compete as teams representing their respective advanced Soul Master academies. The victors not only receive lavish rewards but also gain renown across the entire continent, ensuring a future of boundless potential."
He paused, then added with a meaningful tone: "Furthermore, our Spirit Hall’s team has already claimed the championship title for two consecutive tournaments."
Jiang Li’er let out a soft "Oh," nodding her head as if she only half-understood.
Qian Renxue cast a helpless glance at Tian Yue and was just about to speak when Jiang Li’er suddenly asked, "Does this tournament... have any restrictions? Such as age? Or cultivation level?"
Yue Guan replied, "Participants must be under twenty-five years of age; there are no restrictions regarding Soul Power level. Theoretically, even a Titled Douluo could participate, provided they meet the age requirement."
Jiang Li’er’s eyes lit up.
She turned to look at Jiang Bai, her crimson eyes gleaming with an eager, competitive spark: "Jiang Bai, why don’t we go join in on the fun?"
Jiang Bai was slightly taken aback: "Us?"
Jiang Li’er nodded, stating her case with absolute conviction: "Of course! Just look at me—I’m sixteen years old and a Level 65 Soul Emperor. If I enter a competition like this, wouldn’t I just be steamrolling the competition effortlessly?"
She grew more excited as she spoke: "Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to keep a low profile? If I participate in the tournament, it would serve as the perfect distraction to divert everyone’s attention, making it much easier for you to go about your business!"
Jiang Bai fell silent for a moment.
He had to admit... there actually seemed to be some logic to what Jiang Li’er was saying.
Moreover, given her personality, she certainly wasn’t the type to simply sit still in Spirit Hall City and focus solely on cultivation.
Letting her go out to have some fun and stretch her limbs wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all. Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue’s eyes lit up: "So, you want to compete, little sister Li’er?"
After a brief moment of thought, she turned to look at Yue Guan: "Elder Ju, how many spots are currently left on the Spirit Hall team?"
Yue Guan hurriedly replied: "Reporting to Your Highness, there are seven official team members; currently, only Yan has been confirmed. The remaining six spots are all open to adjustment."
Qian Renxue nodded: "Very well. Reserve one of those spots for little sister Li’er."
She turned to Jiang Li’er and smiled: "It works out perfectly—you can compete as a student of the Spirit Hall Academy."
Jiang Li’er’s eyes curved into crescent moons: "Thank you, Sister Xue!"
Watching from the sidelines, Tian Yue rolled her eyes, then suddenly leaned in close: "Hey there, little sister—are you really going to go?"
Jiang Li’er tilted her head to look at her: "What’s up?"
Tian Yue grinned cheekily: "Then I’m going too! We can team up when the time comes; we’ll definitely beat those little brats until they’re spitting out teeth!"
She paused for a moment, then added: "Besides, I’ve gotten sick of hanging around the Knights’ Order anyway. It wouldn’t hurt to go somewhere else for a bit of fun."
Qian Renxue chuckled: "Didn’t you just complain about feeling stifled?"
Tian Yue retorted with righteous indignation: "That was feeling stifled with strangers! It’s a completely different story if I’m with this little sister here!"
She reached out, hooked her arm around Jiang Li’er’s shoulder, and gave her a hearty pat: "Right, little sister?"
The force of the pat made Jiang Li’er stumble slightly, and the corner of her mouth twitched.
This woman... is she always this quick to make herself at home?
Still, she didn’t actually dislike that kind of personality.
Seeing how the situation had taken an unexpected turn, the smile on Yue Guan’s face became a shade more sincere: "In that case, this old servant shall return immediately to make the arrangements. The registration formalities for both Miss Tian Yue and Miss Jiang will be processed as quickly as possible."
He paused, then turned to look at Jiang Bai, testing the waters: "Young Master Jiang... might you also be interested in competing?"
Jiang Bai waved his hand dismissively: "I’ll pass. I have other matters to attend to."
"Then I shall proceed with the arrangements as discussed."
Yue Guan nodded and said nothing more.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yue Guan and Tian Yue took their leave.
Inside the study, only Jiang Bai, Jiang Li’er, and Qian Renxue remained.