Word Count: 2,846 Words
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Sun Moon Imperial Academy, Medical Rest Area.
The main door stood open. Jing Hongchen walked straight in, his gaze immediately falling upon Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Ling Bai.
Ning Tian and Wu Feng were Shrek exchange students whom Jing Hongchen himself had escorted from Maple Leaf City to the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. After their period of study, he had naturally become quite familiar with them.
The last time Jing Hongchen had seen Ling Bai was at Shrek Academy, when Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo had joined forces to slay Malevolent Douluo.
Nearly three years had passed since then, years that represented a period of rapid development for adolescents. Ling Bai had inherited the outstanding appearance of the Seraphim lineage. Standing tall and elegant, he seemed to radiate boundless light even while casually standing there, sprinkling warm, pure holy radiance upon the world.
A hint of amazement involuntarily surfaced in Jing Hongchen's eyes. It was no wonder Meng Hongchen had fallen in love at first sight, clamoring to go to Shrek Academy and entice Ling Bai back to the Sun Moon Empire. His appearance and temperament alone were truly impeccable.
"Hall Master Hongchen."
The trio stepped forward. Jing Hongchen was, after all, a Titled Douluo and their senior; basic etiquette was essential.
Jing Hongchen sighed lightly. "Xiao Ling, you came to our Sun Moon Imperial Academy to visit friends. Logically speaking, I should have properly fulfilled the duties of a host, but instead, I've let you witness a joke."
"Illustrious Virtue Hall was deliberately attacked by some faction. It's certainly not something to be laughed at," Ling Bai replied gently.
Jing Hongchen felt a flicker of gratification. He then turned to Ning Tian and Wu Feng. "Xiao Ning, Xiao Wu, when Illustrious Virtue Hall was attacked, only you and Huo Yuhao were in the underground base among the Shrek exchange students. Huo Yuhao lost consciousness and still hasn't woken, though the doctors say it isn't serious. What about you two? You weren't injured, were you?"
"We're fine," the two girls replied in unison.
"That's good."
Jing Hongchen nodded slightly. "There must be an insider within the academy. I've already ordered the entire Sun Moon Imperial Academy sealed to thoroughly investigate this attack, and everyone must undergo a routine inspection.
The Shrek exchange students hold a distinguished status, but the required procedures must still be followed. Xiao Ning, Xiao Wu, what were you doing in the underground base?"
Ning Tian paused in thought before replying, "Xiao Feng and I had passed our assessments and were entering Illustrious Virtue Hall for the first time under Teacher Lin's guidance. Just as Teacher Lin was explaining the functions of the lab tables, a large explosion suddenly occurred.
Teacher Lin joined the battle to defend Illustrious Virtue Hall, while we hid beneath a lab table until the fighting ceased."
Jing Hongchen nodded. "Any other details? For instance, did you discover anything out of the ordinary?"
"I saw a bone dragon barge into the underground base with a black-haired young man standing on its head."
Ning Tian said. "The bone dragon seemed to be targeting the intruders; it eliminated a Titled Douluo in a single clash."
"And he let out this creepy 'jyejyejye' laugh!" Wu Feng added.
Ling Bai's expression froze momentarily. What was that? What kind of words were these!
It was clearly a classic villainous evil laugh!
"And you, Xiao Ling?"
Ning Tian and Wu Feng's answers were flawless, aligning perfectly with Lin Jiaran's account as they spoke only the truth. Jing Hongchen found no loopholes and thus turned his inquiry to Ling Bai.
Ling Bai replied calmly, "I came to the Sun Moon Imperial Academy this morning to visit Xiao Tian and Wu Feng. Since Illustrious Virtue Hall is a restricted area and I'm not permitted entry, I was waiting for them to finish their classes so we could explore Mingdu's local culture this evening."
"Mm."
Jing Hongchen understood. The vast majority of Sun Moon Academy students lacked permission to enter Illustrious Virtue Hall. 'To know nothing about it' was the statement most people would give. They also lacked the strength to confront Body Sect experts, and their teachers had instructed them to remain in safe locations.
Truth be told, Jing Hongchen was more suspicious of the unconscious Huo Yuhao in the next room than of Ling Bai and the two girls. The Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall was practically developing PTSD from the Body Sect's assaults. Spirit Eyes was a Body Martial Spirit, making it plausible that Huo Yuhao had acted as an inside agent for the Body Sect.
Jing Hongchen continued, "I also need to conduct an inspection on you. Please put all your Spirit Guidance Devices into your Storage Spirit Guidance Devices, and then hand them to me. There can be no omissions."
At his words, the trio's expressions darkened. Ning Tian said icily, "That's a matter of personal privacy. You have no right to inspect our personal belongings. If Hall Master Hongchen insists, then next time I will inform Shrek Academy's supply officer of this. Don't forget, your grandson and granddaughter are also studying at Shrek Academy."
The act had to be convincing; they needed to show some backbone.
Both Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Academy sent personnel monthly to deliver cultivation resources to their exchange students and, incidentally, to inquire if they had suffered any overt bullying.
If Ning Tian were to report this incident, the Hongchen siblings would indeed be in for a rough time!
Ning Tian's threat clearly hit a nerve. Jing Hongchen, feeling his leverage compromised, forced a smile. "Xiao Ning, please don't be angry. With such a major incident, even a prince at the academy would undergo the same inspection.
Tell you what, I'll make an exception. From today until the end of the exchange program, your and Xiao Wu's monthly rare metal quotas will be doubled. As for Xiao Ling... I'll personally gift him a Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device!"
Ling Bai hailed from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and Jing Hongchen, with his prominent status as Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, couldn't offer meager compensation; it would be unseemly. A Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device, being strategic, was too high-level, but a Class 8 device was just right.
Only then did the trio gracefully accept the compromise and hand their Storage Spirit Guidance Devices to Jing Hongchen. He wasn't in a rush to inspect them. First, he took out a hummingbird-shaped Spirit Guidance Device with metal-detection capabilities.
The hummingbird flew a circle around the three of them, then scanned every corner of the room. Once it confirmed no other Spirit Guidance Devices were present, Jing Hongchen began inspecting the three Storage Spirit Guidance Devices.
"Sss—"
As Jing Hongchen injected his spiritual power, he sucked in a sharp breath. Wu Feng's Storage Spirit Guidance Device was unremarkable, holding only a few pieces of refined rare metals, over a hundred thousand spirit gold coins, and roly-poly toys and pillows inscribed with Ling Bai's and Ning Tian's names.
But Ling Bai's and Ning Tian's devices were another story entirely. The former's contents suggested a net worth in the eight figures, while the latter's was an astounding nine figures!
Truly befitting the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, renowned alongside Illustrious Virtue Hall as one of the world's wealthiest. Their signature style was sheer opulence!
Aside from a thick stack of blindingly dazzling gold cards, Ning Tian's Storage Spirit Guidance Device was filled with Class 4 and Class 5 Spirit Guidance Devices she had crafted herself, along with imitations of Illustrious Virtue Hall's high-level Spirit Guidance Devices.
Ling Bai's most valuable item on hand was an 80,000-year Golden Thread Heavenly Snake spirit bone. Other high-level Spirit Guidance Devices, like the appearance-altering Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, were currently resting safely in his Spectral Demiplane.
Illustrious Virtue Hall had suffered disastrous losses, while the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was swimming in wealth. Life's greatest agony wasn't one's own misfortune, but seeing the neighbor next door doing better.
Jing Hongchen returned the Storage Spirit Guidance Devices with trembling fingers. He inexplicably felt a sharp pain in his heart and took three deep breaths to regain some composure before a slight cough masked his emotions:
"Thank you for understanding Illustrious Virtue Hall's predicament. You experienced it firsthand, so I trust you all saw that those black-clothed attackers were Body Sect members, and the one commanding the bone dragon was the same Super Evil Spirit Master who defeated Elder Xuan in Star Luo City during the last Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament—Death Abyss Douluo.
Because of the Body Sect's outrageous actions, the Spirit Guidance facilities in our underground base suffered devastating losses, throwing thousands of students throughout the academy into a panic. It's also possible Death Abyss Douluo stole vital secrets from Illustrious Virtue Hall!"
"Neither of them are good!"
Ling Bai declared, his voice filled with righteous indignation. "The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Body Sect are both located in the Heavenly Soul Empire. The Body Sect has always been tyrannical, and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has suffered numerous hidden losses at their hands over the years. Death Abyss Douluo is also an undeniable demon!
If I one day break through to Titled Douluo, I shall surely bear the name of the Seraphim, strike them down with my sword, and restore justice and light to the Douluo Continent!"
Such compassion, such awe-inspiring righteousness!
A savior to the suffering, a redeemer for the world!
Greatness needs no further words!
"Well said! A successor of the Seraphim should be like this. This Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device of mine is not given in vain!"
These words truly resonated with Jing Hongchen. He laughed heartily and applauded vigorously.
This projection of pure righteousness made Ning Tian gaze at him with the reverence one reserves for a towering mountain. Her sapphire-blue eyes sparkled, and utterly lovestruck, she dived headfirst into infatuation.
As the saying goes, 'the person involved is lost, while the onlooker sees clearly.' While Jing Hongchen and Ning Tian wore expressions of utter conviction, only Wu Feng, rubbing her snow-white chin, harbored secret doubts:
'Not sure when this scoundrel became so righteous...'
Jing Hongchen chuckled for a good while before finally recalling his dignity as Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall. He quickly composed his features, his broad smile vanishing, and said seriously:
"Xiao Ling, you participated in the last Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament as a member of Shrek Academy's main team, correct?"
"Mm."
Jing Hongchen mused for a moment before saying, "Today's surprise attack has affected me deeply. Illustrious Virtue Hall suffered grievous losses, partly because the Spirit Guidance Masters trained by the Sun Moon Imperial Academy lack sufficient combat experience against powerful Spirit Masters.
They typically operate within their own circles, mostly facing other Spirit Guidance Masters. Therefore, I have a proposal and would like your opinion on it."
Ling Bai anticipated Jing Hongchen's line of thought. Sure enough, Jing Hongchen rubbed his hands and smiled.
"Shrek Academy is the continent's premier Spirit Master academy, and the Sun Moon Imperial Academy is the foremost Spirit Guidance Master academy.
Since you've made the journey all the way to the Sun Moon Empire, why not stay a while longer and gain more experience fighting Spirit Guidance Masters?
I propose organizing a friendly competition here at the academy, featuring you in matches against our Spirit Guidance Masters. It would allow them to witness a Spirit Master's combat methods. Your spirit power was Rank 69 at registration, so how about I select students below the Class 7 Spirit Guidance Master level?"
Jing Hongchen gazed at Ling Bai with hopeful eyes; he had, of course, only voiced the noble-sounding reasons.
The ambush on Illustrious Virtue Hall, the hallowed ground of the Spirit Guidance Master world, was akin to an attack on Shrek's Sea God Island, the Spirit Master world's sacred land. With the entire academy now sealed for investigation and students gripped by panic, Jing Hongchen's actual aim was to divert their attention.
This would also buy him time. In the underground secret chambers, a team of his trusted subordinates was working feverishly to restart production of the Humanoid Spirit Guidance Device. Thanks to past experience, the restoration would be swift, though Illustrious Virtue Hall's accumulated wealth was set to shrink considerably.
"I'll pass, Hall Master. Plenty of people at the Sun Moon Imperial Academy hate me. I'm afraid someone might try to blast me with a Class 9 Stationary Spirit Guidance Device or a Class 9 Rechargeable Spirit Cannon."
Ling Bai shook his head like a pellet drum.
A Shrek student who had shattered the Sun Moon Empire's championship dreams in the last tournament, the subject of Meng Hongchen's widely proclaimed love at first sight, and with Ning Tian and Wu Feng now attracting even more animosity for him—he worried some Sun Moon student might seize the chance to disregard martial ethics.
"Rest assured, the use of Class 8 and Class 9 Stationary and Rechargeable Spirit Guidance Devices by students will be prohibited in this friendly competition. Trigger-type devices will be restricted to Spirit Barriers. I'll personally be there to ensure your safety," Jing Hongchen patted his chest and guaranteed.
"Well, in that case, perhaps it's not out of the question."
Ling Bai smiled. Then, meeting Jing Hongchen's eager gaze, he shifted gears. "But I should get some benefit from this, shouldn't I? I won't make things difficult for Hall Master Hongchen. You previously promised me a Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device. I hope you can gift me the Judgement Sword that Captain Ma from your esteemed academy used in the last tournament.
Furthermore, fighting Class 6 Spirit Guidance Masters holds little meaning for me. How about you allow challenges from those up to Class 8?"
Constantly receiving gifts and favors, Ling Bai actually felt a twinge of embarrassment, so he refrained from making an exorbitant demand. His sights were set on the Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device: the Judgement Sword.
In this timeline, Elder Xuan's mental state had been compromised, prompting his early return to Shrek Academy. Ma Xiaotao had also avoided falling into darkness as the Black Phoenix. Consequently, the Judgement Sword had been brought back to the Sun Moon Imperial Academy by their team.
Damaging Sword Fanatic Ji Juechen's Extraterrestrial Meteoric Sword had been unintentional; the quality difference between it and the Angel Sword was simply too vast. Ling Bai, recognizing Ji Juechen's talent, also hoped to use this as an opportunity to recruit him as an enforcer.
Another objective was to fish!
He was now in the Evil Spirit Masters' main territory. If he didn't eliminate a few more for the good of the people (and to boost his spirit power), even the Angel God wouldn't forgive him!
The open-air arena battle was the bait being cast out, to tell the Holy Spirit Cult that the Seraphim had arrived. Given their volatile nature, the Holy Spirit Cult would inevitably dispatch members to preemptively deal with the threat.
Since the Holy Spirit Cult was cooperating with Crown Prince Xu Tianran, they wouldn't sabotage the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, an institution of pivotal importance to the Sun Moon Empire. In all likelihood, they would lie in wait near the academy, biding their time until the Seraphim ventured out, then strike a fatal blow.
Holy and evil have been irreconcilable since time immemorial. The Seraphim inherently possessed a perceptive ability toward Evil Spirit Masters, and coupled with Ling Bai's Spider Emperor Sense, he could easily discern the strength of any approaching foe.
If, by some remote chance, Death God Douluo Ye Xishui or the Holy Spirit Cult Master Zhongli Wu themselves appeared, he had his escape routes: disguise himself with Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, transform into Death Abyss Douluo, or slip into the Spectral Demiplane. He'd pick one and flee directly back to Shrek Academy or the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
However, the likelihood of them acting personally was slim. The Seraphim hadn't appeared in ten thousand years, and no one could be certain if they truly possessed the legendary ability to purify evil. Most likely, the cult would send elders and worshippers to ambush him.
"Class 8 Judgement Sword... very well."
Jing Hongchen said slowly. "The friendly competition will last three days, starting tomorrow morning. I'll select talented Spirit Guidance Masters under thirty years old to face you, with the strongest among them being Class 7 Spirit Guidance Masters."
The Sun Moon Imperial Academy, including Jing Hongchen himself, had only four Class 9 Spirit Guidance Masters in total. Class 8 Spirit Guidance Masters were already senior teachers. Wouldn't it be demeaning for them to fight an exchange student on the arena? Limiting the participants to those under thirty thus preserved some face for the Sun Moon Imperial Academy.
"Let's be clear upfront, you cannot severely injure or kill any of our Sun Moon students," Jing Hongchen emphasized.
"Of course. I've never been fond of killing."