"Our next opponents are Skywater Academy—a girls-only academy. All their Soul Masters share a common trait: they wield water or ice attribute Martial Souls."
The Four Elemental Academies were renowned across the continent as powerful and unique institutions. Though they had never taken the championship, every team that went up against any of the Four Elemental Academies would inevitably find them troublesome to deal with.
Now, with Wang Bo—wielder of a fire-attribute Martial Soul—injured and unable to fight, going up against an entire team of ice and water users from Skywater Academy was indeed going to be a headache.
"I have an idea."
Guang Ling raised one finger with a smile. Seeing everyone turn to him, he continued:
"How about letting me take the field? I mean, come on—just look at me. My height, my looks—I could easily pass for someone way younger. If I suppress my spirit power properly, even a Titled Douluo spectating from the crowd wouldn't be able to sense my real level."
Lingyuan: "…"
Gu Han: "…"
Bibi Dong: "…"
The other students: "???"
Everyone fell silent in speechless disbelief.
"Senior Guang Ling, that's cheating! Please, have some shame," Bibi Dong shot back.
She wasn't wrong. With Guang Ling's current Soul Power at Rank 97, as long as he properly concealed it and there was no one present of comparable level, it would be nearly impossible to detect.
But just because no one could see through it didn't change the fact—it would still be blatant cheating. A Rank 97 Titled Douluo fighting a group of girls, the strongest of whom might be Soul Ancestors at best? That wasn't just bullying the weak—that was like nuking a pond to catch fish!
Lingyuan smacked her lips and pointed to the exit. "The door's over there."
"Ahaha, just kidding! Don't take it so seriously!" Guang Ling immediately waved his hands in surrender. He was only joking. Bullying kids? He'd never actually do that... probably.
Lingyuan sighed. This Fifth Worship Elder was like a big kid—always causing trouble.
But since he was a Worship Elder, she let it slide. Instead, she sat back down and resumed the meeting.
"The next match, Dugu Xin will serve as our primary attacker. Hualan, you'll provide full support. The rest of you, adapt your roles depending on the situation. The priority is to protect our support."
"Understood."
Hua Lan was a Level 39 support-type Spirit Master with a crystal-type Martial Soul—Star Chain. While it couldn't compare to the legendary Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, it was among the best of conventional support-type spirits.
---
The match would be held tomorrow. Gu Han and Bibi Dong, showing zero loyalty, abandoned Guang Ling and ran off into Heaven Dou City to explore.
Guang Ling didn't mind being left behind. He had only come along to get some fresh air anyway. Since the two traitors wouldn't bring him along, he might as well find his own fun.
"So this is Heaven Dou City… Honestly, it doesn't feel as bustling as Spirit City."
After wandering for a bit, Bibi Dong grew bored. Though Heaven Dou was prosperous, it still paled in comparison to the sacred grounds of Spirit Hall.
Gu Han, however, took the opportunity to memorize the layout of the city's key buildings while keeping her company.
"Senior Sister, since we're here during the tournament, the Heaven Dou Auction House is probably packed. Why don't we stop by, check out the auction, and see if we can snag some good deals?"
As the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong possessed a Black Gold VIP Card—an elite status symbol that gave her access to massive funds, even more than many mid-sized sects.
During the tournament, the city was flooded with powerful and wealthy elites from across the continent. There was no way the auction house wouldn't be cashing in big time.
Currently, the Heaven Dou Auction House was being managed by the Fourth Prince, Xue Xing. Although he had only average talent in cultivation, he was known for his shrewd mind. Gu Han refused to believe someone like that would let such a golden opportunity slip by.
"The auction house, huh? Sure, let's go check it out."
Bibi Dong thought for a moment and agreed—it was something to do, after all.
Naturally, the auction house had guards posted at the entrance. But the moment Bibi Dong flashed her Black Gold Card, the two of them were welcomed in with enthusiastic smiles.
However, Gu Han couldn't help but criticize the auction house's lack of discretion. The place looked more like a gladiator arena—no private booths or VIP rooms at all.
Everyone sat in an open circle around the central stage, where the items for auction were being presented.
The hall was packed. Among the crowd were many other young people, clearly also here just to join the excitement.
Gu Han and Bibi Dong had front-row seats. To their surprise, they spotted someone unexpected—Ning Fengzhi, standing directly across from them.
But he wasn't accompanied by Chen Xin. Instead, a tall man dressed in black stood at his side. Even without thinking, Gu Han instantly guessed who he was.
Bone Douluo, Gu Rong—the other pillar of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
His Martial Soul was known for its strange properties and incredible defense, yet his offensive power was nothing to scoff at either. He was an extremely unique Titled Douluo.
"Junior Brother, that's Big Brother Fengzhi."
Bibi Dong had noticed too and tugged at Gu Han's sleeve.
Ning Fengzhi had clearly seen them as well. Smiling, he nodded in greeting, then said something to the man beside him. The two of them then walked over.
"Brother Gu, Your Highness the Holy Maiden—I didn't expect to see you two here in Heaven Dou City."
Ning Fengzhi greeted them warmly.
"It's been a while, Big Brother Fengzhi," Gu Han replied with a smile.
Ning Fengzhi nodded, then gestured to the man beside him. "Brother Gu, this is Elder Bone Douluo from my sect."
"Uncle Bone, this is Gu Han—Uncle Sword's disciple. And this young lady is the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong."
"Senior Bone."
Gu Han and Bibi Dong both bowed respectfully.
"Hmm. Not bad, kid."
Gu Rong gave Gu Han a careful analysis and found him quite impressive. Despite his young age, his soul power was already at least Rank 55. Chen Xin wasn't exaggerating—this really was a gem of a student.
"Thank you for the compliment, Senior."
"No need for formalities. If you're calling Fengzhi 'Big Brother' and you're Sword's disciple, then just call me Uncle Bone."
Then Gu Rong turned to Bibi Dong and smiled. "Sword told me the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall was a rare beauty. Seeing you today, I see he wasn't lying. Since you also call 'Big Brother Fengzhi', you should call me Uncle Bone as well—just like this boy."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was now fully aligned with Spirit Hall. With their help, the clan had even started showing signs of surpassing their previous limits. Even without Chen Xin's connection, Gu Rong wouldn't treat Spirit Hall's people coldly.
"Uncle Bone."
Gu Han and Bibi Dong greeted him again.
"Alright. The next item's about to be revealed. Let's chat more after the auction ends," Gu Rong said, understanding this wasn't the place for a long conversation.
Everyone nodded and turned their attention to the auction stage.
The auctioneer, a curvaceous beauty in an elegant gown, stood gracefully under the lights. A rectangular platform rose beside her, revealing the next item—a jade pendant.
"This is a Soul Tool with a storage capacity of fifty cubic meters. The starting bid is thirty thousand gold soul coins. Each increase must be no less than five thousand."
Fifty cubic meters—that was quite large.
And for a storage-type soul tool, it was extremely rare.
Naturally, the bids flew fast.
But in the end, the item was claimed by none other than Ning Fengzhi himself—for a hefty price of one hundred thousand gold soul coins.
~~~
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