Completion Ceremony (Part 2)

As people from the various factions arrived one after another, exchanged pleasantries, and entered the lounges to rest, Lin Feng found these factions rather amusing. So far, those who had arrived were either friendly toward the Lin Family or intended to be. The Lin Family held no hostility toward any of those who had yet to arrive. It gave Lin Feng the feeling of film festival award ceremonies from his past life, where celebrities found all sorts of excuses to delay so they could walk the red carpet last. Were these factions calculating their entrance order one by one?

Next to arrive was the Star Luo Imperial Family. Leading them were the eldest prince, Dai Weisi, his fiancée Zhu Zhuyun, and one of Star Luo's princes. Lin Feng had indeed arranged for an invitation to be sent to the Star Luo Imperial Family, but he had not expected them to actually come. It seemed these Inheritable Combat-Type Self-Created Spirit Skills were truly highly appealing. The Star Luo Imperial Family as a whole remained very low-key. After offering congratulations and presenting their gift, they entered the lounge without saying anything else.

Just as he finished seeing the Star Luo Imperial Family into the lounge, the Elephant Armored Sect arrived. Watching his father bustle about like a spinning top, Lin Feng felt both sorry for him and somewhat amused. With his father's true strength, a single sneeze could kill everyone present, yet here he was, running around before and after with a smile on his face as he received guests. No wonder his mother had said she would not come. Their family tradition really was that all the dirty and tiring work fell to his father.

The Elephant Armored Sect had sent Heavenly Elephant Hu Yan Zhen, along with his grandson Hu Yanli and several sect elders. Hu Yan Zhen was the most arrogant person to arrive that day. Even Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, the two Titled Douluo, had not been as arrogant as he was. The moment he opened his mouth, he provoked them. "President Lin, you're making such a grand spectacle out of this Completion Ceremony. Don't tell me your academy won't be able to recruit anyone afterward."

Watching from the side, Lin Feng thought, Mm, Spirit Hall's advance scout has arrived. The Elephant Armored Sect was truly loyal to Spirit Hall. Hu Yan Zhen was at least a Soul Douluo, yet he was willing to play such an arrogant role in public that he looked utterly foolish. Sometimes, Lin Feng even suspected he was not acting at all—that he really was stupid. After all, he was a true man who dared to use his head to take the Sea God's Trident head-on.

With that attitude, Lin Lan did not hold back either. "Then I won't trouble you to worry about us. Rather than wasting your time wondering whether our Five Elements Academy can recruit students, why not worry about whether Elephant Armored Academy will go bankrupt first? After all, running an academy requires brains."

Hu Yan Zhen said, "What do you mean by that? How dare you insult me?"

Lin Lan said, "Oh? Did I insult you? That's what you think? Well, if you insist on thinking that way, there's nothing I can do." Lin Feng thought, Whoa, Father's come up with some scumbag lines. I'm telling Mother when we get back so she makes him sleep in the study tonight.

Hu Yan Zhen was so angry that he panted heavily. "Judging by President Lin's aura, you've also broken through to Soul Douluo. I wonder whether I might have the chance to spar with you."

Lin Lan said, "Certainly. We can spar later. With so many distinguished guests at Five Elements Academy today, a Spirit Duel would be a nice way to liven things up. Since Sect Master Huyan is willing to make a move, I would hardly dare refuse." With that, he directly had someone escort the Elephant Armored Sect's people to the lounge. Along the way, the more Hu Yan Zhen thought about it, the angrier he became. Damn it, am I some performing monkey for your family? But he no longer had the chance to lose his temper. All he could think about was giving Lin Lan a proper lesson later.

After seeing off the Elephant Armored Sect, they gradually welcomed people from the other three of the Lower Four Sects. Unlike Hu Yan Zhen, they did not provoke anyone the moment they arrived. They went through the normal procedures and were escorted into the lounges.

Once the major factions had mostly arrived, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan made its entrance. Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen arrived with his younger brother Yu Luomian, his grandson Yu Tianheng, and a group of elders.

At last, Dugu Bo joined the welcoming party. Yu Yuanzhen remained polite after entering. He first greeted Lin Lan, offered his congratulations, and presented a gift. Then he said to Dugu Bo, "I never expected you, Old Poison, to become like this."

Dugu Bo said, "Are you jealous that I've become several decades younger? If you are, I can have Feng'er prepare some medicine to help condition your body. It might not make you as much younger as I am, but extending your life by a few years won't be much of a problem. Of course, you can't pay a single coin less than what you owe."

According to the news that had come from Spirit Hall, Dugu Bo had become like this due to Martial Soul Evolution and an increase in Soul Power. But from what he had just said, Yu Yuanzhen could tell that Lin Feng truly possessed the ability to use medicine to condition the body of a Titled Douluo. He did not directly refute Dugu Bo. "I never expected the young master of the Lin Family to truly possess such medical skills. I had not believed it before. The Lin Family has indeed raised a fine talent." He said this while looking at Lin Lan.

Lin Lan said, "Your Excellency Thunder is too kind. Feng'er has studied medicine since childhood and has some skill in the field. At least his years of hard work have not gone to waste."

Sword Douluo's voice came from afar. "President Lin is too modest. Feng'er's medical skills are naturally worthy of the title Divine Doctor." Then he looked at Yu Yuanzhen. "You old thing, why did you arrive so late? Are you too old to move your legs?" Ning Fengzhi had come over with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. As fellow members of the Upper Three Sects, with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan having arrived, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect naturally had to come over and greet them.

Yu Yuanzhen said, "Whether I'm truly old or not, you old sword bastard can find out when there's a chance. It's been a long time since I last fought anyone."

Dugu Bo took over. "You two can fight if you want, but don't do it at Five Elements Academy. Sunset Forest is full of places for you to fight outside."

Ning Fengzhi said, "Your Excellency Thunder and Uncle Sword have not met for a long time, so their exchange has been a little heated. Today is Five Elements Academy's Completion Ceremony. Naturally, neither of them would choose a time like this to spar."

The old men continued chatting back and forth like that.

While they were chatting, Spirit Hall's people finally arrived. Lin Feng guessed that this shameless bunch had been waiting outside the whole time, only coming in after everyone else had entered so they could display their importance. Lin Feng thought, Are they fighting me for top billing? Should I lay down a red carpet for them too, so they can make a dazzling entrance? As expected of the continent's strongest faction—they really knew how to put on a show.

A sharp, effeminate voice carried over. "Who wants to spar? I can't possibly miss such an entertaining scene. Why not include me as well?" Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan arrived in his affected voice, with Ghost Douluo Ghostly at his side. The two were Bibi Dong's right-hand men; apparently, Bibi Dong had no one else to run errands for her. Besides the two Titled Douluo, there was a young girl radiating charm, a cold-faced youth, a red-haired youth, and several guards. They appeared to be the three members of the Golden Generation.

Dugu Bo said, "Ju Hua Guan, you defeated loser. What, have you figured out a way to beat me?"

Yue Guan said, "Old Poison, don't get so smug. I was careless last time and underestimated you. If we fight again, I won't lose to you."

Dugu Bo said, "Anyone can talk big. You're already a Titled Douluo, yet you still blame your loss on being careless? You must be careless quite often. You were pretty careless when facing Tang Hao too."

Ghostly's sinister voice drifted over. "Old Poison, there's no need to be so arrogant just because you won once. The real skill is staying alive."

Dugu Bo said, "You half-dead old thing, what right do you have to say that?" Dugu Bo was facing two opponents alone, yet with his mouth alone, he rendered Bibi Dong's two right-hand men nearly unable to retort.

Bone Douluo said, "If you have the leisure to argue, why not go outside and have a real fight after this is over? Titled Douluo arguing here like this—aren't you ashamed?"

Lin Feng deeply agreed with Bone Douluo. A group of Titled Douluo whose combined ages were nearly a thousand, bickering here like this—it was truly embarrassing.

Lin Lan interrupted them. "Everyone, the auspicious time is almost here. Please proceed to the ceremony area." As they guided these people toward the ceremony area, people were also sent to the lounges behind them to invite and guide the various factions.

For this ceremony, Five Elements Academy had specifically cleared out an area and built a ceremony ground, complete with a Spirit Duel Stage. The ceremony would be held on the stage, and Spirit Duels could be held there afterward. Below the stage was a resting area, with large sofas and round tables similar to those at an auction house. Each faction had its own separate seating area. Lin Feng had also arranged for modern-style feather flags and decorative archways to be set up around the area. It gave off the feeling of a grand martial arts assembly.