Main Team, Reserve Team, and Substitute Team

Soon, the final month passed. While the spirit power levels of the others remained stagnant, Jiang Huai's spirit power continued to rise, compounded by the fact that he frequently consumed the burgers produced by his Burger martial soul's spirit skills.

This led to a massive accumulation of spirit power within Jiang Huai, prompting him to enter the academy's seclusion chamber to begin his breakthrough cultivation.

By now, Jiang Huai's spirit power had reached level forty-nine, and he was training diligently in the cultivation room, aiming to break through within three days.

This was because the opening ceremony of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament was scheduled for one week after those three days. According to the regulations, no participating academy team could be absent from the opening ceremony, meaning Jiang Huai had to break through to level fifty and absorb his second ten-thousand-year spirit ring within three days.

Those who did not need to go into seclusion were preparing themselves mentally for the upcoming matches. Dai Mubai was still somewhat nervous about the tournament, as they would have to head to Spirit City for the finals if they passed the Heaven Dou Competition Zone.

If that happened, he would inevitably run into his older brother. Dai Mubai still harbored great fear toward him. Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, was not afraid of her own sister, but she was terrified that if they met, Dai Mubai might panic and make a tactical error, which would be disastrous.

While Jiang Huai was in seclusion, Gu Yue waited outside the room. She had prepared some fine fabric and was sewing a new mask.

On the mask, she had embroidered the character "Jiang" in its entirety, surrounded by a circle made from her own silver-white hair, signifying that Gu Yue had firmly captured Jiang Huai's heart.

Time ticked away, second by second. Jiang Huai had been in the cultivation room for an entire day. Xiao Wu walked over to comfort Gu Yue, saying, "Gu Yue, don't worry. Brother Huai is so strong; he will surely shorten the three days to two. By then, we will be able to see a Brother Huai who has become a Spirit King."

Gu Yue nodded and said, "Thank you, Xiao Wu. It's getting late, you should head back first. I'll wait for him here."

Seeing Gu Yue's persistence, Xiao Wu left helplessly. The only ones left inside and outside the cultivation room were Jiang Huai, who was cultivating within, and Gu Yue, who was keeping watch outside.

On the second day, as the sun revealed only a faint glimmer of light, Jiang Huai successfully broke through the level fifty barrier. The moment he stepped out of the cultivation room, he saw Gu Yue curled up on the ground outside, asleep against the threshold.

Seeing this, Jiang Huai shook his head, crouched down, and scooped Gu Yue into his arms. Sensing Jiang Huai's aura, Gu Yue snuggled deeper into his embrace.

Jiang Huai carried Gu Yue to the dormitory. After placing her on the bed and tucking her in, he poured a cup of hot water and set it on the nightstand, leaving a note that read: Little silly, you can't sleep outside next time. Drink the honey water when you wake up; I brewed it myself.

Jiang Huai returned to his own dormitory, lay down, and fell asleep, not waking up until it was time for breakfast.

As soon as Jiang Huai stepped out of his room, he was met with a big hug from Gu Yue, with Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and the others standing nearby.

Yu Xiaogang walked over to congratulate him: "Congratulations, little Huai, on successfully breaking through to a level fifty Spirit King. Now you must consider the hunting of your fifth spirit ring."

Jiang Huai patted Gu Yue's back and said, "Alright, alright. I have successfully broken through to the Spirit King level. Once I return, I will have the powerful strength to protect you."

Hearing this, Gu Yue playfully tapped Jiang Huai and said, "Hmph, I don't need you to protect me."

At these words, everyone burst into laughter. Dai Mubai stiffly reached out to hold Zhu Zhuqing's hand; Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled, but in the end, she said nothing.

Soon, Liu Erlong and Flender took Jiang Huai toward the Far North, as Jiang Huai had stated that the fifth spirit ring he wanted to absorb was a ten-thousand-year Smoked Fox.

The ten-thousand-year Smoked Fox inhabits the edges of the Far North Ice Plains. When its fur burns, it generates sharpening energy, and its spirit ring grants the "Armor-Piercing" attribute, corresponding to the "crispy and sharp" texture of the burger's bacon.

Therefore, Liu Erlong and Flender had no choice but to take Jiang Huai to the ice plains of the Far North. Meanwhile, Gu Yue stayed at the academy, praying for Jiang Huai to obtain a superior spirit ring.

Suddenly, the Goddess of Life in the God Realm, disregarding the opposition of the God of Destruction, directly descended a trial of the Life God. Gu Yue also possessed the divine consciousness of the Goddess of Life. Although Gu Yue (Gu Yuena) disliked the God of Destruction, she only despised the hypocritical side of him and the Asura God.

As for the God of Destruction wanting to descend a divine trial upon Jiang Huai, that was even better. Once Jiang Huai became the new God of Destruction, there would be no need for her to keep holding onto her grudge against the old God of Destruction.

Soon, Flender, Liu Erlong, and Jiang Huai arrived at the edge of the Far North. The Far North is the second-largest gathering place for spirit beasts on the Douluo Continent. Its size far exceeds that of the Star Dou Forest, but the Star Dou Forest is rich in spiritual energy, which is conducive to the survival of spirit beasts. The Far North is different; if a spirit beast does not possess the ice attribute, it cannot survive there, and some ice-attribute spirit beasts even freeze to death. This is why the Far North is considered a forbidden zone on the continent.

Liu Erlong used her flames to melt the ice crystals clinging to Jiang Huai's body. She thoughtfully took out a fur coat and draped it over him, saying with gentle concern, "Little Huai, although you haven't acknowledged me as your mother, I am still willing to raise you as my own son."

Jiang Huai felt a bit awkward but said nothing. Flender, on the side, was releasing his spiritual power to search for the Smoked Fox and did not pay much attention to the interaction.

Suddenly, Flender spread his wings and flew into the air, locking onto an ice forest, and then dove down at high speed like a falcon.

Soon, a fox ran out of the ice forest. Seeing this, Liu Erlong shielded Jiang Huai behind her and threw a punch, striking the Smoked Fox square in the mouth.

The Smoked Fox's jaw was shattered, but it did not give up on escaping. It immediately lashed out with a sharp claw.

Liu Erlong released a defensive spirit skill, but it triggered the armor-piercing effect, and her wrist was cut by the fox's claw.

Liu Erlong let out a cry of pain, stepping back to look at the three claw marks on her wrist. Jiang Huai stepped forward to inspect the wound and applied medicinal herbs to it.

Liu Erlong was warmed by this gesture. Just as the two were sharing a tender moment, the Smoked Fox launched a second attack. Seeing this, Jiang Huai pushed Liu Erlong away, and both of them dodged the strike.

Flender flew out of the ice forest, spat, and cursed, "Damn fox."

With that, Flender dove down and pierced the back of the Smoked Fox with his talons. Jiang Huai drew "Jiang Ling" and rushed forward, slicing off one of the Smoked Fox's ears.

The Smoked Fox roared in anger and charged again. Jiang Huai dodged the attacks nimbly, not forgetting to leave several gashes on the fox's body.

The Smoked Fox was covered in wounds of all sizes, and the blood flowing from them made it so painful that it could barely stand.

Jiang Huai stepped forward with his sword and said, "Let's end this. Don't suffer any longer."

Hearing this, the Smoked Fox closed its eyes to await death, and Jiang Huai thrust his sword down without mercy.

Before long, Jiang Huai began to absorb the spirit ring, while Flender and Liu Erlong stood guard nearby.

The soul of the Smoked Fox was drawn into the center of Jiang Huai's brow. After entering Jiang Huai's spiritual sea, the Smoked Fox looked around with curiosity.

At this moment, the statue of the Sword God spoke to the Smoked Fox: "Little fox, you are no longer a spirit beast. I give you two choices: first, become the spirit beast (pet) of my descendant, or become a spirit ring with no consciousness at all?"

Hearing this, the Smoked Fox bent its front legs and knelt before the statue of the Sword God. Seeing this, the Sword God laughed aloud: "Good. This is a contract. Sign it, and you shall be my descendant's spirit beast."

The Smoked Fox bit its claw, drawing blood, and dripped it onto the contract. At that moment, the Smoked Fox gained the ability to speak, though only Jiang Huai could hear it.