Tournament

"One hundred one... one hundred two... one hundred three..."

The sun hung high in the sky, and with noon approaching, the temperature on the verge of summer was gradually rising.

In Wu Ling's courtyard, Xiao Hong had four iron rings tied to his limbs and wore heavy armor made of special materials. Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan was even sitting on his back.

Although Xiao Hong was doing push-ups beneath him, Yue Guan calmly sipped tea on his back.

"Little Hong, do you think I'm heavy?"

At those words, Xiao Hong suddenly shuddered. He recalled the training Yue Guan had personally put him through after he had misspoken before. Even with his physique and willpower, he had nearly failed to endure it. After returning to his main body, his main body had ached all over for an entire day.

"Not heavy at all. Grandpa Yue, you're so light I can barely feel you."

Yue Guan chuckled and teased with interest, "Then next time, I'll have that fellow Demon Bear come over. His weight will definitely satisfy you."

"...On second thought, forget it. Compared to Elder Demon Bear, I prefer staying with you, Grandpa Yue."

"Little Hong's mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter."

Xiao Lan glanced at Xiao Hong, whose survival instincts were in overdrive, silently turned around, and continued meditating.

Seeing such a warm scene, Wu Ling's lips curled up slightly. He took a sip of tea to moisten his somewhat dry lips, then sat cross-legged on the grass and resumed his unfinished cultivation.

Another half hour passed like this before the gates of Wu Ling's courtyard were pushed open. Bibi Dong and Gui Mei walked in together.

When Wu Ling saw Bibi Dong arrive, he ended his cultivation and stepped forward to greet his teacher.

"Teacher, you're here."

"Mm. I came today for two reasons. First, I haven't seen you in another half month. Second, there are two matters I want to discuss with you."

"Alright, Teacher. I'll go cook now. We can talk while we eat later."

Xiao Hong chopped vegetables, Xiao Lan organized everything, and Wu Ling cooked. Half an hour later, several dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful were served on the table.

Wu Ling took off his apron and washed his hands, then had Xiao Lan and Xiao Hong return to his body.

However, just as Wu Ling sat down at the table, Bibi Dong asked, "Ling'er, why haven't I seen Xiao Fen today?"

Ever since meeting Xiao Fen half a month ago, Bibi Dong had grown fond of that clever and eccentric little girl. As for what exactly she liked about her, only Bibi Dong herself knew.

"Xiao Fen? Unless she asks for it herself, I generally don't summon her. Ever since she met you last time, Teacher, she locked herself in her room and refused to come out. Since her Soul Power is self-sustaining and I'm not in a hurry to make her cultivate, I didn't take her back. Since you want to see her, Teacher, I'll go call her now."

Wu Ling stood up again and went outside a room at the back of the courtyard.

"Hey, Xiao Fen, come out for a moment. Teacher is looking for you."

After a while, seeing that Xiao Fen still had not responded, Wu Ling opened the door himself.

To be honest, this was only the third time Wu Ling had entered this room. The first had been when he first arrived at the courtyard and looked around; the second had been when he accompanied Xiao Fen in choosing a room; and this was the third.

But the moment he stepped inside, Wu Ling froze.

A mass of Spirit Beast corpses lay beside him. Within that pile, there were Spirit Beasts of every kind—animals and plants, creatures that flew in the sky and swam in the water. Insects accounted for the greatest number.

On the other side, countless bottles and jars were piled together. The jars contained some sort of formalin-like liquid, with certain body parts from Spirit Beasts preserved inside.

Wu Ling was not stunned by the corpses or the removed organs. He was stunned because he wondered when Xiao Fen had acquired so many Spirit Beasts without his knowledge.

While admiring Xiao Fen's handiwork, Wu Ling walked deeper inside. The farther he went, the dimmer the lights became, until only a faint purple glow flickered in the darkness.

He continued until he finally saw Xiao Fen. She stood before a small furnace, repeatedly scooping purple liquid from within it with a spoon.

"Xiao Fen, what is this?"

Xiao Fen remained focused and answered without turning around, "A spiritual medicine that can improve cultivation efficiency for insect-type Martial Souls. What, did you really think Bibi Dong came looking for me out of one hundred percent sincerity?

I don't deny that getting close to Bibi Dong is easier as a woman, but meeting only once isn't enough to make someone obsess over me."

After Xiao Fen scooped all the purple spiritual medicine into a glass bottle, she sealed it with a cork before turning around and walking over to Wu Ling.

"Let's go. Don't keep our teacher waiting too long."

In the dining room, Bibi Dong's smile grew brighter when she saw Xiao Fen behind Wu Ling, especially when she saw the purple spiritual medicine in Xiao Fen's hand.

"You're here, Xiao Fen. Sit beside me. Let's have a good chat."

Watching Bibi Dong pull Xiao Fen aside to whisper with her, Wu Ling helplessly shrugged and began eating at his seat.

After they had finished several courses, Xiao Fen used resting as an excuse to have Wu Ling take her into his shadow. In Wu Ling's view, Xiao Fen seemed somewhat resistant to having her memories shared with him. He did not know whether it was due to a girl's reserved nature or something else.

Only after seeing Xiao Fen return to Wu Ling's shadow did Bibi Dong put the purple spiritual medicine into her Storage Ring.

As she ate leisurely, Bibi Dong revealed her true reason for coming.

"The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. Have you heard of it?"

Hearing that familiar yet unfamiliar term, Wu Ling pretended to ponder for a few seconds before nodding.

"I remember when I was five, Uncle Qie took me into the city to play, and I vaguely heard that term then.

Spirit Hall's records also mention it. I've read some battle records from previous years, so I understand it a little."

"The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is the grandest Martial Soul competition in the Spirit Master world. It is initiated and hosted by the royal families of the two great empires, Heaven Dou and Star Luo, with Spirit Hall assisting. The strength of its participants is second only to Spirit Hall's Elite Selection Tournament.

Since you've read battle records from previous years, Ling'er, what do you think of their strength?"

"What do I think? I feel... uh, they're just average."

Bibi Dong picked up a bite of food and did not reply until she had swallowed it. "The highest Spirit Master rank in previous years was merely a Soul King who had just passed level fifty. Most of the others were Soul Ancestors, and there were even Soul Elders among them.

With your current strength, Ling'er, it wouldn't be impossible for you to take on seven opponents by yourself in the early stages.

So, Ling'er, are you interested in participating in this tournament?"