Flender keenly sensed the sudden tension in the meeting room and quickly cleared his throat, raising his voice to bring everyone's attention back to the matter at hand. "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore."
Flender gestured with his hands to signal everyone to be quiet.
"The most important thing right now is the qualifying rounds, which start in three days! The participating teams from other kingdoms and duchies should have already arrived in Heaven Dou City. Now that all our people are here and in good condition,"
"Then, as is customary and as arranged, we will assemble early tomorrow morning to officially move into the Royal Hunting Ground for final adaptation and preparation." Flender glanced at Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing, nodding approvingly.
" The Royal Hunting Ground?" Oscar, still reeling from the awkward atmosphere, repeated the question instinctively upon hearing the unfamiliar location, his face filled with curiosity.
"Yes, the Royal Hunting Ground." Flender adjusted his glasses and explained patiently, also addressing all the team members.
"The rules and environment of the qualifying rounds are completely different from the open ticket sales and massive crowds of the preliminary rounds."
"To protect the privacy of all Soul Master, especially the details of their Soul Skill, and for absolute security reasons, the Heaven Dou Empire Imperial Family has always held the qualifying matches at the Royal Hunting Ground outside the city."
"That area is located in the core area of the Royal Guard garrison, heavily guarded and completely closed off, with no unauthorized personnel allowed to enter. It's a way of protecting and showing importance to the participating Soul Master; it's quite a thoughtful arrangement."
Flender paused, his gaze sweeping over the trainees. "So, for the next two weeks, we'll be spending our time in a military environment. Everyone needs to be prepared, obey discipline, and also make the most of this last bit of time to further refine our teamwork."
"Especially Little Ao and Zhu Zhuqing, they need to quickly integrate their newly acquired strengths into our tactical system. This is crucial to our final result in the finals!"
Flender's words successfully brought everyone's thoughts back to the upcoming competition. The thought of competing in the serious and unfamiliar environment of the military camp made many cadets look both nervous and curious.
"Alright, that's all for today. Everyone must be tired." Flender waved his hand. "Dismissed! Go back and get some rest, pack your bags, and recharge your energy. Remember, meet at the school gate tomorrow morning, and leave on time. No one is allowed to be late!"
"Yes, Dean!" everyone responded in unison, and they all stood up.
Ning Rongrong quickly walked to Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing's side, whispering something to them, her face showing concern and excitement at sharing a secret.
Meng Yiran clung to Tang San's arm, never leaving his side, while Ma Hongjun clamored for Oscar to demonstrate his new Soul Skill.
Dai Mubai snorted coldly and strode out of the conference room without looking back.
Tang San glanced thoughtfully at Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing, who were surrounded, then looked at his teacher Yu Xiaogang's still gloomy face. He sighed softly, walked to Yu Xiaogang's side, and whispered, "Teacher, let's go back too."
Yu Xiaogang didn't respond. He just glanced one last time at Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing, who were surrounded by their companions, with his deep but gloomy eyes. Then, he abruptly flicked his sleeve, turned around, and left with Tang San.
As everyone dispersed, the conference room became empty and quiet again, with only the deepening twilight outside the window.
When Tang Feng and his grandson Tang Lie returned to Cloud Mist Mountain, the scene before them was vastly different from when they set off to Soul Hunting twenty days ago. The once quiet mountain gate camp was now bustling with activity.
At the mountain gate, disciples of the sect, dressed in simple and neat attire, moved back and forth, carrying supplies, leveling the ground, or setting up fortifications. They were all in high spirits, their movements revealing the efficiency of long-trained individuals and a high-spirited energy that had been suppressed for a long time and was finally being released.
The air was filled with the faint smell of dust and the fresh scent of freshly cut timber, mixed with the disciples' energetic shouts and conversations, creating a scene of bustling construction activity.
The first batch of core members of the sect, about fifty people, who migrated from their ancestral homeland, arrived just a day ago.
The team was led by Tang Rui, the fifth elder of the sect. His mission was not only to find the route but also to ensure the safety of the migration route.
He was to be the first to familiarize himself with the new sect's environment, and then meet with the Third Elder Tang Ming, the Seventh Elder Tang Lie, and the four clan leaders who were already stationed there, to jointly plan the complex matters of the subsequent large-scale settlement of clan members and the allocation of residences.
Among this advance team, two particularly eye-catching young figures stood out: Tang Long and Tang Hu. They were the most promising talents among the third-generation disciples, second only to Tang Feng and Tang Jian, and were the backbone of the sect's younger generation.
Both men were tall and physically strong.
Tang Long thirty-two years old, with a resolute face, a calm and steady personality, and acts with great method.
Tang Hu is thirty years old. He has a relatively outgoing personality, with a spirited air about him and a decisive and efficient demeanor.
The two are not only blood brothers, but also partners who have cultivated together and competed with each other since childhood.
About three months ago, in the sect's internal competition held by the Clear Sky Sect to encourage its young disciples, Tang Long and Tang Hu, with their outstanding strength and unwavering will, fought their way through the competition and finally made it into the top six.
As a reward, the two were granted the right to consume six top-grade medicinal herbs left behind by Tang Feng, specifically for strengthening their constitution and refining their bones and muscles.
Although these herbs are not as miraculous as the legendary "celestial herbs," they are still precious items carefully selected by Tang Feng. Their medicinal properties are mild and long-lasting, and their effects are pure, making them excellent for strengthening one's foundation and enhancing potential.
Tang Long and Tang Hu knew that this was a rare opportunity, so they did not slack off at all after taking the herbs. Instead, they devoted themselves to cultivation even more diligently, perfectly absorbing and transforming the medicinal power.
Now, Tang Long's Soul Power has steadily increased from Level 62 a year and a half ago to level 67; Tang Hu, on the other hand, has broken through from the peak of level 58 to level 65, showing equally rapid progress.
Such a cultivation speed at the Soul Emperor level would be considered astonishing in any sect on the continent.
It should be noted that Tang Hao, who was once hailed as the pride of the Clear Sky Sect, had only just reached the Soul Saint realm at the age of thirty.
Not only were the two exceptionally talented and diligent in their cultivation, but their character and conduct were also widely recognized by the sect's higher-ups.
Tang Long is fair and considerate in his dealings, and enjoys high prestige among the younger disciples; Tang Hu, though hot-tempered, is loyal, righteous, and courageous.
They are undoubtedly regarded as the backbone of the sect's future.
When Tang Feng and Tang Lie landed at the mountain gate, Tang Long and Tang Hu, who were assisting with the arrangements, saw them immediately. Their eyes lit up with surprise and they quickly went to greet them.
"Young Sect Master! Seventh Grandfather! You're back!" Tang Long and Tang Hu clasped their hands in greeting, their faces beaming with genuine smiles.
Seeing the first batch of sect members arrive safely, and seeing his two elder brothers, Tang Long and Tang Hu, whose strength had improved and whose spirits were high, Tang Feng was filled with joy. He smiled and stepped forward to bump fists with his two elder brothers.
"Brother Tang Long, Brother Tang Hu, you must be tired from your journey!" Tang Feng returned the greeting with clasped hands.
Night fell over Cloud Mist Mountain, and the atmosphere inside the council hall was solemn yet warm. Around the heavy solid wood table sat several core figures of the sect: the three elders of the Clear Sky Sect, the patriarchs of the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans, and the young sect master Tang Feng.
Fifth Elder Tang Rui's eyes gleamed with excitement. His voice was clear and powerful as he reported the latest decision from the sect leader, "The sect leader has personally set off for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"We formally inform them that our Clear Sky Sect will reopen its gates at this new site in Cloud Mist Mountain in one month, announcing this to the world! We sincerely invite Sect Master Ning and Sect Master Yu to attend the ceremony."
Upon hearing this, everyone present nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with excitement, eager to get started.
Tang Rui continued, "Furthermore, through the sect leader's secret mediation, we have reached preliminary alliance agreements with both the Heaven Dou Empire Imperial Family and the Star Luo Imperial Family."
Both empires have explicitly stated their recognition and support for the Clear Sky Sect's return to the Soul Master World, and their willingness to provide convenience and support for the sect's activities within their respective spheres of influence, jointly maintaining order on the continent.
"Excellent!" Tang Feng couldn't help but clap his hands in praise. With the official endorsement of the two great empires, the external obstacles for sects to leave the mountains will be greatly reduced, and at least overt hostile actions will be somewhat restrained.