Their Respective Plans
The dishes were served, and the four began to eat. The atmosphere gradually relaxed, and they became more talkative. Yan complained that the Jasper Flood Dragon's poison was too Yin, and that he would have to find a pharmacist to get some antidote when they got back. Xie Yue said that controlling the Moon Shadow Clone was more difficult than expected, and that he needed to practice more. Hu Liena said that her Demon Fox Phantom was quite effective in actual combat, but her mental strength couldn't keep up, and she needed to find a way to improve it.
The conversation then turned to the Soul Master Tournament a year later.
"The Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academy will begin in a year," Ning Buhui, picking up a piece of food. "What are your plans?"
Yan paused for a moment. "What are your plans?"
"To participate or not?"
The three exchanged glances. Xie Yue spoke first, "I don't plan to participate this year."
"Me too," Hu Liena said. "After this mission, I realized how far I still have to go. The Elite Tournament is sure to be full of geniuses, and I'm still quite a bit behind the real masters. Instead of wasting time in the tournament, I should take on more missions and quickly improve my Soul Power Level through actual combat."
Yan scratched his head. "I originally wanted to go, but Nana is right. If it weren't for our junior brother's safety net, we wouldn't have been able to handle even two Jasper Flood Dragon. Going to the competition would just make us look like extras. Let's wait for the next one."
Ning Buhui nodded. He knew that the Golden Generation in the original story did not participate in this competition. The Spirit Hall sent another seeded team, all of whom were Soul King at level 50 or above. Although their growth rate was much faster than in the original story because of his presence, they were still far behind the seeded team of this competition.
"I plan to give it a try. I've already talked to the teacher, but I'll have to earn my spot myself," Ning Buhui said.
"You're going as a support Soul Master?" Xie Yue asked upon hearing this.
"Yes, the Control System abilities are not yet ready to be revealed. This trip isn't about rankings, but mainly about broadening our horizons and seeing what level other Soul Master our age are at," Ning Buhui replied.
After the four finished their meal, Ning Buhui paid the bill. As they stepped out of the restaurant, a cool night breeze greeted them; the March air was still crisp. Yan stretched and grumbled about going back to shower and sleep. Xie Yue nodded and turned to walk towards her lodgings. Hu Liena Ning Buhui and left as well.
Ning Buhui stood at the restaurant entrance, watching the three disperse. He suddenly felt that although the trip to the Jade Pool Hidden Valley was dangerous, he had said what needed to be said, and felt much more at ease. He walked alone towards his lodgings, pondering his next plans. He had already obtained his Fourth Soul Ring, the level 40 cap had been lifted, and his Nine Orifices Heart Control had broken through to the second level, which he couldn't break through again in the short term. Now, the only way to improve his strength was through his Soul Power Level. There was still a year until the competition, and he needed to raise his level to over 45 during that time so as not to hold the team back.
He walked to the door of the quiet room, pushed it open, and went inside. The room was exactly as he had left it, without a speck of dust, clearly indicating that someone came to clean it regularly. He tidied himself up briefly, took a bath, and then lay down. This mission had been exhausting, with so much happening, he needed to recharge and resume his daily training tomorrow. Once this month was over, he planned to go to the Star Dou Great Forest again. Only through real combat could he improve rapidly.
The next morning, Ning Buhui resumed her daily training.
He practiced running laps, physical skills, and Heart Separation Control —he didn't miss a single one. After finishing his run, he ate a simple breakfast at the cafeteria and then went straight to the library to retrieve the old files about the Soul Master Tournament.
The Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academy is held every five years, alternately hosted by the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. Participants must be registered disciples of the Soul Master Academy and no older than twenty. The Spirit Hall does not participate directly, but it has its own academy called the Spirit Hall Academy, affiliated with the Pope Hall. It does not recruit students from outside the palace, but selects from its core disciples. The Spirit Hall Academy's seeded team won the championship in the previous tournament; all five members were Soul Ancestor of level 48-49, and the captain and vice-captain were even Soul King of level 50.
Ning Buhui reviewed the previous competition's format, participant list, and rules. The competition was divided into three stages: preliminary rounds, qualifying rounds, and the finals. The preliminary rounds were held in regional divisions within each empire, while the qualifying rounds and the finals were held together. Only Martial Soul and Soul Skill were allowed in the competition; pills, tonics, food, and Soul Tool made by non-food and non-healing Soul Master were not permitted. Intentional killing was prohibited, and the referee could intervene to stop it. Team matches were based on a seven-person format, but nine people were required for registration, with two as substitutes.
He closed the file, understanding the situation. To participate in the competition, he first needed to be on the selection list of the Spirit Hall Academy. The selection of the Spirit Hall Academy had always been jointly overseen by the Pope Hall and the Worship Hall. Having Bibi Dong's approval was not enough; he also had to pass the Worship Hall's test.
That afternoon, he went to see Bibi Dong.
In the side hall, Bibi Dong was reviewing a report on the preparation of Whale Rubber. Seeing him enter, she raised an eyebrow. "The mission is complete?"
"Hmm." Ning Buhui sat down at the desk. "This disciple would like to talk to Master about the Soul Master Tournament."
Bibi Dong put down her pen and leaned back. "You want to participate?"
"Yes. I'm not looking for rankings; I mainly want to broaden my horizons. I want to see what level the top Soul Master among my peers are at."
Bibi Dong glanced at him for a few moments without answering immediately. She pulled a document from the table, flipped through a couple of pages, and handed it to him. "This is the selection plan for the Spirit Hall Academy this year. Registration closes at the end of the month, and the preliminary rounds begin next month. If you want to participate, register and let your own strength speak for itself."
Ning Buhui took the document and flipped through it. The preliminary selection was simple: an individual strength test and a Simulation team battle. The individual test assessed Soul Power, Soul Skill, and combat prowess; the team battle assessed teamwork and adaptability. Those who passed the preliminary selection would be included in the Spirit Hall Academy's roster, from which nine would be chosen to form a team to participate in the competition.
"Disciple understands." Ning Buhui put the document away, and said with some regret, "I was originally planning to go to the Star Dou Great Forest for training next month, but it seems that the time will have to be postponed."
"You still want to go on a life-or-death battle?" Bibi Dong. "I thought you'd be quiet for a while after you came back."
Ning Buhui said, "My current level is decent among my peers, but it's relatively low in the Soul Master Tournament. I still need to raise my level further."
Bibi Dong knew he was right, so she didn't dwell on the topic and instead asked, "If you're going to participate, in what capacity?"
Ning Buhui knew what she meant by asking. His Martial Soul was special, and she was asking him if he wanted to reveal the secret of his Martial Soul.
So he explained his plan, "I want to compete as a support Soul Master, hiding some of my strength. I'll also use the Thousand-Transformation Illusory Mask Soul Ring to disguise myself and make myself less conspicuous."
"Just keep that in mind. Everything else depends on your own performance." Bibi Dong nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
She only gave one piece of advice. "The Golden Crocodile Douluo is the chief examiner in the Worship Hall. He has a bad temper and is very good at judging people. Be careful if you try anything funny in front of him."
"This disciple has remembered."
Emerging from the side hall, Ning Buhui returned to his quiet room. He took the Thousand-Transformation Illusory Mask from his ring, reattached it to his face, and tried adjusting the colors of his Soul Ring. Two yellow and two purple. His appearance remained unchanged; after all, he was competing as a member of the Spirit Hall, so acting with his true self was sufficient.
Over the next few days, he focused his training on individual tests. Individual tests are different from team battles; there are no teammates to cooperate with, and it all depends on one's own strength. He practiced his Soul Skill repeatedly, alternating between Mountain Suppressing Falling Strike and Spinning Pagoda Strangulation, and combining them with auxiliary Soul Skill to further improve his attack speed and accuracy. He also practiced Void Rending Slash several times, controlling it to a level he could control freely during the test. He didn't plan to reveal his Wind Thunder Wings in the test for the time being; they were for survival, not for showing off.
In addition, he set aside an hour each day to spar with Yan and Xie Yue at the training ground. He only provided support, leaving the rest to Yan and Xie Yue. With his involvement, their battles became increasingly unrestrained.
He had already submitted his application form and was just waiting for the preliminary selection to begin.