Chapter 94: The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament Begins
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Tang Hao silently nodded, unwilling to dwell on the topic any further. He reached into his coat and retrieved a flower—an ordinary-looking white blossom about the size of a palm, resembling a peony. However, its leaves were an astonishing shade of red, as vivid as fresh blood, exuding a fragrance that was both intoxicating and unsettling.
"What is this?" Xiao Wu asked curiously. She could feel that the flower's scent seemed to suppress the aura of her spirit beast bloodline.
"This flower is called Lover's Tear. At sunset, a heartbroken soul mourns in solitude." Tang Hao's deep voice carried a tinge of sorrow. "Legend has it that a young man, consumed by grief over his late wife, wept until his tears ran dry, his heart shattered, and even his intestines ruptured. He perished vomiting blood, and in his final moments, a drop of that blood fell upon a wildflower beside him. Perhaps moved by the boy's unwavering love, the deity of love took pity on him. His blood fused with the flower's leaves, staining them crimson. From that day on, the once-ordinary flower was known as Lover's Tear."
Tang Hao turned his head slightly, his eyes brimming with emotion. This story reminded him of A Yin—his beloved, who had sacrificed herself and transformed into a simple Blue Silver Grass, with almost no hope of rebirth. Every waking moment, he yearned for her return.
"This flower will suppress your spirit beast aura. Keep it with you, carry it close. With this, you can safely participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament alongside Tang San. He needs you."
Xiao Wu carefully cradled the Lover's Tear, her heart pounding. She then mustered the courage to ask the question she had been holding in. "Uncle Tang, you… you don't object to me being with Tang San?"
Tang Hao turned toward her with a rare, gentle smile. "Why would I? I've been observing you since Nuoding Academy. You remind me so much of Tang San's mother—truly alike. Though your personalities differ somewhat, I can see how deeply you care for Tang San. He may not realize it yet, but his heart already belongs to you."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Outside of Nuoding Academy, I even met with your mother. She also supports you and Tang San being together."
"I must go now. The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament… you will undoubtedly make it through the preliminaries. Once the tournament ends, I will have Tang San bring you home—to reunite with his family."
As soon as his words fell, Tang Hao's figure vanished from the room. A gentle breeze drifted in through the open window. Aside from the Lover's Tear in Xiao Wu's hands, it was as if he had never been there at all.
"Home… with his family?" Xiao Wu murmured, her cheeks flushing pink.
As she daydreamed about her future with Tang San, her mind clouded with romance, a sharp realization struck her like lightning—her mother, Da Ming, and Er Ming had all suffered tragic fates. Her face turned pale as she suddenly called out in desperation, "Uncle Tang! My mother—my mother, she…"
But her cry received no answer. Tang Hao had long since left.
Xiao Wu's expression dimmed momentarily, but soon, determination lit up her gaze. "I never imagined Tang San's family would be so powerful. If he grows strong enough, or if his elders intervene, they can avenge my mother, Da Ming, and Er Ming…"
Three Days Later – Heaven Dou City, Capital of the Heaven Dou Empire
The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was officially underway in the Heaven Dou Empire's competition zone. The grand opening ceremony was being held in Heaven Dou City, drawing immense crowds.
As the most prestigious event in the spirit master world, the tournament captivated not only spirit masters but also royalty, nobles, and commoners alike. Every citizen of Heaven Dou City treated it as a grand festival. The opening ceremony was held in the Heaven Dou Grand Spirit Arena, and tickets for the event had sold out a full month in advance.
In preparation for the tournament, the Heaven Dou Grand Spirit Arena had ceased all regular competitions a month prior, undergoing renovations to merge its main battle arena with all the secondary arenas. The result was a massive, singular battlefield, fit for hosting the grand event.
The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament was a breeding ground for future elites. Regardless of their performance, every participant would become highly sought after by noble families and powerful clans. Even those who merely qualified for the tournament were considered valuable assets.
To ensure order and security, the Heaven Dou Empire deployed 5,000 city guards to maintain peace and prevent any incidents during the event.
Among the many participating academies, Shrek Academy stood out as the most… peculiar.
Their uniforms were a dreadful shade of dung-green, standing out like a sore thumb amidst the grandeur of the occasion. If that wasn't enough, each student's chest featured an oversized emblem of Shrek Academy's mascot—a grinning, bright green monster.
But the real kicker was on the back of their uniforms.
Six large, red-embroidered characters were stitched in bold:
"Seeking Sponsorship & Advertising"
Below those words, an even smaller line of text read:
"For advertisement fees, please consult Shrek Academy's Headmaster, Flender."
At the forefront of this bizarre procession walked Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong.
Liu Erlong clenched her fists, her fierce aura surging. "Boss Flender, Xiaogang, this time, we must achieve a higher ranking in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament! We need to make Shrek Academy famous! Our enrollment numbers have been dropping over the past two years!"
With the soul master subsidies revoked, almost all academies across the continent—including Spirit Hall Academy—had seen a steady decline in student admissions.
Now, enrolling in an academy required both an application fee and tuition. For reference, Shrek Academy used to charge 10 gold spirit coins as an application fee and 100 gold spirit coins for tuition. The fees for advanced spirit master academies were even higher—far beyond what ordinary families could afford. Without government subsidies, most commoners simply couldn't pay.
Before Lanba Academy was renamed, it had a strict policy: nobles were not accepted, only commoner spirit masters were admitted. This led to Lanba Academy having the lowest student enrollment among all academies.
However, Liu Erlong, who had spent most of her time isolated in her wooden cabin, drowning in memories of Yu Xiaogang, was completely unaware of this. She simply assumed that Lanba Academy's reputation wasn't strong enough and that all their students had been stolen away by the Four Elemental Academies.
"Don't worry, Erlong," Flender chuckled, rubbing his hands together. "This time, Shrek Academy is going to shock the entire continent in this tournament!"
To help Tang San overcome his inner demons, Haotian Sect had specially sent some elite disciples as reinforcements. Every single one of them was at Spirit Ancestor level—outstanding young talents.
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, doing his best to maintain a calm and composed demeanor. "The rest is up to the kids. Our only job is to prepare the best strategies for them."
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A Dark Alley in Heaven Dou City
In an extremely shadowy corner, a frail, filthy old woman peeked out cautiously, watching as teams of well-dressed spirit masters passed by.
There was no need to guess—this wretched beggar was Bibi Dong.
Another year had passed, and she had grown even older. She still leaned on a cane, but the basket of wild vegetables she once carried was gone. In its place was a chipped, broken bowl. Even her teeth had turned black, and an unbearable stench emanated from her body.
To enter Heaven Dou City, she had needed to pay an entry fee.
She had nothing but a few copper coins and a basket of wild vegetables. But even the poorest of Heaven Dou's citizens wouldn't touch those bitter, unpalatable greens.
Unable to sell them, Bibi Dong had no choice but to exchange them for a begging bowl and fully embrace the life of a vagrant. After days of begging, she had finally saved up enough to enter the city.
Once, she had been the Holy Maiden, second only to the Supreme Pontiff. Then, she had become the Supreme Pontiff herself, standing above millions. Almost everyone on the continent had to kneel before her.
Now, she had become the lowest of the low—a beggar, groveling before every passerby.
(End of Chapter)