The Eve of the Elite Tournament Finals

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Over the past three months in Spirit City, Lin Yongming had spent most of his time either training with his teammates or meditating in the hotel.

During this period, Qian Xunji had approached Lin Yongming twice, but both times it was for trivial matters.

Meanwhile, Blue Silver Empress had been inseparable from Lin Yongming, keeping a close eye on Bibi Dong during every training session.

She would often say to Bibi Dong, "Bibi Dong, don't even think about taking advantage of Xiao Ming, or I'll spill all your embarrassing secrets."

Or she would warn Lin Yongming, "Xiao Ming, keep your distance from Bibi Dong during training."

This made both Lin Yongming and Bibi Dong feel helpless. There was nothing going on between them, but their teammates had started to tease them as if there were.

Over these three months, Lin Yongming, Blue Silver Empress, and Bibi Dong had each advanced one level in their soul power.

Currently, Lin Yongming was a level 53 Soul King, while Blue Silver Empress was a level 63 Soul Emperor, maintaining a ten-level gap between them.

Bibi Dong, on the other hand, was a level 55 Soul King. The rest of the team hadn't shown any significant changes, except for the improved synergy between Lin Yongming and the others compared to when they first arrived.

One morning, Lin Yongming and the team gathered in the training room as usual. However, this time, when Bibi Dong stepped onto the platform, she didn't immediately assign sparring partners. Instead, she cleared her throat.

"Three months have passed in the blink of an eye. Last night, I received news that the teams from the two great empires have already departed from their capitals and are heading this way. They should arrive in Spirit City within three days."

"So, I've decided that for these three days, everyone should take a good rest and adjust their mindset. After all, we've all been working very hard during this training period," Bibi Dong announced with a smile.

"Yay! Captain, you're the best! We finally get a break!" Dong Xiaofang, the most lively and energetic member of the team, was the first to cheer.

"The hellish training is finally over!" Wu Zhi plopped down on the ground, tears of joy streaming down his face.

"Hey, don't overdo it," Bibi Dong said, hands on her hips, feigning annoyance.

"The Pope has made it clear that if we don't win this championship, he'll consider sending us to Death Valley."

"What!"

"Captain, don't worry. I'll give it my all!"

"Exactly! If anyone wants to win, they'll have to step over my dead body!"

The mention of Death Valley instantly fired up Chen Wu and the others.

"What's Death Valley?" Lin Yongming asked, completely clueless.

"Death Valley is one of the most important places for selecting elite members of the Spirit Hall. That's all I know," Bibi Dong explained briefly.

"Right, we don't know the specifics either. All we know is that those who come out of Death Valley never talk about what happened there. Almost half of the participants don't make it out alive," Chen Wu added.

"Your grandfather is one of the twelve elders of the Spirit Hall, right? Hasn't he told you about it?" Blue Silver Empress asked curiously.

"Hmph, even the captain, who's the Pope's disciple, doesn't know. Why would my grandfather tell me?" Chen Wu replied, scratching his nose.

"So, don't let your guard down until the very end."

"Alright, we'll meet at the main gate of the Spirit Hall in three days. Dismissed!" Bibi Dong concluded with a final reminder.

"Yes, Captain!"

Lin Yongming and Blue Silver Empress were the last to leave, walking hand in hand out of the academy.

"Xiao Ming, A Yin, wait for me!" Bibi Dong called out as she hurried after them.

"What do you want? It's our break now!" Blue Silver Empress said, blocking Bibi Dong.

"I know it's a break, so I wanted to ask where you two are planning to go. I know Spirit City like the back of my hand," Bibi Dong replied, slightly out of breath.

"Saintess, since you announced this so suddenly, A Yin and I haven't had time to discuss where to go. Most likely, we'll just stay in the hotel and meditate," Lin Yongming said with a gentle smile.

"Don't do that! Staying in your room is so boring. If you really can't think of anywhere to go, let me take you around," Bibi Dong insisted.

"Boring? With me around, Xiao Ming would never be bored. It's you who's bored, isn't it?" Blue Silver Empress said, giving Bibi Dong a knowing look.

"Hehe, same difference," Bibi Dong admitted without hesitation.

"Alright, Xiao Ming and I are planning to visit my sister's place these next two days. If she's willing to come watch the Elite Tournament, we'll bring her back with us," Blue Silver Empress said, remembering the promise she had made with Xiao Rou.

"Great! There's not much to do in Spirit City anyway. Is it far? I want to come too!" Bibi Dong immediately chimed in, her face lighting up.

"It's not far, but you'll have to pay for the carriage," Blue Silver Empress said, glancing at her.

"Why?" Bibi Dong was taken aback.

"Because you're the one who invited yourself along. Besides, Xiao Ming and I are broke, and you take up two seats with that big butt of yours," Blue Silver Empress said matter-of-factly.

"A Yin, what are you talking about? It's only slightly bigger than yours! And Xiao Ming is right here!" Bibi Dong's cheeks flushed slightly.

Lin Yongming listened in silence, feeling like the third wheel in this conversation.

He had noticed that ever since arriving in Spirit City, Blue Silver Empress had developed a habit of teasing Bibi Dong.

"Alright, it's not far to Sister Xiao Rou's place. A carriage ride should cost about one gold soul coin," Lin Yongming interjected, trying to steer the conversation away from its increasingly inappropriate direction.

"Shall we go now?" Bibi Dong asked eagerly.

"Yeah, it's not even 10 AM yet. If we take a carriage, we'll arrive by afternoon. Let's go early and come back early," Blue Silver Empress agreed.

"Great! I'll take you to where the carriages are," Bibi Dong said, leading the way.

It was worth noting that the young Bibi Dong was quite lively and adorable, radiating an inexplicable energy.

As the trio passed through the square in front of the Spirit Hall's main gate, they saw three construction teams setting up the tournament stage for the Elite Tournament.

The Continental Elite Tournament, officially known as the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, was a grand event organized by the royal families of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, with the Spirit Hall serving as a co-organizer. It was the largest and most prestigious spirit master competition, held once every five years.

The tournament Lin Yongming was participating in was the third edition since its inception.

The previous champion had been the Spirit Hall, which was why they had chosen to host the finals in Spirit City this time.

In reality, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was a way for the two empires to scout talent. Since the participants were all academy students, the age limit was set at 25 years old.

Additionally, intentionally killing opponents during the matches was strictly prohibited.

While the tournament was ostensibly a way for the two empires to recruit talent, the Spirit Hall also used it as an opportunity to attract geniuses. After all, no one would turn away talented spirit masters.

Although the two empires were reluctant to allow the Spirit Hall to participate, they had no choice but to watch as their own talented spirit masters joined the Spirit Hall's ranks.

Thus, in the Continental Elite Tournament, the Spirit Hall had only one seed team, which was automatically qualified for the finals.

As for the hundred or so advanced spirit master academies from the two empires, aside from the royal seed teams, the other academies had to go through preliminary rounds and qualifiers before they could reach the finals.

Each empire would send sixteen teams, meaning that, including the Spirit Hall's team, a total of thirty-three academy teams would participate in the finals.

When they reached the area where carriages were gathered, the trio hired a carriage that could seat four people.

True to her word, Blue Silver Empress made Bibi Dong pay the one gold soul coin fare.

"It's been a while since I've left the city. I feel so free, like a bird soaring in the sky," Bibi Dong said, leaning against the carriage window and enjoying the breeze.

"That's the benefit of traveling and seeing the world. Staying cooped up in Spirit City, training in a monotonous environment, isn't helpful. Cultivation starts with cultivating the mind. When your mental state improves, your strength will naturally follow."

"Look at Xiao Ming. He's only twelve, three years younger than you. Despite all the resources you have in the Spirit Hall and your daily training in simulated environments, Xiao Ming only meditates normally every day. Yet, he's only two levels behind you," Blue Silver Empress said, watching Bibi Dong's cheerful expression.

"Yeah, I've always wondered how Xiao Ming cultivates so fast. A twelve-year-old Soul King is unheard of," Bibi Dong said, clearly puzzled.

It wasn't that Bibi Dong hadn't been working hard. She had been training diligently, but Lin Yongming had still managed to close the gap between them.

"In the years I've been with Xiao Ming, we haven't traveled to many places, but every time we did, it was filled with danger. The first time was in the Star Dou Forest, and the second was in Suotuo City when we were targeted by a Soul Sage. You know the rest."

"So, isolating yourself and training blindly isn't the way. Before reaching the Soul Ancestor level, it's manageable, but after becoming a Soul King, your mental state becomes crucial. Understanding your own spirit and soul power will naturally lead to improvement," Blue Silver Empress shared her cultivation experience with Bibi Dong.

"I see. I've been planning to travel and gain experience after the Continental Elite Tournament ends," Bibi Dong nodded, agreeing with Blue Silver Empress's words.

"Of course, Xiao Ming's rapid progress is also due to his unique circumstances."

"Xiao Ming can't see the world, which means he isn't distracted by worldly temptations. That's why he can fully immerse himself in meditation every time he cultivates."

"Because he can't see, his mind is naturally free of distractions," Blue Silver Empress said, smiling at Lin Yongming.

"True, sometimes I even envy Xiao Ming for that," Bibi Dong admitted.

"You could try it too. Close your eyes and live like that for a month. It'll help calm your mind," Lin Yongming suggested, somewhat helplessly.

"Yeah, right. I'd go crazy, not calm down," Blue Silver Empress rolled her eyes.

"Exactly! Besides, with three blind people, who's going to take care of whom?" Bibi Dong added.

"Then why are you envious of me? Are you just teasing me? I'm getting angry!" Lin Yongming pouted, pretending to be upset.

"Alright, alright, we won't tease you anymore. Be good," Blue Silver Empress said playfully, pulling Lin Yongming's head into her chest.

"Hey, don't go overboard! There's someone else here!"

"And you, Xiao Ming, stop pretending to be angry," Bibi Dong said, slapping Lin Yongming's back.

"Oh, someone's getting jealous. Why don't you try it?" Blue Silver Empress teased.

"Hmph, fine, I will. It's not like I don't have one," Bibi Dong said, opening her arms.

"Dream on!" Blue Silver Empress stuck out her tongue.

"Ahhh, A Yin, you're driving me crazy!"

By a little past 2 PM, the carriage arrived at the outskirts of Xiao Rou's village.

"Is this it? It's so close to the Star Dou Forest. We're only a thousand meters away from the outermost edge," Bibi Dong observed, looking around.

"True, but the air is fresh here, and spirit beasts don't venture beyond the outer perimeter," Blue Silver Empress explained nonchalantly.

"Right, and it's so peaceful here. It must be a quiet life," Bibi Dong nodded.

"Let's go into the village. I'm not sure if Sister Xiao Rou is at home or out in the fields," Blue Silver Empress said, leading the way into the village.

"Come on, Bibi Dong," Lin Yongming said, calling her by name.

"Okay!"

The three of them entered the village, and it didn't take long before they spotted Xiao Rou's quaint wooden house.

Blue Silver Empress ran ahead and knocked on the door. "Sister Xiao Rou, wake up!"

She could sense Xiao Rou's presence inside, likely taking an afternoon nap.

"Who is it?" Xiao Rou asked, opening the door with slightly messy hair.

"A Yin, Xiao Ming, what brings you here?" Xiao Rou asked, still a bit drowsy.

"Is this a new friend?" Xiao Rou's eyes lit up when she noticed Bibi Dong behind them.

"Hello, I'm Bibi Dong. It's a pleasure to meet you," Bibi Dong said, extending her hand.

"Hello, I'm Xiao Rou. Since I'm older, these two call me Sister Xiao Rou," Xiao Rou replied, shaking Bibi Dong's hand.

"Come in and sit down. It's quite sunny outside," Xiao Rou invited them in, then went to the kitchen to pour some water.

"So, what brings you here? Isn't Spirit City treating you well?" Xiao Rou asked, sitting down next to Blue Silver Empress.

"Not at all. The Continental Elite Tournament is starting in a few days, so Xiao Ming and I came to pick you up," Blue Silver Empress explained.

"Has it already been three months? Time flies when you're living here. It feels like it's worth nothing," Xiao Rou said, sighing.

"That's why you should come with us and get out of here for a bit. Don't just stay cooped up. Spirit City will be bustling in a few days," Blue Silver Empress urged.

"Sister Xiao Rou, the Continental Elite Tournament is a major event in the spirit master world. Spirit City is already getting crowded. The finals will last about six days, so if you're free, why not come and watch?" Bibi Dong added with a smile.

"I wasn't planning to go, but since you've come all this way to pick me up, it'd be rude to refuse. Alright, I'll go," Xiao Rou said, looking at Blue Silver Empress and Lin Yongming.

"Really? Great! Let's go now. The carriage is still waiting outside. If we hurry, we can make it back to Spirit City before dark," Blue Silver Empress said, standing up excitedly.

"So soon? You're such a handful. But since I live alone, there's not much to pack. Let's go," Xiao Rou said, patting Blue Silver Empress's head.

And so, after just one sip of water, the decision was made.

After Xiao Rou closed the windows and locked the door, the trio became a quartet as they left the village and boarded the carriage back to Spirit City.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 228 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 40 power stones I will publish the next chapter.