Passing the Torch of Accumulation
After winning the match, Ja Sun and others did not stay for long. Especially Ja Sun, who, using the excuse of his injuries quickly walked into the medical room before shutting himself in the restroom. He only came a few minutes later and by that point, his body was already recovering, demonstrating his own heightened recovery.
"That was crazy!" Hu Lana gasped, her cheeks still flushed as she fawned openly.
"Of course, it was," Ja Sun snorted, "What else did you expect?"
"Something not so bloody," Tang Yuehua smiled bitterly and he shrugged. Ah Yin already began healing Ja Sun. She had covered his body with a blanket but not a single drop of blood escaped his wounds. The only area that was a little unscathed was none other than his own right fist and that, too, by constant regulation of spirit energy that gave him enough time to move his arm out of the harm's way.
"At least, you didn't go bald this time," Xie Xan grinned.
"Yeah," Ja Sun mumbled and leaned back, feeling the pure and warm life energy course through his body, healing every external wound. Unlike others where Liu Erlong purposely left a bit of ultimate fire element in their bodies after the match is finished just out of spite, she sucked away all her fire from Ja Sun clean and this allowed Ah Yin to easily heal him.
"The good thing is that only two matches remain so we don't have to care much about revealing our true abilities, right?" Jun'er giggled.
"No, we still keep a portion of it hidden away," Bibi Dong finally spoke up. She hadn't said much after their victory and Ja Sun's act of using the toilet while his asshole should be positively burnt made her suspect that Ja Sun had other motives for hiding... however, given the gruesome circumstances, she didn't voice her doubts, fearing that Ja Sun might say something so disgusting that it would be branded on her mind.
"What's going on?" Oscar picked on the hidden conflict within Bibi Dong and she shook her head, "Nothing too important... but I trust you to heed my words. Especially you, Liu Erlong."
Bibi Dong's glare settled Liu Erlong temporarily.
It was at this time, Gui Mei appeared outside the infirmary and opened the doors. As his gaze landed on Ja Sun, there was a clear look of admiration in his eyes. And sensing him healed to such an extent, his appreciation extended to the blue-haired Ah Yin as well.
"The Clear Sky Clan's patriarch is waiting for your presence and even Supreme Pontiff wants you to be present."
"I understand," Bibi Dong nodded and she glanced towards Ja Sun and Ah Yin before gesturing for Xie Xan to follow her. Taking Ja Sun with her would be a great assurance but taking him now would seem too out of her character since he was injured quite 'deeply'. Ah Yin has always refused to participate in political agendas and taking her suddenly would make her association feel dubious. But Bibi Dong strangely didn't want to be alone with her master as long as she didn't clear the air between them and decided to bring Xie Xan since she is already promoting the youth as her representative.
Once the Ghost Douluo left with Bibi Dong and Xie Xan, others looked at Ja Sun and Ah Yin before settling around the room itself.
"Could we have some privacy?" Ah Yin frowned, a little dissatisfied with her team's roguish actions.
"Nah," Liu Erlong muttered before closing her eyes.
---
"I see," Bibi Dong could barely control her expression.
Right now, within Qian Xunji's quarters, aside from him, Bibi Dong, Xie Xan, Gui Mei, and Yue Guan, there were Tang Peng, Tang Hao, Tang Xiao, and Dai Laohu alongside the current emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire: Xue Ye.
Since this was a transfer of property within the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye needed to be present as a witness due to its magnitude while Dai Laohu appearing alongside Tang Peng only served to solidify the fact that despite residing in the Heaven Dou Empire, Clear Sky Clan's connections with the Star Luo Empire were great. Xue Ye couldn't do anything about this but only reinforce his own strengths and keep guard against the strongest clan of the continent.
Tang Peng looked particularly calm. Qian Xunji had hit a point when he explained that aside from historical importance, the cost of maintaining Giant's Forest in terms of monetary and human resources had already become a liability to the clan and if there was a Spirit Hall willing to take care of it while providing them benefits, even the usually boorish Tang Peng couldn't refuse such a proposal.
"Is that little bastard dead?" Tang Peng barked and Bibi dong only glanced at him before inquiring, "I hope that your members weren't too severely injured or they would lose their chance at the competition and they were so close, too."
"Don't you worry about our team," Tang Xiao spoke up, realizing that his father arguing with a junior wouldn't look good.
"Yes, yes, everyone. Why don't we settle down?" Yue Guan smiled pleasantly, representing Qian Xunji for the moment.
As everyone settled down, they looked at Qian Xunji and Xue Ye spoke up. Out of the leaders present, only this young emperor was still a Spirit Sage but it was because of his heritage that he could become an Emperor.
"Supreme Pontiff, are you sure to make your disciple the beneficiary of this bet?"
"It was Bibi Dong's teammate that proposed the bet. It was her team that took out Clear Hammer Douluo's team, too. And as my successor, she needs more responsibilities that force her to face the terrible opponents in the form of evil spirit masters that would try to poach the giants in the forest.
This is the contract I had the elders prepare. For the next ten years, the member of your clan may enter the forest each month only after reaching their bottleneck free of charge. The individual may only enter with a single elder of his or her choice. The Clear Sky Clan has a quota of 5 individuals per month excluding the additional elders and this quota cannot be carried forward to the next month.
Finally, the Giant's Forest will also be open to aspiring Spirit Masters who are part of clans and sects recognized by the two emperors."
Qian Xunji handed out the contracts for everyone to view. Feeling complicated about the prospect of such an amazing opportunity, Bibi Dong still decided to remain quiet. She felt that being meticulous was needed right now and openly questioning Qian Xunji might not only deprive her of her opportunities but also drive a wedge between their relationship.
Sighing, she compressed her voice and decided to check if Xie Xan understood the underlying matters.
"Do you see what's truly going on?"
Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Xie Xan fell thoughtful and only replied after skimming through the contact.
"I think that the act of making Sister Dong the beneficiary of this transaction is to keep the power in one's own faction. Although we belong to Spirit Hall, it has its own internal struggle, and the authority of the Supreme Pontiff is not so easily passed. We are part of your crew, and thus, in extension, we are also part of Supreme Pontiff's political structure maybe except for Ka-ul and Ah Yin.
With you as the leader of the protective force of this forest, once the competition ends, our team will have a base to work on. The resources from Giant's Forest will serve to increase our credits and the clash with poachers will keep our skills from rusting.
I don't understand the reason to provide the Clear Sky Clan free services but the deal with the two emperors should be to increase the motivation of rogue spirit masters joining the factions of the two empires.
"First," Bibi Dong replied, "You missed the fact that I'm being 'rewarded' the forest and its responsibilities. Had master become the beneficiary, he would have been forced to share the forest with the other factions such as the Spirit Academy. With the forest being our responsibility, we are also given the right to reject the advances of other internal factions.
Next, the act of providing a free entrance to the Clear Sky Clan members has something to do with Grandmaster and Clear Hammer Douluo Tang Peng's father. I'm not clear on the matter myself."
Xie Xan nodded internally while he wondered if Ja Sun would have grasped these intricacies or not.
"Fine, this is acceptable," Tang Peng grunted.
---
Once the contract was fulfilled, the duo returned and passed on the pleasant news that they would have their work cut out for them after the end of the competition.
"Now leave and let him rest," Bibi Dong scoffed as she observed Hu Lana's sly smile.
"We were actually planning to rest here if you don't mind Sister Dong!" She snickered and Bibi Dong frowned, a bit frustrated by the tease.
But as if they had already planned to stay, no matter what Bibi dong said, the group'''s motivation to stay under Hu Lana's lead only grew further and Ah Yin couldn't help but sigh seeing this. It was the same as Bibi Dong stating that Hu Lana's actions were effective which made her realize that while Bibi Dong might be a scheming individual, she was charming in this naive way that she would rather easily fall to these petty schemes than other meticulous and well-planned ones.
The group spent the night together while the most eager individual to have a private time with Ja Sun was... himself!
He wanted to observe the rewards already. He wanted to begin on his other task of observing the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud or finally study medicine refinement of the Attack Clan. There was still the task of making clothes extremely resistant but this matter was a more complex one since it meant creating a tool capable of resisting the attacks of a Titled Douluo which was simply not possible for him at the moment.
He also had another chunk of life gold but Ja Sun did not have any personal use of the material. Just like many spirit bones and his half of the immortal herbs, this precious material was fated to remain his treasure trove until Ja Sun do find a good use for it.
Giving it to Ah Yin?
The thought didn't even cross his mind. The woman was already taking his other essence so he would rather stock his more material treasure instead and he had already given the Blue Silver Emperor's Core once... that already made him feel too kind.
The next morning, the group prepared to take on their opponents. No bets were accepted from the other side and they gave up easily the moment the match began. Meanwhile, from the Clear Sky Clan, the backup members revealed equally ferocious strength that made everyone who wished to target the clan rethink their options.
The last match for the Spirit Academy was already decided.
The Star Luo Academy.
Ja Sun had his clone spread out the information of his personal history with the clan and asked Bibi Dong to assist in the matter.
This was simply to fan the flames so that tomorrow morning, they could finally bet large and he was planning to take down the team alone, something he had clarified from the very beginning.
He had promised not to be selfish during the match against the Clear Sky Clan but since their victory was technically a team effort, Ja Sun reserved his rights to be selfish and decided to take on the Star Luo Academy by himself, something that he publicized once again.
---
Outside the giant fountain that resembled an inverted waterfall instead, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had their own temporary residence built.
Right now, within Chen Xin's quarters lay a striking individual with charred skin and a half-burnt face.
Next to him sat four individuals. Chen Xin, Lin Min, Ning Fengzhi, and an Old man with a natural scowl and a stern face marred with wrinkles.
Tears flowed out of Lin Min's eyes and Ning Fengzhi displayed a rare moment of sadness however, these traits were simply not present in Chen Xin and the old man.
"You understand it, don't you, son?"
The burnt man was none other than Chen Lanxue who survived five of Qian Daoliu's strikes. Right now, the man had a strangely jovial expression as he looked at Chen Xin.
"I do," Chen Xin nodded with a rarely seen gentle smile.
"Here, this is what I could gain from that man. You must surpass me and challenge him. Accumulate your experience and then pass it to the next generation. One day, the accumulation of experience will have a qualitative change. I believe it!" Chen Lanxue gasped and pointed at Chen Xin when a sword mark shot out of his forehead and entered Chen Xin.
Comprehension instantly flickered in Chen Xin's eyes as his father chuckled, "As for the memory of my duel... hehe, that is my personal wealth and joy! I hope you have the fortune of facing such a brilliant opponent, son. I've peaked my life. I wish you have your chance to stand on that level, too!"
"My path is the sword. I shall carve my destiny with the same and reach beyond you," Chen Xin whispered with an understanding expression as he held his father's hand, "So, you can finally submerge yourself knowing that I or the future generation shall definitely surpass you."
Chen Lanxue nodded. He glanced at the tearful Lin Min and the sad Ning Fengzhi before looking at Ning Fengzhi's father.
"Brother Ning, I'm going ahead. Be sure to catch up soon."
"Bastard, is it right to curse an old man before your passing?" The Patriarch of the Seven Treasures clan laughed and shook his head, "Yes, don't worry. I will meet you later down the road in a year or two."
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed and Lin Min's body shook.
But taking no note of the duo's feeling, Chen Lanxue chuckled and nodded, "Well, it is time that I took my leave. If you do get to fight him, be sure to praise the legendary Tang Chen as much as you can. That will shrivel that old bastard's balls, hahaha!"
The man's weak chuckles turned faint and soon, life flickered out of his eyes.
"Grandmaster!" Lin Min sobbed as Chen Xin gently patted his disciple's head, "Foolish girl, is it easy to find opponents? I'd reckon that even the Second Priest of the Spirit Hall who has just resurfaced because of taking a new disciple can only match my father in strength and not exceed him so passing in this manner is a matter of joy.
I hope, that if there comes a day of my demise, I perish with my sword in my hands."
"Master! Please don't--"
"No, remember Min!" Chen Xin's gaze turned brilliant and his expression stern, "Those who live by the sword also die to it!"
His calm and gentle voice made Lin Min's and Ning Fengzhi's hearts clench and as the youth looked at his father, the old man smiled without any remorse and added, "And those who live collecting treasures are buried under it."
"Father... please don't say such matters," before Ning Fengzhi could complete, the patriarch sharply rebuked, "No, I will! Old Bone and Sword know of this matter. The next ceremony regarding the search of treasures will be conducted on me and that is it. Just like the old bastard handed down his inheritance to Sword, I need to properly hand down the clan to you.
You cannot and will not grief and sadness blind your judgment and allow happiness and excitement to inhibit your determination. Is that understood?"
Ning Fengzhi could only force a silent nod.
"We will settle the business once this competition ends. Even with the loss against the Spirit Academy, we have gained too much and the clan will enter a period of digestion just like other factions. This will ensure peace for a decade and if the plan of making the competition a regular thing comes to a pass, I highly doubt that such an efficient betting system would be in place again so we don't have too much to worry about.
You have many responsibilities ahead, young man. So you have to broaden your shoulders to accept these burdens instead of shriveling up in sadness!"
It was time for the older generation to pass the torch to their successors.
But there was no denying the loss of the two Titled Douluo leveled individuals. Although they didn't know about Ground Devil's current whereabouts, the clan was quite confident that he was already dead. But the clan couldn't take it up with the Spirit Hall since Ground Devil decided to hunt Ja Sun at his initiative.
Now, Chen Lanxue's loss only left the clan with the Bone and the Sword Douluo. Still, this was a strength potent enough to even deter the likes Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and with the backing of the Heaven Dou Empire, even the Spirit Hall will need to think twice about targeting the clan.
***
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