Chapter 20: Group Competitions and Money(edited)

Chapter 20: Group Competitions and Money(edited)

Original word count = 1846 on 6/27/2023

New word count = 1949 on 8/18/2023

(very little changes as the chapter itself seems fairly solid to me except for being a bit more descriptive which is what i've done)

All contestants are allowed to rest now for the rest of the day as the Group Competition begins tomorrow. All rewards are provided on the last day.

Except of course Xue Tie's gift. A pure white gummy, 15-foot-tall Angel was presented to the crowd. He divided all the participants with so much still left over. He gave some to the elders, his parents, and the rest of the crowd. Everyone was asked to be seated to not cause confusion or panic during distribution. His actions made most people forget about the bloodshed his skills caused, or the brutality of his actions in the last few rounds.

After spending roughly 3 hours cutting up the angel gummy, who bears a half resemblance to Qian Xunji (death of a thousand cuts). The design wasn't so obvious to reference him but it used some of his features for half the face while the other half was covered by a 'metal' plate-like structure (overlord weak angels with simple plates for a face. Those automata)

Some of the higher-ups notice bits of resemblance but they have no reason to proclaim that Xue Tie hates Qian Xunji to Insinuate anything. They are more likely to believe that this is some silent praise or using Qian Xunji as a model for the giant gummy. Especially with the act of giving the statue away for free. An example of generosity and care on behalf of the Spirit Hall.

Qian Xunji himself has an outwardly happy expression but is inwardly annoyed due to some news he had heard regarding Bibi Dong.

Nevertheless, a break is given to all to celebrate their positions and the effort they gave. The most lackluster was Yu Xiaogang who had approached Xue Tie and Bibi Dong as they were returning to their rooms (same general direction).

"I have a request." He asks them.

"What is it?" Xue Tie responds since he is in a good mood as he just finished his current round of teasing which has grown in significance due to the kiss he gave Bibi Dong earlier.

"I'd like to request a token to gain access to the Spirit Hall library," Yu Xiaogang says and Xue Tie raises an eyebrow and thinks to himself.

'So, I'm guessing that it's already by this point that Yu Xiaogang had gotten Bibi Dong's affection or interest and in a few years once he finishes browsing the library, he leaves her' he theorizes but decides to take over the position at hand. He tosses out a token from his armband spatial storage device, with 8 crystals on it that serve as the individual spaces. It says 'Guardian' on it.

"Take it and go, return it once you're done but don't bother us," Xue Tie says and Yu Xiaogang catches it while eyeing Bibi Dong but can only sigh with a nod and take his leave. Surely his thoughts revolved around using the books to partially spend time with Bibi Dong to extend their relationship through asking for guidance or questions. But Xue Tie's words ruin such ideas.

Once Yu Xiaogang leaves, Bibi Dong asks. "Why did you give him your token? He doesn't seem like the reliable type."

"Oh, my adorable junior sister has gotten so smart in recent times that you can judge people correctly. Yes, I am aware of what he plans to do and it's fine. Trash is as trash does. Don't worry about the actions of little people."

"You are the future pope after all. You must have grand ideals for yourself and Spirit Hall. For I shall be here to support your actions, always." he says and rubs her head. She looks down, a bit flustered and Xue Tie immediately follows up with an immoral smile while saying. "Now let me give my little sister a hug and maybe a kiss to congratulate her on her win in the individual competition".

An hour later, a few construction workers are fixing up a human-shaped imprint On the wall. They have curious looks as this is the 2nd one today. Although it's more vertical and flat as compared to the others, it was horizontal and bulky.

The next day soon arrives and all competing spirit masters are arranged in groups as compared to being more scattered around for the individual competition. Just as the announcement is about to start. The last group arrives with the leader being a certain dark red-haired youth in simple black robes with Spirit Hall markings followed by 5 other spirit masters.

This is naturally Xue Tie followed by his group members. What stands out about this group is that all 5 were eliminated in the first free for all match-up. Some of them even jumped off by themselves before they got hit. So it's quite curious why they have come here with the number 1 of the boys' group. That answer is simple.

MONEY.

Yes, Xue Tie had bribed them as placeholders. But under a certain arrangement. So that more effort per match, such as even taking down 1 enemy spirit master equals more money. So Xue Tie's group is essentially a group of mercenaries who are just after that fat cheque.

It's more of a 1 v 6 and then a separate 5 v 6 match-up in the same round as them. As the 5 mercenaries know they can't cooperate with their 'boss', so they will just fight with their group. They were given some strategies since Xue Tie would not get a random group of weak people. He analyzed some of their skills, whether what they had shown before they were kicked off or after being bribed to show their skills.

With everything set, they arrived at the arena and the leaders of each group came forward to get a number. There are a total of 16 teams. This means 8 rounds and 4 days total for the competition left. The numbers were higher than what was expected by Spirit Hall, but that is because of Xue Tie.

He has arranged other groups to wear down all the other opponents. Bibi Dong naturally knows about this and had to discipline her 'big brother' very hard. A sign that his teasing might be getting just a bit out of hand

As a result, There are 8 groups of contestants and then an additional 8 which includes Xue Ties' team as well as his hired help. This is only possible since all of them are temporary members invited to Spirit Hall. If this wasn't a closed-system tournament then this would not have worked since most likely the rewards would have been far better than just the money he could give.

The opening speech is given to motivate the various groups while the final few who didn't compete are in the stands. With the numbers set up and matches set.

The first fights begin. Xue Ties group is number 3 and facing off against 5 which has Bibi Dong's runner-up as a member (mixed competition. But only some of the groups are mixed). After a short hour's wait, Xue Ties group steps up to the arena. Minimal damage had been done to the arena so far. His group shows off their martial spirits. But their arrangement is strange. Xue Tie is standing off to the side while the rest of his group is arranged in a pyramid formation (1-2-3 placement).

Once the match starts, Xue Tie charges forth by himself while his group establishes a ball of poison using all that spirit master's energy, and once it was launched, it was set on fire.

Exploding just above everyone to avoid serious injury but the blast was enough to knock down 2 of the enemy members while Xue Tie smacks his trident at a third. Knocking them off the ring. His teammate in the front position who has a water Buffalo martial spirit charges at another member, sending them flying.

There are only 2 members left of the enemy team and they surrender as they can tell that they were outnumbered and outsmarted this round. They are filled with regret for losing so early on but they can't do anything about it.

With a perfect plan and clear opportunity, they won the first round. The rest of the first-round matches continue and 3 of Xue Tie's extra teams are knocked out but with slightly suicidal methods, they did badly injure a few enemy team members. They were paid their dues for the effort and medical bills before they left. Some decided to stay and become full-time Spirit Hall members while others just left. Finding that they are lacking compared to many others.

After roughly 2 hours of rest, Xue Ties group heads up again for the 2nd round. The match ends a bit slowly as Xue Tie reuses the same tactic again as last time but it doesn't work and the agility-type Spirit masters of the enemy team knocked out most of his team, leaving him after his team had taken one of their members with them as they were falling off the arena.

Xue Tie smiles at the 1v5 setting. The announcer spells a dark future for Xue Tie but only he knows his limits.

Xue Tie grips his trident and when one of the agility masters comes at him. He receives a spear swing to the face, which was augmented by his third spirit ring Immutable being activated. The running agility master gets smacked in the face hard by the weight being added onto the already strong swing.

He flies off the arena and Xue Tie deactivates his armor to reduce the energy consumption as it's not a one-and-done ability. Each of the 6 seconds of his spirit skill has it's energy consumption so it can be interrupted at any time.

Such as now when he used it for 1 second. But his enemies don't know that(shooo) and assume that he just wasted a life saving ability and massively drained himself to know one of them off the stage.

Xue Tie has a grin on his face as uses his abilities flexibly. Splashing out blood fire or throwing rocks if they are far away or using Immutable and his spear if they get close. While tiring, he does end the fight after tanking a lightning ray being slapped on his head. He smacks his opponent with his gloved hands in his armored state.

Snapping their head in a way that knocked them out unconscious. His team was declared the winner and he left. Once the round was over, he retired to his room to recover as he had taken plenty of abuse today.

He reassures his team as well and tells them to try one of the other strategies and warn him which one they use so he can take his position.

"Since only one of you was able to properly contribute to the 2nd match, then they get a bonus. I'd prefer to not suffer under a 1v5 or worse again. You all have plenty of potential as a team. The gap in strength is minor so don't demoralize yourselves that you can't do anything."

Xue Tie tells them and they calm down while the one who took an enemy with him has a small happy smile over getting a reward but his happiness disappears once Xue Tie leaves as he gets beat up for being able to do what they couldn't