The next day, Lu Jun saw the five people—National Institute mentor Feng Li, Nanrong Ni, Mu Tingying, Mo Fan, and Mu Ningxue—in the hotel.
Nanrong Ni and Mu Tingying looked miserable. Their skin was torn open and scorched black all over. There was no trace left of the elegance and pride of once-glorious prodigies. Their eyes were filled with fear as they stared at Mo Fan.
Feng Li's face was grim. His cold gaze swept over the group, and he roared angrily, "Look at yourselves! Do you still look like members of the National Institute Team? Plotting against teammates, fighting to the death in private—how utterly disgraceful!"
"Now the international media are swarming in like vultures, rumors flying everywhere. The domestic public opinion is about to explode!"
When all members of the National Institute team gathered, their expressions varied upon seeing the scene.
Lu Jun glanced at the two women and calmly spoke a fair word: "Mentor, I don't think our national team needs members who would harm their own teammates. If this isn't punished strictly, which young talents in the future would still be willing to serve their country? Wouldn't every National Institute team from now on be filled with mutual suspicion?"
He continued evenly, "You must know—the one who starts such a thing will inspire imitators. What has been done once will be done again. What has already happened will surely happen again."
As the captain of the National Institute team, his words carried great weight, and his reasoning was impeccable. Feng Li was instantly persuaded.
Originally, Feng Li had planned to be lenient, given the influence of the Nanrong Family and the Mu Family. But this sort of toxic behavior absolutely could not be tolerated.
Besides, the trouble Lu Jun's own family had caused before the National Institute expedition had already infuriated the higher-ups, prompting a reform in the system. What Nanrong Ni and Mu Tingying did now was equivalent to openly defying the new order—their backers couldn't protect them anymore.
Feng Li made up his mind but still voiced one concern: "Nanrong Ni is our only Healing and Blessing mage in the National Institute team. Her tactical importance is significant. If she's removed, the team will have a serious shortcoming."
Hearing this, Nanrong Ni's hopeless face suddenly lit up with a flicker of hope.
She screamed, "Yes, yes! Without my Healing magic, your team will definitely have problems during recovery and rotation!"
Without a word, Lu Jun quietly drew his Star Map and summoned the Mermaid Holy Spirit.
Splash!
A surge of mist and water filled the air. Streams trickled and shimmered like rain in a dream. A graceful figure stepped forth upon the waves. The mermaid's alluring face was moist and beautiful, her long hair wet like she had just emerged from a bath, and she wore a shimmering starlight fish-tail dress.
While everyone looked on in confusion, Lu Jun calmly gave the order: "Solar Mode."
In an instant, the mermaid girl's glowing water aura gradually transformed into a milky-white, sacred flow. Her luminous fish-tail dress changed into a pure-white gown. She stretched out her hand, and threads of white holy water wrapped around the two gravely injured women.
In Nanrong Ni's terrified eyes, her charred, festering skin began to heal rapidly. Layers of dead skin peeled away, revealing tender flesh beneath, which soon became fair and smooth again.
A blow not just to the body—but to the heart. Using a Healing spell to cure the wounds she had received from Mo Fan, just to prove her own uselessness.
Lu Jun turned to Feng Li. "Well? How about now?"
"Brilliant." Feng Li clapped his hands and praised, "This level of healing rivals that of a high-level Healing mage."
He too was a man who despised evil. Seeing this, he didn't mind casting Nanrong Ni down from her pedestal.
"No!" Nanrong Ni screamed, trying to cling to her last straw. "I—I still have Blessing Magic! My Blessing spells can greatly enhance the team's strength!"
Lu Jun smirked coldly. When he saw Feng Li glance his way, he said proudly, "Look at our team's configuration. Do we really need that little extra boost in strength?"
"Excellent spirit!"
Feng Li laughed heartily, then his tone turned stern as he declared, "From this day onward, Nanrong Ni and Mu Tingying are removed from the official National Institute roster. Their vacancies will be filled by members promoted from the Reserve Guard team."
Mo Fan and Mu Ningxue both looked relieved. Justice had been served. They turned to Lu Jun with a smile and said, "Thanks a lot."
Lu Jun shook his head. When he had gone to confront the Lu Family, Mo Fan had followed him without hesitation. Saying a few fair words now was nothing in comparison.
He looked at the two of them standing shoulder to shoulder and smiled meaningfully.
This time, Mo Fan really hit the jackpot—staying in Venice, saving the damsel in distress, standing up for Mu Ningxue in her most helpless moment, and winning her heart in one go.
Indeed, considering he missed out on that trip to Jinlin City, which delayed his progress with Mu Ningxue, this more than made up for it.
After the team meeting dispersed, Mo Fan came over, looking quite troubled. "During my fight with Mu Tingying just now, I was almost frozen solid by her Soul Seed Ice."
"Ah, these days everyone in the National Institute team has Soul Seeds. My Lightning and Fire cultivation is high, but without Soul Seeds it's hard to keep an advantage. The problem is, I have the money, but there's no news at all about Lightning-type Soul Seeds."
A smile appeared on Lu Jun's face. Finally, the fish had bitten the hook. He said casually, "A Lightning Soul Seed, huh? I've got one."
"Oh, oh—wait, what?" Mo Fan blinked, then suddenly reacted, eyes lighting up with joy. "Old Lu, what did you just say? You have a Lightning Soul Seed?!"
"Not information," Lu Jun said coolly, "the real thing."
Seeing this, Lu Jun's lips curved into a slight smile. When he had obtained the Tyrant Wild Lightning, he had already planned how to handle it. After all, it was all just business—selling it to someone else was no different than selling it to Mo Fan.
Moreover, with Mo Fan gaining the Tyrant Wild Lightning, his power would increase significantly, which was also a benefit for the Chinese National Institute team.
After all, without Nanrong Ni's Healing magic, their team's margin for error had dropped to the lowest point. They now needed absolute combat power, sweeping away the opposition like autumn winds clearing fallen leaves.
"Sixfold amplification, Lightning-type domain, attached effect [Tyrant's Sanction]!"
At this moment, after understanding the details, Mo Fan's face lit up with joy. He sneered and said, "Old Lu, after so many years of friendship, can't you give me a slightly lower price?"
"Oh~ fixed price: one billion per unit!"
Lu Jun nodded calmly, then coldly quoted the price.
"Ah, what?!" Mo Fan opened his mouth, rubbed his hands, and began the bargaining process.
After several rounds of negotiation, Lu Jun sold it to Mo Fan for eight hundred million, the same as in the original timeline.
Lu Jun didn't mind. After all, if Mo Fan didn't pay him, he would have given the money to Asharuiya anyway. No shame there—the eight hundred million was indeed the price for a domain-level Lightning-type Soul Seed, offering some discount, but not much.
Next, Mo Fan happily took the Tyrant Wild Lightning into seclusion, while Lu Jun visited the Magic Association, sold the essence of the Wind-Fire Thunder griffin, and his funds surpassed two billion, barely enough to construct the Star Sea Vein.
"Super tier advancement is within reach."
Lu Jun asked Feng Li from the National Institute to help find a few channels, then returned to seclusion to focus on Water magic. With trivial matters handled, he could concentrate fully on cultivation.
The National Institute team settled down after this minor incident, but outside, a great stir arose.
"Heh heh heh, history repeats itself—core team members in conflict, kicked from the roster, inadequate combat power leading to consecutive losses. A familiar script."
"The Chinese National Institute team clearly has talent, yet they always fight among themselves. Truly a hopeless case!"
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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