Chapter 271: Liu Erlong, Deal Sealed
Watching the departing figures, Dugu Yan glanced at Shui Bing'er and Han Li, curiously asking, "Are we really going to fight them?" She felt like they had agreed too easily, though she personally didn't mind a spar.
"Do as you like. If you want to entertain them, or whether to participate in the official match, it's up to you," Han Li replied casually. "Didn't you notice their team leaders didn't even come over? They're probably just using their teammates' personalities to send a signal." Shui Bing'er nodded in agreement.
She had a bit more insight. When she last visited home, her mother had mentioned some things. As Tianshui Academy continued to rise, these two academies seemed to have softened their previous hostility, even showing signs of wanting to draw closer, albeit subtly.
Perhaps they were using the Spirit Master Tournament as an opportunity to establish contact.
"So, do we fight or not? Official match or a private one?" Dugu Yan wasn't interested in these politics and couldn't be bothered to think too much.
Shui Bing'er pondered for a moment before responding, "We fight, but we'll leave it until the end. Depending on their performance, we'll decide whether to appear in the official match or not."
"I'll handle the scheduling. You can talk to Auntie when we get back and decide among yourselves," Han Li said, supporting her decision completely.
"Alright." Shui Bing'er nodded. With that settled, the topic ended, and the group made their way to the stands.
Both Blazing Fire Academy and Divine Wind Academy were strong teams with distinct fighting styles. More importantly, it was clear that both sides were very familiar with each other.
To Han Li and the others, the match felt less like a competition and more like a performance both sides showing off their skills rather than fighting seriously.
The entire arena was a spectacle of wind and fire, explosions and air currents colliding like something out of a special effects movie.
Feng Xiaotian's performance was solid he treated the match like a real battle, giving it his all. Unfortunately, his opponents knew him too well.
And they had two cores.
Cough. Technically, Huo Wushuang's core role was weaker than Huo Wu's, but he was still stronger than an average teammate.
After a fierce fight, Divine Wind Academy was slightly outmatched in the team battle and chose to surrender. Both teams had expended a lot of spirit power, but no one suffered any serious injuries.
The crowd loved it, showering both teams with applause. The match had been both thrilling and elegant. Even though Divine Wind Academy lost, they still earned respect the match was so close that if they fought again, the outcome might change.
To the spectators, this was what a real high level match should look like, fitting their expectations of an elite tournament battle.
"They're definitely stronger than the second team of Royal Fighting Academy, but not by much. In team battles, they wouldn't be able to beat Tianshui Academy. As for one on one matches, that's a different story," the girls concluded after analyzing the match.
Han Li smiled but said nothing. Huo Wu hadn't revealed her fusion ring ability, and Feng Xiaotian hadn't used his self created spirit skill but on the other hand, he had also given Tianshui Academy some advantages.
After all, once they swore on their martial souls, he had given them a simplified version of a Martial Soul Fusion Technique training manual. Otherwise, they wouldn't have advanced so quickly.
With a "since we're already here" attitude, Han Li had planned to stay and watch all the matches.
But after the next one… he couldn't take it anymore.
Too boring.
Just as he was about to doze off, Xiu'er leaned in close and whispered something in his ear, pulling him back to reality.
Following her gaze, Han Li noticed a voluptuous beauty hesitating nearby, occasionally stealing glances at them.
Hmm? Liu Erlong?
What was she doing here?
Han Li was familiar with her more precisely, he had paid attention to her for a while. After all, she was one of those extremely obsessive love struck characters.
But thanks to his early interference, and the fact that Yu Xiaogang's martial soul had completely deteriorated, she seemed to have become more rational. So Han Li lost interest in keeping track of her.
Besides, she wasn't very valuable. Her luck was pitifully low just slightly above a normal Spirit Sage. Not worth his time.
"Has she approached you guys before?" Han Li quickly deduced what she was here for and turned to ask Dugu Yan.
"No. Probably just saw you here today and decided to take her chances," Dugu Yan replied. She had already guessed what Liu Erlong wanted but simply glanced at her before turning away disinterestedly.
"Want me to call her over?"
"No need."
Han Li smirked playfully and lay back down.
And so, a free bodyguard lingered around them for the rest of the event.
It wasn't until the matches ended, when they were about to leave, that Liu Erlong finally gathered her courage and walked toward them.
Seeing her approach, the group stopped in their tracks.
Liu Erlong stopped in front of them, her gaze falling on Han Li. "I am Liu Erlong, headmaster of Blue Tyrant Academy. May I borrow a few minutes of the Holy Son's time?"
"Headmaster Liu, is this about Blue Tyrant Academy? If so, I suggest you speak with the Crown Prince. The Spirit Master Tournament is only co hosted by Spirit Hall." Han Li maintained an official tone. It seemed like today was a gathering of original storyline characters, but he wasn't some public mediator.
Compared to the more neutral Elemental Academy, Blue Tyrant Academy was clearly an enemy faction. Even if Liu Erlong had remained somewhat on the sidelines and hadn't joined Tang San's group yet, her ties to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were undeniable. Han Li considered it generous enough that he wasn't actively making trouble for her.
Liu Erlong didn't get angry at his response. She did have a fiery temper, but she knew how to pick her battles. Moreover, she had already prepared herself mentally before coming here. Han Li's reaction was actually better than she had expected.
Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze. "I am not here on behalf of Blue Tyrant Academy. I came because of Flender. He is my sworn brother, and I humbly ask the Holy Son to show him mercy and not hold him accountable for his offense against Spirit Hall."
"Of course, I will personally find the former Shrek Academy students or their families and compensate them for the harm Flender caused."
Liu Erlong finished in one breath, carefully observing Han Li's reaction.
"You should be speaking to Archbishop Salas about this. I have already handed the matter over to him entirely," Han Li replied, effortlessly sidestepping her request.
To be honest, he had no personal interest in punishing Flender. The tragedies of this world were countless was he supposed to solve them all?
Also… was this how you asked for a favor?
A single sentence to wipe away all of Flender's sins? Ridiculous. Offering compensation wasn't a negotiation point, it was simply the bare minimum. And why, exactly, should he agree to this?
Liu Erlong stiffened slightly. She had gone to Salas first.
But Salas was even more direct he refused to meet her at all. Instead, he had someone throw her out and issue a warning:
"If you bother me again, I'll have Blue Tyrant Academy banned from the tournament. Keep pushing, and I might also publicly advertise your relationship with Flender, so students know to think twice before enrolling in your academy. Who knows? Maybe they'll end up mysteriously 'losing their lives while hunting spirit rings' in the future."
That threat completely froze her in place.
Salas had hit her weak point perfectly. She had poured her heart into building up Blue Tyrant Academy, and while she was technically still working for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, at least she was helping civilian spirit masters and finding genuine fulfillment in her work.
If Salas really went through with his threat, her last bit of happiness would be gone.
Honestly, her resentment toward Spirit Hall had already faded.
Most of her academy's students were commoners who had received direct financial support from Spirit Hall. Looking back, she even wondered why she had hated them so much in the first place.
In the end, she shifted her blame entirely onto Bibi Dong which, even she admitted, was ironic.
And as for Flender? She truly hadn't known about what he had done.
She had devoted all her time to Blue Tyrant Academy. When she first heard the rumors about Flender, she confronted him, beat him half to death, and then decided to help him one last time.
Which was why she was standing here today.
"Han Holy Son, let's be frank. The compensation is already being arranged. Flender was in the wrong. But I need to know what would it take for you to let him go? If there's anything you need from him or me, just say the word."
Liu Erlong finally understood Han Li's meaning and dropped all pretenses, lowering her stance completely.
Han Li looked at her and suddenly asked, "Headmaster Liu, will you be attending the tournament finals in Spirit City?"
Liu Erlong was momentarily stunned, unsure of his intention. Still, she answered honestly, "Blue Tyrant Academy won't make it to the finals, so I wasn't planning on going."
She had never considered it.
Even back when Tailong was still part of her academy, her most ambitious goal was reaching the top fifteen of the Heaven Dou division. And that was if they got lucky. The finals?
Impossible.
"Then attend this year," Han Li said with a bright smile. "I'll arrange for you to have a VIP spectator seat as an official guest. How about that?"
Liu Erlong blinked in confusion.
"That's it?"
She wasn't sure she understood.
"Yes. That's all," Han Li said, his smile unwavering.
Liu Erlong thought about it for a moment. No matter how she analyzed it, she couldn't see the harm. Since she couldn't figure out his angle, she simply agreed directly.
"Alright. Let me know when, and I'll be there."
"Good. Then it's settled."
With the deal made, Han Li added, "As for Flender, he'll stay in Heaven Dou City for now. Once the tournament is over and the compensation is handled, he'll be free to go."
"That's acceptable," Liu Erlong exhaled, relieved. Without any unnecessary pleasantries, she turned and left.
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