Chapter 603: Pouring Oil Over Fire
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The young nobles quickly parted. When Tang Wulin turned to look, he saw that His Majesty the Emperor Dai Tianling was already in front of him with Her Majesty the Empress following beside.
“What is your name?” Dai Tianling peered at Tang Wulin, sizing him up.
Due to the long distance between them in the plaza that day, His Majesty had not managed to get a good look at Tang Wulin. But now seeing him up close, he had a sudden feeling of his eyes brightening up.
Here was a tall, straight, and handsome young man.
It was a given that Tang Wulin, who was good-looking and full of a vibrant warmth, easily gave other people a good impression. With his big eyes and long eyelashes, even the ladies were envious of him.
Tang Wulin bowed and paid his respects. “Good evening, Your Majesty. My name is Tang Wulin.”
Dai Tianling said with a faint smile, “I am looking forward to your performance in the Continental Young High-Ranking Soul Masters Elite Competition.” After he had finished, he nodded at Tang Wulin, turned around and left.
With sluggish eyes, Tang Wulin watched the emperor walk away. He said in his heart, ‘Aren’t you adding fuel to the fire with this?’ The expressions of the nobles around him had become even more unkind now. However, thanks to His Majesty the Emperor’s intervention, they had no way of making a move on Tang Wulin, at least for the moment.
What was an undeserved catastrophe? This was! Tang Wulin suddenly felt that he did not know whether he should be laughing or crying. ‘If I can’t provoke you, surely I can hide from you? Competition or no competition, I’ll just decline to participate in it.’
“Good luck.” A hand appeared on his shoulder. Tang Wulin turned around swiftly and saw none other than Elder Cai standing by him.
“Can I not take part in the competition?” Tang Wulin said with a wry smile.
Elder Cai’s voice sounded in Tang Wulin’s ears, “You may, but I must remind you that our current trip isn’t simply a diplomatic mission alone. It is also a trial for all of you. It’s a trial from the academy for the new generation of Shrek Seven Monsters, a trial for the Inner Disciples. If you choose to run and not fight, then you’ll lose the qualification to enter the inner court.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtInner court? Shrek Seven Monsters? To a student from Shrek Academy, was there anything more attractive than these?
“Besides, the prizes of the competition are very generous. The champion of the solo battles will get a soul bone,” Elder Cai continued.
A soul bone? Tang Wulin’s eyes widened.
He knew exactly what a soul bone was, because he had obtained one before in the spirit ascension platform. It had been the right metacarpal. It was not one of the six great soul bones, but it was his ace in the hole. Countless times, the Golden Dragon Dreadclaw had saved his life at the most critical moments and had given him powerful battle strength.
If he could obtain a soul bone, there was no doubting the effect it would have in improving his strength and power. The breaking through of the Golden Dragon King bloodline seals required him to bear the brunt with his body. If he could obtain another soul bone, he could at least negate the need for the heaven-and-earth treasures he would have required to break through a seal.
How much money? How much money?! He could save a fortune!
‘I’ll give it my best! After all, I did not promise to be her boyfriend or anything. She’s only doing that to try to get to me. Alright, then if I truly emerge as the champion later, let’s see what you’ll do.’
Tang Wulin balled his fists subconsciously.
“Captain, you’re awesome! You didn’t even bat an eyelid and you’ve picked up a princess.” Xie Xie hugged Tang Wulin’s shoulders, his face full of praise.
“Go away.” Tang Wulin was depressed enough as it is.
“You shouldn’t have done that. What will you do with Gu Yue?” Yuanen Yehui said seriously.
“That’s right. It’s not proper for you to do that. A man must be responsible and faithful in love,” Yue Zhengyu said severely and forcefully.
As he looked at his handsome face, Tang Wulin had a strong urge to punch it. Who was it that bought an entire bar just to get someone’s contact number?
‘What right do you have to lecture me on this?!’
Xu Lizhi also moved closer, “Captain, good luck.”
‘What do you mean, good luck’?!
Ye Xinglan shot Tang Wulin a scornful gaze, “I’d never took you for a womanizer as well.”
Tang Wulin’s eyes bulged. ‘I’m only fifteen years old! I didn’t even do anything with Gu Yue! How did I become a womanizer? Is it wrong for me to study every day and slowly improve myself? I...’
Even when he returned to the hotel, Tang Wulin was still unable to come to terms with the events that had transpired. Luck truly did not seem to be in his favor. ‘Why did that princess want to make things difficult for me, of all people?’
Tang Wulin’s heart was full of distress. He grunted inwardly. ‘It’s just a competition. What’s the big deal? I’ll win that championship and rub it in your face. Then, I’ll see how I can take my revenge on you.’
“Bam! Bam!” Having made his way to Gu Yue’s door, Tang Wulin raised his hand and knocked.
There was no sound from inside.
“Gu Yue, I hope you’re not getting the wrong idea about today. That princess did the whole thing on purpose to frame me,” Tang Wulin said as he knocked on the door.
The door opened! Out came a hand that pulled him inside.
Gu Yue’s expression was calm. She walked to the sofa and sat herself down. action
Tang Wulin hastily went over hoping to sit down as well, but Gu Yue shot him a glare. He could only stand there shamefaced.
“This is how things went.” Tang Wulin recounted his harrowing experiences to her on the spot.
“Serves you right.” after Gu Yue finished listening to him, her expression relaxed a little bit. However, she still could not help but say, “As a man, why are you even thinking of getting revenge on her? You’ve caused enough trouble. You shouldn’t enter the competition.”
Tang Wulin said, “But Elder Cai said that if I don’t take part in the competition, she wouldn’t allow me to enter the inner court. Besides, there’s a soul bone among the competition’s prizes!”
When she heard the words “soul bone”, Gu Yue was stunned. An icy look quickly flashed deep within her eyes.
Tang Wulin said, “The soul bone has many uses. I obtained a right metacarpal bone before, and from that, I acquired the Golden Dragon Dreadclaw ability. If I can get my hands on another soul bone...”
“Alright. If you want to enter the competition, then it’s up to you. Get out.” Gu Yue stood up suddenly. She pushed Tang Wulin out of her room and closed the door with a bang.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmInside the room, Gu Yue leaned with her back on the door. Coldness burst forth from the depths of her eyes. “Soul bone!”
The Continental Young High-Ranking Soul Masters Elite Competition was one of the grandest events on the Star Luo Continent. This competition had passed down since the ancient age of the Douluo Continent.
In ancient times, Soul Masters were highly respected. The Martial Soul Hall, which had controlled the majority of the Soul Masters on the Continent, had founded this tournament to find outstanding talents.
The Martial Soul Hall was subsequently overthrown by the champions from the three great empires led by Tang San. The Soul Masters were now free, but this tournament was still passed down.
After the Douluo Continent turned into a federation, the competition slowly faded away. The Star Luo Continent, however, had continued to hold this contest out of respect for their rich history.
The competition would be held in the capital of the Star Luo Continent, Star Luo City, once every three years. Every Soul Master under the age of twenty could sign up. Of course, there were certain requirements for one to be eligible to participate. Soul Masters with soul power lower than rank-20 were not allowed to enter the competition. Additionally, participating in the competition required the Soul Master to pay a registration fee.
The registration period lasted for a whole month. With the passing of time and development of the society, the main categories in the current Continental Young High-Ranking Soul Masters Elite Competition included one-against-one, two-against-two, and the seven-against-seven challenge. There was also a mecha challenge, which brought it to a total of four competitive categories. There were no competitions on forging, mecha building and other sub-profession skills.
The entire competition was mainly a fighting tournament. The aim of the competition was to stimulate the combative spirits of the younger generation in the Star Luo Empire.
The contestants who were able to achieve good rankings in the competition would leave a strong mark in their files. Whether it was for their studies, job-hunting or enlisting in the army, they would be given preferential treatment.
Among all the competitions, the one that attracted the most attention was the one-against-one challenge. There were no restrictions in the one-against-one competition. The contestants could use any weapon or tool they saw fit. Whether it was a mecha, a soul tool or battle armor, as long as you could possess and control it, you could use it in the competition.
Hence, the one-against-one competition was the most interesting and intense.
The Star Luo Empire had always advocated individualistic heroism. The Tang Sect’s ancestor Tang San and the Spirit Pagoda’s founder Huo Yuhao were both idols in the hearts of the Soul Masters. They had, with their own strengths, turned back the powers of darkness and pushed the history of the Continent forward.
The strength of an individual could have a decisive impact during a war. This was starkly different from the Douluo Federation’s advocacy of team battles and emphasis on cooperation.
After an orderly combing of the registration name list, the final legal registrants for the one-against-one competition numbered as many as five thousand, six hundred and thirteen. Almost all eligible Soul Masters had chosen to sign up for the competition.
The total number of participants who signed up for the two-against-two competition was eight hundred and sixty-four pairs.
For the registrants of the seven-against seven-competition, it was a total of a hundred and thirteen teams.
There were four hundred and sixty-one registered for the mecha battle.
With the registration period at an end, the competition would officially begin the next day.
The people who came from Shrek Academy did not need to go to the trouble of queueing up to register. Their registrations were directly managed by Star Luo Empire’s officials.
Tang Wulin and the others did not sign themselves up. Instead, it was Elder Cai who had submitted their names