Chapter 0525: Kicking It With The First Princess
Everyone looked at Jiang Qing'e oddly after her declaration.
Although Li Luo was formally the young lord in House Luolan, everyone knew that Jiang Qing'e far exceeded him in reputation. While Li Luo's performance had been a delight so far, he was still not the heavyweight that Jiang Qing'e was.
It was clear who held the reins of power in their household.
Jiang Qing'e's words were just to help him save face.
But even doing so spoke volumes about their relationship.
Gong Shenjun showed no emotion in response. He stood silent for a moment, then smiled regretfully. "A pity. I wanted Junior Jiang to lend me her strength and chase the championship together."
With this, the team was settled.
"Li Luo, Jiang Qing'e, are you sure you will choose Gong Luanyu as your squad leader?" Vice Principal Su Xin asked.
Both of them nodded.
She blinked once thoughtfully but said no more. Choosing teams was a sacred right that could not be interfered with. Besides, even though Luanyu was a little weaker than Shenjun, she was still strong in her own right. All in all, the difference in strength was not that big.
Nothing that someone like Jiang Qing'e couldn't overcome.
As for Li Luo... he was a bonus sparrow flitting about the match. Such was the case for mixed-level competitions. "Alright, then, the three of you form a team. I hope you can work well together and bring more success to our school."
All three nodded firmly.
Vice Principal Su Xin turned back to Gong Shenjun. "Well, it seems like you'll have to find two other squad members, then," she said with some sympathy.
"Whatever is best for the school," Gong Shenjun said with an agreeable nod. "If we win, nothing else matters."
Even Su Xin found herself nodding at this attitude. He truly lived up to his reputation as the foremost student in the Astral Sage College.
Gong Shenjun picked the Three Star Hall’s Duze Honglian and the Two Star Hall’s Zhu Xuan as his two squad mates. Both of them gratefully accepted.
And so the second squad for the mixed-level competition was confirmed as well.
Both squads looked rather strong, but all in all, the First Princess' squad seemed a little better because of Jiang Qing'e's presence. Together with the First Princess, they could probably take on Lan Lan without much fear.
As for Li Luo, he was simply too lightweight. Compared to his General Stage squadmates, what could a Resonant Master cultivator possibly accomplish?
If not for the stipulation that all three squad members had to be from different halls, the One Star Hall would probably never see the light of day in mixed-level competition.
Not like the Two Star Hall would see much action either.
Zhu Xuan was also only a Fourth Changing, and not much stronger than Li Luo. Although in this iteration, perhaps only the North Sea Sage College's Ao Bai was better. It was said that he had reached a quasi General Stage, which was above other Resonant Master cultivators.
"This mission is both a competition and a purging mission," Vice Principal Su Xin said to them gravely. "Although you have gone through training in the Umbra Cave before, they are completely different once they reach the outside world. Within the Umbra Cave, the school conducts frequent and thorough filtering to weaken their ranks. In the Red Clay Province, Others have devoured many humans, making them even more dangerous. All of you, please be extra careful."
She flicked out wisps of white light as she spoke, and they deposited a white mirror and a crystal phial in their hands.
"This is a spirit mirror with many uses. It can update you on squad missions and the point leaderboard. Of course, most importantly, you can smash the mirror if you're faced with death. The power within will protect you and transport you back to the Holy Grail space, but once the mirror is broken, you'll be eliminated.
"The liquid in the bottle is cleansing dew. Once you clear out the Others in the Red Clay Province, you will need to pour it and create a purification spot. Once there are enough of them, they will join up together and cover the entire Red Clay Province, freeing it from the corruption."
The students nodded. This was not an alien concept. They had activated purification towers back in the Umbra Cave as well. This cleansing dew probably had a similar role.
"You will get more information once you get into things. The mixed-level competition will officially begin in two days' time. Go and prepare and rest until then."
The atmosphere in the hall lightened once Vice Principal Su Xin stepped out. All eyes were on the two squads, and those closer to Gong Shenjun and the First Princess stepped forward to offer encouragement.
The First Princess thanked them as she moved through the crowd towards Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e.
"A moment," she called out.
The two of them turned to her and dipped their heads in acknowledgment.
"Your Highness. We'll be in your care in the mixed-level competition." Li Luo grinned.
The First Princess rolled her eyes. "Why so courteous, Young Lord? How could a small vessel like me hope to contain the overwhelming talent that comes from you two?"
Jiang Qing'e smiled slightly. "Your Highness is no small vessel."
The First Princess took Jiang Qing'e by the elbow in a tender fashion. "Don't worry, Qing'e, with you and me working together, I'd like to see who can stop us."
"I'll be looking forward to it, Your Highness."
"Ah, yes," Li Luo thought to himself grumpily, "the casual snubbing... again."
In this squad, his presence was just... pathetic.