Chapter 211 - The Second Day Begins! (1/2)
It was the evening of the first day of combat of the Southern Royal War Academy tournament. In one of the VIP rooms on the academy castle's top floor, three figures were seated on armchairs - they were Hu Luoyang, Feng Qing, and Principal Long Jing. At the moment, the three of them were drinking hot tea isolated from the ongoing chaos on the ground floor where the canteen was located.
The students were, in fact, eating in the canteen, and with them, there were also young people from important families who came with their elders and family heads. After all, the tournament was an excellent opportunity to show one's strength and make the younger generation socialize with each other.
Fortunately, the VIP rooms dedicated to teachers and leading figures who came for the tournament were all equipped with soundproofing arrays. Therefore, they were excluded from all the noise generated by thousands and thousands of young people.
”Dean Long Jing, the situation is more serious than expected. We are talking about two new bloodlines. And they aren't normal pure bloodlines, but royal bloodlines. This could generate a great deal of commotion among the forces of the Empire if not managed.” Feng Qing said in a serious tone.
The three had withdrawn from the time to talk about the tournament on purpose. They decided this soon after Lian's fight when they realized that the young woman also had a royal bloodline.
”Indeed. If it were only one, it would be a different story, but here we are talking about two royal bloodlines in the hands of two young people from the same place. It's too much to pass as a coincidence.” Hu Luoyang added.
”I know what you are saying - did something happen in the Forgotten Ocean that caused royal bloodlines to appear, or have they always been there? I think the first hypothesis is more credible given that during the Human Civil War, the Forgotten Ocean was turned upside down in search of resources to exploit.” Dean Long Jiang answered.
”Did something happen? And what if ever? How could two royal bloodlines appear out of nowhere? Divine beasts don't have such a long lifespan, not to mention that spirit beasts can no longer reach that rank. Therefore there is no way to generate new divine beasts.” Hu Luoyang was perplexed; he couldn't understand how Hei and Lian had managed to obtain their bloodlines.
”The reason should be related to the destruction of the Spirit Artifact who dwelt in the Forgotten Ocean. As you know, the Spirit Artifact left there wasn't of high quality and had long since been unimportant. Of course, its size was considerable, but its functions were limited, as was its power.” Long Jiang deduced.
”The Spirit Artifact? Dean Long Jiang, are you saying that-” Feng Qing said before Dean Long Jiang completed his sentence and confirmed his hypothesis.
”Yes. In the Forgotten Ocean, no one can hurt the Spirit Artifact, much less destroy it. If it was destroyed, it should be because it tried to open a spatial rift to a Secret Dimension and suffered the backlash, eventually being destroyed. Spirit Artifacts have a conscience of their own. It wouldn't surprise me if it were trying to get merit outside of its ordinary duties. In the end, more than death, the Spirit Artifacts fear being abandoned without ever being used again.”
”If so, then it might make sense that the two youths from the Forgotten Ocean have royal bloodlines. If the link between the real world and the secret dimension has collapsed, likely, the secret dimension has also met the same fate. If I'm not mistaken, there are precedents in history regarding this event, and sometimes some objects end up falling back into the real world rather than getting lost in the unknown space forever.” Hu Luoyang's expression relaxed when he came to a plausible hypothesis of events.
”If so, then there is another question to ask. Does anyone else in the Forgotten Ocean have a royal bloodline, perhaps even not absorbed as they were incompatible? Or do Hei and Lian have other bloodlines on them?” Feng Qing immediately analyzed the deriving consequences from the hypothesis of the Secret Dimension.
”Even if that were the case, it wouldn't change much. What are the chances that there are other bloodlines? We don't have the luxury to start a treasure hunt in the Forgotten Ocean, nor can we force two young promises to deliver them. Do you really want to risk two talents like the one possessed by the two youths for a vague chance? The most sensible thing to do instead is to provide them with the resources they need and let them develop calmly.
I am well aware that you have agreements with the other factions of the imperial family, and during the day, I have already said that it is fine. Therefore, you can make as many offers as you like, but you have to accept it if they refuse you. However, make these offers only after the tournament is over.”
The two family heads, Hu Luoyang and Feng Qing, nodded their heads in understanding. While it was tempting to acquire more new royal bloodlines, the things Dean Long Jiang had said made sense. Not to mention that forcing two young martial artists to reveal their secrets using their power would be a stain on their honor.
*
Hei and Lian's room.
At the moment, the two youths who, unbeknownst to them, had been the subjects of an important conversation were busy preparing tomorrow's battle plan. They knew the name of their opponent, and they also knew what techniques they employed. However, this was also true of their opponents, and therefore they had to decide well how to proceed.
”Pablo Cortés is a beast tamer with four spirit beasts - a Condor, a Luciferase Tree, a Giant Pangolin, and a Sea Lamprey. In terms of power, they are quite similar, but they are different in terms of danger. The Sea Lamprey's parasitic ability is worth keeping an eye on, but the most fearsome element is the crowd control ability of the Luciferase Tree. Following is the Condor which has the aerial advantage while the Giant Pangolin is the last as it used direct attacks.” Hei gave a summary of the information about Pablo Cortés in his possession.
His little sisters, Ye and Xing, sat on the bed listening to him intently. Since it was a beast-tamer battle, tomorrow they would fight alongside Hei.
'That Sea Lamprey is no problem for me. I can take care of it as well as the Giant Pangolin. My scales are hard enough not to let the lamprey's bite penetrate the flesh, thus nullifying its parasitic ability. As for the Giant Pangolin, I can keep it busy with my tail. Once the Lamprey is taken care of, I'll deal with the pangolin.' Ye promptly gave her opinion.