Polaris City, capital of the Polaris Empire.
During this period, Polaris City was especially lively. Another five-year cycle had arrived, and with it came another Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. As the most important tournament region in the entire empire, the Polaris City division naturally drew attention from the very beginning.
The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament had been proposed and implemented twenty years ago by the former pope, Severin Cross, while he was still in office. It was the highest-level tournament involving the entire Spirit Master academy world, and it was currently the grandest Spirit Master competition on the continent.
Five years earlier, during the third Elite Tournament, Spirit Hall's Saint had made his name known across Soul Land. He had also brought enormous changes to the continent, further raising Spirit Hall's influence and indirectly making more people aware of the Elite Tournament.
Naturally, this fourth Elite Tournament received even greater attention. From the imperial family and nobles to ordinary citizens, every person in Polaris City treated the tournament like the grandest festival.
On the VIP platform of the Great Spirit Arena, Emperor Noctis of the Polaris Empire sat with Alistair Jewel, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Platinum Bishop Salas of the Polaris City Spirit Temple. Together, they presided over the opening ceremony.
Compared to the bright, energetic appearances of the other two, Emperor Noctis's face was extremely pale. The occasional flush that crossed his cheeks only made him look stranger.
As soon as Emperor Noctis sat down, Hugo Shade, standing behind him, stepped forward and handed him a cup of green liquid. Emperor Noctis drained it in one gulp, and only then did his complexion improve slightly.
Just as Emperor Noctis was about to exchange polite words, Salas suddenly received a message. After apologizing to the other two, he hurried away from the VIP platform.
"Sect Master Jewel... has something happened in Spirit Hall recently?"
Emperor Noctis watched Salas leave. Then he turned and gave Xue Qinghe behind him a look before asking Alistair with a smile.
"Your Majesty is asking the wrong person. My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect does not know much about Spirit Hall's internal affairs."
Alistair smiled back at Emperor Noctis, then shook his head.
"As you know, Your Majesty, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is now barely maintaining its dignity."
Emperor Noctis narrowed his eyes.
"Sect Master Jewel, although I have been bedridden for a long time, Qinghe has told me about certain matters. Spirit Hall has already revealed its fangs. As for this strange illness of mine, while I have no evidence, I fear..."
Emperor Noctis did not continue. In truth, he had suspected it for a long time. As an emperor, the things he suspected were not limited to this one issue. After all, without absolute strength, becoming the ruler of a nation required formidable personal methods. But no matter what methods one possessed, before absolute power, they were empty words.
"Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but the present is no longer the past. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect no longer has such grand ambitions."
Alistair's expression did not change. He gave Emperor Noctis a faint glance, then continued.
"Back when the two empires and the seven great sects suppressed Spirit Hall together, my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect merely acted behind the Clear Sky Sect."
"Now, the power above us has simply changed from the Clear Sky Sect to Spirit Hall. I know my own limits. An auxiliary-system Spirit Master is still auxiliary in the end. Such a person cannot become the true number one under heaven, so naturally I have no need to harbor so many other thoughts."
A faint trace of helplessness hid inside Alistair's words. Perhaps it was real helplessness. He had once been young and hot-blooded too. He had wanted to become a ruler of the continent and lead the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into glory.
But reality was reality. No matter how high his cultivation became, even if he became a Titled Sage, he was still an auxiliary-system Spirit Master. The strength and nature of his Martial Soul decided that he could never become the kind of powerhouse who dominated an era. Naturally, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could never become the next number one sect under heaven.
Since he could only serve under someone, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would naturally choose the strongest. The Clear Sky Sect was finished. The two empires now looked unreliable. That left only Spirit Hall, or more precisely, that Saint of Spirit Hall. Besides, that Saint was generous when he made a move. Why should Alistair entertain other thoughts?
"What are the two of you discussing?"
Emperor Noctis was about to probe Alistair further when a young voice suddenly sounded behind them. Alistair and Emperor Noctis both changed expression. They subconsciously looked at each other. Clearly, neither had expected this person to appear.
"It has been a while, Your Majesty, Sect Master Jewel. What were you two chatting about? It was not about me, was it?"
As the voice spoke, a young figure came to their side and sat down in Salas's seat.
"Saint, you jest. We did not expect you to come to Polaris City. A rare guest indeed," Emperor Noctis said with a very forced smile. His face grew even paler, and the way he looked at Wu Ling carried fear and wariness.
Back then, Wu Ling's destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had caused too great a stir. That enormous crater in particular had left Emperor Noctis unable to sleep.
Alistair seemed to notice Emperor Noctis's worries and fear, so he took the initiative to ask, "Did the Saint come to Polaris City on business?"
Wu Ling shook his head.
"No. I was bored, so I came to play."
As he spoke, Wu Ling glanced at Emperor Noctis again and smiled.
"Your Majesty, there is no need to be so afraid. I bear no ill will toward the imperial family. Back then, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan simply went too far."
As if I believe you.
That was what Emperor Noctis thought, but there was no way he dared say it aloud. He could only keep smiling.
"Your Highness overstates it. I had no such intention. I merely wished to know whether the imperial family might be of assistance. If there is anything we can do, please speak freely."
Wu Ling pretended to think for a moment, then suddenly said, "Now that you mention it, there is something. If Your Majesty had not asked, I nearly would have forgotten."
Listening to that, Emperor Noctis truly wanted to slap himself twice. Why had he exchanged empty courtesy with this monster? But now that things had reached this point, he could only brace himself and ask.
"May I ask what matter requires Your Highness Son to personally act?"
Wu Ling waved a hand and said casually, "It is nothing major. I only remembered it temporarily. I mainly want Your Majesty to pay more attention to Shrek Academy during this tournament."
"Shrek Academy?"
Alistair repeated the name. He suddenly remembered that one of the sparks that led to the destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been that academy. Cecilia had once stayed there. Its current dean was Flender of the Golden Iron Triangle, and Tang San, said to be the son of Clear Sky Sage Tang Hao, was also currently in Blue Tyrant Academy.
Wu Ling's expression remained casual.
"There are a few people on Shrek's side whom Spirit Hall is watching. But as long as they behave, I am too lazy to bother with such small matters right now."