The new year had come and gone, it had been seven days since Cao Guang managed to escape the Dark Abyss. He had spent that time in his room drinking.
His Summoning Nebula had become a Galaxy, the Little Tora pendant had become a Star Galaxy grade magic tool and was still digesting the energy from that Lotus. If Cao Guang wanted he could reach the third tier in both Earth and Light Nebulae. However, he had not given them a second glance, he hadn't attempted to connect the stars to his Advanced Summoning spell either.
After seven days Cao Guang came out of the room and found an old man waiting for him. Pang Lai.
His teacher had come even though he knew he was safe and could have spent the time preparing for a new break through.
" I had to come you know that"
" How long did you wait outside teacher?"
" Three days, listen the Dark Abyss might have been horrible to go through but you should make changes. I heard about everything you been up to when I wasn't around.
The plans and stuff are alright but I think that you been too reliant on the Summoning element.
I know that they are a part of your strength and everything I am a Summoner myself, but I can fight against anything that my Summons can defeat you should know that.
I am not saying that just because I became a Half step Forbidden Mage recently. I am saying that because I haven't improved for quite some time before the last trip.
Can you fight against a Standard Commander without your Flame Belle?"
" Probably not?"
" Have you tried? Listen to me you can have Six elements in the Advanced tier before start of the tournament and you are saying that you haven't tried to fight one yourself because you have someone that can help you avoid that right?"
" I understand what you are saying teacher, I have spent time training myself without the Flame Belle's help, like in Ding City"
"At the end you end upon using her help anyway don't you. What I am saying is training harder isn't enough. I want to leave Flame Belle with me when you go for the training tour"
" Is this a joke teacher, I will be traveling around the world in dangerous areas to fight Commanders atleast and you don't want me to bring Flame Belle"
" You have a chance to become a butterfly rather than remaining a cocoon that's all I am saying. Without the Flame Belle you will be in danger, but you won't be alone and you will be motivated enough to improve faster, believe me you might reach the advanced level in all elements "
"I will reach that myself anyways, forget the tournament, I can get there in six or eight months. Are you sure you want me to do this?"
"Yes"
Cao Guang left Flame Belle with her mother instead of Pang Lai after that conversation. Afterall the man was busy, yet Flame Belle wasn't happy to stay with her mother. To her there was no joy or entertainment in the Northern Burning Valley.
She enjoyed fighting with her father around the world. Besides her mother was at the Monarch level now, there was more leeway with her father.
The Flame Belle Empress was impressed by Cao Guang for the first time, the little human was as talented as his teacher bragged. He managed to make her daughter almost as strong as she was when they met for the first time.
----
Cao Guang came to Magic City and signed for the qualifiers, he had almost missed them.
Cao Guang visited Luo Heng's family in Ancient Capital before returning, he wanted to express his condolences.
He spent some time in learning the Advanced spell of the Summoning element and was sure to learn it by the time the national team was completely assembled.
Other than him there we two others pushing for a spot on the team from the Pearl Institute, namely Mu Hua and Zhao Jing. They both had large families backing them up so they were kind of needed to be on team to pay back the investments the families put into their cultivation.
Zhao family also seemed to be searching for a good teacher for Zhao Jing as well.
Cao Guang could simply breeze through the qualifier or the national team. He didn't think there was a single Advanced mage at his age, even Gao Xuan and Song Xia were having trouble reaching this level. Song Xia because resources for element was rare, she was taking the same path as Cao Guang did with his Summoning element.
Improve it to the fifth tier and then a Galaxy Vein. She only needed to reach the fourth tier for that though.
Gao Xuan was being delayed because his talent made breakthroughs in the Earth harder.
Technically he was this generations Ai Jiangtu. He was searching if their would be a Mo Fan to suprise him.