Tang Hao and Ning Fengzhi made different decisions on the same night, but Han Li was unaware of them. He didn't even go to the competition venue the next day.
After helping the girls pass on some messages, Han Li continued his cultivation.
The night before, after celebrating Zhu Zhuqing's victory, he felt that he was on the verge of a breakthrough. After a night of cultivation and spending the entire next morning, by noon on the second day, Han Li finally reached level 79.
Feeling his strength grow stronger, Han Li walked out of his room with satisfaction. His prediction was about right: by the time the Soul Master Tournament ended, he would likely break through to the rank of Soul Douluo.
As for the competition venue, it wasn't a big deal. He was just a guest, and his presence didn't make much difference. Everything had to give way to the improvement of his strength.
Moreover, there haven't been any truly important matches so far. To be honest, Han Li found them a bit boring.
"The preliminaries are almost halfway through. Qian Renxue should have finished her task by now, right?"
Han Li muttered to himself.
He was referring to Grandmaster's matter. Due to the previous tension, Qian Renxue hadn't acted immediately.
Now, with the second team defeated again, it was clear that Sun Buyu couldn't stand against Tang San and his companions.
At this point, with Yu Yuanzhen's support, some face-saving moves and Flender taking the blame, plus Tang San being a key figure under observation, they might even be able to bring the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan onto the same side.
Grandmaster's little plan to gain some benefits for his disciple and then get expelled seemed trivial in comparison. Winning the resurrection match was only expected.
"After today, things should be almost settled. Their condition is probably poor, and the real strong opponents are still ahead. Xue Ye won't be completely indifferent."
Han Li nodded again. Qian Renxue would act opportunistically, and he didn't need to worry about that. She might even get praised by Emperor Xue Ye.
As Han Li had predicted, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had indeed subtly hinted to Emperor Xue Ye, and Xue Ye seemed intrigued.
However, Xue Ye's thoughts were more along the lines of: since the relationship between Tang San and Yu Xiaogang couldn't be severed, instead of letting the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan make secret moves, it would be better to bring everything to light.
Additionally, Yu Xiaogang could be used to win the favor of both Tang San and Yu Yuanzhen. After all, they treated Yu Xiaogang better than the members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan did.
In short, Xue Ye wanted to keep them within the empire. Although Han Li had promised not to actively recruit talent, the final matches would be in Wuhun City, and who knew if Tang San might run off on his own?
Fortunately, this thought only existed in Xue Ye's mind. If he had said it out loud, people would probably have laughed at him.
Regardless, Yu Xiaogang returned to the second team of the Imperial Academy.
As for Sun Buyu, he was finally relieved. After receiving the news, he didn't even wait for Yu Xiaogang to take office. He slipped away without saying a word.
Meanwhile, after relaxing for a day, Han Li suddenly didn't feel like being a guest anymore.
He passed the responsibility entirely to Salas, using the excuse to Emperor Xue Ye that he wanted to personally experience the atmosphere of the Soul Master Tournament.
Emperor Xue Ye casually agreed. After all, Han Li was young, and it was normal for his behavior to be a bit unpredictable. Besides, the spectator stands were boring. If he didn't have to attend, he wouldn't want to sit there either.
Thus, Han Li became a free agent, tagging along with Skywater Academy. If there was a match, he'd make an appearance and greet the audience; if there wasn't, he preferred cultivating over going to the venue. This made Qian Renxue quite envious, as she wanted to live like that too.
As time passed, the match schedule finally led to a clash of strong teams.
This morning, after finishing his training, Han Li intended to return and continue contemplating the rules but was dragged to the arena by his girls.
"Who's fighting today?"
Han Li had been slacking off recently and hadn't even bothered to check the match schedule.
"Blazing Academy versus Godwind Academy."
Shui Bing'er gave him a helpless glance. She remembered Han Li mentioning Feng Xiaotian before, yet now he had even forgotten about the match.
"Oh, the Wind Dog boy."
Han Li suddenly remembered. Some terms weren't very pleasant, so he skillfully replaced them.
"Feng Xiaotian probably wouldn't like that nickname."
Dugu Yan teased with a laugh. As the Soul Master Tournament progressed, the deeds of some elite students were spreading along with the matches, and there were quite a few juicy stories. She liked that.
"Whether he likes it or not doesn't matter as long as he understands."
Han Li lazily replied, now less reluctant. Both academies were strong, so it wouldn't hurt to observe. He might even need to deal with them later for certain reasons—though it would be better if he didn't have to.
As they walked into the team's resting area, they happened to see the two groups of people who would be the main characters today. Well, to be precise, two people in front, with their teams following behind, looking helpless.
The girl in a golden-red uniform with red hair lit up when she saw them. Ignoring the young man beside her, who was still talking non-stop, she walked straight toward Han Li's group.
"She's coming for you?"
Dugu Yan glanced at Han Li in surprise.
"Don't slander me, alright? I've never met her. She's probably here for Zhuqing or Bing'er. Hmm, you might be a possibility too. Xiu'er and I are probably just collateral."
Han Li gave her a look. To be fair, if Dugu Yan wasn't wearing the Skywater Academy uniform now, the two of them would look quite similar with their red hair and golden-red outfits, like sisters. Their temperaments were also quite alike.
While they were talking, Huo Wu had already reached them.
"Nice to meet you. Huo Wu from Blazing Academy."
Huo Wu wasn't shy and introduced herself directly, her eyes scanning the few people in front of her.
"Do we need to introduce ourselves?"
Dugu Yan admired her straightforwardness and responded in kind.
"No need. I already remembered all of you when you entered."
Huo Wu shook her head decisively, indicating she had come prepared.
Behind her, the young man who had been talking earlier, along with another young man in a golden-red uniform, also walked over.
"Blazing Academy, Huo Wushuang."
"Godwind Academy, Feng Xiaotian."
"Greetings, Your Highness, the Holy Son!" ×2
Unlike Huo Wu, the two introduced themselves and bowed slightly to Han Li.
"You don't need to be so formal, Wushuang and Xiaotian. I'm not on the viewing platform today, so let's treat each other as equals. Just call me Han Li."
Since they were showing respect, Han Li smiled in return. Private teasing was one thing, but they weren't that familiar yet.
Huo Wushuang and Feng Xiaotian exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement.
"My younger sister may have been a bit forward. I hope you can forgive her."
Huo Wushuang then turned to the girls and bowed slightly.
Huo Wu took a deep breath, feeling the urge to beat up her brother. She had only said a few words, but now he was making it sound like she had caused a great offense.
However, considering there were outsiders present, she decided to spare him for now and deal with him after the match.
"You're being too polite. Huo Wu just came over to say hello."
Han Li smiled and then looked at Huo Wu.
"If you're looking for Skywater Academy, they should be in the resting area."
Huo Wu quickly shook her head.
"I'm not looking for them. I already know them. I came to find you."
Han Li raised an eyebrow and signaled Shui Bing'er with a look, indicating that this had nothing to do with him—she should handle it.
Because Han Li had taken Shui Bing'er to live in Wuhun City early on, and with Skywater Academy being somewhat ostracized over the years, although Shui Bing'er had known Huo Wu since childhood, they were only acquaintances with no real friendship.
But among the group, she was the one most familiar with Huo Wu, so naturally, she had to step forward.
"What business do you have with us, Huo Wu?"
Huo Wu didn't mind her tone and instead looked at the girls with fighting spirit.
"When Skywater Academy faces Blazing Academy, could you all participate?"
Han Li and the others exchanged glances, but they weren't too surprised. From what they had seen of Huo Wu's personality so far, such a request was only to be expected.
"Godwind Academy—well, in a team battle, forget it. But in individual battles, we might."
Another voice suddenly chimed in from the side. When Han Li and the others turned to look, they realized it was Feng Xiaotian.
Feeling their gazes on him, Feng Xiaotian seemed to realize something. He smiled awkwardly but didn't back down. He still hoped they would participate in the individual battles.
Feng Xiaotian had wanted to follow Huo Wu's lead, but mid-sentence, he remembered that Godwind's team battle wasn't very strong. Given Zhu Zhuqing's displayed strength, she might be able to take down all his teammates except for him. So, he quickly changed his request to individual battles.
Yes, in individual battles, he believed he still had a chance. He was confident.
Shui Bing'er glanced at Han Li but saw that he wasn't offering any advice—he was just smiling at her.
After thinking for a moment, she spoke to the group.
"You all should know that we aren't officially part of Skywateri Academy. We could even be considered substitutes. So, I can't immediately agree to your request."
"However, we can discuss it among ourselves, or, after your match, we could arrange a separate battle that doesn't affect the competition results. How does that sound?"
Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and Feng Xiaotian exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with understanding, and they nodded decisively.
"Alright, we'll await your decision."
"Good."
Shui Bing'er nodded as well.
"Captain, the match is about to start; we need to head back."
Not far away, the members of both teams were calling out to them.
"Alright, it's time for our match. We'll see you later. For now, watch and see what we're capable of."
As Huo Wu turned to leave, she waved to them with a confident smile.