Chapter 0527: The Mixed-Level Competition Gets Serious


    Elder Ling Yu''s announcement about a possible traitor was met with shock. The Umbra Cave was the stuff of nightmares, the worst enemy of humankind. An Other Disaster was worse than any other sort of disaster.


    The ufortable atmosphere built and built, and then Elder Ling Yu spoke again. "Of course, it''s not certain whether the ckwind Empire really fell because of a traitor. At present, it remains only a possibility, but one that we cannot dismiss. Just be careful in the Red y Province.


    "Now that the ckwind Empire has thoroughly fallen, the corruption continues to deepen and expand. It is hard even for us to know what is within. From what I see, the deepening corruption might well have already formed an Other nestportal. Once such portals open, the shadow world hasplete ess to that location, and the ckwind Empire will be a true horror indeed. When the Other Disaster broke out, the neighboring countries sent Dukes to scout the ce out, but many of them returned injured. Perhaps there are already Other Kings present within," Elder Ling Yu continued tonelessly.


    The other students were nervously thanking their lucky stars that they had not been chosen.


    “Other Kings... Old man, are you trying to shorten our lifespan until it''s the same as yours?!”


    This was way beyond the pay grade of a student!


    "I tell you all of this information not to scare you, but to impress upon you how serious the matter is. Your mission will y an important role in the greater n to stop the Other Disaster in the ckwind Empire, although we do not have enough resources topletely purge the ce. That is why we have chosen to seal it away for now.


    "The seal is made of an enormous ward that encloses the entirety of the ckwind Empire. It stops the Others from spreading to other countries. There are many points that will help support the ward. We''ve already established the others, and the Red y Province is thest ce remaining. Once it ispleted, the entire seal will kick into action.


    "At the same time, other countries will be helping to run interference in other zones, to prevent the strongest creatures in the ckwind Empire from turning their attention this way. It should buy you more time.


    "I hope you do not see this mission as just apetition. Your sess or failure overall will determine the future of the ckwind Empire and the safety of all our people. If the ward fails, it will be an unparalleled disaster for all of us."


    The students were silent as stone.


    Li Luo shared a worried look with Jiang Qing''e as well. The mixed-levelpetition had just gotten a hell of a lot more serious.


    This level of mission... it was high in both difficulty and importance.


    However, there was no reason to refuse. This was not just about a championship anymore, it was the safety of their home, a responsibility that none of them could run away from.


    Although the ckwind Empire was a long way away from the Xia Kingdom, if it got out of control, none of them would be safe.


    "All of the East Divine Continent''s sage colleges and the neighboring countries together can''t handle an Other Disaster at the ckwind Empire?" Li Luo asked quietly.


    "It''s not that simple," the First Princess said, shaking her head. “Each school has its own responsibilities to take care of. The principals can rarely leave their schools even for a moment. Just look at the Holy Grail Meet—all the schools have sent vice principals only, despite how important this is. The principals can''t leave. They don''t dare to leave. As for the other countries, besides the neighbors, who would send their experts to contain the Other Disaster in a forsakennd? In truth, the cutthroat politics, border disputes, and threat from each other isn''t much easier to deal withpared to an Other Disaster. And as Elder Ling Yu said, the ckwind Empire is suspected to have Other Kings roaming around. The situation is dangerous andplicated. Only Kings can really deal with such enemies, and yet they are few and far between in the East Divine Continent.


    "That is why sealing off the area is the best n for now."


    "What about the Academic Federation?" Li Luo asked. "Aren''t they super strong? Can''t they send a King over?"


    "The Academic Federation is very strong indeed," the First Princess said with a sigh. "But the world is much greater than us, and they have many other things to deal with. If not for the Holy Grail Meet, Elder Ling Yu would not even be here. The Academic Federation has its hands full dealing with all the Umbra Caves already. You cannot expect them to be omnipresent and omnipotent. They cannot be saviors. This is not their only concern either, and they are not the only superpower in this world either.


    "And finally... Kings are precious assets even for the Academic Federation. Before ascertaining the situation at the ckwind Empire, they would not send such a powerful person. If an ident were to happen, even the Academic Federation would feel the loss keenly."


    Li Luo hung his head. "Humble pie baked and eaten."


    The First Princess smiled at that. "Well, the Academic Federation is shrewd, I''ll give them that. The Holy Grail Meet presents a unique opportunity that they''re using well. The elites are gathered here, and yet we are still students who will only leave a smaller footprint, reducing the chances of detection by greater dangers.


    "And once the Red y Province''s purification spot is established, the Other Disaster will at least be contained."


    Li Luo nodded admiringly. Indeed, the Holy Grail Meet gathering was quite a strong group. The One Star Hall students might not count for much, but the Three and Four Star Hall students were already umonly strong and at the General Stage. This level of power was quite impressive in any nation.


    For example, House Lun only had the three Heavenly Dipper General ancestors, besides his parents and Uncle Biao.


    On the dais, Elder Ling Yu had finished with his dire warnings, and he put his hands together. "Students, I will not bbor the point any further than I already have. I hope that all of you who enter the Red y Province will follow the spirit mirrors’ instructions andplete your missions smoothly.


    "The champions of the mixed-levelpetition will be the squad with the highest points. As for how points are calcted, you will find out from the spirit mirror once you enter the Red y Province.


    "Does anyone have any questions?"


    Silence.


    Elder Ling Yu nodded. "Prepare yourselves, then. Teleportation will happen soon. I await your good news here."


    With that, blinding light beamed upwards from them, and soon they felt their bodies being squeezed through a rift.


    The space around the white jade arena started to twist and warp.


    Less than a minuteter, the energy built up to the critical level, and each of them was teleported away.


    Outside the area, the other students watched them go, wishing them well in their hearts.


    The mixed-levelpetition had officially begun.