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 uncomfortable atmosphere built and built, and then Elder Ling Yu spoke again. "Of course, it's not certain whether the Blackwind 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 Clay Province.

"Now that the Blackwind 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 has complete access to that location, and the Blackwind Empire will be a true horror indeed. When the Other Disaster broke out, the neighboring countries sent Dukes to scout the place 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 play an important role in the greater plan to stop the Other Disaster in the Blackwind Empire, although we do not have enough resources to completely purge the place. 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 Blackwind 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 Clay Province is the last place remaining. Once it is completed, 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 Blackwind Empire from turning their attention this way. It should buy you more time.

"I hope you do not see this mission as just a competition. Your success or failure overall will determine the future of the Blackwind 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-level competition 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 Blackwind 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 Blackwind 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 forsaken land? In truth, the cutthroat politics, border disputes, and threat from each other isn't much easier to deal with compared to an Other Disaster. And as Elder Ling Yu said, the Blackwind Empire is suspected to have Other Kings roaming around. The situation is dangerous and complicated. 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 plan 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 Blackwind Empire, they would not send such a powerful person. If an accident 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 Clay 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 uncommonly strong and at the General Stage. This level of power was quite impressive in any nation.

For example, House Luolan 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 belabor the point any further than I already have. I hope that all of you who enter the Red Clay Province will follow the spirit mirrors’ instructions and complete your missions smoothly.

"The champions of the mixed-level competition will be the squad with the highest points. As for how points are calculated, you will find out from the spirit mirror once you enter the Red Clay 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 minute later, 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-level competition had officially begun.

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