"Twelve labors, twelve lives. Combined with your clone position-switching, there are already very few beings in this world who can kill you," Bibi Dong said from her throne after hearing Wu Ling explain his Spirit Skill and the story behind it. Her praise carried a trace of wonder.
Looking at Wu Ling, who still stood respectfully before her, Bibi Dong sank into memory. Then she seemed to recall something.
"Ling'er, do you still remember what I asked you four years ago?"
"Four years? Asked me?" Wu Ling thought for a moment, then said, "I was ten four years ago. Back then... was it the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, Teacher?"
Bibi Dong nodded faintly. Her gaze quietly fixed ahead, as if passing through the Supreme Pontiff Palace to see Spirit City, and through the river of time to see Wu Ling from four years earlier.
"I remember that you had only just obtained your third Spirit Ring then. All of Spirit Hall's changes began from that time."
As Bibi Dong spoke with emotion, reminiscence appeared in Wu Ling's eyes as well. But in the next instant, his expression returned to its usual calm.
Wu Ling did enjoy remembering the past, but not every past was worth remembering. In this life, the memory he considered worth revisiting was probably only his Martial Soul awakening.
"Speaking of which, I have not gone back to see Uncle Kiritsugu in a long time. The last time we met was two years ago, was it not? Once I finish sorting things out in the next few days, I should go back."
Bibi Dong was speaking above him, while Wu Ling was thinking his own thoughts below.
After Wu Ling ignored a small part of her speech, Bibi Dong finally reached the main point.
"Four years ago, even though you already had the ability to win, we considered that Spirit Hall already had a chance of victory in that tournament, and exposing your existence would have created more harm than benefit. That is why we did not force you onto the stage."
"But now, your survival ability has improved greatly. As long as the attacker is not a Spirit Master on the level of the Grand Worship, it is no longer a serious problem for you."
"You often say you want to stay hidden until you are invincible. But if a blade is kept sheathed forever, it will truly gather dust. This Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is a good opportunity."
Listening to Bibi Dong's tone, Wu Ling understood that this time, he would probably have to show his face.
If he insisted, he could still avoid participating. He also believed Bibi Dong would not make things difficult for him over such a small matter. But after thinking carefully, he had to admit that Bibi Dong was right. On this continent, there were already very few beings capable of threatening him. If he still insisted on continuing to hide under those circumstances, that would mean he had no confidence in himself or in the Heroic Spirits he had summoned.
"All right, Teacher. I understand."
Seeing Wu Ling agree, Bibi Dong nodded slightly.
"Good. Since you have agreed, this will also count as a trial for you. For this tournament, I have two requirements."
"First, in this Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, you will lead three Spirit Elites and three Spirit Meisters to victory. In other words, you must be prepared to fight seven opponents by yourself."
"Second, during the tournament, you cannot use any Spirit Skills. You cannot even reveal your Spirit Rings."
"This is meant to let you show some of your edge, but revealing everything would be foolish. The outside world currently says you are a support-type Spirit Master. Then I will give them a support-type Spirit Master who is powerful in single combat."
"Wu Ling understands."
If this had been before, when Wu Ling still had only four rings, winning the championship without using Spirit Skills would indeed have been somewhat troublesome. But now that he had summoned Heracles and gained a stack of passives, Wu Ling only wanted to curl the corner of his mouth into an evil smile, his eyes carrying three parts disdain, two and a half parts arrogance, two and a half parts indifference, one point one parts contempt, and zero point nine parts delight.
When the time came, he would lie down on the competition stage and shout, "Everyone seated here... no, everyone still standing here is trash!"
Of course, Wu Ling only thought about it. He would never actually do something that embarrassing. But even thinking about it made his toes curl so hard that, if he were not wearing shoes, he might have dug a three-bedroom apartment out of the Supreme Pontiff Palace floor.
At that moment, Bibi Dong sensed that Wu Ling's body had gone somewhat stiff. Not knowing what he was thinking, she assumed he was tired, so she ended the conversation.
But before ending it, she mentioned that since this was a trial, success naturally deserved a reward. As for what that reward would be, she would discuss it with the Grand Worship.
After that, Wu Ling returned home. On the way, he bought some desserts. One portion was for himself, and one was for Rose. Since Soul Land had sugar beans and similar things, having desserts was perfectly normal.
"Young master, you are back."
Hearing the same greeting as always, Wu Ling waved Old Li away and went to the courtyard alone.
He placed the desserts on the stone table. His shadow rippled, and four clones gradually leaped out of it.
But after those four clones emerged, the writhing of Wu Ling's shadow did not stop. A dozen or so seconds later, an arm thicker than Rose's waist stretched out of the shadow, followed by the other arm.
Those hands braced against the two sides of Wu Ling's shadow and seemed to use all their strength to pull the body out.
When the clone fully emerged, Wu Ling, who was seated, had to tilt his head up to look at him.
The clone was more than two and a half meters tall, even taller by a large margin than the two-meter Ember. His clothing was eighty percent similar to Heracles's, but only his head resembled Wu Ling.
If the first clone carrying Madness Enhancement, Shade, represented madness, then this clone created with Heracles as the template represented destruction.
"Let me think. I already have Shade and Ember. In your case, I will just call you Berserker."
Berserker growled, "Roar."
Shade growled, "Wu."
Seeing Shade suddenly growl for no reason, Wu Ling smiled and coaxed him. "Come on, Shade. You already have your own name. Let Berserker have this one."
"Wu..."
"Fine. You take him along and teach him how to cultivate. Though honestly, your cultivation efficiency is pretty worrying too."
"Wu."
"I know, I know. The side effect of Madness Enhancement, right? That is why I am asking Rose to help the two of you think of a solution."
After saying that, Wu Ling looked at Rose.
"Just like Shade said, is there a cultivation method suited to them? Otherwise, with the Madness Enhancement buff, it is very hard for them to calm down and meditate." As he spoke, Wu Ling handed the dessert to Rose.
Receiving her pay, Rose giggled and put the dessert away before answering, "There is, there is. Come with me, main body."