Spirit Immortal

The brawny man on Longyu Tianʼs right was perhaps the most intimidating of the four. Even while heʼs seated on the throne, the man looked massive enough to tear a berserker or two in half. Finally, there was one final person among the VVIP booth that Longyu Tian was in. Seated right next to the brawny man at the very edge, was an emerald-haired lady. Her eagle-shaped nose was her most prominent feature, and her sitting look was vicious enough to scare away even the bravest of men.

All four of them were heavily guarded, well-serviced and most importantly of all, they were the centre of attention of the entire crowd. Many feared to stare too long at them, fearing that they would be like Icarus, flying too high into the sun, but they just couldnʼt help it. Those four were the icons that held the Lantis Republic together, the powerhouses that prevented the other two superpowers from ever invading.

”They are...”

”The four Spirit Saints of the Lantis Republic...” Lady Seph completed Kesylʼs statement for her. ”Longyu Tian, The Saint of Time. Jingyu Han, The Saint of Oceans. Shenshe Zemin, The Saint of Poisons. Heigui Zhengkang, The Saint of Shells. These four are the pillars of the Lantis Republic… To think that theyʼre all present here in this stadium...”

It was rare to even see one Spirit Saint in public. They were well-known to be lofty beings that had washed their hands off any mortal affairs. The pact signed when World Peace was established had also stated that Spirit Saints werenʼt allowed to actively seek power in the human world unless provoked, lest they destabilise the fragile balance that the world had built. So for all four of them to show up just to witness Shin battle… It really was a staggering sight.

Of course, the Spirit Saints didnʼt think that way.

”Tian, I canʼt wait to see the skills of your prized possession.” Jingyu Han laughed while stroking his shaven chin. His demeanour was like an uncle ready to watch his nephew play some good football.

”Really, how prodigious can he be?” Shenshe Zemin threw her head back with scepticism in her voice. ”Heʼs just a recently promoted Spirit Spectre. Donʼt you think itʼs too much for him to attempt to take down five Luminaries back to back?”

”Zeminʼs right,” replied Heigui Zhengkang. ”From what I hear, youʼd picked the five most powerful Luminaries to take him on as well, two of them possessing the same Mark of the Celestial Dragon as he has, including the heiress of the Meijing Clan. Are you sure that he can defeat all five of them?”

The Spirit Saintsʼ were right to be doubtful. They knew the five Luminaries and how powerful their abilities were. If the Spirit Saints were still Spirit Spectres, even they would question their strength in beating all five of them in consecutive bouts.

Longyu Tian scoffed. She stretched her back up a little before replying. ”If you would allow him to take the Trial immediately, I would be glad to withdraw him from the matches.”

”At this point, Iʼm almost tempted to let him...” Jingyu Han chortled, hiding a little fierce glint in his eyes. ”However, we donʼt even know if he would be loyal to our Republic? Why couldnʼt you just go for the five-year plan? If we used the five years to move him over to our side, Iʼm sure the High Council would be glad to let him go through with the trial then.”

”Five years is too long!” The Saint of Time protested, her nostrils flaring a little. ”Shin is a once in a generation talent. I firmly believe that his Spirit has the potential for evolution, just like mine! If we waste any more time, and he cultivates into the Spirit Lord realm without taking the Trial, wouldnʼt we be squandering his talent even more?”

The Lantis Republic had already wasted Shinʼs childhood, prepubescent and adolescence to the Himmel Empire. Although Meijing Bingying had been sent to correct some of his misconceptions about cultivating, it was far from enough. For Shin to become a Spirit Saint or more likely… Breakthrough into the Spirit Immortal realm, he had to be groomed now.

”Hah… Your stubbornness is as amazing as usual...” Shenshe Zemin groaned while snorting. Longyu Tian was many things, but a social genius, she was not. If the Saint of Time wanted something, she would get it done, no matter what the cost.

”Thatʼs right, so you guys better uphold your promise,” replied Longyu Tian. ”If Shin wins all five of them, youʼll join me in convincing the High Council to allow him to take the trial.”