Chapter 516: The Choice

Inside the hall, silence reigned.

Many students wore expressions of fear; a Great Calamity-level Aberration had clearly terrified them.

At this moment, they finally understood why each academy could only send two teams to this mixed-level competition, because in such a dangerous place, the survival rate for ordinary teams and students was quite worrying.

Although the academy might offer some protection, Aberrations were too bizarre; if one accidentally became contaminated and had a seed of pollution planted within, it would truly be a fate worse than death.

In fact, it was not just them; even Li Luo wore a Solemn expression, for a Great Calamity-level Aberration... reminded him of the "Smiling Demon" he had encountered in the Dark Cave. That was an Aberration of the Great Calamity level, and the destruction it caused had nearly eradicated the academy's outpost. Back then, even someone as powerful as Jiang Jiang Qinge, launching a desperate strike with the Ninth-Rank Light Image possessing immense purification power, had only managed to inflict a minor wound on the creature because it was caught off guard, and Jiang Jiang Qinge had paid the price of severe injury.

In the end, if he had not summoned the stronger Three-Tailed Sky Wolf, all the students at that outpost would likely have perished at the hands of the Smiling Demon.

Although the Smiling Demon was eventually eliminated, for a long time afterward, whenever Li Luo saw someone smile, he could not help but tense up, clearly having been left with some psychological trauma.

This showed just how terrifying a Calamity-level Aberration truly was.

And yet, the content of this Holy Grail War mixed-level competition was to have these students clear out Aberrations across an entire prefecture... Did these major academies lack personnel?

Li Luo sighed lightly, but fortunately, there would be two "thighs" in the team; in clearing Aberrations of this level, they would clearly be the absolute main force, while he, a mere Image Master realm cultivator, might just serve as a runner.

Of course... he did not entirely lack means to resist.

Li Luo's hand could not help but touch the crimson bracelet on his wrist; sealed within it was the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf that had defeated the Smiling Demon.

According to Dean Pang, this Three-Tailed Sky Wolf was no ordinary beast; it had already reached the peak of the Heavenly General rank. If calculated by Image Power cultivation levels, it would be the Tian Xiang Jing of the Heavenly General rank... On that day in the Dark Cave, although the Princess had arrived in time, if Li Luo had not possessed the sealing talisman bestowed by the Dean, he felt that even the Princess might have fallen to the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf.

Amidst the silence of the crowd, Vice Dean Su Xin spoke calmly: "Although this mixed-level competition carries some danger, as members of the Holy Academy, clearing Aberrations is inherently our responsibility. Everyone need not overthink it; just treat this mission as another descent into the Dark Cave."

"As for our Holy Zhu Xuan Star Academy's two small teams, the captains will be Gong Gong Shenjun and the Princess."

Upon hearing Vice Dean Su Xin call their names, Gong Gong Shenjun and the Princess stepped forward. Their expressions remained relatively calm; after all, as the academy's two strongest students, while they certainly held a Great Calamity-level Aberration in awe, it was not enough to instill fear in them.

After all, speaking of it, over these four years within the Holy Zhu Xuan Star Academy, they had engaged in combat with Calamity-level Aberrations in the Dark Cave many times.

"Next, each of the two small teams still needs two members. According to the rules, the two members cannot belong to the same academy level." Vice Dean Su Xin smiled as she looked at Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo; this rule was practically tailor-made for the two of them.

"Jiang Jiang Qinge, Li Luo, I assume the two of you will not be separating?" she asked with a hint of teasing.

Some laughter erupted from the crowd, but within that laughter lay an unmistakable envy and jealousy, and this emotion was clearly directed more toward Li Luo.

Although the current Li Luo had already revealed his extraordinariness and become the strongest One-Star Academy student in the Eastern Region of Outer Shenzhou, in their eyes, this was still insufficient to match the engagement with Senior Sister Jiang.

But tragically, their opinions were utterly useless.

At this moment, Gong Gong Shenjun's gaze also turned toward Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo. A gentle smile appeared on his handsome face as he issued another invitation: "Junior Sister Jiang, Junior Brother Li Luo, if you can join my team, I believe the three of us would have a great chance of contending for the championship."

Regarding Gong Gong Shenjun's invitation, no one was surprised; moreover, they all knew that this invitation was actually directed more at Jiang Jiang Qinge, for throughout this Holy Grail War, she was the strongest after the Four-Star Academy cultivators.

From the perspective of team composition, Jiang Jiang Qinge was the most advantageous element.

As for Li Luo, the situation was slightly less ideal; although he had obtained the title of strongest One-Star Academy student, from the perspective of team composition, there were still choices available from the Two-Star Academy.

For instance, Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan.

Although his performance in the Two-Star Academy level competition was average, regardless, he was genuinely at the fourth transformation of the Image Transformation stage, whereas Li Luo was still at the level of the third transformation. Of course, everyone understood that he possessed methods to elevate himself to the fourth transformation in a short time, so in terms of combat power, he was not necessarily weaker than Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan.

But regardless, Li Luo was not unique like Jiang Jiang Qinge.

It was just...

Who did not know that Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge were bound together? If they were to join a team, they would inevitably be together.

Vice Dean Su Xin also looked at Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo. From the perspective of strength, if the two formed the strongest team with Gong Gong Shenjun, it would indeed increase the success rate of winning the championship, for in this mixed-level competition, they would not only need to compete against teams from other academies but also guard against the erosion of Aberrations.

However, she did not speak to interfere, because choosing a team was the right of the members; even as Vice Dean, she could not forcibly arrange it.

The Princess's bright and elegant oval face showed no waves, but her pair of phoenix eyes carried a hint of tension, for she was also unsure whether the words Li Luo had spoken earlier on the stairs were reliable.

After all, from the perspective of forming the strongest team, Gong Gong Shenjun was indeed the best choice.

Under the gaze of many eyes, Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo exchanged a glance. Then Li Luo smiled, turned to Gong Gong Shenjun with a regretful expression, and said sincerely: "Senior Brother Gong, I apologize, but Sister Jiang Qinge and I cannot join your team."

"We must join the team of Her Highness the Princess."

When Li Luo's voice fell, a somewhat bewildered murmur rose in the hall.

Li Luo's choice was somewhat unexpected to them.

Gong Gong Shenjun's expression also tightened slightly at this moment, his face changing a bit. In fact, when Li Luo had evaded his invitation last night, he had vaguely sensed something, but now that Li Luo had made it clear, some intense emotions still surged in his heart.

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge had chosen the Princess...

Was this just a simple choice?

Or did they, or rather the Luo Lan Manor, defect to the Princess?

"Senior Brother Gong, although you are actually the best choice, there is no way; before the Holy Grail War, we had already accepted the Princess's invitation, so..."

Li Luo said apologetically, then turned his gaze to the slightly dazed Princess and smiled: "Her Highness the Princess?"

The Princess quickly regained her composure, then spoke without changing her expression: "Brother Wang, everything must have an order of precedence. I put in so much effort beforehand to invite Jiang Qinge to form a team. You want to poach people at the last minute; how can such a good thing exist?"

Gong Gong Shenjun smiled helplessly: "Yanyu, this is not a matter of precedence now, but of winning the championship and upholding the academy's reputation and honor."

The Princess smiled: "Does Brother Wang think I am too weak and unqualified to compete for the championship?"

"I would never dare."

Gong Gong Shenjun quickly shook his head with a smile, then turned his gaze to Jiang Jiang Qinge and said earnestly: "Junior Sister Jiang, although Yanyu made an agreement with you beforehand, the mixed-level competition concerns the ownership of the Dragon Bone Holy Grail in the end; this matter is of great significance, so I truly hope you can consider it more. Of course, I know Yanyu is also a very good choice, but I also feel that if you choose my side, the odds of victory will surely be a bit higher."

His words were sincere and frank, causing many students nearby to nod in agreement.

Putting other things aside, if we only speak of team luxury, Jiang Jiang Qinge and Gong Gong Shenjun together would be the strongest.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's Luo-goddess-like exquisite face remained quite calm. Facing Gong Gong Shenjun's sincere words, her eyes showed no waves; only after Gong Gong Shenjun finished speaking did her red lips part slightly.

"Our family's Li Luo makes the decisions. Since he has already said we will cooperate with the Princess this time, I naturally dare not refuse his face, so I apologize, Senior Brother Gong; we can only cooperate next time."

Her words caused many students in the hall to stand there like wooden chickens.