“Indeed!” Urban nodded solemnly.
“The champion of this tournament will have the exclusive use of the Spirit Spring for ten years, until the next championship.”
Surprised, Billy raised an eyebrow.
This reward was truly enticing. In the past few centuries, the environment of this planet had suffered severe destruction, and the spiritual energy of sky and earth had become increasingly scarce. There were very few Spirit Springs left. Even if there were, they were similar to the one in Heartbreak Valley, which could only marginally enhance the talents of martial artists. But the Polar Domain itself was located in an extreme environment, it was the last untouched land on this planet, and the spiritual energy of sky and earth there was undoubtedly the densest. Undergoing baptism in that kind of environment was definitely a rebirth.
“Additionally, apart from the Spirit Spring, the top three winners of this championship will also receive an opportunity for exploration!” Urban continued.
“Exploration?” Harleen blinked in confusion.
Urban nodded in response.
“The Polar Domain has an extensive geographical area and complex terrain, so even now, there are still many unexplored places. Some time ago, the Guardians discovered a peculiar ice cave. Just standing near the entrance, one can sense a strong oppressive aura emanating from inside the cave. They sent about twenty to thirty people to explore the ice cave, hoping to uncover its secrets. However, none of them have come out so far, and unless there’s an unexpected turn of events, they should all have perished.”
“That’s quite extreme,” Harleen muttered in astonishment. “Minister Woolery, do you know the cultivation level of those people?”
“They were all martial artists at the late stage of the War God-Emperor realm, and some even had the cultivation level of the Sovereign realm. The highest cultivation level among them was that of a Fifth-Rank Sovereign!” Urban continued.
Harleen and Ivy both gasped in shock.
“Minister Woolery, are you saying that the exploration opportunity you mentioned refers to that ice cave?” Ivy asked.
“Yes!” Urban took a sip of his tea.
“Although the ice cave is very dangerous, it’s often in the most perilous places that the greatest opportunities lie. Without a doubt, there must be many unexpected surprises inside!”
Billy narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded. He was also curious about that ice cave.
“Lord Dragon, we rely on you for this Global Martial Arts Competition!” Urban said with a slightly grave tone. “If we can win the championship this time, regardless of the prizes, it will at least allow Glavale to gain some international recognition! We have been waiting for this day for a hundred years!”
“Minister Woolery, rest assured, we will give it our all!” Billy nodded earnestly. In public, he was the revered Lord Dragon, with a duty that could not be shirked. Privately, he wanted his fellows by his side as they got stronger, and the Spirit Spring Baptism was the best way to achieve that. Moreover, he had a personal motive: once he secured the championship in the competition, he could rightfully journey to the Polar Domain. There, perhaps, he would find his family.
“Minister Woolery, will the super sects send their prodigies to participate in the competition?” Ivy continued to inquire.
“Guzman and Donald have been in constant discussion with the super sects these past few days, but the results are not promising. I’m afraid…” Urban’s frustration showed in his words.
“It’s alright!” Billy interrupted him, then spoke in a solemn voice. “There’s no need for Elder Guzman and Elder Donald to waste their energy on those super sects. Even if they agree to send someone, it will be half-hearted and unnecessary! The championship of this competition is already set for Glavale, with or without their people. It won’t affect the outcome!”
“Hmm!” Urban nodded in response. After a slight pause, he continued, “However, you should not be too complacent, Lord Dragon! I have learned that many western countries have secretly cultivated numerous monstrous talents in recent years. They will probably all show up in this tournament. Especially Northfortia, Aquilandia, and Xidengia, these three countries have hidden extraordinary talents for centuries! The Northfortia princess you met last time, her brother is said to be the outstanding figure among the young generation of Northfortia. We haven’t determined his specific cultivation level yet, but our preliminary estimate is that he is at least at the mid-stage of the Sovereign realm!”
“That strong?” Harleen couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Yes!” Urban nodded again. “Including the geniuses from Aquilandia and Xidengia, there are definitely several of them with a cultivation level above the Fifth-Rank! Furthermore, it is said that Veridiania and Oriana have also hidden several geniuses that are rare in hundreds of years. They will definitely send them to participate in this tournament.”
“Minister Woolery, rest assured, apart from Glavale, no one can take away the championship!” Billy said with a faint smile. After taking a sip from his teacup, he didn’t dwell on the topic any longer. “How is the situation in the Polar Domain now?”
“Since you welcomed the National Fortune, a lot has changed. Many compatriots have made breakthroughs, and overall strength has improved significantly!” Urban’s face showed a trace of satisfaction as he continued, “In addition to the four Third-Rank Sovereigns sent by Wind & Cloud Holy Sect and the elders from Saint Sky Sword Pavilion, they have all arrived at their destination. So, there shouldn’t be too much pressure in the Polar Domain before the global competition.”
“That’s good!” Billy nodded with a smile.
After chatting for a while, Billy and Harleen took their leave.
The next morning, they boarded a plane back to Ozin. During the journey, Billy asked Harleen what she had talked about with Ivy the previous night, but Harleen played coy and avoided giving a direct answer. Billy had no choice but to let it go.
On the third day after returning to Ozin, Billy received calls from Azure Dragon and the others, informing him that they had all returned to their posts. Stout also returned to Ozin on the third night. However, Casey and Felicia were still nowhere to be seen even today. Harleen called Felicia to ask when she would be back, and Felicia said that it would probably take a few more days before she returned.
“Boss, when are we going to the Yin Yang Shrine Sect?” Billy came to the SHADOW base in the afternoon, and Stout asked.
“Call Azure Fang and tell him to come to Ozin tomorrow morning to meet us. We’ll set off tomorrow,” Billy responded after a moment of thought.
The Global Martial Arts Competition was about half a month away, and the matter of the Yin Yang Shrine Sect needed to be resolved beforehand.
“We’re leaving tomorrow?” Judge, who was on the side, was taken aback. “Boss, aren’t we waiting for Casey?”
“He probably has a lot of things to take care of at home. We won’t wait for him!” Billy nodded.
“Alright!” Stout responded and took out his phone to make the call.
The next morning, Azure Fang and the others arrived at the SHADOW base in Ozin one after another.
“Azure Dragon, how’s it going? Has your father emerged from seclusion?” The group sat in the council chamber, and Billy turned to Azure Dragon, asking.