The morning sun shone on Li Xin's behind as he slept sprawled out, only to be dragged up by Aunt Fei, who gave his butt a good smack.

"Still sleeping? What time is it? I'm starting to doubt if you're really a member of the Black Rose. Aren't you supposed to have classes? And aren't you supposed to be preparing for the Four Nations Tournament? Why are you so leisurely every day? You haven't been expelled, have you?" Lin Fei asked suspiciously.

"How could I be, Aunt Fei? I'm really busy and focused, alright!" Li Xin muttered. He was very diligent for the sake of this family, never idle, always busy.

"You'd better take things seriously, or I'll smack your butt to smithereens. Hurry up and get to the Canon Law School. Don't keep lazing around at home; you can even not come back if there's nothing wrong!" Lin Fei admonished, hands on her slender hips, pointing at Li Xin with a fierce tone.

Li Xin just stared, his big eyes silently fixed, saying nothing...

After breakfast, Li Xin was chased out, marching with a brisk pace towards the Canon Law School. Li Xin could still feel a bit of comfort from the Dao Yuan Continent; the Hex-Tech technology still had quite a gap compared to the industry of his past life.

There's some truth in saying that the Knightly Path is a good choice: honor and intrigue. The other three teams must also have hidden agendas; Luo Xue seems unaware. The Luo Family is a new noble line with a relatively shallow foundation, so reaching the Secret Castle would be their limit.

While Miss Aries might come up with something, he couldn't just wait for others to feed him, turning into someone relying on others for meals.

Li Xin hadn't walked far when he was stopped by someone in a City Guard uniform. "You must be Mr. Li Xin. I'm Cheng Hao, captain of the second team of the City Guard. It's like this: we're investigating the theft of the Hex-Tech Core and we need cooperation from the Canon Law School. Miss Kathy mentioned you're in charge. Can you come with us?"

"Of course, it's my duty. But I'll need to ask for leave." Li Xin didn't want to see Zhao Qing's awkward face.

"Why don't you come back to the City Guard with me first? I'll have someone notify the Canon Law School," Cheng Hao suggested, since this task was personally arranged by the superior. Everyone had to take it seriously. Miss Kathy rarely tasked the City Guard with matters, so it had to be handled perfectly. Who dared to cross the line?

With someone higher up to ease things, the City Guard invited a few intermediaries from the black market for a 'tea time'. These kinds of items never slipped past these individuals' intelligence networks.

After a night of intense interrogation, the info brokers were quite tight-lipped. The City Guard had many methods, and Li Xin felt they truly didn't know. The person who stole the Hex-Tech Core likely had other motives than simply selling it, based on past life experiences. Such actions, when taken, are rarely insignificant.

...

At the Canon Law School, due to the drinking atmosphere being so perfectly set yesterday, the quiet secretary Fei Ruolin demonstrated what it means to have a high tolerance, almost like a spiritual ability. Today, the Moncalleta team also showed sincerity, making the competition very intense.

Charming and abundant, Moncalleta people love to drink, in a hearty manner—but not with the terrifying capacity of the Black Meteor Empire. Over there, it's all about drinking to death, whereas Moncalleta emphasizes atmosphere and style. Losing at drinking? Make it up in the arena, especially in front of Fei Ruolin, showing a touch of Moncalleta masculine charm.

Simmons, sipping, still felt a buzzing in his brain. He knew the Black Meteor could drink, but how could the Celestial Capital be so good at it too? The women outdrank the men. Watching Luo Xue, silent but with impressive capacity.

Compared to Simmons' leisure, Luo Xue, the president of Celestial Capital Black Rose, was far from happy. While the situation was under control, it looked bad. The Saint Grace Canon Law School team had a carefree attitude and was very open; their side was beginning to struggle to cope. You could measure skill after some exchanges, even if no one showed their true colors during practice.

The gap was expected; they thought home advantage and a desperate strategy might secure a win, but the gap was larger than expected. Nan Kai, Hao Ye, and others weren't as arrogant as at the start.

Of course, Lu Shuai and others were still defiant. Losing didn't equate to conceding.

Present were the Black Rose staff along with the logistical team from the Saint Grace Canon Law School. They lagged behind the main team, offering comprehensive technical analysis and medical support to the Saint Grace members.

In the afternoon, the pressure on Luo Xue and Zhao Qing intensified with the arrival of newly promoted Archbishop Matthew, the City Guard Commander Count Locknan, and Grand Wind Discipline Officer Luo Jin. They were all members of the Canon Law School committee. Along with Zhao Xun, the mayor, Granfield, and Dr. Mark, they made up the seven-member Canon Law School committee. These figures usually didn't meddle with internal affairs, which were managed by General Affairs Director Fernand. But today, Fernand also accompanied the trio.

Baron Fernand was a genuine Celestial Capital noble. After the previous dean stepped down, he handled the practical management of the Celestial Capital, reporting diligently to the committee. He made no major errors but also had no remarkable achievements. With his ability and experience, becoming the dean was out of reach, and the position of dean remained vacant without a suitable candidate.

Matthew intended to groom Luo Jin. Luo Jin, now one of the seven committee members, had a chance to become the dean if he could showcase his competence and achieve some success.

Fei Ruolin is Fernan's niece, and upon learning that the three committee members were coming, she quickly informed Luo Xue.

Seeing the committee members arrive, the teams from Celestial Capital and Saint Grace stopped their practice and came forward. Simmons also met the Archbishop of Moon God's Court. There was no conflict of faith or interest between the Earth Temple and Moon God's Court, and their relationship was harmonious.

Simmons respectfully saluted Archbishop Matthew, while merely nodding at the other counts. His personal capabilities and family background were quite formidable.

Locknan displayed great enthusiasm; Moncalleta was famously wealthy, trading across Dao Yuan. With Celestial Capital possessing a seaport, its rise through trade, they indeed regarded Moncalleta's great families highly.

Though Locknan and Simmons met for the first time, they easily found topics to converse about. Matthew smiled at Luo Xue, saying, "Here to see your progress, Saint Grace's level is not low. Do you have confidence?"

Luo Xue dared not boast, "The opponent is formidable, but we will do our best."

Matthew glanced at Zhao Qing, who also respectfully saluted the Archbishop. Family enemies remained family enemies, but their meeting attitude was very cordial. Matthew smiled and nodded, "You and Zhao Qing are the main force, work together to win this Four Nations Tournament."

"Your Grace, Archbishop, Luo Xue and I are perfectly in sync, we will definitely win!" Zhao Qing appeared very confident.

Luo Jin was expressionless and cold. Everyone wisely avoided troubling this Grand Wind Discipline Officer. Technically, aside from the General Affairs Director, the Discipline Officer was responsible for most of the Canon Law School affairs. Yet, Luo Jin's presence felt like absence.

"Huh, where is Li Xin?" Matthew asked Luo Jin in confusion after looking around.

Luo Jin shook his head; how would he know where that youngster went, "Didn't he come?"

Luo Jin asked Luo Xue, who answered perplexed, "Discipline Officer, Li Xin took leave, saying he was on your mission, tracking lost items from Hex Academy."

Luo Xue had some resentment; she needed Li Xin there, at least to help observe opponents.

Matthew also looked speechless at Luo Jin, "Is Canon Law School out of people, or are there no City Guards? It's fine if you neglect your duties, but don't mislead the children."

Tracking Inhalers was a major task, unavoidably significant, causing Li Xin to forsake his Four Nations Tournament preparation. Matthew and Luo Xue both eyed Luo Jin, wondering if this captain aimed to elevate or trouble Li Xin, conducting meaningless activities.

Luo Jin was embarrassed; he indeed assigned Li Xin tasks but hadn't said to ignore the tournament, "Ahem, I'll have him called back, priorities wrong."

"Hehehe, mannerisms observed." Archbishop was not courteous to his old subordinate, making Luo Xue chuckle sneakily. In Celestial Capital, everyone knew, to tackle hard-headed Luo Jin required Archbishop Matthew; others were ineffective. She arranged City Guards to investigate Hex-Tech theft to ensure Li Xin focused on the tournament.

Of course, the archbishop and crew could not come in vain. The two teams began more formal sparring, at least determining victory and defeat. The first match was Nan Kai against Buckler, both wielding greatswords. Nan Kai was among those with combat experience in the team but was overwhelmed by Buckler's fierce assault at the onset. The captain hinted to increase pressure, benefiting future negotiations.

Moncalleta Kingdom surpassed Ri Dragon in spiritual power usage and research. Ri Dragon gained fame through Hex-Tech during Luthor's governance, surfacing a strong national power, but on the spiritual battleground, Ri Dragon ranked last among mighty nations. All Nan Kai's moves seemed transparent, even a skilled Celestial Capital hand like him was thoroughly dismantled by Buckler, left without means to retaliate, finally having Buckler's greatsword pressed against his neck.

This wasn't merely defeat but absolute domination. Victorious Buckler sheathed his greatsword and saluted with fists clasped. High-intensity combat and crushing defeat left Nan Kai's face pale and depleted. Barely managing to salute, one battle sapped Nan Kai's vitality and spirit, leaving Celestial Capital Canon Law School in silence.

Matthew, Locknan, and Luo Jin were adept in spiritual cultivation; although they specialized differently, they clearly saw that this was leniency, achieving such a result. This was disparity, not mere difference, but a gap.

Luo Jin's face remained cold, while Matthew and Locknan appeared unfazed, even smiling, leading applause. "Worthy indeed are Moncalleta's warriors; such remarkable skills. Luo Xue, this is a rare chance to learn from experts." Locknan remarked.

"An opportunity not to be missed, don't hold back while seeking guidance, show your best, that's the way to learn." Matthew stated.

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