Chapter 113: If you are seeking death, I do not mind granting your wish.

Listening to Yuan Ao describe those foreign reinforcements, they were indeed terrifyingly powerful, enough to send a chill down Xiang Nan’s spine.

However, it was just a chill; Xiang Nan had nothing to fear.

"General Yuan Ao, we are both intelligent people, so let’s stop beating around the bush and wasting time. You are going to such great lengths to intimidate me—isn't it simply because you want me to hand over the magical artifact to you?" Xiang Nan cut straight to the heart of Yuan Ao’s true objective.

Yuan Ao stopped putting on an act and smiled directly. "You finally admit it? If you were truly intelligent, you would know that the artifact is not safe in your hands. They are all here for you—or, to be precise, they are all here for your artifact. If you hand it over to me, all the hostility will naturally shift onto me, and you will be safe."

"In that case, I really must thank you, huh?" Xiang Nan rolled his eyes inwardly.

"Don't mention it. You saved my life; I am naturally obligated to protect you," Yuan Ao said, patting his chest with shameless hypocrisy.

"But I don't want to implicate others. I prefer to shoulder things myself, and I have the capability to handle it," Xiang Nan replied calmly.

"With your Tier 2 cultivation, what strength do you have to say you can handle it?" Yuan Ao was clearly displeased. "Besides, you have already joined my Longyuan Army and are considered one of our own. Should you not obey the orders of your commanding officer?"

"Whether I can handle it or not is my own business. In any case, I will not hand over my things, not even under orders from a superior."

"You! You don't know what's good for you! Have you ever thought about what kind of disaster it would bring to the nation if such an artifact fell into the hands of those who harbor ill intentions toward the Nine Provinces?!"

"General, I am actually acting in the interest of the nation's safety. This artifact is safest only with me. You should understand; I have awakened a spatial ability. As long as I don't allow it, no one can touch anything within my space. So, General, there is really no need to worry needlessly. I will protect the artifact well."

Having said this, Xiang Nan turned to leave, but paused and looked back. "Oh, right, I still have to thank you, General. The spirit orb of the ancient wind beast—the spiritual energy inside is truly potent."

Xiang Nan smiled slightly, full of smugness, before turning and walking away.

Yuan Ao was left standing there, completely bewildered. How was this possible? Wasn't he only at Tier 2? He should at most be able to keep a Tier 6 spirit orb as an ornament. But if he couldn't refine it, it would be impossible for him to know it was the spirit orb of an ancient wind beast!

This Xiang Nan was truly not simple.

With the entry into the Spirit Void imminent, Sun Liren finished his mobilization speech and walked specifically to Xiang Nan's side.

"If you truly encounter a life-threatening situation, remember to trigger the rescue signal. Anything can happen in the Spirit Void; there is no need to sacrifice your life, understand?"

"Understood. Don't worry, Principal Sun; I am someone who cherishes my life, and I am also someone who is destined for a long one."

With plenty of resurrection herbs prepared, could a man with a "resurrection armor" not have a long life?

However, Xiang Nan could tell that Sun Liren’s concern for him was genuine. Whether it was out of appreciation for talent or a protective nature toward his students, it warmed Xiang Nan’s heart.

An iron-fisted leader on the outside, a warm-hearted principal on the inside.

Nearby, Kang Jiacheng stood with a cold face, looking at Xiang Nan with disdain. Xiang Nan, naturally, couldn't be bothered with him. He wondered what the standards were for electing the president of the Spirit Martial Association; even an idiot like this could become president. It seemed the Spirit Martial Association was just like that—unreliable.

Soon, all preparations were complete.

The chief planner for this Spirit Void expedition was Yan Kaiji, the principal of the Supreme Spirit Martial Academy. Finally, he loudly announced the competition rules to everyone:

"The results of this Spirit Void expedition will not depend on anything else; victory or defeat will be determined solely by the number of spirit orbs each group collects. Of course, the count will be based on the average value per team member. Five-person teams with reinforcements and four-person teams without will compete fairly."

"Furthermore, there are no other rules in the Spirit Void, only one: once someone triggers the rescue signal, the entire group is automatically disqualified. From the moment the signal is triggered, other groups are forbidden from attacking them. The rescue team will arrive at the scene immediately to take the disqualified members away."

"All personnel entering the Spirit Void must press their thumbprints on the liability waiver and collect a simple map of the signal zones. You know the drill: the signal zones will gradually shrink until only the final three teams remain."

"Alright, we have reached the Spirit Void. You are responsible for your own lives. Except for the sight of a rescue signal, no one will intervene in any other situation."

"Everyone, do you understand?" Yan Kaiji asked loudly.

Many students in the field looked at each other in dismay, and even many teachers were slightly stunned. It was indeed the Supreme Spirit Martial Academy's turn to host and plan this year's expedition, but no one had expected Yan Kaiji's rules to be so simple and so cruel. Although there had been casualties in the past, if these rules were followed, the number of casualties would likely skyrocket.

But the rules were set and could not be changed. Even if other schools had objections, they had to comply.

"Everyone, do you understand?" Yan Kaiji asked again, his deep, resonant voice echoing across the open ground, causing a tremor in people's hearts.

"Understood!" everyone shouted in unison, the sound shaking the heavens.

"If you understand, then go in! Begin your battle for glory!"

Yan Kaiji swung his arm, and a holy light representing the opening of the Spirit Void soared into the sky.

In the jungle to the side of the plain, the white mist dispersed, revealing three paths leading to the Spirit Void.

According to tradition, the middle path passed through the highly dangerous Gloomy Forest directly to the center of the Spirit Void. Along the way, there were numerous high-level spirit beasts. The two side paths were relatively safe, bypassing the Gloomy Forest to reach the Green Fish Six Islands.

Seeing the paths to the Spirit Void open, everyone felt their blood boil.

As in previous years, almost everyone chose the side paths; being cautious upon entering the Spirit Void was the best way to stay alive. Of course, there were teams like the Lu brothers, who were arrogant and headed straight for the middle path.

"Damn, Young Master Ming and Young Master Yu are too badass! They're skipping the newbie village and going straight for high-level monsters!"

"No choice, the reinforcements they hired are too strong! A mage, what kind of monster could withstand that?"

Soon, several other teams from the Supreme Spirit Martial Academy also rushed toward the middle path.

Su Yao looked at the scene, her blood pumping: "Xiao Nan, let's go to the middle path, too. Let's go straight for high-level monsters."

Li Xiang and Meng Qingwan were fine with it, but Xu Jiya’s face turned pale. With her Tier 1 cultivation, would she be instantly killed if she went to the middle path? Being killed herself was one thing, but she couldn't drag the team down.

Xiang Nan glanced at Xu Jiya and already had an idea in mind. "Don't just rush in with a hot head. We have half a month. Besides explosive power, what matters most is endurance. If they want to rush, let them rush. Isn't it nice to report to the newbie village first and spend two comfortable days before grinding monsters?"

Li Xiang was the first to stand up: "I agree with Xiang Nan. You can't get fat from one mouthful."

Meng Qingwan also nodded, looking at Xiang Nan: "You're the captain; I'll listen to you."

Xu Jiya, standing nearby, finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was better to take it slow in the newbie village.

"That's decided, let's go!"

With that, Xiang Nan led his four team members and headed toward the left path.