Lan Jue nodded. "It's fine. I'm not sure I'll win, but it won't be a problem.
Oh, my enemies!
Let them come and find him.
Not many will recognize me after I take off my mask.
Using Zeus's identity will make it easier to get away.
I'll take care of it. "Since he'd broken into the Pontiff's Citadel, this wasn't a problem.
They chatted for a while longer before Huali and Mo Xiao left. They still had rehearsals to do. Chu Cheng offered to take them out for a night out, but Lan Jue declined.
The tournament was about to begin. Although he had no intention of taking first place, he took it very seriously.
It was a rare event in the Adept world, and he was sure to meet all sorts of strong people. It would be a great way to hone his skills.
Since his return, he'd met many strong people, even Paragons.
The Gourmet and Bookworm's breakthroughs, and the two Gods of Wine's incredible strength, had given him a lot of motivation. His goal was to become a Paragon as soon as possible.
He believed most of the Clairvoyant's words, but not all. After all, who could really say anything about fate?
Still, improving himself wasn't a bad thing.
Over the next few days, Lan Jue spent most of her time with Zhou Qianlin. She taught her how to fight, and the two of them grew closer and closer to each other.
Lan Jue also discovered that Zhou Qianlin's Queen of Heaven Transformation wasn't completely useless in battle. Aside from her protogenia, her support abilities could be useful in certain situations.
Su Xiaosu stayed in her hotel room, rarely venturing out. She spent her days cultivating, working hard to restore her strength.
Lan Jue tried to ask her about the dungeons of the Pontiff's Citadel, but Xiaosu only looked at him with a complicated expression.
She shook her head and said nothing, as if there was something she couldn't say.
Lan Jue wasn't going to force the issue.
If she didn't want to talk, then so be it. He'd already rescued her.
Lan Jue contacted Skyfire Avenue.
The Wine Master and the Pauper had already returned. The Pauper had gone into seclusion as soon as he awoke from his trance.
No one knew how long this seclusion would take, but it was undoubtedly extremely important to him.
Lan Jue heard from the Wine Master that before he left, he'd received a gift from the Gods of Wine. He'd brought back a batch of aged wine.
It was the wine from the cellars of the two Gods of Wine.
Although a few hundred years had passed, it was said that it was still drinkable and in good condition.
Three days before the start of the tournament, the Gourmet arrived with his team.
"You're not coming with us?" The Gourmet looked at Lan Jue in surprise.
Under Lan Jue's suggestion, the group from Skyfire Avenue also checked into the Intercontinental Hotel.
At this time, everyone was in the conference room.
They discussed the next match.
Lan Jue was not alone here. There was a beauty on his lap.
She rested her head on his chest, a contented smile on her face.
Lan Jue gently stroked her hair. "That's right, I won't be participating.
There aren't many people who can train their Discipline to my level. The Driver and I are the only known ones.
I don't want my true identity to be known.
I'm going to use Zeus's identity. "
"Daddy, I'll cheer for you!" The beauty in Lan Jue's arms spoke up. She wasn't Zhou Qianlin.
She was the Pharmacist's daughter, Jun 'er!
Before leaving Skyfire, Lan Jue had convinced the Pharmacist to take Jun 'er with her.
This trip had been successful.
The strongest of Skyfire Avenue's younger generation, under forty, was the Pharmacist.
She was a ninth-ranked Adept, a ninth-ranked Adept.
She was only one step away from the peak of her power.
Not even the Paragons of Skyfire Avenue knew exactly how strong she was.
No one had ever seen her fight with all her might.
Lan Jue rubbed Jun 'er's head.
"That's wonderful. Daddy's going to win the tournament.
Oh, right.
Daddy got you a present. "
The first time Jun 'er called Lan Jue daddy, the faces of the Skyfire Avenue delegation were a sight to behold. The Driver dropped his cigar onto his expensive suit.
The Accountant's jaw dropped so wide you could fit a fist inside.
However, their manifestations were suppressed by the Pharmacist's cold, almost corporeal gaze.
Even the Gourmet was taken aback by the Pharmacist's aura.
"Really?
Daddy, what did you buy for me? "Jun'er asked in surprise.
Lan Jue smiled. "Guess."
Jun 'er cocked her head to the side. "A stuffed toy?"
Lan Jue shook her head. "No. Guess again.
It's practical. "
Jun 'er's face lit up. "I'm guessing a pair of bunny slippers?"
Lan Jue shook her head again. "No.
Alright, daddy's going to tell you.
It's a brainwave helmet. "
Jun 'er blinked. "What's that?"
Lan Jue smiled. "It's the Northern Alliance's newest technology. I asked a friend to help me find one.
Once you wear it, you can use the camera to convert images of the outside world into brainwaves and transmit them to your brain.
You'll be able to see the outside world in your mind.
You'll be able to see mommy and daddy! "
Lan Jue's words stunned Jun 'er. The Pharmacist was just as stunned. Her hands shook uncontrollably, and her eyes reddened. Tears threatened to fall.
"Daddy, daddy, are you telling the truth?
I … I can really see?
Can I see you and mommy? "Jun 'er's voice was choked with emotion. She clutched Lan Jue's clothes tightly.
Lan Jue held her close to prevent her from falling. "Of course I'm telling the truth.
Let mommy try it out for you in a bit, alright?
But you have to promise daddy that you can't use it for more than an hour at a time.
Jun 'er, daddy promises you that I'll do everything I can to help you regain your vision. Then you'll be able to see. "
"Thank you daddy, thank you daddy!
Daddy is the best! "Jun 'er's voice cracked with excitement.
The Pharmacist led her away with the gift. Jun 'er couldn't wait to try out the helmet's effects.
The Coffee Master was the first to approach when the mother and daughter left. "What's going on, Jewelry Master?
When did you and the Pharmacist have a child this old? You've kept us in the dark for so long! "
Skyfire Avenue's management was lax, so unless one had a good relationship with another, no one was particularly familiar with each other.
The Pharmacist's business in the Hall of Supreme Harmony was one of the best in Skyfire Avenue, but she kept people at arm's length and didn't have many friends.
"If you want to live a few more years," Lan Jue said, "when you're with the Pharmacist, especially Jun 'er, you can't say things like that.
The Pharmacist's life is tough … "He went on to explain the Pharmacist's request to the Coffee Master.
But the Coffee Master wasn't satisfied. "Tell me," he muttered, "I'm so handsome, why didn't the Pharmacist come to me?
What's so good about you?
You're surrounded by women. "
Lan Jue rapped him on the head. "Cut the crap.
What are you planning to do this time? "
The Coffee Master chuckled. "I'm here to study with the Crown Prince.
I think the Pharmacist will be the champion. "
The Pharmacist had once represented Skyfire Avenue against the Citadels of the Western Alliance. She'd shown off her power, and it had left a deep impression on everyone.
"So you're just here to pass the time?" The Gourmet snapped.
The Coffee Master didn't seem the least bit ashamed. "If it's an Adept tournament, there's bound to be a lot of beautiful women.
I hear the Northern Alliance has a lot of beautiful women. I want to take a good look.
Everyone has a love for beauty. "
"Alright," the Gourmet said coolly.
"That's fine, but everyone has a target.
If you don't even make it to the top hundred, there's a punishment. "
The Coffee Master gasped. "Punishment?
You didn't say anything like that before we came! "
The Gourmet shot him a look. "I thought of it on the spur of the moment, okay?"
Under the Gourmet's intense glare, and considering the difference in strength between them, the Coffee Master had no choice but to nod. "Fine!
Of course, whatever you say.
But what's the punishment? "
"Nothing much," the Gourmet said. "I have a secret art that seals away a man's sexual abilities. If you don't make it to the top hundred, I'll seal you away for half a year.
That won't be too hard on you!
I promise there's no poison or side effects. "
When the coffee master heard this, he jumped up and said, "What?
You want me to be a eunuch? Gourmet, you're too cruel!
I'm a traitor, I'm going to join the enemy!
I … "
The Gourmet's hand flickered with a dark red flame.
"I'll definitely make it to the top hundred!" The Coffee Master corrected himself.
"That's more like it," the Gourmet said with satisfaction.
"The same punishment applies to everyone, except the girls."
The Coffee Master felt the urge to burst into tears. This was all because of his loose lips!
Who told him to talk so much?
The Gourmet turned to Lan Jue. "If you want to compete alone, I won't stop you. Just be careful."
Lan Jue nodded knowingly.
(To be continued)