The Ascension of Contracted Spirits

Chapter 382 - 186: Summoning_3

Behind the two princes, there stood a massive skeleton at all times.

It was six meters tall, with silver bones; each hand held a hexagonal shield, radiating an immutable solidity akin to boulders.

—This is the "Guarding Skeleton" at the Life Wheel Small Achievement stage, a type of Nether Fond Spirit with particularly formidable defensive capabilities.

This Contracted Spirit, evidently, did not belong to Tang Sheng or Tang Qingling.

It didn’t belong to Qingyi either, but to another aged man dressed in black armor, his figure gaunt.

This elderly man’s gaze was cold, his complexion pallid, and the way he scrutinized Ye Hanjun was akin to inspecting a toy.

Ye Hanjun noticed a red mark pulsing like a heart in the center of this man’s forehead, immediately identifying his office.

D Rank—Court Guard!

This man should have been an E Rank "Guard" who, after advancing to the 4th Order, completed a job transfer and subsequently gained this elevated version of his office.

This red heart mark was the Passive Ability "Super Vigilant Heart," capable of granting its bearers and their contract spirits an acutely enhanced insight ability to detect danger or abnormalities, thereby better enabling their guarding tasks.

"Master Han, with both vice principals present, and no outsiders here, I want to have an honest conversation with you."

"Your Highness may speak."

Ye Hanjun pricked his ears up, curious about the other’s intentions.

"Earlier, I met with some of the talented students from both academies; although I could not meet all, I saw most."

"However, I was heartened to see such promising prospects, thinking that this time in the competition across the five academies, we might stand a chance at claiming the honor of First Academy."

"As long as we can humble Forest Park and truly secure the first spot, our Blue Frog Kingdom’s fame on this land known as the Giant Frog Marsh would be further bolstered, bringing about an upward trend in our national prestige and fate. There are only pros and no cons in this."

Tang Sheng sat down, looking spirited.

However, after stating all this, he suddenly fixated on Ye Hanjun’s eyes, expressing a sense of helplessness amid his fanaticism:

"Regrettably, neither the king nor I can rest easy."

"As the Blue Frog Kingdom grows stronger, the Grass Frog and Red Frog are not necessarily declining in power."

"According to the current intelligence, this year’s Forest Park is even more prosperous than before, with the number and quality of young talents stocked increasing."

"If things continue in this way, we will not hold a clear advantage in the upcoming five-academies competition. If a mistake occurs, we can still lose."

"At this moment, I heard about the intercollegiate exchange; I heard that Master Han, single-handedly fought sixteen people and won all fights."

"Did Your Highness call me to Tianyafu Residence over that?" Ye Hanjun exclaimed in surprise.

"Not entirely." Tang Sheng laughed heartily, "But the importance of Master Han accounts for 60 to 70 percent of it, making it worthwhile for me to have this private meeting."

"But I am merely a new mentor. At most, I can assist the Ten Talents to improve their combat skills. I don’t have the ability to influence the overall situation."

"No no no, Master Han, you underestimate your talents and overlook the importance of the rules."

Tang Sheng grinned broadly, his smile stretched ear to ear:

"I have a proposition here and I hope Master Han accepts it."

"Your Highness may speak freely." Ye Hanjun remained undisturbed.

"The five-academies competition has always been based on age as the most basic selection criterion."

"Master Han, with your youth, you can completely apply to participate as a contestant without the need to stay behind the scenes doing coaching work."

"Your Highness means...let me give up the role of a mentor, rejoin Canghai Pavilion, and become a student again?"

Ye Hanjun cast a faint smile and slowly shook his head, saying:

"I’m afraid that won’t work."

"I absolutely lack the intention to compete with students. Only by being a mentor can my jurisdiction steadily grow."

"No no no, Master Han, don’t hurry."

Tang Sheng spoke calmly:

"Master Han, you don’t have to give up your mentor’s position; after all, it’s a hard-earned achievement that affirms self-worth."

"Master Han doesn’t need to participate in the competition under the name of Canghai Pavilion or Tianyafu Residence students, that would be somewhat demeaning."

"In every competition, Blue Frog, Red Frog, and Grass Frog each have three places for royal elites to accompany and participate."

"They cannot fight for their own glory, but they can help the academies of their country struggle for ranking."

"Master Han, you meet the age requirement and your strength is sufficient. After considering all aspects, I want you to become one of the royal elites, intervening as a trump card."