Storm of Gods

Chapter 103 The Fortress

During the day, the Order Academy returned to its youthful vibrancy and liveliness. The Black Rose remained peaceful, and even if something had happened, Zhao Qing never took Li Xin seriously. It seemed that all the forces were waiting for something and had reached a tacit understanding.

During the peaceful few days, Captain Simmons of the Holy Zeal Academy sparred with Black Rose with exceptional gentlemanly sincerity, even personally offering guidance, which earned him great favor from everyone. This outstanding member of Montaleta was indeed extraordinary. Apart from their signature greatsword, he was very proficient in various other fighting styles, from combat techniques to the coordination of psionic energy release, which broadened everyone's horizons.

Luo Xue also benefited a lot from it. The master leads you through the door, but the cultivation is up to you. Before meeting him, it was 50/50. After meeting him, it was 40/60. Now, she feels that she would be good if she could be 30/70 with Simmons.

Simmons had to be honest. He really didn't know what Li Xin was thinking or what he was going to do. But Li Xin hadn't killed him or let him leave, which made Simmons a little uneasy. You can't hit someone who's all smiles, so he could only take it one step at a time.

He had originally planned to try and get Zhao Qing to raise the price, but now he had no interest in anything. The two hundred Hextech Demon-Sealing Guns were already in storage, and Simmons had entrusted a reliable channel to transport them back to the Holy Zeal Academy. At the same time, he also discovered that none of the Black Rose group knew Li Xin's identity. He only needed to complete the follow-up matters, and he could end this journey and return to Montecrita immediately without looking back.

The arrival of the Ironblood Order Academy delegation and the Tethys Order Academy delegation made everyone feel that the Four Nations Tournament was approaching. The Zhao family had already mobilized its forces to create momentum in the city, and the ranking of the four teams' strength was also a hot topic of discussion.

Currently, the Holy Ze Academy is the most renowned, given the immense influence of Monte Caleta on the Dao Yuan Continent. The Iron Blood Academy is arguably the strongest, and the Black Meteor Empire is also famous for its power and formidable military strength. The Tethys Academy and the Tianjing Academy are roughly equal in strength, each with its own unique characteristics. Although the Holy Ze and Iron Blood are slightly stronger, the Tianjing and Tethys still have a chance.

The Black Rose Base hadn't been this lively in a long time, with quite a few onlookers. The most eye-catching figures were, of course, Kaz, Simmons, and Carles, especially Carles, the captain of the Northern Kingdom. She was truly sexy and charming, with blonde hair, snow-white skin, a tall figure, and incomparably long legs, creating a captivating visual impact.

Captain Carles is also from the old noble family of Tibatan, Harenti. The Ironblood Order delegation met Tethys on the way and came together. It can be seen that Kaz doesn't care about the others and keeps surrounding Carles, while Carles is looking for something and doesn't want to pay attention to Kaz.

"Kaz, you're a bit slow," Simmons said. "Stop looking, you two have no chance."

Kaz glanced arrogantly at Simmons, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Mind your own business. You're here pretty early. You must have learned a lot from these people."

Simmons nodded nonchalantly, "A very lucrative harvest."

Kaz scoffed. This guy must have squeezed another penny out of Zhao Qing. Outsiders all think Montaleta is rich, but little do they know that these guys are the most greedy for small gains. The Black Meteorites are different; they are not only greedy for money, but also lustful!

Luo Xue's aloof and reserved nature wasn't his type, but Carles was different. Her porcelain-like skin and proud, stubborn personality aroused a strong desire to conquer her.

"Kales, you've finally arrived," Luo Xue was genuinely happy to see Kales. In the past few days, as the captain of Black Rose, she had been under increasing pressure. It was obvious that Tianjing's strength was inferior to Shengze's, and her chances of winning were very low. She also vaguely knew that Zhao Qing had some kind of agreement with the other party, but she didn't know the details or what the situation would be like. In any case, things were very out of control.

"There was indeed a delay on the way, which is good for you and Simmons to spend more time together. He's a nice guy, the one I met was much more annoying." Carles is half a head taller than Luo Xue, and it seems like the difference is all in her legs. This is a characteristic of people from the Snow Country, with long, white, and straight legs. Carles is also one of the best in Tibatan, and she has a bit of a crushing presence in Lilong. Those who like elegant beauties can hardly resist her, and she attracted the most attention as soon as she entered the Order Academy.

Luo Xue chuckled, "He didn't cause any trouble, did he?"

“No, but he’s aiming for the championship. It feels like Zhao Qing is going all out this time,” Carles said. The two had a good relationship when they were in the castle, and they were lucky enough to escape together. They have maintained close contact and often exchange letters.

Luo Xue learned about the Four Nations Tournament from Carles. Zhao Qing was quite thorough in handling things, taking care of all three opponents. As a good friend, Carles naturally had to help, but she felt that he wasn't the kind of person who would sacrifice himself for Luo Xue.

Luo Xue nodded. Hei Yunren's bottom line was a bit unreliable. He was notoriously difficult to deal with, and raising prices on the spot was commonplace. However, this was something Zhao Qing had to consider. As for how he would turn the tables on her, Luo Xue had some idea in mind. It would be that she would lose in the finals, and when the battle entered the decisive round, he would turn the tide in front of everyone and gain both fame and fortune.

"Where is he?" Carles asked, not seeing him around.

Luo Xue smiled and deliberately asked, "Who is it?"

“My savior, Li Xin, you didn’t tell him I was coming, did you?” Carles asked.

"Don't even mention it. He doesn't remember any of us, and besides, how should I put it, it's a long story. You'll understand when you see him. He didn't ask for leave today, so he should be coming." Luo Xue smiled wryly.

Originally, she intended to cultivate Li Xin as her key advisor, making him her right-hand man to lead the Tianjing Black Rose to its peak. However, after getting to know him, Li Xin seemed uninterested, instead showing great interest in some cases involving the Night Patrol. With anyone else, Luo Xue would have pointed out her intentions, but Li Xin had done her a favor, and being from the Secret Fortress, it wasn't convenient for her to interfere. Therefore, she hadn't sought him out for the past few days. Carles, unaware of Luo Xue's thoughts, simply wanted to see Li Xin as soon as possible.

Li Xin wasn't late on purpose. He heard from the city guards that there was no progress in the Hex Core theft case, the informants in the underground market had no relevant information, and Mark, the mentor of the Tianjing Order Academy, had gone missing. The case had become very serious and had been reported to the city hall. Li Xin made a judgment last night, but it failed because the connection between the case and the facts was too weak, and he suffered all night.

Looking at the bustling Commandment Academy, Li Xin was relieved that no one should have discovered him. He could probably go back and take a nap. Others might not care much about Hextech, but as an outsider, he couldn't help but think more about technological matters. He later specifically asked his senior brother Zhuang You to describe the power in an unexaggerated way. If Zhuang You wasn't exaggerating, this thing was about the same as high-yield TNT. If you said there was no follow-up plan, no one would believe it.

The question is, what would the other party do with this? To overthrow the regime? That doesn't seem to make any sense.

If it were for sale, the city guards couldn't have kept quiet about it. If there's no transaction, then someone needs it. What's their purpose?

Is it purely about creating terror? Zhao Xun wouldn't do something so thankless. Could it be that Zhao Xun is leaving himself a way out to take everyone down with him?
Li Xin quickly dismissed the idea, stating that the other party showed no signs of defeat and was not yet at that point. Moreover, this cunning old nobleman himself quite disliked Hextech.

Zhuang You was also there. Upon seeing Li Xin, he quickly walked over and asked, "Junior Brother Li, any progress?"

Li Xin shook his head. "The case has run dry. The city guards believe it's related to Mentor Mark, but he's currently missing. The city guards are contacting Longjing to search for him together."

Dao Yuan has a set of skills in tracking, but his efficiency is not something to be relied on too much. Mark's disappearance is too suspicious and leaves no trace. It is possible that he was also involved. If he was the victim, no clues were found in the investigation of his personal belongings. Everything was normal and orderly, which means that he himself was also covering up and cooperating.

Is he some kind of Hextech fanatic, taking revenge on society?

No, that doesn't exist. He talked to Zhuang You about it. Mark's mentor has a happy family, is highly accomplished in Hextech, and is one of the seven members of the Order of the Church. Although he doesn't manage much, he has a high social status. What would someone like that want to take revenge on?
However, a strong sense of danger lingered in Li Xin's mind.

Just then, a delicate fragrance wafted over, and a tall, beautiful woman stood before him, intently scrutinizing him. Her bright eyes shone with a burning light. Suddenly, she opened her arms, and Li Xin instinctively wanted to deliver a straight punch followed by a right hook.

Fortunately, they stopped themselves; the other person just wanted a hug.

"Li Xin, we finally meet again!" she said, giving Li Xin a quick kiss on the cheek.

This was the most enthusiastic greeting from the Tank people. The entire Black Rose Base fell silent. What was the beautiful and charming Captain Carles doing?
Not only the Black Rose members, but even the Tethys team members who came with them were so shocked that their jaws almost dropped. Was this really their aloof captain?

Everyone knows that Carles of Tethys is a famously aloof beauty, arrogant and disdainful of everyone. She has countless suitors in Tethys, most of whom have been beaten and forced to flee in disarray by her.

Li Xin pushed Carles away without making a sound.

"Who are you?" Li Xin looked at the infatuated woman in front of him. Her long legs shocked even this knowledgeable man. However, as shocked as he was, he was a man of principle.

Kales paused, then gave a sly smile. "You've forgotten me so quickly?"

Lu Shuai was practically grinding his teeth to powder. Ashin, don't do this!
Thanks to his kinship with the Grand Consul, he managed to exchange a few words with several experts who had come from afar!
It's one thing for Luo Xue to treat him differently, but why is this goddess from Tibatan also so enthusiastic towards him? Does he have some extraordinary talent?

Li Xin glanced at Luo Xue, who had a half-smile on her face, and suddenly remembered, "Oh, it's you."

"I've been looking for you, I didn't expect you to be here with Luo Xue, this is wonderful!" Carles expressed her enthusiasm without regard for others, making no attempt to hide her strong interest in Li Xin.

(End of this chapter)