Chapter 127


    "The Earthbound Spirits!" Roald, who was leading the way, halted and furrowed his brow as he


    beheld the approaching party. The Earthbound Spirits were a formidable organization, second only


    to the Ster Precepts in might. Their Protégés who entered the contests were universally strong,


    making them a powerful adversary for Cobalt Strike at this tea gathering. Furthermore, with their


    explosive power, they often excelled in the Novice Mage ranks, unrestricted by conventional


    limitations. With clever tactics, they could challenge and potentially defeat those of higher stages,


    just like vin, who, while at Stage V, had vanquished a Stage VII Galos with sheer brute force.


    No organization wished to encounter them on the battleground.


    "Are you Cobalt Strike?" The front-runner of the Earthbound Spirits squad stood firm. Each member


    was around two meters in height, exuding a forceful presence that was intimidating.


    "I’m Roald from Cobalt Strike!" Roald responded with a salute.


    "Who here is Celesse?" The Earthbound Spirits'' leading Protégé, named Ond, an Advanced


    Mage of formidable strength, was tall and robust without being cumbersome, resembling a rock


    sculpture in both his steadfastness and his unyielding force.


    How did they know of Celesse? Roald''s frown deepened. "Celesse has ventured out for training and


    will not be partaking in the tea gathering."


    "Is she afraid toe? Hmph, it''s rare for Cobalt Strike to produce someone of note, yet shecks


    the courage to show up."


    "I will be your opponent!" Roald stepped forward, his aura zing. His golden sword glinted brightly,


    as if sensing its master''s will to battle.


    "You? Never heard of you," Ond said dismissively.


    "Golden Protégé, Goldgrace Roald, Advanced Mage. I shall challenge you at the tea gathering."


    Roald dered on the spot, representing Cobalt Strike with an unwavering spirit, undaunted even


    by the fearsome Earthbound Spirits. On this front, vin, Cedrick, and others stood by him,


    stepping forward in unison.


    "Oh? An Advanced Mage?" Ond gave him a few more nces, as did the nine Earthbound


    Spirits Protégés behind him, slightly surprised that Cobalt Strike''s new generation boasted two


    Advanced Mage Protégés.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    The elderly leader of the group interjected with a smile, "Let''s get you registered first. There will be


    plenty of opportunities for friendlybat."


    "Remember my name, Roald!" Roald passed by Ond, following the elder deeper into the manor.


    Ond sneered, "Interesting. Cobalt Strike is making quite the entrance this time. Let''s go and see


    what kind of lineup they''ve sent."


    Leading his team into the hall, Roald found it to be a ce of elegance and antiquity. At the center


    stood a table with an elder seated, keeping records.


    The elder nced at them and began noting, "Is this the team from Cobalt Strike? State your ranks


    and how long you''ve been at your current stage."


    "Roald, seventeen years old, Advanced Mage, Stage I, promoted two months ago."


    "Felis, sixteen years old, Novice Mage, Stage IX, one and a half years."


    "Semar, sixteen years old, Novice Mage, Stage IX, one and a half years."


    "Admus, sixteen years old, Novice Mage, Stage IX, promoted one year and three months ago."


    "Mari, sixteen years old, Novice Mage, Stage IX, promoted eight months ago."


    "Cedrick, sixteen, Novice Mage, Stage IX, promoted nine months ago."


    Such details were usually kept secret, but The sh of Eight Orders was, on the surface, a ''friendly


    martial exchange'' of a benevolent nature. Thus, before each tea gathering began, Protégés from


    each organization would disclose their capabilities truthfully.


    Felis, Semar, and Admus, these three Golden Protégés, had already been stable at Novice Mage


    Stage IX for over a year, almost stepping into the realm of Advanced Mages. With their talents,


    given the right opportunity, they could easily break through, and they were all just sixteen years old.


    Ond and the others stood outside the hall, nodding slowly. This generation''s Cobalt Strike


    Protégés were indeed strong, and not a single one was over eighteen.


    The sh of Eight Orders stipted thatpeting Protégés must be under eighteen. However, it


    wasmon practice to present Protégés no older than seventeen, a testament to the potential of


    each organization and an unspoken agreement among the Eight Orders.


    Myke and the others registered in turn, all fresh Novice Mage Stage IX. The recording Elder nodded


    in approval; Cobalt Strike''s team was formidable indeed, with a good chance to vie for the top ten. If


    Cobalt Strike had brought their prodigious Protégé Celesse, it would have been even more thrilling.


    Yet, their deliberate choice to leave her behind likely stemmed from their own strategy.


    But when it was vin''s turn, the atmosphere in the hall grew tense.


    "vin, fifteen years old, with thirty-three days until sixteen. Novice Mage, Stage VIII, promoted


    twenty days ago." vin reported calmly, then looked at the elder who had lifted his head in


    astonishment. "Is there a problem?"


    "Stage VIII? Twenty days ago?" The old scribe thought he must have misheard.


    "Indeed." vin calmly faced the bewildered stares of those around him.


    "Ha ha!!" The protégés of the Earthbound Spirits outside the hall burst intoughter.


    "Stage VIII? Is there not a single Stage IX Protégé avable in Cobalt Strike? If ites down to it,


    just grab an eighteen-year-old Stage IX, or force someone to advance if need be."


    "What''s the situation? Celesse won''te, well, fine then, but to bring a Stage VIII Protégé? Cobalt


    Strike, you''ve truly set a precedent for The sh of Eight Orders, dragging down the level of the


    entire championship by a full Stage."