Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The preliminary arrangements and the overall communication did not actually show SIG’s skill level. From Aslan’s point of view, the plan was clear. The preliminaries were for outsiders to watch.
Basically, the preliminaries was used to recoup capital, and even make a tidy sum.
The broadcast fees from various countries, advertising revenue, these were all sums that were nothing to sneeze at.
This was where Kashawen excelled. Aslan would never do things that were not worth their while. They were not just fools with money. They had hyped SIG so much in the past, and come up with all kinds of new broadcasting ways to attract the attention of various countries. Countries had to buy broadcasting rights for their own country, right? That way, they not only recouped their losses, but also earned quite a bit.
Besides, the level of hospitality that they delivered while organising SIG was another way of promoting Aslan. Behold, this was the peak of nations. A true superpower of the Milky Way Alliance that would attract every gaze.
The preliminaries were for people to enjoy to bustle. In truth, the results had been surprising. Because the initial reception had been wonderful, many countries had sent their strongest teams. The viewership was fairly astounding. When they entered the main competition, it would be a completely different story. They had earned enough, and then it would be time to find the strongest.
Wang Zheng and his Saruman Snake battle team?
In truth, Kashawen had no time to bother with these things. To a prime minister who had to manage a million things, this was but an ant. For the whole SIG to end well, she needed Aslan to take the win.
No other requests – just a win.
Only Aslan’s championship would be the true crowning glory. This time, Aslan had sent three teams. Imperial Glory and Aslan’s two other teams. If that could not take the championship, then that would be a disgrace.
As for that, Kashawen was very confident. Under their sky, there was only Aslan.
Of course, while Aslan was hyped, Arbiter and the other countries were the same. Quite a few had recognized what Aslan was doing, and they all played along.
It was only reasonable that they reaped commensurate rewards for their work.
Asura battle team. Mars and Olivios had not participated. Arbiter’s two teams had also sent reserves. The initial rounds were to satisfy the petty needs of the smaller countries. The real test was yet to come.
The larger the competition, the more obvious the disparity in power. Especially on a stage like SIG.
The Dynasty battle team had sent Luo Fei to fight, while Lear did not. He was no fool. When no one else was going, he would be cheapening himself to go. There had been two Mayans as well, and they had beaten their opponents with ease.
The Dynasty battle team had also attracted some attention. They were also from Elite Academy X, and the key was that they had two Mayans on their team. This had roused some curiosity towards the leader, Lear, who was from Earth.
He was one of Elite Academy X’s top four, an Earthling. And there was another Earthling who was the Greatest King. The comparison was inevitable.
But at the competition venue, Lear had not even made an appearance. In front of him were three people. Zhou Yun, Pang Tong, and Anluda. The three Saint heirs had come looking for him, which spoke of the gravity of the situation. Pang Tong, Anluda, and Zhou Yun were a little different. Zhou Yun, or more accurately, the family that Zhou Yun was in, was the presence within the Saint. He knew more than Lear in some aspects, while Zhou Yun and Anluda were closer to his situation. The only difference was that neither had been chosen as the reserve for the Saint. But to their respective families, they did not have much of a choice once Saint had drawn the line. They followed Lear, and hoped that Lear would do well in the battle for Saint. Otherwise, although they would not be destroyed, they would lose the ability to speak in Saint, while those who followed the Saint would soar.
Zhou Yun’s expression was always calm, with resolve. Due to special reasons in the past, the Huben Fists family still belonged to the core level of Saint. Although they were not the strongest, their loyalty was enough. The competition in Saint was intense, and many powerful agents in Saint were still watching and biding their time. They would not give up easily. The weaker ones could gamble, but the influential ones had to maintain stable.
The Earth representative was Lear. Zhou Yun’s family had decided to be more proactive. The last examination could have been better. This SIG, they hoped that Lear would get a good score.
Saint would not be as superficial as to only look at the result. Through the process, and the way matters were handled – commanding people, etc – there would be an overall assessment based on different factors.
As to what extent that would happen, Zhou Yun had no idea. He was just a pawn, although he wanted to walk his own path.
“Leader Lear, forgive my bluntness, but given the Dynasty battle team’s current lineup, I don’t think we could reach the top eight.” Anluda observed mildly. “The two Mayans are in their own world. If we go up, I think top four is a guarantee.”
“And that Luo Fei, that person might be loyal, but as the team progresses, he will definitely lag behind. I suggest making him a reserve.” Pang Tong’s expression was a little better. At least he was smiling.
Lear was very calm. “I understand your thoughts. But at the current stage, we don’t need to show our full strength.”
This was different from the way that Zhou Yun respected him. These two wanted to cooperate, meaning that the families behind their backs were willing to stand with Lear. Of course, Lear would have to properly repay them back in the future.
“Keke, I agree with the captain. Gentlemen, everyone holds the same goal. As far as I know, there is one other Saint candidate at this SIG. A pity that I don’t know who they are. And I am not sure whether the opponent knows who we are. With ourselves exposed and the enemy in the shadows, we cannot show our strength too early.” Although Huben Fists were awesome, Zhou Yun himself had skills as well.
“This time, we must get a good result. Otherwise, how can we satisfy Saint? Besides, aside from the Mayans, we must raise the leader’s influence and image. But this Luo Fei should not take part, whether in terms of image or ability. He will make the Dynasty battle team a laughing stock. He simply learnt a bit of the Ares Art. Leader, you used to lack followers, but now you have us. As long as we do well, there will be more experts following us in the future!” Pang Tong laughed.
Lear smiled slightly. “I understand your intentions. Luo Fei has, after all, followed me from the start.”
“Leader, to do great things, one cannot be caught up in the small things. Letting feelings rule is not at all like the character of the Chronos family,” Anluda said.
Lear smiled. “I hear you. Why did you come to me today?”
Pang Tong and Anluda exchanged looks, and nodded.
“In the preliminaries, we need Luo Fei to draw attention, and affect that we are weak. When everyone is underestimating us, we will have a chance. We don’t need to rush to prove ourselves. Besides, the strongest are always at the back. What do you think?”
As for Lear’s attitude and way of speaking, Pang Tong and Anluda were satisfied.
“No matter what, I thank you two and your families for standing on my side.”
“Please. Saint originated from Earth. I think everyone hopes to see a Son of Saint from Earth.”
Both were merely exchanging pleasantries. Only Zhou Yun felt that something was off. He had asked both here to express their loyalty to Lear, but it had become this “lecture”.
Zhou Yun knew that both were slightly disdained families from Earth, because they had their time. Currently, other countries were doing well, and only the weakest who could not leave stayed on Earth. But Zhou Yun knew that Saint chose the Son of Saint candidates based on talent and potential, and not ability. Saint was not short on that.
With him in Lear’s position, he would be furious, but Lear was smiling brightly, and it looked pretty sincere to him.
Anluda and Pang Tong took their leave, but Zhou Yun remained. “Captain, please do not blame them…”
Lear waved it off with a smile. “I don’t blame them. If I were them, I would also be full of doubt and worry. No matter what, helping me is a good thing.”
Zhou Yun could only nod. After Zhou Yun left, Lear’s expression slowly froze, and his mouth curved slightly.
Were these three here to help him, or were they a test?
Either was possible. If Chronos was weaker in Saint, then Saint might be observing Lear’s performance in this regard.
Lear had never thought that this matter would be easy. He would look before he leapt. After all, Saint’s power must be obtained. No matter what the opponent threw at him, he would receive it.
Lear’s goal at SIG was gradually clarifying. As for the preliminaries, their battle power was indeed slightly weaker. It was just a way for Aslan to recoup their capital. The real SIG would begin at the formal competition. Image? What dogsh*t was that? They just had to pass the preliminaries. There was no difference whether one performed or not. Those who aimed to excel here were the real brain-dead ones.
These ancient families had come to these revelations, and were too eager to show themselves, unwilling to be left out.
Actually, their words had only put Lear more at ease. Such a shallow level was only too easy to control.
