In the blink of an eye, only one month remained until the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Douluo Tournament.
The participants were either on their way to Star Luo City or preparing to go there.
Over in Liyue, preparations were also underway to head to Star Luo City.
The Liyue Harbor was bustling with people, seeing off the contestants.
"Everyone, you must showcase the spirit of Liyue this time. Carry the bonds between us and bring back the championship!"
At the forefront of the send-off were a group of teenagers aged sixteen or seventeen. They were the eliminated contestants, not because they were too weak, but because their opponents were too strong.
It didn't matter that they lost; they had experienced the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Douluo Tournament. But these victorious ones couldn't afford to lose, could they?
Victory and glory were incredibly important to these young people.
Zhongli stood at the front, listening to these words in silence for a long time.
Some people would stop at nothing for victory, such as Shrek Academy in the original timeline.
Such a victory was tainted, dishonorable, and not worth having.
Before Zhongli could say anything, Fu Yao, standing beside him, spoke up, "Everyone, while the competition is important, a gentleman knows what to do and what not to do."
"Do not resort to unscrupulous means for victory!"
"Honor, belief, integrity..."
Liyue valued contracts. Though not yet a nation, it was akin to one.
In Liyue, contracts, laws, and integrity were the foundation, the most basic rules of Liyue.
Once a contract is made, those who break it shall suffer the punishment of the rock!
"We heed the teachings of the Celestial Power Star!"
The contestants quickly clasped their hands and replied.
Lately, something felt off about the Liyue Seven Stars!
The Celestial Power Star, the youngest of the Liyue Seven Stars, was in her thirties. Though she maintained her appearance well, traces of time could still be seen on her face.
But recently, when looking at the Liyue Seven Stars, they seemed to have become much younger.
It must be an illusion...
Now, the Celestial Power Star looked like a young woman in her early twenties, but her voice remained unchanged, still that low, seductive mature tone.
"For this trip, all normal expenses will be covered by me..."
Before Fu Yao could finish, the other six members of the Seven Stars objected.
What did she mean by covering all normal expenses?
As the Celestial Power Star, such matters indeed fell under her responsibility, but how could she bear the expenses alone?
"This isn't appropriate."
"The expenses for this trip should be shared by everyone. How can we let the Celestial Power bear the cost alone?"
"Bear the cost?"
Fu Yao's eye twitched. How much could normal expenses possibly cost?
As a renowned merchant, could she really be burdened by such expenses?
Her colleagues were just trying to show off.
Seeing everyone arguing over who should pay, both the contestants and those seeing them off exchanged glances, feeling somewhat bewildered.
This wasn't about spending someone else's money, it was about spending their own. Why were they fighting over it?
Truly, the Liyue Seven Stars!
Zhongli, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, "For this trip, I will accompany everyone."
"All expenses for this competition will also be covered by me."
At these words, everyone was stunned, looking at Zhongli in confusion.
The Martial God was planning to go to Star Luo City?
The "poorest" person in all of Liyue was probably the Martial God!
All expenses to be covered by the Martial God?
"Uh..."
They had no issue with Zhongli attending the competition, but... the matter of expenses still needed to be discussed!
"Martial God, perhaps the treasury should cover the expenses?"
The Liyue treasury was equivalent to the national treasury.
Liyue's welfare and construction projects were funded by the treasury, making it the shared asset of all Liyue residents.
For this trip, the treasury should logically cover the costs, but recent large-scale construction of the Adepti's Abode had severely depleted the treasury, leaving only enough for basic construction and welfare.
Thus, Fu Yao had decided to personally fund the contestants' participation.
Zhongli, being who he was, understood the underlying meaning of Fu Yao's words, despite their subtlety.
She was calling him "poor"!
When would he, Zhongli, ever become wealthy?
Zhongli wasn't poor; he just didn't have gold soul coins.
The gifts from the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, the three empires of Douluo, the Sun Moon Empire, the Illustrious Virtue Hall, and Xu Tianran alone amounted to a fortune.
"No matter; I have my reasons."
Zhongli said without changing his expression.
Everyone: "..."
Truly the Martial God! There must be a deeper meaning behind his actions!
Did you see that? The Martial God admitted he had a deeper meaning!
Hearing this, everyone quickly nodded and said no more.
If the Martial God said so, they had nothing more to add!
The contestants exchanged glances. They wanted to say they weren't short on money either!
The Martial God was perfect in every way, except for his lack of wealth... What to do?
After exchanging looks, they nodded.
How could they spend the Martial God's money?
Saving that little bit of money must not have been easy for him, right?
The contestants had already made up their minds.
Time passed, and around nine in the morning, a group of over twenty people set off from Liyue Harbor.
Besides the contestants, Zhongli, Paimon, and the Ice Empress and Snow Empress also accompanied them.
Of course, there were also two leading teachers: one was Wu Yun, who taught soul cultivation, and the other was Xuan Ziwen, who taught soul tools.
The Liyue Academy wasn't a formal institution, so these two soul master instructors had to serve as the leading teachers.
Neither of them had any objections to this.
Aside from the contestants and their entourage, people could also enter the Douluo Arena by purchasing tickets for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Douluo Tournament.
Liyue had no shortage of wealthy individuals, many of whom were already on their way to Star Luo City or had arrived there.
Their goal was simple: to watch the competition and cheer for the Liyue team!
As Liyue set off, Shrek Academy was also ready.
"This year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Douluo Tournament is of utmost importance. It will determine whether the academy can regain its former glory!"
"No matter what methods you use, you must bring the championship trophy back to Shrek Academy!"
Xuan Zi stood on the platform, addressing the fourteen students below.
"Yes!"
What brought comfort to Xuan Zi and the Shrek Academy higher-ups was that none of this generation's Shrek Seven Monsters had left the academy. Their loyalty to the academy was commendable.
Moreover, the most important students from the inner academy had also stayed. They were the backbone of Shrek Academy!
Now, Shrek Academy no longer distinguished between inner and outer academies. All remaining students were considered disciples of Shrek Academy. The reason? The world's consciousness had driven them out, saying, "Seeing you is annoying…"