Chapter 204: First Round Against Blazing Fire?
With so many teams participating, and each needing to enter one by one, the process dragged on. Out of boredom, Yu Tianlin began scanning his surroundings, especially the VIP platform.
There were many people seated up there, but figures like Prince Xuexing and the 3 representatives from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy were arranged in the back row. Only 5 people sat in the very front row.
At the center was Emperor Xueye, dressed in a crimson gold robe and wearing a golden crown, his bearing calm and dignified.
Seated beside Emperor Xueye were 2 clan leaders of the 3 Upper Clans, Yu Tianlin's grandfather, Yu Yuanzhen, and Ning Fengzhi.
Further to the side, next to Ning Fengzhi, sat Chen Xin, Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Strictly speaking, only Ning Fengzhi needed to represent the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan at the opening ceremony, but since Yu Yuanzhen was also present, Ning Fengzhi naturally brought Chen Xin along. Their status might be equal, but in terms of strength, Ning Fengzhi could not compare.
On Yu Yuanzhen's other side sat Salas, the Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall. Although Salas was only in the 80 plus range, his status was unquestionable. He was Spirit Hall's chief representative within the Heaven Dou Empire, and that alone qualified him to sit with the Emperor, Title Douluos, and the leaders of the 3 Upper Clans.
Of the 5 people in the front row, Yu Tianlin had only met his grandfather in person. As for the other 4, he recognized them purely from what he already knew.
Soon, after all participating teams had entered the arena, the host gave brief introductions and then announced loudly, "Now, please welcome His Majesty, the Emperor of our Heaven Dou Empire, to declare the opening ceremony!"
Thunderous applause erupted. Emperor Xueye rose slowly, then silenced the crowd with a single gesture. Using an amplified spirit tool, he officially announced the opening of the tournament and offered encouragement to all the participating teams.
After speaking, Emperor Xueye returned to his seat, and the host's voice rang out again.
"Next, please welcome Clan Master Yu of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to give a speech for the tournament."
Grandpa is speaking first?
Yu Tianlin was slightly surprised. He knew the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's standing was higher, and their relationship with the Heaven Dou royal family was closer. Logically, Ning Fengzhi should have spoken first. Why was it arranged this way?
With the question in mind, Yu Tianlin's gaze swept the VIP platform. Emperor Xueye's expression remained perfectly natural, as if this order was completely appropriate. Ning Fengzhi showed no displeasure either, maintaining a gentle smile. Sword Douluo Chen Xin had his eyes closed, indifferent to everything outside.
Only Salas's lips twitched slightly, his expression carrying a hint of disdain.
Yu Tianlin instantly understood.
It seems the Heaven Dou royal family wants to draw our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan closer.
If Yu Tianlin remembered correctly, Ning Fengzhi served as the teacher of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Their relationship was already firmly established, so the speaking order would not change anything. Giving Yu Yuanzhen priority was simply a gesture of goodwill toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. And if he was right, more gestures would follow.
While Yu Tianlin was thinking, Yu Yuanzhen had already finished his speech. In truth, he did not say much. It was the usual message, encouraging the academies to fight well and achieve good results.
After Yu Yuanzhen, it was Ning Fengzhi's turn.
As if to smooth over the change in order, the host asked Ning Fengzhi a question after his speech.
"Clan Master Ning, which team do you think has the best chance of winning this tournament?"
"Of course, it is Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, the seeded team." Ning Fengzhi still wore that gentle smile. As he answered, he glanced toward Yu Yuanzhen. "Clan Master Yu's eldest grandson is in Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One. From what I know, his strength is outstanding, and he has a great chance of helping the Empire win the championship."
Yu Tianheng's cultivation had already reached the Spirit King realm. That was no secret, and Ning Fengzhi clearly knew it.
"Oh!" The host put on a surprised expression. "Even Clan Master Ning holds Clan Master Yu's eldest grandson in such high regard. Then his strength must truly be extraordinary. I hope, as Clan Master Ning said, he can bring the championship back to the Empire!"
As soon as those words fell, countless gazes on stage and throughout the audience snapped toward Yu Tianheng. The participating teams nearby also looked at him with heightened caution. In an instant, the attention on him reached its peak.
"Big brother, everyone's watching you," Yu Tianlin muttered beside him, unable to resist joking. "You have to win the championship. If I beat you, it'll be a real mess."
"You brat." Yu Tianheng, usually calm and composed, could only smile bitterly. "When we run into you, I'll definitely teach you a lesson."
On the VIP platform, Salas stared at Yu Tianheng for a moment, then closed his eyes as if losing interest.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has indeed produced a powerful young man who can rival the Golden Generation. However, Yu Tianheng is only a Spirit King. He is not worth worrying about."
Spirit Hall's Golden Generation consisted of 3 Spirit Kings, and 2 of them possessed Spirit Fusion Skills, allowing them to unleash Spirit Saint level combat power for a period of time. Who could compare to that?
If Spirit Hall were not completely confident, how could they dare offer 3 spirit bones as the championship prize?
With the Emperor's announcement and the 2 speeches complete, the next step was the drawing of lots for the first round, handled by Platinum Bishop Salas.
Salas clearly did not want to speak. He simply handed the drawn matchups to the host for announcement.
"Thunder Academy versus Blazing Fire Academy."
Yu Tianlin barely paid attention to the other pairings. He only focused on Thunder Academy's match.
"Interesting." Hearing the result, Yu Tianlin stroked his chin. "I didn't expect us to get Blazing Fire Academy in the first round. Starting off with a clash between elemental academies, that's quite the coincidence."
Excluding the Heaven Dou seeded team, there were 28 teams in the preliminaries. The odds of the 5 elemental academies colliding in the very first round were actually low.
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