Finally, the entry of all participating academies was complete.
The stands, capable of holding eighty thousand spectators, were decorated entirely with silver-toned backdrops. Although it was morning, specialized magical lighting tools hung all around, providing not just a sense of luxury but a feeling of grand, sweeping majesty.
The VIP area was the focus of all eyes.
In the very center sat a man dressed in gold and red robes, wearing the Golden Diamond Heaven-Shining Crown. His face was like an ancient moon; he looked slightly older than Prince Xue Xing, and there was a clear resemblance between their brows.
The difference, however, lay in his bearing, which far surpassed that of the Prince. Though he appeared somewhat aged, sitting there gave one the impression of a focal point—as if everything in the surrounding environment centered entirely upon him. This was the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, His Majesty Xue Ye.
To his left sat an elder even more senior than himself. This man was shrouded in a crimson robe and wore a five-pointed platinum crown. His eyes were half-closed as if he were asleep. His shoulders were narrow, and his tall, thin frame resembled a sharp javelin. This was Salas, the Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall stationed in Heaven Dou City, a Soul Douluo.
To the Emperor's right sat Ning Fengzhi, the Clan Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. He wore white robes today, topped with the Seven Treasure Purple-Gold Crown that symbolized his status. As the leader of one of the Upper Three Sects, he was fully entitled to this seat of honor.
Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, did not take a seat. He stood quietly beside Ning Fengzhi, looking like a peerless, unsheathed sword ready to strike at any moment. Now that Ning Fengzhi possessed the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and was on the path to the Nine Treasure version, Chen Xin guarded him closely, never leaving his side.
On the side of the VIP platform, the announcer called out loudly. "Next, we invite His Majesty the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire to declare the opening of this tournament!"
As the announcer finished, Emperor Xue Ye rose slowly amidst thunderous applause. He raised his right hand, gesturing slightly toward the audience and the soul masters below. The applause ceased instantly, and the vast plaza fell into total silence.
His deep, resonant voice carried through the amplification soul tools. "I, Xue Ye, Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, on behalf of the empire and as the host of this competition, declare the Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament officially open."
As his voice fell, applause thundered once more, and cheers erupted in waves. Once the noise subsided, the Emperor continued. "I hope all soul masters participating in this tournament will give full play to their strength and achieve great results. You are the pride of the Heaven Dou Empire. For the glory of the empire, show your brilliance!"
Applause rang out for a third time. This time, the soul masters in the center of the field had a burning glow in their eyes. To them, this tournament was the grandest stage to showcase themselves.
The Emperor sat back down, and the announcer spoke again. "Next, we invite Mr. Ning Fengzhi, Clan Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, to deliver a speech."
As Ning Fengzhi stood, applause broke out again, accompanied by many focused gazes. As the number one support soul master in the world, who wouldn't want to witness his grace?
Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly, pressing his hands down gently. His warm, gentle voice echoed like a spring breeze. "I am honored to be invited as a guest for this opening ceremony. As the Clan Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I have witnessed the growth of countless soul masters."
"As the most noble profession on the continent, the development of every soul master requires much tempering. But I say this: 'The sharpness of a sword comes from grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold.' Those participating are undoubtedly the elite of the younger generation. As His Majesty said, I hope you win glory for the empire and for your own academies. Finally, the empire needs talents like you. Thank you."
Hearing Ning Fengzhi's speech, a sincere smile finally appeared on Emperor Xue Ye's face. Ning Fengzhi was essentially campaigning for the empire.
The announcer then asked a question. "Clan Leader Ning, as the most powerful support soul master, I ask on behalf of the audience: among the twenty-eight teams in the Heaven Dou City qualifiers, which one do you favor most?"
Ning Fengzhi remained smiling. "Besides the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's first team, which has entered the finals as a seed, there is another team I favor among these twenty-eight." He paused. "I believe they not only have the ability to pass the qualifiers but are also very likely to compete with the first team for the final championship."
"Oh?" the announcer said in surprise. "Which team could receive Clan Leader Ning's favor?" He then looked mysterious. "Could it be the Seven Treasure Team from the Seven Treasure Academy, which your clan established a year ago?"
Ning Fengzhi offered a cryptic smile. "As for which academy this team belongs to, forgive me for keeping it a secret for now. But I believe the final champion of this tournament will surely belong to the empire."
Beside the Emperor, the Platinum Bishop Salas, who had kept his eyes closed, opened them. His eyes looked cloudy and dull as his gaze fell upon the twenty-eight teams, seemingly searching for the group Ning Fengzhi mentioned. The Seven Treasure Academy? He had heard the Clan had opened an academy in Seven Treasure City.
Ning Fengzhi sat back down, and the announcer smiled. "It's a pity we couldn't get the team's name from Clan Leader Ning. Next, we invite Lord Salas, Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall, to conduct the draw for the first round of qualifiers. Following the draw, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team will face their first-round opponent. This will be the only match today."
Salas rose slowly and walked to the announcer's side. He seemed reluctant to speak; every time he drew a pair, he simply handed it to the announcer.
"First round: Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Second Team vs. Shrek Academy."
Just like the original story, the first match was Shrek versus the Heaven Dou second team. As the draw ended, the audience erupted in non-stop cheers. However, many were shouting "Rigged!" In their eyes, the Heaven Dou second team was clearly picking a "soft persimmon" to squeeze, while Shrek Academy didn't even look like a team of soul masters—they looked like a bunch of clowns.
Salas swept his gaze across the arena. "The draw of this seat is absolutely fair. I swear it upon the honor of Spirit Hall. Furthermore, I declare that any soul master here who enters the finals will be permitted to join the Spirit Temple by exception."
The audience didn't react much, but the soul masters in the field were in an uproar. The Spirit Temple was the highest level of Spirit Hall, second only to the Pope's Palace and the Douluo Temple. Being able to enter directly was a shortcut for any soul master, offering the best treatment, resources, and prestige.
Emperor Xue Ye's face darkened significantly. Beside him, Ning Fengzhi gave a slight shake of his head, and the Emperor's expression relaxed slightly.
"Very well," the announcer's voice rang out again. "The first match of the first round will be Heaven Dou Imperial Academy versus Shrek Academy. All other academies, please exit. The two competing academies, please prepare. The match officially begins in half an hour."
Qin Ming felt quite helpless seeing the result. Shrek was his alma mater, and now it was pitted against the academy where he was currently employed. Although he wasn't the leader of the second team, he found it hard to accept either side losing. Moreover, he didn't know the strength of these "junior brothers" from Shrek, though their uniforms certainly made one want to wince.
(End of Chapter)
---
This story is already complete on my Support Page! If you want to stay 2 chapters ahead for free, just search for Fallen_Archangel_ on the orange platform.
Your 5-star reviews and Power Stones keep the chapters coming!