"I want to know where he popped up from, and... what kind of ability he has that could make that cunning old fox Jing Hongchen so confident and bold in letting him lead the team."
"Yes, Imperial Brother."
Xu Jiujiu bowed slightly and agreed.
Her eyes also flickered with curiosity; for the youth who could make even her Imperial Brother look at him differently, she also felt an increased desire to investigate.
...
Of course, Liu Yuan was unaware of what was happening in the palace at this moment.
Even if he knew, he would only laugh it off.
Because all of this was within his expectations.
Since he had chosen this strategy of "restraint," it would naturally attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.
But this was exactly what he wanted—to let others guess and investigate, yet never be able to figure out his true depth.
To prepare for the tournament starting tomorrow, the members of the Sun Moon Team returned to their rooms to rest early after dinner.
Even Meng Hongchen, who usually liked to stay up late researching spirit tools, was forced into bed by Liu Yuan.
That night, Star Luo City was brightly lit, and countless Spirit Masters harboring dreams looked forward to tomorrow in the night.
And Liu Yuan slept exceptionally soundly.
...
The next morning.
When the first ray of sunlight shone on Star Luo City, the entire city seemed to wake up in an instant.
A huge wave of noise gathered from all directions of the city, eventually surging towards Star Luo Plaza, which was capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of people.
The All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament was about to officially kick off today!
The members of the Sun Moon Team changed into their uniform team outfits; the color was deep and restrained, yet it emitted an aura of iron-blooded killing intent.
Under Liu Yuan's leadership, they passed through the crowded masses and entered the competition venue through the dedicated passage for contestants.
The opening ceremony was grand and solemn.
The Emperor of Star Luo, Xu Jiawei, personally delivered a speech, his impassioned words igniting the enthusiasm of the entire audience.
Countless ceremonial cannons fired in unison, and gorgeous light effects from Spirit Abilitys bloomed in the sky, pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
Subsequently, there was the long and tedious entrance ceremony for the various academies.
Shrek Academy, as the defending champion, was naturally the first to enter.
When those figures in dark green uniforms appeared in the center of the plaza, the entire venue erupted with cheers like a mountain landslide or a tsunami.
"Shrek! Shrek!"
The deafening shouts soared straight into the sky.
Ma Xiaotao and the others held their heads high, enjoying this glorious moment under the gaze of everyone.
Although they had behaved somewhat like "nouveau riche" in the hotel earlier, in this setting, the domineering air belonging to the continent's number one academy was still fully revealed.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, which entered immediately after, although receiving plenty of applause, was ultimately much less impressive compared to the fanaticism for Shrek.
However, Liu Yuan did not care about this at all.
He maintained that faint smile throughout, walking steadily at the very front of the team, neither deliberately trying to steal the spotlight nor appearing timid.
That composed demeanor actually made many sharp-eyed nobles and big shots in the stands nod secretly.
After the opening ceremony ended, each team was guided by staff to their respective preparation areas to wait for the drawing of lots and the start of the tournament.
The preparation area was located on one side of Star Luo Plaza, a huge semi-open area. Although there were simple partitions between the academies, the view was not obstructed.
Shrek Academy, as a seeded team, naturally occupied the best and most core position.
And the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, as the second seed, was located not far from Shrek.
Just as Liu Yuan and his team members had just taken their seats.
In the Shrek rest area not far away.
Xuan Zi, who was gnawing on a chicken leg with his mouth full of grease, seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up.
His somewhat turbid old eyes pierced through the bustling crowd and accurately locked onto the direction of the Sun Moon Team.
The next moment.
Xuan Zi's gaze froze, and the chicken leg in his hand stopped in mid-air.
He caught a glimpse from afar of the youth sitting at the very front of the Sun Moon Team.
That side profile...
Xuan Zi's pupils constricted violently.
Is it him?!
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