Chapter 175: VS Shrek Academy
A dozen minutes later, all the participating academy teams had entered the arena and lined up in the center of the huge Soul Arena according to the signs.
The Shrek Academy team, due to the earlier commotion and their overly conspicuous school uniforms, was placed at the very back of all the teams, appearing out of place and somewhat lonely.
On the VIP platform not far away, several imposing figures were already seated.
Most striking were the three in the central seats.
In the center was an elderly man, wearing a magnificent robe embroidered with gold and red swan patterns, and a dazzling crown. Although his face showed signs of age, his brows exuded an undeniable air of authority and composure, bearing a resemblance to Xue Qinghe.
This man was none other than the supreme ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire—Emperor Xue Ye.
To Emperor Xue Ye's left sat a refined and gentle middle-aged man.
Though dressed in a simple blue robe, he couldn't conceal his extraordinary aura; his gaze was wise and profound. This man was none other than Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, one of the three upper sects.
To the right of Emperor Xue Ye was an elderly man in the Spirit Hall's signature red robe.
He had a gaunt face, sharp eyes with a hint of ruthlessness, and his fingers lightly tapped the armrest. This was none other than Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall stationed in the Heaven Dou Empire.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi seemed to sense something. His gaze shifted, landing precisely on Dugu Bo and Tang Chuan, who were looking at him not far away.
Then, he gave a very subtle nod in their direction.
Just then, on one side of the VIP platform...
A middle-aged host, dressed in a formal suit and exuding a vigorous air, strode out, holding an exquisitely crafted megaphone. His voice resonated clearly throughout the entire Great Soul Arena:
"Now, please welcome His Majesty the Emperor, the supreme ruler of our Heaven Dou Empire, to declare the opening of this competition!"
As his resounding voice faded, all eyes instantly focused on the center of the VIP platform.
Emperor Xue Ye, seated in the main seat, wore a dignified yet gentle smile. He slowly rose to his feet, then raised his right hand, waving steadily and powerfully to the densely packed participating Soul Masters below and the countless spectators in the stands.
"Boom—!"
Instantly, thunderous applause and cheers, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down, resounded throughout the Great Soul Arena, pushing the atmosphere to a fever pitch.
Calmly accepting the amplifying soul tool from the host, Emperor Xue Ye placed it to his lips. His gaze swept across the entire arena, and his majestic voice, imbued with soul power, was amplified through the soul tool, clearly reaching everyone's ears:
"I, Xue Ye, Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire and the organizers of this competition, solemnly announce—"
He paused slightly, then his voice rose sharply, filled with power and anticipation:
"The Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies is now open!"
Immediately, thunderous applause and cheers erupted once more.
After announcing the opening, Emperor Xue Ye smiled and turned to the refined Ning Fengzhi beside him, continuing in a steady voice: "Now, please welcome Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, one of the three upper sects, to deliver a speech for this competition."
With that, he personally handed the amplifying soul tool to Ning Fengzhi.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi gracefully accepted the soul tool and slowly stood up.
He didn't speak immediately, but first gestured with his hands to subtly lower the still-boiling applause and cheers below.
Once the arena gradually quieted down and all eyes were on him, Ning Fengzhi placed the megaphone to his lips, his voice gentle yet incredibly penetrating:
"It's a pleasure to be invited to address this grand gathering of young talents from across the continent..."
He then delivered a series of official remarks encouraging young soul masters, looking forward to the exciting matches of the competition, and wishing the empire glory—his words were impeccable, and his demeanor elegant.
As Ning Fengzhi finished speaking, just as he was about to return the megaphone, Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall, who had been sitting silently on the other side of Emperor Xue Ye, suddenly spoke up: "Sect Master Ning, wait a moment. Which of the twenty-eight teams in the Heaven Dou Empire's preliminary rounds do you favor?"
His voice carried a subtle hint of provocation, clearly amplified by the megaphone Ning Fengzhi hadn't yet lowered, resounding throughout the entire arena.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi maintained his gentle and refined smile, seemingly unsurprised by Salas's question. His gaze swept over the numerous academy teams below, and his voice, clear and undisguised, amplified through his soul-guided speaker:
"Thank you for asking, Bishop Salas. As for which team I favor..."
He paused slightly, then declared loudly,
"I favor Heavenly Movement Academy."
This statement immediately caused a stir among the audience. Students and teachers from all the academies showed expressions of astonishment.
Ning Fengzhi seemed oblivious to the commotion below, continuing unhurriedly, "Although this academy has only recently been established, in my opinion, they possess profound foundations and their students are exceptionally talented. I firmly believe they will become the biggest dark horse in this competition."
"Heavenly Movement Academy? Which one is Heavenly Movement Academy?"
"Never heard of it! A newly established academy?"
"Why would Sect Master Ning be so optimistic about a completely unknown new academy?"
"Look over there! It looks like the team brought by Poison Douluo!"
The audience immediately erupted in discussion.
All curious, questioning, and scrutinizing gazes turned towards the location of Heavenly Movement Academy, trying to discern something extraordinary about this unfamiliar team.
Just then, the host stepped forward at the opportune moment, calmly taking back the megaphone from Ning Fengzhi's hand, and loudly announced, cleverly diverting the attention of the audience.
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning, for your insightful speech and unique perspective! Now, please welcome the Platinum Bishop Salas of the Spirit Hall to draw lots for the teams in the first round of the preliminary rounds!"
All eyes instantly focused on the red-robed elder.
"Heavenly Movement Academy? I've never heard of it before?"
Salas sneered, a barely perceptible cold smile playing on his lips. He glanced contemptuously in the direction of Heavenly Movement Academy before slowly rising and walking towards the central drawing platform.
The next second, he expressionlessly dipped his hand into the drawing tube, drawing and displaying each bamboo slip. The host loudly announced the matchups:
"Preliminary Round 1: Auckland Academy vs. Flame Radiance Academy!"
"Preliminary Round 1: Elephant Armor Academy vs. Barak Academy!"
...
"Preliminary Round 1: Beast Academy vs. Purple Star Academy!"
The drawing proceeded smoothly, and the atmosphere in the audience gradually became tense.
Halfway through the draw, the moment Salas's hand dipped into the bamboo tube, a barely perceptible fluctuation of soul power seemed to emanate from his palm.
Immediately afterward, with a slight movement of his fingers, two specific bamboo sticks collided rapidly, as if drawn together by an invisible force.
Taking a deep breath, Salas calmly handed the two bamboo sticks to the host beside him.
The host took the sticks, glanced at the academy names on them, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but quickly regained his professional composure, and announced in the loudest voice to the entire audience:
"Next match, the first round of the preliminaries, Heavenly Movement Academy versus Shrek Academy!"
Boom!
This news exploded like a bombshell among the Shrek Academy students.
Not far below, the faces of Grandmaster, Flender, Liu Erlong, and others changed drastically, instantly turning ashen and extremely grim.
The result of the draw was so coincidental that it was almost unbelievable!
"What? This...how is this possible?"
"No way, we're facing them in the very first match."
"Someone is definitely sabotaging this."
Just then, the Grandmaster suddenly pushed his wheelchair in front of everyone and said in a deep voice,
"This draw is definitely rigged!"
"It must be that little bastard Tang Chuan who's pulling the strings! Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that Shrek Academy is running into their Heavenly Movement Academy in the first round!"
He became increasingly angry as he spoke, but then, as if all his strength had been drained, he let out a heavy sigh and slumped back in his wheelchair.
"I think..."
"Should we...just give up on this match?"
Loving Book So Far Check Out 80+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FicTonic1
[end of the chapter]