At this moment, all participating teams had arrived. Below the main platform, located north of the arena, a contingent of approximately five hundred soldiers, dressed in distinctive but clearly extraordinary uniforms, advanced rapidly.
These soldiers, all around thirty years old, exuded an aura of contained energy and steady presence. Judging by the spirit power fluctuations emanating from them, each was at least a Spirit King.
Their discipline was exceptionally high; they made no sound during their advance, only the uniform, steady rhythm of their footsteps, a sight so harmonious it was pleasing to the eye.
"This is an elite among elites," was Zhu Ziyang's first impression of these soldiers.
The soldiers halted below the main platform, then quickly fanned out like the ribs of an umbrella, encircling the platform from all sides. Only fifty remained standing at the steps directly in front of the main platform, and it was these fifty who revealed the origin of this troop to Zhu Ziyang.
After a clang of metal, those fifty soldiers instantly transformed into spirit tool forts, their eerie, intimidating muzzles uniformly pointing outwards. These forts radiated a heart-stopping power; many spectators near the main platform, whose cultivation was insufficient, had already turned pale. These spirit tool forts were at least Level 6 fixed-load spirit tool cannons, with the ten most central, visibly thicker and more terrifying heavy cannons being Level 7 fixed-load spirit tool cannons.
Besides the fifty soldiers who remained in place, the other soldiers who had fanned out to guard each corner of the main platform also released their own spirit tools, forming several peculiar formations. These formations left Zhu Ziyang somewhat bewildered, but he could clearly sense their complexity. A formation composed of Spirit Kings could at least contend with a Spirit Saint. Was this the Sun Moon Empire's research into spirit tools? Truly extraordinary!
"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Legion, one of the Sun Moon Empire's most core military forces. Seeing them today, they truly live up to their reputation!" Zhu Ziyang murmured, revealing the origin of these soldiers.
The Sun Moon Empire's military is primarily composed of ten Soul Engineer Legions. The five most powerful are known as the 'Hands of National Protection': the Fire Wind Soul Engineer Legion, the Dreadclaw Soul Engineer Legion, the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion, the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion, and the Royal Soul Engineer Legion. The Royal Soul Engineer Legion is undoubtedly the strongest.
The number of members in a Sun Moon Empire Soul Engineer Legion is generally around five hundred. The selection standard for regular Soul Engineer Legions is a three-ring Spirit Elder or a Level 3 Soul Engineer. The five Soul Engineer Legions with the title 'Hands of National Protection' have even higher requirements, accepting Spirit Ancestors or Level 4 Soul Engineers and above. The Royal Soul Engineer Legion is even more stringent, requiring a Spirit King or Level 5 Soul Engineer to join.
Because the selection criteria for soldiers were sufficiently strict, the power of the Royal Soul Engineer Legion was naturally indisputable. At the same time, their treatment was, of course, the best, and the responsibilities they bore were the heaviest. The security of Mingdu and the Sun Moon Imperial Palace was their responsibility. In a sense, if Zhu Ziyang and his companions wanted to assassinate Xu Tianran, then the Royal Soul Engineer Legion would be an obstacle.
The Legion Commander of the Royal Soul Engineer Legion is a Level 9 Soul Engineer, directly reporting to the Emperor. Their appearance signified the imminent arrival of the Sun Moon Empire's Emperor.
Indeed, Zhu Ziyang saw from afar a luxurious imperial honor guard escorting a dragon palanquin towards the main platform. This procession of carriages was entirely golden, with the opulent dragon palanquin, pulled by thirty-two magnificent horned-scaled horses, leading the way. Following behind were guards and a large number of richly dressed Sun Moon Empire officials in their official robes.
The dragon palanquin stopped in front of the main platform. Two maids standing on it lifted the curtain embroidered with gold and silver lotuses. Immediately after, a wheelchair was pushed out, and an attractive young man sat in it.
Upon seeing this young man, Zhu Ziyang immediately understood his identity: the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran. A peculiar smile appeared on his face as he turned to Ma Xiaotao and said, "Sister Xiaotao, the old Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire isn't dead yet, is he?"
"No! According to intelligence, the Sun Moon Empire's official channels have not announced the passing of the former Emperor or the ascension of a new one, so the old Emperor should still be alive," Ma Xiaotao replied.
"Well, that's interesting then," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. "As the Crown Prince, he rides in a dragon palanquin. Heh heh, what filial piety!"
Pushing Xu Tianran's wheelchair was a stunning woman in palace attire. Zhu Ziyang found her somewhat familiar. After a moment's thought, he realized her identity: the Crown Princess of the Sun Moon Empire, Ju Zi, whom he had met once, and the future Empress War God.
Zhu Ziyang stroked his chin. "If she could be brought over, she would be a good helper for Zhang Lexuan, wouldn't she? After all, their ultimate goal is to unify the continent, and unifying the continent requires the cooperation of an army. A person capable of commanding an army is naturally essential. Ju Zi's future title of Empress War God suggests her military leadership ability must be considerable."
"It's just unclear how deeply she's tied to Xu Tianran."
Accompanying Ju Zi was another familiar face: the Hall Master of Mingde Hall at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, a pivotal figure in the Sun Moon Empire, the Level 9 Soul Engineer, Jing Hongchen!
"Greetings, Regent. Greetings, Regent Consort." As Xu Tianran and Ju Zi appeared, all the officials present, except for the Royal Soul Engineer Legion on guard, immediately knelt and bowed to Crown Prince Xu Tianran, shouting in unison.
Listening to their shouts, Zhu Ziyang's thoughts stirred. "Regent? So it seems the old Emperor isn't dead yet. Tsk tsk, what is Xu Tianran waiting for? Or is he truly a filial son?"
Ju Zi pushed Xu Tianran into a spirit tool elevator. Jing Hongchen and four other accompanying elders followed them into the elevator.
As the elevator ascended, the people of Mingdu in the spectator area caught sight of their young Regent's face. Cheers immediately erupted, one after another. Although it was unclear how genuine these cheers were, at least on the surface, this Crown Prince seemed to be very popular and beloved by the people of Mingdu.
Xu Tianran's arrival also signified the imminent start of the Continental Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition.
Ju Zi pushed Xu Tianran to the center of the main platform. She did not take a seat but stood beside Xu Tianran. Since the Regent Consort did not sit, the breathless ministers who had finally made it onto the main platform naturally dared not sit either, all standing on the platform.
Xu Tianran nodded to Ju Zi, who then slowly stepped forward to the spirit tool amplifier that had been prepared, ready to speak. However, the extremely noisy environment was clearly unsuitable for the noble Regent Consort to make her address. Thus, a deep voice suddenly boomed, and an oppressive aura, like Mount Tai descending, instantly enveloped the entire venue.
"Silence!"
The moment that voice appeared, everyone present felt their vision darken, as if dark clouds were pressing down, and even their breathing became rapid. The surrounding air seemed to thicken, making it impossible to move. No one spoke, because under such terrifying pressure, even breathing was difficult, let alone speaking.
The vast outskirts of Mingdu instantly fell into a deathly silence; all sounds vanished.
"Heh heh, so it's Martial Uncle Long!" Zhu Ziyang chuckled softly. The extreme pressure enveloping him instantly dissipated, and the reserve team members immediately began gasping for air like drowning people rescued, their eyes filled with apprehension and lingering fear. Among the main team members, only Ning Tian, whose cultivation was slightly weaker, reacted this way. The others were fine; at least Jiang Nannan, Qian Lingyi, and Fifth Huan'er showed no reaction at all.
After Long Xiaoyao quieted the crowd, Ju Zi cleared her throat and finally began to speak. Her voice, amplified by the spirit tool, reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity.
"Citizens of the Sun Moon Empire and esteemed guests from afar. On behalf of His Royal Highness the Regent, I welcome your presence. Furthermore, on behalf of His Royal Highness the Regent, I declare the Continental Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition, now open."
A very brief opening speech, yet it immediately reignited the previously subdued atmosphere. The Sun Moon Empire citizens present immediately knelt, shouting in unison, "Long live the Regent, long live, long live and long, long live!"
Xu Tianran's face maintained a calm smile throughout, showing no concern for the cheers of the populace. Instead, he raised a hand, signaling the ministers behind him to take their seats. These ministers, who had not dared to breathe, finally sat down. On Xu Tianran's other side, a middle-aged man in a black robe with gold trim suddenly appeared, occupying what should have been Jing Hongchen's seat. Jing Hongchen seemed to be furious but dared not speak, only sitting with a grim expression on Ju Zi's other side.
The moment this middle-aged man appeared, Zhu Ziyang noticed him. A slight smile appeared on his face. "The Holy Spirit Church, then?"