Chapter 43: Why Not 'Kneel'?

Chen Qiye has five soul rings; among them, on the 1235 rings there is only a single golden pattern, while the fourth ring has two golden patterns.

"How did the soul rings evolve?!"

Chen Qiye wondered, what caused the previous evolution? The toad released excess power from its self-detonation, merging it into other soul rings to evolve, but why this time??? "You absorbed his soul, thereby evolving and purifying the soul power on your soul rings and your spiritual power." A cold voice rang out.

Jingliu appeared in Chen Qiye's mental sea, "What does that mean??" Chen Qiye looked at Jingliu doubtfully.

"Actually, your so-called soul ring is essentially a manifestation of soul power; the so-called strength of the years is merely the quantity, while ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand represent a complete qualitative change, but this soul power does not act on itself, rather it enhances your so-called soul power……"

"That means, as long as my spiritual power is strong enough, I can feed back to increase the years of my soul rings???"

"The theory is fine, but how to do it is up to you."

…………

A few days later, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament finally began——

At dawn, when the first ray of sunlight shone into Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire exuded a solemn atmosphere.

All streets around Star Luo Plaza were blocked by soldiers in bright armor, especially near the Star Emperor Grand Hotel, where over a thousand soldiers were stationed; the streets leading to Star Luo Plaza were placed under total lockdown, and only the competing teams exiting from the Star Emperor Grand Hotel could pass.

The competition stage for this session's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament was not built in the center of Star Luo Plaza, but in front of the Imperial City's main gate.

This way, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire could directly observe from the Imperial City battlements alongside his civil and military officials, enjoying the best view and complete safety.

The competition stage measures one hundred meters by one hundred meters and is five meters high. Around it stand one hundred and eight metal pillars; these are not mere decoration but actual protective soul tools.

When the match begins, one hundred and eight Soul Masters will oversee the stage's protection; these metal pillars will form a shield that blocks any soul skill leakage from inside, to avoid damaging the Imperial City or harming innocents.

Simply constructing this stage costs a fortune, and mobilizing one hundred and eight Soul Masters for over a month to serve the tournament makes it impossible without national-level resources.

At that moment, Star Luo Plaza was empty aside from distant soldiers; no one was present in the plaza.

The sun slowly rose from the distant east into the high sky, and Star Luo City, located in the continent's middle, instantly felt a wave of warmth.

On the Imperial City battlements stood a middle-aged man in a bright yellow robe, wearing an eight-treasure purple-gold crown, hands clasped behind his back. He stood at the exact center of the Imperial City main gate battlements, the best spot to view the competition stage below.

Beside him was a beautiful lady in splendid palace attire, accompanying him respectfully and gently. A few steps behind stood the civil and military officials of the Star Luo Empire.

"Your Majesty." An elderly official in crimson robes hurried forward, approaching the man to perform a respectful salute; the python embroidery on his robe revealed his extremely exalted status, describable as "exalted among subjects."

"Prime Minister, how are the arrangements?" the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire asked with a smile.

The Prime Minister respectfully replied, "Everything has been arranged. The lot drawing is complete, the match order set, and the outer perimeter is orderly. We may now admit the spectators." The Star Luo Emperor nodded and said, "Good, convey my order: open the checkpoints to let people in, control the flow, maintain order. Whoever is responsible for a checkpoint where problems arise will be heavily fined."

As the tournament began, everything proceeded smoothly; the only difference was that, because Chen Qiye's information was concealed by Shrek Academy, the Sun Moon Empire had no information about him.

As the spectators entered, Huo Yuhao had already arrived with his companions and taken their places in the competitor area.

Today, all members of Shrek Academy wore the traditional dark-green uniforms, the academy's standard color. Moreover, they stood in the first row among all academies, to which no academy objected. This honor is the glory Shrek Academy has accumulated through strength over a thousand years.

However, the participants from the academies behind couldn't help but show some surprise at Shrek Academy's lineup.

Even though only ten people came, it's clear that most of them are far from twenty years old; one can tell they are young without checking bone age. Only the three at the front look about old enough, yet they all wear cloaks that hide their faces.

For most academies, they now silently pray not to meet Shrek Academy or the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy in the first round, for facing such powerhouses would practically announce their elimination.

The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's competing team stood behind Shrek Academy, making it easier for them to observe Shrek Academy's members ahead.

Chen Qiye was originally supposed to go, but finding the uniform ugly, he took out some inner-academy uniform he had acquired from somewhere; Wang Yan urged him to put it back, but Chen Qiye refused, so Wang Yan had him stay hidden, make contact with Shrek Academy, and thus Chen Qiye sat in the stands eating snacks and watching the show.

However, the participants from the academies behind couldn't help but show some surprise at Shrek Academy's lineup.

In Shrek Academy, the youngest are Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. Huo Yuhao is somewhat better; after fusing with the Ice Emperor Torso Bone, his physique changed noticeably, making him look like a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old. However, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao still retain a touch of childishness on their faces.

Especially Xiao Xiao, who is short and looks like a little girl. Even the proud Xiao Hongchen now harbors doubts, wondering what Shrek Academy intends by fielding such a lineup; gazing at Chen Qiye on the stands, Wang Dong still greeted him from the competitor area.

When everyone noticed Chen Qiye, they all gave a slight nod toward his location, and Chen Qiye returned the nod.

"Silence!"

A huge sound suddenly echoed across the venue. Hearing it, all soldiers straightened up and raised their spears. Instantly, a killing aura spread throughout the field, and the previously somewhat noisy Star Luo Plaza fell silent.

"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!!!"

"Whoa (hua, not bi)——" the crowd instantly knelt down in vast waves; hundreds of thousands performed the same uniform motion simultaneously, a sight truly spectacular.

The soldiers knelt on one knee, while all participating academies had previously been notified that they may refrain from kneeling but must bow ninety degrees to show respect for the emperor.

But Chen Qiye not only did not kneel, he didn't even perform the bow……

"Bold, where did this peasant come from? Seeing the Majesty and yet not showing respect." A soldier beside Chen Qiye pointed his spear at him……

(End of chapter)