Chapter 144

Finally, all participating academies have entered the venue.

The stands, capable of seating eighty thousand spectators, are all decorated with a silver‑toned background; although it is morning, special magic‑tool lighting is hung all around, giving not just a sense of luxury but also a grand, magnificent atmosphere.

The VIP seats.

In the center sits a person wearing a gold‑red robe, crowned with a golden diamond‑shining heavenly crown, his face like the ancient moon; he appears slightly older than Prince Snow Star, with a hint of resemblance in his brows.

Unlike him, this person's demeanor far surpasses that of Prince Snow Star; although he looks somewhat aged, seated there he gives an impression of being the origin, as if everything around him revolves around him.

This is none other than His Majesty the Emperor of the Tian Dou Empire.

To his left sits an even older elder, clothed entirely in a deep red robe, wearing a five‑pointed white platinum crown on his head, his eyes half‑closed as if dozing; his shoulders are narrow, his tall, slender body resembling a spear.

This is the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall stationed in Tian Dou City, named Salas, a Soul Douluo.

To the Emperor's right is Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

Ning Fengzhi today wears a white robe and a Seven Treasure Purple‑Gold Crown symbolizing his status; as one of the three top sect masters of the Seven Great Sects, he is fully qualified to sit in this position.

Second Elder Chen Xin does not sit; he stands motionless beside Ning Fengzhi, like a peerless treasure sword ready to unsheathe at any moment.

Ning Fengzhi has now become the Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda, and may yet advance to the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda; Chen Xin naturally guards him closely, never leaving his side.

The master of ceremonies at the side of the VIP platform announced loudly: "Next, please welcome His Majesty the Emperor of the Tian Dou Empire to declare the opening of this competition."

After the master of ceremonies finished speaking, the Tian Dou Empire's Emperor, seated in the central position of the first row of the VIP seats and clad in a crimson‑gold robe, rose slowly amid thunderous applause.

He raised his right hand, gently waving to the audience seats and the participating Soul Masters below; the applause quickly ceased and the vast plaza fell silent.

A deep, resonant voice rang out across the venue via the amplifying soul tool: "I, Emperor Xue Ye of the Tian Dou Empire, representing both the empire and the organizers of this competition, hereby declare the opening of the Pan‑Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."

After Emperor Xue Ye's voice faded, applause thundered again and cheers rose and fell; when the applause finally subsided, His Majesty the Emperor continued:

"Here, I hope that all Soul Masters participating in this competition can fully exert their strength and achieve good results; you are the pride of the Tian Dou Empire, and for the empire's glory, display your brilliance."

Applause sounded for the third time; this time, the Soul Masters in the center of the arena glowed with fervent light, for to them such a tournament will be the finest stage to display their own abilities.

Emperor Xue Ye returned to his seat, and the master of ceremonies spoke again: "Next, please invite Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, to address the opening of this competition."

As Ning Fengzhi rose, applause rose again, accompanied by many attentive gazes; as the foremost support Soul Master in the Soul Master world, who would not wish to see his bearing?

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly, his hands hovering, and a warm, spring‑like voice sounded: "I am honored to be invited as a guest for the opening of this tournament; as the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, I have witnessed countless Soul Masters grow."

"As the most esteemed profession on the continent, every Soul Master's development must endure many trials, but I want to say that the sharpness of a sword is forged through grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold."

"Without a doubt, all who take part in this Soul Master Tournament are the elite of the younger generation, just as His Majesty just said; I hope you will bring glory to the empire and to your own academies."

"Finally, the empire needs talents like yours. Thank you."

Listening to Ning Fengzhi's address, the Emperor of the Tian Dou Empire finally showed a hint of a sincere smile.

Because Ning Fengzhi is doing this to rally support for the empire.

The master of ceremonies then asked a question: "Sect Master Ning, you are the strongest support‑type Soul Master; I, on behalf of the spectators watching this match, inquire."

"Which of the twenty‑eight teams participating in the Tian Dou City regional preselection do you favor most?"

Ning Fengzhi still smiled: "Apart from the Tian Dou Royal Academy's Team One, which entered the finals as a seed team, I also favor another team among these twenty‑eight."

He paused, then continued: "I believe they not only have the ability to pass the preselection, but they also stand a good chance of contending with Team One for the championship."

"Oh?" the master of ceremonies exclaimed in surprise, "I don't know which team could earn Sect Master Ning's favor."

But the master of ceremonies soon understood, saying with a mysterious expression: "Could it be the Seven Treasure Team of the Seven Treasure Academy that your sect newly established a year ago?"

Hearing this, Ning Zhiyuan smiled mysteriously and said: "As for which academy this team belongs to, I'll keep it a secret for now; but I believe the champion of this tournament will surely belong to the empire."

Seated beside Emperor Xue Ye, the Platinum Bishop who had previously kept his eyes half‑closed now opened them; his eyes looked cloudy and devoid of luster as his gaze swept over the twenty‑eight participating teams in the arena, seemingly searching for the team Ning Fengzhi had mentioned.

Seven Treasure Academy, Seven Treasure Team? He had heard that the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect had opened an academy a year ago in Seven Treasure City, not far from Tian Dou City.

Ning Fengzhi returned to his seat, and the master of ceremonies smiled ruefully: "It's a pity we couldn't coax from Sect Master Ning which team he favors."

Next, please invite the Hall Master of the Tian Dou City Spirit Hall Holy Hall, the Platinum Bishop Salas of the Spirit Hall, to conduct the draw for the first round of the preselection; after the draw, the Second Team of the Tian Dou Royal Academy will face the opponent drawn in that first round.

"This will also be the only match held today."

Platinum Bishop Salas rose slowly, escorted by a court attendant to the master of ceremonies' side, began the draw; he seemed reluctant to speak, handing each pair of opponents he drew to the master of ceremonies to announce.

"First round of the preselection: Blue Gold Academy versus Purple Star Academy."

"First round of the preselection: Badmu Academy versus Aodebang Academy."

First round of the preselection...

"First round of the preselection: Tian Dou Royal Academy Second Team versus Shrek Team."

Just as in the original story, today's first match is still Shrek Team versus Tian Dou Royal Academy Second Team.

As the draw concluded, the spectators below burst into continuous applause.

However, many spectators shouted accusations of cheating, believing that Tian Dou Royal Academy's Second Team was obviously picking an easy opponent, while Shrek Academy seemed hardly a Soul Master team at all, more like a bunch of clowns.

After the draw, the Platinum Bishop Salas glanced over the crowd and said calmly, "My draw is utterly honest; I swear on the honor of the Spirit Hall."

"At the same time, I announce that any participating student from the Soul Master academies present who reaches the final finals will be granted special permission by the Spirit Hall to join the Spirit Hall Holy Hall directly."

Upon hearing this, the spectators had not yet reacted, but the Soul Masters inside the venue immediately erupted in an uproar.

What is the Spirit Hall Holy Hall? It is the highest institution of the Spirit Hall, second only to the Papal Hall and the Douluo Hall; across the continent, only the capitals of the two great empires each have one such hall.

The Papal Hall is the exclusive domain of the Pope, while the Douluo Hall is a symbolic presence; thus, the status of the Spirit Hall Holy Hall is actually the highest institution within the Spirit Hall.

Being able to enter the Spirit Hall Holy Hall directly is, for a Soul Master, a fast track to greater strength—not only offering the best treatment, various cultivation measures, resources, and the honor of the Spirit Hall Holy Hall, but all of these exert a powerful attraction on ordinary Soul Masters.

Upon hearing the Platinum Bishop's words, Emperor Xue Ye's face darkened noticeably; Ning Fengzhi beside him gently shook his head at the emperor, and the emperor's expression eased a little.

After the draw, the master of ceremonies' voice rang out again: "Well, then the first match of the first round of the preselection will be Tian Dou Royal Academy versus Shrek Academy."

"All participating academies, please withdraw; the two academies about to compete, prepare yourselves. The match will officially begin in half an hour."

Qin Ming, upon seeing this result, felt somewhat helpless; Shrek Academy is his alma mater, and now his alma mater and the academy where he works are facing each other.

Although he is not the captain of the Second Team, whichever side loses would be hard for him to accept.

Moreover, he does not know how strong those junior disciples of Shrek Academy are now; at least from their attire, it is indeed somewhat vexing.

PS: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of chapter)