Chapter 361: Aodu Commerce Guild and the Ordinary Alliance

After more than ten minutes, the Evening Water Alliance's luxurious carriage stopped; by then they had arrived at the western suburb, five li outside Mingdu.

Everyone disembarked, and as soon as they set foot on the ground, Huo Yutong's Mental Detection Sharing had already begun in Tang Wulin's mind.

The venue in the western suburb was not simple; around its perimeter, forces from the three major underground powers had encircled the tens‑of‑thousands‑square‑meter area, and in the distance, members of those underground forces had blocked the roads to keep ordinary pedestrians away.

Inside, a series of tiered spectator platforms rose upward, divided into three sections, each seating gamblers who had placed bets on the three major forces. Within these tiered platforms, a circular spectator platform was arranged, the closest to the core area.

What was most surprising was the competition arena.

The circular platform of this arena, according to Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong, was a replica of the stage used in the continent‑wide Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition, with a diameter exceeding a hundred meters and surrounded by what appeared to be Soul Guide shields.

Around the arena, three rest areas were set up in different directions; connected by straight lines, they formed an equilateral triangle.

Tang Wulin and his companions were led into the Evening Water Alliance's rest area, where they sat down.

The scene was somewhat noisy; before the competition began, there was no dedicated warm‑up host, and the people in the audience and guest seats were chatting under the bright Soul Guide lamps, which gave the venue excellent lighting, the elevated lamps providing ample illumination.

Tang Wulin heard the Third Elder whisper to Zhong Li Wu, "Lord Patriarch, it is said they have invited 9th‑rank Soul Guide Masters to preside, and among the seven judges this time, three are their people; we have only two, with two neutral—could that be a problem?"

A sneer flickered at Zhong Li Wu's mouth corner.

"It doesn't matter. If it weren't to save face for the Ri Yue Di Guo royal family, the tiny Aodu Commerce Guild and Ordinary Alliance would have no right to compete alongside us. This competition should follow the rules as much as possible, but should the situation become desperate, the Holy Spirit Sect also has its own methods."

Hearing their conversation, Tang Wulin couldn't help feeling a tinge of pity for the Ordinary Alliance and the Aodu Commerce Guild.

For these two black markets to become organizers of this underground tournament, they are certainly not to be taken lightly.

No matter how black‑hearted they are, they could never be truly Evil Soul Masters of extreme cruelty.

One should know that among those seated here are at least four Evil Soul Masters of Honored Douluo rank, including two Super Douluo, and if they truly went berserk, they would have the power to plunge a city into a sea of blood.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit Sect's backing is clearly the Ri Yue Di Guo royal family, making the struggle of these two black markets even more meaningless.

At this moment, the three sides seemed all present; someone approached Nan Gongwan with a few questions, and after confirmation, all the lights quickly focused on the arena, where an additional person appeared on the stage.

The newcomer was tall and strikingly handsome, dressed in a lavish crimson formal suit, his golden hair neatly slicked back, and his peach‑blossom eyes seemed to crackle with electricity.

"Hello everyone, I am Lu Qi, the host of this final round."

The host's voice was indeed pleasant—clear and resonant—and combined with his handsome looks, it easily won people's favor.

"Today is the final of our Mingdu Soul Guide Master Elite Competition; all nine contestants were selected by the Ordinary Alliance, the Aodu Commerce Guild, and the Evening Water Alliance. I trust the audience is already familiar with their profiles, so I won't repeat them. Now, please welcome the three presidents of the organizers—the presidents of the Ordinary Alliance, Aodu Commerce Guild, and Evening Water Alliance—to give speeches." Below, in the Evening Water Alliance's rest area, Nan Gongwan muttered darkly, "Who knows if they'll survive."

As he spoke, he stood up and walked toward the stage.

The Third Elder also kept sneering.

"The Ordinary Alliance's little trinket playing this ranking game is courting death—do they really think the Ordinary Alliance can protect it?"

Hearing the Third Elder's remark, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong realized the two Holy Spirit Sect elders were displeased at being mentioned last in the introduction.

Zhong Li Wu and Feng Ling appeared unmoved and said nothing, but Huo Yutong, who was closest to them, clearly sensed a heavier dark aura emanating from them.

Perhaps the host did play a small trick, but to be this angry? The thinking of an Evil Soul Master is indeed hard for ordinary people to fathom.

Nan Gongwan did not reveal his cultivation level; instead, he stepped up the stairs to the stage, and from the other two directions, another person each also ascended.

On the Aodu Commerce Guild side stood a middle‑aged man of about forty, wearing a purple cloak, with a dignified appearance and a faint aura of superiority.

At first glance, it's hard to imagine he is the head of an underground force that controls thieves and assassins; he looks more like an official.

Compared with the Aodu man, the one who took the stage for the Ordinary Alliance drew even more attention.

She was a woman in a long crimson dress, stunning from a distance, her chestnut hair piled high into a cloud‑like bun. Each step swayed gracefully; her seductive figure radiated a holy hue, and as soon as she appeared, countless eyes were glued to her.

Tang Wulin had already learned from Huo Yutong the names of these two: the middle‑aged man was An Litong, president of the Aodu Commerce Guild, and the seductive woman was Shangguan Wei'er, leader of the Ordinary Alliance.

From their auras, An Litong appeared to be a Douluo‑level powerhouse, while Shangguan Wei'er's aura was even stronger—almost on par with an Honored Douluo even if she isn't one.

Host Lu Qi, smiling broadly, stood aside and ushered the three underground leaders to the center of the arena.

"Now, please have the three presidents give speeches; first, we invite the leader of the Evening Water Alliance, Mr. Nan Gongwan, to speak."

Although Nan Gongwan already harbored murderous intent, he showed none of it outwardly and said calmly:

"This competition, co‑organized by our three sides, has so far contributed a notable achievement to the Empire's gambling industry. In today's final, the Evening Water Alliance is determined to win; I trust our contestants have the ability, and the champion will surely be from Evening Water. Those who haven't placed bets might want to reconsider."

After saying that, he stepped back, indicating he was finished.

(End of Chapter)