Zhou Weiqing did not care about the glares their team was receiving as he sat down openly in the Resting House.
The side of the Resting House facing the main stage was not covered, and seeing him sit there so casually, everyone's impression of the Fei Li Battle Team's arrogance rose once more.
It wasn't long before all the teams were gathered.
From a distance, they could also see that the VIP stage was also full of people.
Zhou Weiqing raised his head and observed them subtly, not wanting to attract unwanted attention even before the tournament had begun. He could see that the people on the stage, most of them were in the Heavenly King stage with a few Upper Zong stage powerhouses.
It was a decent force but Zhou Weiqing was still confident that he could solo them together with ease.
And this confidence didn't come from strength alone but during his training with the Sea Go Tang San, he had gained enough fighting experience to gaze the limit of his opponents, exceptions were his master, Tang San, and a few high-ranking members of his sect.
At this moment, a middle-aged man of around forty stood up from the VIP stage, heading to the front. He was dressed in a yellow dragon robe, with a gold crown on his head, with several beautiful gemstones mounted on it. His waist was also studded with eighteen snow-white jades. He was not very handsome, giving off a stable, simple aura, but there was a lustrous gleam in his eyes that could not be hidden, and it was hard to determine how old he truly was.
"Hello, all you youths from twenty-four different Empires, it is good to meet you. I am the Emperor of the ZhongTian Empire, Shangguan TianXin. I would like to welcome all of you to our ZhongTian Empire, to join the great Heavenly Jewel Tournament held every three years."
His voice was soft and gentle, yet like mercury seeping into the ground, pervasive, and everyone could hear him clearly.
The competitors in the houses quickly walked out, bowing towards the VIP stage in greeting.
"Greetings Your Majesty."
Amongst them, the eight members of the ZhongTian Battle Team kneeled down respectfully.
The several hundred thousand citizens who were surrounding the plaza also knelt down at the same time, shouting out loudly. "Long live, Long live, Long live Your Majesty!"
Several hundred thousand people shouting at once was definitely a stunning experience, as the huge sound waves reverberated around the air, it was likely that they could even be heard from the Heavenly Jewel Island several thousand meters above!
This was the prestige and might of the Emperor and even though Shangguan Tianxin did not reveal any majestic aura, in front of his many citizens, he quickly became the focus of the entire area.
Zhou Weiqing also bowed slightly alongside his team members.
Shangguan TianXin continued. "The Heavenly Jewel Tournament rules are as they have always been. Today is the first round, and I hope that all you promising youths can display your full potential, and get good results."
"The battle teams entering the top four will be able to enter Heavenly Jewel Island to attend the finals. At the same time, they will also get tremendous prizes there. This is your stage! That's all I have to say. Shangguan Longyin, where are you?"
"Here I am"
An old man stepped forward from the side, bowing respectfully to Shangguan Tianxin.
Shangguan Tianxin said. "Longyin, you will be the overall judge of this year's Heavenly Jewel Tournament, and you will supervise it, with your Skill Storing Palace staff as judges."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Shangguan Tianxin's gaze swept across the members of the twenty-four teams, and his own citizens, before saying solemnly.
"Let the games begin!"
"Long live, Long live, Long live Your Majesty!"
Another huge outcry arose as Shangguan Tianxin returned to his seat in the center of the VIP stage, and Shangguan Longyin replaced him at the previous position in front.
Compared to Shangguan Tianxin's gentle appearance, Shangguan Longyin looked to be imposing and strict, his face impassive and a fierce light in his eyes, as if he were a sheathed sword.
Ye Paopao said softly. "I've heard of this man, he is the ZhongTian Empire Skill Storing Palace Master and is one of the most important persons in the entire ZhongTian Empire. Furthermore, it is rumored that the upper echelons of Heaven's Expanse Palace are also made up of the members of the Royal Family. As such, although the ZhongTian Empire is so huge, the Shangguan Family's status has never been shaken, and the seat of Emperor has always been theirs."
Shangguan Longyin's imposing gaze swept past the audience, and they actually instantly quietened down. Impressive, as there were more than a few hundred thousand people! If one were to examine their faces closely, they would be able to see the fanatic light in the citizens' eyes.
"First round, Group 1 Fight 1, ZhongTian Battle Team versus TianFeng Battle Team. Both sides, please send out your first participant. Skill Storing Palace Judge, ascend the stage."
Under the anticipated looks of the audience, the first to ascend the stage was a middle-aged man wearing a cream-colored robe – the Judge. On his robes were silver thread embroidery decorating it, and right in the middle of the chest area, the silver thread formed a large 'Zhong' word.
The ZhongTian Battle Team was one House away from Zhou Weiqing's, and in a flash of white light, a huge youth leaped up the stage.
The ZhongTian Battle Team's uniforms were pure white, with embroidery looking similar to the judge's robes, though their uniforms weren't robes, but tight-fitting clothes suited for fighting, while the threads were gold, but similarly forming the 'Zhong' word in the center of the chest area.
As soon as the ZhongTian Battle Team member ascended the stage, the TianFeng Battle Team shouted out. "We admit defeat."
The judge turned towards them and asked. "Do all of you admit defeat?"
"Yes."
On hearing that, the ZhongTian Battle Team member did not seem surprised, remaining expressionless, as if he had already expected that this would happen. After bowing towards the judge, he walked back down, returning to his Team House.
According to the tournament fixtures, the first four fights would be the four-seeded teams' fights, followed by the other.
Facing a seeded team in the preliminary heats and admitting defeat instantly was not something that was shameful, but rather an intelligent choice. After all, defeating the seeded teams was extremely difficult, or maybe even impossible.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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