Most people in the venue weren't very familiar with the strengths of the various academies, but that didn't stop them from discussing them.
Most were simply sharing their guesses based on the appearance of the students as they entered, making the conversation rather lively.
It wasn't until Xue Qinghe announced the final matchup that the atmosphere shifted.
"The first round of the preliminaries: Heaven Dou Imperial Academy versus Blue Tyrant Academy."
Immediately, unlike before, the crowd began chanting, "Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!"
Aside from a few exceptions, most of the audience present were from Heaven Dou City, so it wasn't surprising that there were cheers for Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, even though the rules clearly stated that only the second team would be competing.
However, in the eyes of most, even the second team was enough to rival, or even surpass, the other academies, despite Blue Tyrant Academy also being from Heaven Dou City.
As for the other academies, aside from the few renowned elemental academies, most of the Heaven Dou City audience viewed them as country bumpkin teams, outsiders who had come to the imperial city to make a living, just there to amuse the nobles.
Though they didn't dare say it out loud, that was indeed what they thought. They couldn't afford to provoke soul masters, but since they were paying for the show, indulging in some fantasies wasn't too much to ask, right?
"Alright, next up is the first match of the first round of the preliminaries: Heaven Dou Imperial Academy versus Blue Tyrant Academy. All other participating academies, please leave the field. The two academies are set to compete shortly, please prepare. The match will officially begin in half an hour!"
From the stands, Xue Qinghe completed his task and announced the start of the opening battle.
The other academies' members, led by the staff, ascended the stands reserved for participants to watch the match.
In the entire resting area, only Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team and Blue Tyrant Academy remained, with some figures moving between them.
The atmosphere in the resting area was heavy. Even the earlier interaction between Han Li and Ning Fengzhi hadn't lifted their spirits.
On the contrary, they felt that Dugu Yan's provocation was orchestrated by Han Li, and there wasn't much difference in the outcome.
"Are you planning to forfeit?"
Seeing the staff approaching, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but speak up.
Her mental state was on a completely different level compared to the others.
Although she didn't particularly care about the Soul Master Tournament, she knew well that the opening battle concerned the face of the Heaven Dou Empire. If they lost, even she would be implicated, though the impact would be minimal.
Hearing Ning Rongrong speak, Oscar quickly chimed in: "Everyone, pull yourselves together! This is our debut; we must put on a good show."
"As for SKywater Academy, we'll face them later in the round-robin. We can just beat them then."
While speaking, Oscar felt a bit guilty, but that was the best he could say.
Aside from Dugu Yan and her group, they had gathered intelligence on Skywater Academy, and the report showed that this year, five members of Skywater Academy had reached level 40, while the remaining two were at levels 38 and 39.
Although, apart from the vice-captain Shui Yue'er, the others were somewhat older than them, they were still within the eligibility criteria for the competition. Talent recruitment by the academies considered the overall situation, but in the competition, only strength mattered.
They had chosen to compete freely; no one had forced them.
"Oscar is right. We'll regain our honor on the battlefield. For now, we need to pull ourselves together. This is the opening match, the first step towards making a name on the continent. We need to win this match beautifully."
It was Tang San who spoke, finally recovering from his earlier slump.
He had already buried the humiliation deep in his heart.
A gentleman takes revenge, even if it takes ten years!
With his talent, he knew he would surpass everyone sooner or later. The names of those from Skywater Academy were already on his Tang Sect kill list.
Of course, there was also the Spirit Hall's Holy Son, Han Li—whom he had personally witnessed being taken away by a titled Douluo from Nuoding City.
Spirit Hall, along with the matter involving Zhu Zhuqing, had placed Han Li's name quite high on his list.
But now, the enemy was strong, and he had to bide his time. What mattered most to him was the opening match in half an hour, the first step of his rise. He wouldn't allow himself to fall here.
As soon as Tang San finished speaking, Tai Long immediately responded enthusiastically.
He had been keeping his head down the whole time, though he wasn't sure why. But since Tang San was in low spirits, he naturally followed suit. After all, this was a secret technique his grandfather had taught him.
Even Xiao Wu forced herself to perk up. She wasn't bothered by Dugu Yan's words; what truly upset her was that Zhu Zhuqing hadn't looked at her even once since she showed up.
However, it was clear that Zhu Zhuqing was doing well now, which comforted Xiao Wu, and she quickly recovered.
So be it. Even if given the choice again, she would still choose Tang San.
As for Ma Hongjun, he was worriedly watching Flender, who sat silently by himself.
Unlike the others, Ma Hongjun saw Flender not only as his teacher but also as a father figure.
If Oscar was raised with a loose rein, Ma Hongjun had been carefully nurtured by Flender. He could tell that Dugu Yan's words had nearly shattered his teacher and dean, who was like a father to him.
Hesitantly, he walked up to Flender and cautiously called out, "Teacher."
Flender, hearing his voice, snapped out of his daze and turned his head to look at his worried disciple, forcing a small smile.
"Don't worry. I'm fine. Do your best in the match later. I might have to rely on you to take care of me in my old age."
"Teacher..."
Ma Hongjun called out again, his eyes slightly red.
"Alright, from now on, you'll have to rely on yourself. Don't worry, I'm still a Soul Sage, after all. Nothing major will happen."
Flender, showing rare gentleness, patted Ma Hongjun's head and gently pushed him toward his teammates.
No matter what, he couldn't let his disciple be affected any longer. For Ma Hongjun, the most important thing right now was the match.
As for other matters, if the Spirit Hall didn't come after him too soon, there would be plenty of time to talk later.
While Ma Hongjun and Flender were talking, Tang San approached Dai Mubai.
"If you want revenge, you need to pull yourself together. Anger won't change anything here. You won't forget this grudge, and neither will I. But for now, it's time to fight."
After speaking, Tang San turned and walked away. Behind him, Dai Mubai raised his head, his evil eyes blood-red, with a fierce glint flashing in his pupils.
"You're right. I will get revenge."
A wild energy began to radiate from Dai Mubai as his soul power surged.
Tang San quickly turned back, shocked to see that Dai Mubai had broken through to level 40 at this critical moment.
This might allow them to go even further.
"Congratulations, Boss Dai."
Dai Mubai's breakthrough also caught the attention of the others.
The group gathered together again. Although their soul level wasn't as high as when they first arrived, they had returned to a more normal state.
After glancing at Flender, who still chose to remain uninvolved, Tang San shook his head but said nothing.
They already knew who their opponents would be—this information had been revealed yesterday.
As for Blue Tyrant Academy's team, even without Heaven Dou Academy's preparations, they had their insider, Tai Long. The group had long since memorized their opponents' information and already had a strategy in place. There was no need for Flender to repeat anything.
Looking around at his teammates, Tang San said in a low voice, "When we step onto the stage, stick to the plan. End this quickly."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
At this point, the designated staff arrived, urging them to get ready. After verifying their identities, they led the group toward the tunnel, continuing to explain the procedure for the upcoming match.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Second Team was undoubtedly the star of the day. They couldn't afford any mistakes.
Just as the staff's constant talking was beginning to annoy them, the sound of fireworks echoed through the venue, signaling the start of the opening match.
After the noise outside quieted down, the voice of the announcer rang out, and a golden spotlight shone down from the high platform on one side of the arena, illuminating the entrance in front of them.
At the staff's reminder, Tang San took a deep breath, exchanged glances with his teammates, and then took the lead, stepping out toward the entrance.
As soon as he appeared, the crowd's energy spiked, and the announcer loudly called out his name. One by one, the rest of the team followed, and after the introductions, the seven of them walked toward the massive central stage, illuminated by the protective golden light.
In this kind of environment, even Ning Rongrong felt her emotions stir. As for the others, they forced themselves to maintain a calm facade as they made their way to the stage.
Their figures were projected into the sky, wrapped in the glow of the golden light, and coupled with the extravagant uniforms of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, the arena erupted into cheers once again.
On the other side, Blue Tyrant Academy didn't receive the same treatment. There was no golden light, no cheers. They had nothing—but they didn't care.
The seven of them walked in silence, suppressing their resentment toward Tai Long, and stepped onto the stage without a word.
From the start, they knew they weren't going to match their opponents, but today wasn't about victory.
Dean Erlong was right—traitors must die!
They couldn't achieve that, as the rules wouldn't allow it, and their backgrounds weren't as strong as Tai Long's. But that didn't matter. Venting their anger was enough.
For five long years, some of them had postponed their graduation, all for the chance to compete in this year's Soul Master Tournament, hoping to secure a brighter future.
Yet, even under those circumstances, Tai Long had left the academy without explaining. They were the last to know of his departure, finding out only after rumors spread.
They confronted him, seeking answers, but his grandfather, Tai Tan, blocked them, bluntly telling them to leave and not interfere with his grandson's future.
And so, they had no choice but to walk away.
They could understand Tai Long's decision, but they couldn't accept it.
The most painful part was that, even now, he hadn't offered them the explanation they deserved.
If Tai Long had told them earlier that he had found a better team, they would have been angry, they would have cursed, but they would have given him their blessings instead of being left behind.
In the arena, the cheers were deafening, and the announcer continued to hype up the audience's excitement.
On the stage, however, the two opposing teams faced each other in a brief moment of dead silence.