The hotel where the Heaven Dou Royal Team was resting was the most luxurious among all the teams.
The Spirit Hall clearly knew that these people were not only representing the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy in the competition but were also disciples of the Body Sect!
However, the team members didn't care much about the extravagance of the hotel.
They even thought all the teams had the same accommodations...
"As expected of the Sect Master, this poem is truly marvelous!"
"Then tell me, what exactly is marvelous about it?"
"..."
Xiao Feilian rolled her eyes. How could these people, with their limited cultural background, possibly understand the true beauty of their master's poetry?
Well... to be honest, she didn't quite understand it either. It just felt... amazing.
This was the nature of Body Sect disciples!
"According to the competition rules, we, along with the Spirit Hall Battle Team and the Star Luo Imperial Battle Team, will receive a bye in the first round."
"That means our matches will officially begin in the second round."
"The master has instructed that you all will have the opportunity to showcase your strength. I will not intervene before the championship battle."
After carefully putting away the paper, Xiao Feilian said expressionlessly.
To this statement, the team members were not anxious or fearful; instead, they were somewhat surprised.
They hadn't expected that the Sect Master had even considered this aspect. They were genuinely moved.
If Saintess Xiao Feilian were to take action in the first match, there would be no point in continuing the competition.
And they wouldn't have the chance to make a name for themselves.
"Understood, Saintess!"
"We acknowledge!"
"You may decide the lineup among yourselves. I will not interfere."
"Yes!"
The group quickly nodded and watched as Xiao Feilian returned to her room.
Even if they didn't count Du Siji, the team's vice-captain, they believed winning the championship was a certainty. There was no need to discuss any strategy.
After all, in the Body Sect, individual heroism was deeply ingrained.
They admired the strong and aspired to become strong themselves.
"It's not appropriate to have a fight here."
"Let's draw lots. Two people per match should be enough."
Du Siji rubbed his chin, his eyes gleaming.
He didn't mind fighting a round himself, and even if the five of them ganged up on him, he wouldn't be afraid.
But there wasn't an appropriate venue for them to fight, so he dropped the idea.
"Drawing lots is fine by me."
"I have no objections either..."
None of them objected to this method.
After all, aside from Xiao Feilian, Du Siji was undoubtedly the strongest among the younger generation!
Perhaps because he had trained under the Sect Master for some time?
"Since we all agree on drawing lots, let's do it that way."
"But if anyone tries to cheat, don't blame our fists for being too hard!"
Du Siji finished speaking and looked toward Zhi Qing. The others also turned their gaze toward Zhi Qing.
"What?! Just because I'm a Spirit Power-type soul master, you're all targeting me?"
"What do you think?"
"Fine, fine. I'll be the last one to draw. Whatever number is left will be mine."
Zhi Qing spread his hands helplessly. This was the fairest solution.
Everyone readily agreed to his suggestion. In truth, Zhi Qing's spirit power was so strong that if they didn't take precautions, he could easily cheat without them noticing!
So, letting Zhi Qing draw last was the best approach.
Before long, the drawing was complete. Surprisingly, Zhi Qing, despite going last, still drew number 1!
"Come on! I was the last to pick, and you guys are still looking at me like that?"
Zhi Qing said helplessly. His luck was just too ridiculous!
The others twitched their eyes and withdrew their gazes.
"I can't believe I drew number 3... My luck is terrible."
Du Siji sighed and slumped into a chair, looking dejected.
"No worries, we're in the same boat."
"Let's just hope these guys don't get too arrogant and make our opponents surrender before we even get to fight."
"You make a good point. Guys, take it easy out there!"
Zhi Qing and the others kept straight faces and pretended not to hear.
The Sect Master gave them the chance to shine, and they happened to draw earlier rounds. How could they possibly hold back?
Seeing this, Du Siji clenched his fists but had no choice but to accept his fate.
Time passed, and soon, the next day arrived.
At dawn, Zhongli stepped into a small courtyard.
"I wonder, Elder Golden Crocodile, what brings you here at this hour?"
Hearing these words, Golden Crocodile shuddered slightly, feeling a subtle chill run down his back.
In the soul master world, strength was paramount. Zhongli addressing him as "Elder" caught him completely off guard!
"You jest, Lord Martial God. How could I possibly bear such a title?"
Golden Crocodile quickly waved his hands, forcing a bitter smile.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he continued, "I never expected my humble name to reach Lord Martial God's ears. This is truly an honor beyond words!"
After saying this, Golden Crocodile even cupped his hands in a respectful salute.
At that moment, Yueguan stepped out from another room and happened to witness this scene.
For a while, Yueguan was at a loss for words.
Strength truly reigned supreme!
Even this usually hot-tempered old man, Golden Crocodile, was acting so polite?!
This was the same man who, whenever he saw Yueguan and Ghost, always wore a sour face.
He even called the Pope directly by name!
Unbelievable... simply unbelievable!
After exchanging pleasantries, the Golden Crocodile finally explained his reason for coming. Zhongli and Moon Pass were not surprised at all.
After all, Yueguan had been the one to invite Zhongli in the first place.
"Very well. Elder Second, please lead the way."
"Hahaha, please, after you!"
Golden Crocodile was overjoyed to have completed his mission so smoothly. He wasn't the least bit embarrassed about acting deferential in front of Moon Pass.
The Pope's Palace stood atop the Sacred Spirit Mountain, with the Worship Hall located behind it.
Aside from the Pope's Palace, the entire mountain also housed the Elder Hall (Worship Hall) and the Douluo Hall.
The Douluo Hall was not an ordinary hall.
It served as the final resting place for past Popes and powerful Titled Douluo who had made great contributions to Spirit Hall.
In the original timeline, Bibi Dong had once invited the Shrek team to enter the Douluo Hall.
The meaning was self-evident!
She intended to kill them there. Whether they would actually be buried in the Douluo Hall was another matter entirely.
As Zhongli and Golden Crocodile passed by the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong sat on her throne, looking toward the two figures outside the grand hall, lost in thought.
She knew about Qian Daoliu's desire to meet Zhongli. Otherwise, the finals wouldn't have been arranged in Spirit City this time.
After all, there was no reason to hold the finals in Spirit City!
In the original timeline, the location had been changed to Spirit City specifically to kill Tang San.
But now, things were different.
"What is that old man planning to say to Lord Martial God?"
"Could it be something related to Xue'er?"
Bibi Dong was utterly baffled as to why Qian Daoliu wanted to meet Zhongli.