**Chapter 93 Are the Aunts and I Destined?**
For this final, Spirit City specially prepared a unique venue. Located at the center of the city, the enormous arena boasts a diameter of 100 meters, its stage fully remodeled with granite to withstand the competition.
The arena is reinforced with numerous spirit guides, making it resilient enough to endure attacks from Spirit Masters below the Soul Emperor level without sustaining damage.
On the day the finals began, all teams arrived at the arena early in the morning.
Before proceeding to the competition draw, all participating teams were introduced one by one.
A total of 30 teams from the two empires, which had competed in the preliminary and promotion rounds, were the first to make their appearances to the public.
"The next team to appear is the starting lineup of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Heaven Dou Royal Team. Welcome them to the stage!"
As the host announced their entrance, the Heaven Dou Royal Team walked through the gates one by one, appearing before the audience.
"The captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team is Dugu Xin, a Rank 49 Soul Ancestor, with the Jade Phosphorus Serpent as his martial soul. He is an offensive control-type Spirit Master!"
"Next, we have their vice-captain, Ning Shuangjiang, a Rank 47 Spirit Master with the Frostbird martial soul, specializing in offensive attacks!"
"And next…"
As the Heaven Dou Royal Team entered, the host introduced each team member. Their images and basic information were displayed on large screens on either side of the arena. (Author's Note: I forgot if the original series had screens like these, but the anime does!)
This special treatment wasn't given to the earlier teams since their information had already been revealed during the qualifiers held in both empires.
Sharing the basic information of the three seeded teams was meant to level the playing field and ensure fairness. After all, the other teams' information had already been made public.
There was already some inequity in these seeded teams being granted direct access to the finals without competing, so disclosing their basic information was meant to compensate.
'Ning Shuangjiang, cousin of Ning Fengzhi—could she be Ning Rongrong's mother?'
Gu Ziyi and his group, who had yet to enter the venue, could see the screens outside the gate. Observing the information about the Heaven Dou Royal Team members, Gu Ziyi was struck by the possibility.
He had known about the Heaven Dou Royal Team's members beforehand but was seeing them in person for the first time. Noticing Ning Shuangjiang's offensive attributes, he speculated whether she might be Ning Rongrong's mother.
In many sects, including the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, internal marriages ensured the martial soul stayed within the sect.
Soon, the host finished introducing the Heaven Dou Royal Team members.
Next, it was the Star Luo Empire team's turn.
This time, the Star Luo Empire's team included a man and a woman from the royal Dai and Zhu families. The woman, Dai Nisha, a Rank 48 Soul Ancestor, was the sister of the current crown prince and, therefore, Dai Mubai's aunt!
'Why are there so many aunts in this competition?' Gu Ziyi wondered.
Tang Yuehua was Tang San's aunt. Bai Lu was Bai Chenxiang's aunt.
Ning Shuangjiang from the Heaven Dou Royal Team, if not Ning Rongrong's mother, was undoubtedly her aunt.
Now there was Dai Nisha, Dai Mubai's aunt!
'Am I destined to encounter all the aunts of Douluo Continent?'
Shaking his head to dispel the absurd thought, Gu Ziyi refocused his mind. His Golden Generation Team would appear next.
...
"The next team is the Martial Spirit Hall Academy's team. Let's welcome the Golden Generation Team with applause!"
Amid the host's enthusiastic introduction, the Golden Generation Team members entered the arena one by one.
At that moment, all the teams already on the field turned to watch their entrance with curiosity, eager to see how formidable the Martial Spirit Hall Team truly was.
"Will that woman and that brat be in the team?"
Tang Hao, a member of the Haotian Team, stared at the entrance.
He wanted to know if Bibi Dong and Gu Ziyi, who had humiliated him back in the Heaven Dou Empire, would be part of the team.
He had a strong intuition they would participate—at the very least, Bibi Dong, given her Soul King level, was bound to be present.
'They better show up so I can avenge my past humiliation!'
Tang Hao clenched his fists as he fixed his gaze on the entrance, fervently hoping Gu Ziyi would also be among the Martial Spirit Hall members.
"Haha, excellent! They're both here!"
When Tang Hao saw the Golden Generation Team members walking in, he clenched his fist in triumph.
Both Gu Ziyi and Bibi Dong were part of the team.
'He joined the team too?'
Tang Yuehua's beautiful eyes followed Gu Ziyi's every move. She hadn't expected him to participate in the competition, and it left her conflicted.
What would she do if they had to face off against each other?
Tang Yuehua found herself momentarily lost in thought.
Meanwhile, others observed the Martial Spirit Hall Team as a whole. Their aura was undoubtedly strong, but no one knew the specifics of their capabilities yet. Everyone waited for the host to announce the team's information.
"The first to be introduced is Lai Kun, captain of the Golden Generation Team, a Rank 48 Soul Ancestor…"
The host wasted no time. Starting with the captain Lai Kun, the basic details of the Martial Spirit Hall Team members were displayed on the screens.
The host introduced the next eight members of the team in quick succession, leaving only Gu Ziyi and Bibi Dong.
Among the team, Captain Lai Kun was the strongest at Rank 48. The other members weren't far behind, mostly ranging from Rank 43 to 45.
"The Martial Spirit Hall Team doesn't seem that impressive this year. Their captain is only Rank 48, on par with the Star Luo Empire Team, weaker than the Heaven Dou Royal Team, and far from the Haotian Team..."
"It seems the championship is destined for the Haotian Team!"
"That's likely…"
"Their team is already strong, but Tang Hao, the Haotian Team's captain, is just too formidable..."
"Yes, Tang Hao is already a Rank 54 Soul King..."
…
While others murmured about the Martial Spirit Hall Team, Yu Xiaogang focused on one figure—Bibi Dong.
He hadn't seen Gu Ziyi or Bibi Dong up close before but knew his idol had been defeated by a Soul King-level woman, so he was sure she would appear in this competition.
Now, with only Gu Ziyi and Bibi Dong left to be introduced, he eagerly awaited the confirmation.
"Next, I will introduce the two disciples of our Martial Spirit Hall's Pope!"
"Gu Ziyi!"
Before Yu Xiaogang could hear Bibi Dong's introduction, the host's announcement of Gu Ziyi's name left him stunned.
…
(End of Chapter)
N/E: I'm going to owe you the 4th Chapter, the computer is having problems with the internet and I can't finish writing, sorry.
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