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The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament, held every few years, is always a grand occasion. Once it begins, the event becomes a carnival for all.
In Heaven Dou City, the crowds surged, with countless people traveling from far and wide, eager to witness the fierce competition among soul masters.
The tournament is divided into three stages: the preliminary rounds, the advancement rounds, and the finals. The preliminary rounds were held in the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.
About a month ago, the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena was closed for renovations and expansions, transforming it into the current competition venue.
Today, the Soul Master Tournament officially begins!
Inside and outside the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, countless wealthy and idle spectators flooded in, displaying immense enthusiasm. Alongside the excitement came chaos, though it was fortunately kept under control by nearly five thousand guards maintaining order around the arena.
At this time, two carriages bearing the emblem of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy arrived slowly at the entrance of the arena.
The passengers disembarked one after another. They were members of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's First and Second Teams. Their uniforms were similar, both in light gold, with the word "Heaven Dou" embroidered on the left chest and seven stars stitched on the back.
The main distinction between the teams lay in their attire. The First Team wore ceremonial robes and capes, looking particularly dazzling, while the Second Team donned practical combat suits with a simpler design, optimized for battle.
Finally, three board members of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy exited the carriages, dressed in somber black robes lined with golden trim. Among them, Meng Shenji smiled warmly:
"Alright, children, today marks the opening of the Soul Master Tournament. His Majesty will also be present, so perform well. The three of us will head to the VIP seats to accompany His Majesty. You will follow Teacher Qin Ming to the waiting area."
Both the First and Second Teams responded in unison:
"Yes!"
Afterward, Meng Shenji glanced at Wang Li and Dugu Yan. He hesitated briefly but refrained from offering words of encouragement. Their abilities were so formidable that there was little need for motivation.
Meng Shenji and the other two board members, Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin, then hurried inside to take their places in the VIP area.
After they left, Qin Ming spoke seriously:
"Alright, follow me into the arena!"
He led the way, followed by the First Team and then the Second Team. As they entered, deafening cheers erupted from the audience around them.
No matter what, in the Heaven Dou Empire, the Heaven Dou Royal Team would always be the most popular.
Wang Li and Dugu Yan, members of the First Team, walked alongside six other team members toward the arena.
Today was the opening ceremony, and with the Xue Ye in attendance, their presence was essential.
---
The Heaven Dou teams were the first to arrive. Shortly after, many other teams dressed in various uniforms entered one after another. Among them, the most eye-catching were teams from the Five Elemental Academies: the Godwind Academy Team, the Blazing Academy Team, the Tianshui Academy Team, the Thunderclap Academy Team, and the Elephant Armor Academy Team.
These were all renowned veteran teams. In the past, they barely regarded the Heaven Dou Team, often dismissing them as aristocratic wastrels.
However, this year was different. Their attitudes toward the Heaven Dou Team were markedly serious, their gazes filled with complex emotions.
Wang Li didn't spare them a glance. His attention was focused on the entrance, waiting. Finally, another team arrived. Their greenish-brown uniforms immediately drew ridicule from the crowd.
Wang Li's eyes lit up at the sight of them, but the garish and hideous uniforms dampened his enthusiasm. In the end, he restrained himself, lacking the courage to step forward and speak.
Even Qin Ming, a former member of Shrek Academy, couldn't help but want to cover his face. Having left Shrek years ago, his aesthetic sense had normalized, and he could no longer stomach his mentors' peculiar taste in fashion.
Fortunately, at this moment, staff arrived to organize the teams for entry into the competition area. Qin Ming silently apologized in his heart before leading the First and Second Teams into the arena.
---
After passing through a dimly lit corridor, they emerged into a bright, open space. The dazzling light and thunderous cheers instantly stimulated their senses.
The commentator's passionate voice rang out:
"First to enter are the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's First and Second Teams! Their slogan is: 'Victory belongs to Heaven Dou! The championship belongs to Heaven Dou!' While the First Team has a guaranteed spot in the finals, the Second Team will participate in the upcoming matches. Let's look forward to their stellar performances!"
After crossing half the arena, they arrived at their exclusive resting and observation area.
---
In the front row of the VIP area sat five people. At the center was a man dressed in a crimson-gold robe and wearing a dazzling crown of gold and diamonds. His stern expression and majestic demeanor made him the center of attention. This was none other than the Xue Ye himself.
To his left sat Dugu Bo. Next to Dugu Bo sat Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall. However, under Dugu Bo's occasional icy glares, Salas didn't dare to meet his eyes, shrinking visibly in presence.
Though Salas held a prestigious position, Dugu Bo was no longer the weakest Titled Douluo of the past. Now, he had the strength to overshadow even Chrysanthemum Douluo, making him a truly formidable figure.
The Heaven Dou Royal Family, or rather the Xue Ye himself, spared no expense in bringing Dugu Bo into their ranks, and the effects were immediate.
Seated to the Emperor's right was Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Beside him sat Bone Douluo Gu Rong, one of the clan's two great protectors.
Other notable figures, including the three board members of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and Prince Xue Xing, were seated in the second and third rows of the VIP area.
As the Xue Ye watched the Heaven Dou Royal Team enter the arena, his face lit up with a smile. With an air of authority, he remarked:
"Your Excellency Dugu Bo, your granddaughter and her fiancé are truly exceptional. It seems our Heaven Dou Royal Team has a real chance of defeating both the Star Luo Royal Team and the Spirit Hall Team to win the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament this year."
Hearing the Emperor praise Dugu Yan and Wang Li, Dugu Bo smiled in response and humbly replied:
"Your Majesty, their achievements are due to their own hard work. I merely provided some guidance. This year, I am confident they will take the championship. Furthermore, to prevent any foul play during the competition, I will personally accompany them throughout the tournament."
Ning Fengzhi also expressed his stance:
"The Soul Master Tournament is meant to provide young talents a platform to showcase their abilities. Anyone attempting to use underhanded tactics will surely face the wrath of all soul masters!"
The Xue Ye's smile deepened, and he continued with his commanding tone:
"Well said, Sect Master Ning. What do you think, Bishop Salas?"
Feeling stifled, Salas understood the underlying meaning of their words—they were indirectly pointing fingers at Spirit Hall. Still, he had no choice but to respond righteously:
"Exactly. The Soul Master Tournament must be fair and impartial. Any faction interfering with the competition will face severe sanctions from Spirit Hall."
---
While discussions continued in the VIP section, one team after another entered the competition arena.
As expected, the Shrek Academy Team appeared last. Their eccentric, mismatched uniforms immediately drew mockery and jeers from the audience. Even the Shrek Seven Devils themselves looked uncomfortable, their faces turning red with embarrassment.
Flander's shamelessness had reached new heights—his obsession with saving money and profiting had extended even to the students representing their academy in the tournament.
When all the teams had entered, the announcer invited the Xue Ye to deliver the opening speech.
The Emperor stood, drawing the attention of every spectator in the arena. His gaze swept across the crowd before he solemnly declared the official start of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament.
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted throughout the arena. This tournament, featuring the brightest talents from advanced soul master academies, promised both excitement and fierce competition, captivating the audience.
After the Emperor, Ning Fengzhi delivered an inspiring speech filled with hope and encouragement, embodying the poise of a respected elder in the soul master world. His words effectively stirred the enthusiasm of the participants. Ning Fengzhi's impeccable reputation and years of cultivation had established him as a figure of great renown in the soul master community, further strengthening the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Following Ning Fengzhi's speech, the Spirit Hall's representative, Bishop Salas, proceeded to draw lots to determine the first-round matchups.
---
As expected, Shrek Academy was drawn to face the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Second Team, causing a commotion among the spectators.
Many attendees had come to witness thrilling matches between elite teams, not what they perceived as a clown show. Disgruntled voices rose from the stands, with some even shouting for refunds.
In the end, Salas had to use his reputation to guarantee that the lot-drawing process had been entirely fair and free from manipulation.
---
Within the Heaven Dou Royal Team's rest and observation area, Yu Tianheng spoke up:
"Shrek Academy Team… isn't that the team from Teacher Qin's alma mater?"
Qin Ming nodded and addressed the Second Team:
"Your opponents aren't as simple as they appear. Give it your all and perform well. Don't let the past five years of training go to waste."
Hearing Qin Ming's serious tone, the Second Team members exchanged uncertain glances. Although they were not as skilled as the First Team, they had undergone rigorous training under Qin Ming. Initially, they had looked down on the Shrek Academy Team, but now they straightened up and replied firmly:
"Yes, sir!"
After Shrek Academy's swift victory in the opening match, the first day of the tournament concluded with a flurry of emotions. Heaven Dou Royal Team's First Team emerged victorious, while the Second Team, still reeling from their defeat, was downcast as they made their way out of the arena.
As they exited through the designated participants' corridor, they were confronted by a group from the Five Elements Academy, known for their unique specialties.
Yu Tianheng immediately recognized his cousin, Yu Tianxin, the leader of the Thunder Academy Team, one of the Five Elements Academy's factions. As members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the two cousins were naturally rivals.
Yu Tianheng, as the captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, calmly addressed them:
"Are you blocking our way to provoke us?"
Before anyone could respond, a tall, fiery-red-haired girl from the Blaze Academy stepped forward. She stood a full 1.8 meters tall, with striking red attire that made her resemble a blazing fire. Her voice was filled with challenge as she spoke loudly:
"I'm not trying to provoke you, just here to take a look at our future opponents. I heard that the Heaven Dou Royal Academy has produced a few talented individuals this year, including one who is a Soul Ancestor at just twelve years old. I wonder just how powerful they really are."
Recognizing that her words were likely directed at him, Wang Li stepped forward with a lighthearted smile, saying casually:
"You'll see how strong I am when we reach the finals."
Then, with a bit of humor, he added:
"But don't be eliminated in the preliminaries; if that happens, you won't even have the chance to witness my strength. When you make it to the finals, I'll give you the opportunity to lose to me."
This was a blunt truth, but to the members of the Five Elements Academy, it was nothing short of a direct provocation.
Though the group had indeed come to stir trouble, Wang Li's retort stirred their emotions even further.
With a smirk, Wang Li focused his energy, activating his spiritual power, alongside his "Eyes of the Horizon" ability, which allowed him to see through everything. Under his gaze, the members of the Five Elements Academy felt as if their very souls were being laid bare. The intense pressure caused them to instinctively step back, opening a path for Wang Li and his team to pass through.
Wang Li waved his hand and said:
"Let's go."
With that, the Heaven Dou First and Second Teams confidently walked through the gap, leaving the Five Elements Academy members fuming.
The tall girl from Blaze Academy, Huo Wu, pursued them for a few steps, her face flushed with anger. She yelled:
"Arrogant fool! I'm Huo Wu from Blaze Academy! I'll defeat you for sure!"
Wang Li's voice echoed back nonchalantly:
"I don't care about the names of those who will eventually fall before me."
Huo Wu's eyes widened in fury, her fists clenched tightly as she seethed:
"You're really asking for it…"
At that moment, the leader of the Godwind Academy, Feng Xiaotian, approached and said with a tone of solidarity:
"Don't worry, Huo Wu. I'll make sure to defeat this guy and make him apologize to you while remembering your name!"
Huo Wu furrowed her brows, clearly uninterested in Feng Xiaotian's overbearing manner. She responded coldly:
"Feng Xiaotian, you don't need to help me. I'll defeat him myself. That's the only way it will have any meaning."
The members of the Thunder Academy, Water Academy, and Elephant Armor Academy—Yu Tianxin, Shui Bing'er, and Hu Yanli—had all felt the immense pressure of Wang Li's gaze earlier. They now realized that Heaven Dou Royal Academy had produced someone terrifying.
(End of Chapter)