chsdbacks Chapter 176 Tianxing Academy VS Shrek Academy
Chapter 176 Tianxing Academy VS Shrek Academy
Chapter 176 Tianxing Academy VS Shrek Academy
A dozen minutes later, all the participating academy teams had entered the arena and lined up in the center of the huge battle arena according to the instructions.
Because of the previous turmoil and their overly conspicuous school uniforms, the Shrek Academy group was placed at the very back of all the lines, making them look out of place and somewhat lonely.
On the VIP platform not far away, several imposing figures were already seated.
The most striking feature is the three figures in the central position.
In the center was an elderly man, dressed in a magnificent robe embroidered with gold and red swan patterns, wearing a dazzling crown. Although his face showed signs of vicissitude, his brows exuded an undeniable air of authority and grace, and he looked somewhat similar to Xue Qinghe.
This person is none other than the supreme ruler of the Heavenly Dou Empire—Emperor Xueye.
To the left of Emperor Xueye sat a middle-aged man with a refined and gentle demeanor.
Although he wore a simple blue robe, it could not hide his extraordinary temperament. His eyes were wise and profound. This person was Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the three upper sects.
To the right of Emperor Xueye was an elderly man wearing the iconic red robe of the Spirit Hall.
He had a thin face, sharp eyes with a hint of sinister intent, and his fingers tapped lightly on the armrest. He was none other than Salas, the Platinum Bishop sent by the Spirit Hall to the Heaven Dou Empire.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi seemed to sense something, and his gaze shifted, landing precisely on Dugu Bo and Tang Chuan, who were looking at him not far away.
Immediately afterwards, he gave a very subtle nod in their direction.
Just then, on the VIP side...
A middle-aged host, dressed in a formal suit and looking energetic, strode out, holding an exquisite amplifying soul tool. His voice clearly resonated throughout the entire Soul Arena.
"Now, please welcome His Majesty the Emperor, the supreme ruler of our Heavenly Dou Empire, to declare the competition open!"
As his loud voice fell, all eyes instantly focused on the center of the VIP stage.
Emperor Xueye, seated in the main seat, stood up slowly with a dignified yet gentle smile on his face. Then, he raised his right hand and waved steadily and powerfully to the densely packed participating soul masters below and the countless spectators in the stands.
"boom--!"
Immediately, thunderous applause and cheers, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, resounded throughout the entire Great Soul Arena, instantly pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
Calmly accepting the amplified soul tool from the host, Emperor Xueye placed it to his lips, then swept his gaze across the entire audience. His majestic voice, imbued with soul power, was amplified through the soul tool, clearly reaching everyone's ears:
"I, Xue Ye, Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire and the organizers of this competition, solemnly announce—"
After a slight pause, he focused his energy in his dantian, and his voice suddenly rose in pitch, filled with power and anticipation.
"The Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies is now open!"
Immediately, thunderous applause erupted again, and cheers rose and fell.
After Emperor Xueye announced the opening of the competition, he smiled and turned his gaze to Ning Fengzhi, who had a refined and scholarly demeanor, beside him. He continued in a steady voice, "Now, please welcome Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, one of the three upper sects, to give a speech for this competition."
As he spoke, he personally handed the amplifying soul tool to Ning Fengzhi.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi gracefully accepted the soul tool and slowly stood up.
He did not speak immediately, but first pressed his hands down slightly to signal the still boiling applause and cheers below to temporarily subside.
As the room gradually quieted down and all eyes turned to him, Ning Fengzhi placed the amplifying soul tool to his lips, his voice gentle yet extremely penetrating:
"It is a great pleasure to be invited to give a speech at this grand gathering of young talents from all over the continent..."
He then delivered a series of official remarks to encourage the young Soul Masters, look forward to the exciting matches of the competition, and wish for the glory of the Empire. His words were appropriate and his demeanor was elegant.
As Ning Fengzhi finished speaking, and was about to return the amplifying soul tool, Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall who had been sitting silently on the other side of Emperor Xueye, suddenly spoke up: "Sect Master Ning, wait a moment. Which of the twenty-eight teams from the Heaven Dou Empire in the preliminary rounds do you favor?"
His voice carried a subtle hint of provocation, which was clearly transmitted throughout the entire venue through the amplified soul tool that Ning Fengzhi had not yet put down.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi maintained his gentle and refined smile, seemingly unsurprised by Salas's question. His gaze swept over the numerous academy teams below the stage, and his voice, clear and undisguised, resonated through the amplified soul tool:
"Thank you for asking, Bishop Salas. As for which team I favor..."
He paused slightly at this point, then spoke loudly.
"I personally favor Skywalk Academy more."
These words immediately caused an uproar in the audience.
Students and teachers from all the colleges looked surprised.
Ning Fengzhi seemed oblivious to the commotion below and continued calmly, "Although this academy has only been established for a short time, in my opinion, they have a profound foundation and their students are exceptionally talented. I firmly believe that they will become the biggest dark horse in this competition."
"Skywalker Academy? Which one is Skywalker Academy?"
"Never heard of it! A newly established academy?"
"Why would Sect Leader Ning have such high hopes for a new, relatively unknown academy?"
"Look over there! It looks like the team that Poison Douluo brought!"
The audience immediately began to murmur amongst themselves.
All curious, questioning, and scrutinizing eyes turned to the location of Tianxing Academy, trying to discern something extraordinary about this unfamiliar team.
Just then, the host stepped forward at the opportune moment, calmly took back the megaphone from Ning Fengzhi's hand, and loudly announced, cleverly diverting the attention of the audience.
"Thank you, Sect Leader Ning, for your insightful speech and unique perspective! Now, please welcome Platinum Bishop Salas of the Spirit Hall to draw lots for the teams in the first round of the preliminary rounds!"
All eyes immediately turned to the old man in the red robe.
"Skywalker Academy? How come I've never heard of it before?"
With a cold snort, Salas's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer. His gaze swept contemptuously over the direction of Tianxing Academy before he slowly rose and walked toward the central drawing table.
The next second, he expressionlessly reached into the bamboo tube and began drawing and displaying the bamboo sticks one by one, while the host loudly announced the matchups for each round:
"First match of the qualifiers: Auckland Academy vs. Flamebringer Academy!"
"First match of the qualifiers: Elephant Academy vs. Barak Academy!"
.........
"First match of the qualifiers: Beast Academy vs. Purple Star Academy!"
The draw proceeded smoothly, and the atmosphere in the audience gradually became tense.
When the drawing of lots was halfway through, the moment Salas reached his hand into the lottery tube, a barely perceptible fluctuation of soul power seemed to emanate from his palm.
Immediately afterwards, he moved his fingers slightly, and the two specific bamboo sticks seemed to be drawn together by an invisible force, quickly colliding together.
Taking a deep breath, Salas calmly handed the two bamboo sticks he had drawn at the same time to the host beside him.
The host took the bamboo stick, glanced down at the college name on it, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his professional expression, gathered his strength, and announced to the audience in the loudest voice:
"Next match, the first round of the preliminaries, Tianxing Academy vs. Shrek Academy!"
boom!
This news was like a bombshell, instantly exploding among everyone at Shrek Academy.
Not far below, the expressions of the master, Flander, Liu Erlong, and others suddenly changed drastically, instantly becoming so gloomy that they could almost drip water, turning extremely ugly.
The lottery results were so coincidental that it was almost unbelievable!
"What? This... how is this possible?"
"No way, we're facing them in our very first match."
"Someone is definitely up to no good in the dark."
Just then, the master suddenly pushed his wheelchair to the front of the crowd and said in a deep voice:
"There's definitely something wrong with this lottery!"
"It must be that little bastard Tang Chuan who pulled the strings behind the scenes! Otherwise, what a coincidence that Shrek Academy ran into their Skywalk Academy in the first round!"
He grew angrier as he spoke, but then, as if all his strength had been drained, he let out a heavy sigh and slumped back in his wheelchair.
"I think..."
"Should we... just give up on this match?"
Please vote for me!
(End of this chapter)