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Lin Yongming and Blue Silver Emperor were well aware of Tang Yuehua's personality. Even if she were a soul master, she probably wouldn't be interested in such events.
Soon, under the watchful eyes of Lin Yongming and the others, over a hundred people from sixteen teams flooded into the hotel.
For a moment, the hotel corridors were filled with countless footsteps, creating a considerable amount of noise.
Lin Yongming and Blue Silver Emperor then made their way into the living room.
"Xiao Ming, do you think Tang Hao and his brother will come to such a grand event like the Continental Elite Tournament?" Blue Silver Emperor suddenly asked.
"Probably, since it's the finals," Lin Yongming replied casually.
"I think they might. It's been almost a year since they returned to their sect. Their elders should have let them out to gain some experience by now," Xiao Rou chimed in with a gentle smile.
"Xiao Rou, are you looking forward to seeing them?" Blue Silver Emperor teased.
"Don't be ridiculous! Why would I want to see them? I only spoke up because you brought them up," Xiao Rou retorted, her tone slightly flustered.
"If you don't want to, why are you getting so worked up?" Blue Silver Emperor pouted.
"You little brat, I'll teach you to talk nonsense!" Xiao Rou immediately pounced on Blue Silver Emperor, pinning her down on the sofa and tickling her.
"Xiao Rou, I was wrong! Stop, it's too ticklish! Hahaha!" Blue Silver Emperor laughed and begged for mercy.
The day passed quickly. After dinner, Lin Yongming noticed that the hotel had become much quieter. Perhaps the contestants, having traveled long distances to Spirit City, were exhausted from the journey and had gone to bed early.
The next day, Lin Yongming put on a new set of clothes—the uniform of the Spirit Hall Academy team, a sleek silver-white outfit.
It had been delivered by Bibi Dong the previous morning when she came to notify them.
"Huh! Xiao Ming, this color suits you really well," Blue Silver Emperor said, circling around Lin Yongming to inspect his new attire.
"Really? It feels quite comfortable," Lin Yongming replied, nodding. After all, he couldn't see it himself.
"Yes, it looks very handsome on you. With your deep blue hair and that strong, masculine face," Blue Silver Emperor said, gently pinching Lin Yongming's cheeks.
"Alright, A Yin, you're really something. Can't you ever get enough of looking at Xiao Ming?" Xiao Rou rolled her eyes. "But I have to admit, Xiao Ming does look very sharp in this outfit."
"Let's go, it's time to head out."
The three of them left the room. The others hadn't appeared yet, as they had woken up quite early. It was only a little past eight, and the finals' opening ceremony was scheduled for nine.
After leaving the hotel, they grabbed a quick breakfast at a roadside stall before heading to the Spirit Hall.
"Vice-captain, good morning! You're here."
When they arrived at the entrance of the Spirit Hall, Chen Wu and Wu Zhi were already waiting there, greeting Lin Yongming.
"Good morning!" Lin Yongming raised his hand in acknowledgment. "How long have you been here?"
"We just arrived. We're waiting for the others, and then we'll wait for the captain to summon us before entering together," Chen Wu replied.
"Alright, let's wait for Wang Yu and the others then," Lin Yongming nodded.
At that moment, Lin Yongming noticed that the square around them was starting to fill with people, and the crowd was growing larger. In the center of the square were three arenas, surrounded by the Spirit Hall's Knight Order, keeping the spectators at a distance of about twenty meters from the arenas.
"Look, they must be from the Spirit Hall team."
"Three of them are wearing the same uniform and standing at the entrance. It's definitely them."
Lin Yongming's keen ears picked up the whispers of people pointing in their direction.
Before long, Wang Yu, Dong Xiaofang, and Zhang Yuling arrived and joined Lin Yongming and the others.
"It's so lively here! I wonder if there are any handsome guys among the teams from the two empires," Dong Xiaofang said excitedly, scanning the crowd in the square.
"Hey, am I not handsome enough for you?" Chen Wu immediately protested.
"Please, I've seen enough of you. I need to look at other handsome guys to refresh my eyes," Dong Xiaofang retorted, brushing her nose with her thumb.
"After four years of being classmates, you're really breaking my heart," Chen Wu said, pretending to be hurt.
"Get lost!" Dong Xiaofang scoffed. "By the way, the vice-captain looks really striking in the team uniform. He's such a treasure."
"Jealous?" Blue Silver Emperor shot back, hands on her hips.
"Overprotective much?" Dong Xiaofang rolled her eyes, losing interest.
The group was quite familiar with each other, and whenever they gathered, they would often joke around, especially Dong Xiaofang, who had a particularly lively personality.
As they chatted, Bibi Dong also appeared, wearing the team uniform. Her knee-length skirt and sheer stockings made her look even more youthful and radiant.
"Good morning, Captain!" the group greeted her.
"Good morning, everyone. Since we're all here, let's go in and pay our respects to His Holiness the Pope," Bibi Dong said, brushing her hair back.
"Alright!"
"A Yin, Xiao Rou, do you want to come in?" Bibi Dong turned to the two of them.
"No, it's too solemn inside. We'll stay out here," Blue Silver Emperor replied first.
"Alright then, feel free to look around," Bibi Dong nodded before turning and entering the main gate.
"A Yin, Xiao Rou, you two stay here and have fun. We'll be back soon," Lin Yongming said to them before entering.
"Go ahead," Blue Silver Emperor nodded.
Lin Yongming and the others then entered the front hall, passed through the secondary hall, and arrived at the entrance of the Pope's Hall.
The doors were open, so they walked straight into the grand hall.
"Greetings to His Holiness the Pope!" Lin Yongming, as the vice-captain, stood slightly behind Bibi Dong, while the others lined up behind him.
"Excellent. You all look in high spirits," Qian Xunji, seated on the main throne, nodded in satisfaction.
"Rise."
Having been selected from over a thousand students to represent the Spirit Hall team, Chen Wu and the others were considered the future pillars of the Spirit Hall.
"Thank you, Your Holiness," they said in unison before standing up.
"Tell me loudly, do you have the confidence to win the championship in this tournament?" Qian Xunji stood up, raising his voice.
"Yes!" Lin Yongming and the others shouted in unison.
"Good, that's the spirit," Qian Xunji nodded.
After saying a few more words, Qian Xunji, accompanied by the Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, led Lin Yongming and the others out of the Pope's Hall.
The opening ceremony of the finals was about to begin, and Qian Xunji intended to preside over it personally.
When they stepped outside, the square was already packed with people.
Blue Silver Emperor and Xiao Rou stood at the edge of the Spirit Hall's entrance, quietly chatting.
"You all stay here for now and prepare to make your entrance," Qian Xunji instructed.
"Yes, Your Holiness," Bibi Dong replied, leading Lin Yongming and the others to the edge where Blue Silver Emperor and Xiao Rou were standing.
Earlier, in the hall, Qian Xunji had specifically instructed Bibi Dong to be addressed as "captain" during this period, not "Holy Maiden."
Qian Xunji then stepped onto the central arena, flanked by the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo.
"Welcome to Spirit City, everyone, for the finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. I am Qian Xunji, the Pope of the Spirit Hall."
Qian Xunji's deep, resonant voice echoed across the square as he addressed the massive crowd.
"Greetings to His Holiness the Pope!"
The crowd erupted in unison, paying their respects to Qian Xunji.
"For this tournament, the two great empires, as the hosts, have contributed one million gold coins as the prize. As the co-host and the sacred land of soul masters, the Spirit Hall will also contribute a 20,000-year left arm soul bone."
"Therefore, the champion of this tournament will receive a 20,000-year soul bone and 200,000 gold coins. The runner-up will receive 50,000 gold coins, and the third-place team will receive 30,000 gold coins."
Qian Xunji was confident that the Spirit Hall team would win the championship, which was why he had specifically offered a 20,000-year soul bone as a reward. This was meant to stir up excitement among the participants and show everyone the boundless benefits of aligning with the Spirit Hall.
"A 20,000-year soul bone!"
"Is that for real?"
"His Holiness the Pope himself announced it. It must be true."
The square buzzed with discussions and exclamations.
"Silence!" The Chrysanthemum Douluo's sharp voice cut through the noise, bringing the crowd to order.
"The soul bone will be revealed during the third round. For now, let us welcome the 32 teams from the two great empires as they enter the arena," Qian Xunji announced.
The Chrysanthemum Douluo, in perfect sync, pulled out a booklet containing the basic information of the empire teams.
"First, let us welcome the seed team from the Heaven Dou Empire, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"Next, the Five Elemental Academies from the Heaven Dou Empire: Divine Wind, Blazing Fire, Thunderclap, Heavenly Water, and Elephant Armor."
"Beast Academy, Plant Academy..."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo first announced the 16 teams from the Heaven Dou Empire, starting with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, followed by the Five Elemental Academies, and so on.
"Next, we have the Star Luo Royal Academy from the Star Luo Empire, followed by Silas Academy, Oaklands Academy..."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo then announced the 16 teams from the Star Luo Empire.
These teams consisted of eight to nine members, indicating that they had substitute players, as the Continental Elite Tournament was primarily a seven-member team competition.
Lin Yongming's team, however, had only seven members, with no substitutes. This was because they didn't need them.
"Now, let us welcome the Spirit Hall's Spirit Academy team. Please take your place between the two empire teams," the Chrysanthemum Douluo announced, his voice noticeably louder when introducing the Spirit Hall team.
"Xiao Ming, it's your turn. Go on up," Blue Silver Emperor said, letting go of Lin Yongming's hand.
"Alright," Lin Yongming nodded.
"Brothers, it's time to hold our heads high," Chen Wu said excitedly.
"Stay serious, and that goes for you too, Dong Xiaofang. No wandering eyes," Bibi Dong specifically reminded them.
"Haha!" Wang Yu and the others chuckled.
Bibi Dong led the way, with Lin Yongming following closely behind, and Chen Wu third in line. They walked around the arena to make their entrance.
"The Spirit Hall team is here! They're always the favorites to win the Continental Elite Tournament."
"Well, duh! The Spirit Hall has the most soul masters."
As Lin Yongming and the others made their entrance, the crowd's chatter grew louder, with many discussing them.
"It's him, Lin Yongming! He's actually part of the Spirit Hall's team now?" Ning Fengzhi, standing in the crowd, was visibly surprised when he spotted Lin Yongming.
"Fengzhi, do you know him?" the middle-aged man in front of Ning Fengzhi asked.
"Yes, Father. The one walking second is Lin Yongming, the one I told you about who saved me in Sunset Forest. I never expected him to participate in the Elite Tournament. It looks like the Spirit Hall is going to win this year," Ning Fengzhi said with a sigh.
"Why do you say that?" his father asked.
"Because over a year ago, when he was still a Soul Ancestor, he was able to defeat a seasoned Soul King in the Great Spirit Arena. By the time he left, he was already close to breaking through to Soul King. Now, he must be a Soul King."
"The Heaven Dou Empire's teams, as you know, don't have a single Soul King among them," Ning Fengzhi added, shaking his head.
"I see. That makes sense. The one leading must be the Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, who is also likely a Soul King. The Spirit Hall has been thriving these past few years," Ning Fengzhi's father said, rubbing his temples in frustration.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao and his brother had also arrived and were equally surprised to see Lin Yongming as part of the Spirit Hall team.
"Brother Lin is participating in the finals? Looks like the championship is going to the Spirit Hall again. No wonder the Pope was so generous with the 20,000-year soul bone. They didn't offer anything like that last time," Tang Hao said, somewhat taken aback.
"I knew there was something fishy about this. Qian Xunji has never been one to be overly generous," Tang Xiao said knowingly.
"Look, it's Brother Lin! We're doomed," Lin Yan said, spotting Lin Yongming. The three girls—Hong Ying, Song Zhu, and Lin Yan—were part of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team, standing to the right of Lin Yongming's team.
"This is bad. How are we supposed to compete now?" Song Zhu said, on the verge of tears.
"Well, it's all about participation, right?" Hong Ying said helplessly.
"Do you three know someone from the Spirit Hall team?" the captain of the Heaven Dou team asked, overhearing their conversation.
"Yes," Lin Yan replied reluctantly.
"How strong is he?" the captain inquired.
"Captain, you're better off not knowing. It'll just make you feel worse," Song Zhu said.
"He's probably a Soul King by now," Hong Ying admitted.
"A Soul King? That's... disheartening," the captain said, stunned.
Lin Yongming, sensing familiar auras, overheard the conversation between the three girls. He turned his head slightly and smiled, nodding in their direction.
The three girls, seeing Lin Yongming's gesture, smiled back and nodded in acknowledgment. Though no words were exchanged, they knew Lin Yongming could sense their presence.
"All 33 teams of the Continental Elite Tournament finals have now entered the arena. Aside from the Spirit Hall team, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and the Star Luo Royal Academy—the three seed teams—the remaining 30 teams will draw lots for the first round of eliminations, narrowing down to 15 teams."
"The matches will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions, with the finals consisting of six rounds in total," the Chrysanthemum Douluo announced, explaining the rules.
"Now, please have a representative from each of the 30 teams come forward to draw lots. If a team draws itself, they will redraw."
"Before the drawing begins, we invite the princes from the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire to oversee the process."
Under the supervision of the two princes and Qian Xunji, the drawing proceeded smoothly, and the results were quickly determined.
Once the drawing concluded, the Chrysanthemum Douluo instructed the teams to prepare, as the opening ceremony had delayed the matches, which would now begin at 10 a.m.
Starting the next day, the matches would resume at 9 a.m., with the afternoon sessions beginning at 2 p.m.
With the drawing complete, the 33 teams dispersed to their respective areas. Lin Yongming and the others returned to the edge of the Spirit Hall's entrance to watch the matches.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 228 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 40 power stones I will publish the next chapter.