"Let's go. The old man said it was a misunderstanding. He said he has some business to attend to so he left. We should also go." Tang Ming said with a smile on his face as he walked forward.
Flender brows furrowed a little as he said, "I didn't expect that old fellow to actually have gone to Blue Sunshine Academy. It seems that the quality of the Blue Sunshine Academy's students in this competition should be pretty good."
Ma Hongjun was the closest to Flender and hastily asked :
"Teacher, who was that old man just now? You know him?"
Flender nodded :
"That old man is called Shi Nian, his spirit is extremely unusual. It's a kind of special intangible spirit, capable of causing all kinds of illusions. His current strength should be enough to disable and kill withing his illusions. We call his spirit Cruel Dream. This old fellow is extremely sinister, don't just look at his calm and collected face. You must all be a bit careful around here. Last time I saw him, he was a Spirit Emperor, by now might have reached more than the seventieth."
"Alright, the opening ceremonies are about to begin, prepare to enter. Mubai, Tang San the two of you lead everyone and follow beside Tang Ming. I'll leave first."
Before anyone had the chance to protest, the Dean had already taken to his feet and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Why are you all still lagging behind? Come quickly otherwise we'll be late for the ceremony." Tang Ming suddenly turned his head back as he beckoned all of them.
All this time, the Blue Sunshine Academy students were looking around for their teacher but after not finding him they also headed toward the other side of the rest area.
Sure enough, the tournament functionaries soon entered the rest area, organizing the now all present academies to enter the arena.
One after another the other teams were sent into the arena. When Shrek Academy entered they made some people turn their heads at them because of their uniforms.
Even though they were last to enter the arena, the instant they arrived they were still shocked by everything they saw. Even Tang Ming was a little surprised and overwhelmed.
Around the enormous wide open space were countless shouting and cheering spectators. Just ahead in the middle was a platform against a golden backdrop and behind the platform were the remodelled VIP seats.
"Last to enter is the Shrek Academy, originally Blue Tyrant Academy, changed its name to Shrek one year ago. Look, in the distinct exotic attire, altogether eleven competing students. Their sign up slogan is: Unchallenged Champions. Truly a very expressive slogan, I hope they can make an outstanding display."
Hearing the officiant's words, the spectators in the stands were first surprised and then roared with laughters.
"Fuck, I can't stand it."
Each of one of Shrek Academy's mouth twitched as Dai Mubai cursed lightly.
"Boss, patience. Wait until the matches. We'll shut them up with strength."
Tang San and Ma Hongjun quickly calmed Dai Mubai as they looked at the figurehead of their team, Tang Ming walking with completely relaxed expression.
Tang Ming didn't pay any attention to the jeers and constantly observed their surroundings. As his gaze fell on the VIP platforms, he saw quite a few people up there.
One of them was the one who originally drove them away from from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy or as he heard from others, prince Xue Xing. There were also the three committee members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. They all sit in the second row of the VIP seats and in the first row were only three people.
The man in the middle wore gold and red robes, on his head a brilliant gold crown, his face like an old moon and though apparently a bit older than prince Xue Xing, they still resembled one another. The difference was, this man's bearing was far from what prince Xue Xing could compare to. Despite appearing a bit aged sitting there straight backed he have people a feeling of being central. As if everything in the surrounding centered on him. He was none other than emperor of Heaven Dou Empire.
Sitting to his left was an old man even older than him. Dressed entirely in red robes, wearing a pentagonal platinum hat, both eyes closed as if he was asleep, with slim shoulder and a slender build. He was the Spirit Hall's platinum bishop, Salas.
There was two person sitting on the emperor's right, one being the sect master of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Clan, Ning Fenghzi. He was wearing white robes, on his head the emblematic seven treasures purple and gold hat. He was also carrying an exquisite stick in his hand. Beside him was standing the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin.
At this time, suddenly a huge pressure descended as streak of light can be seen rapidly advancing toward the VIP standing. Everyone in the stadium looked upward as the light suddenly came to a stop just a few metres away from the vacant seat right beside the one Ning Fenghzi was sitting.
Everyone at the VIP stage stood up as they saw an old man garbed in white clothes lightly stepping forward as people get to see what he was standing upon. It was a golden coloured staff with exquisite patterns of Dragon carved all over it.
"Please forgive my rudeness for arriving late. I suddenly met an acquaintance while coming here which took up a few minutes. I'm called Lin Peng, one of the elders of the Immortals Love." Old man Lin Peng said as he bowed a little toward the emperor.
"Haha! You don't need to ask for forgiveness, elder Lin. We too have just arrived a few moments earlier. I'm glad you came in behalf of Immortals Love."
The Emperor humbly said as he waved his hand in a friendly manner.
Tang San also recognised many of the distinguished guests. Ning Fenghzi apparently sensed Tang San looking at him as his eyes landed on him. He smiled lightly as he nodded his head.
The official on the side of the VIP platform said in a clear voice :
"Next, please welcome his majesty, Heaven Dou Empire Emperor, to declare this tournament opening."
Everyone gave a loud applause as the emperor slowly stood from his place. Raising his right hand to wave at the spectators seat as well as the competing Spirit Masters below, the applause quickly stopped.
"I, emperor of Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye, represents Heaven Dou Empire and also this time's host, declare that the Continental Advance Spirit Master Academy tournament now begins."
Applause thundered once again as everyone cheered. Everyone looked very excited as even Shrek Seven Devils felt excited and nervous at the same time.
"Here, I hope, the Spirit Masters participating in this tournament can display their strength and obtain good records. You are all the pride of Heaven Dou Empire. For the sake of Empire's glory, display your brilliance."
After finishing his speech the emperor sat back in his seat and the official voice again sounded.
"Next, please welcome the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect's Sectmaster, mister Ning Fenghzi, to address this time's tournament."
Ning Fenghzi calmly got up from his seat as everyone gave a round of applause. Ning Fenghzi walked forward holding both of his hands together as he smiled slightly.
"I'm very happy to be invited as an honoured guest to this tournament opening. As the Sectmaster of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Clan, I have already seen many spirit masters grow. As the whole continent's noblest event, you all should give your all and show the world your worth. The Spirit Masters joining this tournament are undoubtedly the elite of the young generation. Just as his majesty said, I hope you can win honor for the Empire and also for your own academies. Thank You."
Listening to Ning Fenghzi words, the Heaven Dou Emperor revealed a sincere smile. Ning Fenghzi then backed down and slowly sat down in his seat.
"Next, please welcome the elder of the famous Immortals Love, Elder Lin to say some words for the participating Spirit Masters."
Tang Ming eyes brightened up as he looked at the old man Lin, who stood up and slowly walked forward a little.
Elder Lin first glanced at everyone in the spectators seat as well as the Spirit Masters participating with his hands behind his back.
"I'm called Lin Peng, one of the elder of the Immortals Love. I would like to first give my thanks to everyone for inviting me as a guest as I'm honoured to be here to attend the opening of the tournament. As Sectmaster Ning mentioned, all of you are elites of your own generation and the future of the Empire. I gave you all my best wishes. Fight with everything and prove everyone that you're the best. Thank You."
After saying his speech elder Lin Peng returned to his seat and sat down.
"School master Ning, you are the most formidable support system spirit master. Among the twenty eight teams joining the Heaven Dou City district's pre-selection competition, which one do you favour?"
Emperor Xue Ye looked toward Ning Fenghzi with a curious expression.
"Among the twenty eight teams, I still think highly of one particular team." Ning Fenghzi said in a mysterious tone as he looked toward a particular team.
"Oh..?Which team had the honour of being favoured by Sectmaster Ning?" Xue Ye asked.
"As for which academy this team belongs to, forgive me for not revealing it. But I do believe that the final champions of this tournament will certainly belong to the 'Empire'." Ning Fenghzi said as he smiled and looked toward the scowling platinum bishop who after hearing this looked quite irked.
"We'll see about that, Hmph!" Salas snorted.
"Next, please welcome Heaven Dou Spirit Hall Platinum Bishop, Lord Salas. He will conduct the pre-selection competition's first round draw. Afterwards, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's secondary team will fight their first drawn match. This is also the only match today."
Platinum Bishop Salas slowly stood up and was led by a maid to the side of the official and started to draw lots.
"Pre-selection competition first round, Blue Sunshine Academy versus Purple Star Academy."
"Pre-selection competition first round, Auckland Academy versus Blazing Radiance Academy."
"Pre-selection competition first round, Heaven Dou Academy versus Shrek Academy."
Hearing that their first round opponent is going to be Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Shrek Academy couldn't help their expression becoming a little solemn. Tang Ming too raised his eyes as he thought in his heart.
'Hm, the events didn't change even after my involvement. Is it coincidence? It's highly unlikely that someone manipulated the lots.Whatever, it's not like anything going to change, Shrek will still win.'
"Such an unlikely coincidence." Oscar muttered.
"Excellent. What are you afraid of ? We'll let everyone have a look at what's called strength." Ma Hongjun said as he popped his fingers with eyes blazing.
Not just Shrek, but everyone else too become a little shocked after hearing this. They haven't heard of Shrek Academy before and by the looks of it, it was their first time participating in the tournament.
For a moment jeers echoed in the surrounding but it immediately died down after noticing that the one's who are going forward are those people who looked quite sophisticated and powerful.
"I drew the lots, and sensed no falsehood. I swear on the honour of Spirit Hall. At the same time, I hereby declare, of the participating Spirit Master academy students, Spirit Hall will make an exception for anyone capable of reaching the finals, can directly enter Spirit Temple of Heaven Dou."
These words weren't anything to the spectators but the spirit masters were already in uproar.
What kind of place is Spirit Temple? It was the highest place in Spirit Hall apart from Supreme Pontiff Palace and Douluo Palace, in the entire continent only the two great imperial capitals had one each. Therefore, the Spirit Temples position were in fact the highest ranked institution in Spirit Hall. To a spirit master being able to enter Spirit Temple, could be a shortcut to the improvement of his strength. He would have all the resources as well as Spirit Temple's prestige, it is very tempting to any ordinary spirit master.
Hearing Platinum Bishop Salas words, Emperor Xue Ye expression clearly dropped. Ning Fengzhi on his side softly shook his head at the emperor as the emperor complexion slowly eased. But there was a person who didn't quite agree with Bishop Salas.
"Bishop Salas, don't you think you're crossing the line here. Poaching spirit masters of the Empire to join Spirit Hall, then don't blame me for being unfair." Elder Lin Peng calmly said to Bishop Salas as before the latter can even say something, elder Lin stood up from his seat.
"Those participating Spirit Master Academy's student that will be able to enter finals, are invited to join Immortals Love. You'll be given every bit of resources that anyone else can provide. Those who'll join will also be given a one time reward of a hundred thousand gold coins." Elder Lin Peng said as he smirked at Salas.
"Who do you think you are? A little elder of the so called Immortals Love, you dare offend Spirit Hall?" Salas as person who lose his calm quite quickly immediately become enraged as he pointed his finger at elder Lin Peng.
The atmosphere suddenly became quite chill as elder Lin Peng expression changed for the first time. He immediately released his 93rd-level spirit power pressure at Salas. Everyones expression at the VIP stage immediately changed as they didn't think the amiable looking old man is revered Titled Douluo and a strong one at that.
Chen Xin, Sword Douluo immediately arrived in front of Ning Fenghzi as he looked at the elder Lin with solemn look.
"Even if I don't belong to Immortals Love, I'm still a 93rd-rank Titled Douluo. Even Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall will show me three points of respect, a puny Platinum Bishop of Spirit Douluo level, dare point his finger at me?"
Elder Lin spoke very calmly with indifferent expression as if Salas was an insignificant ant.
"Do you believe that I don't dare to kill you right now? Immortals Love is just a financial organization, who doesn't have anything to do with political problems, but we still have five more elders and our chief. And I'm not even the strongest one, do you believe I don't dare offend Spirit Hall still now?"
Platinum bishop Salas looked like as if he swallowed a fly and immediately shut up. If what Lin Peng said is true then he will really be in trouble. And Spirit Hall isn't going to just offend such a humongous power just for a puny Spirit Douluo Platinum Bishop, if they can.
"I'll let you live this time because my Immortals Love has a very good relationship with your Supreme Pontiff Palace. But there will not be a second time. Know your place, fool." Elder Lin said as he withdrew his spirit power pressure and his expression returned to being an amiable one.
"Forgive me for causing inconveniences, your majesty and sectmaster Ning. As compensation, I as an elder of Immortals Love can provide you both with honorary elder position." Elder Lin said as he bowed a little to both of them.
Both of their expression immediately eased as they saw this. Emperor Xue Ye hurriedly held Elder Lin from bowing down as he said while laughing.
"Haha, there's no need, no need for apologizing. It's just a little debate nothing more."
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A/N : Hello there folks.
So here's a new chapter. Enjoy. It's mostly rules and start of the tournament. From the next chapter will be battles and fun. Also it's mostly copied from OG, so please don't bother mentioning that.
I apologise for not posting any chapter last week. I was really busy after the lockdown have been removed two weeks ago as I have to work two jobs in a day, one from 7am to 2 pm and other from 3pm to 10pm. And after returning home at 10:15 I didn't have that much time to even relax a little much less writing a chapter.
I mostly read a few new released chapter and that alone took more than one hour and after that I really don't have much time to spend it on writing chapter.
So I'll try to atleast post two chapters in a week. Hope you all can bear with me. And Thank you.
Your All Not So Mighty Allfather - PrimorDious.
Peace Out ✌️.
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And ThankYou.