The next day, the sky was clear for miles. The square before the Pope's Palace teemed with people.
The enormous arena was surrounded by Soul Masters from every major power. At the front of the viewing platform stood the throne of Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong, with Spirit Hall's elders and worshippers seated on either side. Great figures such as Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, Star Luo Empire's representative, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Ning Fengzhi, and the heads of the Lower Four Sects were arranged to the left and right. The atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.
The appointed hour arrived, and the bell rang long and clear.
Dressed in magnificent papal robes, wearing a violet-gold crown, and holding a scepter, Pope Bibi Dong slowly ascended the platform. Her beauty was peerless, her bearing noble and imposing. As her gaze swept across the crowd, she exuded an air of supremacy over all beneath heaven.
"Welcome, everyone, to Spirit City for this Soul Hunting Competition." Bibi Dong's voice was cool and pleasing, yet carried an invisible pressure that spread throughout the square. "The path of a Soul Master lies in sparring and tempering one another, progressing together. This competition is meant to select outstanding talents, exchange insights, and prepare for the changes to come upon the continent."
After that grandiose opening, Bibi Dong abruptly changed her tone, her voice sharpening. "However, the continent has been in turmoil lately, with evil forces running rampant. Wretches like the Holy Spirit Cult have brought calamity upon the common people. They are the common enemy of the Soul Master world! As the sacred ground of Soul Masters, Spirit Hall bears the heavy responsibility of preserving peace across the continent. We will never permit such evil forces to act with impunity!"
Her gaze flashed