As sunlight kissed this fertile land and the breeze swept away the morning mist among the mountains, the vast city of Mingdu awakened.
Countless streams of people began to stir. Many had arrived early outside the three hotels designated for contestants to rest in, claiming spots along both sides of the streets leading to the competition grounds, ready to watch the competitors emerge from their hotels.
Sun Moon soldiers clad head to toe in silver-white armor stood in two lines, one on each side, spaced three meters apart. From the hotel entrance, they stretched all the way to the end of the street, where luxurious carriages waited to transport each competing team to the competition grounds outside Mingdu.
The passage they formed had long since been placed under full lockdown, and an air of grim tension hung everywhere.
Large numbers of passersby crowded behind them, whispering among themselves or waiting in anticipation.
The main hall of the Mingyue Hotel was already packed with people. Teams staying on different floors began leaving the hotel one after another.
They were then greeted by the gazes of the passersby and soldiers.
All the competitors were young. Faced with such endless attention, it was difficult for their hearts to remain calm.
Who did not want to look cool in front of a crowd?
As a result, nearly every team that headed out forced themselves to appear calm, wearing expressions as though they were above everything.
As the teams ahead departed one by one, the Shrek group at the very back narrowed their gazes at a group not far ahead, dressed in pitch-black robes embroidered with the image of a Clear Sky Hammer.
They were the Clear Sky Sect led by Tang Wei. While the other teams were strong and could be tough opponents, their