Drawing Lots

"Look, the three people in the front row." Ning Rongrong pointed upward.

"Which three? I don't see anyone." Oscar looked in the direction she indicated but saw nothing, asking in confusion.

"Up there." Ning Rongrong put her hands on her hips, sighed, and pointed at the floating screen overhead. "The man on the right is my father—you all know him. To his left is His Majesty Xue Ye, Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire. To the Emperor's left is Salas, the master of the Spirit Hall Temple in Heaven Dou City and one of Spirit City's four Platinum Bishops. Hmph, he's no good person."

In the stands, Salas suddenly felt a wave of malice directed at him and sneezed loudly. He hurriedly stood up and looked around, but found nothing. He sat back down, propping an arm against the armrest and brooding in silence.

"Next, let us invite His Majesty, the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, to declare the opening of this tournament!"

As soon as the host finished speaking, fireworks went off around the venue. The royal orchestra beat drums and gongs, while trumpets played a cheerful march. Armored warriors slammed their spears and halberds against the blue bricks, producing bursts of metallic clanging.

Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Salas rose from their seats of honor, basking in the cheers of the audience below.

A smile appeared on Xue Ye's lips. He raised his right hand and summoned a scepter, driving it heavily into the ground as he declared, "I, Xue Ye, Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire and the organizers of this tournament, hereby solemnly announce the opening of the Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."

The staff immediately lit the fireworks. They shot into the sky with sharp pops before exploding in brilliant, dazzling colors.

Doves of peace were released, spreading their wings and flying in orderly formations.

Colorful balloons also rose into the air, drifting in every direction and instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Under the operators' control, twenty-eight ceremonial cannons fired salute after salute into the sky with booming blasts, celebrating the successful opening of the twenty-eighth Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.

"Wow, it's so beautiful."

Xue Ye continued, "Here, I hope every Spirit Master participating in this tournament will give full play to their abilities and achieve excellent results. You are all the pride of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Next, let us invite Mr. Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, to deliver a speech for the tournament." The host spoke happily into the microphone.

Ning Fengzhi nodded to Xue Ye, then turned around and said with a smile, "I am very pleased to have been invited as a guest for this tournament's opening ceremony. This Seat has witnessed the rise and fall of many Spirit Masters. Only constant tempering can bring growth. Just as His Majesty said, today you bring glory to the Empire; tomorrow, the Empire will take pride in you."

"Sect Master Ning, as the most powerful auxiliary-system Spirit Master, which team do you favor?" the host suddenly asked. This was the interview segment, intended to build publicity while stirring up conflict among the teams. Naturally, they would then give their all in the arena, making the matches more exciting.

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "This Seat does indeed favor one team to win the championship."

"May we know which team has earned Sect Master Ning's favor?"

Everyone from every team present turned their eyes to Ning Fengzhi, eager to know whether this influential figure had recognized their team's strength.

"Hehe, This Seat will keep that a secret for now." Ning Fengzhi smiled, then suddenly spread his arms and shouted, "But the final champion will certainly belong to the Empire!"

Seeing the confident smile on his face, everyone present erupted into cheers.

Beside him, Salas wore a dark expression without the slightest change in his face. No one knew what he was thinking.

"What a pity—we weren't able to get Sect Master Ning to reveal the team he favors. Next, let us welcome the notary of this tournament, Lord Salas, Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall."

"Friends, the highly anticipated competition is about to begin. Ticket-holding spectators and competing teams, please proceed to the indoor Great Soul Arena."

The doors of the indoor Great Soul Arena immediately opened, and the lights came on at once. The ticket-holding spectators filed inside.

In front of the Blue Tyrant Academy team, two students from other Spirit Master academies strolled along unhurriedly, each holding a small blue flower. One of them suddenly asked, "Which team are you planning to give that flower to?"

The handsome student in a suit took the small blue flower from his breast pocket and said with a smile, "Isn't that obvious? Of course, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. They're the pride of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Hearing them, Ning Rongrong looked at the little blue flower in her hand, ran forward, and asked, "Teacher Qin Ming, why does every audience member receive a small blue flower when they enter?"

With his hands behind his back, Qin Ming answered without a smile, "Although it is one of the most common flowers in the Heaven Dou Empire, it represents sincere and profound love. People often give it to the academy they support. As for how to give it, you'll find out once you enter."

Qin Ming had never participated in competitions like these and originally knew nothing about them. Fortunately, Yu Xiaogang had left behind books and notes. Over the past month or so, Qin Ming had gone through nearly all of them and memorized their records, so he answered Ning Rongrong's question with ease.

After everyone took their seats, Doudou, the female host with a pair of pure white wings, flew out from the second floor. Holding a microphone, she circled through the air before landing on the ground and announcing enthusiastically, "Welcome, everyone, to the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena. Let us invite Lord Salas to conduct the draw for the first round of the preliminaries."

Four female attendants in qipaos walked onto the stage, each holding a tray of gold tokens in both hands, and lined up behind her.

On the second-floor viewing platform, a purple Soul Ring appeared around Salas. His entire body transformed into a plume of smoke and flew down.

As the purple Soul Ring vanished, Salas emerged from the smoke with a cold smile. With his hands behind his back, he slowly walked forward, looking every bit the dignified figure. But anyone familiar with Salas knew that the old man was showing off again.

Doudou pointed at one of the female attendants. The girl stepped forward and presented the wooden tray.

Salas brought his hand from behind his back and held it over the tray. The girl had assumed he would take one of the gold tokens, but instead, Salas placed his hand over her left hand and brazenly groped it several times. The girl gasped in shock and was about to curse at him, but when she remembered that the man taking liberties with her was the master of Spirit Hall, she merely pursed her lips and said nothing.

Salas suddenly came up with a new idea. His Soul Power surged, lifting the gold tokens from all four trays into the air. After spinning them wildly once, the tokens plunged into the ground in pairs, arranged in a vertical line.

After finishing all that, he transformed into smoke again and flew back to the second-floor viewing room. Sitting in his seat, the corners of his mouth curled upward smugly.

Doudou focused her gaze and scanned the tokens before announcing excitedly, "The first match: Canghui Academy versus Purple Star Academy."

"The second match: Auckland Academy versus Blazing Radiance Academy."

"The third match: Blue Tyrant Academy versus the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team."

In the second-floor viewing room.

Xue Ye said angrily, "What? Damn it, Salas, you actually tampered with the draw."

"Hehe, isn't the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team supposed to be very strong? Then I'll make sure they don't even reach the finals." Salas said with a smug grin.

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