Opening

Tang San's Soul Power has now reached level 44, and because his Martial Soul Evolution into the Blue Silver King, his control ability has also been greatly improved.

If he was merely a fake Control System Spirit Master before, then now his control abilities are definitely among the top in the same level of Soul Master.

The evolution of his Martial Soul greatly enhanced the resilience and Life Force of his Blue Silver King. Now, unless it encounters an element or Martial Soul that is countered, his Blue Silver King is not easily torn apart.

After Xiao Wu broke through level 39, she spent two months advancing to level 40, and Oscar personally took her to "hunt" for Soul Ring.

In reality, he simply took the little girl to a place where she could condense her own Soul Ring. Xiao Wu's Fourth Spirit Ring Soul Power Level was 41. Now, a few months later, her Soul Power Level has also increased to 43.

The eight Little Monsters from the Shrek Academy have now all reached at least the Soul Ancestor level, and some, like Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, have even reached the Spirit King level.

The Shrek Team set off from the academy early and arrived at the Great Soul Arena to prepare for the opening ceremony of the tournament.

The opening ceremony proceeded as planned. The Shrek Team was led by Vice Dean Zhao Wuji, while Flender and Liu Erlong were nowhere to be seen...

As Zhao Wuji led the Little Monster into the arena, he explained the rules of the competition and some important points.

The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament is the largest Spirit Master Combat Tournament in the Spirit Master World, initiated and hosted by the royal families of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire Two Great Empires and co-organized by the Spirit Hall. The participants are the most outstanding young Soul Master on the continent.

There are several rules that must be followed.

First, the students sent by the participating academies must be under 25 years old and be able to maintain a team of seven participants in each Team Battle.

Secondly, the purpose of the competition should be friendly exchange, avoiding injury to the opponent as much as possible, and absolutely no deaths should be allowed.

If any academy kills an opponent, it will not only bear the corresponding losses but will also be expelled from the Soul Master Competition.

Besides these two hard rules, there are some more standardized rules, all based on the premise of fairness.

For example, during the competition, no medicine or food made by non- Food System or Healing System Soul Master may be used. Only Food System or Healing System Soul Master in the Spirit Arena have the right to replenish their teammates.

In other words, if a team wants to obtain supplies on the arena, then Support System Spirit Master must occupy a spot on the field, which avoids the possibility of cheating by teams with Food System Soul Master.

There's another rule regarding weapons: no weapons other than Martial Soul can be used. This isn't very friendly to Tang San, who plays with Hidden Weapon, but it's not a big deal. After all, this kind of competition where young Soul Master are the ones who compete, it's all about talent and strength.

The Preliminary Round are conducted in separate zones. Within the Heaven Dou Empire, centered on the Heaven Dou Empire Heaven Dou City, all advanced Soul Master Academy that do not belong to other kingdoms or duchies will participate in the Preliminary Round in the Heaven Dou City zone.

The advanced Soul Master Academy of each kingdom and duchy held preliminary rounds according to the country's division. The Heaven Dou Empire had a total of four kingdoms and one duchy.

In other words, including the Heaven Dou City division, the Heaven Dou Empire will have a total of six Preliminary Round divisions.

Apart from the Imperial Fighting Team that has already secured a spot in the Grand Finals, these six divisions will compete for fifteen qualifying slots.

Among them, the Heaven Dou City Division has five slots available because it has many advanced Soul Master Academy and is a division directly under the Empire.

The other four kingdoms and one duchy will each have two qualifying spots.

The situation of the Star Luo Empire was almost the same as that of the Heaven Dou Empire.

After the Preliminary Round, excluding the seeded teams from the Two Great Empires and the Spirit Hall, thirty Soul Master teams will advance to the next stage, and all thirty teams will participate in the Grand Finals.

However, before the Grand Finals, there is a Promotion Match. This Promotion Match is actually a ranking match for the teams that have already entered the finals. The order of appearance in the Grand Finals will be determined based on the ranking.

The formats for the Preliminary Round and the Promotion Match are different.

The Preliminary Round will be conducted in the Team Battle format most familiar to the Soul Master Academy, using a single round-robin system. The team with the highest winning points in each preliminary division will advance to the Promotion Match.

The Promotion Match will be conducted in a special way. Although each team will still send seven participants, they will face off one-on-one.

The winner remains on the field, while the loser continues to send in trainees until one side's trainees all fail, thus determining the winner.

Therefore, the Preliminary Round can be seen as a competition to showcase the team's strength, while the Promotion Match are a stage to demonstrate individual strength.

The reason for having Promotion Match is to allow the Two Great Empires and the high-ranking officials of the Spirit Hall to better identify some exceptionally talented young Soul Master among these participants, so as to recruit them.

The Grand Finals will feature 33 teams, who will be drawn into a brutal elimination tournament.

These 33 teams are, in addition to the 30 teams that advanced from the Two Great Empires, the teams recommended by the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, and the seeded teams recommended by the Spirit Hall Academy.

This can be considered a privilege of the Two Great Empires and the Spirit Hall.

Of course, although it is a privilege, the final championship of each major competition is basically monopolized by these three schools, and the other Soul Master Academy are just putting on a show.

The rankings for the Promotion Match will be conducted separately in the Two Great Empires, with positions numbered from one to fifteen.

The benefits of this ranking will become apparent in the Grand Finals will be a knockout tournament.

In each round, several teams will receive a bye. In the first round of the Grand Finals, the three seeded teams will receive a bye.

The remaining thirty teams competed against each other, and the fifteen winning teams advanced to the next round.

In the second round, including the three seeded teams, there are a total of eighteen teams. At this point, the two teams with the highest rankings in the Promotion Match will receive a bye.

The remaining sixteen teams will compete to select eight teams to advance to the third round. In the third round, only ten teams will remain, and the two teams ranked higher in the ranking tournament will receive a bye.

Teams that have already received a bye will not receive a second bye. After the third round, there will be six teams remaining, which will be the final six teams in the tournament. At this point, there will be no more teams receiving byes.

In the fourth round, the six teams were divided into three groups by drawing lots to compete and determine the final top three.

To ensure fairness, the final rankings of the top three will be determined through a combination of Team Battle and individual elimination matches.

First, there will be an individual elimination tournament, similar to Promotion Match.

The three teams competed in a challenge format, with each side sending out seven members who took turns playing.

The battles will still be a loser-eliminated contest, with the winner continuing to face the next opponent until all students from the other two academies are eliminated. The winning academy will then advance directly.

The other two colleges will engage in a Team Battle to determine the other qualifying team, which will then face the team that advanced through the individual elimination rounds in the final Team Battle.

These are the rules of the entire competition. These rules were known to all the Soul Master Academy before the competition even began; some academies were even searching for loopholes in the rules, hoping to gain greater advantages!...

At this moment, the competition staff quickly entered the rest area and organized the students who had arrived to enter the venue.

Surrounding the huge and open square were countless spectators shouting and cheering. In front of the central area was a grand stage with a gold background, and behind the grand stage was the renovated VIP area.

The spacious venue has a diameter of over 150 meters. The colleges that entered earlier had already lined up in neat formations in the center of the venue. Each college was introduced by a master of ceremonies on the stage as they entered.

At this moment, the last academy had also entered.

"The last team to enter is Shrek Academy. Shrek Academy was originally named Blue Tyrant Academy, but it was renamed Shrek Academy a year ago."

"Look how striking their dark-themed outfits are! They're incredibly imposing just from a visual perspective. There are twelve students participating, and their slogan is 'The Champion Without Opponents.' It's a very clever slogan, and I hope they can deliver an outstanding performance."

Listening to the emcee's words, the audience in the stands couldn't help but have high expectations for the team, and cheers rose and fell.

After all, once the match starts, there will be betting odds, and almost everyone will choose a team they like and take a gamble.

Every year around this time, quite a few people who know inside information or are lucky enough to become rich overnight! Inside the VIP box, Flender and Liu Erlong saw this scene through the glass window, and couldn't help but reveal an indescribable smile.

Liu Erlong glanced at Flender, her eyebrows slightly raised. "You didn't bet all your assets on this, did you?"

Flender's lips curled into a confident smile, "Don't you know how strong these Little Monsters are? This tournament is just a little training exercise for me. I really can't think of any academy that can defeat these Little Monsters!"

Hearing Flender's confident words, Liu Erlong nodded in agreement. "These Little Monster are indeed incredible. Even if Xiao Ao and Yan Yan are not here, as long as Hongjun, Dai Mubai and Zhuqing are here, I estimate that we can already reserve the championship."

Flender smiled upon hearing this, "So... how much are you planning to bet?"

When Flender asked her that, Liu Erlong's expression became slightly awkward. "Ahem, let's not talk about that..."

Seeing Liu Erlong's appearance, Flender knew perfectly well that his Erlong was also planning to go all in.

Compared to the confidence of Flender and Liu Erlong, a red-haired youth who had just entered another VIP room was somewhat unsettled.

This man was in his early thirties. He wasn't particularly handsome, but he possessed an indescribable charm that made people feel very comfortable.

The red-haired youth watched as Zhao Wuji led the Shrek Team into the arena and couldn't help but sigh, "Dean Flender, the dream I couldn't fulfill back then, you've finally achieved it. Let me see if your Little Monster are more powerful, or if my student is superior."

Finally, all participating colleges had entered the venue.

The stands, which can accommodate 80,000 spectators, are decorated with a silver background. Although it is morning, the surrounding area is illuminated by special Soul Tool lighting, giving people not only a sense of luxury, but also a sense of grandeur.

VIP seating.

In the center stood a man dressed in a long, golden-red robe and wearing Golden Diamond Radiance Crown. His face was as round as the Gu Yue. Although the old man appeared somewhat aged, he sat there with an aura of origin, as if everything around him revolved around him.

This is none other than His Your Majesty the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire — Xue Ye.

To the left of this man sat an elderly man, even older than him. The old man was covered in a long, bright red robe and wore a Five-Pointed Platinum Crown. His eyes were slightly closed, as if he were asleep. His shoulders were narrow, and his slender body was like a javelin.

This is Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall stationed in Heaven Dou City. He is a Soul Douluo.

The person to the right of Xue Ye is Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi wore a white robe and Seven Treasures Purple Gold Crown, a symbol of his status. As one of the top three sect leaders of the Seven Great Sects, he was fully qualified to sit in this position.

Beside Ning Fengzhi, an old man with a handsome face and long silver hair stood quietly. He did not sit down, but stood beside Ning Fengzhi, like a peerless sword ready to Long Sword Emerges at any moment.

This person is none other than Sword Douluo Sword Dao Chen Xin, one of the two guardian deities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Soul Power Level is as high as level ninety-six.

The emcee on one side of the VIP platform announced in a loud voice, "Now, please welcome Your Majesty the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire to declare the opening of this competition."

As the emcee finished speaking, Xue Ye, who was seated in the center of the first row of the VIP seats and dressed in a crimson-gold robe, slowly rose to his feet amidst thunderous applause.

He raised his right hand and waved lightly towards the audience and the participating Soul Master below. The applause quickly stopped, and the huge square became silent.

A deep and resonant voice echoed throughout the arena through the Amplification Soul Tool: "I, Xue Ye, Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire and the organizers of this competition, hereby announce the opening of the Pan-Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."

As the Xue Ye night subsided, thunderous applause Lei Dong once more, followed by cheers. When the applause quieted down again, His Majesty the Your Majesty continued:

"Here, I hope that all the Soul Master participating in this competition can give full play to their strength and achieve good results. You are all the pride of the Heaven Dou Empire. Show your brilliance for the glory of the empire."

The applause rang out for the third time. This time, the Soul Master in the center of the arena shone with a burning light in their eyes. For them, this competition was the best stage to showcase themselves.

His Your Majesty the Emperor returned to his seat, and the master of ceremonies' voice rang out again. "Next, please welcome Mr. Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, to deliver a speech for this competition."

As Ning Fengzhi stood up, applause broke out again, but this time it was mostly focused attention. As the number one support Soul Master in the Spirit Master World, who wouldn't want to see his prowess?

Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly, pressed his hands down, and his warm voice, as gentle as a spring breeze, slowly rang out. "I am very happy to be invited as a guest to open this competition. As the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School, I have witnessed the growth of too many Soul Masters."

"As the noblest profession on the continent, every Soul Master must undergo numerous trials and tribulations in their development. But what I want to say is that a sharp sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold."

"Those participating in this Soul Master Competition are undoubtedly the elite of the younger generation. Just as Your Majesty said, he hopes that you can bring glory to the Empire and to your own academies."

"Finally, the Empire needs talents like you. Thank you."

Upon hearing Ning Fengzhi's speech, a genuine smile finally appeared on the face of His Your Majesty the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.

The emcee then asked a question, "Sect Master Ning, you are the most powerful Support System Spirit Master. On behalf of the audience watching this battle, I would like to ask you this question."

"Which of the 28 teams participating in the Heaven Dou City regional Preliminary Round do you think has the best chance of winning?"

Ning Fengzhi, still smiling, replied, "Besides the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, which entered the Grand Finals as a seeded team, I also have high hopes for another team among the twenty-eight teams this time."

After a pause, Ning Fengzhi continued, "I think they not only have the ability to pass the Preliminary Round, but they also have a good chance of competing with Royal Team One for the final championship."

"Oh?" the master of ceremonies asked in surprise, "I wonder which group managed to gain the personal favor of Sect Master Ning?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Zhiyuan smiled mysteriously and said, "As for which academy this team belongs to, I'll keep you in suspense for now. But I believe that the final champion of this competition will definitely belong to the Empire."

Upon hearing this, the Platinum Bishop sitting next to Xue Ye, who had been keeping his eyes slightly closed, opened them. His eyes looked cloudy and lacked any luster. His gaze fell on the twenty-eight participating teams in the arena, as if he were searching for the team that Ning Fengzhi had mentioned.

Ning Fengzhi sat back in his seat, and the emcee smiled and said, "It's a pity that we couldn't get the team that Sect Master Ning favored from his mouth."

"Next, please welcome Lord Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall Sanctuary Spirit Hall Heaven Dou City, to draw lots for the first round of the Preliminary Round. After the draw, the vice-team of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy will play against their opponents drawn in the first round."

"This will also be the only match today."

Platinum Bishop Salas of Platinum slowly stood up and, led by a court lady, walked to the master of ceremonies to begin the drawing of lots. He seemed reluctant to speak, and each time a pair of opponents was drawn, he handed it over to the master of ceremonies to announce.

"In the first round of the Preliminary Round, Blue Gold Academy will face Purple Star Academy."

"In the first round of the Preliminary Round, Badwood Academy will face off against the Odebon Academy."

"First round of the Preliminary Round..."

"In the first round of the Preliminary Round, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team Two will face off against the Shrek Academy."

As the draw concluded, the audience erupted in cheers.

However, many viewers were shouting the word "cheating," believing that the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team Two was clearly picking on an easy target.

Although the Shrek Academy Team did look impressive when they entered the arena, most people who have been following previous competitions know that this Shrek Academy Team is making its first appearance on the competition stage, making them a completely new team.

After the draw, the Platinum Bishop Salas swept his gaze across the entire hall and said calmly, "My draw was absolutely genuine, and I swear on the honor of the Spirit Hall."

"At the same time, I hereby announce that all the participating students from the Soul Master Academy present who are able to enter the final Grand Finals will be exceptionally allowed by the Spirit Hall to directly join the Spirit Hall Sanctuary."

The audience didn't react much to these words, but the Soul Master in the arena were in an uproar.

What kind of existence is the Spirit Hall Sanctuary? It is the highest-ranking Spirit Hall after the Pope's Palace and the Douluo Hall. There is only one in the capital of each of the Two Great Empires on the entire continent.

The Pope's Palace is the exclusive domain of the Pope, while the Douluo Hall is a symbolic entity. Therefore, the Spirit Hall Sanctuary is actually the highest-ranking institution within the Spirit Hall.

For a Soul Master, being able to directly enter the Spirit Hall Sanctuary is a shortcut to improving their status and strength. Not only do they enjoy the best treatment, various training facilities and resources, but the prestige of the Spirit Hall Sanctuary itself is also extremely attractive to ordinary Soul Master.

Upon hearing the words of the Platinum Bishop, Xue Ye's expression darkened considerably. Ning Fengzhi was beside him, gently shook his head at the emperor, and Xue Ye's expression softened somewhat.

Salas's statement on this occasion was undoubtedly a direct confrontation with Xue Ye, since countless outstanding Soul Master present were from the Empire. If they were to enter the Spirit Hall, it would be a loss for the Empire.

P. S.: Typos will be corrected first and then fixed later.