It had the largest port on the entire continent, complete with docks.
In the distance, massive warships could be seen anchored in the sea. That was the Federal Navy's base.
It was precisely because of its formidable military strength that Skysea City had become the largest city on the east coast.
It held a pivotal position on the continent, rivaling even some of the major inland cities.
Soon, the group was taken to a luxurious hotel.
The hotel was quite distinctive, with half of its structure built over the sea. Every room offered a view of the ocean.
When he opened the window, the salty, damp sea breeze rushed in, carrying a faint fishy smell and giving him the feeling that he could embrace the ocean.
As the only boy, Wang Zhi had a room to himself.
He closed the door and immediately sat cross-legged on the bed, sinking his mind into his body.
The most obvious change was his Soul Power.
He had broken through the bottleneck at Level 19, and his Soul Power now rested steadily at Level 22.
A Two-Ring Soul Grand Master.
With a thought, two purple soul rings slowly rose from beneath his feet.
Purple. Thousand-year.
Two Thousand Year Soul Rings.
The corners of Wang Zhi's mouth lifted slightly, and he began examining the information on his Second Soul Skill.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, a hint of delight flashing in them.
Second Soul Skill: Light Shadow Refraction.
Effect: By altering light, it could refract objects and even people within a certain range to another location, like a mirage, making it impossible for enemies to distinguish what was real.
Most importantly, it did not confuse others through Spiritual Power, but through the physical refraction of light.
Therefore, even when facing an opponent stronger than himself, their Spiritual Power perception could not see through it.
This was a true Illusionary Divine Skill.
Wang Zhi took a deep breath and continued his examination.
When he sank his consciousness into his Sea of Consciousness, he froze.
His Sea of Consciousness had changed.
It had been vast before, but it still had boundaries.
Now, it seemed to have become an endless ocean, boundless and unfathomably deep.
Its surface was smooth as a mirror, yet he could sense the immense power contained within.
Spirit Sea Realm.
Nearly all the guests at Tianhai Hotel were connected to the competition.
There were not only competitors from Hailu City, but also teams representing other cities.
In the corridors, elevators, and lobby, young men and women in uniforms of different colors could be seen everywhere, accompanied by their teachers and staff.
Everyone hurried about, deep in thought.
Naturally, there were also competitors from Eastsea City.
That evening.
As Wang Zhi carried his tray around the hotel's dining hall in search of a seat, his gaze swept across the crowd and suddenly stopped.
Several boys sat at a table not far away.
One of them looked a little shy and was eating with his head lowered.
Beside him sat a girl with long silver hair that fell like a waterfall. She ate quietly, her bearing cool and ethereal.
The loudest of the group was gesticulating as he talked.
"Wulin, when the time comes, you can take the assault role and I'll handle agility. With Gu Yue controlling the field, the three of us can take the championship!"
Even from several tables away, Wang Zhi could hear Xie Xie's voice, chattering nonstop.
"Mm, sounds good."
Tang Wulin shoveled food into his mouth at a rapid pace, then looked up to squeeze in a reply.
Wang Zhi held his tray and watched them for a few seconds.
Tang Wulin.
And Xie Xie, and... Gu Yue.
Wang Zhi looked away and casually found a seat nearby.
As he ate, he thought about his future.
After the Tianhai Competition, Dean Zhang Zhenpeng hoped to send him, Zhou Tian'er, and Zhou Hanyou to Shrek Academy together, where they would have better opportunities to develop.
But he personally felt no particular attachment to Shrek Academy.
What was more, according to the Original Work, given Zhou Tian'er and Zhou Hanyou's talent and Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the two of them were certain to gain admission to Shrek Academy.
Yet for some reason, he had never seen them appear in the later parts of the Original Work.
This made Wang Zhi uneasy.
Had someone intervened to stop them?
Or had something else prevented the two of them from joining Shrek Academy?
But the Original Work had not recorded anything about this, so he had no way of knowing.
Wang Zhi took a bite of his steamed bun and chewed slowly.
With no more information to go on, he could only take things one step at a time.
He would meet whatever came his way.
After finishing his meal, he got up, left the dining hall, and returned to his room.
He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to meditate.
The next day.
The opening ceremony of the Tianhai Competition was held at Tianhai Stadium.
It was a massive stadium capable of holding eighty thousand people, the largest in all the cities of the Skysea Alliance.
Early that morning, the teams representing the various cities had already entered the stadium and were waiting.
The enormous stadium was packed as far as the eye could see.
The stands were already full. Flags of every color waved in a sea of people, and cheers and shouts rose one after another.
Wang Zhi and the others sat in the section reserved for Sea and Land Academy, waiting for the next part of the proceedings.
Next came the draws, conducted according to the different competition formats.
The teachers handled all of that, leaving the students with nothing to do but wait quietly.
Zhou Tian'er leaned back in her chair, bored, and muttered, "This is so dull. When does it start...?"
Zhou Hanyou glanced at her but said nothing.
Wang Dongqi kept staring at the center of the arena, lost in thought.
Wang Zhi also looked toward the center of the arena.
A platform was being assembled there at a rapid pace. It was ten meters square, made entirely of solid stone, and looked exceptionally sturdy.
Just then, a smug voice came from nearby.
"You really don't know, do you?"
"They're going to hold an exhibition match later. I heard they specially invited students from Shrek Academy this time—and paid a fortune to do it."
"Their opponents will be the champions of the Skysea Alliance's Seven People competition last time."
"The Alliance is doing this mainly so we can see the gap between us and the top teams."
"But..."
"I don't think it was the right choice."
Wang Zhi turned toward the voice.
Not far from them, Xie Xie was holding forth to his companions, looking rather pleased with himself, as if he knew some incredible inside information.
Tang Wulin sat beside him, listening attentively.
Gu Yue remained cool and detached, her gaze fixed on the platform at the center of the arena.
Wang Zhi looked away.
It was quite a coincidence that their seats were so close to Tang Wulin and the others.
At that moment, Zhou Tian'er noticed where Wang Zhi was looking.
She followed his gaze and saw Tang Wulin's group, then asked curiously, "Xiao Zhi, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Wang Zhi said, shaking his head.
With that, he looked away.
Getting involved in events with a protagonist was never a good idea, but to repay the Academy for all it had done for him, he still had to win the championship.
Besides, nothing had happened at the Tianhai Competition in the Original Work.
So it should...
Be fine, right?
Before you continue