"Those three are absolute geniuses—the greatest talents our Spirit Hall Academy has ever produced!"
The three stepped forward, brimming with confidence.
Xie Yue was the first to appear. He looked about twenty, with exceptionally handsome features softened by a hint of gentleness. His skin was as fair as jade, complementing his dark, deep-set eyes. He wore a silver robe with a broad sash of the same color around his waist, accentuating his perfect figure. His overall bearing was full of masculine vigor.
Every inch of his skin seemed to give off a faint golden glow, making him difficult to see clearly. Yet that distinctive air only made him seem all the more mysterious.
"That's Xie Yue? He's so handsome!"
"Absolutely! Xie Yue is my dream guy!"
"Xie Yue! Xie Yue!"
Below, one female student after another called out his name.
Xie Yue's eyes were utterly indifferent, even a little bewitching. The corners of his mouth curved into a perfect smile as he lifted his chin haughtily.
He simply stood there in silence, yet had already captured everyone's attention.
His expression remained calm, as though the sounds around him had nothing to do with him.
"I think Yan is handsome too!"
"I like Yan's personality."
"Yan! Yan!"
On the other side, people shouted Yan's name.
Yan was tall and well-built, with bronze-colored skin.
His features were sharply defined, and his swordlike brows slanted toward his temples, giving him a fierce, razor-sharp air. He wore a neat, crisp black uniform and looked handsome and dashing. More importantly, his short, fiery red hair fluttered in the breeze, making him seem rebellious and untamed.
When Hu Liena finally appeared, every male student present was captivated by her.
Hu Liena had short, pale-golden hair and an almost perfect figure. She bore some resemblance to Xie Yue, with skin as fair as snow. Wearing a long dress, she slowly stepped forward.
She was stunningly beautiful, and everyone could sense an unusual charm about her.
Countless boys began shouting Hu Liena's name.
"The Saintess! It's Hu Liena, the Saintess!"
"Hu Liena truly lives up to her title as our Spirit Hall Saintess. She's so beautiful!"
"Saintess! Saintess! Saintess..."
"Saintess, I love you!"
"Saintess, I want to be your dog!"
Wave after wave of frenzied cheers rang across the entire campus.
Just then, one of the teachers spoke up. "Everyone, these three are the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall. They'll be representing Spirit Hall in the competition!"
The students below grew even more excited, applauding and shouting wildly.
Xie Yue turned to the teacher, looking down at him as he asked coolly, "Have you prepared our teammates?"
The teacher immediately fawned over him. "They're ready, they're ready. These seven are the strongest students selected by Spirit Hall. They're all powerful and will accompany you into the competition!"
Yan stepped forward and looked at the seven. "Show us your Martial Souls."
The seven students selected by Spirit Hall Academy released their Martial Souls and Soul Rings.
All seven were level-forty Soul Ancestors, and without exception, their Soul Ring configurations were two yellow and two purple.
Yan examined them, then remarked, "The students at Spirit Hall are so weak this year. There isn't even a single Soul King."
Hu Liena calmly replied, "Their strength doesn't matter. They're only there to make up the numbers. Is there any opponent the three of us can't handle?"
Xie Yue remained indifferent and nodded slightly. "I have no other demands. As long as they obey, their strength doesn't matter. Once we win, they'll share in the glory."
The teacher hurriedly chimed in, "Following these three is a great honor in itself."
Xie Yue turned to the teacher. "All right. Have the seven of them come with us to Spirit Hall to register."
"Yes, yes!" The teacher said obsequiously, then immediately ordered, "You seven, make sure to support them well. Understood?"
"Understood."
The seven promptly agreed.
Just then, Qian Xun'an approached with his Soul Douluo subordinate.
Qian Xun'an walked toward them step by step, then asked, "Is this how you select the contestants?"
At his words, the three members of the Golden Generation and the teacher turned to look at him.
The teacher didn't recognize Qian Xun'an. With his meager abilities, he couldn't sense Qian Xun'an's strength either. He replied, "Selecting contestants is a matter for Spirit Hall Academy. What business is it of yours?"
Qian Xun'an merely let out a cold laugh.
As for the three members of the Golden Generation, they had already been overwhelmed by Qian Xun'an's presence. All three were utterly terrified.
They didn't even have the courage to move.
Standing behind the three, the teacher couldn't see their expressions and continued, "With the three geniuses of the Golden Generation, it doesn't matter who else we pick. We'll win regardless.
"And just who are you to meddle in Spirit Hall Academy's affairs?"
The Soul Douluo immediately stepped forward and snapped at the teacher, "Silence! How dare you act so brazenly in front of Lord Adjudicator!"
"Lord Adjudicator..." The teacher murmured the title. Suddenly, he remembered the Judgment Hall's emergence some time ago, an event that had shaken all of Spirit Hall.
Only then did he realize who Lord Adjudicator was!
His heart clenched. Terrified, he dropped to his knees with a thud. "Could you... could you be the legendary Lord Adjudicator?
"I'm sorry, sir. I was blind to your status and spoke out of turn. Please forgive me."
As he spoke, he kept kowtowing, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.
Qian Xun'an paid no attention to the teacher from Spirit Hall Academy. He turned his gaze to the three members of the Golden Generation and said, "So they're only there to make up the numbers, as long as they obey...
"You seem awfully confident that you can win the competition for Spirit Hall!"
Xie Yue spoke up. "Lord Adjudicator, we came to Spirit Hall Academy to select our teammates for the competition under the Pope's orders."
Qian Xun'an looked at Xie Yue calmly. "Her Holiness the Pope has put me in charge of this entire Soul Master Tournament. The contestants' selection concerns Spirit Hall's reputation, so naturally I have to review it myself.
"You still haven't answered me. Are you confident you can win for Spirit Hall?"
Under the invisible pressure Qian Xun'an exerted, Hu Liena took a deep breath, then raised her head to look at him. "Of course. Over the years, Spirit Hall has won nearly every Soul Master Tournament. This time will be no different."
Yan immediately echoed her. "Liena's right. The Soul Masters from the other academies are a bunch of cowards. If the rules allowed it, Xie Yue and Liena could win the competition by themselves."
"Hmph." Qian Xun'an snorted coldly as he looked at the three. "This competition concerns Spirit Hall's reputation. If you lose, you'll bring shame upon Spirit Hall.
"That's not confidence. It's blind arrogance. If you lose and disgrace Spirit Hall, can you take responsibility?"
"We won't lose!"
Xie Yue lifted his head to look at Qian Xun'an.
"Is that so?" Qian Xun'an turned his gaze to Xie Yue.
Xie Yue continued, "If I lose the Soul Master Tournament, I'm willing to take full responsibility."
Qian Xun'an watched him calmly. "Can you handle that responsibility?"
He looked at the three and said, "Since you're so arrogant, I'll give you a chance. If you perform poorly in this tournament, all three of you will be punished.
"I'll strip you of every privilege and honor you have in Spirit Hall!"
Qian Xun'an's gaze was icy as frost, making Xie Yue and the others tremble with fear.
"Remember, I said your performance!" Qian Xun'an continued.
The three exchanged glances. Not daring to offend Qian Xun'an, they all nodded.
Then Qian Xun'an said, "Get lost!"
Only then did the three leave, fuming.
Just then, the academy's dean hurried over.
The dean was a powerful Soul Douluo. When he saw Qian Xun'an, he immediately bowed. "Greetings, Lord Adjudicator. I'm the dean of Spirit Hall Academy."
Qian Xun'an looked at the dean of Spirit Hall Academy. "I heard that students at Spirit Hall Academy are selected through connections?"
The dean immediately replied, "Lord Adjudicator, that's completely baseless. I beg you to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
Qian Xun'an looked at the dean calmly. "Investigate it thoroughly... Heh. Do you think you can withstand my investigation? Once I uncover the truth, you'll pay with your life. Do you understand?"
At his words, the dean was overcome with terror and immediately fell to his knees before Qian Xun'an.
He lowered his head, sweat pouring down his face. "Spare me, my lord! Please spare me!"
He knew how powerful Qian Xun'an was. If Qian Xun'an seriously investigated him, he wouldn't be able to hide the truth.
Qian Xun'an looked at the dean calmly and said, "Today, select the seven strongest students at Spirit Hall Academy. I want a full range of Soul Master types. Once you've finished selecting them, resign."
The dean was deeply unwilling, but he still didn't dare offend the Lord Adjudicator standing before him. He immediately replied, "Yes!"
Before you continue