"It's Dean Liu Changfeng! I never thought he'd come in person!"
"I didn't expect Dean Liu Changfeng to preside over the Holy Son Battle either. What a rare sight!"
"It makes sense, though. This is the Holy Son Battle, far more important than an ordinary academy competition. It's only fitting that Dean Liu Changfeng came himself."
The Holy Land disciples gazed at the red-robed figure, whispering among themselves with awe and curiosity in their eyes.
Liu Changfeng was the dean of the East Academy's Inner Academy at the Mystic Sanctuary. He oversaw all its affairs, great and small, and his strength surpassed even that of several Peak Masters.
Liu Changfeng was one of the most powerful and influential figures in the entire Mystic Sanctuary.
Even the clan ancestors backing these disciples would bow respectfully and address him as Senior.
The rare appearance of this dean in person lent still more weight to the Holy Son Battle.
Dean Liu Changfeng's stern gaze swept slowly over the crowd before settling on the young figure in a White Mystic Robe beneath the Golden Arena.
His eyes betrayed little emotion. His gaze rested on Qin Yan for only an instant.
Then he spoke. His voice was not loud, but it carried an unshakable composure and authority.
"I will preside over this Holy Son Battle. The rules are simple: Qin Yan will defend the arena, and the other disciples will take turns challenging him.
"No one may use the power of external objects during a match. The competition will last ten days. If none of you defeats Qin Yan and knocks him from the arena within that time, Qin Yan will become the East Academy's Holy Son."
He paused briefly, his gaze passing over the sea of faces below. Then he announced crisply, "Very well.