As they waited for the last few selection teams, who had arrived on time for some unknown reason, to enter, Ademos began reciting the selection's ceremonial address.
Enhanced by magic, his voice carried clearly throughout the entire Saintess Plaza.
"In the year 2067 of the Black Moon calendar, the twenty-first Saintess Selection has officially begun. First, congratulations to all of you for standing out from across the Empire and earning the right to participate in this selection..."
Listening to the dull, formulaic speech, Chen Xi and the others merely huddled in their section of the eastern half of the venue, waiting in boredom.
To outsiders, they appeared to be standing quietly, waiting for the ceremony to end.
In reality, concealed by the Phantom Shadow Chen Xi had set up, they were teasing Zhu Li, whom only they could see, with great interest.
Ignoring the occasional gazes directed their way, Chen Xi casually asked Gu Yu, "How much longer is this opening speech going to take?"
Gu Yu was focused on stroking Zhu Li's head. At the question, she looked up without stopping her hand, answering casually, "Based on past experience, about an hour."
"That long?" Chen Xi lowered her gaze slightly.
But on second thought, it made sense.
The Black Moon Empire had a long history and had stood for ten thousand years.
On top of that, Transcendents lived far longer than ordinary people, often for several centuries. To them, an hour truly was no more than the blink of an eye.
This sort of ceremony was more about displaying the Empire's majesty and the weight of its traditions.
Seeing that the blue-haired girl was still skillfully stroking Zhu Li's forehead, her expression focused and natural as she ignored the strange looks being cast her way, Lin Yue finally could