Opening of the Exchange Tournament, Skywater City Great Soul Arena

Ye Qingzhou seemed to sense the gazes of the others, turning his head to glance at them with a gentle smile still lingering on his face.

Huo Wushuang was slightly taken aback, then nodded in acknowledgment.

Feng Xiaotian was more carefree, simply smiling directly at Ye Qingzhou.

"Everyone."

Just then, the voice of Shui Qingrou rang out from the front.

The people in the office, who had been whispering among themselves, immediately fell silent.

Shui Qingrou's gaze swept over the deans of the Blazing Fire Academy, Godwind Academy, and Thunder Academy, then shifted to Ye Shuyuan, Luo Feng, and the few young students, her tone gentle yet dignified.

"Since everyone has arrived, it is time to formally finalize the specific arrangements for this Four Elements Academy Exchange Tournament."

"The venue for this exchange tournament will be the Skywater City Great Soul Arena."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present showed little surprise.

Although the Skywater Academy was large, it was, after all, an academy campus. It would clearly be unsuitable to accommodate the students and teachers from the four academies, as well as the nobles and citizens from Skywater City who would come to watch.

The Great Soul Arena was designed for soul master combat; it was spacious, well-protected, and better suited to showcase the caliber of this exchange tournament.

Shui Qingrou continued, "The Skywater City Great Soul Arena has already been cleared in advance. Starting tomorrow, the main soul fighting stage will be dedicated to this exchange tournament for the next three days. In addition to personnel from the four academies, a portion of the spectator seats will be opened to the public."

"As for the competition rules, they will generally remain consistent with the Soul Master Tournament, but since this is merely an exchange, a few minor adjustments will be made."

Her gaze fell upon the group.

"First, the competition is organized by academy. Each team may field up to seven participants. There is no limit to the number of substitutes, but once an official match begins, no substitutions are permitted."

"Second, the competition will primarily feature team battles as seen in the Soul Master Tournament. There will be no 'defeat by death' rule, and malicious, grievous injury to an opponent is prohibited. If the referee determines that continuing the fight would endanger a student's life, they may terminate the match immediately."

"Individual matches will serve as a supplement, held in a ring-battle format, divided into attackers and defenders."

"The points awarded for team battles will far exceed those of individual matches."

Having said this, Shui Qingrou paused for a moment.

The deans all wore thoughtful expressions.

Feng Yuanliu said, "Dean Shui has considered this thoroughly. The exchange tournament emphasizes exchange; such an arrangement is more appropriate than merely striving for victory or defeat."

Lei Ying also nodded, "Indeed. It is never a bad thing for young people to spar more often."

Huo Fenghua glanced at Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu beside her and smiled, "Our Blazing Fire Academy has no objections."

Shui Qingrou continued, "To avoid unnecessary injuries caused by a large disparity in Soul Power Level, the soul power levels of both parties in individual sparring matches must not differ by more than ten levels. If both parties voluntarily agree to a challenge, the consent of their respective deans is required."

As soon as these words were spoken, many people subconsciously cast their gazes toward Ye Qingzhou.

A ten-year-old Soul Ancestor, and an auxiliary-type soul master at that.

Those who appear harmless are often the most threatening.

Ye Qingzhou seemed not to notice these gazes, sitting quietly between Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er, his fingertips resting lightly on his knees, his expression calm.

Ye Shuyuan glanced at Shui Qingrou and smiled without a word.

Shui Qingrou proceeded to announce the final point, "Fifth, for this exchange tournament, the Skywater Academy is responsible for venue coordination, the Great Soul Arena is responsible for basic officiating, and each of the four academies will dispatch one teacher to serve as a supervisor. Should any disputes arise, they will be settled collectively by the four deans."

Shui Qingrou looked at everyone, her voice clear, "These are the main arrangements for this exchange tournament. Does anyone have any objections?"

The office fell briefly silent.

Huo Fenghua spoke first, "Blazing Fire Academy has no objections."

Lei Ying said, "Thunder Academy has no objections."

Feng Yuanliu nodded slightly, "Godwind Academy has no objections either."

Ye Shuyuan chuckled, "Since the deans have no objections, this old man, as a specially invited guest, will naturally just be here to watch the excitement."

Luo Feng stood behind Ye Shuyuan with a calm expression.

The smile on Shui Qingrou's face deepened, "In that case, the matter is officially settled. Tomorrow morning, the four academies will head to the Skywater City Great Soul Arena together."

With the meeting concluded, things came to an end.

Huo Fenghua stood up and bowed to Ye Shuyuan, "Your Excellency Medical Saint, see you tomorrow."

Ye Shuyuan nodded with a smile, "See you tomorrow."

Feng Yuanliu also took Feng Xiaotian and left.

Before leaving, Feng Xiaotian took one last look at Ye Qingzhou.

Lei Ying acted decisively, calling for Yu Tianxin to leave the office.

Yu Tianxin paused at the door for a moment, but ultimately did not look back.

After the people from the Blazing Fire, Thunder, and Godwind academies had left one after another, the office became much quieter.

Shui Yue'er let out a long sigh, her entire body relaxing.

"It's finally over. I thought we'd be talking until nightfall."

Shui Qingrou looked at her with a helpless expression, "You... the exchange tournament starts tomorrow, and you're still so unfocused."

Shui Yue'er stuck out her tongue, then tugged on Ye Qingzhou's sleeve: "Little Brother Qingzhou, will you be competing tomorrow?"

Ye Qingzhou thought for a moment, then shook his head and said: "I am only a special guest; logically speaking, I will not be fighting on behalf of Skywater Academy."

A look of disappointment immediately appeared in Shui Yue'er's eyes.

Shui Bing'er, however, said softly: "It is better if you don't compete. If you were to actually take the stage, I fear the attention of all the other academies would be fixed solely on you."

Ye Qingzhou laughed: "Then I shall watch your match with peace of mind tomorrow."

Shui Bing'er nodded slightly.

Yet she knew in her heart that even if Ye Qingzhou did not compete, he would by no means be a mere spectator tomorrow.

The next morning.

The streets of Skywater City were even livelier than usual.

News of the Four Elements Academy Exchange Tournament had already spread throughout the entire city.

Skywater City was already famous because of Skywater Academy, and now that the Blazing Fire, Divine Wind, and Thunder academies had all gathered, it naturally attracted the attention of countless soul masters and common citizens.

Along both sides of the streets, vendors had set up their stalls early.

Shui Qingrou led Ye Qingzhou and the others toward the Great Soul Arena of Skywater City, and from afar, they could already see the towering structure of the Great Soul Arena.

The massive circular venue stood in the center of the city, with the banners of the four academies hanging from its outer walls.

The blue of Skywater, the crimson of Blazing Fire, the cyan of Divine Wind, and the blue of Thunder.

Outside the Great Soul Arena, it was already a sea of people.

Guards maintained order, directing common spectators, guests of the VIP seats, and the teams from the four academies toward different entrances.

When Shui Qingrou arrived with Ye Qingzhou and his group, a wave of discussion immediately broke out in the surroundings.

"Is that Dean Shui in front?"

"Who is that old man beside her? He looks a bit familiar."

"You don't even recognize the Medical Saint Douluo?"

Upon hearing the words "Medical Saint Douluo," the voices in the crowd grew noticeably quieter.

Ye Shuyuan's expression remained calm, casting all the chatter about him to the back of his mind.

Luo Feng followed at his side, his posture upright.

Ye Qingzhou walked among them.

Shui Qingrou looked back at the group, her tone steady: "Let's go, let's enter the arena first."