Ye Qingzhou seemed to notice their gazes. He turned his head and glanced at them, still wearing his gentle smile.
Huo Wushuang was slightly taken aback, then nodded in greeting.
Feng Xiaotian was more carefree and simply smiled at Ye Qingzhou.
"Everyone."
Just then, Shui Qingrou's voice rang out from the front.
The people who had been speaking quietly in the office fell silent at once.
Shui Qingrou's gaze swept over the deans of Blazing Fire, Godwind, and Thunder Academies, then turned to Ye Shuyuan, Luo Feng, and several young students. Her tone was gentle but authoritative.
"Since everyone has arrived, it's time to formally settle the arrangements for this Four Elements Academy Exchange Tournament."
"This exchange tournament will be held at Skywater City's Great Soul Arena."
At her words, no one present seemed particularly surprised.
Skywater Academy was spacious, but it was still an academy campus. It clearly wasn't suitable for accommodating students and teachers from all four academies, along with the nobles and common folk of Skywater City who would come to watch.
The Great Soul Arena was, after all, a place where Soul Masters fought. It had ample space and thorough safety measures, and was better suited to showcasing the scale of this exchange tournament.
Shui Qingrou continued, "Skywater City's Great Soul Arena has already been cleared in advance. For the next three days, starting tomorrow, the main Soul Fighting platform will be reserved exclusively for this exchange tournament. In addition to those affiliated with the four academies, a limited number of spectator seats will also be open to the public."
"As for the rules, they will largely follow those of the Soul Master Tournament. But since this is only an exchange tournament, there will be a few minor adjustments."
Her gaze fell upon everyone.
"First, the competition will be held by academy. Each team may have up to seven people on the field, with no limit on substitutes. However, once an official match begins, the competitors may not be changed."
"Second, the competition will mainly use the team-battle format from the Soul Master Tournament. There will be no automatic defeat in the event of a death, but deliberately inflicting serious injuries on an opponent is forbidden. If the referee determines that continuing the fight would endanger a student's life, they may end the match immediately."
"Individual matches will play a secondary role. They will be held as arena challenges, with one side attacking and the other defending."
"Team battles will be worth far more points than individual matches."
At this, Shui Qingrou paused briefly.
Several of the deans wore thoughtful expressions.
Feng Yuanliu said, "Dean Shui has considered this carefully. The purpose of an exchange tournament is to learn from one another. This arrangement is certainly better than simply competing for victory."
Lei Ying nodded as well. "Agreed. It's no bad thing for young people to face off against one another."
Fire Fenghua glanced at Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu beside her, then smiled. "Blazing Fire Academy has no objections."
Shui Qingrou continued, "To avoid unnecessary injuries caused by a large disparity in Soul Power, the difference between the two sides' Soul Power Levels in a one-on-one match may not exceed ten levels. If both sides willingly agree to a challenge, they must first obtain approval from their respective deans."
At her words, quite a few people instinctively looked toward Ye Qingzhou.
A ten-year-old Soul Ancestor—and an auxiliary-system Soul Master, no less.
He seemed harmless, but such people were often the most dangerous.
Ye Qingzhou acted as if he hadn't noticed their gazes. He sat 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 announced the final point. "Fifth, Skywater Academy will coordinate the venue for this exchange tournament, while the Great Soul Arena will provide the basic referees. Each of the four academies will appoint one teacher to serve as a supervisor. Any disputes will be decided jointly by the four deans."
Shui Qingrou looked around at everyone, her voice clear. "Those are the main arrangements for this exchange tournament. Does anyone have any objections?"
The office fell briefly silent.
Fire Fenghua spoke first. "Blazing Fire Academy has no objections."
Lei Ying said, "Thunder Academy has no objections."
Feng Yuanliu gave a slight nod. "Godwind Academy has no objections either."
Ye Shuyuan chuckled. "Since none of the deans have any objections, then as an invited guest, this old man will simply sit back and enjoy the show."
Luo Feng stood behind Ye Shuyuan, his expression composed.
The smile on Shui Qingrou's face deepened. "Since that's settled, the arrangements are now final. Tomorrow morning, all four academies will head to Skywater City's Great Soul Arena together."
With that, the meeting came to an end.
Fire Fenghua rose and cupped her hands toward Ye Shuyuan. "Medical Saint Douluo, until tomorrow."
Ye Shuyuan smiled and nodded. "Until tomorrow."
Feng Yuanliu also rose to leave with Feng Xiaotian.
Before leaving, Feng Xiaotian glanced at Ye Qingzhou once more.
Lei Ying, meanwhile, was brisk and direct, beckoning Yu Tianxin to leave the office.
Yu Tianxin paused at the doorway, but in the end, didn't look back.
After the people from Blazing Fire, Thunder, and Godwind Academies had left, the office grew much quieter.
Shui Yue'er let out a long breath, relaxing all over.
"Finally, that's over. I thought we'd be talking until nightfall."
Shui Qingrou gave her a helpless look. "Honestly. The exchange tournament starts tomorrow, and you still can't act serious for once."
Shui Yue'er stuck out her tongue, then tugged at Ye Qingzhou's sleeve. "Little Brother Qingzhou, are you going to compete tomorrow?"
Ye Qingzhou considered it, then shook his head. "I'm only an invited guest, so I shouldn't be competing on behalf of Skywater Academy."
A hint of disappointment appeared in Shui Yue'er's eyes.
Shui Bing'er said softly, "It's probably better if you don't compete. If you did, the other academies would all focus their attention on you."
Ye Qingzhou smiled. "Then I'll just sit back and watch you compete tomorrow."
Shui Bing'er nodded slightly.
But she knew that even if Ye Qingzhou didn't compete, he certainly wouldn't be just an ordinary spectator tomorrow.
The next morning.
The streets of Skywater City were livelier than usual.
News of the Four Elements Academy Exchange Tournament had already spread throughout the entire city.
Skywater City was already renowned for Skywater Academy. Now, with Blazing Fire, Godwind, and Thunder Academies all gathered here, it had naturally drawn the attention of countless Soul Masters and ordinary citizens.
The vendors had set up their stalls along both sides of the street early that morning.
Shui Qingrou led Ye Qingzhou and the others toward Skywater City's Great Soul Arena. Even from a distance, they could see its imposing structure.
The enormous, circular arena stood in the heart of the city, its outer walls hung with the flags of all four academies.
Skywater's blue, Blazing Fire's scarlet, Godwind's green, and Thunder's blue.
The area outside the Great Soul Arena was already packed with people.
Guards maintained order, directing ordinary spectators, guests for the noble seats, and the four academy teams to separate entrances.
When Shui Qingrou led Ye Qingzhou and the others to the arena, a murmur immediately spread around them.
"Isn't that Dean Shui up ahead?"
"Who's that old man beside her? He looks familiar."
"You don't even recognize Medical Saint Douluo?"
At the words "Medical Saint Douluo," the voices in the crowd grew noticeably quieter.
Ye Shuyuan remained composed, paying no heed to the crowd's chatter.
Luo Feng walked beside him, his posture upright.
Ye Qingzhou walked among them.
Shui Qingrou glanced back at everyone and said evenly, "Come on. Let's head inside first."
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