A separate waiting area.
The clamor outside filtered through the heavy walls in muffled waves.
Everyone from Imperial Heaven Dou stood with their backs straight behind Xia Yan. No one spoke. They simply waited in silence for the most important competition of their lives.
The feeling was truly strange.
They hoped they would get to fight, because this was the Soul Master Tournament.
Yet they also hoped they would not have to fight, because they all wanted to win the championship.
They thought that, barring any surprises, they would be called the luckiest participants in the Soul Master Tournament.
Right on time.
9:45 a.m.
The noise beyond the thick walls suddenly fell silent.
Qin Ming, dressed in tailored pale gold, led the Imperial Heaven Dou Battle Team in from the side.
Xia Yan walked at the very front. Two body-lengths behind him on either side were Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, followed by Dugu Yan, Yu Feng, the Shi Brothers, and Osler. The two substitute sisters brought up the rear.
They were clearly nervous, yet their steps remained steady.
They passed through the dim marble passageway. The instant they stepped out, brilliant white light burst before them.
The uproar erupted at once.
Within the vast, open plaza, hundreds of lighting Soul Tools cast down blazing white radiance. The venue was luxurious and grand, while countless spectators waved flags and cheered wildly beneath the lights.
"Xia Yan!"
"Champion!"
"Heaven Dou's champion!!"
Xia Yan raised his head and stared ahead. Six hundred meters away stood a platinum-colored main platform, with a renovated red VIP stand behind it.
It was for the nobles and powerful to watch from.
Three people sat in the front row. The man in the middle wore a gold-and-red robe and appeared to be in excellent spirits, with a