Time flew by, and another year passed.
At that moment, forty-two students had gathered in the Martial Soul Academy's plaza, divided into teams of seven. On the platform, the academy's dean, Si Changming, addressed them.
"Everyone, I am Si Changming, dean of the Martial Soul Academy. In a year and a half, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament will officially begin. This tournament has been held for hundreds of years, and it represents a fierce competition among the continent's young Spirit Masters. It is an honor.
"The tournament requires every competitor to be under twenty-five years of age. Our academy would rather have no team than a mediocre one, so we send only one team each year, and it must be the best of the best.
"Today, we will choose the strongest team from among six elite squads to form our final lineup!
"I hope that whichever team prevails will bring glory to the Martial Soul Academy at the Soul Master Elite Tournament, and win honor for the Spirit Hall and for yourselves, making your names known across the continent!"
Applause erupted!
Si Changming's speech drew thunderous applause from the students. He then left the platform, and academy director Wei Qingyun stepped forward to address them.
"I am Wei Qingyun, director of the Martial Soul Academy's Inner Court. I will now announce the rules for this selection.
"The Soul Master Elite Tournament is the fiercest competitive arena in the history of the Martial Soul Academy. It tests not only a Spirit Master's individual strength, but also the team's coordination and strategy. The competition will consist of head-to-head matches. The six teams will face one another through successive rounds until the team representing us at the Soul Master Tournament is decided.
"This team's members must be leaders who can