Spirit City!

The next three days passed without incident as the convoy traveled smoothly onward.

Finally, at noon on the fourth day, Spirit City came into view.

It was a magnificent giant city, its walls towering a hundred meters high and built entirely from massive white stones. Under the sunlight, they radiated a holy glow.

An arrow tower stood every hundred meters along the walls, each manned by fully armed Spirit Hall guards whose armor gleamed in the sun.

The city gates stood twenty meters tall and thirty meters wide, wide enough for four or five carriages to pass through side by side.

Above the gates was carved the emblem of Spirit Hall.

A longsword and a set of scales, symbolizing Spirit Hall's authority and justice.

"What a huge city..."

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened, her little mouth forming an O.

It was her first time seeing such an enormous city.

Zhao Tian narrowed his eyes slightly as well, studying the towering metropolis.

Spirit City, one of the most prosperous and powerful cities on Douluo Continent, was home to Spirit Hall's headquarters.

The city's history stretched back more than a thousand years. Only after continuous expansion and restoration by successive Popes had it reached its current scale.

"Enter the city."

At Ning Fengzhi's command, the convoy slowly drove into Spirit City.

At the gates, Spirit Hall guards stopped the convoy for a routine inspection.

"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Fengzhi. We were invited to participate in the Preliminary Selection Tournament."

Ning Fengzhi leaned out of the carriage and presented the invitation.

When the guard captain saw the seal on the invitation, his expression changed. He hurriedly bowed with respect.

"So it is Sect Master Ning. My apologies, my apologies! Please enter, please enter!"

The captain waved them through, and the convoy passed smoothly through the gates into Spirit City.

Spirit City's streets were broad and clean, lined with all kinds of shops and residences. Crowds flowed through them, and the city buzzed with activity.

Upon seeing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's convoy, pedestrians stopped to watch and whispered among themselves.

"Look, those are people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

"The one sitting in that carriage looks like Sect Master Ning Fengzhi!"

"I heard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sent a remarkable genius for this tournament. His martial spirit is the Radiant Phoenix!"

"Radiant Phoenix? Really?"

"Who knows? We'll find out when the tournament starts."

Zhao Tian sat in the carriage, listening to the discussion outside with a calm expression.

Ning Rongrong, however, was somewhat displeased. Pouting, she said, "How do these people know everything?"

"Spirit Hall's intelligence network covers the entire continent. No secret can remain hidden from them."

Ning Fengzhi spoke calmly.

"That is why I told you to mind your words and actions. Every move you make may be watched by people from Spirit Hall."

Hearing that, Ning Rongrong shrank back and did not dare say anything else.

The convoy crossed half of Spirit City before finally reaching the residence Spirit Hall had prepared for the participating sects.

It was an expansive complex containing dozens of independent courtyards. Every courtyard was fully equipped and could house more than a hundred people.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's courtyard was located on the eastern side of the residence. It was quiet, secluded, and excellently situated.

"It seems Spirit Hall is treating our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect rather politely."

Chen Xin looked over the courtyard and gave a rare, satisfied nod.

"That is because we have strength."

Gu Rong snorted coldly.

"If it were some minor sect, would they be assigned a place like this? Dream on."

Ning Fengzhi did not respond. Instead, he arranged for the disciples to move the supplies and assign rooms.

Zhao Tian and Ning Rongrong were assigned two adjacent rooms at the very back of the courtyard, quiet and private.

"Zhao Tian, Rongrong, get some rest first. Tomorrow, I'll take you to see the competition grounds."

Ning Fengzhi said.

"Alright!"

The two answered in unison.

Night fell.

Zhao Tian stood before his room's window, gazing at the unfamiliar city outside as complicated emotions rose within him.

Spirit City, Spirit Hall's headquarters.

This was the center of power on Douluo Continent, and also the source of the future storm.

Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan...

Those names from the original story might soon appear before him.

"Interesting."

The corner of Zhao Tian's mouth lifted slightly, and anticipation flashed through his eyes.

The tournament was about to begin.

The following morning.

Spirit Hall residence, training ground.

Three young figures were sweating on the field.

At the front was a girl of around ten. Her long golden hair was tied into a neat ponytail, her features as exquisite as a porcelain doll. Though she had not fully grown into her figure yet, one could already glimpse the breathtaking beauty she would possess in the future.

Her name was Hu Liena, the personal disciple of Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong, and a four-ringed Soul Ancestor.

Beside her, a silver-haired boy practiced with the Moon Blade in his hand. As blade light flashed, fierce killing intent spilled outward.

He was Xie Yue, Hu Liena's elder brother and likewise a four-ringed Soul Ancestor.

On the other side, a broad, muscular boy was lifting a massive stone lock for strength training. His muscles bulged all over his body, brimming with explosive power.

He was Yan, a four-ringed Soul Ancestor whose martial spirit was the Flame Lord.

"Let's rest for a while."

Hu Liena stopped moving, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and walked to the side to drink water.

Xie Yue and Yan followed her over.

"His Holiness said yesterday that the people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have arrived."

Xie Yue set down his Moon Blade and spoke evenly.

"That Radiant Phoenix?"

Yan put down the stone lock, curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"I heard he's a six-year-old child with Innate Full Soul Power. He took Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong as his masters, and he's even betrothed to Ning Fengzhi's daughter."

"Six years old..."

Hu Liena raised her cup and took a small sip, disdain flashing through her eyes.

"No matter how talented he is, he's still just a child. What is there to worry about?"

"Teacher said we must not underestimate him."

Xie Yue reminded her.

"I know."

Hu Liena set down her cup, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

"But seeing him for ourselves is better than merely listening to intelligence reports. I heard they're going to inspect the competition grounds today to familiarize themselves with the place. Shall we go take a look too?"

Xie Yue and Yan exchanged glances, then nodded.

Outside the competition grounds.

Zhao Tian and Ning Rongrong followed Ning Fengzhi as they toured the competition grounds.

It was a massive circular arena, large enough to accommodate more than ten thousand spectators at once.

At the center of the arena was a broad combat area paved with hard bluestone, surrounded by towering stands.

"So this is where the tournament will be held..."

Ning Rongrong looked around eagerly, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Zhao Tian surveyed the surroundings as well, his expression calm.

Just then, three figures approached from the opposite direction.

The golden-haired girl at the front fixed her gaze directly on Zhao Tian, sizing him up from head to toe.

Zhao Tian noticed her as well.

Golden hair, exquisite features, and a trace of scrutiny in her eyes...

Hu Liena?

Zhao Tian's heart stirred as he recognized her.

Behind her, the silver-haired boy and the burly boy were watching him too.

Their eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly through the air.

Hu Liena's lips curved slightly, amusement flashing through her eyes.

"So this is the Radiant Phoenix? He looks... nothing special."

She spoke softly, neither too loudly nor too quietly, just loud enough for Zhao Tian to hear.

Zhao Tian's expression did not change. He gave her an indifferent glance, then looked away as if he had heard nothing.

Ning Rongrong, however, did not take kindly to it. Her little face darkened, and just as she was about to speak, Zhao Tian gently took her hand.

"Don't mind them."

Zhao Tian said in a low voice.

Ning Rongrong bit her lip and held herself back.

When Hu Liena saw that Zhao Tian had no reaction at all, surprise flashed through her eyes.

This six-year-old child was far steadier than she had imagined.

"Let's go."

Hu Liena withdrew her gaze and turned away with Xie Yue and Yan.

After walking a few steps, Xie Yue said quietly, "The aura around him... is indeed unusual."

"Mm."

Hu Liena nodded, her eyes gaining a few traces of seriousness.

"Teacher was right. We cannot underestimate him."

Yan glanced back at Zhao Tian's retreating figure and murmured, "Interesting."