The entire arena fell silent. Tens of thousands of eyes turned toward the highest tier of the VIP stands.
Yet Xue Ye remained seated on his dragon throne, his right hand resting on the armrest. He showed no sign of rising to declare the tournament open.
The academy teams below began to stir.
"What's going on?
Why hasn't he announced the start?"
Dai Mubai frowned and asked in a low voice:
"It's already time. Who is Xue Ye waiting for?"
Ma Hongjun wiped the sweat from his forehead and tugged at his tight, shit-green team uniform:
"Don't tell me Spirit Hall is giving the empire trouble?
Look at that old man Salas, sitting there with his eyes shut like he's playing at being mysterious."
Yu Xiaogang stood behind the team with his hands clasped behind his back. Lifting his chin slightly, he said with perfect composure:
"What are you panicking for?
The imperial family has always been bound by endless formalities.
In my view, some imperial prince or Spirit Hall inspector has yet to take their seat. Xue Ye is delaying the announcement to save face."
Tang San watched the VIP stands and said quietly:
"Teacher, Uncle Ning and Senior Bone Douluo are there too. They look rather grave. It doesn't seem as though they're waiting for an ordinary imperial official."
Yu Xiaogang gave a cool, haughty smile.
"Little San, you may be clever, but you know little of the struggles among those at the top.
The Upper Three Sects stand together, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has close ties to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.
If someone powerful enough to upset the balance were truly arriving, would Ning Fengzhi have made no preparations beforehand?
Focus on the match. We need only watch and wait."
Before his words