"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Soul Fighting Tournament truly is a grand occasion. Back in the prime of my youth, I wanted to step onto that stage and show my skills, too. But the imperial family had so many rules then, and my father feared I would come to harm in the arena, so he forbade me from competing. Otherwise, I would have loved to test myself against the continent's finest!" Remembering the regrets of his youth, Xu Jiawei let out a soft sigh.
"Your Majesty! You truly have always possessed a soul master's heart!" the empress beside him said with admiration.
Xu Jiawei merely smiled at her.
"Your Majesty! All preparations are complete!" A minister wearing a red python robe knelt before him.
"Good. Go! Open the checkpoints and admit the spectators. Maintain order. Anyone whose assigned area encounters trouble will be severely punished!"
"As Your Majesty commands!" With that, the minister left the Imperial City.
"By the way, I heard something happened to the Dai Family's eldest son, Dai Yueheng?" the emperor asked those beside him.
"Yes, Your Majesty. He appears to have been injured during an operation to eliminate evil soul masters. It is said that both his legs were blown off! The duchess at the Duke's Mansion flew into a terrible rage over it and even sent people to the tournament grounds," a minister beside him answered.
Xu Jiawei remained silent after hearing this. In his eyes, it was undoubtedly good news for the imperial family.
Once the spectators had entered, a booming voice rang throughout the square.
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!" In the next instant, the hundreds of thousands of spectators in the square dropped to their knees in unison. The soldiers guarding the square, inside and out, clad in gleaming armor, all