Chen Tianyuan rubbed his chin. Truth be told, he was sorely tempted, but even Shrek City's annual tax revenue only amounted to a little over a hundred million Gold Soul Coins.
The academy could not possibly produce that much cash at a moment's notice.
Noticing Chen Tianyuan's concerns, Xu Jiujiu said, "As a show of sincerity, I can personally knock another five million off the price. Of course, that's the absolute lowest we can go. Any less, and we'd be losing money."
Chen Tianyuan looked at Xu Jiujiu. "How many people know about this right now?"
"Only you, for now," Xu Jiujiu said. "But in a few days, this treasure will be auctioned at the Starlight Auction House."
Looking into Xu Jiujiu's eyes, Chen Tianyuan had a feeling he could not quite put into words. "Why do you think I actually have the money to buy it?"
Xu Jiujiu chuckled. "Because you have an ultimate martial soul. You understand what that means better than I do. Besides, as far as I know, you've already entered Shrek's Inner Court, yet you're still only a Soul Ancestor. That means someone high up in Shrek Academy must be backing you, perhaps even the entire academy."
Chen Tianyuan's face remained expressionless. "I need to discuss this with the academy. I'll give you an answer within five days. How does that sound?"
Xu Jiujiu shook her head. "Five days is too long. If you need to send a letter, I can have Grandma Manyi help you."
"All right. Bring me paper and a pen," Chen Tianyuan said.
Early the next morning, Chen Tianyuan woke in his hotel room. That woman, Xu Jiujiu, had actually invited him to stay the night yesterday...
He got up and stood beside the window, which afforded him a clear view of Star Luo Plaza. Soldiers in gray armor had sealed off all the surrounding streets. With the tournament underway, security in the city was especially tight. Anyone who caused trouble would be treated as having provoked the Star Luo Empire...
Aside from the routes leading to the spectator stands, every other path had been sealed off. Only the Star Emperor Hotel's main and side entrances provided access to the preparation area.
The Star Emperor Statue stood in the center of Star Luo Plaza, while the Soul Fighting Arena had been erected before the imperial city's main gate. From atop the gate, one could look down upon everything below, like lesser peaks beneath a lofty summit.
The Soul Fighting Arena measured one hundred meters on each side and stood five meters high. A hundred and eight Metal Pillars stood around its perimeter. These were no mere decorations, but genuine defensive Soul Tools. Before each match, a hundred and eight Soul Masters would activate them together to prevent any accidents during the fighting from affecting the spectators.
Before Chen Tianyuan had even gotten out of bed, Wang Yan had already gone to Star Luo Imperial City to complete the draw. It had been held so early to give the Star Luo Empire's officials time to compile the results and arrange the matches.
As the champions of every previous tournament, Shrek Academy naturally received far better treatment than the other teams. The staff delivering breakfast that morning made that clear enough.
After breakfast, everyone gathered in the meeting room.
Wang Yan had looked worried and miserable yesterday, but after the draw, his mood had actually improved.
"Did everyone rest well yesterday?" Wang Yan asked.
Xu Sanshi stretched. "Well enough, though the hotel's beds are too soft."
Bei Bei asked, "Teacher Wang, what were the results of the draw?"
Wang Yan smiled. "I was just getting to that. Our opponent today is the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy."
"This academy comes from the Dou Ling Empire, and it isn't considered particularly outstanding even there. The strongest member of their team is only a low-level Soul Ancestor. They pose no threat to us whatsoever, which is why I'm pleased."
Wang Yan looked around at everyone. "Shrek Academy will be appearing in today's opening match. We must win in overwhelming fashion."
"My plan is to send out just Chen Tianyuan and Gongyang Mo."
Everyone looked puzzled. Bei Bei said, "Teacher Wang, didn't you say yesterday that Tianyuan was our trump card? Now you're sending him out in the very first match. Isn't that..."
Wang Yan chuckled. "With Gongyang Mo's enhancement, Tianyuan has the combat strength of a Soul Emperor. You've all felt the pressure of his martial soul, too. My idea is to have Tianyuan use his martial soul to frighten the Tianling Soul Master Academy into withdrawing. Even if they don't forfeit, they still won't be able to defeat Tianyuan and Gongyang Mo."
Everyone fell silent. Wang Yan's tactics made a certain amount of sense. After all, they had to establish an intimidating presence in the opening match, or everyone would realize something was wrong with Shrek Academy's team.
Just then, Huo Yuhao spoke up. "Teacher Wang, I have the Imitation soul skill. I can alter Brother Chen's soul ring configuration. When the time comes, we could do this..."
Wang Yan nodded at his suggestion. "That works. If there are no objections, we'll go with that plan."
At Star Luo Plaza, the spectator stands were a sea of heads, packed full well ahead of time. This grand event only came around once every twenty years. How could the people of Star Luo City not go wild over it?
Surrounded by his civil and military officials, the Star Luo Emperor ascended the imperial city wall. Through the soul-powered amplifier before him, his voice rang out across all of Star Luo Plaza.
"This year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament is being held in Star Luo City. On behalf of the Star Luo Empire, I welcome the representatives of every academy who have traveled from afar..."
After a great deal of empty talk, the team leaders and students from all one hundred and thirty-three academies rose and bowed to the emperor.
The Star Luo Emperor smiled and waved to everyone.
"I hereby declare the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament officially open!"
Instantly, cheers erupted from the stands, roaring like mountains crying out and oceans surging.
Hundreds of ceremonial cannons boomed along with the cheers, only falling silent after a full one hundred and eight salvos.
The Star Luo Emperor's voice rang out again.
"The first match will begin shortly. Let us welcome the teams from Shrek Academy and the Tianling Soul Master Academy!"
As his words fell, the spectators could not help shouting.
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
Amid the cheers, three figures emerged from Shrek's preparation area.
The three stood tall and straight, their strides swift as the wind as they made their way up onto the Soul Fighting Arena.
They were Chen Tianyuan, Gongyang Mo, and Huo Yuhao.
Seeing Shrek Academy send out only three competitors, the spectators froze for an instant before bursting into even louder cheers.
So this was Shrek Academy? They had actually sent out only three people! As expected of the continent's number one academy-what confidence!
Huo Yuhao was extremely nervous, but whenever he thought about what he was about to do, he could not help wanting to laugh.
Meanwhile, a group of young Soul Masters emerged from the rear of the preparation area, their faces ashen.
The seven exchanged looks, their steps even seeming a little unsteady.
The referee's voice rang out across the Soul Fighting Arena. "Both teams are present. Releasing your martial souls before the match begins is forbidden. Violators will lose by default."
Then, beneath the gaze of the entire crowd, the referee shouted the words: "Begin the match!"
An immensely powerful wave of dragon might swept toward them, and the Tianling Soul Master Academy's team witnessed a sight they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
An enormous Golden Dragon Shadow appeared behind Chen Tianyuan.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, red.
Six Soul Rings shone brilliantly around Chen Tianyuan.
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