It was the final two days before the tournament opened.
Every team was making its final preparations, either shutting themselves away to train or going around gathering intelligence. The atmosphere in the conference room of the hotel where the Star Crown Sect was staying was equally grave.
A thick stack of intelligence files lay spread before Xu Jiujiu, containing the information she had gathered over the past few days.
Her fingertips passed over one daunting name after another as she spoke clearly and calmly. "The Snow Demon Sect is almost certainly the disguise the Body Sect is wearing this time. I know Vina's strength. She is no weaker than I am, and may even surpass me. Her fiancé, Long Aotian, is even more unfathomable. They are among our strongest opponents."
She pointed to the next entry. "The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. The siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen cannot be underestimated. Their soul tools are tremendously powerful. The Tang Sect, though in decline, has people like Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong'er whom we cannot ignore. Huo Yuhao in particular always has some unexpected tricks up his sleeve. The Heavenly Dragon Sect, Earth Dragon Sect, and Proud Sword Sect are all major sects with long legacies and deep reserves. On the other hand-"
She lightly tapped Shrek Academy's name. "Shrek seems to be caught between generations this year, with no one ready to carry the torch. They pose little threat."
Hearing this, their teammate Xu Aojun smiled reassuringly. "Why worry, Your Highness? Even if Princess Vina is your equal, your fiancé-"
She looked reverently toward Dai Youheng, who sat nearby. "Young Master Youheng must be ten times stronger than that Long Aotian! With him here, what have we to fear?"
Xu Jiujiu looked at Dai Youheng, undisguised trust and