Early the next morning.
Soldiers had sealed off every street surrounding Star Luo Plaza. Security was especially heavy near the Star Emperor Hotel, where more than a thousand soldiers stood guard.
The street leading from there to Star Luo Plaza had been placed under complete lockdown. Only the competing academy teams emerging from the Star Emperor Hotel could pass through.
The arena for this year's Entire Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament had been built before the main gate of the Imperial City. This allowed the Star Luo Emperor and his civil and military officials to watch the matches from high atop the city wall. Not only did it offer the best view, but their safety was assured.
The entire arena measured one hundred meters on each side and stood five meters high. A total of one hundred and eight metal pillars surrounded it. These were no decorations, but genuine defensive soul tools.
Once the matches began, one hundred and eight soul masters would operate the arena's defenses. The metal pillars would form a protective barrier that prevented any soul skills from spilling beyond the arena, keeping them from damaging the Imperial City or injuring innocent spectators.
Constructing this arena alone had cost an enormous sum. Add to that the deployment of one hundred and eight soul masters to serve the tournament for over a month, and it would have been difficult indeed without the resources of an entire nation.
At this moment, Star Luo Plaza lay empty. Aside from the soldiers in the distance, not a soul occupied the square.
The teachers leading each academy's team had arrived at the Imperial City early that morning to draw lots using the competition number plates they had received upon registration.
By now, the drawing was complete, and Star Luo