Early that morning, all the participating academies arrived in central Spirit City one after another, led by designated guides.
Rest areas carefully prepared for each academy were arranged in a ring around the competition grounds, offering a clear view of the entire arena.
Behind the rest areas were the spectator stands.
Although ordinary people were not allowed to watch, everyone who could appear here was a Soul Master.
Not far away, VIP seats stood on either side of the Papal Hall, reserved exclusively for the two great empires and Spirit Hall's senior members.
Lin Yang and his companions had just approached the rest area when they ran straight into the Four Elements Academy's group.
Lin Yang took the initiative to greet Feng Xiaotian.
However, he keenly noticed that Feng Xiaotian, usually an absolute social butterfly, seemed somewhat ill at ease today.
His gaze swept over Huo Wu, Shui Bing'er, and the others. Their eyes shifted evasively, as though they had done something guilty.
A glint flashed in Lin Yang's eyes, and he already had a few guesses. "You... joined forces?"
"Ah... there really is no hiding anything from you."
With Lin Yang exposing it outright, Feng Xiaotian instead let out a long breath and simply stopped concealing it. "Lin Yang, sorry. We all know perfectly well that no single team could possibly stand against you or Spirit Hall, so we could only resort to this."
Compared with the original alliance between Godwind and Blazing Fire, adding Heavenly Water and Thunder Academy undoubtedly raised the entire team's strength another notch.
The outspoken Xiao Wu blurted out, "Isn't that just cheating?"
As soon as she said that, embarrassment appeared on the faces of everyone from the four elements, Feng Xiaotian included.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Lin Yang lightly patted Little Rabbit's head. "This