In Mingdu, a massive soul-guided screen floated in mid-air, shimmering with dazzling light.
"You are watching Sun Moon Television Station!" The announcer's enthusiastic voice resounded throughout the venue, "This station reports that the opening ceremony of the 2024 All-Continental High-Level Youth Soul Master Elite Tournament is being held today at the competition venue in the suburbs."
The venue was packed, filled with the lively chatter of the crowd.
The host stood on the high platform, his voice amplified and carried to every corner through the Amplifying Soul Tool:
"Welcome everyone to the Sun Moon Empire's Mingdu Grand Tournament venue. This is the opening ceremony of the All-Continental High-Level Youth Soul Master Elite Tournament, hosted by this Prince. Please welcome the 167 participating teams from various academies and sects."
The flags of various academies and sects fluttered in the wind as the team members marched into the venue with their heads held high.
In the Tang Sect team, Huo Yuhao quietly retreated to the back of the line.
His gaze swept across the entire room, and suddenly his pupils contracted slightly—based on his observation, coupled with the academy's investigation...
" Zhang Lexuan, Wang Yan, Han Ruoruo, Wu Ming, Jing Ziyan..."
"These people don't even exist?"
"What... is going on with this world?"
" The Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineer Academy team is now marching towards us!"
As the host announced, countless fireworks suddenly burst into bloom in the sky, and the dazzling soul-guided light illuminated the entire venue as if it were daytime.
"The gathering of the nation's most talented young people here is truly a momentous occasion!"
The Flying Soul Tool formation roared past, drawing magnificent trajectories in the sky. The soul-guided barrier on the field shimmered with a pale blue light, making the whole scene resemble a grand military parade.
"Welcome, Your Highness the Regent! Your Highness the Regent's Wife!"
A luxurious soul-guided car slowly drove into the venue, where Xu Tianran and Ju Zi sat and waved to the crowd.
In the audience, Huo Yuhao's gaze was fixed on Ju Zi, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
(From within the Sea of Consciousness, he suddenly spoke:)
What are your feelings about Ju Zi?
Original Huo Yuhao was taken aback. "Huh? It's your senior, what else could it be?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes:
"That's strange... I remember she was my first love."
Original Huo Yuhao, looking bewildered, transmitted his voice. "Isn't it a bit much? Wasn't your first love Dong'er?"
Huo Yuhao snorted coldly, "What else can you think about besides Wang Dong'er?"
He shook his head helplessly, but his gaze remained fixed on the viewing platform in the distance.
(The world's aberrations seem to be even greater than he imagined...)
Under Long Xiaoyao's protection, Ju Zi and Xu Tianran slowly ascended the exclusive viewing platform.
Huo Yuhao's gaze swept over the legendary Dragon Emperor Douluo, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes:
" Long Xiaoyao..."
"Although there's no need to fight him for now, he's still a problem."
Ju Zi stood gracefully in front of the Amplifying Soul Tool, her clear and melodious voice resonating throughout the entire arena through the sophisticated device:
"Distinguished guests, on behalf of His Highness the Regent, I hereby announce—"
"The Continental Soul Master Elite Tournament for Young People has officially begun!"
This extremely concise opening is exactly Xu Tianran's style—abandoning useless pleasantries and letting his strength speak for itself.
"Long live the Regent! Long live the Regent! Long live the Regent!"
Amidst a deafening roar, countless citizens of the Sun Moon Empire knelt in devout worship.
He smiled and took Ju Zi's hand, and she obediently sat down beside him with a polite smile on her face.
Xu Tianran gently patted the back of her hand, his gaze calmly fixed on the competition field.
"My beloved subjects, please take your seats."
As Xu Tianran's calm voice faded, the ministers of the Sun Moon Empire dared to respectfully take their seats. The gilded plaques in front of each seat gleamed in the sunlight—these seats were strictly arranged according to official rank, and even sitting an inch off-center would be a desecration of the empire's majesty.
(Surprisingly, the person sitting to the right of the Regent was not Jing Hongchen, the Mingde Hall, but a mysterious man in black robes.)
The man wore a dark black robe with dark gold patterns, his pale face shrouded in a hazy mist, making even his features indistinct. Jing Hongchen could only sit beside Ju Zi, a barely perceptible hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.
"The competition rules will now be read!"
A loud voice resounded throughout the venue as staff members recited the contents of the pre-distributed manual verbatim. After the lengthy reading concluded, an elderly man with white hair walked to the Amplifying Soul Tool:
"First match of the preliminary elimination rounds--"
" Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy versus Dragon Slaying Sect!"
"Please send seven members from each side to the waiting area!"
The so-called waiting area was nothing more than two rows of seats temporarily set up in front of the podium, so rudimentary that it seemed completely out of place for such a grand event.
Meng Hongchen made her entrance with elegant steps, and six Soul Ring shone with a dazzling halo beneath her feet.
The opposing Dragon Slaying Sect contestant didn't even have time to announce his Martial Soul before being blasted out of the arena by an icy blue sword light.
This wasn't a competition; it was a one-sided massacre.
As the seventh opponent fell beneath the icy sword energy, Meng Hongchen gently stroked her long hair, having defeated seven opponents in one fell swoop. The announcement, delivered without a doubt, blared from the loudspeaker:
"First round of elimination matches, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy wins!"
Inside the Tang Sect's rest area, Huo Yuhao leaned back on the sofa, his expression indifferent, listening casually to Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao's discussion.
Xiao Xiao, holding a cookie, tilted her head and said, " Vina and Mu Xue are clearly members of the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family, yet they represent the ' Snow Demon Sect ' in the competition. That's really strange."
Wang Dong'er nodded and analyzed, "This shows that the combat power cultivated by sects is stronger than that of academies, making it easier to gain an advantage in the competition. However, the fact that the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy can maintain its first place is indeed terrifying."
She turned to Huo Yuhao and asked, " Yuhao, what do you think?"
Huo Yuhao slowly picked up a cookie, took a bite, and said casually, "If I'm watching while sitting, do you think I'm going to watch while standing?"
Wang Dong'er: "..."
Just as Wang Dong'er reached for the cookies on the table, a clear, cold voice came from behind her—
"So you've been here all along."
Wang Dong'er turned around and asked in surprise, " Meng Hongchen?"
Meng Hongchen crossed her arms, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Huo Yuhao. With a hint of sarcasm, she asked, "Why aren't you representing Shrek Academy in the competition?"
Huo Yuhao didn't even lift an eyelid. "None of your business."
Meng Hongchen instantly bristled. "What did you say?!"
Huo Yuhao remained calm, even popping another cookie into his mouth. "None of your business. Why aren't you in your team's meeting room? What are you doing here? Did you come to see handsome guys?"
He glanced at her, a smug smile playing on his lips, "Sorry, a handsome guy like me, with my sense of humor, would never be interested in you."
Meng Hongchen's face flushed red with anger as she pointed at Huo Yuhao: " Huo Yuhao! You—"
Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao were trying so hard not to laugh that their shoulders were shaking.
Just then, Xiao Hongchen strolled over, hands in his pockets, looking at Huo Yuhao with amusement. " Huo Yuhao, what happened to you? What a pity, I was hoping to have a good match with you."
Huo Yuhao lazily raised his right hand, gave him the middle finger, and said arrogantly, "Even without one hand, I'll still beat you to a pulp."
He paused, then gave a wicked grin. "Little brats, just wait until I spank you."
( Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.)
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's expressions instantly darkened. Xiao Hongchen narrowed his eyes and said coldly, " Huo Yuhao, aren't you being too arrogant?"
Huo Yuhao chuckled, leaning back lazily on the sofa, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. "Arrogant?"
He looked up, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt. "I'm just stating the facts."
"You—" he pointed at Meng Hongchen, his tone mocking, "Think you're something special just because you defeated seven opponents in one go? Don't you know your own limitations?"
His gaze then turned to Xiao Hongchen, and he sneered, "And you, a defeated opponent, dare to swagger in front of me?"
He shrugged, a wicked smile on his face, "If I were you, I'd have crawled into a hole by now to avoid making a fool of myself."
Meng Hongchen trembled with rage, while Xiao Hongchen clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. " Huo Yuhao! Let's see who's better on the field!"
Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow and waved his hand casually. "Sure, I'd like to see."
A dangerous smile played on his lips, "How long can you hold out?"
The two left in anger, their backs radiating fury.
After the Sun Moon Team left, the rest area was silent.
Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao stared wide-eyed, speechless for a long time.
They had never seen Huo Yuhao like this before. Arrogant, sharp-tongued, and even... a bit wicked.
Wang Dong'er hesitated before speaking, " Yuhao, weren't you... a little too harsh just now?"
Xiao Xiao asked cautiously, "Did something happen to you? Why did you suddenly...?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes turned cold. "Too much?"
He stood up, looking down at the two of them, and said indifferently, "I think it's normal."
His gaze swept over their shocked expressions, and he chuckled, "It's you who're making a fuss over nothing."
The disdain in his eyes sent a shiver down Wang Dong'er's spine.