In previous competitions, within a day or two after the final rankings were announced and the awards ceremony concluded, all the participating academies would quickly leave like the receding tide and return to their respective homes.
However, this year's competition presented a completely different picture.
The competition has ended, but none of the representatives from various forces gathered in Mingdu, whether they are arrogant sect elders or shrewd academy team leaders, have chosen to leave in the near future.
The major hotels in Mingdu are still occupied by these Soul Master forces from all over the mainland.
The reason is simple: everyone is waiting for the Soul Spirit fusion ceremony held by the emerging organization " Spirit Pagoda " three days from now!
Before this, for the vast majority of Soul Master, Soul Spirit were just a vague legend; they had only heard of them but never seen them.
However, through this competition that brought together the elite youth of the entire continent, countless people witnessed firsthand the transformative changes brought about by the Soul Spirit.
The way they fought, so perfectly in sync with the Soul Master's mind and as attuned to his own arm, and the power and intelligence of their Soul Ring skills that far surpassed ordinary ones, were deeply imprinted in the hearts of every spectator.
All sects and academies are keenly aware that a new thing that could completely change the Soul Master cultivation system and power structure is about to emerge.
Therefore, no one wanted to miss this historic first-hand experience, given the invitation extended by the Spirit Pagoda.
This also proves that Kong Xuan's plan was successful. This competition, which has attracted the attention of the entire continent, will ultimately become the best opportunity for the Soul Spirit to step onto the historical stage!
Compared to the anxiety and speculation of other sects and academies while waiting, Kong Xuan has been extremely busy these past few days.
Although he had been preparing for this moment for a long time, and every step had been repeatedly reviewed and rehearsed, when it came to the final step, he couldn't help but personally check everything several times to ensure that nothing went wrong.
Amidst this tense atmosphere of preparation and eager anticipation, three days passed in a flash.
On the morning of the third day, the last wisp of mist that had enveloped Mingdu quietly dissipated under the rising sun.
In the absolute Core Zone of Mingdu, adjacent to the north side of the Sun Moon Empire palace, a towering giant tower fully reveals its solemn and mysterious form in the morning light.
The tower is nine stories high and is constructed entirely of a special silver-gray alloy and crystal-clear glass. Its lines are smooth and strong, and its surface is engraved with countless complex and mysterious soul-guiding runes, which flow with a faint energy glow in the morning light.
This is the headquarters of the Spirit Pagoda, and also the first Spirit Pagoda on the continent.
At this moment, the open plaza surrounding the Spirit Pagoda was already teeming with people, numbering over a thousand.
These people are all prominent figures in the Soul Master World, representing and elites from various empires, sects, and academies.
There was no commotion, only low, suppressed murmurs of discussion.
All eyes were focused on the heavy metal door, which remained unopened and bore the emblem of the Spirit Pagoda.
In this silence filled with everyone's attention and eager anticipation...
"Buzz... Boom!"
The two heavy metal doors of the Spirit Pagoda, engraved with mysterious patterns, emitted a deep hum, and then slowly and loudly opened from the inside out!
All eyes instantly focused on the open doorway, where light and shadow danced as two figures walked out side by side, clearly coming into view.
It was none other than Kong Xuan and his grandson Kong Deming.
Although Kong Xuan was the founder of the Spirit Pagoda, he was only a Soul Saint in the public's perception. It was somewhat inadequate for him to face the representatives of the top forces on the entire continent alone.
Therefore, Kong Deming, the number one person of the Sun Moon, was there to the Worship Hall, he was also the first honorary retainer of this Spirit Pagoda.
Kong Xuan steadily walked down the steps in front of the Spirit Pagoda. His eyes were sharp as he slowly swept over the dark crowd in front of him, taking in all the curious, scrutinizing, and expectant glances.
Without any pleasantries or formalities, he spoke directly in a deep voice, his clear and melodious voice, amplified by his Soul Power, reaching the ears of everyone present.
"Many of you here should recognize me."
"However, today, in this place, I still need to formally introduce myself."
"My name is Kong Xuan, the creator of the Soul Spirit System, and I will also be the first Tower Master of this Spirit Pagoda!"
This brief self-introduction instantly stirred up an uncontrollable uproar and discussion among the crowd below!
Prior to this, most people subconsciously believed that such a complex and revolutionary Soul Spirit System must have come from the hand of Kong Deming, Grandmaster who stood at the pinnacle of Soul Tool.
Who would have thought that the true pioneer was Kong Xuan, a young Soul Saint!
This caused a sudden shift in how people looked at Kong Xuan. The potential disdain stemming from his age and cultivation level diminished, replaced by shock and a renewed appreciation.
Kong Xuan paid no heed to the commotion below. Once the discussion had subsided, he spoke again, "I know you are all eager for the Soul Spirit Fusion Ceremony. In that case, let's get straight to the point!"
"Each faction may send five people with an invitation to the Spirit Pagoda to witness the ceremony!"
"Now, representatives of each faction, please verify your invitations in order and enter the tower!"
After Kong Xuan finished speaking, he exchanged a glance with his grandfather Kong Deming, and the two turned around without hesitation and stepped back into the Spirit Pagoda.
He completely ignored the even more intense discussion and commotion that erupted behind him due to his "five-person" restriction.
"What? Only five people can come in?"
"It wasn't written on the invitation!"
"Seventeen elders and core disciples from our sect have arrived. Who should go in?"
"What... what should we do?!"
Many factions have teams of a dozen or even twenty people.
At this moment, Kong Xuan suddenly announced that only five people could enter, which immediately plunged all the forces into a brief period of chaos and internal disputes.
Which elder or teacher should be allowed to enter?
Which core disciple or student will you bring to observe?
This is not just a ceremony to observe; it is also about personal relationships, status, and future resource allocation within the power structure.
However, Kong Xuan paid no attention to the commotion outside the tower caused by his words.
Because he knew that the Spirit Pagoda, which possessed the absolute core technology, was now invincible.
It's not that the Spirit Pagoda needs to beg these forces to come and witness the ceremony, but rather that these forces all need the Spirit Pagoda's Soul Spirit technology.
Kong Xuan's actions were also a way of giving these forces a warning, letting them recognize who the real king was.
Subsequent developments unfolded exactly as Kong Xuan had predicted.
Although his "five-person limit" caused a lot of ripples and controversy from the outside world, after a brief internal dispute and quick deliberation, all factions quickly selected the five people they considered most important.
Guided by Kong Ling and other core members of the Spirit Pagoda, these spectators, representing the top forces from all sides of the continent, entered the nine-story tower before them with mixed feelings.
On the Shrek Academy side, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy.
Xuan Zi, who was severely injured and greatly weakened, did not appear today, and is obviously still recuperating.
The heavy responsibility of leading the team fell on Cai Mei'er's shoulders, whose expression still betrayed her exhaustion.
With only five spots available, a brief but careful discussion was inevitable.
The final five chosen are Cai Mei'er, Wang Yan, Bei Bei, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao.