The two groups merged and climbed the steps side by side, the atmosphere surprisingly harmonious, drawing plenty of curious stares and whispers from Heaven Dou Academy students along the way.
Yet the moment they set foot inside the special VIP reception area of Heaven Dou Academy, they couldn't help but freeze.
Inside, the colors were sharply divided into gray-green and deep-purple: Divine Wind Academy and Thunder Academy were already there, deep in conversation.
Feng Xiaotian and Yu Tianxin were among them.
The core squads of the Four Element Academies were meeting Heaven Dou Academy by chance on the eve of the tournament.
And the person they had all come to visit—Yang Yuan—was lounging comfortably in the main seat.
Seeing Heaven Water and Blazing Academy arrive, he smiled and said, "Didn't expect you lot to show up as well. Looks like today's going to be lively!"
"Chief Yang!" Huo Wushuang was first to cup his fist in salute, voice booming, excitement written all over his face.
"Thanks to your guidance this past year, my understanding of my own Spirit has deepened, and my combat strength has soared."
Shui Binger stepped forward with graceful courtesy, tone gentle.
"Chief Yang, we meet again. We've benefited greatly from your recent instruction."
Behind Shui Binger, Xue Wu and the others nodded in agreement.
Shui Yueer stared straight at Yang Yuan with undisguised infatuation until a light cough sounded nearby.
Glancing over, she saw Ning Rongrong.
Her eyes lit up and she winked at Ning Rongrong.
Yang Yuan, still seated, waved casually.
"Everyone, since you're here, find a seat and relax—no need to stand on ceremony."
The Heaven Water and Blazing teams immediately chose seats in the hall.
They were all young people, and the atmosphere soon turned lively.
Talk quickly turned to the upcoming Soul Master Tournament.
Shui Binger asked curiously, "Chief Yang, Heaven Dou Academy has two teams. You're the Heaven Dou Main Team captain, right?"
"Exactly!" Yang Yuan smiled without denying it.
Relief flickered across everyone's faces.
Huo Wushuang spoke bluntly, laughing, "We've got to 'thank' the tournament format for putting the Heaven Dou Main Team straight into the finals.
"Otherwise, if we met Chief Yang's squad in the preliminaries or Promotion Round, we'd be crushed so badly we couldn't even fight back—way too discouraging."
His words drew plenty of laughter and agreement.
For any team aiming for the top, delaying the encounter with the insurmountable mountain named Yang Yuan was pure luck.
Though all were proud Prodigies who usually refused to bow to anyone, there was one exception.
That exception was Yang Yuan!
Yet Yang Yuan in the main seat shook his head slightly, a meaningful smile curving his lips.
"Don't celebrate too soon. Only the Heaven Dou Main Team is excused to the finals.
"The Heaven Dou Vice Team still has to fight its way up from the preliminaries, match by match."
"Vice Team?"
Everyone blinked in surprise.
They had spent time at Heaven Dou Academy a year earlier and sparred with the Huang Dou Battle Team after their return from training.
The Huang Dou members had been formidable, especially Dugu Yan with her terrifying poison arts.
But if Yang Yuan was on the main team, surely Dugu Yan and the rest were as well?
They couldn't expect Yang Yuan to carry six deadweights.
Moreover, every Four Element squad was convinced Yang Yuan's team would claim the tournament crown.
So for honor's sake, Dugu Yan and the others should also be on the main team.
Apart from Yang Yuan and Dugu Yan, Heaven Dou Academy had plenty of Geniuses, but few true powerhouses—barely enough to scrape together one or two Spirit Ancestors.
Seeing their puzzlement, Yang Yuan gave a cryptic smile.
"I won't reveal who's on the vice team just yet; you'll find out soon enough. Try not to be too shocked!"
His expression set the Four Element students' hearts rippling.
An inexplicable sense of foreboding rose within them.
From his tone… could Dugu Yan's group have joined the vice team instead?
No way!
The thought snapped their earlier relief at avoiding the main team; tension returned in full.
The preliminaries and Promotion Round were clearly not going to be the cakewalk they'd imagined.
Time flew, and soon the day of the opening ceremony arrived.
This grand event, gathering the Empire's elite, drew countless eyes from dawn onward.
At the heart of Heaven Dou City, the majestic Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena was already decked out in full regalia.
Countless banners bearing the Empire's crest and the tournament emblem hung from the highest dome, fluttering in the wind.
Outside the arena, the streets were packed, the noise deafening.
The avenue leading into the plaza was guarded ring upon ring by elite knights of the Royal Legion; their bright armor and sharp spears flashed cold light beneath the sun, adding solemn grandeur.
The various academy teams had been waiting outside for some time.
Boom——!!
A resonant bell pealed out.
Before its echo faded, the great passage into the arena slowly swung open amid cheers.
"Please welcome—"
"—the competing teams!"
The host's impassioned voice rang from a giant screen outside, reaching every ear.
The crowd erupted.
Amid the roar and countless fervent gazes, Yang Yuan led the Heaven Dou main and vice teams, striding steadily toward the entrance.
They wore white uniforms trimmed with gold, every one of them radiant and imposing.
Yang Yuan walked at the front, Dragon-like steps, handsome and divine, radiant as the blazing sun.
Cheers thundered for him, yet his face remained calm, exuding quiet authority.
The moment his team stepped from the passage into the plaza,
rousing battle music burst forth, filling the entire arena.
The atmosphere inside the colossal venue instantly ignited!
Deafening roars shook the heavens, setting blood ablaze.
The host's voice rose above the tumult:
"First to enter—the Heaven Dou Royal Main Team. They are the Empire's finest, the world-renowned Prodigies, and they have only one goal."
"Victory!"
"Hail the Heaven Dou Main Team!"
(End of Chapter)
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