The competition venue of the Star Luo Royal Academy was located in the deepest part of the academy.
This was a massive, enclosed Martial Arts Arena. Surrounded by high spectator stands, the center of the venue featured a level platform. The floor was paved with special granite and engraved with defensive Spirit Tool arrays, sufficient to withstand the full-force attacks of a high-level Spirit Master.
This place was not the main gate of the Imperial City.
Ning Tian stood by the window of the waiting room, gazing through the glass at the Martial Arts Arena from afar, and she understood the situation.
The All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was usually held at the plaza in front of the Imperial City's main gate; it was a grand event open to all the citizens of the city.
However, today's sparring match was merely a private competition between Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Royal Academy, so naturally, it could not be publicized.
Therefore, choosing to conduct it in this enclosed Martial Arts Arena was quite reasonable.
"Everyone, the competition venue is ready. Please follow me."
The guard, A-Wei, pushed open the door and spoke respectfully to the seven members of Ning Tian's group.
The seven exchanged glances, followed A-Wei out of the waiting room, and soon arrived at the entrance of the Martial Arts Arena along a wide corridor.
As soon as they stepped into the Martial Arts Arena, everyone's gaze was drawn to a figure in the stands.
It was a young man with golden hair that shimmered faintly under the lights. His blue eyes were deep and sharp, and his entire demeanor exuded the majesty and composure of someone who had long held a position of power.
He wore a magnificent brocade robe with a gem-encrusted jade belt around his waist. Standing there, he possessed an aura of natural authority that commanded respect without the need for anger.
"This must be the Emperor of Star Luo, right?" Xi'er whispered to herself.
Xu Jiujiu, who was walking ahead of them, had already hurried to the side of the golden-haired man.
"Imperial Brother, they have arrived."
This was the current Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Emperor Xu Jiawei.
Emperor Xu Jiawei's gaze swept over the seven of them, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
He took a few steps forward and spoke politely.
"Welcome, everyone, for traveling such a long distance. I am Emperor Xu Jiawei, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire."
"I have long heard of the great name of the Sky Shrek Academy. It is my honor to meet you all today."
As the most socially adept among the seven, Ning Tian bowed slightly and responded in a composed and respectful manner.
"Your Majesty is too kind. Being invited to the Star Luo Royal Academy for a sparring match is our honor."
Emperor Xu Jiawei smiled and, without further pleasantries, turned to the side and pointed at another figure standing beside the arena.
"By the way, to avoid any accidents during the match, I have specially invited a referee to preside over this sparring session."
"This is Titled Douluo Huang Jinxu."
Everyone's gaze followed Emperor Xu Jiawei's finger.
A middle-aged man stood at the edge of the arena with his hands behind his back. He was tall and had a dignified face, exuding an air of authority.
Most striking was a black mark in the center of his forehead. It looked like a birthmark, yet also like some kind of special symbol, giving off an indescribable sense of pressure.
Titled Douluo Huang Jinxu felt their gazes, slowly looked up, and did not say much.
He merely glanced at the seven of them indifferently and then directly released his Spirit to prove he had the ability to serve as a referee.
Hum—!
Nine Spirit Rings suddenly rose from beneath his feet!
Two yellow, two purple, and five black!
A full nine Spirit Rings slowly rotated around his body, emitting a terrifying pressure!
The expressions on the faces of Wang Dong'er and the others did not change much. After all, they had seen plenty of Titled Douluo back at the academy, and besides, the opponent... didn't even have a single red Spirit Ring.
However, out of respect for a powerhouse, everyone nodded slightly, acknowledging him.
Watching the calm reactions of the seven, a flicker of surprise passed through Emperor Xu Jiawei's eyes, though he kept it well-hidden.
To face the pressure of a Titled Douluo without even blinking—the students of this Sky Shrek Academy were truly extraordinary.
Emperor Xu Jiawei cleared his throat and asked with a smile.
"You have no objections to him serving as the referee, right?"
Wang Dong'er shook her head.
"We have no objections; we leave it entirely to Your Majesty's arrangement."
Emperor Xu Jiawei nodded in satisfaction, then swept his gaze over the seven of them before suddenly changing the topic, asking with a smile.
"By the way, there is something I would like to ask you all."
Wang Dong'er was slightly taken aback.
"Please speak, Your Majesty."
A glint of light flashed in Emperor Xu Jiawei's blue eyes.
"Eight months from now, the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament will begin."
"I wonder if you all... have any intention of participating?"
Ning Tian smiled slightly and responded politely.
"Your Majesty, whether or not we participate in the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament depends on the opinion of our academy."
The status of the Sky Shrek Academy was uncertain, and the status of the Shrek Academy on the ground was also uncertain—especially since the Shrek Academy on the ground had suffered a very painful and crushing defeat, and furthermore... the person from Shrek Academy had died not long ago.
Emperor Xu Jiawei nodded, indicating his understanding.
Wang Dong'er and the others were quite clear about this; the academy would likely not let them participate in such a competition. After all, the Five Extremes Grand Competition back at the academy was far more important than this All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.
However, they naturally could not refuse directly to his face; they still had to maintain the proper decorum.
Emperor Xu Jiawei did not dwell on this topic either, but instead changed the subject and said with a smile.
"Right, for this sparring match, the Star Luo Empire has prepared a small reward for the victors."
"The champions will receive three Spirit Bones."
When Emperor Xu Jiawei said these three words, a faint smile remained on his face; he didn't seem to feel any pain at the loss.
However... after hearing this, the expressions on the faces of Wang Dong'er and the others became somewhat subtle.
They exchanged glances with each other, and their lips couldn't help but twitch slightly.
"Only... three?"
You have to know, back at the Sky Shrek Academy, the reward for the New Student Grand Competition alone was a full set of Spirit Bones for each person!
And it was the kind where you could choose them yourself!
Now, the Star Luo Empire was bringing out three Spirit Bones, not even clarifying the Spirit Ring age, and that was the reward for the champions?
"The outside World... seems a bit barren."
As expected, the academy is the best.
The more they saw of the outside World, the more they realized just how good Shrek Academy was to them.
Although they had only been out for a short time on this training journey, the seven of them felt an increasingly strong sense of belonging to the academy.
Emperor Xu Jiawei was a shrewd figure; he naturally saw the awkward yet polite smiles on the faces of Wang Dong'er and the others at a glance. As an emperor, he possessed the ability to notice such micro-expressions.
A slight shock couldn't help but stir in his heart.
Three Spirit Bones... they actually looked down on them?
Just how vast were the foundations of that Sky Shrek Academy?
Emperor Xu Jiawei took a deep breath, his smile remaining composed. He did not show any dissatisfaction, nor did he point out what he had seen from their expressions.
Emperor Xu Jiawei's gaze swept over the seven of them, and a glimmer of anticipation flashed in his blue eyes.
"Alright, without further ado, I look forward to your performance."
Emperor Xu Jiawei nodded, turned, and made a gesture toward Titled Douluo Huang Jinxu, who was standing by the arena.
Titled Douluo Huang Jinxu nodded slightly, leaped into the air, and landed steadily in the center of the arena.
His dignified voice slowly resounded throughout the Martial Arts Arena.
"Both teams, please take the stage."
----------------------------------------------
A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
1 Review = 1 Bonus Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.