The next day, Qian Yu and Dai Yaoheng both awoke early and sat on their chairs…
Qian Yu glanced at him, "What's the matter, worried about the upcoming competition?"
Dai Yaoheng shook his head, "With Elder Qian Yu here, winning the championship shouldn't be difficult. However, I saw members of the Body Sect participating in the competition earlier."
Qian Yu narrowed his eyes, "The Body Sect? Is there a problem?"
He remembered that the Body Sect specialized in using their own body parts as Martial Souls, similar to Huo Yuhao…
Dai Yaoheng spoke gravely, "The Body Sect once launched a surprise attack on Mingde Hall, so our relationship is like fire and water. Their boldness in coming here suggests they are well-prepared, but it's also possible they're here to protect their Sect Disciples."
Qian Yu said indifferently, "My task is to protect all of you, as for the others, whether they live or die, what does it have to do with me?"
Dai Yaoheng was stunned for a moment, "What Elder Qian Yu said makes sense…"
Shortly after, the other students also woke up one after another, perhaps all aware that the opening ceremony of the Continental Youth Soul Master Elite Competition was to be held that morning!
Qian Yu looked at each of them, brimming with energy, and smiled, "You're all awake? It's time to attend the opening ceremony!"
Ningtian said excitedly, "I couldn't even sleep, just thinking about representing the Shrek Seven Monsters in the competition gets me so pumped."
Dai Yaoheng added, "There's nothing to be excited about. Relax, or you might faint when we achieve victory in battle."
Qian Yu slowly stood up, "Alright, enough chatter, let's go!"
The other students all nodded, "Yeah!"
…
After opening the door, Qian Yu and the others quickly made their way downstairs in the hotel, and upon reaching the ground floor, they happened to run into members of Tang Sect…
Qian Yu glanced at Wang Dong'er, then at the other Tang Sect members, and led Dai Yaoheng and the rest away in silence…
There must be surveillance devices here, so caution was needed…
In addition, he sensed several evil auras, likely from people of the Holy Spirit Cult!
Understanding Qian Yu's thoughts, Huo Yuhao's deep blue eyes sparkled with light, and he followed them after they left…
Soon, Qian Yu and the group entered a circular arena about a kilometer in size. The area was completely sufficient for everyone to watch the fight below, though the front rows were evidently already occupied by people from the Sun-Moon Empire…
In the middle of the spectator seats, a battle stage about five hundred meters wide was set up, covered with a red carpet. Above it hung a banner-like soul tool with eleven bold characters.
The Continental Youth Soul Master Elite Competition!
Qian Yu watched as the various teams found their seats and sat down. He then led Dai Yaoheng and the others to a slightly rearward position…
The next moment, hundreds of men dressed in golden clothes emerged, each radiating soul power fluctuations and appearing to be about thirty years old…
They stood tall and proud, encircling the entire field, and then deployed several daunting Rank 7 Fixed Soul Guidance Devices, their dark muzzles aimed outward…
Clearly, this was merely a display of the Sun-Moon Empire's power!
Wu Feng murmured in confusion, "Who are these people in the golden clothes? They each have such terrifying soul tools."
He Caitou explained, "These are members of the Royal Soul Engineering Brigade of the Sun-Moon Empire! Each member is at least a level 5 Soul Master and represents the high-end power of the Sun-Moon Empire's royal household!"
However, he was puzzled to see that since his arrival and observation, the number of royal household members had been greatly reduced, replaced by many unfamiliar faces…
"Caitou, how do you know so much? Have you been to the Sun-Moon Empire before?"
"Ah… this, I heard it from someone else!"
Elder Qian Yu's gaze sized up He Caitou, whose eyes seemed to intentionally evade, and he thought to himself, "Is it really so?"
Amid their exchange, Xu Tianran, the Emperor of the Sun-Moon Empire, seated himself in a wheelchair, flanked by none other than the President of Mingde Hall, Mirror Dust, and a woman dressed in palace attire...
It was Juzi, who had donned female attire once again. At this moment, she exuded an air of nobility, her skin still looking radiant and lively...
When Elder Qian Yu saw that familiar beautiful face below, he whispered softly, "Juzi."
Hearing Elder Qian Yu's words, Dai Yaoheng, standing next to him, asked curiously, "Elder Qian Yu, do you know this woman?"
Ningtian and other members also stared at Elder Qian Yu with gossip-filled eyes...
Catching a glimpse of everyone, Elder Qian Yu casually replied, "Hmm, Juzi is Xuan Ziwen's disciple, so we have met before..."
Juzi and others, including Xu Tianran, made their way to the fighting stage, surrounded by numerous bodyguards...
Xu Tianran gave a symbolic nod to Juzi beside him...
Only then did Juzi activate the amplification soul tool, allowing her delightful and lively voice to resonate across the entire venue...
"Citizens of the Sun-Moon Empire and guests from other regions who have come to participate in the Continental Young Soul Master Elite Competition, I represent His Majesty the Emperor in welcoming all of you,"
"This year's Continental Young Soul Master Elite Competition will be conducted as an individual knockout event, as well as..."
After emphasizing the rules of the competition once more, Juzi took a deep breath, her eyes sweeping over everyone below, "Now, I once again represent His Majesty the Emperor in declaring that the Continental Young Soul Master Elite Competition begins now!"
Instantly, the venue erupted with the shouting of countless citizens of the Sun-Moon Empire...
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
When Juzi withdrew her gaze, it stealthily met with that of a handsome man below; she could faintly sense his pale golden eyes seemingly watching her...
She narrowed her eyes, "Who is this man?"
She racked her brain, but there was no memory of the man before her in her mind...
She couldn't help but think, "Perhaps it's just an illusion..."
Noticing Juzi's momentary distraction, Xu Tianran reminded her gently, "Juzi?"
Juzi, coming back to her senses, pushed Xu Tianran's wheelchair towards the center of the front row, surrounded by the crowd, a symbol of imperial authority!
Next, an elder adorned in Soul Master regalia stepped onto the stage, "The first match of the preliminary round will be Tang Sect against Snake Mei Sect!"
"Please, each side send seven members to the competition platform,"
Below, Huo Yuhao and others stood up, walking toward the platform with heads held high and chests puffed out...
"Tang Sect? Which sect is that? I've never heard of it before,"
"No no no, I remember that Tang Sect used to be a Great Sect, famous for using hidden weapons, but it declined shortly after soul tools appeared!"
"Look, the women in this Tang Sect team are all beauties! I want to join them too!"
"Could it be that they know they can't win, so they're hoping the other side will go easy on them by bringing women?"
After members of Tang Sect reached the platform, the captain of the Snake Mei Sect coldly said, "Even if there are four women on your side, we won't go easy on you!"
Huo Yuhao replied with a smile, "Likewise, I hope you won't feel too embarrassed losing to women!"
The man hosting the fight announced loudly, "The match begins!"
...