pertwk Chapter 78 Selection Begins
Chapter 78 Selection Begins
Spring arrived quickly. For ordinary people, it meant growing another year older, and everyone was filled with joy. But for Soul Masters, the passing of a year meant nothing; the Soul Power gained from a year of cultivation was merely a drop in the ocean.
But this day was especially important for the nobles of Tiandou City and the students of Tiandou Royal Academy.
In preparation for the National Soul Master Tournament held every five years, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy will begin its internal team selection competition today. In the past, this would not have attracted much attention.
Since most of the students who can study at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are nobles or people of high status, everyone is well aware of their own strength, so who would want to compete with the top students of the Heaven Dou class for a spot?
However, this year, for reasons unknown, the Dream God Machine Education Committee changed the rules. This gave even noble students an opportunity. In other words, as long as they didn't compete against Yu Tianheng's team, and were guaranteed second place, they could become members of the Royal Fighting Team.
Therefore, the students in the regular class of Tiandou Academy this year, as well as their parents, are extremely looking forward to this year's selection competition.
As the first rays of dawn broke, the main campus of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was already adorned in its finest attire, as if specially prepared to welcome their emperor.
Golden banners, symbolizing the glory of the empire, were hung on the temporary vermilion city wall, with a soul-guiding crystal embedded at the top, gleaming in the sunlight.
A faint fluctuation of soul power permeated the air; this was a formation specially set up by the academy using soul guide crystals to provide the best environment for the students who were about to participate in the soul battle.
Thousands of teachers, students, and noble children gathered in the academy's fighting arena, creating a bustling atmosphere.
The stands were packed, and there were also many temporary viewing platforms for the nobles to use.
At 3:45 AM, bells and drums sounded in unison.
As the thunderous drumbeats subsided, the entire arena fell silent instantly, and all eyes turned toward the entrance on the high platform to the south.
A troop of royal guards, clad in golden armor and wielding long halberds, marched out in perfect unison. Following them, eight ceremonial officials in white jade robes, each carrying an incense burner, slowly advanced, the rising smoke carrying the scent of precious medicinal herbs meant to calm the mind and soothe the soul.
Finally, amidst great anticipation, a middle-aged emperor dressed in imperial robes and wearing a purple-gold crown slowly ascended the stage, accompanied by an exceptionally handsome young man.
It was Emperor Xue Ye of the Heavenly Dou Empire, and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the empire.
"His Majesty has arrived!" the Master of Ceremonies announced loudly.
The entire audience roared and knelt down in worship. No one had expected that the Emperor of Tiandou, who was the nominal principal of the Tiandou Royal Academy, would actually appear before them on this day.
Surprisingly, contrary to the rumors that he was "coldly ill and unable to manage state affairs," Emperor Xueye today had a rosy complexion, bright eyes, and a steady gait, exuding an aura of imperial authority that commanded respect without anger.
Though his temples were slightly gray, his back remained as straight as a pine tree. Beside Emperor Xue Ye, Xue Qinghe wore a moon-white brocade robe, his demeanor as gentle and refined as jade.
Compared to the clothes Xiao Yan saw at the academy last time, these were even more luxurious.
With a gentle smile between his brows, Xue Qinghe greeted the nobles and students on both sides with a smile, his every move displaying the demeanor of a crown prince.
The two slowly ascended the throne in the center of the makeshift viewing platform. Emperor Xueye raised his hand to help them up, saying, "My subjects, please rise."
The voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, and the soul power it contained was at least at the level of a Soul Douluo!
Upon hearing this, everyone stood up, and three members of the Education Committee, dressed in silver-gray robes with the academy's emblem embroidered on their chests, slowly stepped forward.
Leading the group was Meng Shenji, who first bowed to the king on the stage: "Your Majesty, everything is ready for the selection competition of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy."
Emperor Xueye nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "Committee Member Meng Shenji, you have presided over this competition for many years, and I have always trusted you. Today, it is not only to select members of the Royal Fighting Team, but also to win honor for the Heavenly Dou Empire. Therefore, you will announce the rules and rewards."
"As you command." Meng Shenji turned to face the entire arena, channeling his soul power into his voice: "In this selection tournament, the privileges of seeded teams are abolished. All participating teams must compete from the preliminary rounds. The teams that ultimately win the championship and runner-up positions may invite students from Tiandou Academy to form the main and vice-main teams of the new 'Royal Fighting Team,' representing Tiandou Royal Academy in the Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies!"
Xiao Yan, sitting below the stage, seemed rather listless. He already knew these rules, but he was more concerned about what kind of reward Emperor Xueye would give.
The previous system of guaranteed admission has been completely broken, which means that even Yu Tianheng's ace team must rely on their strength to reach the finals, although with the strength of his Soul Sect, they should have few rivals.
Meng Shenji continued, "Furthermore, to encourage all students to strive for excellence, His Majesty has bestowed a substantial reward upon the champion and runner-up teams."
The entire audience held their breath, even their breathing became lighter.
At this moment, Emperor Xueye slowly turned his gaze to Xue Qinghe beside him, nodded to him, and signaled him to announce the winning prizes for the selected teams.
"This time, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is selecting the Royal Fighting Team to participate in the National Soul Master Grandmaster competition. The shortlisted teams can use the power of the Heaven Dou Royal Family to hunt down a desired ten-thousand-year soul ring for them before they reach level sixty."
These words sparked a flurry of discussion among the students present. A ten-thousand-year-old soul beast was not something easily subdued, and the students about to participate in the competition, especially those close to breaking through to level 30 or 40, had their eyes gleaming with excitement.
Only Xiao Wu and Xiao Yan scoffed. Xiao Wu had absolutely no need for such a prize, and as for Xiao Yan, he didn't even bother with it. He naively thought that the Heaven Dou royal family's national strength was comparable to the Spirit Hall, capable of giving away some soul bones or at the very least, a duke or viscount title to play with.
Judging by how stingy they are, this reward is probably only for winning the national championship.
Soul bones are still a rare commodity in the current Douluo Continent.
Emperor Xueye raised his hands, signaling for silence. As the guards at each checkpoint of the spectator stands struck the ground with their weapons to warn of quiet, the entire Soul Arena of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy finally fell silent.
Xueye surveyed the group of students present; these were clearly the future faces of the Heaven Dou Empire:
"The path of a Soul Master requires constant challenges to break through one's limits. I hope that among you all today, some will become Soul Douluos, or even those with titles. What you are fighting for today is not just a spot, but the glory of the Heaven Dou Empire! I urge you all to strive bravely and one day stand on the stage of the Continental Tournament, letting the world know that my Heaven Dou Empire is also a land that produces geniuses!"
As Emperor Xueye finished speaking encouragingly, the entire audience erupted in deafening cheers once again. Even elite students like Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan were filled with excitement, their eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, standing on a high platform in the distance, couldn't help but sigh, "As expected of an emperor, he's really quite adept at media studies."
Looking at the spirited emperor, a slight smile appeared on his lips: "Emperor Xueye, with those eyes and that complexion, you're hardly a sickly person anymore."
Could it be that what I said to Xue'er that day really had an effect on Qian Renxue?
However, if the goal is not to cause chaos within the Heavenly Dou royal family, then what reason does Qian Renxue have to remain in the Heavenly Dou Empire?
Xiao Yan couldn't help but look at Xue Qinghe, who was accompanying Emperor Xue Ye.