bookbashuk Chapter 577 Preliminary Round 1
Chapter 577 Preliminary Round 1
Chapter 577 First Round of Preliminaries
There was thunderous applause.
Seated in the center of the first row of the VIP section, Qian Renxue, disguised as the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heavenly Dou Empire, slowly rose to her feet.
He then raised his right hand and gently waved to the 80,000 spectators in the stands and the participating Soul Masters lined up in neat rows below.
The thunderous applause quickly ceased, and the vast square fell silent.
A gentle, refined, and magnetic voice resonated throughout the venue via the amplified soul guide:
"Given that my father is unwell and unable to attend the opening ceremony of this Elite Soul Master Tournament, he has specially appointed me to take full charge of this matter."
"Therefore, by the decree of my father, I, Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire and the organizers of this competition, hereby declare the Pan-Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition open!"
The applause erupted again, and cheers rose and fell.
Hearing the thunderous applause and cheers all around, Qian Renxue showed a gentle smile, but there seemed to be a hint of forced emotion in her eyes, as if she herself was not excited about the competition.
To be honest, she didn't really like this crowded, noisy environment.
To be honest, she actually prefers a quieter environment.
For example, she really liked the secret room in her own palace because it was quiet and private, where she could be unrestrained, let loose, and do whatever she wanted.
If it weren't for her current identity as Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, and the fact that Emperor Xue Ye, who was supposed to attend the opening ceremony, had been poisoned and was bedridden, leaving her to preside over the event herself, Qian Renxue really wouldn't want to be here.
Fortunately, Ye Qifeng was by his side.
His presence greatly alleviated Qian Renxue's dislike, and apart from Huo Wu's arrival causing some emotional fluctuations, everything felt quite good.
Once the applause subsided, Qian Renxue composed herself slightly and continued speaking, once again adopting the benevolent and humble demeanor of the Heavenly Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe:
"Here, I hope that all the Soul Masters participating in this competition can give full play to their strength and achieve good results."
"You are all the pride of the Heaven Dou Empire. For the glory of the empire, let your brilliance shine forth!"
As soon as he finished speaking, applause rang out for the third time.
After listening to His Highness the Crown Prince's speech, the Soul Masters in the center of the arena couldn't help but let their eyes shine with fervent light.
For them, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is definitely the best stage for them to showcase their strength.
After Qian Renxue finished her speech, she gracefully returned to her seat. During this time, she secretly winked at Ye Qifeng, who was smiling at her from the side.
At this moment, the emcee's voice rang out again from the amplified soul tool:
"Next, please welcome Mr. Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, to give a speech for this competition."
As applause erupted again, Ning Fengzhi slowly rose with a smile. As the number one support soul master in the soul master world and an authority among support-type soul masters, he received a great deal of attention.
After rising from his seat, Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly, first waving his hands around, then pressing his hands together in a gesture of respect. Once the applause and cheers subsided, he slowly began to speak:
"I am delighted to be invited as the opening guest of this Elite Soul Master Tournament."
"As the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, I have witnessed the growth of too many Soul Masters. As the noblest profession on the continent, Soul Masters need to go through many trials and tribulations to develop."
"But what I want to say is that a fine sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold."
"Those participating in this Soul Master Competition are undoubtedly the elite of the younger generation. Just as His Highness the Crown Prince just said, I hope you can bring glory to the Empire and to your own academies."
"The Empire needs talents like you. Thank you!"
The moment Ning Fengzhi finished his speech, a sincere smile appeared on the face of Xue Qinghe, the Heavenly Dou Crown Prince disguised as Qian Renxue.
Of course, this was done for Ning Fengzhi's benefit, and also for the powerful nobles of the Heavenly Dou Empire.
As Ning Fengzhi finished speaking, the emcee's voice quickly followed, resounding throughout the venue:
"Thank you for your speech, Sect Master Ning. You are the most powerful support-type Soul Master. I have a question for you on behalf of the audience watching this match."
"Which of the 29 teams participating in the Tiandou City regional qualifiers do you think will win?"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this, but his expression remained unchanged, still bearing a faint smile.
"If you ask me which team I'm most optimistic about, I'm afraid I can't answer that."
"However, besides the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy Team 1, which entered the finals as a seeded team, there are two other teams that I am quite optimistic about in this competition. As for which of these two teams is stronger, I can't say for sure. I'm afraid we can only judge through the competition."
"Oh?" The emcee looked slightly surprised. "Sect Leader Ning actually favors two teams?"
"Then, may I ask Sect Leader Ning, which two teams have earned your favor?"
Ning Fengzhi glanced at Ye Qifeng over Qian Renxue, then said with an air of matter-of-fact:
"The first team is naturally the second team from the Spirit Hall Academy, brought by Saint Son Ye Qifeng."
"The strength of the students of the Spirit Hall Academy is beyond doubt, as can be seen from the previous All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. Although they only belong to the second team, I believe that their strength is definitely one of the favorites to win this year's Spirit Master Tournament."
As for the other one...
At this point, Ning Fengzhi smiled mysteriously:
"Let me keep you in suspense for now, but I can assure you that their strength is not to be underestimated, and they definitely have the ability to pass the preliminary rounds."
Ye Qifeng was unmoved by Ning Fengzhi's flattery, simply smiling and bowing slightly before offering no further response.
But the audience had already started discussing it, speculating about which team Ning Fengzhi favored.
No one doubts the strength of the Spirit Hall's second team, but no one has any clue as to which team the other one is.
After all, besides the Spirit Hall's second team, there were a total of 28 teams participating in the preliminaries, but only five teams could advance in the end. It was not so easy to predict.
After Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire finished his impassioned speech, Ning Fengzhi also delivered a series of impressive platitudes, and soon it was time for the lottery ceremony to begin.
After Ning Fengzhi returned to his seat, the emcee cleared his throat, and his loud and clear voice rang out through the amplified soul-guided device:
"It's a pity that we couldn't get the other team that Sect Leader Ning favored out of him."
"Next, please welcome the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, His Highness Ye Qifeng, to draw lots for the first round of the preliminary rounds."
"After the draw, the vice-captains of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy will play against their opponents drawn in the first round. This will be the only match today."
Amidst thunderous applause, Ye Qifeng stood up, waved in greeting, and spoke in a gentle voice:
"I am very pleased to be invited as the opening guest of this Elite Soul Master Tournament and to host the draw ceremony for the first round of the preliminary rounds, but I must say that I would like to decline."
"Ah, this..." Upon hearing that Ye Qifeng had refused to preside over the lottery ceremony, the emcee was momentarily flustered, as if he had a lapse in speech. This was completely unexpected, and he didn't know what to do.
At this moment, Qian Renxue, who was standing next to Ye Qifeng, and Ning Fengzhi, who was on the other side, both cast surprised glances at Ye Qifeng.
The participating Soul Master students standing in the center of the competition venue, as well as the spectators in the stands, looked at each other in bewilderment.
Strictly speaking, this should be considered a competition accident.
After all, the competition schedule had already been arranged in advance, but now that Ye Qifeng has become an unpredictable factor, if the progress of the competition is affected, the emcee responsible for hosting the opening ceremony will certainly bear some responsibility.
This caused him to break out in a cold sweat.
Fortunately, Ye Qifeng's next words relieved the emcee's tension:
"There's no need to be surprised. I have my reasons for refusing to host the draw ceremony for the first round of the preliminary rounds. After all, I am the team leader of the Spirit Hall's second team, and I am also a member of the participating teams. It would be inappropriate for me to conduct the draw ceremony for the preliminary rounds."
"In order to ensure the fairness and impartiality of this Elite Soul Master Tournament, I think it would be better to have someone else draw the lots."
As soon as Ye Qifeng finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment.
In the end, the quick-witted emcee was the first to come to his senses and instantly understood what Ye Qifeng meant:
"Then, Your Highness, who do you think would be most suitable to draw lots?"
Instead of answering the emcee's question immediately, Ye Qifeng asked in return:
"Based on the opening ceremony procedures of previous Elite Soul Master Tournaments, it seems the draw ceremony will be hosted by the Spirit Hall?"
The emcee immediately responded:
"Yes."
Ye Qifeng coughed and smiled:
"In that case, let the Hall Master of the Spirit Temple of Heaven Dou City, the Platinum Bishop Salas, draw lots for the matches."
"According to the original opening ceremony program, Salas should have been the guest in charge of hosting the lottery ceremony, but he was only moved to the back because of my arrival. So, it is most appropriate for Salas to host it."
"Your Highness, Sect Leader Ning, what are your thoughts?"
Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, naturally had no objections and quickly nodded in agreement:
"I, the Crown Prince, agree."
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment. Although he felt that absolute fairness and impartiality were impossible in the Elite Soul Master Competition, since Ye Qifeng himself had refused, he had nothing more to say, so he nodded.
"This sect leader has no objection."
"Alright, it's decided then." Ye Qifeng smiled slightly, turned around and waved to an old man wearing a five-pointed platinum crown in the second row behind him, "Salas."
Salas was a gaunt old man with a full head of white hair that was neatly combed. He had a goatee on his chin, narrow shoulders, and a slender body like a javelin. He was shrouded in a long, bright red robe, and his eyes were slightly closed as if he were asleep.
"exist!"
Upon hearing Ye Qifeng's summons, Saras immediately sprang to her feet and quickly approached him, bowing respectfully.
"You'll be in charge of the draw ceremony for the Elite Soul Master Tournament, since it's your responsibility."
Ye Qifeng didn't waste any words and got straight to the point.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Salas dared not delay and immediately agreed.
He had thought that he wouldn't have anything to do in this Elite Soul Master Competition and was about to take a nap when he was surprised that His Highness the Holy Son had given him the opportunity to host the drawing ceremony.
This made Salas feel somewhat flattered.
Led by a palace maid, Salas slowly walked to the master of ceremonies and began the drawing of lots. Each time a pair of opponents was drawn, he announced it in a hoarse, aged voice through the megaphone in the master of ceremonies' hand:
"In the first round of the qualifiers, Flamebringer Academy will face off against Yue Si Academy."
"In the first round of the qualifiers, Blue Tyrant Academy will face Purple Star Academy."
"."
"In the first round of the preliminary rounds, Spirit Hall Academy will face off against Canghui Academy."
"."
"In the first round of the qualifiers, Tiandou Royal Academy will face off against Auckland Academy."
"."
…………
The draw for the first round of the qualifiers was completed, and contrary to expectations, the audience did not boo as they had anticipated due to suspicions of rigged draws. However, some were happy while others were sad.
Those who were naturally delighted were the Shrek Seven Devils, who represented the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the battle.
The Shrek Seven Devils didn't pay much attention to the matches between other academies, but when they heard that their first-round opponent was the little-known Auckland Academy, they couldn't help but smile with relief.
They had all heard of Auckland Academy, but its strength was not outstanding; it was just average, belonging to the middle-tier teams that were neither the best nor the worst. In previous Soul Master Elite Tournaments, it had never advanced to the qualifying rounds.
Such an opponent is a piece of cake for the Shrek Seven Devils.
Ma Hongjun pressed his fingers, making a series of cracking sounds, and a sly smile appeared on his fat face:
"Great, we've run into a weak team. Let's use them as an example this time, make an example of them, and show those shallow viewers what real strength is."
After saying that, he looked at Tang San, rubbing his hands together eagerly:
"Third Brother, let me make my appearance later."
Tang San smiled slightly, looking confident and composed, and nodded gently:
"Alright. Since we've encountered a relatively weak team, let's proceed as planned. We'll finish this quickly, aiming to resolve the battle within a minute and shut up those mortals who dared to mock us."
The Shrek Seven Devils were overjoyed, while the Canghui Academy students, who had previously clashed with them, looked rather worried.
Each of them had an extremely serious expression, without a trace of a smile.
Right from the start, they encountered the Spirit Hall's second team, which made all the students of Canghui Academy, who were preparing to show their skills in the Elite Soul Master Competition, feel somewhat discouraged.
(End of this chapter)