Soto City, the penthouse suite of the hotel dedicated to the Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
Morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a golden line across the luxurious carpet.
Ning Liu opened his eyes, turned to the side, and gently patted the soft, warm body beside him.
"Wake up, little bunny."
"If I keep sleeping, I'll miss the opening ceremony of the competition."
The person in bed stirred and let out a lazy nasal sound.
"knew!"
Despite her words, Xiao Wu rubbed her sleepy eyes, turned over, and snuggled into Ning Liu's arms like a kitten, gently sniffing his neck.
The familiar scent made her feel incredibly safe and secure.
Although she was a 100,000-year-old soul beast in human form and already a level 52 Soul King, her rabbit instincts, which came from her very bones, made her develop a strong dependence on the scents she recognized.
"Sleep a little longer..."
She mumbled to herself, her voice still carrying the spoiled air of someone who hadn't woken up yet.
Ning Liu smiled and was about to say something when there was a knock on the door.
"Thump, thump, thump."
Li An's voice came from outside the door.
"My lord, all personnel are in place at the venue, and the opening ceremony is about to begin."
"We should get going."
Ning Liu responded.
He lowered his head and kissed Xiao Wu's smooth forehead.
"Listen to me, get up quickly."
"You'll be with Rongrong and the others later. Maybe after the draw, the first match will be our Liuli Tian team's match."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu reluctantly sat up from the bed.
Ning Liu straightened his collar and pushed open the door to go out.
Li Anzheng waited respectfully outside the door.
Let's go.
...
Soto City, the Glazed Sky Battle Arena.
At this moment, the place was already bustling with people, and every seat was taken.
Tens of thousands of spectators gathered in the huge circular arena, their voices rising and falling in a cacophony of discussion.
"My goodness, this is huge! This is the first time I've ever seen so many Soul Master academies gathered together!"
A businessman from a small town was so excited that his face turned red.
"It is said that nearly a hundred teams from advanced Soul Master academies across the entire continent are participating in this competition!"
His companions were equally excited.
"What's this?"
A nobleman who looked knowledgeable curled his lip and pointed in the direction of the podium.
“Look over there.”
"That was a real spectacle!"
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.
After just one glance, gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
On the dais, rows of gilded chairs were filled with important figures whose mere stomp of their feet could shake the entire mainland.
“That is… His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Barak!”
"That man next to him is the King of the Kingdom of Silves!"
"Emperor Xue Ye of the Heavenly Dou Empire is unable to attend due to health reasons, but Prince Xue Xing has arrived!"
"From the Star Luo Empire, Prince Davis has also personally led a delegation here!"
"Wait! Look over there!"
A sharp-eyed young man suddenly exclaimed, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement.
"The Spirit Hall! It's someone from the Spirit Hall!"
"The woman sitting next to Prince Xuexing..."
Could it be Pope Bibidon?
"She actually came too!"
"The three people beside her... without a doubt, they are Title Douluos!"
The entire audience erupted in chaos.
The Pope himself has arrived, escorted by three Title Douluos!
What a terrifying lineup!
However, what puzzled everyone even more was something else.
"Have you noticed...?"
The nobleman's voice, which had been the first to be heard, became dry and hoarse.
"Her Majesty the Pope...she's not sitting in the main seat?"
"That very center, most prestigious seat is empty!"
"Who? Who exactly is it that has the authority to make the representatives of the two great empires of Tian Dou and Xing Luo, and the Pope of the Spirit Hall, have to sit at his side?"
This question lingered in the minds of everyone present, becoming a huge mystery.
Just then, a figure emerged from the private passageway of the podium.
Ning Liu stepped onto the podium at a leisurely pace.
He didn't release any soul power, nor did he deliberately show off anything; he simply walked calmly to the spot where everyone was watching.
Prince Xuexing bowed slightly, then rose and greeted the prince with a smile.
As for the Spirit Hall, Pope Bibi Dong merely nodded slightly, which was considered a greeting.
Under the gaze of tens of thousands of astonished and shocked people in the audience, Ning Liu calmly took his seat.
He took the empty seat in the main seat.
The entire room fell silent.
Ning Liu glanced around and spoke calmly.
"Let's begin."
The moment the words fell.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Around the arena, hundreds of cannons fired in unison, and colorful ribbons and petals rained down from the sky!
A beautiful figure, accompanied by stirring music, gracefully flew into the air above the Soul Fighting Platform.
She was wearing a well-tailored silver-white long dress, and her long, wavy brown hair shimmered with a captivating luster under the lights; it was DouDou.
"Distinguished guests, faculty, and students, good morning!"
DouDou's sweet voice, amplified by the Soul Guide megaphone, resounded throughout every corner of the venue.
"I'm DouDou, the host of the opening ceremony for this competition!"
"It is an honor to witness this grand event for young Soul Masters across the continent with everyone!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
DouDou opened her arms wide, enjoying the overwhelming enthusiasm.
"I know everyone is eagerly waiting!"
"Therefore, I hereby declare the Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies open now..."
She deliberately dragged out her voice.
"Officially open!"
Another burst of loud cheers followed.
DouDou pressed her hands together lightly, signaling everyone to calm down.
"Before the competition officially begins, please allow me to briefly introduce the competition format."
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