Wang Nan stood up at the sound of the knock and followed the attendant downstairs. There, he indeed saw Ma Xiaotao standing in the lobby on the first floor.
"Sorry I'm late."
"No, you're just in time." Wang Nan smiled and led Ma Xiaotao upstairs. "How was it? Was getting your spirit ring smooth?"
"Of course." Ma Xiaotao leaned slightly closer to Wang Nan. "Just wait and see; I'll scare their eyeballs right out of their sockets."
"Senior Sister." The conference room door opened, and Dai Yueheng stood up, giving up his seat.
Wang Yan nodded at this. "Perfect. Let's use this opportunity for everyone to get acquainted. This is the last official member for this Soul Duel Tournament."
"Hello, everyone, my name is Ma Xiaotao." Ma Xiaotao briefly introduced herself to the few reserve members before sitting down at the table with Wang Nan.
"Ahem." Wang Yan cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, next, I'll talk about the personnel arrangements for the first round of the competition."
"If our opponents aren't too strong after the draw, Xiaotao, don't go on stage yet. Beibei, go back and prepare. You'll very likely be sent out in the first round."
Beibei nodded in agreement.
"Wait a minute."
"What is it, Xiao Nan?"
"For the first round, Ye Xiaosheng shouldn't rush to the stage either. Everyone is a Core Disciple and should have spirit tools custom-made by the Academy. Don't rush to use them just yet."
"In previous Soul Duel Tournaments, we didn't have Soul Masters participating. Even if Xiaosheng appeared as a reserve member, other academies wouldn't quickly realize that we've also started promoting the combination of Spirit Master and Soul Master combat. At that time, it might have an unexpected effect."
Wang Yan lowered his head, looking at the materials on the table. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Alright, then let Xu Sanshi also prepare. He'll go on stage with Beibei at that time."
"Alright, there are still a few days until the official start of the tournament. Everyone, take this time to rest well."
"Additionally, if you have any questions, you can ask me at any time. If the reserve members have any doubts about their cultivation, they can also take this opportunity to ask the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters of the Inner Courtyard for answers. This is also a hidden benefit of your participation in this Soul Duel Tournament."
"Alright, meeting adjourned."
The Disciples filed out, and Wang Nan, as usual, walked out last.
"Xiao Nan."
"What is it, Second Uncle?"
"You didn't show your face in the last Soul Duel Tournament. Do you want to wait until the later matches to appear this time?"
"I'll still go on stage." Wang Nan shook his head. "I'm the Captain, after all. On stage, I can temporarily arrange some tactics. Also, if too many reserve members go on and something unexpected happens, it won't be good."
Of course, Wang Nan had another reason. He knew what the prize for this Soul Duel Tournament was. Although the chances of that prize ultimately staying in his hands were not very high, he still wanted to try for it.
"Alright, what you said is not wrong. After all, we still have Xiaotao as a backup. Let's go with what you said."
"Then, Second Uncle, get some rest early. You should be able to relax a bit these few days."
"Alright, I'll go rest after I finish looking at these things."
Wang Nan, helpless, could only turn and leave the conference room. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Ma Xiaotao standing outside the door.
"You just came back; you probably haven't been to your room yet, right? Let's go, I'll take you there."
Ma Xiaotao leaned closer, then furtively glanced into the conference room. "Wang… cough, Teacher Wang is your Second Uncle?"
"Yes, our Spirits are both Coiling Dragon Staves, so it shouldn't be hard to guess, right?"
"I grew up in the Inner Courtyard, how would I know the Spirit of an Outer Courtyard teacher?"
Wang Nan smiled at Ma Xiaotao's expression. "Alright, stop looking. I'll take you back to your room first. You just acquired your spirit ring, so it's a good time to consolidate your cultivation during this period."
…
Today was the busiest day in Star Luo City.
All the streets around Star Luo Plaza were blocked by soldiers, and the road from the Star Emperor Hotel to Star Luo Plaza was completely cordoned off.
Despite this, it could not stop the enthusiasm of the people who came to watch the competition. From early morning, before the sun had fully risen, the sounds of bustling crowds began to emanate from near the Star Emperor Hotel.
Wang Nan woke up early and changed into the dark green uniform of Shrek Academy. Looking out the window, the nearby streets were packed with people, dense and teeming.
He arrived at the main gate of the Imperial City, where the competition arena for the Soul Duel Tournament was set up. The arena was one hundred meters long and wide, surrounded by one hundred and eight metal pillars. Spirit Masters were already waiting nearby, ready to form a protective barrier to isolate the inside and outside of the arena as soon as the competition began.
Wang Nan and the rest of the Shrek members stood in the first row of the waiting area, awaiting the draw results for the first round of the competition.
Looking around, separated by a fence about a meter high, countless spectators surrounded the edge of the arena, waiting with them for the competition to begin. Wang Nan even saw his parents; by virtue of having helped construct the venue, they were standing in the very front row of the audience.
Soon, Xu Jiawei appeared at the Imperial City wall with the Empress of the Star Luo Empire and a host of ministers. In an instant, the surrounding spectators all knelt down with a "whoosh." The participating Spirit Masters, however, did not need to perform such a grand ceremony.
Xu Jiawei stepped forward, gestured for everyone to rise, and then slowly began, "The All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament is the most important event in our Spirit Master's world on the Douluo Continent. This session will be held in our Star Luo Empire, and here…"
On the Imperial City wall, Xu Jiawei was giving the opening speech for the Soul Duel Tournament, but Wang Nan's mind below the city wall was not on it.
He could feel that ever since he stood there, several gazes had been constantly scrutinizing him from behind. Some were still trying to hide it, but the people from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy standing behind him were quite brazen.
Wang Nan glanced behind him and saw a handsome young man, not yet fifteen, with a tall and slender build, and a pair of blue eyes staring at him.
Even when Wang Nan turned his head, the young man did not avert his gaze but stared straight at him until an old man with a ruddy complexion looked over, causing him to restrain himself somewhat.
On the city wall, Xu Jiawei's speech was coming to an end.
"Alright, then I declare the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament officially open!"
The roar of the cannons and the cheers of the surrounding audience erupted simultaneously, and Xu Jiawei and the ministers took their seats in the arranged positions on the Imperial City wall.
It wasn't until the surrounding sounds gradually died down that another loud voice rang out.
"According to the rules of this Soul Duel Tournament, the first round will consist of sixty-six elimination matches involving a total of one hundred and thirty-three teams. The winners will advance to the next round, while the losers can only regretfully end their journey in this Soul Duel Tournament."
"And the first team to appear is—"
The host drew out his words, and the cheers from the audience were already boiling, the sound of "Shrek" echoing through every corner of the plaza.