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I've recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Name: 'Douluo: Martial Soul Heavenly Flame, Flame Emperor'
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The next day, the morning sunlight scattered across every corner of Star Luo City, golden radiance illuminating this passionate land.
Around Star Luo Square, countless spectators had already gathered—more than double the number from the initial elimination matches.
Amid the audience's cheers, four teams entered Star Luo Square one after another. When the last team, the Shrek Academy representative team, made their appearance, the surrounding spectators' cheers and passionate atmosphere reached their peak, the sound seeming to shatter the entire sky.
Yet amid the roaring cheers of the audience, the gazes of the four teams clashed like swords across the air, sparks flying, bringing a killing intent to the atmosphere.
However, accompanied by a loud voice,
"His Majesty has arrived—"
The killing atmosphere instantly vanished without a trace.
Everyone's gaze turned to the ten-meter-wide red carpet stretching from the imperial palace gate all the way to the front of the fighting platform.
"Creak—"
At this moment, the imperial palace gates opened wide.
Xu Jiawei, Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, strode out from the imperial palace gates under the escort of palace guards and the protection of four Titled Douluo powerhouses, heading straight toward the competition platform.
"Long live, long live, may you live ten thousand years—"
The soldiers responsible for maintaining order raised their weapons high at this moment, joining all the people in the square in shouting "Long live"!
Around the fighting platform, the 108 soul masters responsible for protection bowed respectfully to the emperor. The competing members from the four participating academies also stood up at this moment, offering their respectful gaze.
After Xu Jiawei ascended the fighting platform, facing Star Luo Square, he gently raised both arms. "My people, rise."
"Long live—"
Amid the roaring response, the people rose like a surging tide.
The clamor resounded throughout the entire Star Luo Square.
Xu Jiawei didn't suppress this clamor, only looking at the distant people with a peaceful gaze and a smile on his face.
Only when the square quieted down did he smile and say: "The All Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Fighting Tournament, as a grand event held once every five years on our Douluo Continent, has finally been held again in our Star Luo Empire. This is also the first time since I ascended the throne, which fills me with deep honor. Here, I thank the academy representative teams from various countries for presenting us with splendid matches, allowing us to witness the continent's development, and letting me share joy with my people."
"Today marks the beginning of the semifinals and the final draw, which I will personally preside over. I hope the four academies can display their true prowess in this final stage."
"May our Star Luo Empire prosper for generations to come!"
As soon as he finished speaking, continuous roaring cheers surged again! Everyone's sense of honor also climbed to its peak at this moment!
At this time, among the four elders who had followed Xu Jiawei onto the stage, the one at the front left took two steps forward, facing the direction of the rest area, and said in a deep voice: "Please have the captains of the four teams come up to draw lots."
An indescribably powerful aura suddenly erupted from this elder, the astonishing pressure making everyone in Star Luo Square feel as if the sky had darkened.
He was clearly suppressing some hidden demons and goblins.
This person was precisely Huang Jinxu, whose title was "Heavenfiend." He would now replace Cheng Gang as the referee for the subsequent matches.
Meanwhile, in the rest area below the stage.
"Are you sure about doing this?"
Wang Yan was frowning, deep in thought.
Because at yesterday's pre-battle meeting, Chen Junting had proposed a method. However, the premise of this method required replacing a Soul Ancestor with a Soul King. It was precisely because this method was so good that he was so conflicted, still unable to decide until now.
"Teacher Wang Yan, this is very worthwhile. As long as our semifinal opponent isn't the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, then it's feasible."
Chen Junting's expression was calm, as if he had anticipated Teacher Wang Yan's final choice. "Once we secure the semifinal, only the final remains. At that time, senior brother Xu simply won't be able to take the stage, rendering this method completely useless. It would be better to use it in the semifinal, having senior brother Xu replace the opponent's core member. This way, Ma Xiaotao and senior brother Dai Yueheng can still preserve some of their strength, waiting to deliver a heavy blow to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy in the final."
These words hit the mark with Wang Yan. He looked at Xu Sanshi, "If so, can you accomplish this, Xu Sanshi?"
"Don't worry."
Xu Sanshi patted his chest. "Leave it to old Xu."
"Good."
Hearing this, Wang Yan nodded satisfactorily.
"Then we'll proceed according to this plan."
Just at this moment, the captains of the four academy teams had arrived on the fighting platform. But anyone who had attended the Starlight Auction was startled at this moment, their eyes widening in surprise. Because the auctioneer Jiujiu was actually the captain of the Star Luo Royal team!
"Princess Xu Jiujiu is actually the captain."
Below the stage, Wang Yan looked at Dai Yueheng in surprise. Dai Yueheng's eyes also revealed a thoughtful gaze as he nodded.
"From an age perspective, Her Highness the Princess also qualifies."
"I see..."
Wang Yan frowned slightly, deep in thought.
"Then what is the Star Luo Royal's martial soul..."
"It's the Star Crown."
Just as Wang Yan was pondering, Chen Junting suddenly spoke.
"Ten thousand years ago, among the six great martial souls on the Martial Soul Hall Pope's decree was the Star Crown—a martial soul mentioned alongside my sect's Seven Kill Sword, the Hao Tian Sect's Hao Tian Hammer, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Moreover, according to rumors, the Star Crown martial soul's specialty in support is, to a certain extent, no weaker than my sect's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul."
"Young brother Chen is correct."
Dai Yueheng said: "I can guarantee that if there's a Star Crown martial soul user in the Star Luo team, that person is definitely the core."
Beside them, Wang Dong scratched his head, puzzled.
"Is it because of the royal family?"
"Of course not." Dai Yueheng shook his head. "Although I don't know the true power of the Star Crown martial soul, my father holds it in extremely high regard. This absolutely has nothing to do with status."
"I see."
Wang Yan nodded slightly, instructing Xu Sanshi beside him.
"If that's the case, should our semifinal opponent be the Star Luo team, then you'll replace Princess Jiujiu off the stage."
"Hehehe—"
Xu Sanshi couldn't help but reveal a cunning smile, patting his chest and immediately guaranteeing, "Don't worry, Teacher Wang, leave it to me."
Coincidentally at this moment, four golden lights simultaneously rose into the air.
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn.
Ma Xiaotao, who had been ready and waiting, was the first to act, grabbing a golden ball first. The captain of Di Ao (Imperial Mystical) Academy and Ma Rulong followed closely behind, seizing two of them.
As for Xu Jiujiu, she unhurriedly caught the last one.
Ma Xiaotao turned her palm to look, saying in a deep voice: "Number one." Then she locked her gaze on Xu Jiujiu's hand.
Because her golden ball also bore the character "one." This also represented the opponent for the first semifinal match—
Shrek Academy vs Star Luo Royal Academy.
Below the stage, Wang Yan saw this scene and said quietly.
"Follow the plan."
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