Star Luo City's permanent population exceeds eight million, with a maximum capacity that can reach twenty million.
However, this giant city has recently become overcrowded. The number of tourists has surged in just half a month, and all hotels have already reached full capacity. The government had to requisition some residential houses as temporary accommodations for the tourists who came to watch the competition.
The reason for this is the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition, a grand event held every five years.
The Star Emperor Hotel, a royal property, is where the Star Luo Empire has arranged accommodations for all participating students.
Although the Body Sect's reputation isn't widespread, the Star Emperor Hotel still provided the Body Sect's group with the highest standard of treatment, including a luxurious suite on the top floor, with each person having their own private bedroom.
In Ran Hongyue's room, everyone gathered. Before the competition, it was essential to understand the rules and some important points.
Ran Hongyue was currently explaining to everyone, "There are a total of one hundred and thirty-four Advanced Soul Master Academies and Advanced Soul Engineer Academies participating this time. The first round of the preliminary rounds is a seven-on-seven team elimination match, starting tomorrow and determined by a draw. In other words, only sixty-seven teams can advance after the first round."
"The remaining sixty-seven teams will be divided into eight groups, with each group having eight or nine teams. The second round will be a round-robin format with a random competition system. This system includes three types of matches: one-on-one elimination, two-person cooperative combat, and seven-on-seven team battles. Each match will be determined by a draw, and the competition will proceed according to the drawn format."
"In the one-on-one elimination matches, each side sends one person to engage in soul fighting. The loser is eliminated, and the winner continues until one side is completely eliminated."
"I don't need to explain team battles. The two-person cooperative combat uses a two-two-three battle strategy. The competition is divided into three matches: the first two are two-person matches, and the last match involves the remaining three people from both sides. The two-person cooperative combat is a best-of-three series, meaning if you win the first two matches, the third match isn't necessary."
"Alright, the competition rules have been explained. Do you all want to discuss tactics?"
Huo Yuhao shrugged, facing the gazes of the others. "Why are you all looking at me? Don't forget, I'm a substitute." He didn't want to steal the spotlight.
At this moment, Ran Hongyue spoke up at the right time, "Yuhao is right. Also, you can just think of me as here to watch. Lin Kong will be in charge of the team's command. Do you have any objections?"
Of course, the others had no objections. Mainly, her status was higher than theirs, so they couldn't really say anything.
After that, the group dispersed without discussing tactics or anything. They had no information about their opponents, so any discussion would be pointless.
The next morning, the Star Luo Square, located in front of the imperial city's main gate and to the west of the Star Emperor Hotel, echoed with the sound of synchronized footsteps. Over a thousand soldiers clad in golden armor and armed with spears guarded the streets surrounding the square. These were the imperial guard, tasked with protecting the capital. Only contestants from the academies who had emerged from the Star Emperor Hotel were allowed to pass.
The competition stage for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition was erected in the center of Star Luo Square. The stage was square, measuring one hundred meters on each side and five meters high. Surrounding the stage were one hundred and eight metal pillars. These weren't merely decorative; they were protective soul tools. When activated, they could generate a protective barrier to prevent stray energy from harming the audience during the matches.
Just as Huo Yuhao and the Body Sect group were leaving the hotel to head towards Star Luo Square, Song Ming found Huo Yuhao. "Young Master, the opening ceremony is about to begin. The Star Luo royal family has invited us to send a representative."
"Oh, you can go find Sister Hongyue," Huo Yuhao replied, not finding anything strange about the invitation. Even after years of lying low, the Body Sect's influence was still considerable.
Song Ming scratched his head and said with a strange expression, "I just went to look for Lingyin Douluo, but I didn't see her."
"Then you can go. You don't need to worry about me here. Star Luo City is under strict security now, so there's no danger."
"Young Master, you're joking. I'm a rough person, and I'd be bored sitting with those guys. It's better if you go, Young Master. Besides, you don't need to compete in the early stages anyway."
Song Ming looked somewhat embarrassed as he said this, like a child asking someone else to do his homework.
Huo Yuhao felt that it wasn't that simple. Perhaps this was Ran Hongyue's intention, to have him reveal himself as a core member of the Body Sect in front of everyone. But what was the purpose?
But after thinking about it, it became clear. It was just to make the Body Sect appear more in the public eye, just like television programs on Blue Star, all to enhance influence.
Huo Yuhao's gaze focused intently on Song Ming for more than ten seconds. Then, Huo Yuhao suddenly smiled lightly, "Alright, then I'll go show off."
"Tsk, how are these kids all so shrewd? It's really not easy to fool them," Song Ming grumbled inwardly.
Under Song Ming's guidance, Huo Yuhao arrived at a viewing platform. Unlike the positions of ordinary spectators, this high platform was exclusively for the heads of many major powers.
It mainly included six major forces: the Four Great Empires, Shrek Academy, and the recently emerged Body Sect.
The platform was a hundred meters long, thirty meters wide, and five meters high, temporarily constructed.
Hundreds of Imperial Guards guarded the area around the platform. Long red carpets were laid on the ground, along with ceremonial umbrellas and insignias. Dozens of elegantly dressed palace maids and eunuchs were also present.
"Tsk tsk, as expected of royalty, the display is too grand."
After the outer guards checked his identification, Huo Yuhao followed a servant onto the viewing platform. Huo Yuhao's gaze went directly to the four people in the center, who were like stars surrounding the moon. There were many people on the platform, but only these four were seated, which showed their extraordinary status.
Huo Yuhao's gaze swept over them one by one, finally landing on a middle-aged man of about forty. This man had a square face, wore a bright yellow dragon robe, and a crown of eight treasures and purple gold.
He simply sat there, and even without doing anything, he still exuded an air of looking down on the world. He was as steady as a mountain, making it impossible to ignore his presence.
And the position he sat in was also slightly ahead of the others. His identity was also very obvious; he was the current emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiawei.
"Body Sect representative, Huo Yuhao, pays respects to His Majesty."
Huo Yuhao stepped forward to salute. After all, he was the emperor, and the proper etiquette was necessary. Of course, Huo Yuhao only bowed slightly; kneeling was impossible. Not only was he unwilling, but he also represented the Body Sect's reputation.
"Oh, a Body Sect representative? Truly a promising young man. No need for formalities, take a seat." The Star Luo Emperor was somewhat surprised. The young man before him was too young, but he was the Body Sect's representative, so he couldn't be simple. He was curious about Huo Yuhao's identity, but he didn't ask directly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Huo Yuhao didn't say much, thanked him, and found an empty seat. He pretended to be calm as he sat down. From the moment he stepped onto this platform, countless gazes had converged on him. To be honest, experiencing this kind of scene for the first time, Huo Yuhao was extremely uncomfortable, like sitting on pins and needles.
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