manynovel Chapter 126 The Red Dust Siblings, the Competition Begins
Chapter 126 The Red Dust Siblings, the Competition Begins
Chapter 130 The Red Dust Siblings, the Competition Begins
Xue Di said, "Then how about this: Yu Hao, your competition will proceed as scheduled. Rui Shou, the two of us will investigate the area around Xingluo City."
As a super ferocious beast that has lived for hundreds of thousands of years, Xue Di was mostly just curious about this so-called greatest event on the continent among humans. Although she was now old enough to participate in the competition after transforming into human form, she would not stoop to bullying a group of children.
The situation is similar for Long Qiu'er. Among the humans, only Huo Yuhao can spark her interest in fighting; the rest of her peers basically can't withstand a single punch from her.
Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment, looked at the two beautiful girls in front of him, and said, "How about I come along too?"
"It will be easier to find people with my mental detection."
"No need." Long Qiu'er shook her head decisively. "The difference in your mental strength level is too great. If you can detect it, then it can definitely detect you too. Let's leave it to us, who have stronger perception. At least we need to confirm whether it's friend or foe, and if we can't beat it, we can call for reinforcements."
Huo Yuhao slumped his shoulders in frustration. "—Yeah, that's true."
Little did the three of them know how much impact this seemingly minor incident would have in the future.
After Huo Yuhao returned to the hotel, a group of figures slowly walking towards them immediately attracted the attention of the onlookers.
There were nearly twenty people, each wearing a well-fitting white school uniform, with intricately designed soul tools on their wrists and chests, giving them a steampunk vibe.
Some knowledgeable passersby recognized him immediately.
"They're from the Sun Moon Royal Academy!"
This is an old acquaintance. In fact, ever since the Sun Moon Continent collided with the Douluo Continent four thousand years ago, the so-called Elite Soul Master Tournament has been purely about who can win the first place between Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Royal Academy.
Of course, after four thousand years of competition, Sun Moon Royal Academy is still the perennial runner-up. Shrek Academy may not be good at other things, but they are absolute experts in the Soul Master Tournament. Shrek Academy has a complete set of tactics on how to win, such as creating some unexpected deaths in the individual competition to make the team battle unfavorable.
However, this year, the Sun Moon Royal Academy has encountered some unexpected changes.
A handsome young man with short white hair stood with his hands behind his back, his heterochromatic eyes scanning the bustling streets around him. He said with a hint of arrogance, "This is Star Luo City, huh? It's quite backward, still using such thick city walls—"
As soon as he said this, passersby glared angrily at the boy, but he acted as if he didn't see them, displaying an attitude of "I'm the boss, not the boss."
"Old Xiao, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Have you forgotten what Grandpa told us?"
The speaker was a girl with long, wine-red hair and azure eyes. She walked in front of the boy and turned around to look at her older brother with a somewhat helpless expression.
Although the girl could not be described as exceptionally beautiful, she was still very pretty and had a well-developed figure.
Pride comes before a fall. Grandpa had taught my brother this lesson countless times, but he had never listened.
"Hmph! All I care about is whether Shrek Academy has an opponent that satisfies me!"
"I'm just afraid you'll get beaten to a pulp."
"Tch!" The white-haired boy raised his palm in front of him and made a rubbing motion. "Sorry, in this world, my only enemy is myself."
It was clear that his hands were extremely fair and slender, with a jade-like luster that even girls would find hard to possess. He seemed very particular about his hands, as if admiring the most exquisite works of art in the world, making one wonder if he might use his right hand for something less than honorable.
These two are naturally the Hongchen siblings, regarded as the ace of the Sun Moon Royal Academy in this competition. In fact, their strength is enough to enter the main team, but in order to be a backup, they are arranged in the reserve team to cover their tracks.
He was so engrossed in admiring his own hands that he took a few steps forward and then bumped into his sister, who was standing motionless in place.
He said, somewhat annoyed, "Meng, why aren't you leaving?"
But his younger sister remained standing still, staring straight ahead, ignoring his words.
"???"
Xiao Hongchen twitched the corner of his mouth speechlessly. Was he being infatuated again?
But when Xiao Hongchen followed Meng Hongchen's gaze, he was also a little confused.
Even at the bustling registration area of the Star Emperor Hotel, that young man was the most eye-catching.
His short, blue-white hair fell smoothly across his face, giving him a somewhat adorable, younger-brother-like appearance. Although his handsome features appeared somewhat childish due to his youth, they were still stunning.
He sat on the sofa in the corner, his hand supporting his chin, as if he were thinking about something.
Xiao Hongchen's first reaction upon seeing this person was ——————
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
How could anyone in this world be more handsome than me!
Then, unwilling to give up, Xiao Hongchen looked down and saw the boy's hand—
"Her hands are prettier than mine too" — Xiao Hongchen gritted her teeth, unconsciously clenching her hands.
What about his cultivation level?
I can't sense any soul power fluctuations from him. Could he be an ordinary person?
Seemingly noticing their gaze, Huo Yuhao looked up and saw two complete strangers staring intently at him.
Um—I've gotten used to the girl, but what's with that guy's look? It's like I have a blood feud with him.
Huo Yuhao shrank his neck, nodded slightly to the two of them, and then stood up and left the hall without hesitation.
Xiao Hongchen only looked away after Huo Yuhao stepped into the elevator.
Seeing her younger sister looking like she'd lost her soul, Xiao Hongchen slapped her on the head in exasperation, "Stop looking, she's already gone."
Meng Hongchen immediately covered her head and then lunged at Xiao Hongchen, yelling, "Damn it! Old Xiao, if you dare hit my head again, I'll fight you to the death!"
The two siblings had a good relationship, and they started playfully fighting without caring about anyone else.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament is the ultimate battle among academies from all nations. Adhering to the principles of fairness and impartiality, it tests the comprehensive strength of each academy, and the competition format is highly diverse and flexible.
The first round of the preliminary round is an elimination round. The loser will be eliminated immediately.
The first round of matches will all be team battles, seven against seven, and it is estimated that the first round of matches will take three days to complete.
After the first round, the teams will be divided into groups for a round-robin tournament.
The round-robin tournament adopts a randomized format, with participants randomly drawn from three modes: single-elimination, three-on-two battle, two-on-two cooperative battle, and seven-on-seven team battle.
That's one way to put it.
Since the Soul Fighting Tournament adopted its current format, apart from the final stage of the competition, the most exciting part is actually the first round of elimination matches.
Its brilliance, even its brutality, far surpassed that of the subsequent round-robin matches.
Round-robin tournaments can also involve tactical arrangements, and even tactical failures.
But in this first round of elimination, the loser is eliminated immediately. Even Shrek Academy, the reigning champions, is no exception; there are no special privileges.
It has to be said that the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament truly lives up to its reputation as the grandest event in the Douluo Continent. Even though it's still early morning, people have already started entering the venue from all directions of Xingluo Square.
The Star Luo Empire earns approximately two million gold soul coins daily from entrance fees alone. That adds up to sixty million gold soul coins per month. Even after deducting military expenses and other costs, the empire still makes a substantial profit. This is one of the reasons why the four great empires are so eager to host the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. Keep in mind, Star Luo City's annual tax revenue is roughly that amount.
However, watching such matches is not free; the daily admission fee is not cheap, requiring two gold soul coins.
For some merchants and nobles, it meant nothing.
But for ordinary people, it's a lot of money, but it's worth it.
Because the common people also have something to say. Normally, they can't even see those high and mighty Soul Masters, but for just two gold Soul Coins, they can watch these Soul Masters fight to the death for victory. Isn't that worth it?
Quack! I want to see rivers of blood!
"I see, so that kid is a member of the Shrek team."
Xiao Hongchen, who was sitting in the waiting area of the Sun Moon Royal Academy early in the morning, muttered to himself thoughtfully as he watched Huo Yuhao walk out of the competition channel with the Shrek Academy team. His heterochromatic eyes were full of intense fighting spirit.
Very well, you are qualified to be my opponent!
Meanwhile, Meng Hongchen's gaze lingered between Huo Yuhao and a boy with light blue hair, as if she were struggling to make a choice.
The two are about the same age, but upon closer inspection, you can see that the one with the pink and blue hair looks somewhat—somewhat girlish, while Huo Yuhao doesn't have that feeling.
It's truly a feast for the eyes!
After taking his seat, Huo Yuhao nervously loosened his clothes, trying his best to ignore the gazes of those around him.
After actually participating in such a competition, Huo Yuhao realized that it was really not that interesting.
How to put it—it's like being caged and forced to fight desperately inside, just to entertain the audience.
Is this dog racing or cockfighting?
Of course, Huo Yuhao could also understand that this continent-wide competition was actually for the benefit of the students in various academies.
It goes without saying that informants from various major soul master sects have been deployed throughout the stands, ready to scout for talent at this continent-wide competition.
These young Soul Masters cannot stay in the academy forever; they will eventually have to enter society, and the so-called academy cannot protect them forever.
This competition is the best opportunity to showcase oneself. Those who can participate in this competition are the best of the best from various academies. If nothing unexpected happens, they will be recruited by various major sects and forces after the competition, embarking on a new life and striving for more cultivation resources.
But Huo Yuhao still didn't understand why Shrek Academy would link the academy's honor with the outcome of this competition.
"Is this the most prestigious event in the human world? It's truly amazing—"
Xue Di, wearing a white sun hat and a simple white dress, looked thoughtfully at the huge crowd in front of her.
Under the simulation effect of the [Douluo World] sub-controller, Xue Di's fairy-like appearance was concealed and replaced with the image of a girl whose appearance was not outstanding.
Long Qiu'er casually remarked, "Hehe, in some ways, humans and soul beasts are basically the same. They're both fighting for resources and a better survival, it's just that their methods aren't as bloody—"
Xue Di nodded thoughtfully, "Indeed—at least the humans don't eat the loser after the battle, which keeps their combat strength at a considerable level. As for the soul beasts—"
Without Xue Di needing to explain further, Long Qiu'er understood what she meant.
Most soul beasts eat their own kind, just as Huo Yuhao once said. If we're talking about the killings caused by soul beasts, it's the soul beasts themselves who are responsible.
Perhaps we can improve the survival rules of the Star Dou Great Forest from this perspective—but we still need to solve the food problem first.
"I heard there's a competition for Yuhao today, so let's watch it closely! Although I don't think any of these human competitors can rival him —"
At this moment, the opening ceremony of the competition had arrived. With the end of the opening remarks by the emperor of the Star Luo Empire, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament officially began.
"The first match is between the Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy team from the Douling Empire and the Shrek Academy team! Please welcome the players from both sides to the arena."
On the high platform of the imperial city not far away, Emperor Xu Jiawei of Xingluo narrowed his eyes slightly, and after scanning everyone, his gaze slowly landed on Huo Yuhao.
"You've grown quite a bit in the years I haven't seen you."
Beside him stood Princess Xu Jiujiu of Xingluo, dressed in a magnificent golden palace gown, and his empress.
Below the high platform were the civil and military officials of the Star Luo Empire.
Such days, where one can openly slack off without going to work, watch plays, and still get paid, are rare, so these ministers all seemed quite willing.
Xu Jiawei suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Little sister, are the Dai brothers well-behaved at the academy?"
After a long pause, he said, "Dai Huabin isn't very convinced in the reserve team, especially by Dai Yueheng's side—"
After a pause, Xu Jiu lowered his voice and said, "It seems that Dai Yueheng is trying to get closer to me."
Xu Jiawei narrowed his eyes slightly, put his hands behind his back, and curled up a mocking smile. "That's not surprising. The Zhu family in the present day doesn't have a woman of suitable age to match Dai Yueheng. In addition, last year's incident caused quite a stir, so Dai Hao is probably getting a little anxious."
Then he looked at his younger sister with a half-smile, "Little sister, you really don't have any ideas?"
Xu Jiujiu rolled her eyes at her older brother, annoyed. "Can you please stop trying to matchmake people?"
Xu Jiawei just smiled and said, "I didn't say Dai Yueheng, I said Huo Yuhao."
Xu Jiujiu's pretty face flushed slightly, and she protested, "Brother~"
"Alright, alright, enough joking around." Xu Jiawei's smile faded. "Is Dai Hao back?"
"He has already been notified, but the Mingdou Mountains are a long way away, and Dai Hao said he would be a few days late because he was busy with military affairs."
"I'm not afraid of him being late, I'm afraid he won't come at all!" Xu Jiawei smiled confidently. "Little sister, after this match is over, you go and see Huo Yuhao yourself. You know what to say."
"Seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I must reclaim military control of the Mingdou Mountains!"