Dai Mubai snorted, glaring back at his brother without a trace of fear. Zhu Zhuqing, in contrast, was as still and cold as ancient ice, her expression unreadable.
To their right was the area reserved for the Golden Generation, the three prodigies from Spirit Hall. Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan stood out from the crowd, their powerful auras setting them apart. Xie Yue stood with his arms crossed, his arrogant gaze sweeping over the other teams as if they were ants beneath his feet. Yan's eyes were fiery and domineering as he brazenly sized up the members of Shrek Academy.
Hu Liena was the most striking of the three. She stood quietly, dressed in a tight-fitting black uniform embroidered with gold thread that perfectly outlined her stunning figure. Her beauty was flawless, but what truly set her apart was her aura. She seemed to possess an innate charm that made people feel an irresistible urge to get closer to her. Her gaze didn't linger on anyone for long, but it did sweep briefly over Ye Yin. A hint of curiosity appeared in her captivating eyes, and a faint smile played on her lips. Clearly, the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall had heard tales of the King of Curses.
"Hmph! Just a bunch of clowns," Yan sneered disdainfully. His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for the Shrek team to hear. "That Ye Yin kid is nothing. He just relies on some cheap tricks. He'll crumble in the face of real strength."
Xie Yue's lips curled into a slight smirk, but he said nothing. Hu Liena simply maintained her calm smile.
On Shrek's side, Ma Hongjun was instantly furious. "Damn it! Who does that red-haired monster think he is?"
"He'll learn his place sooner or later," Dai Mubai said coldly, his fists clenched. Even Xiao Wu was shaking with anger.
Ye Yin, however, just smiled as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Just then, three long, solemn chimes echoed throughout Spirit City.
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
The bustling plaza fell instantly silent. Every head turned respectfully towards the twenty-meter-high grand archway of the Supreme Pontiff Palace. A moment later, a side door opened, and twelve Spirit Masters in red robes filed out, their auras deep and powerful. They walked to the front of the palace and stood in two lines of six.
The one in the lead announced in a booming voice, "Her Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff, has arrived!"
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
Three thunderous shouts erupted from the square, sounding like a tidal wave. All the Guardian Knights and Spirit Masters loyal to Spirit Hall dropped to one knee, their faces filled with fanaticism and awe.
The grand doors of the hall slowly swung open, and a single figure emerged.
She was not tall, but she commanded absolute authority. She wore a luxurious black robe embroidered with gold, a nine-curved purple-gold crown on her head, and held a two-meter-long scepter inlaid with countless gems. Her skin was fair, and her face was almost perfect. As she stood bathed in the morning sun, she seemed to be enveloped in a sacred halo. The incredible nobility and sanctity she radiated made everyone feel an overwhelming urge to prostrate themselves before her.
This was the highest ruler of Spirit Hall, the most powerful person in the world of Spirit Masters: the Supreme Pontiff, Bibi Dong.
She stood there quietly, her calm gaze sweeping over everyone in the plaza. In that moment, it felt as if the entire world revolved around her. A tangible, powerful majesty washed over the entire square.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Supreme Pontiff!" every member of Spirit Hall shouted in unison, still kneeling. Most of the other Spirit Masters, including many of the contestants, also knelt.
But the members of Shrek Academy remained standing. Dai Mubai was a prince, and Ning Rongrong was the future Sect Master of a great clan. The others had their own pride or held a deep resentment towards Spirit Hall. Instead of kneeling, they simply bowed slightly in a standard Spirit Master's salute. In a sea of kneeling figures, they stood out dramatically.
Ye Yin looked up, his calm gaze meeting the divine eyes that looked down from the high platform. A gentle, harmless, and innocent smile remained on his lips.
Bibi Dong's gaze instantly crossed the distance and locked onto Ye Yin.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze. Shrek Academy's defiance had attracted countless shocked and angry glares from the crowd, especially from the red-robed cardinals and Guardian Knights of Spirit Hall, whose eyes burned with fury.
"How dare you!" a red-robed cardinal near the Shrek team shouted. "How dare you disrespect Her Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff!"
A surging wave of spirit power pressure rolled from him towards the team. However, when the pressure hit Ye Yin, it was like a stone sinking into the ocean, causing no ripple at all. Ye Yin maintained his bowing posture, the gentle smile on his face not changing in the slightest. The terrifying pressure, strong enough to crush an ordinary Spirit Douluo, felt like nothing more than a gentle breeze to him.
On the high platform, Bibi Dong's gaze remained fixed on Ye Yin. Her flawless face showed no emotion, as calm as a deep pool. Just as the enraged cardinal was about to make another move, Bibi Dong gently tapped her scepter.
Buzz!
A far greater, more profound, and invisible force instantly swept across the entire plaza. The red-robed cardinal's pressure disintegrated like melting snow. He grunted, his face turning slightly pale, and he quickly lowered his head and retreated.
The entire square was deathly silent again as everyone awaited the Supreme Pontiff's judgment.
Bibi Dong's eyes lingered on Ye Yin for a few seconds.
"It's fine," she said, her voice calm. "Young people. They have personality."
Her seven simple words exploded like thunder in everyone's hearts. The Supreme Pontiff was being so tolerant? She even seemed to praise him for having personality? Countless gazes once again focused on Shrek Academy, now filled with envy, jealousy, and disbelief. To be noticed like this by Her Holiness was considered a great honor.
Salas, who stood below the high platform, had an extremely grim expression. He had never expected the Supreme Pontiff to have such an attitude towards Ye Yin. Nearby, Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue), representing the Heaven Dou Empire, looked at Ye Yin's tall figure with a complex expression in her eyes.
Ye Yin straightened up slightly and nodded once more to Bibi Dong, the smile on his lips seeming to deepen.
Bibi Dong looked away from him, her gaze turning to all the teams in the square. Her voice returned to its indifferent tone, as if she were a goddess addressing mortals.
"Rise."
With a rustle, all the kneeling Spirit Masters dared to stand.
"In you, I see the future hope of the Spirit Master world," Bibi Dong continued. "The Supreme Pontiff Palace will be the stage for you to show your skills. I hope to see your full strength and talent. The ultimate victor will receive Spirit Hall's greatest reward: three Spirit Bones!"
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange power that instantly ignited the passion and fighting spirit in the hearts of all the contestants.
"Now, let the drawing of lots begin!"
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