The sun rose over Heaven Dou City like a trumpet blast of light, gilding the high towers and broad avenues in a resplendent glow. A hundred banners fluttered above the tiled roofs, each representing one of the elite Spirit Master academies that had gathered for the most prestigious competition on the continent—the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.
The city bustled like a hive. Merchants sold festival food on every corner, hawking roasted meats, sweet lotus cakes, and even glittering spirit crystals as accessories. Children ran through the streets, holding pennants emblazoned with the emblems of famous academies. Trumpets rang from the balconies. Flower petals rained from skywalks as to celebrate the opening of this occasion.
And at the very heart of the celebration stood the coliseum—the Spirit Master Arena of Heaven Dou, a towering edifice carved of white stone and lined with golden spirit conductors. It loomed above the city like a temple of war and glory. This place become the heart of this celebration.
Within its open roof, sunlight poured into the arena like a beacon given the prestigious show. Massive rows of stone seats climbed high, packed with nobles, merchants, foreign emissaries, and cheering commoners alike. The Emperor of Heaven Dou sat beneath a gilded canopy, flanked by royal guards and Spirit Hall representatives.
On the field itself, dozens of academy teams lined up in orderly formations. Some wore matching cloaks, others ceremonial robes. Their martial spirits seem shimmered faintly around them, visible only to those trained to see. Showing their spirit for the tournament that will begin.
Shrek Academy stood among them.
Two teams.
Team One, in forest green with golden trim, led by Dai Mubai.
Team Two, clad in sleek black uniforms trimmed in silver—led by Li Wei.
Li Wei stood at the front of Team Two, arms crossed, expression composed. His eyes scanned the crowd, pausing briefly on the imperial canopy, then shifting to Spirit Hall seats. Deep within, he felt a storm gather.
'This is the arena that will be the beginning and the end,' he thought. 'This is the war that they tried to hide beneath celebration by using the student of the academy as the proxy for their war and showing their strength. The last arc before the war will begin.'
Beside him, Zhu Zhuqing stood silently, her posture elegant as a drawn bow. Xiao Wu bounced on her heels with visible excitement. Ning Rongrong eyes sparkled as she took in the grandeur. Meng Yiran narrowed her eyes, already scanning the other teams. Oscar stretched his arms lazily, while Ma Hongjun tugged at his collar with a groan.
"Big show, huh?" Oscar whispered.
"It's a showing of strength between country that was disguised as a festival, of not grand how can they save face." Meng Yiran muttered.
"I like festivals," Xiao Wu said cheerfully.
From the far end of the arena, a booming voice rang out, magically amplified.
"Welcome!" came the proclamation. Then again, "Welcome, all honored guests, citizens of Heaven Dou, and Spirit Masters from across the land! Today begins the most sacred and storied tradition of our continent—the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Let the heavens witness the strength of our youth! Let the spirits bear witness to the champions of tomorrow!"
The announcer continued as fanfare blared.
"From Heaven Dou and Star Luo, from the mountains of Tian Dou Ridge to the deserts of Sunscar Valley—forty-two academies have gathered! Let their banners rise!"
All at once, pillars of colored light exploded into the sky, each etching with a school emblem. The crowd gasped as they formed a mosaic in the air, a map of ambition.
Flender stood behind Shrek ranks, his cloak billowing.
"Don't gawk too much," he murmured to Team Two. "You're not here to watch. You're here to win."
Li Wei inclined his head slightly. "We will."
From the announcer platform, a priestess from Spirit Hall stepped forward, her robes silver-white.
"Before the tournament begins, Spirit Hall offers blessings to all competitors," she said, her voice melodic.
Li Wei narrowed his eyes. He recognized her—an envoy. Not Qian Renxue, but close.
"May your martial spirits burn bright. May your souls remain true. May your battle honor the legacy of all Spirit Masters."
A chorus of Spirit Hall attendants raised their arms. A pulse of holy light descended. The weaker students around the arena gasped in awe. But to Li Wei, it felt... invasive.
"It's not just a blessing," he whispered. "It's a way to gauge the strength of the other party and the young blood. Pretty clever."
Ning Rongrong flinched slightly beside him. "It's analyzing spirit power… They're collecting data."
Gu Rong and Chen Xin watched from the stands. The latter eyes narrowed.
"They're trying to baiting the strong ones," Gu Rong muttered.
Chen Xin nodded. "Trying to see what monsters hide behind each academy's curtain."
The announcer's voice rose again.
"And now… The tournament bracket!"
A massive golden construct rose from the arena floor, light forming a tree of matches and rounds. Cheers rang out as schools saw their first matchups appear.
Li Wei glanced over the layout.
Shrek Team One vs. Blue Wind Academy.
Shrek Team Two… a bye.
Oscar grinned. "We skip the first round."
"No such thing as rest," Li Wei replied. "We train during their match."
Flender approached both teams as the ceremony wound down. "Your rooms are assigned. Your passes are already marked. Tonight, rest. Tomorrow, Team One fights. Team Two, observe and prepare."
Yu Xiaogang walked past, whispering something only Dai Mubai heard.
Li Wei caught his eye.
A moment passed.
Then Yu Xiaogang turned away.
Ning Rongrong slid up beside Li Wei. "Feel anything?"
"Storm is coming."
She smiled faintly. "Good. I like the sound of thunder."
Above them, petals drifted through the air—white and gold, symbols of unity and hope.
But Li Wei only saw the fire beneath.
The ceremony ended.
And the tournament… had begun.