A bit of a farce unfolded during the first match of the afternoon.
The two teams competing were both from academies within the Star Luo Empire: the Purple Sun Soul Master Academy and the East Pavilion Soul Master Academy.
The Purple Sun Academy had a decent reputation. Located in Star Luo City, their admissions policy wasn't based on spirit or Soul Rings. Their only requirement was that applicants had to be of Nobility.
As long as you were Nobility, they'd take you, even if you were a complete waste of space. Conversely, if you weren't Nobility, you wouldn't be accepted, no matter how talented you were.
Because of this admission policy, the Purple Sun Academy was filled with a bunch of pampered, spoiled brats who neglected their training. They were a bunch of worthless trash.
Even their team for this tournament only had two Soul Ancestors with four Soul Rings. The rest were Soul Elders, and even they were all under level thirty-five, on average.
It has to be said, this lineup was incredibly weak for the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, firmly in the bottom tier.
In contrast, the East Pavilion Academy was significantly stronger, boasting three Soul Kings and four Soul Ancestors.
There was no doubt that Purple Sun Soul Master Academy was getting completely crushed.
Bang!
The East Pavilion Soul Master Academy captain sent the last member of Purple Sun Soul Master Academy flying with a single punch, securing a remarkably easy victory.
He then glanced indifferently at the few remaining members of Purple Sun Soul Master Academy, who were still trying to struggle, and said in a flat tone, "Too weak. You don't even make me want to fight. Be sensible and just admit defeat."
The few members of Purple Sun Soul Master Academy clenched their fists in unwillingness, but they knew the other side was telling the truth.
However, there's no shortage of stubborn people. Just like this, the young man who had just been punched away by the East Pavilion Soul Master Academy captain jumped out. This young man, with a swollen, red, round face, put one hand on his waist and pointed at the East Pavilion Soul Master Academy captain with the other, speaking arrogantly, "You lowly commoner, what are you so smug about? What's the use of having high talent? In my eyes, you are nothing but cattle and sheep. Only when I, this young master, give you grass to eat, will you have something to eat."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Purple Sun Soul Master Academy captain's expression immediately changed, and he quickly shouted angrily, "Li Shaojie, shut your mouth!"
However, it was already too late. The words had already been spoken, and Li Shaojie had been quite loud in his fury.
The scene instantly fell silent, as still as death. Everyone looked at the young man named Li Shaojie. The Soul Masters were filled with rage, and so were the commoners.
Soul Masters were just cattle and sheep in his eyes. Then, weren't they commoners even less than livestock?
Li Shaojie's words ignited the anger of everyone present.
"Interesting." After this commotion, Huo Yuhao perked up a bit. He sat up slightly, sizing up Li Shaojie with interest.
At the same time, he chuckled inwardly. This guy probably has a pig's head on his shoulders, daring to say such things. Although it was the truth, one had to consider the occasion.
This incident, though a farce, was also a microcosm of the current situation on the continent.
Ten thousand years ago, after a certain benefactor led the Nobility forces to defeat and destroy the Spirit Hall, which represented the commoners' forces, a large number of Soul Masters were taken in by the Nobility. It became increasingly difficult for commoner Soul Masters to even awaken their Martial Souls, essentially cutting off their path to advancement.
This was how the current situation came about, where the Nobility held a higher status than Soul Masters, though this didn't include high-level Soul Masters.
Thinking of this, Huo Yuhao also sighed with emotion. Soul Masters, born extraordinary, controlled Soul Power, a power beyond the mundane, yet they had become pawns in the power struggles of a group of Nobility. It was both sad and lamentable.
Moreover, most of these nobles are just ordinary mortals. If cultivators from other worlds knew about this, they'd probably die laughing.
In this era, the power of the nobility is incredibly strong, and it's nearly impossible for commoners to rise up. For example, when Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei made his appearance, he had four Title Douluo bodyguards with him. Furthermore, Xu Jiawei himself is a level 95 Super Douluo. Adding in White Tiger Duke Dai Hao, the Star Luo Empire already has six Title Douluo, and that's just their surface-level strength. No one knows how powerful their hidden forces are.
Ahem, I'm getting off track. Back to the present. Li Shaojie was jolted awake by his own captain's shout. He didn't care about the commoners' anger, but there were more than just commoners present. Li Shaojie tentatively looked up at the stands above and saw several big shots staring at him with strange expressions.
"It's over." Li Shaojie stumbled, his limp body collapsing to the ground, his face ashen and devoid of color.
"This idiot, he can be arrogant at the academy, but he should at least look at the occasion."
The Purple Sun Academy captain cursed inwardly, but stood still and didn't dare to speak. This had offended many people, and he didn't want to get caught up in it.
At the same time, after a moment of silence, the crowd below erupted in an uproar.
"Damn, this son of a bitch actually called us cattle and horses."
"Those damn nobles… What a noble! I've learned a thing or two today."
"If I ever run into you outside, I swear I'll beat the crap out of you…"
Shouts of abuse erupted from the crowd. Li Shaojie's words had ignited a firestorm of outrage, instantly making him public enemy number one.
"Enough." A voice of authority boomed across the arena.
It was the White Tiger Duke who had stepped forward. After all, this was the Star Luo Empire, and both sides on the stage were Star Luo Empire students. The big shots, like Huo Yuhao, had been content to watch the show.
Dai Hao could no longer stand it. He roared, "Give your all on the field. Victory and defeat are commonplace in war. Anyone who insults the contestants will be severely punished."
Years of commanding troops gave Dai Hao a deep sense of authority. Holding a Soul Tool amplifier, and coupled with his Title Douluo cultivation, his words immediately silenced the crowd. The commotion of hundreds of thousands of people vanished in an instant.
Huo Yuhao subtly glanced at Dai Hao. This guy is interesting. Li Shaojie had clearly insulted the entire Soul Master class, yet in Dai Hao's words, it was merely aimed at the opposing student.
"I declare, Purple Sun Academy versus East Pavilion Academy, East Pavilion Academy wins." With the referee's yell, the two sides left the stage.
Glancing at the dejected Li Shaojie, Huo Yuhao knew this guy was probably not going to make it. He figured countless people wanted to kill him right now.
"Lingling, hold your breath and concentrate. Don't let your mind wander this time."
"Mmm, big brother, I'm ready. Let's begin."
Night fell. In the room, Huo Yuhao slowly circulated his Soul Power, intending to teach Ye Lingling the Body Tempering Technique again.
Knock, knock!
A knock sounded at the door, and Song Ming's voice came into the room, "Young master, the White Tiger Duke of the Star Luo Empire requests an audience."
(End of this chapter)