Chapter 225: The Championship Tournament Begins!
Jiang Bai lifted his teacup and took a gentle sip, his gaze sweeping over the three individuals seated before him.
"The three of you Sect Masters have come together; I wonder, to what do I owe the honor?"
Jiang Bai’s voice was neither warm nor cold, making it impossible for anyone to gauge his true depth.
Camilla smiled and was the first to speak: "Elder of Judgment, you are too modest. We have simply long admired your illustrious reputation and have come specifically to pay our respects."
She paused, a flicker of shrewdness flashing in her eyes: "Furthermore, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has only recently been established, yet it is already participating in this Championship Tournament. Naturally, we felt compelled to come and pay our respects as a gesture of deference."
Jiang Bai offered a faint smile: "Sect Master Yanling, you are too kind."
He set down his teacup and looked at the trio: "Since the three of you have come all this way, if there is something on your minds, you may as well speak plainly."
The three exchanged glances.
Hu Xiaotian took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice: "The Elder of Judgment is a man of direct speech, so we shall not beat around the bush either."
He looked at Jiang Bai, his gaze sincere: "Regarding this tournament, I wonder what thoughts the Elder of Judgment might have? Is there any way in which we might be of service to you?"
He paused, lowering his voice: "Her Holiness the Pope has instructed us to assist the Elder of Judgment in his affairs throughout this competition!"
Jiang Bai’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly.
So, Sister Xue’er was the one who summoned them?
He mused silently to himself.
That actually makes sense.
The Black Tiger Sect, the Rock Antelope Sect, and the Hornet Sect—these three sects were all factions supported by the Spirit Hall.
On the surface, they appeared to be independent sects, but in reality, they maintained close ties with the Spirit Hall behind the scenes.
Now, the Elephant Armored Sect also appeared inclined to align itself with the Spirit Hall.
As for the Holy Dragon Sect... it had not yet been formally established.
At present, they remained merely a prominent clan residing within Spirit City, with Tuoba Xi holding the rank of Cardinal.
However, he likely hadn’t broken through to the rank of Title Douluo just yet; presumably, the Holy Dragon Sect would only be formally established—under the direct mandate of the Pope’s Palace—once he had successfully achieved that breakthrough.
Jiang Bai pondered for a moment, then spoke indifferently: "I have no particular strategy in mind. The members of my Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect are capable of handling any adversary and claiming first place."
He paused, casting his gaze upon the trio: "As for you three... both the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have Title Douluo presiding over them, so you stand virtually no chance against them. However, regarding the ’Lower Four Sects’—the Wind Sword Sect, the Elephant Armored Sect, the White Tiger Sect, and the Fire Leopard Sect—if the opportunity arises, you may certainly test your mettle against them."
Hu Xiaotian, Yue Shan, and Feng Niangzi nodded in unison, responding respectfully: "Understood, Elder!"
After bowing to Jiang Bai, the three turned and took their leave.
Silence once again settled over the grand hall.
...
The following day.
The morning sunlight spilled over Soto City, bathing the ancient metropolis in a golden glow.
Shops lining the streets gradually opened their doors; the cries of street vendors rose and fell in a lively chorus as the entire city awakened from its slumber.
Just outside the city walls, the competition venue had already been fully constructed.
It was a massive, circular arena capable of accommodating tens of thousands of spectators. The structure itself was forged from a blend of refined steel and granite.
At the very center of the venue stood a colossal competition stage, measuring one hundred meters in both length and width, and standing three meters high.
Surrounding the stage were the exclusive seating sections reserved for each sect, arranged according to their respective rankings.
Today marked the opening ceremony of the Grand Tournament.
Representatives from sects across the entire continent had gathered here for the occasion.
The stands were packed to capacity—not a single seat remained empty.
The banners of the various major sects flapped vigorously in the breeze.
Jiang Bai led the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect’s delegation into the venue.
He walked at the very forefront, clad in pure white robes with his jet-black hair tied back in a casual knot, exuding an air of effortless leisure.
As the sunlight streamed down upon him, it cast a faint, ethereal halo around his figure, making him appear as if he were a celestial immortal descended to the mortal realm.
Bi Ji walked by his side, clad in a long, emerald-green gown; she moved with a gentle grace and elegance, resembling a fairy stepped straight out of a painting. Her gaze was as calm and placid as still water, appearing almost indifferent to the bustling activity surrounding her.
Jiang Li’er walked on his other side, clad in a fitted golden battle-suit that accentuated her radiant beauty. She gazed around with wide-eyed curiosity, her crimson eyes sparkling with unbridled excitement.
Trailing just behind them, the Ice Empress and the Snow Empress walked side by side.
The Ice Empress retained her usual petite and delicate appearance, sporting emerald-green twin ponytails and a matching short skirt that revealed a pair of fair, slender calves.
With her arms crossed over her chest and a completely expressionless face, she exuded an aura that practically screamed, "Keep your distance."
The Snow Empress was clad in a long, snow-white gown—cool and pristine as the snow itself.
Her long, ice-blue hair cascaded down her back, shimmering with a faint halo-like glow under the sunlight. Her demeanor was even colder and more aloof than the Ice Empress’s, as if she did not belong to this world at all.
Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling walked at the very rear of the group.
Shui Bing’er wore a fitted, water-blue combat outfit, cutting a dashing and heroic figure. Her gaze swept across the crowd, her heart fluttering with a hint of nervousness.
Ye Lingling remained clad in her signature long black gown and black veil, sitting as still and silent as a statue.
The moment they appeared, they instantly drew countless eyes.
"Is that the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
"Is the man walking at the very front Jiang Bai? The Judgment Elder of the Spirit Hall?"
"I heard he possesses nine 100,000-year Spirit Rings!"
"Surely those women walking behind him aren’t all members of his sect?"
"Hiss... That Sect Master is truly blessed with incredible fortune! His elders and disciples are all absolute beauties!!"
Murmurs of conversation rose and fell throughout the crowd.
Jiang Bai paid them no mind; he simply led the women to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect’s designated seating area and took his seat.
Jiang Li’er sat beside Jiang Bai, glancing around with wide eyes:
"Wow! Look at all the people!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement: "It’s even livelier than the last Spirit Master Tournament!"
Jiang Bai had also brought the Ice Empress and the Snow Empress out of the tower to join them.
The two empresses sat beside Jiang Bai, uttering not a single word.
Although a flicker of curiosity could be seen in their eyes, their dominant expression remained one of cold indifference.
This was especially true of the Snow Empress; as her gaze swept across the crowd, she looked upon the people as if they were nothing more than a swarm of insignificant ants.
Shui Bing’er sat in the row of seats directly behind Jiang Bai and his companions.
At this moment, she felt a distinct sense of nervousness.
Their opponents were the top-tier powerhouses from various major sects.
As a Level 63 Spirit King—a rank that placed her at the absolute pinnacle among her peers—she still found herself feeling somewhat apprehensive when facing an event of such magnitude.
Ye Lingling sat beside her, maintaining her characteristic silence.
Yet, within her own heart, she was equally unsettled.
The Nine-Heart Begonia... could it truly play a meaningful role in this competition?
She wondered silently to herself.
Bi Ji sat beside Jiang Li’er, gentle and serene.
Her gaze swept across the crowd.
Then, she spotted the delegation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi sat in the seat of honor, wearing a smile; staff in hand, he exuded an air of refined elegance and composure.
Chen Xin sat at his side, clad in robes as white as snow, his eyes sharp as blades.
His aura was restrained, yet it felt like a peerless divine sword drawn from its sheath—so formidable that one dared not meet his gaze directly.
And seated behind them was a youth in gray robes, sitting in utter silence.
The youth appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old; his features were plain, his complexion slightly swarthy.
He sat there with his head bowed, uttering not a single word, his entire being radiating a gloomy, unsettling aura.
Tang San.
Bi Ji’s gaze lingered on him for a brief instant.
What is the matter with this child?
She wondered silently to herself.
Such an intense aura of resentment!
Bi Ji frowned slightly.
However, she did not dwell on it; she simply withdrew her gaze.
...
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s seating area...
Tang San suddenly felt a gaze settle upon him.
He raised his head and followed that gaze back to its source.
Over at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s seating area, a woman clad in green robes was looking right at him.
The woman possessed a gentle demeanor and exquisite beauty, appearing like a celestial maiden stepped right out of a painting.
Her gaze was as calm as still water, yet it stirred within Tang San a sensation he could neither define nor explain.
A look of bewilderment crossed Tang San’s face.
Who is that?
He wondered silently to himself.
However, he did not linger on her; he quickly withdrew his gaze.
For he had spotted someone else.
Jiang Bai.
The man who had killed his father, annihilated his sect, and abducted both his teacher and Xiao Wu.
That very man was now seated among the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s delegation, looking utterly at ease—as if everything were firmly within his grasp.
He simply sat there, making no movement whatsoever, yet Tang San felt as though he were being stalked by some ancient, ferocious beast.
Every hair on his body stood on end! His blood felt as if it had frozen solid!
Tang San’s hands clenched tightly into fists.
His fingernails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood.
Jiang Bai...
He silently repeated that name in his heart.
Just you wait.
One day, I will kill you with my own hands.
Flames of hatred burned in his eyes.
Flames powerful enough to incinerate everything in their path.
...
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