As time flowed, under the anticipation of all the students of Hokuang Reiwon, the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament finally had a time limit of two days.
In the central hall of Hokuang Reiwon, Mu Chen, Luo Li, Shen Cangsheng, Li Xuantong and the rest of the top ten students of the Heavenly Rankings were all gathered here. At the head of the hall, Dean Tai Cang, Elder Zhu Tian, Hall Master Mo You and the other important higher-ups of Hokuang Reiwon were all present. Even Ling Xi had left her courtyard to come here.
Such a scale could be said to be the most extravagant scene in Hokuang Reiwon.
Dean Tai Cang sat at the head of the hall as he solemnly looked at the ten young men and women that represented the strongest students of Hokuang Reiwon. He slowly said, "In two more days, the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament will begin. I believe that everyone knows how important this Great Spiritual Academy Tournament is to our Hokuang Reiwon."
Within the hall, Shen Cangsheng, Li Xuantong, Mu Chen and the rest had solemn expressions as they slowly nodded their heads. This time, if they weren't able to obtain outstanding results, Hokuang Reiwon might be stripped of its title as one of the Five Great Spiritual Academies. This would be a fatal blow to the reputation of a Spiritual Academy.
"This is the first time that all of you are participating in the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament. Therefore, I'll first inform all of you of the rules of the tournament."
Dean Tai Cang's gaze swept across everyone as he continued, "According to the previous rules, the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament will be split into groups, with each group consisting of five people. This time, our Hokuang Reiwon will only send out ten of you. That means that all of you will be split into two groups to participate in the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament."
"The first group will be led by Shen Cangsheng.
Li Xuantong, He Yao, Su Xuan.
Yang Lin will be the team member. "
"The second group will be led by Mu Chen, with Luo Li, Xu Huang, Zhao Qingshan, and Mu Fengyang as members."
Mu Chen and Shen Cangsheng looked at each other and cupped their fists in response.
"Although I really want to gather the elites and form the strongest group, I can't do anything about it.
However, we are one of the Five Great Academies, so we have to send at least two teams.
We can only distribute them. "
Dean Tai Cang said helplessly. Their Hokuang Reiwon's strength was considered the weakest among the five great academies. Now that they had to split into two teams, their strength was weakened even more.
But that was the rule.
There was nothing he could do.
"Dean, how many teams are participating in the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament?
How many teams did the other four academies send? "Mu Chen asked.
"There are at least tens of thousands of Spiritual Academies participating in the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament, and every Spiritual Academy has at least one team. How many do you think there are?" Dean Tai Cang smiled.
Hearing that, Mu Chen and the rest inhaled a mouthful of cold air.
If that's the case, then just the participating teams alone.
There were already tens of thousands of them?
Furthermore, they weren't just there to make up the numbers. Being able to become the elites of each Spiritual Academy meant that they definitely had some ability. Wanting to stand out from the tens of thousands of teams wasn't an easy task.
"As for the other four Great Spiritual Academies …" Dean Tai Cang smiled helplessly, "According to what I know, the Holy Spirit House has sent out four teams, all of which are formed by the strongest students in their academies. Every team's Captain is a super genius that the Holy Spirit House has spent a lot of effort to recruit. That Ji Xuan is also the Captain of one of the teams."
Mu Chen's eyes narrowed, but he wasn't surprised. Ji Xuan was indeed formidable. Even if he entered the Holy Spirit House, which was filled with geniuses, he would definitely be able to stand out.
However, the foundation of the Holy Spirit House was so robust that they could actually send out four elite teams. Just from this point alone, their Hokuang Reiwon couldn't be compared to them.
"In the previous Great Spiritual Academy Tournament, the Holy Spirit House had also sent out four teams. However, their lineup wasn't as luxurious as this time. From the looks of it, they've decided to use this opportunity to intimidate the other Spiritual Academies. After all, the Academy Head position has been empty for over a decade and the Holy Spirit House has been coveting it for a long time. However, due to the suppression of the Wu Ling Academy, Wanhuang Lingyuan Academy and the Azure Heavens Spiritual Academy, the Holy Spirit House wasn't able to fulfill their wish. However, the reputation of the Holy Spirit House has been growing stronger over the years. If they were to show an astonishing performance in this Great Spiritual Academy Tournament, I'm afraid that they might really succeed."
Elder Zhu Tian and the rest had their brows tightly knitted together. The so-called Academy Head was the head of all the Spiritual Academies. Although it was impossible for them to have the qualifications to abolish the other Spiritual Academies, the authority of their words was extremely heavy. When their Hokuang Reiwon had obtained the title of one of the Five Great Spiritual Academies, they had offended the Holy Spirit House. If the Holy Spirit House were to obtain the title of Academy Head, their already unstable title of being one of the Five Great Spiritual Academies would be in even more danger.
"Other than the Holy Spirit House sending out four teams, the other three Spiritual Academies have also sent out three teams each. All of them are elites. This time, they've sent out all their valiant generals."
"Other than the Five Great Spiritual Academies, there are still quite a few top-notch Spiritual Academies. Amongst them, the foundations of some top-notch Spiritual Academies aren't any weaker than our Hokuang Reiwon. All these years, they've been eyeing our Hokuang Reiwon covetously. This time, they'll definitely give their all in an attempt to kick our Hokuang Reiwon out of the Five Great Spiritual Academies and replace us."
Hearing those words, Shen Cangsheng and the rest gave a bitter laugh. From the looks of it, their Hokuang Reiwon's situation truly wasn't too good.
"Furthermore, the battlefield of the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament this time is a shattered Shattered Continent," said Dean Tai Cang.
"Shattered Continent?"
"In the ancient times, the Shattered Continent was once one of the most vast continents in the Great Thousand World. However, due to the great calamity of the ancient times, it shattered apart, forming into shattered continents of various sizes. These shattered continents are considered to be treasures within the Great Thousand World, due to the countless remnants of ancient ruins present within them. If one's fated enough, they might be able to obtain ancient treasures and ancient inheritances within them."
With a smile, Dean Tai Cang continued, "This shattered Shattered Continent was found by our Five Great Spiritual Academies. However, due to this continent being too shattered, coupled with the remnant remnants of ancient seals present within it, we've never dared to investigate it in detail with great fanfare. This time, after some discussion, we've decided to use it as the battlefield of the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament. Speaking of it, it's actually a good deal for you guys. If you're able to obtain some inheritances, it would be extremely beneficial to your future accomplishments."
Exchanging glances with each other, Mu Chen and the rest had expressions of interest rise within their eyes. These ancient ruins were indeed very tempting.
At that time, when they enter it, they had to pay more attention.
"However …" Mu Chen suddenly thought of something and frowned.
"If that's the case, all the teams will head towards the shattered Shattered Continent. Won't that place turn into a battlefield of slaughter?"
At that place, aside from the teams from their respective academies, everyone else would be considered as opponents. Coupled with the temptation of the ancient ruins, it was clear that the competition would be the most intense. At that time, they would have to fight.
That scene could only be described by the word 'tragic'.
"Indeed, the competition will be extremely cruel." Dean Tai Cang nodded his head in agreement.
"Out of the tens of thousands of teams, do you know how many teams will have the qualifications to participate in the final battle?"
Hearing that, Mu Chen and the rest shook their heads.
"Eight," replied Dean Tai Cang with a faint smile, "Aside from these eight teams, the other teams will be eliminated.
All of them will be eliminated. "
Hearing that, the hearts of Mu Chen and the rest jolted.
Out of the tens of thousands of teams, only eight teams would participate in the final battle?
Wasn't this elimination rate a little too terrifying?
For the right to participate in the final battle for those eight teams, exactly what kind of slaughter would they have to face in the shattered Shattered Continent?
The teams that were able to stand out from the tens of thousands of teams and participate in the final battle would definitely be those that had been tempered by blood and fire.
Incomparably valiant.
"In the previous Great Spiritual Academy Tournament, our Hokuang Reiwon.
After giving it our all, we barely managed to squeeze into the top eight. However, in the battle of the top eight, we were defeated in the first round and ended up at the bottom. "
Replied Dean Tai Cang with a bitter laugh. The reason why they were able to obtain such a ranking was because the little fellows of that batch had fought with their lives on the line. Only then were they able to squeeze into the Top 8, not causing the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy to lose all of its face.
Solemn expressions appeared on the faces of Mu Chen and the rest. Even before the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament started, they could already smell the intense and cruel competition.
With a wave of Dean Tai Cang's sleeve, ten glowing figures shot towards Mu Chen and the rest, before finally coming to a stop before them. Looking over, they discovered that they were ten translucent plaques. Rays of brilliance flowed on the surface of the plaques, while strange fluctuations radiated from them. At the top of the plaques were the two words "Academy Plaque".
"This is the Academy Plaque of the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament. Everyone has one. According to the rules, after the tournament starts, every team will obtain some basic points. Once a team is defeated by another team, the winner will be able to obtain half of the points in the" Academy Plaque "of the loser. When the points in the" Academy Plaque "of a team can no longer be deducted, they will be eliminated and lose the qualifications to participate in the final battle."
Hearing those words, the eyes of Mu Chen and the rest narrowed as they extended their hands and grabbed onto the Academy Plaques.
"Furthermore, when your Academy Plaque is able to rank in the top 16 of all the teams, the information of your team will appear on the Academy Plaques in the hands of everyone. Even the location and direction of your team will be indicated. This will cause you to become the target of everyone."
Dean Tai Cang spoke out in a deep voice, "However, those that managed to squeeze into the Top 16 also possess a special right, which is the right to end the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament. Once more than half of the people in the Top 16 ignite their Academy Plaques, the elimination process will end. At that instant, the Top 8 ranked groups on the Academy Plaques will advance into the final battle!"
Hearing those words, the expressions of Mu Chen and the rest turned cold. The Top 16 actually possessed such a great privilege?
As Dean Tai Cang's voice rang out, the entire great hall sunk into a brief moment of silence. Clearly, everyone was shocked by this vast Great Spiritual Academy Tournament, as the cruelty and bitterness present in the air assaulted their faces.
Geniuses from various places would be participating in an earth-shattering battle here.
Dean Tai Cang slowly exhaled as he stood up. Looking at the solemn expressions of Mu Chen, Shen Cangsheng and the rest, he lightly smiled and said in a soft voice, "These are the rules of the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament. I've already said everything that I wanted to say. Next up, it's up to everyone. Everyone from our Hokuang Reiwon will be paying attention to all of you. I hope that when the final battle arrives, we will be able to see our Hokuang Reiwon's team there."
"At that time, the entire Hokuang Reiwon will cheer for all of you!"
"This time, please fight for our Hokuang Reiwon!"
Mu Chen, Shen Cangsheng, Li Xuantong and the rest looked at each other as they inhaled a deep breath and cupped their hands towards Dean Tai Cang. Their deep voices resounded throughout the hall.
"For Hokuang Reiwon, fight to the death!"
(Sorry, it's a little late.
Foreshadowing is always the most troublesome thing to write, but it's also the most important.)
(To be continued …)