The golden stage was like a deity that had descended from the heavens as it hovered in the sky. Above the stage, the dazzling golden light was like a golden ocean that covered the heavens and earth, looking extremely majestic.
The surroundings of the vast Battle Stage were clearly occupied by the students of the various Spiritual Academies. The dense sea of people stretched far into the distance until the end of one's line of sight.
The students from the various academies were all located in the region of their academies. Light barriers enveloped them, separating them from each other. After all, there were simply too many people here. If a battle were to break out, the emotions of those youthful fellows would be too agitated and there was a high possibility of an extremely chaotic battle breaking out.
It wasn't the first time something like this had happened in the past. Therefore, the Five Great Spiritual Academies would usually take perfect precautions.
At this moment, all the gazes in this space were gathered at the centre of the stage. The golden light was spreading out bit by bit as it formed into a golden platform under everyone's gazes.
There were a total of eight steps on the platform, stacked on top of each other. The highest step was roughly a hundred feet high and the golden light formed into the shape of a golden lotus, looking extremely gorgeous.
The golden staircase was the so-called Stairs of Decisive Battle. Only the strongest team that entered the Top 8 possessed the qualifications to appear here.
Whoosh!
When everyone's gazes were gathered on the golden staircase, the space above the Golden Battle Stage suddenly distorted and five figures appeared in the sky.
When the five silhouettes appeared, golden light gathered behind them, forming into a huge throne of light that overlooked the vast Golden Battle Stage.
In this region, the students of the various Spiritual Academies looked at the five figures with revere in their eyes. That's because the five of them were the current rulers of the Five Great Spiritual Academies.
The Deans of the Five Great Spiritual Academies.
Dean Tai Cang sat on the last seat on the left. He had an indifferent expression on his face and his eyes were as deep as the starry sky.
Under his indifferent expression, there was an indescribable pressure that spread out, intimidating the heavens and earth.
On the right of Dean Tai Cang was an old man donned in azure robes. He had white brows and a white beard, but his skin was as fair as a baby's. There seemed to be an azure pine tree growing on his palm. The pine tree was like an emerald as it flickered with azure light.
As it swayed.
Even space started to tremble.
He was the Dean of the Azure Heavens Spiritual Academy.
Dean Tiansong.
The first person on the left was a somewhat skinny old man. He appeared rather short, and his withered hand was stroking his beard.
He had a sleepy look, but it was precisely this unprepossessing appearance that gave him such a domineering name.
Heavenly King Wu, the dean of Wu Ling's institute.
Standing beside Dean Wu Tianwang was a beautiful woman. She wore a gorgeous long dress and had a graceful and luxurious appearance. Her long hair was tied into a bun that resembled the tail of a phoenix.
Her skin was as smooth as jade, and compared to the other four deans present, she seemed to be exceptionally young. However, only those who knew her background would know that in terms of qualifications, she was the youngest.
Amongst everyone present, only the Dean of the Saint Spiritual Academy would be able to surpass him.
She was the dean of the Wanhuang Lingyuan, Dean Tang Qiu.
Of the five seats, the one in the middle was clearly the most outstanding. A majestic figure was seated on that light seat. It was a man whose age could not be determined. He had a head full of white hair and his face appeared as though it had been carved by a knife. He was rather handsome. Sitting there in an indifferent manner, he appeared as though he was a towering mountain that stood between the heavens and earth, causing fear to rise in one's heart.
That person was the dean of the Holy Spirit House, Dean Tensei. He could be considered as the person with the most resounding reputation amongst the Five Great Spiritual Academies, and his strength was similarly unfathomable.
Those five powerhouses represented the pinnacle strength amongst the innumerable Spiritual Academies. In the domain of the Spiritual Academies, they were clearly overbearing existences.
When the Five Great Deans appeared, they exchanged a glance and nodded their heads as a form of greeting.
"Deans from the various Spiritual Academies, please take your seats."
A smear of a smile appeared on Dean Tensei's chiseled face as his voice, which was akin to a spring breeze, rang out in every corner of this space.
As his voice rang out, space distorted once again in the sky as silhouettes stepped through space and appeared in a flash. Those people were emitting a dreadful pressure. Although there weren't any powerful Spiritual Energy fluctuations around them, everyone knew that those people before them were the pillars of their respective Spiritual Academies, possessing extraordinary strength.
When the Deans of the various Spiritual Academies appeared, they cupped their hands in the direction of the five Deans. Thereafter, they waved their sleeves, causing light to condense into seats of light in the sky. Then, they sat down and looked down at the ground.
Dean Tai Cang cast a glance at Dean Tensei, who had inadvertently occupied the leading position, and lightly pulled the corner of his lips. Did that Tensei really treat the Holy Spirit House as the Head of the Five Great Spiritual Academies?
Although the other three Deans did not say anything, traces of dissatisfaction flashed across their eyes.
Dean Tensei didn't seem to notice their dissatisfaction as he suddenly shifted his gaze towards Dean Tai Cang and lightly smiled, "Dean Tai Cang, this Great Spiritual Academy Tournament is extremely important for your Hokuang Reiwon."
Dean Tai Cang also smiled, "There's no need for Dean Tensei to remind us about that. Our Hokuang Reiwon will naturally do our best."
"That's natural."
Dean Tensei smiled as he nodded his head, "I also hope that Hokuang Reiwon can perform well this time. Otherwise, if we lose the title of the Five Great Spiritual Academies, it will be a loss for our Four Great Spiritual Academies."
Dean Tai Cang lightly smiled.
The Deans of the other three Great Spiritual Academies had their eyes flickering. Clearly, they could hear the confrontation between Dean Tensei and Dean Tai Cang. However, they weren't surprised by it. After all, the relationship between the Holy Spirit House and Hokuang Reiwon wasn't good. Back then, the Holy Spirit House initially wanted to support a top-tiered Spiritual Academy to occupy the Five Great Spiritual Academies' quota. This way, their Holy Spirit House would be able to obtain more support and stabilize their position as the Academy Head. However, who could have expected that Hokuang Reiwon would kill his way out and snatch one of the Five Great Spiritual Academies' quota, thus breaking the Holy Spirit House's plan.
"It's useless to say anything now. Let's open the Golden Battle Stairs as soon as possible. I also want to know which Spiritual Academies will make it into the Top 8 this time."
Wanhuang Lingyuan's Dean Tang Qiu lightly smiled. Her smile was filled with the charm of a mature woman that could move the hearts of others.
"Hehe, Dean Tang Qiu is right.
If the students aren't capable, then it's useless to waste our words. Dean Tensei, although your Holy Spirit House has Ji Xuan, don't belittle the little fellows in my courtyard. "
The Martial Spiritual Academy's Dean, who had a short stature, said with a smile. He was the one with the worst appearance amongst the five of them. Facing this old fellow, even Tian Sheng could only faintly smile and did not say anything, only nodding his head.
The five Deans made their moves at the same time.
With a flick of their fingers.
Five rays of spiritual light descended.
They enveloped the Golden Battle Stairs, which had become the focus of everyone's attention.
Sizzle!
As the Spiritual Lights spread out, everyone could see that the space on the Golden Battle Stairs had started to distort.
The atmosphere in this space froze at this moment.
The commotion instantly turned silent as everyone fixed their gazes on the massive Golden Battle Stairs.
Under countless gazes, the golden light on the eighth level started to dissipate and five silhouettes slowly appeared before everyone's eyes.
Fang Yun led the four team members to appear. All of them have changed their badges, so when they appeared, they were all wearing the badges of their school.
Thus, when they appeared, they were instantly recognised.
"The eighth is the Nine Cauldrons Spiritual Academy's team!"
"How formidable, truly worthy of being one of the Five Great Spiritual Academies!"
When Fang Yun's team appeared, an earth-shattering commotion broke out in this region.
As the commotion spread out, the golden light on the Golden Battle Stairs started to dissipate as well.
One by one, the top teams that were powerful enough to shock people began to appear in their lineups.
"Which Spiritual Academy is the seventh?"
"It seems to be an ordinary Spiritual Academy from the Undefeated Spiritual Academy, right?
They actually have a team that made it into the Best 8?
How is that possible? "
"Where did the team from the Blood God Academy come from?
I've never heard of it before. "
"Truly worthy of being the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament. There are truly hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Regardless of which Spiritual Academy they're from, being able to make it into the Best 8 proves how powerful they are."
"The fifth is the Azure Heavens Spiritual Academy's team, the Captain should be Liu Qingyun, right?
Haha, the teams from the Five Great Spiritual Academies have finally appeared. "
"The fourth is the Wu Ling Academy's team?
Oh my god, that's Wu Ling, the pinnacle genius of the Wu Ling Academy. Even someone like him could only obtain the fourth place?
Just how terrifying are the top three? "
When the five powerful teams descended on the Golden Battle Stage, a commotion broke out between the heavens and earth as countless voices soared into the sky. Many people had excited expressions on their faces. The quality of this Great Spiritual Academy Tournament had far exceeded their imaginations.
When the five Deans of the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament saw this scene, different expressions flashed in their eyes. As for Dean Wu of the Wu Ling Academy, he blew his beard. Clearly, he wasn't satisfied that Wu Ling could only obtain the fourth place.
A solemn expression appeared on Dean Tai Cang's face, while rays of brilliance fluctuated within his eyes. As of now, five of the Top 8 groups had already appeared, with only the Top 3 not appearing. As for their Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, not a single group had appeared.
Under such circumstances, there could only be two results. One was that their Hokuang Reiwon's team couldn't enter the Best 8, and the other was that a team had achieved a result that exceeded their expectations.
Of the two results, one was hell, while the other was heaven.
The disparity between them had even caused ripples to surface in Dean Tai Cang's heart.
Even Dean Tai Cang couldn't maintain his calm, not to mention the students of Hokuang Reiwon.
At this moment, in the region where the students of Hokuang Reiwon gathered, all the students were feeling uneasy. The tense atmosphere was practically suffocating them.
Standing before them, Ye Qingling, Su Ling 'er and Yu Xi's faces were also filled with nervousness. Even Elder Ling Xi was pursing her lips as she gradually tightened her grip on Su' er's hand, causing a bitter expression to appear on Su 'er's face. However, she did not dare to speak.
Buzz!
On the top three steps of the Golden Battle Stairs, golden light started to spread out as the silhouettes of the three teams slowly appeared.
Everyone's eyes were glued to that spot.
As the golden light gathered, it gradually dissipated. On the top three steps of the Golden Battle Stairs, the three teams that represented the strongest fighting strength of the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament had finally appeared before everyone's eyes.
When the three teams appeared, the atmosphere in this region instantly froze.