Not long after Wang Zhong returned behind Frost Moon Lotus, teachers Xia Xuan and Yue Shan also arrived here with their students.
Behind Xia Xuan, Wang Zhong saw familiar faces like Pei Yan, Zhang Shuai, and Guan Siyan.
Behind Yue Shan were Yu Feixue, Rou Yuzhu, Lu Xiaoshuang, Dian Hao, and others.
The five undefeated combinations from the academy had long since turned twenty-five, graduated, and were dispatched to various branch halls of the Spirit Hall to manage affairs.
Upon seeing Wang Zhong standing behind Frost Moon Lotus, these individuals were first stunned, but quickly recognized him. Those pair of emerald green eyes were too conspicuous.
To these senior students with whom he had had varying relationships, Wang Zhong offered a gentle smile and a slight nod.
“Brother Pei Yan, is that Wang Zhong!” Zhang Shuai, still somewhat obese, whispered to Pei Yan beside him.
Pei Yan shot Zhang Shuai a look and retorted irritably, “You don't even recognize the guy who beat you so miserably?”
“Who else could it be, standing in front of Hu Liena!”
“He’s changed so much!” Zhang Shuai exclaimed, looking Wang Zhong up and down.
“Mmm-hmm, he really has. It feels like there's an inexplicable attraction about him that makes it hard to look away,” Guan Siyan said, staring at Wang Zhong for a long time, uttering words that made both Pei Yan and Zhang Shuai roll their eyes.
“Yanzi, stop daydreaming!”
“Hu Liena and Wang Zhong’s relationship is clear, don’t think about unnecessary things.”
A pair of helpless remarks from each of them caused Guan Siyan to stick out her tongue.
Four years had passed, and Guan Siyan seemed to have grown a little, but remained petite and delicate, with an incredibly cute baby face, exuding an adorable charm.
“Xiaoshuang, that man, no, that young man is back.”
Behind Yue Shan, Rou Yuzhu patted Lu Xiaoshuang’s shoulder and tilted her chin towards Wang Zhong.
After staring at Wang Zhong for quite some time, Lu Xiaoshuang finally met his gaze with a peaceful nod and smile. She sighed, “He not only returned, but has undergone an astonishing transformation.”
“The once arrogant and fearless person has become restrained, but precisely because of this, he has become even more formidable and terrifying.”
“No one knows how strong he truly is now!”
As Lu Xiaoshuang observed Wang Zhong, Yu Feixue was also watching him. After a while, she shifted her gaze and softly said, “It’s not just his strength or appearance; his temperament and mental state are reborn, as if he’s become a completely different person.”
“He has become a deep pool, serene, profound, and unfathomable!”
“The unknown is the most terrifying!”
The others nodded in agreement with Yu Feixue’s words.
But then they all sighed simultaneously, their expressions filled with a strong sense of unwillingness.
In the past four years, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan had successively challenged them with the ‘down-to-up’ challenge matches, and all had won!
Rou Yuzhu had the most humiliating defeat.
Yan’s ‘down-to-up’ challenge targeted him. Although he was only a Soul Elder at level thirty-nine, Yan’s martial soul, the Flame Sovereign, was his nemesis.
Setting aside the fire-over-wood element, the most bizarre thing was that the Flame Sovereign’s sword held by Yan was as sharp as a tool spirit soul!
This put Rou Yuzhu at a disadvantage on both fronts, his strength completely suppressed, unable to even unleash half of it, and he was eventually defeated by Yan with a single move.
It wasn't just the students scrutinizing Wang Zhong; their teachers, Xia Xuan and Yue Shan, were doing the same.
“Brother, I don’t know why, but when I look at this young fellow Wang Zhong, I get a creepy feeling,” Xia Xuan said, arms crossed, stroking his chin and communicating with Yue Shan via soul power.
“It’s not just you. Even I feel pressure from that kid.”
“His progress over these four years has been extraordinary!”
Yue Shan’s expression was filled with admiration. To be able to feel pressure from him, a Soul Douluo, was a truly peculiar sensation.
Generally, such pressure was only felt from powerful Title Douluo or even Super Douluo.
Yet, now, a mere twelve-year-old boy could exert such pressure on him. Although it was slight and intermittent, it was an astonishing matter.
“Alright, stop talking. His Holiness the Pope and the elders are about to arrive!”
Just as Yue Shan’s soul power transmission ceased, a majestic shout echoed from outside the plaza.
“Welcome His Holiness the Pope!”
Xia Xuan quickly lowered his hands to his sides, his expression solemn and respectful.
“Welcome His Holiness the Pope!”
“Welcome His Holiness the Pope!”
“Welcome His Holiness the Pope!”
Amidst the unified and resounding cheers of the entire academy’s faculty and students, Bibi Dong’s figure slowly walked towards them from outside the plaza. Her slender and tall figure, clad in a silver-white and slightly purplish Pope’s robe, holding the scepter symbolizing papal authority in her delicate jade hand, and wearing a crown, she was as noble and majestic as ever.
Behind her, elders Ghost and Moon Guan followed two steps behind, their expressions carrying a seriousness and solemnity unlike before.
To everyone’s surprise, behind Ghost and Moon Guan appeared the five elders of the Elder Hall: Ling Yuan, Long She, Ci Tun, Gui Bao, and Mo Xiong.
The appearance of these five individuals caused ripples of surprise and commotion in the otherwise calm and solemn plaza.
“Elder Ling Yuan, Elder Long She, Elder Ci Tun, Elder Gui Bao, Elder Mo Xiong! Why are so many elders from the Elder Hall here at the academy today!”
“Are there any issues with this year’s Grand Competition!”
“Or will there be any unexpected events this year!”
Some students or teachers who recognized the elders of the Elder Hall exclaimed in surprise.
“Quiet!”
On the high platform, Bibi Dong took her seat, with Moon Guan and Ghost standing on either side. Hearing the commotion below, the latter immediately let out a cold reprimand.
Bibi Dong, Moon Guan, and Ghost stood on the high platform.
On the steps below the high platform, Ling Yuan, Long She, Ci Tun, Gui Bao, and Mo Xiong stood on either side, facing all the faculty and students below.
The pressure emanating from them, belonging to Title Douluo powerhouses, made many's hearts pound in fear.
Based on past experience, the annual academy Grand Competition usually began with the Pope, Elder Ghost, and Elder Chrysanthemum taking their seats, followed by the first-year class leader presenting the class flag, and then one of the three announcing the start of the competition.
However, this time, things were different.
The Pope took her seat, and the students and teachers on the arena orderly withdrew, but there were no words of encouragement this time.
The boy from Class A of the first year, who had previously inquired about Wang Zhong and others, holding the first-year flag, was about to walk towards the high platform when his shoulder was suddenly gripped by Ying Yanyang.
The boy looked back at Ying Yanyang with confused eyes and asked, “Teacher, shouldn’t I be the one to go to the high platform and present the first-year flag?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
Ying Yanyang shook his head and said calmly.
“Cang Yuan, as the top student of the first year, your talent is undoubtedly unquestionable, with innate soul power level nine and the Rock Dragon martial soul. Under normal circumstances, you should indeed be the one to go to the high platform.”
“But this Grand Competition is different from previous ones.”
“It does not belong to any single grade!”
“It exists for one person only!”
Cang Yuan’s small face froze at that moment. His eyes trembled as he looked at Ying Yanyang, his mouth agape, wanting to speak but being held back by some invisible force in his throat.
This was supposed to be a platform for all students in the academy to showcase their talents and abilities, so why had it suddenly become something exclusive to one person?
“All faculty and students present are spectators!”
“The seven Title Douluo elders on stage, along with His Holiness the Pope, are merely witnesses to this Grand Competition!”