The empty arena in the silent square seemed peculiar.
Gui Bao let out a light laugh and said, "What's going on? This is supposed to be a grand competition arena, yet no one is coming up."
"Are we scaring these pampered babies who have been kept in a greenhouse away?"
Mo Xiong shook his head. "There are eight Titled Douluo here. Even though we haven't revealed our auras, the pressure that unconsciously emanates from us is indeed too heavy for these children."
"It's normal for them to react this way."
Compared to Gui Bao and Mo Xiong's disdain, Long She and Ci Tun's eyes were constantly scanning the students, searching for certain figures.
The reason the five of them came to this grand competition, as Ying Yan Yang had said, was for witnessing.
Pope Bibi Dong was taking on disciples, a matter that would shake the entire Spirit Hall. However, she had kept it under wraps and only brought seven elders. Her purpose was self-evident.
Secrecy!
At least for a period, Bibi Dong did not wish to announce this matter to the outside world.
"To protect that child! That's why the event was simplified."
"But who is that child?"
Long She stroked his bearded chin, constantly guessing.
But he eventually gave up. Standing on such a high platform, with thousands of students below, it was wishful thinking to find a child without any special means.
"Ling Yuan, the child the Pope favors is a student of your younger brother, Ying Yan Yang, right?"
Ci Tun also stroked his chin, observing the crowd, and simultaneously asked Ling Yuan, who stood above them.
In terms of strength, Ling Yuan was Rank 92, She Long Rank 93, Ci Tun Rank 93, Gui Bao Rank 95, and Mo Xiong Rank 95. Their standing positions from top to bottom were not entirely logical.
However, Bibi Dong was not someone who judged solely by strength. As long as you were loyal enough, she didn't care about your character or strength.
As one of the earliest elders to support her, Ling Yuan's position in Bibi Dong's heart was naturally higher than that of the later arrivals. Her standing was the best proof.
Facing Ci Tun's question, Ling Yuan shook her head and sighed, "Although Yan Yang is my younger brother, I don't know much about the academy's affairs."
"According to what he told me before, that little fellow entered the academy six years ago. He should be around eleven or twelve years old now, and with his talent, he must be in Class A."
"Class A is positioned at the very front, with students behind each homeroom teacher. But I can't figure out who it is."
Ling Yuan's words made Ci Tun and She Long nod. Scanning the students at the front from left to right, except for the last-year students who were younger and still had a childlike air, the students in the second, third, and fourth years all possessed a kind of arrogance and confidence, as well as bright, fearless eyes, all of which proved their extraordinary nature.
Each one of them could be the one!
But Gui Bao and Mo Xiong did not see it that way.
With their Rank 95 spirit power, just one step away from breaking through to Super Douluo, they were incredibly sensitive. Furthermore, both of them possessed beast spirit martial souls, which magnified their sensitivity to the extreme.
Adding Ling Yuan's words, they had narrowed it down to two people. They exchanged glances, and Mo Xiong said, "Gui Bao, did you sense it too?"
Gui Bao chuckled and said nonchalantly, "If I couldn't sense this, wouldn't my Rank 95 strength be just for show?"
"That green-eyed young man, and the golden-haired girl behind him, are likely one of these two, if I'm not mistaken."
Gui Bao narrowed his eyes, staring at Wang Zhong and Hu Liena. At first glance, he detected a faint, almost imperceptible pressure emanating from them. This was not from their strength, but the residual aura after their martial souls were revealed.
His Ghost Leopard was very cautious!
"Oh, you're looking at these two?"
"I, on the other hand, think that the somewhat thin young man and the girl radiating an uncontrollable chill are more likely."
Mo Xiong stroked his beard and stated his guess. The ones he was looking at were Pei Yan and Yu Feixue.
The skin-prickling coldness and the aura of freezing everything were too conspicuous.
At this moment, they had a disagreement.
But Gui Bao's next words made Mo Xiong also turn his gaze to Wang Zhong and Hu Liena.
"Mo Xiong, have you forgotten something?"
"The most fatal dangers are often not in the open. In seemingly calm places, hidden killing intent lurks!"
Since entering the academy, Wang Zhong had never lost a battle. With four years of training in the Death Canyon and personal tutelage from Bibi Dong, he had blood on his hands, both from soul masters and soul beasts.
Hu Liena harbored hatred and carried a blood feud. She also had a ruthless and merciless side, as Zhao Shi's fate had proven! Only when facing Wang Zhong did she appear so tender and warm.
Among the first-year students, there was a growing commotion. Some newcomers to the academy had no idea what was happening. Many even scoffed at Cang Yuan, the self-proclaimed representative of Class A, first-year students.
Cowardly, foolish!
He didn't even know what he was supposed to do.
"Let's start directly!"
After waiting for a while, Bibi Dong saw Ying Yan Yang stop Cang Yuan's actions and gave the order.
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
With a smile, Yue Guan walked out from behind Bibi Dong, hands clasped behind his back. He chuckled, "It seems everyone has been eagerly anticipating this challenge."
"Impatient to witness the five-year agreed-upon battle!"
"To respond to this anticipation, His Excellency the Pope has graciously permitted this year's challenge match to commence with them as the opening ceremony!"
"Ying Yan Yang!"
"Wang Zhong! Hu Liena! Xie Yue! Yan!"
"Let you five start first!"
Ying Yan Yang, Wang Zhong, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan, the five simultaneously placed their hands on their chests and bowed, responding solemnly, "We respectfully obey the Pope's decree!"
With such a loud and solemn response, the entire square erupted in excitement at that instant.
Many people's faces flushed with excitement, and they panted repeatedly.
One was a well-known Class A homeroom teacher, a Rank 79 Power Attack System Battle Soul Saint, who held both authority and strength.
The other four were monstrous geniuses who had never appeared in the academy before. Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan were all Soul Sects above Rank 40. Since entering the second year, the three of them had not lost a single battle, and they had all participated in cross-level challenge matches.
Hu Liena defeated Yu Feixue. Xie Yue defeated Dian Hao. Yan defeated Rou Yuzhu!
The victories in these three cross-level battles further highlighted their monstrous qualities.
Regardless of Wang Zhong's current strength, his past astonishing achievements, such as defeating a Rank 40 Soul Elder as a Rank 20 Great Soul Master, and defeating a combination of five Soul Kings as a Rank 40 Soul Elder, had made everyone curious about his current strength.
Four years had passed, to what extent had that young monstrous Soul Elder grown?
They were filled with anticipation and longing!