Book 5: Chapter 116: Opening Ceremony
Its not looking good. The Great Celestial Rite this year is giving me an uneasy feeling.
Dowd clutched the script with trembling hands, almost hesitant to turn the next page.
No, this must be just my imagination.
Under Fenices surprised gaze, Dowd delivered a hard slap to his own face, snapping himself out of that foreboding sensation. How could he still call himself a professional host if he lost his cool from just reading an unusual profile?
The continent teemed with countless businessmen and organizations. There was nothing wrong with someone holding a few impressive professional titles.
Moreover, Miss Fenice was a woman with exceptional looks and demeanor. Her presence as the guest of honor suggested that her identity, financial strength, and professional experiences had all been validated by those in charge.
What was there for him to worry about?
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, an old man with a bruised face huddled in the dark corner, shivering as he observed the group in the room.
This is the dean of the Holy Dragon Imperial Magic Academy? Are you sure you guys didnt abduct the wrong person?
The burly man, skillfully flipping a large pancake with a spatula, cast a disdainful glance at the corner.
I doubt this old man can eat half of this pancake, let alone qualify as the dean.
Green Emperor, who was engrossed in his drawing, raised his head and adjusted his glasses.
No, no, no, being a dean has nothing to do with how much he can eat, he retorted.
Besides, your pancakes are made for the dragon race. Although small, theyre infused with spatial magic. A normal person would be stuffed to death after just a small bite.
Well, I operate on principles. How can I sell my pancakes with conscience if they lack quality?
So, you can sell a pancake priced at three gold coins with conscience?
Whats wrong with three gold coins? Gold coins arent even enough to buy this pancake on Dragon Island.
Then reflect on why your pancakes havent sold in years.
SHUT UP!
The burly man slammed his spatula down, irritation written across his face as he glared at Green Emperor.
Tell me, why do you believe this old man qualifies as a dean? he asked.
Yes, yes, eat.
Theres nothing else I can do to make it up to you, except for giving you the big pancake I just made.
Yes, yes, pancake
Huh? Pancake? The deans eyes widened in panic. What did these people say about taking a bite of that pancake again?
Before he could recall it, the burly man sincerely brought the pancake close to the deans mouth and said, Here. Eat up. Its very filling.
The dean looked at the pancake, then at the man, carefully assessing the expression on the burly mans face. Was there any room for refusal?
Dowd rubbed his face, using his battle qi to discreetly dispel any lingering redness, then turned toward Fenice with an apologetic smile.
I apologize for that moment of distraction. As a professional host, that was an unforgivable mistake.
Fenice graciously waved off the apology.
Dont worry about it, she said, nodding as if telling Dowd that she had seen similar incidents before. After all, dragons had a tendency to be self-destructive. I could understand why you did that. Its unfortunate that the gap in our races is so significant, making our professions less compatible. Otherwise, I would have gladly healed you.
Y-Youre too kind.
What exactly does she want to heal? Dowd laughed awkwardly, then turned his head away to take a deep breath.
A large flat surface made of spectrum stone on the table displayed a message from the on-site staff.
The tournament had begun!
With a barely discernible hum, the wall in front of Dowd suddenly parted. Blinding light flooded into their room and the ensuing clamor drowned them like a tidal wave.
As the largest arena in the Holy Dragon Empire, the imperial martial arts arena covered a vast area and could accommodate a whopping two hundred thousand spectators. However, these privileged members of the audience were exclusively individuals of noble status or those blessed with enough wealth to occupy the premier special-class seats.
An extensive projection array quickly cast numerous projections in the sky.
In Jeorgetown City, one could spectate the intense battles of talented individuals by merely lifting their gaze!
Simultaneously, every noble, member of the imperial family, and influential figure across the continent, possessing enough financial power and status, paid a hefty sum to establish a connection with the massive spectrum stone above the arena, so that they could watch the live broadcast of the entire Martial God Tournament!
This tournament held paramount significance for the new generation across the entire continent. Regardless of the splendor of ones name, only those who could stand out in this tournament could truly earn the title of a genius.