In reality, the original purpose of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition was to select and cultivate outstanding talents for the Tianhai Alliance, making them pillars of the alliance.
The Federation is rife with political factions, and the Tianhai Alliance itself is a powerful force. Especially in the economic sphere, it can be considered one of the alliance's major powers.
However, the Tianhai Alliance is frustrated because the entire East China Sea region started developing relatively late. While economic growth is easy, improving its foundation is not something that can be achieved overnight. Many large cities in the inland areas have ancient families with histories spanning thousands, even tens of thousands of years. The talents within these families have been cultivated through years of experience, possessing profound foundations and deep roots.
Therefore, the Tianhai Alliance has always been the most lacking in talent, resulting in a persistent lag in key personnel.
In the eyes of some high-ranking officials in the inland regions and even the Federation, the Tianhai Alliance is merely an economic contributor; in other aspects, it is not outstanding, and its status has always hovered in the middle of the Federation.
How could the leaders of the Tianhai Alliance accept this? About two hundred years ago, they established the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition to select and encourage talent. Not only are the prize money generous, but special awards will also be provided to help these talented individuals improve and further their skills, thereby enhancing the foundation of the Tianhai Alliance.
Early in the morning, the teams representing various cities had already entered the stadium to wait.
The enormous stadium was packed with people. The stands were already overflowing with people, every seat filled.
The opening ceremony consisted of the same old rhetoric, and Lin Xiuran, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, paid little attention.
It wasn't until the people around him suddenly cheered that Lin Xiuran slowly opened his eyes and began to survey the entire venue.
The stadium had transformed into a sea of jubilation, with everyone around excitedly. A high platform was rapidly being erected in the center of the field.
"Today marks the start of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition. We have specially invited a team from Shrek Academy to exchange skills with our defending champions. Given Shrek Academy's formidable strength, this exchange will be a cross-age group competition. Our Tianhai Alliance's seven-member youth group champions will challenge Shrek Academy's seven-member junior group. Now, please welcome both sides to the stage."
Lin Xiuran understood, but wasn't overly surprised. He didn't idolize Shrek Academy as much as others.
Representing the Tianhai Alliance were the seven students from Tianhai Academy, the defending youth group champions. All of them were over twenty years old this year and could only participate in the adult group competition.
Each of them wore silver team uniforms, looking dashing and spirited. Five men and two women moved in perfect unison, clearly seasoned veterans. Each one exuded confidence and energy, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
Lin Xiuran's eyes narrowed slightly. Among the students from Shrek Academy, the last two were none other than Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan.
"As expected..."
Yesterday, he wasn't entirely certain of their identities. Although there had been a conflict, they hadn't exchanged names. But now, it was completely certain.
Lin Xiuran was well aware of the outcome of this exhibition match. Shrek Academy had unsurprisingly defeated the seven members of the Tianhai Alliance.
And it was done with lightning speed, almost within a minute. Most importantly, the opponents were fighting across age groups.
Even so, the Tianhai Alliance members hadn't even had a chance to demonstrate their abilities. They were easily swept aside.
The girl lagging behind, as she walked off the stage, suddenly glanced at the audience.
She seemed to see Lin Xiuran, slightly raising her head, her arrogant expression seemingly provoking something.
Lin Xiuran couldn't read expressions, so he didn't think much of it and simply continued meditating with his eyes closed.
Tomorrow's matches were tight—both individual and team competitions, with the first round being elimination rounds. Losing meant elimination. Both competitions will be held tomorrow, including the first round of the blacksmith competition.
Back at the hotel, the group chatted briefly before heading to their rooms to rest. With the competition fast approaching, everyone was intensively training; even last-minute cramming can be effective. The room, by the sea, had a refreshing feel, and Lin Xiuran felt much more relaxed after returning. This was also his first time participating in such a grand event, with three competitions.
Although he appeared calm, he was actually quite nervous inside.
He could only relieve the pressure by constantly meditating.
Not long after entering the room, Gu Yue came to his room again.
She remained calm, only tentatively asking, "Are you cultivating?"
"Meditating."
"I see." Gu Yue's eyes flickered slightly, then she asked, "Have you mastered a new element?"
Lin Xiuran hesitated for a moment, knowing he couldn't hide it, and nodded, "I mastered a new element after breaking through level 30."
"Is it the ice element? I can feel it." Gu Yue continued to ask.
Lin Xiuran didn't deny it, but simply stretched out his hand, and a blue soul ring rose up, emanating a sudden chill.
Gu Yue stared intently at Lin Xiuran's ice element for a while, then a hint of confusion appeared in her eyes.
After a short while, she recovered and said, "If you need my help, you can tell me."
"Yes, if I have any questions about ice elements, I'll ask you."
Gu Yue smiled slightly, then said goodbye and returned to her room.
Lin Xiuran thought for a moment, then closed the door and went back inside.
An ordinary person might have thought Gu Yue was just curious and asked. But Lin Xiuran knew her identity, so she would never do something meaningless.
Her purpose in coming here was undoubtedly to test him. After all, Lin Xiuran also possessed elemental power, although not as many as hers all at once. However, with the increase in his soul power level, he gradually began to master other elemental powers.
Gu Yue probably couldn't understand who else in this world, besides herself and the Dragon God, could simultaneously control so many elemental powers.
Moreover, Lin Xiuran's mental power was now even stronger than hers, which inevitably attracted her attention.
Her purpose in coming to the human world was to understand and study humans. And Lin Xiuran at this moment clearly piqued her interest.
Although being targeted by Gu Yue would have given Lin Xiuran pause in the past, he now possessed a complete Gu Yuena within his spiritual sea.
Moreover, after spending so many days together, he even felt a sense of closeness tothe real Gu Yue. Overall, he wasn't afraid.
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(End of Chapter)