In order to defeat Xiao Yu's Blue Tyrant Academy in the competition, Bibi Dong had resorted to such shameless tactics!
"Your Holiness, the sudden change in the Spirit Hall team's lineup seems rather unfair! Moreover, as far as I know, Tang San, Oscar, and Dai Mubai are not members of the Spirit Hall. They can't possibly be substitutes for your team, can they?"
Ning Fengzhi frowned and asked.
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe immediately chimed in, "Indeed, Your Holiness, this seems like a breach of the rules. If every academy did this, what would be the point of the competition's rules? If no one follows the rules, then there's no need to hold the competition at all!"
If Bibi Dong succeeded in having Tang San and the others join forces with the Spirit Hall team, Xiao Yu's chances of winning would be significantly reduced.
Hearing the questions from Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi, many in the audience also turned their gazes toward Bibi Dong.
In response to their questions, Bibi Dong smiled faintly and said, "I admit that this move is somewhat unfair, but it does not violate the rules. It merely exploits a loophole. Moreover, the Spirit Hall team is not the first to change its lineup.
The Divine Wind Academy and Blazing Academy from the Heaven Dou Empire also exploited this loophole to replace their members. They too took advantage of the rules, even at the cost of forfeiting the championship rewards.
Since they could do it, naturally, I can as well. However, to ensure fairness, if the Spirit Hall team wins, we will forfeit the three spirit bones as rewards!
Instead, we will prepare a special gift for the second-place team as a consolation prize."
Hearing Bibi Dong's flawless explanation, even Ning Fengzhi frowned.
After all, it was the Heaven Dou Empire's teams that had first exploited the loophole. Now that the Spirit Hall was doing the same, there was no way to refute it.
As for forfeiting the three spirit bones and preparing a separate reward for the second-place team, that was laughable.
Not only were the three spirit bones originally from the Spirit Hall, but even if they weren't given out publicly, they would still end up back in the Spirit Hall's hands!
As for the second-place reward, could it possibly be better than three spirit bones?
The Pope truly had a clever plan.
Ning Fengzhi's expression turned grim as he realized Bibi Dong's intentions.
He never expected Bibi Dong to resort to such tactics. This was hardly something a Pope should do.
To put it nicely, she was exploiting a loophole. To put it bluntly, she was afraid of losing and thus resorted to underhanded methods.
In response, Dai Tianquan, the Soul Douluo dean of the Star Luo Royal Academy, sneered, "What, are the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire both so shameless? Exploiting loopholes like this? How laughable!! Are you all so lacking in confidence in your original lineups?"
Bibi Dong replied calmly, "Dean Dai, if you are willing to forfeit the rewards, we can also allow your academy to replace members. But the time limit is today."
Hearing this, Dai Tianquan sneered, "Hmph, I am not a petty person who exploits loopholes like you!"
Although Dai Tianquan's words sounded righteous, everyone could sense the lack of confidence behind them.
After all, the reality was that the Star Luo Royal Academy had no one to replace.
If they could, they would have done so long ago.
Even if they couldn't win the three spirit bones, defeating the Spirit Hall would be a great honor.
Wasn't the Star Luo Empire being suppressed by the Spirit Hall the reason they hadn't attacked the Heaven Dou Empire?
"Hmph, in that case, I hope Your Holiness's new Golden Generation can secure the championship! If they still lose, Your Holiness must be heartbroken," Xue Qinghe sneered.
"Hehe, there's no need for the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou to worry about that. I have full confidence in my new Golden Generation."
"By the way, everyone need not worry. After this competition, similar loopholes will be thoroughly addressed. I believe the next tournament will be even fairer and more just! Let us all look forward to it!"
Hearing Bibi Dong's words, the crowd's expressions turned ugly. The next tournament would be in five years.
In five years, it would be too late.
For a moment, the people on the high platform all had their own ulterior motives.
Soon, after the host finished the procedures, the highest-ranking official of Spirit City announced the start of the competition.
As Bibi Dong stood up, her stunning beauty, formidable strength, and unreachable status instantly caused a stir among those seeing her for the first time!
"Wow! Is that the Pope? She's so beautiful!!"
"Yeah, if I could marry her, I'd be willing to let her support me for the rest of my life!!"
"Hey, your true intentions are showing a bit too much."
"Thud!!"
"Thud!!"
Seeing the commotion below, Bibi Dong gently tapped her scepter.
In no time, a powerful aura accompanied the sound of the scepter, resonating in everyone's ears.
Under this sound, the previously noisy crowd fell silent.
They all composed themselves and looked respectfully at Bibi Dong on the high platform.
Seeing that she had control of the situation, Bibi Dong casually said, "Thank you to all the participants for coming to Spirit City. Being here means you are all outstanding young talents in the soul master world. I look forward to seeing your brilliant performances in the arena.
As for the winner of this competition, the Spirit Hall will, for the first time, offer three spirit bones as rewards.
These three spirit bones are a 50,000-year Mental Concentration Wisdom Skull Bone, a 30,000-year Explosive Burning Flame Right Arm Bone, and a Swift Pursuit Wind Left Leg Bone!
Now, without further ado, let the team draw begin. I look forward to seeing the outstanding performances of all you talented soul masters!!"
After Bibi Dong finished speaking, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause and envious gazes.
Spirit bones! They were spirit bones.
Who would have thought the championship reward would include three spirit bones?
Seeing the excited expressions of the crowd, Bibi Dong sat back down, while the Chrysanthemum Douluo signaled the host to continue.
As the crowd marveled at the generous rewards, the host began the drawing process.
There were seven teams participating in the finals.
Five from the Heaven Dou Empire.
One from the Star Luo Empire.
One from the Spirit Hall.
The Spirit Hall team naturally received a bye in the first round, advancing directly to the semifinals!
After the draw, the first three matches were determined!