Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, tomorrow was the official start of the Xuantian Martial Tournament.
During this time, Ling Xiaoyou had learned the schedule and the specific tournament format from Li Xueman.
The procedure was fairly simple: first, the Exorcist Association President of the Imperial Capital would go up to give a speech, and then the contestants would enter the arena.
It was a very concise process without any pre-match performances.
She only hoped that the old president would not give a long-winded speech; otherwise, it would likely be quite an ordeal to sit through.
As for the specific tournament format, it was divided by cultivation realm.
Ghost Cultivators in the Soul Gathering Stage would face other Soul Gathering Stage ghosts or Foundation Building Stage cultivators of equal rank.
This meant that Ling Xiaoyou might encounter fellow Soul Gathering Stage Ghost Cultivators or Foundation Building Stage cultivators.
The beginning of the Xuantian Martial Tournament would consist of arena matches.
There were ten arenas for each group, and participants could freely choose an arena to go up and accept challenges from others.
The winner would stay, and the loser would leave.
This would continue until time ran out.
The final ten people remaining on the arenas would enter a one-on-one elimination tournament to determine the champion.
Of course, this champion was only the champion of that specific group, not the champion of the entire Xuantian Martial Tournament.
In fact, there was no true “grand champion” for the Xuantian Martial Tournament, as the competition itself was meant to showcase the grace of the younger generation rather than truly determine the absolute strongest.
After all, the champions of each group were at different realms, so a title earned through realm suppression would be meaningless.
However, while every group champion received a prize, there was only one “ultimate prize.”
Therefore, after winning a group championship, one could choose to participate in the competition for that prize.
The winner who claimed that prize could be considered the grand champion of the Xuantian Martial Tournament.
As for whether it would become a one-sided situation where those in higher realms suppressed those in lower realms — the world never lacked geniuses who could fight above their level, did it?
Even if everyone who could win a group championship in this tournament was such a genius, the possibility remained.
The prizes for this competition were very generous; at least, Ling Xiaoyou was already very tempted.
The rewards included tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, a Law Array of one’s choice, two Spirit Tools that could grow with the owner, five Magic Arts of one’s choice, cultivation time at the Huiling Haiyan, several Alchemy Pills, various Natural Treasures, and even a house in the Human Realm!
And those were just the prizes for a group champion!
They were already so abundant.
Ling Xiaoyou didn’t even dare to imagine how incredible the ultimate prize would be.
Suppressing her little heart, which fluttered with excitement at the thought of the prizes, Ling Xiaoyou began to feel a bit nervous.
Although the rewards were indeed generous, the prerequisite was that she had to win the championship in her group.
Ling Xiaoyou was indeed confident in herself, as her attributes were already difficult to increase further while in the Soul Gathering Stage.
However, it was impossible to rule out the chance of an upset.
Additionally, this was the first time she was participating in such a large competition, so it was normal to feel nervous.
She took a few deep breaths, trying to use this method to calm herself down.
‘Go, Ling Xiaoyou! Believe in yourself! You’re the best!’
Ling Xiaoyou encouraged herself in her heart, nearly shouting it out loud.
Just as she was encouraging herself, she suddenly heard a soft knock on the door, followed by Miao Miaomiao’s voice from outside.
“Senior, are you there? I want to talk to you.”
“Miaomiao?”
Ling Xiaoyou was stunned for a moment, wondering why she had come to see her.
Without making Miao Miaomiao wait too long, Ling Xiaoyou went to the door and opened it, immediately seeing Miao Miaomiao with a face full of nervousness.
“Is something the matter?”
Ling Xiaoyou led Miao Miaomiao into the room to sit on the sofa.
Looking at the restless cat girl, she asked the question.
“It’s like this, Senior,” Miao Miaomiao said, organizing her words.
“Tomorrow is the day the Xuantian Martial Tournament begins. I know I should maintain a calm mind to face tomorrow, but I’m so nervous right now that I can’t settle down at all.”
As she spoke, Miao Miaomiao looked at Ling Xiaoyou expectantly and asked, “So, I wanted to ask if you have any techniques to stop feeling nervous, Senior.”
‘I don’t have that kind of technique; I’m still nervous myself!’
Ling Xiaoyou complained in her heart, but she couldn’t answer Miao Miaomiao like that.
After all, she was the Senior; answering that way would be too embarrassing.
Thus, Ling Xiaoyou thought for a moment, forced an air of indifference, and said confidently, “Who needs such a thing? Confidence is the best technique to combat nervousness!”
Hearing this, Miao Miaomiao immediately looked at Ling Xiaoyou with admiration.
“As expected of Senior. You really are far superior in this regard.”
During this time, Ling Xiaoyou had already asked Li Xueman how members of the Branch could join the Headquarters.
To her surprise, it was very simple; one only needed to meet the Performance standards.
Miao Miaomiao’s Performance wasn’t exceptionally outstanding, but it met the criteria.
So, being happy, she had chosen to apply to Li Xueman for a transfer to the Headquarters.
Now, she was Ling Xiaoyou’s true junior.
As for her junior, Ling Xiaoyou felt she should look after her more.
After all, the girl admired her so much, didn’t she?
Worried that her “kind” lie might be seen through, Ling Xiaoyou cleared her throat and said, “Alright, you should go back now and prepare for the upcoming Xuantian Martial Tournament. As long as you see that you are fully prepared, confidence will naturally emerge. At that time, an emotion like nervousness can be easily defeated! Believe in yourself, Miao Miaomiao. I have high hopes for you!”
Listening to Ling Xiaoyou’s encouraging words, Miao Miaomiao’s eyes sparkled, and her cat ears twitched uncontrollably.
Having already come to view Ling Xiaoyou as her idol, she was completely convinced by her words.
Thus, she shouted at Ling Xiaoyou with great excitement, “Yes! Senior, I understand!”
After speaking, without waiting for Ling Xiaoyou to say anything else, she hurriedly pushed the door open and left.
Watching the door close, Ling Xiaoyou let out a sigh of relief.
But then, she thought of herself again.
She was still nervous!
What was she supposed to do for herself?
Suddenly, Ling Xiaoyou’s heart stirred as if she had thought of something.
She hurried to the door and looked through the peephole.
After confirming no one was around, she slipped out of the room like a guilty thief.
A moment later, in Bai Shuanglian’s room, Ling Xiaoyou sat on the sofa.
Looking at Bai Shuanglian as she poured tea, Ling Xiaoyou said seriously, “…And that’s the situation. I feel like I also need a Senior’s comfort to relieve my nervousness.”
“I see.”
Bai Shuanglian nodded understandingly and sat down beside Ling Xiaoyou.
“So you thought of me and felt I could help you relieve your nervousness?”
“Exactly!”
Ling Xiaoyou nodded her small head repeatedly.
“Hmm, but regarding these things, I can’t give you much advice.”
Bai Shuanglian thought about it and shook her head, giving Ling Xiaoyou an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry. Although I have participated in many competitions since I was a child, I have never felt nervous before a match. Therefore, I don’t understand what that experience is like, so I can’t give you any suggestions.”
“Ah, well, okay then.”
Hearing this, Ling Xiaoyou lowered her head in disappointment.
She could only say that she had somewhat expected this result.
After all, when she first met Bai Shuanglian, the girl already had an ice-cold demeanor.
Although she had softened a lot now, it wasn’t hard to imagine how Bai Shuanglian had been in the past.
It was impossible to imagine the ice-cold Bai Shuanglian looking nervous.
She had likely been indifferent even before matches started and wouldn’t have felt nervous at all.
“While I don’t have much advice, I can give you some of my thoughts.”
Seeing Ling Xiaoyou’s dejected look, Bai Shuanglian thought for a moment and spoke.
Upon hearing this, Ling Xiaoyou raised her head again and looked at Bai Shuanglian expectantly.
The scene was much like when Miao Miaomiao had come to find her earlier.
“Perhaps you can treat those enemies and the audience as cabbages. If you ignore the fact that they are people, it should be much better.”
“Hmm, fighting cabbages, huh…”
Ling Xiaoyou pinched her smooth chin and imagined it for a moment.
She was immediately amused by the scene and waved her hands quickly.
“No way. That would completely ruin the feeling of battle. Just thinking of my opponents as cabbages makes me lose my fighting spirit.”
Seeing Ling Xiaoyou laughing uncontrollably, Bai Shuanglian thought again and suggested once more, “Then simply act as if the opponents and the audience don’t exist?”
“Eh, that’s being too dismissive of the opponents.”
Ling Xiaoyou felt her opponents were at least human.
Although she didn’t know their specific strength, she felt it was better to treat them as people.
Hearing her suggestion rejected again, Bai Shuanglian paused.
After thinking for a moment, she stood up and picked up Ling Xiaoyou.
She carried the stunned little ghost to her bed and gently placed her on the large mattress.
Looking at the dazed Ling Xiaoyou, she said, “In that case, I’ll sleep with you tonight. With me by your side, you shouldn’t be nervous anymore.”
Ling Xiaoyou was stunned for a moment, then immediately reacted:
“Ehh???”