176: First encounter with Tang Wulin

Walking into the city gates, the streets were wide and clean, with buildings lined up like fish scales. There were towering spirit tool research buildings with glass curtain walls shimmering with colorful light in the sun; there were quaint auction houses with magnificent lanterns hanging at the doors, crowded and bustling; and there were various shops of different styles selling rare treasures, Cultivate resources, and specialty delicacies from all over the Douluo Continent.

On the streets, spirit tool vehicles shuttled through, some shaped like birds, drawing graceful arcs in the sky; others were like giant beetles, driving smoothly on the ground. Among the pedestrians, there were both noble children dressed in magnificent clothes and those who Cultivate with simple clothes but determined eyes. They gathered here with different purposes, filling this city with vitality and energy.

Although Tianhai City could not compare to the legendary, mysterious, and powerful Shrek City, it was still a premier metropolis on the Douluo Continent. It gathered rich resources, top academies for Cultivate, and countless Genius Spirit Masters, making it a Holy Land for Cultivate that countless people yearned for.

Shen Guyan looked at the children's shocked expressions and said with a smile, "This is Tianhai City. In the coming days, you will see many new things here. I hope you can experience it well and gain something from it."

The children nodded one after another, their eyes flashing with excitement and determination. They knew that in this city, what awaited them would be an unforgettable experience.

The opening ceremony of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition was held in the Tianhai Stadium, a huge stadium that could accommodate eighty thousand people at the same time, and it was also the largest among all cities in the Tianhai Alliance.

The Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition is the biggest event for the East Sea Economic Circle and also receives attention from the entire Federation. Every year during the competition, some outstanding talents emerge.

In fact, the original intention of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition was to select outstanding talents for the Tianhai Alliance and train them to become the pillars of the Alliance.

There are many factions within the Federation. The Tianhai Alliance itself is a powerful force, especially in terms of economy, and can be considered one of the major giants of the Federation.

However, what frustrated the Tianhai Alliance was that because the entire East Sea region started developing relatively late, it was easy to improve the economy, but improving this heritage was not something that could be done in a day or two. Many large cities in the inland have ancient Families with a Legacy of thousands or even tens of thousands of years. The talents in these Families have been cultivated through many years of experience. Their heritage is solid, and their Foundation is deep.

Therefore, in terms of talent, the Tianhai Alliance has always been the most lacking, to the point that it has always lagged behind in some key talent areas.

In the eyes of the inland regions and even some high-level officials of the Federation, the Tianhai Alliance is merely an economic input; as for other aspects, it is not outstanding, and its status has always hovered in the middle reaches of the Federation.

How could the rulers of the Tianhai Alliance be reconciled to this? About two hundred years ago, they founded the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition to select and encourage talent. Not only are the prize funds generous, but special prizes are also provided to help these talents improve and pursue further studies, thereby better enhancing the heritage of the Tianhai Alliance.

Early in the morning, the representative teams from various cities had already entered the stadium to wait.

Looking across the vast stadium, it was a sea of people. The stands were already filled with spectators.

It was the first time the five children had come to a place of this scale. Throughout the entire opening ceremony, they felt dizzy. Surrounded by people much taller than him, he couldn't even clearly see the opening situation. He only felt that after standing for a long time and hearing some words of encouragement, the opening ceremony was over.

Next was the drawing of lots according to different competition categories, which was conducted by teachers from various academies.

The stadium had turned into an ocean of joy, and a high platform was being rapidly built in the center.

"What is this for?" Shen Guyan heard someone nearby asking the person next to them.

At this time, a luxuriously dressed youth said, "You don't know this, do you? There's going to be an Exhibition Match later. I heard that they specifically invited experts from Shrek Academy this time, and it cost a lot of money. Their opponents are our Tianhai Alliance's previous Seven-Person Competition champions. The Alliance is doing this mainly to let us see the gap between us and top-tier power, but I don't think this is a correct choice."

The girl beside the youth asked in confusion, "Why?"

The youth shrugged his shoulders and said, "Isn't it simple? Within a certain range, a gap can be called a gap and will have an inspiring effect. But when the gap exceeds a certain level, it's no longer a gap; it's called a chasm. An insurmountable chasm will only make people feel frustrated."

Early in the morning, the representative teams from various cities had already entered the stadium to wait.

Looking across the vast stadium, it was a sea of people. The stands were already filled with spectators.

It was the first time the five children had come to a place of this scale. Throughout the entire opening ceremony, they felt dizzy. Surrounded by people much taller than him, he couldn't even clearly see the opening situation. He only felt that after standing for a long time and hearing some words of encouragement, the opening ceremony was over.

Next was the drawing of lots according to different competition categories, which was conducted by teachers from various academies.

The stadium had turned into an ocean of joy, and a high platform was being rapidly built in the center.

"What is this for?" Shen Guyan heard someone nearby asking the person next to them.

At this time, a luxuriously dressed youth said, "You don't know this, do you? There's going to be an Exhibition Match later. I heard that they specifically invited experts from Shrek Academy this time, and it cost a lot of money. Their opponents are our Tianhai Alliance's previous Seven-Person Competition champions. The Alliance is doing this mainly to let us see the gap between us and top-tier power, but I don't think this is a correct choice."

The girl beside the youth asked in confusion, "Why?"

The youth shrugged his shoulders and said, "Isn't it simple? Within a certain range, a gap can be called a gap and will have an inspiring effect. But when the gap exceeds a certain level, it's no longer a gap; it's called a chasm. An insurmountable chasm will only make people feel frustrated."

Early in the morning, the representative teams from various cities had already entered the stadium to wait.

Looking across the vast stadium, it was a sea of people. The stands were already filled with spectators.

It was the first time the five children had come to a place of this scale. Throughout the entire opening ceremony, they felt dizzy. Surrounded by people much taller than him, he couldn't even clearly see the opening situation. He only felt that after standing for a long time and hearing some words of encouragement, the opening ceremony was over.