Ocean Sprite, Lan Fo Zi's Female Form

But at the same time, as the tournament was in full swing, a dark shadow quietly descended upon an ice-covered valley in the Far North of Douluo Continent...

The Far North was blanketed in snow, cold winds howling as the frigid air carried the scent of death.

A group of mysterious figures clad in black robes moved silently through this frozen world. Heavy cloaks covered their bodies, concealing their auras, yet the faint fluctuations of Soul Power around them still revealed their dangerous presence.

They were in a secluded valley surrounded by steep peaks covered in ten-thousand-year glaciers.

At this moment, more than three hundred black-clad figures were making preparations throughout the valley with utmost urgency.

"How is the progress?"

"Sixty percent complete. Everything is proceeding according to plan." A hoarse, low voice rang out, seeming to come from the depths of darkness, carrying a bone-chilling menace.

"Very good. Continue! That fellow Qiangu Zhangting has actually done us a favor. Now everyone's attention has been drawn to his damned Martial Arts Tournament to Seek a Spouse, hasn't it? Hehehe... hahahahaha!" The presence in the darkness fell silent for a moment before letting out a harsh, unpleasant laugh.

Upon hearing this, the black-clad figures exchanged glances, their eyes filled with an emotion that was equal parts fanaticism and coldness.

As the round-robin stage of the Martial Arts Tournament to Seek a Spouse officially began, the match schedule was announced as well.

There were ten groups in total, with two groups competing each day. This meant that completing one round of the round-robin stage would take a full five days.

To face every opponent within a group required at least nine rounds, or forty-five days, before the final top ten could be decided!

Such an extended format was, for most contestants,