Music and Dance Arena.
Ling Zhuzi stood barefoot atop a Great War Drum.
The drumhead was twelve feet across, its cowhide stretched taut.
He wore a crimson short robe over a Red Tummy-Cover, with Cloud Patterns embroidered along the collar and gold thread at the cuffs. A Gold Ring hung around his neck, glaring brilliantly in the sunlight. Two strings of tiny silver bells, three bells on each string, were tied around his ankles. They chimed softly whenever he moved.
A Red Silk Ribbon was tied around his wrists as well, its two ends trailing across the drumhead.
The referee raised a Command Flag and brought it down, signaling the start.
Ling Zhuzi lifted his right foot and stamped on the drumhead.
His sole struck the drumhead with a deep, powerful boom, like the tolling of a bell from distant mountains.
The drumbeat went from slow to swift, merging into a continuous roar like spring thunder rolling across the sky.
The Red Silk Ribbon in his hands whirled through the air like two scarlet snakes, tracing arcs with his movements.
The bells at his ankles rang brightly, blending with the drumbeats to form a strange rhythm.
His body moved with the beat, spinning, leaping, and tumbling.
Every movement burned with fervor and fit the drumbeats perfectly.
Each beat made people want to rise, charge forward, draw their swords, and roar.
The drumbeats grew faster and faster.
The watching Disciples could not help growing restless as well.
The Red Silk Ribbon followed his movements, forming a red vortex.
He extended his arms and spun in a circle, his fingertips slicing through the air. His body arched back, and his weight settled on his right foot.
This pose blended the fierce power of battle with the graceful beauty of dance.
On the