"Are you Earl Changfeng of Huaiyuan Hall from Sun River Prefecture?" As Zhang Tie successfully stirred up a wave of excitement outside White Tiger Platform, a middle-aged official approached politely. He first cupped his hands and bowed to Zhang Taixuan, then asked courteously.
"I am Zhang Taixuan," Earl Changfeng replied with a nod.
"Please wait a moment. Everything inside is ready. Once the time comes, we may enter," the middle-aged official said politely, casting an inconspicuous glance at Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie's appearance—that of a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old—had not only stunned those outside White Tiger Platform, but had also startled the people within.
"No matter." Earl Changfeng remained perfectly composed. Even Zhang Tie secretly applauded his bearing and demeanor.
The formal contest was to begin at eight o'clock. At a quarter past seven, everyone was to enter White Tiger Platform, familiarize themselves with the rules, and then have roughly half an hour to prepare. The Supervising Governor himself was presiding inside White Tiger Platform; no one would dare be late today. To show their prudence, Huaiyuan Hall and Earl Changfeng had arrived at ten past seven, about five minutes early. The other families were much the same. Almost as soon as the people of Huaiyuan Hall had landed, before they had exchanged more than a few words, the Knights of the other families began arriving one after another.
"Wow, so handsome! So handsome! The Knights of Huaiyuan Hall are so handsome..." Even louder cheers and shrieks erupted from the crowd. Compared to before, however, these cries now came almost entirely from the young women and aunties among the spectators.
Any man, so long as he did not look too offensively ugly, would look handsome enough to knock people dead if he descended from the sky as a Knight in such