The snow-covered platform shook with a thunderous crash, as though a storm had risen over a vast ocean. Powdery snow swirled upward like raging dragons, and fierce sonic blasts erupted.
With muffled grunts, the fighters in the arena were flung tumbling away like fish caught in a tsunami, swept along by currents and hurricanes.
The others fixed their eyes on the arena. Amid the swirling snowflakes, a tall, powerfully built figure came into view, bold and imposing, laughing with abandon.
A wrought-iron staff nearly ten feet long spun rapidly in his hand, breaking apart the snow on the ground. With a flick of his arm, he hurled it down, driving it several feet into the hard, frozen earth beneath.
Eleventh on the Heaven Ranking, the Sea-Covering Staff, Yuan Nutao!
Yuan Nutao hailed from the Raging Waves Sect of Lan Province. At twenty-seven, he had taken over its leadership from the previous sect master, cowing the assembled heroes with his peerlessly fierce Sea-Covering Staff technique.
Many renowned masters and venerable elders who had witnessed his martial prowess described his staff technique as striking with the force of a thousand tons, surging like a mountain flood, with the power to overturn rivers and seas.
Over the past twenty-odd years, the Raging Waves Sect had grown ever stronger under Yuan Nutao's leadership. Its standing was much like that of the Three Great Sects-Flower Creek, the Vajra Temple, and the Profound Ice Sect-in Ming Province.
Now, Yuan Nutao's arrival had raised violent winds with the force of towering waves. His fearsome presence instantly cowed many of the martial artists gathered there.
"Eleventh on the Heaven Ranking. His reputation is well deserved." Nan Guyun looked gravely at the burly man brimming with fighting spirit in the arena.
Xie Lingjun nodded in agreement.
Eyes from the