Lion King Championship (4,000 words; bonus chapter for 11,000 monthly votes and 10,000 subscribers!)

The Lion King Championship grew out of the southern lion dance tradition of the Prosperous State region.

Mr. Ming combined it with a Martial Way assessment, and it gradually became a regular feature of the Crossing River Association.

The Crossing River Association was held at year's end anyway. This also gave the residents of the Enclave an early lion dance to welcome the new year.

At the judges' table, Tiger Granny yawned in boredom.

Her gaze swept over the promising young talents taking the stage before settling on Li Xiuwen.

"A Tiger Elephant Expert with a Servant Physique. Interesting."

These days, Li Xiuwen's fame in the Enclave eclipsed that of many veteran Tiger Elephant Experts.

A Servant Physique made for an irresistible story, one with the makings of a legend.

Plenty of people sang Li Xiuwen's praises to the skies.

Tiger Granny took it all in stride.

Only after following Mr. Ming did one learn what a true legend was!

In a restaurant,

Elder Wonderful Crane and Master Black Tiger sat bolt upright, watching the Lion-Fighting Forest ahead.

Elder Wonderful Crane said, "Good thing we talked it over with Buddha Salute Martial Arts Hall. Yingzhao and Vegetable Monk will join forces in the Lion King Championship and secure the Lion King Token first. After that, they'll fight for it on their own merits. Otherwise, the Youth Division's Lion King title would be up in the air. Who could have imagined Sea Sand Martial Arts Hall would field two Tiger Elephant Experts?"

Master Black Tiger said nothing.

Was victory really assured now?

Why did he have such an uneasy feeling?

In the restaurant rented by Buddha Salute Martial Arts Hall,

a burly elder who resembled a golden-maned lion king stood straight-backed beside the window, his hands clasped behind him.