The youth, who had never connected his Great Splendor Flight with riding the air, hauled "Zhang Qiong Rong" back from the platform, then settled down with the others to gaze tensely up at the coming clash of dragon and phoenix.
Seeing that both contestants were ready, Shangqing Sect Master Ling Xu Zi clapped his hands. The waterfalls cascading ceaselessly through the bewildering stone formations on all four sides of the platform suddenly soared upward, joining into an enormous transparent membrane that enclosed the entire arena. However fierce the magical battle within became, it would not endanger the spectators below.
Once the water curtain rose, the two contestants bowed and introduced themselves according to the tournament rules:
"Zhuo Bihua, disciple of Daoist Jade Mystic of Wondrous Radiance Palace. Please instruct me, senior brother."
"Tian Renbao, disciple of Daoist Ling Ting of Shangqing Palace. Please make the first move, senior sister Zhuo."
Facing Fairy Zhuo of Wondrous Radiance Palace in her feathered skirt and splendid crown, the round-faced, guileless-looking Tian Renbao showed no stage fright. His words were clear, his manner neither servile nor arrogant.
When Tian Renbao offered her the first move, Zhuo Bihua had no intention of declining. The man opposite her looked mild and still wore that simple, honest expression, yet the more he did so, the more unfathomable he seemed. With her sect's honor resting on her shoulders, this was no time for restraint.
Thus, the perceptive Zhuo Bihua accepted his courteous offer, smiled, and said gently:
"Since you are so gracious, senior brother, obedience would be more respectful than refusal. Senior brother Tian, please receive my Snow Dance Across a Thousand Mountains."
Snow Dance Across a Thousand Mountains was Zhuo Bihua's specialty. In her previous match, Highest Clarity Disciple Hua Piaochen had finally lost to this very