Early the next morning.
Wang Zhuo and Zhang Chulan headed toward the competition grounds.
"Morning, Sister Baobao, Chulan, Brother Liu!"
Feng XingTong darted in front of the three, looking especially excited. "Hey, Chulan, why do you look half-asleep? You're so listless."
"So I'm the only one who doesn't deserve to be called 'brother,' huh..." Zhang Chulan pouted, giving him a speechless look before turning away, not wanting to bother with him anymore.
"Holy shit, what's going on? Why are there so many people?!"
The sea of people before him made Zhang Chulan swear. Wang Zhuo walked over and patted his shoulder.
"What's going on? Those four screens bigger than you are sitting right there, and you're still asking? They're here to watch the show."
"Why else would all these people stick around instead of leaving? They're waiting for a good show. A Luotian Grand Ceremony this grand doesn't come around often. If they miss it, who knows how long they'll have to wait?"
The young Daoist standing on the raised platform took a deep breath, sank his breath into his dantian, and shouted, "Everyone, today's matches will narrow the field from thirty-two to sixteen, so the competition will take place in four separate arenas!"
"Those of you who have traveled here from afar may choose any arena to watch the matches!"
"If you wish to watch them all, you may stay here and watch all four matches at once!"
"At each arena, someone will use their ability to broadcast the action here in real time. You can watch the matches on the four large screens!"
Xu San and Xu Si also came over, though Xu San looked much more haggard. His gaze froze for a moment when he saw Wang Zhuo beside Zhang Chulan.
"Oh, Brother San, Brother Si, you're finally here." Zhang Chulan hurried over to greet them.
Among the spectators, some of the unusual ability users chose to watch in person at the arenas, while others simply brought over stools, sat down, and stared at the four large screens.
"Now, would the first group of contestants please enter!"
"Wang Ye versus Tie Ma Liu!"
"Lu Linglong versus Yun!"
"Feng Shayan versus Zhi Jinhua!"
"Cai Lu versus Ling!"
"Let the matches begin!"
Wang Zhuo did not go to an arena to watch. He found a comfortable spot and watched the four screens as a voice came through his concealed earpiece.
Elsewhere, Li Yanzi watched the four matches through the miniature camera on his blindfold. "Begin recording."
"Wang Zhuo, don't lie down. Stand in the center. Don't interfere with the assessment."
"Ah." Wang Zhuo sighed, moved to a suitable spot, and stopped.
"Brother Liu, who are you watching?" Feng XingTong came closer, looking him over curiously.
After all, watching while wearing a blindfold was rather bizarre.
More importantly, this man was absurdly strong. Even his father had told him to build a good relationship with him.
"Beautiful women."
"Beautiful women?" Feng XingTong paused and stared at the four large screens. There were three women on them. That answer was far too brief.
How am I supposed to keep the conversation going?!
Zhang Chulan laughed. "See, you don't get it. Your Brother Liu sees in every direction and hears everything around him. Don't worry about how he sees."
The four matches proceeded as normal, and all the fighting was recorded through the camera.
The match between Feng Shayan and Zhi Jinhua was not exactly quick, but it ended unceremoniously when one of them chose to surrender.
As for Lu Linglong's match against Yun, she won without them even exchanging blows.
Of the four matches, only Wang Ye's offered much of a spectacle. Wudang martial arts clashed with body-hardening martial arts, and Wang Ye wielded his tai chi with exquisite skill.
Praise rang out from the surrounding crowd from time to time. In particular, his subtle final strike, hitting the ox through the mountain, amazed everyone.
"The winner is Ling."
"The winner is Feng Shayan."
"The winner is Lu Linglong."
"The winner is Wang Ye."
The four matches were over in no time. Zhang Chulan stared wide-eyed at the screen. "Damn, Daoist Wang Ye really knows his stuff."
"He looked so worn out before. I really couldn't tell he had skills like that."
Feng Baobao rubbed her chin. "Yeah, his punches looked pretty ordinary, but the force in them really was unpredictable... about the same as my Ah Wei's Eighteen Styles..."
Zhang Chulan nearly spat blood. "Lady, don't insult tai chi!"
Feng XingTong's eyes held a clear, innocent stupidity. "What's Ah Wei's Eighteen Styles?"
"Nothing, nothing. Kids don't need to know." Zhang Chulan hurried to quash the child's overflowing curiosity.
"This one is even an heir to Tai Chi Bahuang..." Wang Zhuo suddenly quipped.
"Bro, don't corrupt the kids!!!"
While they were bickering, the Daoist on the platform shouted, "The first round of matches is over. The second round begins now!"
"Feng Baobao versus Wang Ergou!"
"Hidden Dragon versus Zhang Lingyu!"
When he heard Hidden Dragon was facing Zhang Lingyu, Zhang Chulan couldn't help snorting with laughter.
"Feng XingTong versus Gu Renyun!"
"Liu Guanyi versus Wang Bing!"
Liu Guanyi?!
Zhang Chulan and Feng XingTong both turned their gazes toward him, but Wang Zhuo simply kept his hands in his pockets, his muscles taut.
"I'm already looking forward to this!"
[Ding! New mission: trample Wang Bing!] [Reward: all of Demon King Tanjiro's abilities]
Li Yanzi spoke from the other end of the concealed earpiece. "The blood of the Descendants of the Ten Elders is just right for honing a blade like you. Go all out. If anything happens, the country will back you up!"
"As you command~"
They watched Wang Zhuo stride away with his hands in his pockets, his covered eyes blazing with a sharp edge.
Feng XingTong looked around, then turned to Zhang Chulan. "Brother Chulan, you're the only one here with nothing to do now. Hurry and record Brother Liu's match on your phone. Please!"
"All right..."
While preparations for the match were underway, every seat at Wang Zhuo's arena was already filled. Many spectators held up their phones, ready to witness the match.
Zhang Zhiwei brought Tian Jinzhong, and Wang Ai, Lu Ci, Lu Jin, and Feng Zhenghao had all gathered to watch as well.
Word of the techniques Wang Zhuo had displayed in yesterday's one-against-three fight had already reached them.
They had no interest in body-hardening arts. They only wanted to see this bizarre Thunder Method.
Zhang Chulan also came to the spectator stands, holding his phone to record the whole match.
Wang Bing stood in the arena with his shirt tied around his waist, arrogance written all over his face.
"What bullshit Thunder Method? A fucking body cultivator, too? Against me, you'll still have to get on your knees!"
He stared at the opposite entrance, already planning how to brutalize his opponent.
"Bzzzz-EN!!!"
Before he arrived, Conqueror's Haki tore through the air and swept in every direction.
Black-and-red currents surged from the entrance like countless vicious wolves, radiating suffocating pressure.
Everyone present felt their pupils tremble and their hair stand on end. It was the physiological reaction of a weak animal encountering a predator.
"Wh-what the hell is that?!" Zhang Chulan's pupils contracted sharply.
"Bro, were you just clowning around singing folk songs before???"
Wang Ai abruptly tightened his grip on his cane, opening his perpetually narrowed eyes.
"Qi Force Release..." Zhang Zhiwei stared at the black-and-red lightning darting about.
Tian Jinzhong looked startled and puzzled. "What does Qi Force Release mean, senior brother?"
"It's an effect produced by compressing and releasing one's own True Qi. It's like continuously compressing Yang Five Thunder inside your body, then suddenly releasing it. The pressure radiating from it is the qi itself."
"Anyone with weaker cultivation would probably drop straight to their knees. This youngster really dares to dream and act."
Before you continue