"I disagree!"
Lin Qingge stepped forward and retorted:
"Clearly, my son has passed through numerous trials and tribulations, sweating and crying his way to victory in all the matches. By what right do you wish to re-evaluate?"
Truly feeling that the other party's words were filled with more than just a little water, Master Hui Chong chanted a Buddhist prayer:
"Amitabha!
Young hero Lin, is it?
The purpose of the martial arts tournament is to spar and exchange skills.
Although the events of this year's competition have changed, the objective of selecting a martial hero remains the same. Therefore, the one who should be chosen should be a peerless young hero like Miss Leng, not your son, who is still a mere toddler unable to walk steadily."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingge immediately became angry:
"Master, who are you calling a child who can't walk steadily?
We can not only walk, but we can also run!
Not only can we run, but we can also hold a horse stance!
Not only can we hold a horse stance, but we can also punch!"
As if to support his aunt, Lin Zimo deliberately ran a circle around Master Hui Chong, then assumed a reasonably standard horse stance, and performed a set of fist techniques called 'Tai Chi' that he had often practiced with his aunt in the courtyard since he was sensible. As he practiced, he kept muttering under his breath:
"A watermelon splits into two, you get half, I get half..."
Looking at the child's somewhat convincing posture, everyone was momentarily awestruck, but only if the child hadn't uttered those so-called 'mantras.'
Compared to everyone's suppressed amusement, Master Hui Chong's expression changed drastically, "Could this possibly be the legendary Tai Chi Chuan? The one used by the 'Twin Fiends' in the past?"
"My father did teach me this set of punches when I was young. So it's called Tai Chi Chuan?"
Yan Tinghao said, and then stood beside Lin Zimo, performing the Tai Chi Chuan with him again.
However, unlike Lin Zimo's superficial display, his movements were a perfect blend of hardness and softness, a true embodiment of the martial art.
Master Hui Chong looked at Yan Tinghao with astonishment and asked in disbelief:
"Young hero, what did you just say?"
"I said my father taught me too."
Yan Tinghao, not understanding the reason for the shock, repeated his previous statement. This time, not only Master Hui Chong, but even the owner of Wolong Villa, Long Xiaotian, had a look of great surprise on his face.
"Amitabha, may I ask, young hero, what is your esteemed father's name?"
"My father's surname is Yan. My mother and he were known in the martial world by the nickname 'Twin Fiends'."
"Amitabha, so young hero is Yan Xiong's son!
This is truly a case of the dragon king's temple being flooded by his own waters; a family not recognizing its own!"
Master Hui Chong looked at Yan Tinghao with the benevolent gaze of an elder towards a junior, "If it weren't for Brother Yan and his wife's rescue back then, this humble monk would have turned to dust long ago.
To repay the life-saving grace of Brother Yan and his wife, this humble monk once promised them that as long as it was within my capability, if Brother Yan, his wife, or their descendants asked, this humble monk would do my utmost!"
"Then I only wish for you to grant the position of martial arts leader to my young master."
"This..."
Master Hui Chong, who instantly felt like he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot, was given a stern glare by Long Xiaotian, the owner of Wolong Villa. He changed his tone and said,
"Amitabha!
Young hero Yan, even if the Shaolin faction, which I represent, acknowledges young friend Lin Zimo as the leader, I am truly powerless regarding the other five major factions."
"Having Master Hui Chong's word is enough~"
A man adorned with heavy makeup, his ample waist swaying, descended gracefully from the stage. "Our Tianji Pavilion also acknowledges young friend Lin Zimo as the leader~"
With that, the man winked flirtatiously at Lin Zimo.
!!!
Feeling the urgent need to wash his eyes, Lin Zimo darted behind his mother.
At this moment, Long Xiaotian let out a disdainful snort:
"Ye Buqun, you are merely an errand runner. I invited you to be a judge purely out of respect for the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion.
As a mere gatekeeper dog, by what right do you represent Tianji Pavilion? Do you have the token of the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion?"
"Tsk, you have to consider the owner even when hitting a dog~
Villa Master Long, you are reprimanding my dog in front of me, are you not giving me face~"
Ye - Gatekeeper Dog - Buqun: ...
Hua Jinrong, fanning himself, finished speaking and explained to Lin Qingge, "Brother Lin, this is my friend named 'Ye', named Ye Bugou, oh wait, it's Ye Buqun."
With that, he took out a token from his sleeve and handed it to Ye Buqun.
Ye Buqun, who was about to lash out, looked down and, forgetting his anger, directly waved the token in front of Long Xiaotian, "Villa Master Long, take a good look. This is the token of our Tianji Pavilion's Pavilion Master.
Of course, if you doubt its authenticity, you can directly verify it with our Pavilion Master~"
Unexpectedly, the sharp-tongued and flamboyant man was the legendary and elusive Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion. Long Xiaotian let out a contemptuous snort from his nose, "It's only two factions agreeing. It's not even half, so what does it matter?"
"Who said only two factions?"
A delicate shout echoed from the stage. A man and a woman descended from the stage in succession.
The woman, who had spoken earlier, strode up to Leng Ningyue and examined her closely. Then, pointing to Lin Zimo behind her, she asked:
"Is he your son?"
"Yes."
Receiving an affirmative answer, the woman immediately turned around and announced, "Our Jade Maiden Sect also acknowledges young friend Lin Zimo as the leader!"
The man who descended with the woman exclaimed, trying to stop her:
"Leng Shuang, don't cause trouble!"
"Qin Ming, you're the one causing trouble! What business is it of yours regarding the matters of our Jade Maiden Sect?"
"You—"
Before Elder Qin Ming of the Tang Sect, who was almost choked with anger, could speak, the woman named 'Leng Shuang' continued her declaration:
"As everyone knows, the position of sect leader of our Jade Maiden Sect has been vacant for many years. All major and minor affairs within the sect are handled by me, Leng Shuang, alone.
Villa Master Long, do I need to present the token of the Jade Maiden Sect's sect leader?"
"Hmph, even with your Jade Maiden Sect, it's only half, not enough to convince everyone!"
As soon as Long Xiaotian finished speaking, he felt two objects flying towards him. One of them was incredibly fast, comparable to a hidden weapon.
Fortunately, Long Xiaotian, as the martial arts alliance leader, possessed considerable skill.
Upon realizing that the incoming objects were not hidden weapons, he effortlessly caught the two palm-sized objects one after another with his raised hand.
However, upon closer inspection, even the battle-hardened Long Xiaotian couldn't help but change his expression.
This was because the two 'hidden weapons' that had struck him were the sect tokens of the Tang Sect and the Xuanming Cult respectively!
"How is this possible?!"
While the Tang Sect was understandable, the Xuanming Cult had never appeared in public before. Yet, they were participating in this martial arts大会, and the Cult Master himself was present.
As the martial arts alliance leader, he was completely unaware of this?!
Qin Ming of the Tang Sect, who also recognized the sect tokens, did not approach Long Xiaotian but instead rushed towards the white figure who had thrown the Tang Sect's sect token.