The Elder Qin of the Tang Sect noticed the anomaly and couldn't help but ask, "Elder Leng, are you alright?"
Elder Leng Shuang, who had just snapped out of her overly excited state, proudly lifted her chin. "Hmph, what could be wrong with me?"
"I say, Elder Leng, we've known each other for over twenty years. Can you change that passive-aggressive attitude?"
"You also said we've known each other for over twenty years, so you'll just have to endure it. We don't see each other that often anyway."
As the Qin elder was about to retort, a voice smoothly interjected, "Tsk tsk, Elder Leng is indeed a remarkable woman who has single-handedly kept the entire Jade Maiden Sect going during the years the sect leader position has been vacant.
Always keeping the sect rules firmly in mind and cutting off all romantic entanglements around her.
Pity that some people are destined to grow old alone in this life~"
"Ye Buqun, you effeminate prick, no one thinks you're mute if you don't speak!"
Leng Shuang snorted and returned her attention to the match.
Meanwhile.
Yan Tinghao and Ye Shenxiao also emerged victorious.
The first round of matches seemed to be on fast forward. Before a single incense stick could fully burn, all the bouts were completed. Thus, the elders from other factions on the stage had no intention of stepping down to switch participants.
Master Hui Chong, who had to continue as the referee for the second round, chanted Buddhist verses, "Amitabha. For the first match of the second round, Lin Texiang versus Ye Shaoqing."
Lin Qingge and Hua Jinrong, whose names were called, walked onto the stage respectively. Just as Master Hui Chong had anticipated, this match also ended in a forfeit. However, it was the scheming young man in green who forfeited first.
The other participant, having been a step slower in retracting his fan, shouted the word 'forfeit' a moment too late.
But then again, wasn't this grand assembly a place for martial arts sparring?
One after another, they forfeited as soon as they stepped up, even competing to see who could forfeit faster. Could they at least show some respect to him, the referee?
"Amitabha. For the second match of the second round, Lin Zimo versus Ling Lingqi."
Lin Zimo, whose name was called, trudged onto the stage again. Learning from his previous experience, without any preamble, he wheezingly raised his small hand and shouted, "I, I forfeit!"
However, after waiting for a long time, there was no response.
As Lin Zimo tilted his head up in confusion, Master Hui Chong spoke with an even more exasperated tone than before, "Amitabha. As Ling Lingqi did not arrive, Lin Zimo wins this round!"
???
Lin Zimo, who had never imagined such a scenario, widened his grape-like eyes in disbelief.
Yan Tinghao, from below the stage, nudged Ling Han beside him. "Hey, big brother, why aren't you on the stage?"
"I don't make a move against the weak, elderly, or women, and I'm not interested in the so-called treasure map."
After hearing Ling Han's explanation, Yan Tinghao suddenly cried out, "Big brother, you remember now?"
Ling Han's gaze flickered, but he didn't reply.
Soon, it was Leng Ningyue's turn again. Her opponent was Liu Chenfei, the third disciple of Long Xiaotian, one of the hot contenders in this martial arts tournament.
Liu Chenfei, one of the "卧龙f4" (F4 of Crouching Dragons), cupped his fists towards Leng Ningyue. "Miss, I, Liu, never draw my sword against women. Therefore, I will not draw my sword and will only use my fists and kicks."
"No need."
With two cold words, Leng Ningyue initiated the attack.
Lin Zimo, watching the movements on stage too fast for him to follow, tugged at his aunt's sleeve. "Daddy, Mommy is so amazing!"
Lin Qingge, whose gaze followed the figures on stage back and forth, pondered for a long time before nodding in agreement. "Yes, your mother is indeed amazing."
Her voice was very soft, but it carried a hint of heaviness.
It was unclear whether she was saying it to Lin Zimo or to herself…
At the same time.
The composure on Liu Chenfei's face was gone. But no matter what moves he used or how much he increased his agility, he couldn't reverse his disadvantage.
Soon, he was kicked in the knee by a sweeping blow and stumbled to the ground.
Immediately after, a dagger glinting with cold light was placed at his throat.
Liu Chenfei, who never dreamed he would be defeated so quickly, gritted his teeth and managed to squeeze out three words from his lips: Kuai Shu Ge.
"I, I concede."
After Master Hui Chong announced the match results, Leng Ningyue expressionlessly retrieved her dagger.
However, as she turned to leave, Liu Chenfei, who had gotten up from the ground, patted the non-existent dust off his clothes and called out, "I am Liu Chenfei. May I ask for the young lady's name?"
Leng Ningyue didn't even spare him a glance and continued walking towards the audience.
Seeing this, Liu Chenfei actually quickened his pace and followed, praising, "The young lady's moves are sharp and cunning, and her agility is as ghost-like as lightning. I am truly impressed. If the young lady doesn't mind, I would like to ask for some pointers?"
"She minds. She minds very much!"
Lin Qingge leaned out from the side, gritting her teeth and blocking Liu Chenfei's path.
"A mere sparring partner. If Brother Liu needs one, I can find you ten or eight without repeating any, so there's no need to trouble my wife."
Upon hearing the word "wife," a hint of regret flashed in Liu Chenfei's eyes. He then cupped his fists, "Brother Lin's kind offer is appreciated."
With that, Liu Chenfei, defeated in both the arena and love, slunk away like a rooster that had lost a fight.
The matches continued.
The first match of the third round was Ye Shaoqing versus Lin Zimo.
Lin Zimo intended to follow Ling Han's example and forfeit without a fight, but he suddenly realized his legs, or rather his entire body, were moving forward uncontrollably???
Only after realizing he had been picked up did Lin Zimo frantically flail his hands and legs. Unfortunately, his strength was too little to make any difference.
Once his feet were finally on the ground, the next moment, a very familiar voice sounded from above the little doll's head:
"I forfeit~"
…
Lin Zimo, whose understanding of life was shaken by this turn of events, felt his eyes misting over, and he pouted aggrievedly.
Master Hui Chong, who also found the situation rather surreal, had to ignore the pitiable little doll and chant Buddhist verses again, "Amitabha. Lin Zimo wins!"
In response, Ye Shaoqing, who was Hua Jinrong, explained while fanning himself, "As the saying goes, having received the emperor's salary, I can never be so ungrateful as to compete with my superior's son, let alone shamelessly defeat him. Such profound disrespect must never be committed~"
"So that's how it is."
Yan Tinghao, who had never considered it from this angle, showed a look of understanding in his eyes and nodded thoughtfully.
Next.
Leng Ningyue easily defeated her opponent, Yan Tinghao also defeated Long Xiaotian's fourth disciple, Su Mo, and successfully advanced. Ye Shenxiao, who was skilled in Qinggong but lacked combat power, was defeated as expected.
After three rounds of matches, the number of participants had drastically reduced from forty-eight to six, including the little Lin Zimo, who had won all his matches by default.
Perhaps unable to bear the sight of people rushing to forfeit from the outset, upon Master Hui Chong's suggestion, the remaining six participants would decide their matches through a draw.
Lin Zimo, with his short hands and short legs, had the steward draw for him again. It was unclear whether Lin Zimo's luck was good or the steward's hand was lucky.
In any case, he had drawn someone from his own side yet again…