TODC Chapter 13

At this moment, the Elder Master slowly began to speak as he looked over the dense crowd below.

“Everyone, thank you for your patience!

This Luo Tian Dajiao is not only an occasion for our regular rituals but also an opportunity for those who practice Qi to interact and learn from one another. This time, the scale of the event is unprecedented…

I understand your eagerness. Since so many have gathered here at Mount Longhu, keen to exchange techniques with the outstanding young talents from across the land…

Then…

Let’s begin!!”

As the Elder Master’s words settled, a group of Daoists from Mount Longhu began directing the excited crowd to line up in front of a desk.

Although there were several hundred people present on the field, only a little over a hundred lined up for the draw. The rest seemed content to observe from the sidelines, showing no intention of participating.

…

A young Daoist stood at the desk, holding a red box, and loudly explained the rules to the contestants.

“Everyone, those who are participating, please step forward one by one and draw your number from the box…”

Soon it was Bao Yu’s turn.

Calmly, he pulled a folded slip of paper from the box, moved aside, and unfolded it.

‘Jia · Azure Dragon.’

His face remained expressionless as he tucked the slip back into his sleeve.

After a while, all the contestants had drawn their numbers…

The Elder Master stepped forward once again. “Everyone, by now, you should have seen the characters on your slips.

Due to the limited space, the Heavenly Stems will represent the order of the matches: Jia for the first match, Yi for the second, and so on.

As for the animals, they represent your groupings. There are four participants for each animal. Those who share the same animal will compete in a match, and only one from each group will advance to the next round…”

…

‘Jia · Azure Dragon.’

Bao Yu was in the first match. Following the Daoist’s instructions, he soon found his assigned area.

In the center of the arena stood two other contestants.

One was a young man, about 1.8 meters tall, with tanned skin, closely cropped hair, black-rimmed glasses, and wearing a dark, hempen robe. He held a long staff in his hand, which stood upright on the ground. A light breeze lifted his robes, lending him a certain air of grandeur.

The other contestant was a younger-looking boy of medium build, dressed in a white and blue overall. His slightly curly, caramel-colored hair and delicate features made him stand out, especially as he appeared to have light makeup on. He casually swung a round iron hammer, moving to an unseen rhythm with a relaxed and carefree demeanor.

…

Bao Yu handed his slip to the Daoist at the gate, who took a glance and announced, “Jia · Azure Dragon. Three contestants have entered! One is still missing!

The last contestant for Jia · Azure Dragon, please come forward quickly, or you will be disqualified for forfeiture!”

…

As soon as the Daoist finished speaking, a rough voice called out from the distance, “Coming! What’s the rush?”

…

A towering figure, nearly two meters tall, entered the arena. He stretched out a massive hand and handed over his slip, which looked like a mere band-aid in his palm.

The man was wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt, his arms bare. His towering height and bulging muscles gave him an imposing presence. His face, covered in pockmarks, along with a pair of bulging eyes, gave him a strong, foreign appearance.

…

With the large man’s entrance, the arena gate slowly closed.

The Daoist leaped onto the platform and read aloud from a piece of paper.

“Jia · Azure Dragon, Wei Hong.

Jia · Azure Dragon, Idol Trainee… Cai Kun!!”

The Daoist stumbled over the name but continued.

“Jia · Azure Dragon, Bao Yu.

Jia · Azure Dragon, Borjigin Haseteng!

Now that all the contestants for the Jia · Azure Dragon match have arrived, I declare the match…

Begin!!”

…

With the Daoist’s final words, the contestants grew serious.

Bao Yu placed his right hand over his chest, his smile fading.

The last contestant, Haseteng, remained relaxed, even picking his nose casually before flicking the booger away.

“Heh, what are you all waiting for? Just come at me all at once!” Haseteng challenged the three in front of him, scanning them with disdain.

The young man in the dark robe, Wei Hong, adjusted his glasses and calmly responded, “While Mount Longhu hasn’t explicitly banned four-way matches, three against one would violate the spirit of fair competition.

How about this: we pair off for individual duels, and the winners of those will face each other in the final round.

As a secular disciple of Shaolin, I’ve long desired a chance to spar with Master Bao Yu. I hope you will grant me that opportunity.”

With that, Wei Hong held his staff in his left hand and performed a formal gesture of respect toward Bao Yu.

Bao Yu returned the gesture. “Brother Wei, as a disciple of the Shaolin Buddhist sect, have you completed the Wooden Dummy Alley or passed through the Eighteen Arhat Formation on the mountain?

Or have you always trained in the secular world?”

Wei Hong’s face showed a hint of pride. “I fought my way through the Eighteen Arhat Formation!”

Bao Yu couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration.

He had some knowledge of the title “Shaolin secular disciple” from his previous life.

The concept of Shaolin secular disciples dates back to the Tang Dynasty, when the Shaolin monks famously aided the Tang Emperor in battle, establishing a long-standing tradition of training warrior monks.

To descend the mountain as a secular disciple meant the individual had proven their skills by surviving the trials of the Wooden Dummy Alley and the Eighteen Arhat Formation.

Such disciples were truly masters of real martial arts, not just showy techniques.

“Brother Wei, by all rights, I should call you senior brother, but since you have already returned to the secular world, I shall address you as Brother Wei. Since you are eager for a match, I am happy to oblige,” Bao Yu replied.

Meanwhile, the towering Haseteng glanced at them, disinterested. He then turned his attention to Cai Kun, the young man with the iron hammer, and spoke in broken Mandarin, “Those two are having a little ‘brotherly’ match. I won’t interrupt them.

So! You and me, how about it?”

With that, Haseteng took a step forward, his towering frame casting a long shadow over Cai Kun.