Chapter 25: Two Ancient Sects
An old man with a bald head and a white beard appeared above the crowd, everybody's attention turning to him as he cleared his throat.
"Everyone, welcome to the next round. I sincerely congratulate the contestants that were able to get here," he started, his voice echoing through the crowd. "Allow me to explain the rules of this phase. The 400 contestants that passed through the first phase will be divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 100 members, who will battle each other for the quota. Anyone that falls out the platform or can no longer fight will be eliminated. At the end of this phase only 20 members of each group will proceed to the next round. Each group will be allowed to pick between 4 destinations to hold their match. The time limit for each group is 3 days. After three days, if the group has not met the requirements for entering the next phase, they will be disqualified," the old man said, stroking his beard.
The entire crowd murmured amongst themselves, and the contestants began coming out in 4 groups, with those in the same group looking at each other with hostility.
"Looks like they've already made plans," Zuo Hai said, excited about the upcoming matches. He had only ever been on his guard post since he came to the sect, so naturally he would be excited.
Luo Ning was also excited, not about the competition but about the fact that she was finally spending time with her brother.
"This is going to be a good show," one of the spectators said, shaking in his seat.
As the old man was about to announce, Bai Dong appeared behind him and whispered something into the old man's ear.
"Hmm, interesting," the old man said.
After a while, the old man nodded his head and Bai Dong paid his respects to him before going down and joining one of the four groups, arousing whispers and side talks from the crowd. Tang Feng had already figured out their plans and just smiled.
"Everyone, there has been an addition to the rules," the old man said stroking his beard. As he explained the added rules, the crowd began whispering amongst themselves.
"The competition begins," he said.
The other 3 groups left the arena, leaving only one of the groups behind. The group spread out across the arena as they battled one another. The battle was so terrifying, with countless powerhouses showing their strengths and techniques and Tang Feng copying them all with a devious smile on his lips.
"I've had a great harvest today," he said, unaware he was speaking his thoughts out loud.
"Brother, what did you say?" Luo Ning asked, as she looked at Tang Feng.
"It's nothing," Tang Feng said, a calm smile on his face as he patted his sister's head affectionately.
"Woah, it's Wei Shaotian, it's really Wei Shaotian!" one of the spectators said, as a tall young man of average walked out on the stage.
"Who's that?" a curious man beside him asked.
"Don't you know him? He's a well known swordsman. He was once a high ranking soldier of an ancient sect, called the Primordial Sect but disappeared after the sect was destroyed. Everyone thought he had died with the elders and ancestors of the sect, but who knew he was still alive," the spectator explained.
"What? Was there such a monster in this world?" the listener exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone knows how powerful the ancient sects were, even Tang Feng who had crossed paths with them in his past life knew of their heaven-defying abilities. He didn't think he'd meet a high ranking soldier from an ancient sect here.
As he pondered, another man walked into the arena from the opposite direction.
"Look, look, it's Zhao Hengyu, another ancient sect master!" another spectator yelled, causing the crowd to go ablaze in excitement.
"He was the personal disciple of the 'Floral Dream Pavilion' sect master," he explained further.
The whole crowd intensified their cheers, impatiently shaking in their seats as they prepared to watch a match between two ancient sect members.
Tang Feng was also excited inside. He never got the opportunity to watch the battle of two ancient sects up close.
"Oh my gosh, I can't believe that I get to watch the battle of ancient sects, it was really worth it to come here today," an excited spectator said, with everyone around him in agreement.
Zuo Hai looked at Tang Feng and back to the stage, his gaze flickering as if he was about to say something.
When Wei Shaotian saw Zhao Hengyu, a proud smile formed on his face.
"Xiao Zhao," he called out, causing Zhao Hengyu to look his way, his eyes wide slightly from recognizing instantly who the person before him was, but he regained his composure and acted normally.
"Greetings, Uncle Wei," he said, politely greeting.
Wei Shaotian had a lot of questions and so did Zhao Hengyu, but with their gazes they both decided to postpone the conversation till after their match.
"The match begins," the old man said.
Wei Shaotian and Zhao Hengyu just stood there in their respective stances after the match was announced, with their eyes closed, with no form of movement.
A triple barrier was installed as a preventive measure, since it was a battle between ancient sects, it's going to be terrifying.
New spectators entered just in time as well as several other elders of the sect appearing and taking a seat to watch the match.
There was still no movement from both of them as they still stood with their eyes closed.
"Why are they just standing there?" one person in the crowd whispered.
"That's true! I came here thinking there was going to be a good show today, but this is boring," another said, and just like that, the crowd began reducing until half of the people there before were left.
"Haa... if only they had eyes to see that the battle had already begun," one of the sect's elders said, relaxing in his seat with a tea cup beside him.
Zuo Hai and Luo Ning were also getting tired of waiting.
"Luo Zeng, why are they just standing like that?" Zuo Hai asked.
Tang Feng smiled and said, "They are fighting, but with their wills," he said.