Holy Fist
Chapter 368 - 187 Enhanced Reward_2

Chapter 368: 187 Enhanced Reward_2

An opening ceremony has essentially turned into a promotional film for the five major Eastern sects and the three major martial arts halls, continuously proclaiming their own strengths. It seemed as though they were enticing the outstanding disciples from the smaller sects and martial halls present to swiftly abandon the dark and seek the light.

Fortunately, the video didn’t play for long, and next up was the host from the Martial Arts Association introducing the competition rules. Followed by that was the most time and energy-consuming task of drawing lots. Competitors from various sects took to the stage and, under the watchful eyes of the public, picked their numbers. Bai Xiao happened to draw number one, by sheer coincidence.

After a series of complications and noise at the Huai Water Gymnasium, it was already eleven o’clock. Many sects had familiarized themselves with their positions. Soon, all contestants went to the cafeteria for a meal to replenish their energy. Under the personal supervision of the Martial Arts Association, the food was naturally delicious and healthy and seemed to also contain some energizing medicinal herbs. After lunch, all competitors felt a warm sensation throughout their bodies.

Next, a one-hour rest time.

Within the Huai Water Gymnasium were specialized fitness facilities and enclosed areas.

Many competitors went there to lift weights to maintain their warm touch. Others exchanged skills with accompanying sect members, simulating battle scenarios on the field.

Meanwhile, Bai Xiao was resting with his eyes closed, seated at his spot.

He leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed in front of his chest. The glaring sunlight beamed down from above, blocked by his forehead and brow, creating a dark shadow around the deep eye sockets as if he was wearing sunglasses.

The entire competition venue had been divided into multiple areas.

At the center was a huge circular ring, crafted from high-intensity alloy and wrapped with a thick layer of special rubber, coated with a layer of red paint. Compared to the previous Martial Arts Exchange Conference, the ring of the Dark World Combat Tournament was undoubtedly of a higher grade and would not be easily damaged. At the center of the ring were two black silhouettes of punching figures, which were the symbols of the Combat Tournament.

Besides this main ring, there were two smaller rings aside.

Around the rings were the positions of referees, security, and medical staff.

Should any situation arise, these personnel were always ready to rush onto the ring.

In the Dark World Combat Tournament, none of the mishaps from the Huaisui City Martial Arts Exchange Conference would occur. Anyone daring to disrupt the match would be offending all the major sects and the Martial Arts Association. Even first-rank Secret Martial Arts Schools wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

Outside the area for referees and others were the residences of various sects and martial halls of Huaisui City, mainly divided into two areas, three major sects and one major martial hall in one area, and all the smaller sects, small martial halls, and master-disciple lineages together in another.

One o’clock in the afternoon, Huai Water Gymnasium.

In the area for smaller sects, a young man with black-and-white mixed hair seemed to be the center of attention. His black pupils shifted as he looked far towards another area. Fierce Bird Sect, Steel Bell Sect, Rock Tiger Sect, Fiery Fire Martial Arts Hall, all competitors had arrived. Various core disciples, each emitting a formidable aura.

Compared to the low-tier sects’ exchange conference he breezed through earlier, this one had more substance. Not to mention, besides these core disciples, there were also various sects’ head disciples. Rock Tiger Sect’s Chen Hu, Steel Bell Sect’s Lv Tang, Fiery Fire Martial Arts Hall’s Xing Lie, and Fierce Bird Sect’s Bai Xiao were all his targets this time! He Xiang vowed to glorify the Ghost Wolf Fist passed down to him by his master!

Time ticked by every second.

Finally, all participants and referees were in place.

Half past one in the afternoon, the broadcast started.

"This Huaisui City Dark World Combat Tournament is now officially beginning!"

Following that, a presenter holding a microphone, a middle-aged man in black clothes and a senior official within the city-level Martial Arts Association, announced: "The first round of the Combat Tournament begins! Next, the system will randomly announce three groups of contestants. Proceed to different rings for the first round of the event..."

"Competitors, please pay attention to your number plates."

The next second, the broadcast ding sounded.

"Ring one, number nine against number sixteen."

"Ring two, number five against number eight."

"Ring three, number one against number twenty-one."

Instantly, several figures stood up from the spectator seats, walking down the straight aisles next to their seats towards their respective rings. Surprisingly, this round of drawing had placed two popular competitors. Bai Xiao slowly rose from his seat, expressionless, and took strides forward. He Xiang also walked out from another area of the spectator seats, striding forcefully, his aura defiant.

Bai Xiao was number one, and He Xiang was number nine.

Half a minute later, He Xiang stood on the largest ring, Bai Xiao on a side ring. Each ring was continuously overseen by a referee.

Due to the excessive number of participants in the city-level Dark World Combat Tournament, and the need for extensive screening, a multi-group simultaneous mode was adopted. This would not occur in later provincial, Eastern, and national levels.

Main ring one.

He Xiang stood on one side of the ring, hands tucked into his pockets, his face wearing a wicked smile, seemingly not taking his opponent seriously at all. He slightly tilted his head, his gaze shifting towards the third ring, where Bai Xiao stood unmoving, a silent towering figure. He Xiang’s gaze was slightly lost, his eyes narrowing.

On the other side, his opponent, number eight, showed an angry expression.

He Xiang’s dismissive attitude made number eight clench his fists, his muscular arms bulging bit by bit, ready to unleash his full power once the fight began.

He must make his opponent pay.

"Ding!"

The announcement sounded.

"The match officially begins!"

Instantly, number eight lunged forward, his feet stomping the ground, his body as agile as a cheetah hunting on the African plains. It seemed he also practiced Horizontal Training; his arms swinging back and forth, shimmering with a metallic hue.

"You think you can look down on me!?"

A sharp glint flashed through number eight’s eyes as he quickly found a tricky angle.

His arm shot out like a javelin.

However, a flash of blood-red streaked by, leaving a startling afterimage.

He Xiang had somehow, unknown when, forcibly squeezed into the attacking range of number eight’s fists. In the nick of time, he deliberately paused, facing the shocked number eight, revealing a ferocious, toothy grin filled with provocation. Bang bang! His fists struck like lightning!

Number eight was sent flying, his chest slightly caved in, blood spurting from the corner of his mouth. In the moment before the attack, all his intentions and moves were seen through by He Xiang. He Xiang did the opposite, instantly finishing him off!

The speed was so fast that to outsiders, it seemed to be over in the blink of an eye. Clearly, this contestant was not weak.

"Aooo aooo aooo..."

Suddenly, the surrounding stands erupted with cheers and applause.

He Xiang’s lips curved into a smile, he turned his head to look.

But he found that at the third ring, Bai Xiao still maintained his pre-fight posture, standing silently like a towering iron figure. His opponent, faster than number eight, heavily fell to the ground, seemingly crushed by the terrifying aura exerted by Bai Xiao in an instant.

More proactive than He Xiang in making a move, undoubtedly a level higher!

Most of the applause from the surrounding rings was for Bai Xiao.

At that moment, the smile on He Xiang’s face stiffened, his expression slightly darkening. Perhaps it was due to the secretive master-disciple inheritance, after mastering Ghost Wolf Fist, he completely went to another extreme. He Xiang craved attention, liked sweeping through opponents under everyone’s eyes, enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by thousands.

This was also why he participated in the Dark World fighting tournament to make a name for himself!

"Bai Xiao... Bai Xiao..."

He Xiang’s dark eyes reflected the robust inverted triangle figure of Bai Xiao.

Muttering Bai Xiao’s name under his breath.

The fight ended, the defeated were carried away, and the two victors left the ring.

While walking towards the stands, He Xiang also occasionally looked towards Bai Xiao, not knowing if it was out of reluctance to admit defeat or wishing to catch Bai Xiao’s attention. But throughout, Bai Xiao never turned around to look at He Xiang.

He had actually sensed He Xiang’s gaze long ago.

However, Bai Xiao didn’t care about such a weaker opponent.

His attention was entirely focused on the task ahead.