"Is that the fighter from Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall? There’s no mistake?"

"In a ring fight, physique and strength are what matter most. With such a massive physical disparity, how can he possibly fight other opponents? Why would Hall Master Weng choose him? Is there some inside story?"

"That Zhou Ze, on the other hand, has a build and physique far more suited to represent the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall."

"..."

Everyone was whispering among themselves.

Without a doubt, Zhao Xuanqi held no physical advantage whatsoever. If Weng Xiaolin hadn’t witnessed his true skill, he never would have believed he could defeat Zhou Ze either.

And yet, he had done it, and with ease.

Many people in the crowd turned their gazes to Weng Xiaolin.

"Old Man Weng, this is the one you picked?"

Yansong Mountain asked doubtfully. ’So this is the one who replaced Zhou Ze as the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall’s representative?’

He didn’t think it was a coincidence. On the contrary, something felt off. Weng Xiaolin wasn’t old enough to be senile yet.

"That’s right. Just wait and see. This kid will make you all understand."

Weng Xiaolin said coolly, offering no further explanation.

"Is that so? Well, now I’m a little intrigued."

Dong Wenhui narrowed his eyes. ’Judging from his physique,’ he thought, ’this man must be a Martial Artist who relies on stepping techniques and striking weak points. And our Hengchang Martial Arts Hall fears that kind of opponent the least.’

’The Vajra Cannon Fist is the perfect counter for this type of Martial Artist in the ring.’

"So that’s the one who replaced Zhou Ze?"

Elsewhere, Chu Jiaxuan and Ma Maocheng stood hidden at the back of the crowd, frowning slightly as they watched Zhao Xuanqi on the stage.

"Judging by his physique, he must be a tactical Martial Artist? But in the ring, what kind of tactics could possibly overcome such a massive physical disadvantage?"

Chu Jiaxuan said, her eyes filled with confusion.

However, she noticed Ma Maocheng hadn’t responded, so she gave him a curious look.

Ma Maocheng’s eyes were fixed on Zhao Xuanqi’s figure on stage, his brow tightly furrowed. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"What is it?"

Chu Jiaxuan asked, puzzled.

"I don’t know... His face looks familiar. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before. But when I look closer, it doesn’t seem to be him."

Ma Maocheng said, frowning.

"You’re probably mistaken."

Chu Jiaxuan frowned as well.

"Perhaps. I’ll look into it later. Maybe I didn’t see him in Celestial Sea, but in another province."

Ma Maocheng shook his head and looked away, but he made a mental note of it.

"Everyone’s here. Let’s draw lots and officially begin the competition."

Yansong Mountain announced. Weng Xiaolin and Dong Wenhui nodded in agreement.

However, just as the lot drawing was about to begin, someone approached the three hall masters and whispered in their ears.

The three hall masters’ expressions changed slightly. They immediately stood up and walked toward the ballroom entrance.

The crowd, bewildered, all turned to look at the ballroom entrance, wondering what was going on.

There was a commotion at the ballroom entrance. A moment later, the three hall masters were seen leading several tall, blond, blue-eyed Caucasian men in suits into the hall.

Leading them was a middle-aged white man in an impeccable suit, carrying himself with a distinguished air.

"Is that... the Jili Empire’s Commercial Director for the Celestial Sea Prefecture, Pete Sickman? What is he doing here?"

Chu Jiaxuan seemed to recognize the man in the lead, her brow furrowing tightly.

"He’s no small fry. Theoretically, all of the Jili Empire’s commercial affairs in the Celestial Sea Prefecture fall under his jurisdiction. Many of the businesses involved are even connected to the Giant Spirit Army’s enterprises. After all, the Jili Empire sponsors the Giant Spirit Army. This man holds a very high status in the Celestial Sea Prefecture; even the Prefect has to treat him with courtesy. The three major Martial Arts Halls shouldn’t have the influence to invite someone like him."

Ma Maocheng added, equally confused.

"Look at the man following him."

Chu Jiaxuan gestured to one of the men behind the director. He was a young white man, absurdly tall—nearly two meters—and his suit was stretched so taut it looked ready to burst. He exuded an intensely oppressive aura.

"Looks like they’re not here on a friendly visit..."

Ma Maocheng narrowed his eyes.

Everyone present was sharp; how could they not see that something was amiss?

Everyone began to murmur, and the hall grew noisy.

The three hall masters showed the middle-aged white man to a seat. Other high-ranking officials and socialites flocked over to pay their respects, throwing the scene into momentary chaos.

"This is the state of our Divine Land today. A mere foreigner commands such deference. It’s pathetic!"

Seeing this, Chu Jiaxuan felt a pang in her heart for some unknown reason.

"Watch your words."

Ma Maocheng cut off Chu Jiaxuan’s whisper, but her words echoed his own thoughts.

’Too bad,’ he thought. ’I would never say it aloud. I can only keep it buried in my heart and strive for the rise of the Divine Land. I long for the day our people can stand tall and proud before foreigners!’

’For that, I would not hesitate even if it meant being ground to dust.’

’When the rainy night passes, the scattered embers will one day roar back to life.’

Meanwhile, the pleasantries concluded, and the guests returned to their seats. Everyone strained their ears, trying to overhear the conversation between the three hall masters and the director from Jili.

"Director, your presence brings great honor to our humble gathering."

Yansong Mountain said to the middle-aged white man.

"Not at all, not at all. It is I who am being rude by coming uninvited. I simply couldn’t refuse my nephew’s request, so I took the liberty of dropping by. Please forgive the intrusion."

The middle-aged white man’s Chinese was remarkably fluent, and he addressed the crowd with a smile.

They didn’t bother to lower their voices, so the nearby guests could hear everything clearly.

Then, the middle-aged white man beckoned to the towering young man behind him. The young man stepped forward to stand by his side. For a moment, it seemed as if his massive frame blocked out the hall lights, casting a large shadow over the floor.

’That physique...’

All the guests couldn’t help but gasp.

Caucasians were known for their naturally sturdy physiques, large frames, and formidable strength, but it was rare to see one of this size.

"Allow me to introduce my nephew, Kaiser. He is seventeen years old. I have no children of my own, so I’ve always treated him as my son. He has been studying back in the Empire, training as a Fighter, and has now reached the peak of an Apprentice Fighter. Just a week ago, he crossed the ocean to the Celestial Sea Prefecture to gain some experience. He has a deep admiration for the culture of the Divine Land, especially its miraculous Martial Dao, which he has long yearned to see."

"This time, aside from experiencing the vast culture and scenery of the Divine Land, his other purpose in coming here was to witness the essence of your Martial Dao. So, when he heard you were all holding this grand Martial Dao event for the Celestial Sea Prefecture, he insisted on coming to ’exchange pointers’ and learn. I wonder if you would be so kind as to offer him some guidance? I would be most grateful."

The middle-aged white man spoke with a placid smile. His words were polite, but they made everyone’s expression change.

"Mr. Director, that... I’m afraid that’s against our rules."

Yansong Mountain struggled to keep his expression neutral as he spoke, his voice steady. Meanwhile, his mind was racing with a thousand thoughts.

It was the same for Weng Xiaolin and Dong Wenhui.

’Pete Sickman’s appearance here is highly suspicious,’ they thought. ’We should refuse this unreasonable request outright. This is our territory, after all. We have every right!’

"Is that so? You have a point. My proposal was indeed presumptuous. Since it’s against your rules, we’ll just forget it. I’ll have him watch the competition from here."

Pete said with a chuckle, not a hint of annoyance on his face, as if it had just been a passing thought.

However, at that moment, the towering Kaiser suddenly let out a cold laugh. His voice boomed like a great bell as he spoke in halting Chinese, "Uncle, now I understand. I understand what this Divine Land and its Martial Dao are all about. It’s nothing more than a bunch of weaklings living in a world of their own so-called rules, too afraid to step out. Just like the Qian Dynasty a hundred years ago, clinging to their rules, living in their own little world. In the end, didn’t our armies kick down their gates all the same?"

The moment he spoke, the color drained from every face in the hall.