Chapter 1287 - 1284: Nine Dragons Dance with the Phoenix, The Tournament Begins!

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

As Shui Linglong’s applause fell, streams of water around the platform suddenly erupted into nine splashes, and nine beautiful female disciples of Linglong Hall, dressed in white and holding treasure swords, emerged from the water.

"Amazing!"

No one expected the nine female disciples to emerge from the water. After a moment of astonishment, the entire valley immediately resonated with cheers.

Luo Feng smiled, watching the nine Linglong Hall disciples with interest.

He noticed one of them was Nanxuan, who had not been seen for half a month. During this time, Nanxuan had made significant progress, now reaching the seventh level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm.

The nine female disciples danced gracefully among the water splashes, exhibiting nine different sword techniques. As they moved, their cloud-like garments remained untouched by water. The exquisite swordsmanship, coupled with the nine youthful, charming figures, was as beautiful as a painting.

Just when the audience thought this sword dance might end, a sudden change occurred.

Crash!

Water bursts into columns, which didn’t scatter but instead coalesced into transparent water dragons in the air.

The dragon bodies reflected sunlight in dazzling colors, seemingly alive, and swirling around the nine female disciples, dancing together as if one with them.

The morning sun, light mist.

Beauties, swimming dragons.

For a moment, the audience was spellbound.

Luo Feng glanced sideways and saw the True Yuan fluctuations on Xia Yunjing were intense. It was apparent she was using the Chaos Hole Ten Thousand Water Jue to control the swimming dragons.

After finishing the sword display, the nine Linglong Hall disciples stepped onto the water dragons and returned to the platform. Nanxuan stepped forward, her smooth forehead glistening with sweat as she smiled and gestured a sword salute to the crowd:

"Thank you all for enjoying the Nine Dragons Soaring Phoenix. I hope we didn’t disappoint."

"Wonderful, brilliant!"

"Hahaha... even this sword dance alone made the visit to Linglong Hall worthwhile."

"It’s worthy of Linglong Hall’s performance, always leaving one wanting more. This sword dance, I fear I will never forget it for the rest of my life."

As the audience came to their senses, praises erupted, and thunderous applause ensued. Luo Feng gently applauded as well.

Seeing the audience’s acclaim, Nanxuan and the other nine female disciples smiled.

They had prepared for this moment for half a month.

Nanxuan winked at Luo Feng and, along with the other eight, descended from the platform.

As the nine departed from the platform, the crowd’s enthusiasm rose instead of fell, filled with anticipation, as the real Martial Arts Tournament was about to commence.

Shui Linglong was very pleased with the enthusiastic atmosphere. She stepped to the center of the platform and slowly said:

"Since ancient times, martial arts have had no second place. As martial artists, we must not forget the word ’competition.’ So next is the awaited Martial Arts Tournament. The First Winged Tiger of the Six Northern Domains and the First New Dragon of the Six Southern Domains will compete in martial discourse, to determine superiority. However, before that, others can find opponents they’re interested in for sparring. Just remember, this is a Martial Arts Tournament, not a life-and-death battle. Please refrain from using lethal moves. Otherwise, don’t blame me, Shui Linglong, for being merciless. Also, sparring in martial arts requires mutual consent. If one party is unwilling, you must not force them."

After briefly introducing the rules of the Martial Arts Tournament, seeing the eager expressions of the audience, Shui Linglong didn’t say more and smiled: "Alright, the Martial Arts Tournament officially begins. If you have a worthy opponent, feel free to propose a duel on stage."

As her words fell, Shui Linglong elegantly left the platform, and the audience immediately erupted with cheers, all eagerly anticipating who would be the first to step onto the stage.

Swish!

Amidst the audience’s anticipation, a figure crossed the stream and appeared on the platform. His heavy footsteps made the platform hum and tremble.

"It’s Han Chong, the Angry Tiger of Thundercloud Hall! His strength ranks just below ’Five Thunder Spear’ Cao Li and ’Wind Chasing Palm’ Li Yifeng among the Six Northern Domains’ six Golden Palaces. I’m curious who he plans to compete against."

Many recognized the teenager who ascended the stage.

Han Chong crossed his arms and scanned the crowd with tiger-like eyes, directly looking at Yu Bufan, and grinning: "Yu Bufan, we didn’t get our fill last year. Let’s continue that battle. This time, we must determine a victor."

Hearing Han Chong challenge Yu Bufan, not many were surprised.

The Northern and Southern Martial Arts Tournament last year was held at Thundercloud Hall. At that time, Han Chong had a battle with Yu Bufan. Both cultivated Tempering Body techniques, and in that fight, they exchanged over a thousand moves, fought until the sky went dark, but no winner was declared. Eventually, both exhausted, the Masters of various Golden Palaces feared the duo might suffer lasting harm, announcing a draw.

A year has passed, and Han Chong evidently wants to use this opportunity to conclude that battle.

"It is indeed time to determine who’s superior."

Yu Bufan stood up, looking at Han Chong with an equally intense battle spirit. As he spoke, his figure appeared on the platform.

Shui Linglong stood beside Luo Feng. She glanced at the two facing off on stage, smiling at Luo Feng and said: "Luo Feng, your insight has always been outstanding. Which of the two do you think is stronger?"

Luo Feng examined the two and shook his head: "It’s hard to say."

"Why?" Shui Linglong looked curious.

She heard others discussing, most were leaning towards Han Chong, who recently broke through to True Yuan Realm level two; she herself thought so too. But this being the first match of the tournament, the result would inevitably affect the follow-up battles, so she wanted to see if the insightful Luo Feng might have another perspective, yet she hadn’t expected this answer.

Luo Feng pondered: "Logically, Han Chong, who broke through to True Yuan Realm level two, has a higher chance. But both are Tempering Body martial artists, aside from cultivation, the Tempering Body realm also has a significant impact on strength. In terms of the Tempering Body realm, Yu Bufan is slightly superior. Unless either has hidden aces, they likely won’t determine a conclusive victor."

Shui Linglong’s eyes brightened, she nodded.

Her vision was naturally exceptional; she was just momentarily blindsided by Han Chong’s level, so did not think of the Tempering Body realm aspect. Upon Luo Feng’s mention, she immediately understood.

Nearby, Jian Wuji slightly furrowed his brow.

He too initially thought Han Chong had a better chance, but now he wasn’t as confident, his eyes carefully assessing Yu Bufan and Han Chong, hoping to catch details Luo Feng might have missed. Yet all efforts proved futile.

On the platform, Han Chong laughed at Yu Bufan:

"Yu Bufan, I heard your Three Day Sun Exposure Skill advanced to the ninth level. Perfect timing! My Thunder Tiger Strong Body Power also broke through to the ninth level. Today, let’s see if your Three Day Sun Exposure Skill is mightier, or if my Thunder Tiger Strong Body Power is stronger!"

As he spoke, Han Chong’s body shook.

Roar!

An aura of terror exploded as Han Chong’s upper clothing burst open, revealing his formidable muscles underneath. Bronze skin coursed with purple electric arcs, and behind him in the void stood a three-meter-tall Thunder Giant Tiger, looming and fading, its glaring tiger eyes fiercely fixed on Yu Bufan, with intimidating momentum.