Chapter 108 Battle against Hu Jie
The process of the drawing ceremony was concise and clear, and it started directly on the wide arena.
In order to prevent some strangers from using their mental power to cheat, Zhang Zhiwei, Lu Jin and other top ten masters came to the scene in person.
The strong aura and close surveillance deter anyone who intends to cheat.
Zhang Zhiwei stood on the stage, looked around at the expectant crowd, and then slowly said: "Everyone, I've been waiting for a long time. The Luotian Dajiao is not only our traditional sacrificial ceremony, but also an exchange between us Qi practitioners. A grand gathering of martial arts. I understand everyone’s desire to compete and communicate, so let’s start now without further ado.”
Zhang Zhiwei's words quickly dispelled the doubts of those foreigners who were worried.
Everyone knew that the Luotian Festival was held due to pressure from the alien world, and the true attitude of the Tianshi Mansion has always been a mystery.
Now that they saw Zhang Zhiwei's pleasant expression without showing any displeasure, those who were originally hesitant began to muster up the courage and enthusiastically signed up to participate.
As Zhang Zhiwei finished speaking, a little Taoist priest walked slowly to the center of the stage holding a special lottery box.
This lottery box is not an ordinary paper box, but is carefully carved from a rare red stone.
This red stone is no stranger to weapon refiners. It has the property of isolating spiritual detection, which can effectively prevent any form of cheating and ensure the fairness of the draw.
The little Taoist priest carefully placed the lottery box on the stage, and then stepped aside respectfully.
Zhang Zhiwei then announced loudly: "Now, the contestants are invited to come forward one by one and randomly draw their own numbers from the box."
Hearing this, many players stepped forward. Each of them looked solemn and drew their numbered balls from the red lottery box one by one.
Everyone is looking forward to it, hoping to get a good draw so that they can stand out in the fierce competition and achieve excellent results.
In the stands, Tian Jinzhong's eyes always followed Zhang Chulan in the team.
Although Zhang Chulan did not inherit Zhang Huaiyi's conspicuous big ears, his young face did bear some resemblance to Zhang Huaiyi when he was young, which made Tian Jinzhong's thoughts drift back to decades ago involuntarily.
His heart was full of sadness. If Zhang Huaiyi had not chosen to join the Thirty-Six Thieves, maybe everything would have been different.
Under the protection of Zhang Tianshi, Zhang Chulan and Zhang Lingyu may become friends as close as brothers, practicing together and making progress together.
"Okay, don't think about these past things anymore." Zhang Zhiwei noticed Tian Jinzhong's emotional fluctuations. He sighed softly, walked to Tian Jinzhong, and used his Qi to carefully help Tian Jinzhong regulate his body.
This kind of care and attention has become a part of Zhang Zhiwei's daily life.
Ever since Tian Jinzhong's hands and feet became disabled, he would take care of him like this every day. Otherwise, a disabled person like Tian Jinzhong might not be able to live to this age.
Deep in Zhang Zhiwei's heart, he often felt regretful about why he was not the one who came down the mountain that year, causing Tian Jinzhong to suffer such an unfortunate fate.
"Wu Zhuque." Lin Yi unfolded the note in his hand and read out the result of the draw softly.
Zhuge Qing came over after hearing the sound, glanced at the note in Lin Yi's hand curiously, and then smiled: "Wu, it seems we won't be able to meet each other in the first game."
He drew Kui, and if he wanted to fight Lin Yi, he would have to wait several rounds before he could do so.
At this moment, Zhang Lingyu also strolled over and joined their conversation, "Brother Zhuge, Miss Lu, it's been a long time since we last met."
"Master Lingyu, long time no see." Zhuge Qing and Lu Linglong responded in unison.
"Brother Zhuge is too polite. I'm just a Taoist priest in the mountains. I really can't bear the title of 'real person'." Zhang Lingyu still maintained his usual humility. Zhuge Qing crossed his arms and a provocative light flashed in his eyes, "Master Lingyu, it has been almost ten years since the last time we sparred. I am very curious about how much your cultivation has improved over the years."
When he was a child, he had a sparring match with Zhang Lingyu, but was severely "educated" by the other party.
This matter has always bothered him. When he participated in the Luotian Festival, his biggest wish was to compete with Zhang Lingyu again and get back to where he was before.
After everyone briefly reminisced about old times, the competition finally officially kicked off.
Lin Yi, Zhuge Qing and others also moved to the stands, preparing to watch the fierce duel that followed.
However, when Lin Yi looked around the bustling surroundings, he keenly noticed that there were many unfamiliar new faces in the audience and the venue.
"In the first game, Feng Baobao, Liu Fang, Zhang Cai, and Guan Ling'er enter the court." Following the referee's loud voice, Feng Baobao and Tianjin Xiaotaoyuan entered the court in high spirits, ready to start their game.
Lin Yi did not focus all his attention on the field.
He took out more micro-robots from his personal space and carefully dispersed them into various corners and scenic spots of Longhu Mountain.
These micro-robots can quietly collect intelligence, monitor changes in the surrounding environment in real time, and provide Lin Yi with first-hand information.
Under Lin Yi's precise control, these robots were like invisible scouts, wandering around and exploring every corner.
It didn't take long for Lin Yi to notice something unusual.
In some hidden corners of Longhu Mountain that are rarely visited by people, micro-robots captured several fresh sets of footprints.
These footprints obviously do not belong to Longhu Mountain disciples or ordinary tourists, but were left by someone unintentionally.
Lin Yi immediately became alert, realizing that Quanxing's people might have begun to quietly invade Longhu Mountain.
"Lin Yi, Hu Jie, Thunder Dragon, and Wang Erdan enter." With the referee's loud voice, a new round of competition officially kicked off.
"Brother Lin, it's your turn to play." Zhuge Qing saw that Lin Yi seemed to be still deep in thought, so he gently touched him with his elbow and reminded him.
"Ah, I almost forgot about business." Lin Yi came back from his thoughts, smiled slightly, and then jumped lightly from the stands and landed steadily on the field.
In the audience, people started talking: "How come this guy Hu Jie came to participate in the Luotian Dajiao? It's really strange."
"Who says otherwise? Didn't he hate this form of competition the most before?" Someone immediately echoed.
Lin Yi stood in the field and looked at Hu Jie across from him. He still had some impressions of this man.
In the original work, Hu Jie gradually embarked on the path of self-destruction because of his obsession with Xia He, and even eventually killed his father with his own hands.
At this time, Hu Jie was in extremely poor condition, with deep dark circles under his eyes. He looked exhausted, as if he would collapse at any time.
He completely lacked the vitality and spirit that a foreigner should have. Instead, he looked more like an ordinary person who was addicted to smoking.
(End of chapter)