"Marquis Envoy, what does your country’s Shi Ang mean by this? Is he withdrawing from the competition?"
Aboard the Tower Ship, Duke Jing frowned slightly.
"Not at all."
The Shi Country Imperial Envoy was not surprised by this and shook his head.
Duke Jing said, "If he is not withdrawing, what does he intend by questioning the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion at this moment?"
"You speak too gravely, Duke Jing."
The Shi Country Imperial Envoy said in a deep voice, "Shi Ang is not questioning the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion. He merely wishes to change the rules to decide the final winner faster and more efficiently. This will save everyone time."
The Duke of Zhong said with a chuckle, "There is no need to be anxious, Duke Jing. Why don’t we hear what brilliant idea this young man has."
In fact, to ensure the efficiency of the martial arts discussion, a total of five Martial Arts Discussion Platforms had been set up in the training grounds.
Aside from the Golden Platform in the very center, four secondary platforms had been constructed at each of the four corners.
Even the secondary platforms at the corners were as wide as a small fortress wall, extremely spacious. They were paved with single, massive bluestone slabs thirty feet square, with no railings on the edges.
This allowed for five pairs, ten True Master Martial Dao, to compete simultaneously.
At this moment, Shi Ang soared into the air, descending upon the central Golden Platform like a roaming dragon. He completely ignored the True Master Martial Dao present, instead looking up at the people on the Tower Ship in mid-air and slowly said:
"My, Shi Ang’s, opponents are the Pill Dao Prodigies of the entire Divine Land, the peak True Masters from all corners of the world! These True Master Martial Dao present, who are barely a hundred years old, are like three-year-old children in my eyes. Not a single one is worthy of being my opponent!"
In truth, everyone knew that since Shi Ang had cultivated a Golden Core Phenomenon, none of the participating Martial Artists present were a match for him.
But to say these words in public was too grating. It sounded extremely arrogant and was full of provocation.
Many of the Wu Dynasty’s True Master Martial Dao secretly frowned, feeling indignant.
Mo Tang suddenly spoke, their tone calm, "Whether we are opponents or not is something we’ll only know after we fight."
"Of course we will fight, but one-on-one duels are too troublesome."
Shi Ang glanced around, raised his hand, and pointed to a group of the remaining participating Martial Artists, saying coldly, "All of you, come at me together. I’ll take you all on alone."
The moment his voice fell, the entire crowd was in an uproar. Inside and outside the training grounds, everyone’s expression changed!
One against a hundred?
This was simply too arrogant!
The Duke of Ding said slowly, "Shi Ang, this is not a matter to be trifled with."
"Your courage is all too small."
A cold smirk played on Shi Ang’s lips as he raised his voice, "If one doesn’t possess the absolute strength to sweep aside all peers and face many alone, how can they be called the First True Master! Dueling one-on-one with this bunch of three-year-olds is nothing but a waste of my time."
"Fuck, he’s looking down on us way too much!"
"Exactly, he’s too arrogant!"
"Let’s go up together and fight him! Two fists are no match for four hands. I don’t believe his strength alone can suppress dozens of us True Master Martial Dao!"
Many of the Martial Artists in the training grounds couldn’t stand it anymore. Their Blood Qi surged, and they shouted loudly in anger.
True Master Martial Dao under a hundred years old were all hot-blooded.
Moreover, the Wu Dynasty revered the Martial Dao. How could this group of Martial Artists endure Shi Ang’s repeated provocations and ridicule?
Duke of Zhen, Xiao Lie, spoke up, "The young man has a point."
"Indeed."
The Duke of Ding nodded slightly and said, "Since only one winner can be chosen from each group, his arrangement is indeed the most efficient. The fights will also be more intense and suspenseful."
"This old minister also thinks it is acceptable."
The Duke of Zhong turned to Qin Shiyue on her high seat and asked with a smile, "What does Your Highness think?"
Qin Shiyue gazed at the clamor below, her expression somewhat dazed. She was reminded of an old story her father had told her when she was a child.
This scene before her felt familiar.
Except today, she was on the side being challenged.
"What does Your Highness think?"
Seeing that Qin Shiyue was distracted and seemed not to have heard him, the Duke of Zhong couldn’t help but frown inwardly and asked again.
Qin Shiyue suddenly came back to her senses. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded and said, "This is fine as well."
Daoist Monarch Tian Yuan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke, "In that case, the rules for this Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion must be changed."
"What brilliant idea does Elder Tian Yuan have?"
Qin Shiyue asked.
Daoist Monarch Tian Yuan said coolly, "The original first rule of the discussion was one-on-one duels, stopping once a victor is clear. Harming a person’s life was forbidden, and violators would forfeit.
But the current duel is one against many. In this situation, it is difficult to ensure control over the force and measure of one’s strikes. If one holds back, their hands will be tied, and they will be unable to display their true strength.
Therefore, I believe the rules of the discussion can be completely loosened. Let’s change it to no holds barred!"
Qin Shiyue’s heart trembled, and her shapely brows furrowed slightly.
Once it becomes no holds barred, this martial arts discussion will surely see injuries and deaths.
The Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion was originally for the Wu Dynasty to select talent. If there were numerous casualties, the losses would outweigh the gains.
"Elder Tian Yuan speaks with reason."
"Exactly. In one-on-one duels, it’s easy to control one’s measure, but for one against many, changing it to no holds barred is more reasonable."
"To reach the pinnacle of the Martial Dao, one must rise on the Golden Platform. If they are held back, it’s truly meaningless. It’s better to let them fight without restraint, to hone their techniques and Martial Dao on the brink of life and death. Even in defeat, they will gain something."
Before Qin Shiyue could speak, the Duke of Zhong, the Duke of Zhen, and the Duke of Ding all voiced their approval.
The Imperial Envoys from the several countries also chimed in with their agreement.
The Duke of Jing remained silent.
He could clearly feel the subtle shift that had occurred on the Tower Ship.
Although Qin Shiyue was the esteemed King Wu, and this was the Wu Dynasty...
...after the arrival of Daoist Monarch Tian Yuan, Qin Shiyue could no longer control the situation.
The one who had just spoken was Daoist Monarch Tian Yuan. His status, position, Cultivation, and combat prowess were beyond question. He was also one of the chief arbiters of martial affairs. With so many people present agreeing, how could Qin Shiyue object?
What’s more, what Daoist Monarch Tian Yuan said did indeed make sense.
Since they had agreed to let Shi Ang fight one against many, they couldn’t place too many restrictions on him.
This time, Qin Shiyue was silent for a long time.
After a long moment, she finally nodded and said, "We shall do as Elder Tian Yuan says."
Once the matter was settled, the streets and alleys outside the training grounds erupted into a frenzy.
For the spectators, a no-holds-barred match was naturally more exciting and spectacular to watch.
And with Shi Ang fighting one against many, it was sure to be more intense than one-on-one duels!
But the expressions of the participating Martial Artists inside the training grounds were all somewhat grim.
No holds barred meant that the slightest mistake could put their lives in danger!
This was no longer a simple martial arts discussion and exchange.
It was a battle of life and death!
Lu Bai narrowed his eyes slightly, a thoughtful look on his face. ’This Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion is starting to go sour.’
"Who among you wishes to challenge me?"
Shi Ang stood in the middle of the Golden Platform, looking at the ninety-nine Martial Artists from his group.
As soon as his voice fell, a young man immediately flew onto the Golden Platform and performed a clasped-fist salute.
"I am Du Yi, a late-stage Golden Core..."
But before the man could finish, Shi Ang cut him off with a wave of his hand, saying, "No need for nonsense. I don’t want to know, nor is there any need."
"You!"
Du Yi’s Blood Qi rushed to his head. He glared with fury and instantly drew his sword.
Before a martial arts discussion, it was customary etiquette to salute one another and state one’s name and affiliation.
He had treated Shi Ang with courtesy, but never expected to be so thoroughly humiliated. How could he possibly swallow this insult?