This was the first time in history the Martial Heaven Grand Ritual had been halted mid-competition. In a way, Luo Xiu had just made history.

It couldn't be helped. The circumstances were just that special.

After stepping down from the Combat Stage, Luo Xiu was led by Liu Jianghu toward the judges' bench.

As they walked, Luo Xiu asked, "What's going on?"

Liu Jianghu looked at Luo Xiu, a bitter smile on his face.

He had probably guessed the reason, but he didn't know how to explain it to Luo Xiu.

"Let's go hear what the judges have to say first."

"..."

A moment later, they arrived at the judges' bench.

Luo Xiu faced the elders and asked, "So, what you're saying is... the outcome of the Martial Heaven Grand Ritual isn't decided by personal strength, but by you judges?"

Just moments before, Luo Xiu had found out why the competition was suddenly halted. Apparently, the way he won was too simple—crude, even—and it had provoked some unfavorable reactions.

"This so-called competition is just a fight, plain and simple, right? The winner is the one left standing. What's the problem with how I did that?"

The judges looked at each other, all rendered speechless.

After a moment, one of the judges laughed helplessly and spoke. "Well... Luo Xiu, look, the Martial Heaven Grand Ritual is a top-tier event broadcast to a national, and even international, audience. Because of that, there are a lot of factors at play. The most important factor is conveying a positive message to the audience and promoting the spirit of our Hua Country's Martial Way.

"But your fighting style... sigh. Please don't be offended, but to anyone watching, it looks like a common street brawl. This event is being broadcast live nationwide. A scene like that is... inappropriate."

Luo Xiu was at a loss for words.

Liu Jianghu, who was standing nearby, quickly interjected, "Judges, esteemed leaders, you have my word. This will not happen again."

Luo Xiu added, "In my future matches, I will try to be more... elegant."

Only then did the judges nod in satisfaction.

Afterward, Luo Xiu and Liu Jianghu returned to the rest area.

Still shaken, Liu Jianghu wiped the sweat from his forehead as they walked. "That was close. I really thought they were going to disqualify you."

With a pained expression, Luo Xiu remarked, "I bet if the goddess Guanyin herself came down to get something done, she'd still have to go around toasting these leaders before they'd let her. Every one of them acts like a gentleman in public, but who knows what kind of dirty deeds they've done behind the scenes?"

Liu Jianghu shook his head with a smile. "Anyway, just be more careful from now on. Like you said, try to be more elegant. After all, elegance never goes out of style."

"..."

After a pause of nearly half an hour, the competition resumed.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Luo Xiu once again stepped onto the Combat Stage.

The top fighter of the Zhucheng Martial Association held a three-section staff, staring sharply at Luo Xiu like a hunter eyeing his prey.

「Meanwhile, in the rest area of the Sea City Martial Association.」

Feng Xi watched Luo Xiu on the Combat Stage and commented, "Looks like this Luo Xiu has some skill after all."

Su Quan, however, was full of disdain. "Skill? What skill? Don't forget, the two substitutes from the Zhucheng Martial Association were only at the mid-stage of Body Refinement."

Ren Xuan nodded. "If it were me, I could have easily kicked them off the stage too." He added, "Besides, you can tell Luo Xiu doesn't know any real martial arts. He only uses simple punches and kicks, fighting like a street punk. He doesn't have the skill to face an opponent head-on, so he has to rely on cheap tricks and sneak attacks to win."

Su Quan nodded, pleased. "It seems your insight has improved a lot, Xuan. Your words were right on the mark."

Ren Xuan replied modestly, "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Master."

Su Quan laughed. "Just you wait. When he faces the top fighter from the Zhucheng Martial Association, Luo Xiu won't have such an easy time."

Ren Xuan said, "A street punk like him can only bully the weak. The moment he faces someone truly strong, he'll be the one taking a beating."

"..."

While the three of them were busy critiquing Luo Xiu, the two martial artists on the Combat Stage had already started to move.

The three-section staff in the Zhucheng fighter's hands became a dazzling blur, WHIRRING through the air. It was clear he was no amateur. He wielded the three-section staff with sublime skill!

But to Luo Xiu, it was just slow. Pathetically so.

However, to appease the judges and the national audience, Luo Xiu could only put on a show of taking it seriously. He feigned caution, but his dodges were completely casual.

After nearly ten minutes of this cat-and-mouse game, the situation hadn't changed. Luo Xiu was still dodging, and the Zhucheng fighter was still attacking. To outsiders, it looked as though Luo Xiu could only defend passively, so overwhelmed that he had no room to counterattack.

Back in the rest area, Su Quan laughed. "See? Just like I said. Facing this mid-stage Embrace Qi fighter from Zhucheng, he's clearly struggling."

Ren Xuan also smiled. "Seeing him like this, I doubt he'll last much longer."

"..."

Time ticked by.

「Half an hour later.」

On the Combat Stage, Luo Xiu was still dodging, not even flushed or out of breath. He looked as composed as when he'd first stepped onto the stage. In contrast, the Zhucheng fighter was drenched in sweat, so exhausted he could hardly catch his breath.

"Hey... are you ever going to stop?" the Zhucheng fighter finally snapped, stopping his attack to stare at Luo Xiu with a bitter expression. "Can't you counterattack? What's the point of just dodging?"

At first, he'd thought his three-section staff techniques were so formidable that Luo Xiu had no choice but to dodge passively. But gradually, he realized that Luo Xiu was just toying with him! He had executed all of his Unique Arts over and over, yet he still hadn't managed to touch even a thread of Luo Xiu's clothing.

At the judges' bench, the judges all wore expressions of sheer frustration.

Luo Xiu has to be doing this on purpose! He's deliberately dragging this out just to make us sit under this blazing sun even longer. This summer sun is brutal...

"Are you going to fight or not?" Luo Xiu asked, looking at the Zhucheng fighter.

The Zhucheng fighter, gasping for breath, gave a sudden fierce glare and charged at Luo Xiu, swinging his three-section staff.

Luo Xiu immediately took a wide step and settled into a stance, making a conscious effort to move elegantly.

The instant the Zhucheng fighter charged, Luo Xiu snatched the three-section staff from his hands.

A moment later, the Zhucheng fighter was on the ground, twitching. He was covered in bruises, his face swollen into a pulp.

Luo Xiu looked down at him indifferently, then casually tossed the three-section staff aside.

"*This* is how you use a three-section staff. Did you learn anything?"

...

After confirming that the Zhucheng fighter was unable to continue, the referee declared Luo Xiu the winner.

With this, Luo Xiu's solo challenge was successful, winning 9 points for the Henghai Provincial City Martial Association!

When Luo Xiu stepped off the stage, Lin Xiyue and the other teammates from the Provincial Capital Martial Association swarmed him, excitedly talking about celebrating tonight.

"Hahaha, you're really something else, Luo Xiu!"

"It looks like we'll just be riding your coattails to an easy victory this time!"

"..."

On the other side of the rest area, Su Quan stood up with a cold sneer.

"Someone who only relies on petty tricks like him is a disgrace to all Martial Artists! He doesn't dare to fight head-on, waiting until his opponent is exhausted before making a move. What's there to see in a fight like that?

"Xuan, if you face him tomorrow, you must end it quickly!"

Ren Xuan looked in Luo Xiu's direction with a disdainful smile.

"Don't worry, Master. I'm not as foolish as that fighter from Zhucheng. I won't be played for a fool by a punk who only knows petty tricks. Just wait and see how I deal with Luo Xiu tomorrow!"

"..."

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