Three days passed quickly.


    These three days, Dragon Tiger Hall became especially lively. Such a situation has only urred when Dragon Tiger Hall first opened. After Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy set the time, Dragon Tiger Hall chose the location. Someone inside suggested to hold thepetition at Dragon Tiger Hall to gain the home ground advantage.


    However, Dragon Tiger Hall is not the kind of organization that likes to take advantage and certainly doesn''t want any excuse for criticism. After discussions, the final location was set in a sports arena. Over the past few days, the martial arts stage and viewing stands in the arena have been prepared. After a thorough check by both sides, confirming there were no issues, each party positioned personnel to guard the arena, preventing any unauthorized entries or actions that mightpromise the fairness of thepetition.


    Before thepetition began, Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy stirred up hype everywhere, inviting martial arts figures to watch the fight. If it was just a regr martial arts academy, few would pay attention. But, the opponent this time was Dragon Tiger Hall, sure to attract many interested spectators. Even Zhou Qian and Ren Han from the Martial Arts Association flew from Beijing to East Sea City to witness the sparring personally.


    Apart from the martial arts figures congregating from across the country in East Sea City, another piece of news spread among the crowd.


    "Hey! Have you heard? Old Sir Tong from Dragon Tiger Hall is sick and in aa, now Dragon Tiger Hall is leaderless, how do you think their chances of winning are?"


    "That ce called... Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy might be newly established, but their strength cannot be underestimated. I heard from a friend that the academy is full of experts, and the hall master is even a Heavenly List expert."


    "Is that for real? Where did so many Heavenly List expertse from? Are they worth so little nowadays that they''re running martial arts academies?"


    "Who knows, Huaxia is full of hidden talents; there are many experts; you just don''t know about them. You think everyone is like you, learning a few moves and thinking you''re invincible, wanting everyone to know how awesome you are. Hmph! Truly shallow."


    "No matter what, since Old Sir Tong is indisposed, Dragon Tiger Hall has lost a Heavenly List expert to oversee things; it''s likely difficult for them to beat that academy. I''d say Dragon Tiger Hall is in big trouble."


    For a time, everyone was talking about the odds for Dragon Tiger Hall and Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy. Surprisingly, there were even bets ced outside the arena; many martial arts enthusiasts ced wagers. With Tong Zhentian unable to attend, there were few betting on Dragon Tiger Hall; most had their hopes on Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy.


    Wednesday was the day of the battle between the two academies.


    Early in the morning, arge crowd of martial arts enthusiasts had gathered outside the arena, all hoping to get in early and secure a good seat.


    At eight o''clock, representatives from Dragon Tiger Hall and Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy opened the arena doors. Immediately, the martial arts spectators surged inside, filling the venue instantly. It should be known that the sports arena''s usual capacity during basketballpetitions is around fifteen hundred people. But the seats were instantly packed, showing the immense interest in thispetition.


    After the spectators arrived, they waited for about half an hour before Dragon Tiger Hall''s members got to the arena. Leading the team was He Ziyun, since Tong Zhentian and Ling Chen were both absent; he had to step forward as the deputy hall master. Dragon Tiger Hall deployed a small team of only ten, half of whom wereposed of the Eight entrics: Qiu Yong, Xu Ming, Yuan Yun, Zhang Zhongfeng, and Xia Yue. Yang Chen and Wei Jiahao, due to their moderate skills, were not included.


    For thispetition, these five were considered the main force; the others served as substitutes. Unfortunately, even though Dragon Tiger Hall had experts, few were truly reliable. Therefore, it was deemed safer to rely on Qiu Yong and his crew. They were trusted members, and given Qiu Yong''s strength, they might possibly secure a victory for Dragon Tiger Hall.


    Once everyone was seated, Qiu Yong nced at the spectators and asked, "Mr. He, why hasn''t Ling Cheng arrived yet?"


    "I don''t know either." He Ziyun chuckled bitterly, "I''ve informed him before that thepetition takes ce today. He told me he would return as soon as possible. But in thest few days, I''ve called him more than ten times yet couldn''t reach him; no idea where he''s wandered off to."


    "What should we do?" Yuan Yun asked anxiously, "We''re short-handed."


    The rules of today''spetition had long been set: best of five matches. Each side sends five members, with one representing Dragon Tiger Hall and Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy''s hall master. In essence, it''s a battle between hall masters, which is more a showdown between Heavenly List experts.


    It was precisely because of these rules that most spectators doubted Dragon Tiger Hall. Nevertheless, among the crowd, some did support Dragon Tiger Hall. After all, there were five matches; should Dragon Tiger Hall win three, they would im victory.


    Time ticked away; near nine o''clock, the people from Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy finally arrivedte. Seeing the team from the academy, He Ziyun and others sensed something foreboding. They weren''t unfamiliar with the leader; it turned out to be Chen Quan, a Heavenly List expert. Recently, Chen Quan had been causing trouble with Zhu Hong in East Sea City, creating nuisances for Ling Chen and hispanions. Since Zhu Hong''s disappearance, Chen Quan had vanished without a trace. Now, he somehow became the hall master of Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy—this change was quite drastic.


    ncing at Chen Quan, He Ziyun shifted his attention to the other members. This time, Chen Quan brought the same number of people, including middle-aged men in their thirties and youths in their twenties. These individuals seemed unfamiliar, never seen before. However, He Ziyun could sense an unusual aura from them.


    Too calm!


    For any skilled individual, there would be some fluctuation in emotions whenpeting. Yet, the opposing team maintained expressionless tranquility, like a well-trained army. Such people are undoubtedly the most terrifying.


    "Elder Qiu, what do you think?" He Ziyun asked.


    Qiu Yong scrutinized the opponents and responded solemnly, "These people... are not simple." Then, pondering for a moment, he said, "Second Brother, you''ll take the first round. How about that?"


    Xu Ming nodded, "Understood."


    The first match is crucial; neither Qiu Yong nor He Ziyun dared to be careless. Given their current circumstance, securing the first victory was necessary to boost morale. Among everyone, Xu Ming undoubtedly held the highest probability of winning.


    "Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion arrives!"


    Just then, a voice echoed from the arena entrance, immediately drawing everyone''s gaze.