Chapter 487 - 486: A Clash of Titans?

Backstage at the stadium.

All thirty-one contestants were gathered in the resting area, waiting for the competition to begin.

Because they were rivals, no one spoke much. The atmosphere was heavy and quiet—completely opposite to the fiery cheers outside.

Fenric sat calmly, yet even from here, the noise of the audience carried through the walls.

"As expected of a national-level competition... lively doesn’t even begin to cover it. Noisy is more like it," he muttered with a faint smile.

Bored, he pulled out his phone and browsed idly. But even online, it was impossible to escape the tournament—every site, every video platform, every live stream was about today’s matches. Other news had been buried, leaving Fenric speechless.

Beside him, Xiao Ling’er frowned. Seeing his indifference, she couldn’t help but ask,

"Fenric, aren’t you nervous at all?"

"Nervous?"

He looked up in mild surprise, then smiled.

"What’s there to be nervous about?"

After countless battles in the Samsara Tower, big and small, his will had already been tempered like steel. A mere tournament was hardly enough to shake him.

Xiao Ling’er sighed.

"Fenric, I know you’re strong, but haven’t you heard the saying? Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit. You shouldn’t underestimate anyone."

Her tone carried faint disapproval. To her, Fenric’s attitude seemed arrogant—dangerously so.

Fenric studied her for a moment, then put his phone away.

"Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’ll take this seriously."

For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, he always felt a certain fondness toward Xiao Ling’er.

It wasn’t a desire. Fenric suspected it was a remnant of the body’s former owner, who had once harbored feelings for her. And so, through that lingering influence, she seemed especially agreeable to him.

But Xiao Ling’er only stared at his relaxed, almost slouching posture and thought bitterly:

That’s your idea of serious? Really?

Just then, a booming voice echoed across the stadium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the opening of the Martial Arts Conference! Thank you all for being here to witness the rise of new champions. Without further delay, I now declare the 177th Martial Arts Conference officially open!"

Cheers erupted, shaking the entire venue.

"Fenric, it’s starting!" Xiao Ling’er said excitedly. "Hurry, you’ll be drawing lots soon!"

The tournament used a lottery system to determine opponents.

Fenric nodded, standing up to follow her out. The other contestants were also filing toward the stage.

In the arena.

On the ring, the host raised his voice again after a round of grand speeches.

"As in previous years, we’ll use a lottery system.

Here is the box. Inside are thirty-one numbered balls. After drawing, the fighters will be paired—No. 1 versus No. 2, No. 3 versus No. 4, and so on.

Since there are thirty-one participants, one fighter will receive a bye in the first round. Whoever draws No. 31 will advance automatically!"

"Now then—let us welcome our thirty-one martial artists!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Thunderous applause filled the stadium.

"Fenric, go on!" Xiao Ling’er urged.

Fenric and the other contestants walked out from backstage into the blinding lights and roaring cheers.

Some fighters ascended the stage steadily. One young man vaulted up with an acrobatic flip, landing lightly on his feet. His flashy entrance drew deafening screams from the crowd.

"It’s Jin Yutian! Look, it’s Jin Yutian-oppa!"

"My Jinjin is the most handsome!"

"Ahhh, Jin Yutian, marry me!"

The fanatical cheers of young women rang out like a tidal wave. Many of the other contestants frowned at the ostentatious display, but Fenric only found it tedious.

Soon, all thirty-one stood assembled on the wide arena floor, with the host at the center. Despite the number, the ring felt far from crowded.

Raising his hands, the host signaled for silence, and the cheers gradually faded.

"These are the thirty-one representatives of our city. By the end, only three will remain—those who will move on to the provincial stage. No matter the outcome, I hope each of them achieves great results!"

"Now, let the lottery begin. Please step forward in order and draw a ball to determine your match."

One by one, the martial artists drew from the box.

Fenric’s number was 15. That meant his first opponent would be No. 16.

When the last ball was taken, the host announced loudly:

"The draw is complete. This system is fair and impartial. Contestants No. 1 and No. 2, please remain in the ring. The rest may hand your balls to the staff and return to rest until your match."

The crowd erupted in shock.

"What?! Those two are facing each other already?!"

"This is terrible—both are seeded players! No matter who loses, it’s a huge blow to our city’s chances!"

"Such bad luck... but that’s the lottery for you."

"Still, this fight will be amazing to watch!"

The audience buzzed with excitement.

The reason was simple: No. 1 and No. 2 had been drawn as Cao Wujin of the Cao family and Wang Chao of the Wang family!

Both were recognized seed players—favorites to win the entire city trial.

Yet fate had set them against each other in the very first round.

According to the rules of elimination, one of them was destined to fall here.

At the VIP table, several city leaders frowned.

But nothing could be done. The results were already decided, and with the eyes of the entire stadium watching, the organizers couldn’t interfere.

After all, the Martial Arts Conference prided itself on fairness and justice.