The host Yue Ran's words immediately set off a burst of laughter from the entire audience. However, when the person produced his identification and revealed the black belt on his waist, everyone fell silent. After a while, a series of exclamations of astonishment erupted!
"No way, 18 years old with a black belt? How young did he have to start training?"
"That's not quite right. What if he's a martial arts prodigy? Learning a bit later wouldn't be an issue."
"This is too terrifying. Do they really have to make the first match so dramatic?"
Xiao Chong stepped onto the stage with steady strides. Each step on the stairs emitted a deafening 'thump-thump' sound. His eyes maintained a sharp killing intent, seemingly undisturbed by the atmosphere of the venue!
Shen Lanni observed this person, her brow furrowed slightly, "You brats, this person will likely be your formidable opponent. You must understand that someone with a weak mindset, ridiculed like this on a stage watched by thousands, would probably lash out immediately. But he, not only is his stride steady and his breathing even, but his eyelids haven't even twitched. You few brats can't compare to this kind of presence."
"Coach, I think you missed one point. Look when he lifted his foot just now, the top of his foot wasn't very high off the step, yet he managed to produce such a soul-stirring sound. He probably knows some formidable internal martial arts!"
Peng Lin, naturally intelligent and agile, saw even more than Shen Lanni. Upon hearing this, Shen Lanni was greatly pleased. At least in terms of perception, her disciple was no worse than any other competitor. And in Taekwondo, perception was even more important than skill or brute force.
As they were speaking, from the Donglü City team's area, another person slowly walked out. It was Lin Feng. His physique was quite well-proportioned, and he moved as if treading on cloud somersaults, as if walking on wind. It seemed that, like Peng Lin, he favored an agile style.
When he stepped onto the stage and revealed the black belt on his waist, everyone present was even more astonished.
"Is this the Taekwondo genius of our Donglü City? Lin Feng?"
"That's right. I heard he's only 17 this year."
"No way, the first match is already a clash of titans. This is too exciting!"
The crowd chatted amongst themselves, and even the referee's stand was shaken.
"Old Zhu, how many years has it been since we've seen someone of this caliber in the youth division?"
The speaker's head was already bald, and he looked quite old, but his eyes were as sharp as a falcon's. This person was the chairman of the Donglü City Taekwondo Association, Chen Ji.
"At least ten years," Old Zhu's palms were covered in cold sweat, and he kept drinking hot water to relieve the pressure.
"Why are you so nervous?"
"A showdown between black belts in the youth division! How many times in one's life does one get to experience this? How can I not be excited?"
At this moment, the two on the stage clasped their fists in greeting, and the audience began to hold their breath. The overhead spotlights pierced the ring like divine light, creating a dazzling, almost otherworldly atmosphere, as if a battle between deities was about to unfold. As the beams of light separated, the host Yue Ran then shouted loudly, "Begin!"
As soon as the words fell, the two adjusted their positions, probing left and right. Lin Feng's fighting style was inherently technical, and he did not take the initiative to attack. Xiao Chong, after simple probing, immediately unleashed a series of high-difficulty single-leg kicks. The force was immense. Had Lin Feng not anticipated it, he might have already conceded a point to his opponent.
"Is this a battle between black belts? I can hardly imagine. If I were up there, I'd probably be lying down by now."
Peng Lin did not slacken his attention at all. Watching a black belt match at such close quarters was actually the best way to improve his skills.
"It's indeed terrifying. Every move is like a precision calculation. Even their probing attacks are restrained as much as possible, giving the opponent no chance to spot any weakness. It's truly suffocating."
Beside Peng Lin, a slightly taller young man named Gao Chenfei was the strongest in the team and the closest to achieving a black belt.
"Hey, don't sell yourself short. Perhaps after this competition, you too can join the ranks of black belts." As captain, Peng Lin naturally had to look out for his brothers.
"I hope so. Actually, I'm more curious, who were the contestants in the last youth division black belt showdown?"
As soon as Gao Chenfei finished speaking, he heard Zhou Long next to him say in a deep voice, with a hint of undisguised admiration, "That person is right here, close at hand. It's your coach."
"What! The coach is also an 18-year-old black belt?" Peng Lin's eyes flashed with immense admiration.
"No, to be precise, he should be a black belt third dan!"
A black belt third dan could be considered the peak for the youth division. How could this legendary figure, standing not far from him, not move him? Peng Lin became so excited that he spoke incoherently, and he continued to ask, "Then who was our coach's opponent back then?"
"That person was Leng Ziyu from Yufang City. It is said that she has also brought her team this time, but she hasn't appeared yet."
Peng Lin, purely through imagination, could already picture the earth-shattering battle of that year. As his mind was wandering, a series of kicks and blocks suddenly erupted from the ring!
Xiao Chong, relying on his powerful leg techniques, had already forced his opponent Lin Feng to the northeast corner of the ring. At this moment, the 3-minute timer ran out, which was a saving grace for Lin Feng.
"Too terrifying. Xiao Chong has a significant physical advantage. Lin Feng could only passively take hits in the first round. This situation isn't good."
"Indeed. Although I really hope Donglü wins, based on the current situation, that Xiao Chong is indeed a bit stronger."
The audience, during the break, began to discuss heatedly. Some of Lin Feng's fanatical audience members even covered their eyes, unwilling to watch. The audience members who came to see the流量明星 (traffic stars) didn't care about the match at all; their eyes were fixed on Yue Ran the entire time.
"Little fellows, have you figured anything out?"
Shen Lanni's voice was low and her expression was blank.
"Do I need to ask? It's a landslide victory," they all said in unison.
Just as Shen Lanni was about to continue, a person walked slowly up the aisle behind her, completely unnoticed. Their voice was not loud, but it was enough to cut her off.
"It seems your apprentice doesn't have much insight either." The speaker was a woman of similar age to Shen Lanni, dressed somewhat provocatively, with flirtatious eyes and a spring in her step. Her exposed, shapely legs were particularly captivating.
Upon seeing this person, Shen Lanni's face darkened instantly, and her voice turned cold, "Leng Ziyu, long time no see. Still as youthful and radiant as ever."
"What can I do? My man is fierce and strong, unlike you. You're still a single woman at this age. Women should seize their golden years, so they don't end up lamenting and complaining when they get old and their looks fade."
As soon as Leng Ziyu finished speaking, the man standing behind her glared condescendingly at Shen Lanni and her disciples, making a throat-slitting gesture of contempt.