Lan Fuozi was standing beside the competition platform with a cold expression. She didn't go to the resting area as she didn't want to see nor speak to that man. She was a cultured young woman, but for some reason, she could never keep her own temper in check in his presence.
Will he win today? Hmph, there's no way he'll win!
Lan Fuozi was viciously cursing a certain somebody in her heart.
"Atchoo!"
In the resting area, Tang Wulin sneezed before casting a resigned gaze outside. There was someone cursing him! With his level of spiritual power, he was able to sense some of the thoughts directed toward him.
Qiangu Zhangting was seated with his eyes closed on a sofa some distance away from him. In reality, all of the other competitors in their group were mere spectators as both Tang Wulin and Qiangu Zhangting had eight victories from eight matches, which meant that no one else had a chance to progress.
Having already faced the two of them in battle, all of the other competitors in the group were well aware of how powerful they were.
Qiangu Zhangting's performance had drawn much admiration from them, whereas Tang Wulin inspired a sense of awe and veneration. After all, Tang Wulin had been far more brutal and violent than Qiangu Zhangting in his matches.
This clash between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Coiling Dragon Staff was going to be a vital battle, and it had been scheduled to be the first match of the day, which was why the entire sports stadium was already packed to the rafters.
Everyone was looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime clash.
Both of the competitors were very young yet extremely powerful, and they were clearly en route to reaching the pinnacle of this continent, so it was quite a treat to be able to witness a battle between them.
"Welcome to the Bright City Sports Stadium, everyone; I'm sure we've all been waiting for this matchup for a very long time. Indeed, this is a once-in-a-lifetime battle, as well as a clash between the two most powerful competitors in the third group. It's been widely speculated that the likeliest candidate to be chosen by the Silver Dragon Princess will arise from this third group, and I'm sure I don't need to introduce the two competitors for this first battle. Before we begin the match, allow me to remind everyone of the rules of this event.
"Following this final round of the round-robin stage, the top competitor of each group will progress to form the final 10, among which Silver Dragon Princess Gu Yuena will choose one to become her lover. Prior to her selection, each of those 10 competitors will have a chance to display what they have to offer her, and they can also present gifts to Gu Yuena to win her heart. The chosen one in the end will undoubtedly be immensely fortunate, and we're all looking forward to seeing who that lucky man will be.
"Now then, the top competitor of the third group is about to be decided in this upcoming match. Will the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon stun the opponent with an electrifying display, or will the Coiling Dragon Staff sweep aside everything in its path? Keep your eyes peeled and make sure you don't miss a single detail, everyone!"
The commentary successfully stirred up all of the excited spectators, and applause and cheers rang out like a volcanic eruption.
The light in the sports stadium began to dim; even though it was still in the morning, the advanced technology in the stadium was able to simulate a night-like environment.
Two pillars of scintillating light then erupted from either side of the competition platform, illuminating a pair of figures that stood at the end of two different passageways.
The cheering crescendoed to a peak at the sight of the two stars of the show.
Tang Wulin was standing on the left, while Qiangu Zhanting was situated on the right, and even though they couldn't see each other with the huge competition platform between them, they could sense one another's auras.
Qiangu Zhangting was wearing his usual set of white robes, looking very dashing with a bright and piercing light in his eyes.
Yu Longyue also didn't appear to be any different from his normal self, and his chin was slightly tilted upward as an expression of pride and confidence.
"Yu Longyue, Yu Longyue, Yu Longyue!" Even though there were more banners with Qiangu Zhangting's name, there were clearly more people cheering on Yu Longyue.
The supporters for both sides were beginning to compete with one another, screaming the name of the one they supported with all their might.
"Let's welcome our two competitors into the stadium."
The pillars of light began to move as Tang Wulin and Qiangu Zhangting strode onto the competition platform from either side. This was most likely going to be the final battle in this joust for a spouse event for both of them. Once they made it into the top 10, Gu Yuena would have the right to challenge them to examine their abilities, but there was no guarantee that she would exercise that right.
As such, it was very likely that this would be the last chance they would get to display their powers during this competition.
Even as Tang Wulin walked onto the platform, his gaze was still focused on the rostrum. Even though he couldn't see her, he could sense that she was there.
A faint smile appeared on his face, and he completely ignored Qiangu Zhangting as he waved toward the rostrum.
At this point, the protective barrier had already risen up, thereby keeping out the voice of the commentator.
"Wow, look at that, everyone; Yu Longyue is waving toward the rostrum with a very confident smile, and what a captivating smile that is! It seems that he thinks very highly of his own chances here! However, a show of bravado like this is a little arrogant; is he not afraid that he'll leave Gu Yuena with a bad impression?" As an event organized by the Spirit Pagoda, the commentator's bias was beginning to show despite the supposed stance of impartiality.
Gu Yuena had naturally also seen Tang Wulin smile, and despite how well she knew him, she couldn't understand why he was smiling at a time like this.
Even though he was in disguise, she could sense that the smile on Tang Wulin's face was completely genuine.
For an instant, she found herself mesmerized by his smile. This was indeed a captivating smile!
The reason behind Tang Wulin's smile stemmed from his confidence in Gu Yuena's love for him. In that instant, he sensed the golden dragon scale hanging around Gu Yuena's neck, which was the reverse scale that she had removed back when he was in his Golden Blood Dragon state.
That's right, she had constantly been wearing his golden dragon scale. No matter how much she had tried to distance herself from him, she was still unable to deny her own feelings.
It was exactly because Tang Wulin had felt all of this that his smile was so genuine and exuberant.
His confidence was at an all-time high, and although Qiangu Zhangting's expression remained unchanged, he was fuming internally at the sight of Tang Wulin's cocky display.
Qiangu Zhangting harrumphed coldly, and his voice was only audible to Tang Wulin on the competition platform.
Tang Wulin's brows furrowed slightly as he finally cast his gaze toward his opponent. "Can you shut your noisy mouth?"
Qiangu Zhangting said in a cold voice, "You can talk trash now, but I'll show you who's more worthy of being her man."
Tang Wulin smiled, and said, "I don't need you to show me that; I already know that it's me."
Qiangu Zhangting chuckled coldly, but offered no response, clearly not wishing to engage Tang Wulin in a war of words.
At this moment, their battle was being broadcast all over the entire Douluo Federation. The Spirit Pagoda was promoting the clash as much as possible in order to increase the influence of this joust for a spouse event.
"Please get ready; the match is about to begin," the referee declared.
At Tang Wulin and Qiangu Zhangting's level, there was nothing to prepare; all of the preparations had already been made prior to the match.