He transformed from a fierce tiger pillar into a martial saint.

Just as Niu Xincai unleashed his killing intent once more, Chu Yang sensed it again.

He suddenly looked in Niu Xincai's direction.

However, Niu Xincai quickly concealed his gaze and turned to talk to his fellow apprentices beside him.

"I don't know that person, and I have no connection with him. Why does he harbor such intense murderous intent towards me?"

"However, no matter what, if I encounter this person, I will kill him!"

Chu Yang thought to himself.

Keeping someone who harbors murderous intent towards you in the shadows will only bring endless trouble.

Niu Xincai noticed that Chu Yang was no longer paying attention to him, and a gloomy expression appeared on his face.

"I can't let this kid know I intend to kill him yet. Otherwise, if I go on stage later and he's on guard and surrenders early, I might not have a chance to kill him!"

A sinister glint flashed in Niu Xincai's eyes.

Right now.

"The county magistrate has arrived!"

A loud voice rang out, its sound waves soaring to the sky, like thunder and drums, overwhelming the noise of the scene and instantly silencing everyone.

Everyone turned to look in the direction from which the sound came.

Chu Yang looked over and saw a gray-blue sedan chair carried by eight men appear in front of everyone in the distance.

Ahead of the eight-bearer sedan chair rode a tall and imposing man on horseback. It was none other than Xu Nianhong, the patrol chief of Zhouping County, a Grandmaster of the Transcendent Realm! He was in charge of all the patrolmen in Zhouping County!

The person who spoke just now was Xu Nianhong.

Eight constables, each with a sword at their waist, were also on either side and behind the sedan chair carried by eight men, exuding an aura of authority.

Upon arriving at Dingbotai, Xu Nianhong dismounted.

Chen Fengxiao, Wang Jin, Feng Ruhai, and all the others stood up.

They first bowed to Xu Nianhong as a greeting.

Although Xu Nianhong's cultivation level might not be as high as theirs, he was still a government official, so he was a different story.

Xu Nianhong didn't presume to do anything, and returned the greeting by bowing to the three owners.

The front curtain of the sedan chair carried by eight men had also been lifted.

A middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion, a long beard, and an air of refined elegance walked out.

That person was none other than Deng Huaitian, the magistrate of Zhouping County.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Everyone present bowed.

The crowd's eyes were filled with deep awe.

The current national situation is one of joint governance by the imperial court and the sects, with neither the imperial court nor the sects extending their influence to the prefectures and counties.

Within a prefecture or county, the county magistrate, in principle, holds the power of life and death over hundreds of thousands of people, as well as the authority over taxes, land, and corvée labor—all matters closely related to their survival.

Moreover, this county magistrate, though seemingly refined, actually holds a military post and is already a master of martial arts, possessing extremely profound strength.

Deng Huaitian naturally didn't need to pay much attention to ordinary people, but these three martial arts school masters were all Grandmasters of the Transcendent Realm, so they were a different story.

He said, "You three are too kind. Now that everyone is here, let's not waste any more time. Let's announce the rules and begin?"

Chen Fengxiao and the other two bowed and said, "We will follow your instructions, Your Excellency!"

Although their martial arts skills were comparable, Deng Huaitian's official rank was not to be underestimated, and the three masters naturally treated him with great respect.

Deng Huaitian waved his hand gently at Xu Nianhong.

Xu Nianhong nodded slightly and said loudly, "Today, the Dingbo Arena will determine the ownership of the Spirit Fish Pool. The winner will own the Spirit Fish Pool, and the loser must not try to contest it again; otherwise, they will be punished for the crime of causing chaos and stealing."

"Each martial arts school may send five Ming Jin disciples to fight in this competition. The number of participants is not fixed. The first match will be decided by drawing lots."

"If the first match is between Canglang Martial Arts School and Huxiao Martial Arts School, the winner will continue to fight Zhenjiang Martial Arts School to determine the winner, which is the second match. Regardless of the outcome of the Zhenjiang Martial Arts School match, they will then fight the loser of the first match in a third match. This cycle will continue for five rounds."

"During each battle, players cannot be substituted. After each battle, players may decide whether to substitute."

"One point for a win. Zero points for a draw. One point deducted for a loss."

"Finally, this is the last point. If the other party has already admitted defeat, and you continue to pursue them, you will be considered the loser and will be punished by the county government."

"Did everyone from the three martial arts schools participating in the competition hear me clearly?"

Xu Nianhong's voice was incredibly loud and clear, each note reaching the ears.

All the martial artists with the Ming Jin skill brought by the three martial arts schools responded.

According to the regulations, the number of these five Ming Jin disciples who will participate in the competition is not fixed.

But in reality, the strongest of their own disciples is at the peak of Ming Jin. How could they not use a disciple at the peak of Ming Jin? They would always choose the strongest among the Ming Jin disciples!

Immediately, one disciple from each of the three martial arts schools went up to draw lots.

Li Long was in charge of drawing lots at the Tiger Roar Martial Arts School.

The disciple from Canglang Martial Arts School who went up to draw lots was named Zhao Hongling. He was originally going to attempt the Dark Force breakthrough, but Wang Jin stopped him. Clearly, Wang Jin believed that Zhao Hongling was extremely strong among the peak Ming Force disciples.

As for the disciple from the Zhenjiang Martial Arts School who was in charge of drawing lots, his name was Jiao Xuejian. He had also originally intended to attempt to break through to the Dark Force realm, but was urgently stopped by Feng Ruhai, who ordered him to participate in the Dingbo Terrace battle first. His strength was beyond doubt.

A deputy constable from the county government office held up a jar of lots and asked the three of them to draw lots.

After the lottery was completed, the results were announced.

"The first match is between Canglang Martial Arts School and Zhenjiang Martial Arts School. Both sides have ten breaths to send their disciples onto the stage to begin the first ring battle!"

The deputy constable's voice was loud and clear.

Xu Nianhong, as the supervisor of the on-site competition, also nodded slightly.

Everyone from Tiger Roar Martial Arts School breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It's definitely an advantage that it's not the first match.

In this way, they can observe the situation of the people at Canglang Martial Arts School and Zhenjiang Martial Arts School and make various preparations as much as possible.

Soon, two people walked onto the stage.

The person who came from Canglang Martial Arts School was named Tang Yunxiao.

The person who came from the Zhenjiang Martial Arts School was named Mo Yunda.

Both of them were martial artists at the peak of the Ming Jin realm.

Tang Yunxiao and Mo Yunda each bowed in greeting.

Then, Tang Yunxiao said, "Mo Yunda, I heard that your Zhenjiang Leg Technique has reached the peak of minor mastery."

"Coincidentally, my Canglang Fist is also at the peak of the minor achievement stage, just half a step away from entering the major achievement stage."

"Now, I'll use your Zhenjiang leg skills as a whetstone!"

A fierce aura also blazed in Mo Yunda's eyes.

"Coincidentally, I have the same thought as you!"

"Today, I will use your martial arts school's proud Canglang Fist as the stepping stone for my Zhenjiang Leg Technique to reach its pinnacle!"

The two men were locked in a verbal battle, neither willing to back down.

Tang Yunxiao shouted, "Then let's see who's the real deal!"

After saying that, Tang Yunxiao moved swiftly and unleashed a powerful punch at Mo Yunda.