Chapter 425 - 424: Drawing Lots
"Master Guo, is this your disciple? I’m really envious. All of my disciples are burly men, and you’ve managed to recruit such a delicate young lady. It’s enough to make anyone jealous."
The speaker was a tall middle-aged man. Although he expressed envy, his eyes carried mockery. He had heard early on about the Yin sect and knew that Master Guo possessed extraordinary skills. Who would have thought he’d take on such a young girl as a disciple? The other participants in the martial arts exchange won’t be so gentle. When this girl loses badly, who knows how many people will laugh at her?
Seeing this, Guo Ming couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and finally said, "Brother Wu, your disciples indeed can’t compare to my little disciple. When we meet at the exchange, you’ll see that our Yiyi will truly make you envious."
Hearing Guo Ming’s words, Wu Xiu choked, his face turning red with anger.
But those words of envy were his own, and at this moment, he really couldn’t find anything to say.
Seeing Wu Xiu’s red face, Guo Ming chuckled and continued walking forward with Yiyi.
Yiyi followed behind Guo Ming, unable to suppress a laugh.
Hearing the little disciple’s laughter, Guo Ming couldn’t help but glare at her and said, "You’re in the mood to laugh now? These people look down on you. You better fight for me and give their old men’s disciples a good beating."
Yiyi, hearing this, quickly promised, "Don’t worry, Master, I’ll do my utmost to knock them all down."
"As long as you have this awareness."
Guo Ming nodded in satisfaction and then added, "That old man we just met is Wu Xiu, the leader of the Wu Clan in Cangzhou. I heard his most prized young disciple is here for the exchange. I’ve seen that disciple once; his name is probably Feng Yingjie. If you end up grouped with him, thrash him for me to show that old man that my disciple is far better than his, make him envious."
"Okay, okay, Master, I’ll definitely remember what you said."
Yiyi hadn’t expected her master to get so angry because she was underestimated, and she felt a warm glow inside, thinking her master was quite endearing.
Afterward, Guo Ming introduced Yiyi to many people.
Thanks to Yiyi’s excellent memory, she had already remembered all those people.
After making the rounds, Yiyi finally got a chance to catch her breath and took a hefty sip of water.
At that moment, Xie Yuanzhou approached. Seeing Yiyi, he couldn’t help but ask, "Has Master Guo taken you around yet?"
Yiyi nodded.
"The people here for the exchange this time are no joke. You must be careful."
Hearing this, Yiyi glanced at Xie Yuanzhou and then said, "Okay, I understand. Thank you for the reminder."
"What are you two whispering about here?"
Before Yiyi and Xie Yuanzhou could say much, Wen Lin and his sibling approached.
Spotting his friend, Xie Yuanzhou calmly said, "Nothing much, we were just chatting."
Wen Lin, hearing this, didn’t inquire further, only saying, "Later, the martial arts exchange will officially begin. Let us know which number you draw, so we know whom we’re up against."
"Alright."
Xie Yuanzhou nodded directly.
Yiyi nodded along, since everyone knew each other, it was no issue to share numbers. Besides, knowing her opponent in advance would help her prepare.
At 3:30 in the afternoon, a person in charge stepped to the front, beamed, gave an opening speech, and finally announced loudly, "The third martial arts exchange officially begins. Now, contestants, please proceed to draw your numbers."
Hearing this, Yiyi stood up immediately and walked to the front with the group.
All the numbers were placed in a box, and each person would draw one. There were fifty contestants, which perfectly made up twenty-five groups, so the numbers ranged from one to twenty-five, with two slips for each number. If two people drew a ’one,’ they’d be the first to compete.
When it was Yiyi’s turn, she casually drew a slip and opened it. It was an ’eight.’
After a glance, Yiyi returned directly to her seat.
Seeing his little disciple return, Guo Ming quickly asked, "Which number did you draw?"
"Number eight."
Hearing this, Guo Ming nodded and said, "Your number is neither too early nor too late, not bad. Finish early, and you can watch others compete; it’s quite good."
After everyone finished drawing their numbers, the person in charge announced loudly, "Since everyone is done, please return to rest. Tomorrow morning at seven, the martial arts exchange will officially begin, and those who drew number one will compete first."
After saying this, the person dismissed the crowd.
Guo Ming stood up, planning to take his little disciple to dinner.
However, the Xie family trio approached, with Xie Yongchao smiling broadly as he asked, "Brother Guo, which number did Yiyi draw?"
Guo Ming, not one to hide, directly replied, "Number eight."
"Number eight, that’s in the same group as Yuanzhou. We might see each other in the finals. I’m looking forward to seeing how you two young ones perform. Do your best tomorrow."
Guo Ming, hearing this, laughed and said, "Yes, we’ll meet in the finals."
Hearing Guo Ming’s confident reply, Xie Yongchao couldn’t help but smile.
As they conversed, the Wen siblings came over, accompanied by a refined-looking middle-aged man. Seeing Xie Yongchao, the man greeted with a smile, "Brother Xie, what number did you draw?"
In response, Xie Yongchao said, "Yuanzhou drew number thirteen, what about you? I heard Little Tao is participating this time. Is she ready?"
"Little Tao has been ready for a while; she drew number eight. Seems our families won’t be opponents this round."
Hearing this, Xie Yongchao couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and then smiled, "So Little Tao and Yiyi are in the same group; Yiyi also drew number eight."
Upon hearing this, Wen Tao glanced at Yiyi, a glint in her eyes. If the opponent was this girl before her, she might have an easier match.
Yiyi hadn’t expected to face Wen Tao in the first round, but it didn’t matter who the opponent was, she’d put full effort into facing each one.
Hearing his friend’s words, Wen Hong’an couldn’t help but look at Yiyi and curiously asked, "Who is this?"
Wen Lin quickly explained, "Dad, this is Ding Yiyi, the disciple of Master Guo I’ve told you about from the Yin sect."
"Ah, the prized disciple of Master Guo. Seems our Little Tao has a tough battle ahead." Wen Hong’an smiled warmly and urged his daughter to greet Yiyi.