"He could beco the new Sitting Hall Leader if he keeps winning until the end."
Li San’s words surprised Wu, "Does Hongn really have such a rule, selecting the leader based on fighting prowess?"
Li San laughed, "You’re oversimplifying it. If you truly have everyone’s support, you could beco the Sitting Hall Leader even without any knowledge of martial arts. But if you can’t win their approval, even being the strongest in the world won’t get you that position."
Wu asked, "Then why have this rule?"
Li San replied, "The position of leader isn’t sothing you can just claim by saying so, it requires more than half of the people’s agreent."
True to Li San’s words, soone took the lead and said, "I agree."
The person was a Hall Master from the Arican Hongn, eligible to vote.
"I agree."
"I agree."
"..."
The Hongn elite present voiced their agreent, with most consenting to Bai Tao taking the leadership position.
At this point, Wu understood Li San’s point; without the crowd’s support, even if one had the greatest martial arts skills, they wouldn’t even qualify to light the incense—what was there to fight for?
Bai Tao had been preparing for this day for a decade, so he easily secured a majority of the votes.
"Alright, since that’s the case, Bai Tao of Hongn Zhigong Hall, today you shall pay respects to the forefathers of Hongn!"
Bai Tao’s voice bood like a bell, resonating through the vast hall.
After speaking, he lit the incense in his hand, bowed respectfully three tis, then placed the incense into the incense burner.
As Bai Tao paid his respects, everyone in the venue stood up, their expressions solemn, as a sign of respect.
Once the ceremony was completed, Bai Tao turned to face the crowd, "Which master wishes to offer guidance?"
The burning incense could last at least half an hour, and while a match between two experts could be decided in re seconds, with continuous challengers over half an hour, winning until the end would be nearly impossible!
However, the forefathers of Hongn set up this challenge not rely as a test of individual strength. If truly popular, it’s entirely possible that no one would challenge him within half an hour, allowing a victory without a fight; but if one couldn’t convince everyone, then they would indeed need to rely on their genuine strength to pass this test.
Beforehand, Bai Tao’s relationships and reputation weren’t enough to guarantee a victory without fighting, and lacking confidence in his strength, he had been biding his ti until now, when he reached the Grandmaster Realm and called the family eting to apply for the leadership position.
After becoming a Grandmaster, Bai Tao’s confidence soared, believing that even if every capable opponent from opposing factions ca at him, he could still win in the end!
"Perhaps I should be the one to test Bai Hall Master’s technique."
The voice that rose was Wu’s!
Bai Tao looked at Wu and frowned slightly, "Master Wu, this is an internal matter for Hongn. If you want to spar with , we can arrange another ti, but not now."
"Master Wu, this selection of the Sitting Hall Leader is a major event for us in Hongn, don’t ss around!" a Hall Master, clearly supportive of Bai Tao, spoke threateningly.
On this occasion, with all the prominent figures of Hongn present, and picking the Sitting Hall Leader being one of the most important events for Hongn, if Wu caused a disturbance in front of everyone, it could be seen as an insult to all of Hongn, and regardless of their past relationships with Wu, none of the present leaders would tolerate it.
Li San looked anxiously at Wu, repeatedly wanting to call him back.
Organizations like Hongn hold their rules in highest regard, and all mbers take the three-knife six-hole oath before joining. If Wu genuinely provoked all of Hongn today, even if Li San had a good relationship with him, he would have to act to defend Hongn’s honor.
Wu ignored the Hall Master and continued looking at Bai Tao, "A year ago, I encountered Bai Hall Master, and he demonstrated his Innate Gang Qi, which greatly shocked ."
Bai Tao asked, "What are you trying to say?"
Wu responded, "Today, I too have achieved Innate Gang Qi, even advancing a step further. Overjoyed, yet I often lant not finding a worthy opponent."
This statent made everyone look strangely at each other, as Wu’s words seed rather arrogant.
So people showed disdain, wanting to rebuke, but on second thought, since Wu started competing, he hadn’t faced a single defeat!
Furthermore, the opponents Wu had defeated were not nobodies but famous, strong competitors; such a flawless record was indeed beyond reproach.
Hearing Wu’s words, Bai Tao’s expression also changed, becoming more serious.
As Wu finished his statent, his aura seed to change, giving off an indescribable sense of pressure. It wasn’t his Fist Intent but an aura molded by his repeated victories.
I have never been defeated and can’t find an opponent!
When soone sincerely makes such a claim, the force of their presence is imaginable.
"Bai Hall Master."
Wu continued, "The mont I saw you today, I confird sothing."
Bai Tao inquired, "What?"
Wu declared, "You are qualified to be my opponent."
Bai Tao: "..."
Honestly, ever since Bai Tao had beco the Hall Master of the Hongn Zhigong Hall, he hadn’t heard such words, but now they surprisingly seed correct...
Wu explained, "My challenging you before you beco the Sitting Hall Leader isn’t out of disrespect for Hongn. On the contrary, if you really beco the Sitting Hall Leader and I challenge you then, that would truly be disrespecting Hongn!"
"..."
There was a mont of silence before the crowd grasped Wu’s aning, and there was an uproar:
Battling you now ans Hongn only loses a Hall Master, but if I waited until you beca the Sitting Hall Leader, then it’s the leader of Hongn who loses, and that’s far more embarrassing!
That was Wu’s logic, so his current challenge was out of respect for Hongn.
"Of course, since Bai Hall Master is hosting the Hongn family gathering, my sudden challenge is indeed sowhat rude. As compensation, if Bai Hall Master can defeat , I am willing to offer 40% of my shares in Hua Jian Security as a congratulatory gift," Wu further stated.
The room buzzed again; everyone knew how well Hua Jian Security had been doing recently. It had monopolized the security services for the entire Southern F Chinese community and was even expanding further, likely to secure the entire African security market in the future!
Such a promising company, and Wu was willing to offer 40% of his shares as restitution, truly showing his sincerity, of course, provided that Bai Tao could win.
Bai Tao, looking at Wu, laughed in anger.
Wu had put it in such a way that, at least superficially, he hadn’t offended all of Hongn, just Bai Tao himself, and if he now refused to fight, he might as well forget about becoming the Sitting Hall Leader.
"Very well, since you’re so eager to be defeated, I’ll grant your wish!"
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