Qin Shuang nodded vigorously and walked toward Arena 79. Following his assigned number, Shen Bai found Arena 38.
Two members of the Demon Suppression Bureau and another man already stood on the stage. The man wore a long gown and exuded a refined, cultured aura. He held a writing brush in his left hand and a book in his right, dressed in the traditional garb of a Scholar. Seeing Shen Bai approach the arena, he let out a soft sigh.
"To think I'd run into him in the very first round."
No one wanted to face Shen Bai. However, the numbers were arranged according to their respective strengths, leaving the man with no choice but to accept his fate. Once Shen Bai stepped onto the stage, the man cupped his hands in greeting.
"I am Changsun Xuan, a disciple of the Hard Reading Sect from Great Qi Country. Greetings, Brother Shen."
Shen Bai returned the gesture. "Greetings, Brother Changsun."
