A rival from an outside sect called Black Lotus, stepped forward with a smirk. "So be it. May I?"
The guests were immediately fired up, drawing the attention of the City Lord up ahead.
"Our celebrant is here to be celebrated not challenged. I demand you show him..." City Lord Xuan Wenzhou was about to stick up for Victor when he interrupted.
"Lord Wenzhou, it's fine. There's nothing wrong with a little friendly challenge," Victor was very welcoming of the current situation.
"Are you sure?" The City Lord inquired.
Victor nodded and then the City Lord gave instructions for the center of the hall to be cleared.
Tables and seating areas were moved to the edges to provide a large enough space for sparring.
A ring opened in the center of the banquet garden where the marble tiles gave way to raked sand and moonlight.
Palace masters raised a thin barrier to keep stray qi from flaying the hedges. The youth saluted with two fingers, then stepped into a flowing stance.
