[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-roaring-dragon":3,"chapter-the-roaring-dragon-the-roaring-dragon-chapter-87":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Roaring Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2281943,4463,"Chapter 87: I","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-87",87,"\u003Cp>Under the gaze of thousands, a lifelike Grand Sun Official stood at the center of the circular platform, pointing toward the distant, faintly glowing heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the opening had raised expectations too high, the sudden sight of this grotesque thing caused over twenty of the thirty-odd contestants to explode in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other spectators erupted in murmurs of embarrassment and disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two young Daoist nuns from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, upon seeing this object, one turned beet-red, her seat beneath her echoing with thunderous drumbeats; the other’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she suppressed the ripples in her heart-lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lu and Zhang Huaiyu, though not broken in composure, reined in their jesting thoughts and sat up straighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if the appetizer was this absurd, today’s contest might truly end with one contestant publicly humiliated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xie Jinhuan remained as steady as an old dog, even shrugging slightly, as if to say:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you know what a sixteen-foot ultimate luxury car is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you know what a giant white spider bigger than a bed is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he also glanced at the one beside him, Meiqiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo did feel ripples in her heart-lake, but having been terrorized daily by the madwoman of Chongming River, and knowing these aristocratic brats had no limits, she had anticipated this—though her seat drum still trembled slightly, she held her heartbeat firmly within threshold, expressionless, silently reciting the Calming Mantra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump-thump-thump…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drumbeats gradually faded; as all others left, the once-bustling arena now held only seven, none lacking remarkable inner fortitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Huaiyu scanned the group and spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this is all, it’s unlikely to decide victory between me and Brother Wei. Master Fan, show us your real tricks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Li had designed the first two trials solely to weed out the unworthy, so he gestured for his men to retrieve the national treasure and said calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured, Young Master Wei demanded ‘public ruin’—Fan will fulfill it. The first two were merely appetizers. Now the space is clear—everyone, step forward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining contestants all ascended the circular platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan rose and joined Linghu Qingmo on the stage, praising along the way:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Solid composure. I thought you’d cover your face and storm off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo, fearing Xie Jinhuan might stir her heart-lake again, sat cross-legged on the echoing drum, unmoving as a mountain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Tower’s proprietor, once all were ready, said nothing more, clapped twice, and several strongmen carried forward another platform, covered in red cloth, placing it between them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you passed the second trial, the Golden Tower must pay each of you a hundred taels of silver—so this trial is no joke. I won’t describe what’s inside—just guess as wildly as you can!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seven remaining contestants all tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding spectators began muttering randomly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the first trial was this absurd, what hellish thing could the second be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yang opposes Yin—I bet this one’s a great joy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible. If they keep designing like this, even I could do it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp… gulp…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because the first trial was too outrageous, many hearts quickened slightly—clearly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan also silently speculated: the next object couldn’t be more absurd, so it must be a priceless treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the ‘Jiazi Lotus’—he was desperately short of it; seeing it would shatter his calm. But assuming it was the Jiazi Lotus, since he couldn’t obtain it anyway, he could maintain composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for other things, none currently stirred his interest…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo carefully regulated her breath, awaiting the Golden Tower’s next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Tower’s proprietor knew how to build drama—he delayed, letting everyone nearly choke on their breath and the crowd strain their eyes, before suddenly yanking the red cloth away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes snapped to the object on the tray!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh-shhh-shhh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the red cloth was torn away, a honeycomb-like sphere inside shot out inch-long silver needles in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, it resembled a rain of pear blossoms, lashing toward the seven contestants seated on the echoing drums!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those with deep foundations could enter an ‘overload’ state—heart racing, time slowing, mind razor-sharp—this positive change would not trigger the echoing drum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those with weak foundations would panic, freeze in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the seven on stage, three leapt up to dodge or shield themselves in fright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lu’s hand already gripped his waist-sword; Zhang Huaiyu rolled up his sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo had intended to draw her sword—but before she could move, a sudden gale swept past her side!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing sideways, she saw Xie Jinhuan’s waist-sword already drawn, executing a swift draw-cut forward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A three-foot blue blade, wrapped in ferocious qi, sent a gale like a storm dragon breaking the sea—barely grazing the Golden Tower’s proprietor’s side as it roared past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rain of silver needles, barely flown a few feet, met the terrifying sword qi—like a horizontal typhoon, instantly sweeping away every needle aimed at the contestants!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puff-puff-puff~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver needles, though sharp, shattered into white powder at the slightest qi tug, staining the fierce sword qi white—like a white python slicing cleanly between Wei Lu and Zhang Huaiyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lu and Zhang Huaiyu weren’t afraid of hidden needles—but Xie Jinhuan’s frontal dragon-tail sweep wasn’t something to ignore; not dodging wasn’t composure, it was suicide. Both flung themselves sideways simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust flew along the riverbank for dozens of zhang before drifting down, leaving both shores utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who had leapt back landed on boats, looking bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lu and Zhang Huaiyu, airborne, stared with shock and suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wanyi and Qin Wen had also been startled—but once they recovered, their eyes sparkled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow~ So handsome! Young Master Xie’s speed is incredible…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course… wait no no, you fool, just protect yourself—why help others? You’ll lose now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Right! Can’t interfere with others…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Tower’s proprietor, brushed by the sword wind, felt like a mud truck had roared past his ear—he shrank back in fright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when he recovered did he realize: only Xie Jinhuan and Linghu Qingmo remained seated; everyone else had jumped away, eyes dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Er, this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The riverbanks slowly erupted in noise:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What just happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the meaning of this…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are they using hidden weapons?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan’s reaction speed was already absurd—he hadn’t been warned by the ghost bride, so when the rain of needles erupted, his first instinct was to clear them all. To avoid collateral damage, he’d aimed his qi between the two men opposite, ensuring no stray force struck them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet these two cowards still ran away!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now seeing the swirling white mist, Xie Jinhuan realized he’d broken the rules—no reward, no fifty taels, no share. He winced in agony and turned to the Golden Tower’s proprietor:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This challenge has no bottom line. Since the rules were unclear, anyone who could block it would naturally act. Is the Golden Tower’s test of ‘composure’ really ‘let the other guy die so I live’? If so, I, Xie Jinhuan, accept defeat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers on the banks, hearing this, immediately rallied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! How could you do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t testing composure—it’s punishing righteousness! Those who only protect themselves win, while those who act bravely lose. What kind of logic is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pah! You call yourselves Confucian disciples, high disciples of Snow Eagle Ridge? You’ve got power but flee at the first sign of danger—not even a hair of Xie Young Master’s worth. You’re great—you win…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“F*** your mother, refund our money!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1250,"2026-06-20T01:38:11.747Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5a5e2c75919c0a6002b57dc4a3a50f55435765d25553c1b74bc8d35d9ed87837","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-88","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-86",252,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-roaring-dragon-cover.jpg"]