The master of ceremonies on the circular stage was asked until he was red-faced and flustered.
He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and stuttered a bit, saying, "… but this rule, even though not written down, is something we've always followed…"
"Always? How long is always?" Lawrence Winters held the microphone for easy communication with participating Daoists and directly addressed the master of ceremonies on stage, "Can you specify exactly how long?"
The master of ceremonies, somewhat annoyed, said, "How should I remember? Anyway, it's always been this way! The last Grand Champion didn't have to participate in the preliminary rounds!"
