The Pitch Pot field grew noisier by the moment.
Participants gathered in a loose semicircle around the marked throwing area, each standing before a set of bronze pots placed at measured distances. Bundles of arrows rested neatly beside them, their slender shafts catching the morning light.
The rules had just been announced.
And the reactions came immediately.
"What do you mean drink first?"
"Three bottles?!"
"That wasn't in the explanation yesterday!"
"This is ridiculous...how are we supposed to aim after that?!"
Voices overlapped, some protesting, some laughing in disbelief, others already frowning in concentration.
The tournament staff did not react.
"This stage tests control under impairment," one official repeated calmly. "Begin when ready."
The murmuring did not fully settle.
But slowly...
Participants began moving.
Some hesitated.
Others picked up the bottles with grim determination.
Jin Yue did not speak.
