The Martial Arts Tournament of the World, or Zuiqiang Xingkong Wushu Dasai (最強星空武術大賽, literally “The strongest under the stars martial arts competition,” also known as the Mightiest Under the Stars Martial Arts Tournament). This contest of martial skill began as an annual tradition. Eventually, it became every three years, then nine years, and at last lapsed altogether in 1415 PE (813 Celestial Calendar), which for over a century was believed to be its permanent end. The tradition was revived in 1523 PE (921 CC) as the Battle for Peace or War, and further tournaments are planned.

Rumors abound about the tournament’s imminent return. Its eventual location and new format are unknown. Traditionally, champions are entitled the Mightiest Under the Stars.

History

Though Zhenwu is the God of Martial Arts, the disciples who held the tournament started it originally to determine the mightiest mortal alive in an attempt to bring honor to Zhenwu. The final tournament before the long lapse, held in 1415 PE, was won by Zhizhi Laoshu, who legend says showed off his famous technique in the last round.

Execution

Before the tournament main event begins, the participants are given randomly arranged preliminary bouts. Usually away from public eye, these match-ups dramatically reduce the number of competitors down to a mere sixteen warriors. Once the final 16 are determined, they are given a single night to prepare for the last rounds.

The first round of eliminations are then held on one day, the next round the following day, and the remaining fights on the last day. After the last match ends, the winner is declared the Mightiest Under the Stars and rewarded with immense treasure from the ruler of the land.

Format and Rules

Competitors are meant to show their martial skills, but the tournament is not meant to be a series of death matches, and honor is expected of all who compete. Bringing weapons into the ring, using poisons, or employing gadgets of any kind are all typically grounds for immediate forfeiture of the offending party. However, tooth and claw have been held up as not constituting weapons in nearly every instance the question was challenged, and fighters with bestial features were often permitted to compete on those terms.

Participants were also required to be clothed, after one competitor attempted to distract challengers by streaking across the ring. They were not disqualified, and the match was not stopped. The clothing requirement was effected as a standing rule moving forward from that historic incident.

Once 16 final competitors have been chosen by monks of Zhenwu in a secret ritual, a standard bracket is used.

Participants

Many hundreds of would-be martial arts champions trained their body, mind, and spirit with the single-minded goal of one day attaining the title of Mightiest Under the Stars. In addition to the competitors, dozens of officials and administrators are required to maintain and facilitate the entire competition. Their duties include judging matches, conferring on rules and historical cases, and moving wounded fighters to the infirmary.

Competitors traditionally were required to meet specific qualifications to enter. Each must have the endorsement of a martial arts master of some renown, must be old enough to enter of their own volition (the age requirement has varied over time), and generally are required to pay a nominal entrance fee. Registered fighters cannot bring coaches or seconds, nor are they allowed moral support or guests with them. Spectators cannot interact with fighters, to prevent cheating.

Tournament Officials

Most iterations of this contest were held and administered by the monks at a monastery of Zhenwu. A supplemental task force of government workers assists them, and the announcer who serves as master of ceremonies and provides color commentary was often a famous celebrity of the era.

The Shenxian Wushu Dahui (神仙武術大會, Martial Arts Tournament of the Immortals) is a related but distinct institution, organized by Zhenwu to discover the mightiest entities of the universe rather than the mightiest mortals. Many Eladrin attend due to a translation quirk: in Elven, the word for “Immortal” equates to the word for “Fey,” rendering it the “Fairy Martial Arts Conference” in their tongue.

Notable Tournaments

The Battle for Peace or War

The most recently documented tournament, the Battle for Peace or War drew 17 competitors through the preliminary rounds. The bracket included Ru Ling, Sun Chang, Wang Jing, Koji, Sherlie Glaz, Breaking Aura, Thundering Baboon, Vineet Banahatti, Menace, Crane Sings and Strikes, Dancing Phoenix, Mo-Ren, Dulcimer (also known as Doll and Aoshi), Xun Wu, Lixue, Radiant Feathers, and Lang Wen. Xun Wu advanced by bye; Dulcimer won the final match and holds the current title of Mightiest Under the Stars.

The tournament was nearly catastrophic: the competitor Menace sacrificed himself to summon a Hundun into the arena, an entity of annihilation drawn from beyond the boundaries of space and time. Civilian casualties among spectators and non-competing participants were averted entirely through the intervention of the Black Team, and specifically the actions of Dancing Phoenix.