Volume One, Chapter 18: Breaking Through In Place, Achieving Success!
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Ye Cheng returned to the competitors' lounge.
“Hello, Mr. Xing Tian. I’m Nie, the manager of Arena Eight.”
Standing before Ye Cheng was a martial artist in his fifties or sixties with a distinctive mustache, smiling as he introduced himself.
“What does Manager Nie want with me?”
“Cough, cough… Please don’t call me ‘boss’… Just call me Manager Nie.”
The calm expression Nie wore moments ago shifted slightly, as if the title “boss” was a taboo to him.
Oh?
Ye Cheng was surprised.
Why would calling someone boss in their own domain be so unsettling?
“Alright then, Manager Nie, what do you need from me?”
“Remember this well: within the Liang Martial Arts School premises, never call anyone from the organizers ‘boss.’”
Manager Nie repeated his warning, then handed over an unsigned check. “Here’s your appearance fee and prize from the last match—five hundred thousand.”
“Thank you!”
Ye Cheng took it.
“The organizers want to know if you want to continue competing.”
“If you do, we’ll arrange a match for you against Baolong’s senior brother, Grey Bear. He’s an eighth-rank Martial Disciple specializing in physical constitution.”
“Considering you challenged a level above your rank, the pay will be higher as well. Appearance fee of three hundred thousand, and if you win, an additional seven hundred thousand, totaling one million.”
“If you choose not to fight Grey Bear, the next opponent will be selected by the usual lottery process.”
“Think it over, then come find me in the VIP room on the second floor.”
With that, Manager Nie nodded at Ye Cheng and turned to leave.
“Wait!”
Ye Cheng called him back. “No need to think, I’ll fight!”
One million! Such easy money—where else could he earn that much? Hunting monsters in the wild would take days of hard work.
Besides, there’s hardly a difference between seventh and eighth rank.
“Oh?”
Manager Nie turned, clearly surprised. He hadn’t expected Ye Cheng to agree so readily.
But then again, Ye Cheng had knocked Baolong out with a single punch, so he must have the skill and right to accept this challenge.
“Very well, I’ll arrange it right away. The next match starts in twenty minutes. Prepare yourself.”
Manager Nie said no more and left.
After he departed, Ye Cheng silently muttered, “System, let’s go.”
[Congratulations, host. Stage achievement reached: Rank advanced to Martial Disciple Fifth Stage, Strength at Level Five. Reward: Supreme Physical Constitution Talent Pill.]
[Next achievement: Rank Martial Warrior First Stage, Strength and Constitution at Level Eleven.]
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[Reward: Supreme Agility Talent Pill, Mountain-Sealing Golden Body Technique.]
It turned out that Ye Cheng’s cultivation of rank and strength had already reached a critical bottleneck.
The over-rank battle against Baolong became the trigger that shattered the shackles, allowing him to break through on the spot.
Manager Nie had just been here, making it inconvenient to communicate with the system, but now there was finally time.
“Twenty minutes until the match. Take the Physical Constitution Talent Pill first.”
Ye Cheng retrieved the pill from the system space and swallowed it.
The medicinal effect spread rapidly; moments later, his powerful body trembled as his constitution talent rose to supreme level.
Outside the ring.
The announcer received the match update from the staff, his face lighting up.
He’s really going to fight again!
Is it youthful fearlessness or just greed?
Grabbing the microphone, the announcer spoke passionately:
“In the last match, competitor Xing Tian brought us many surprises—surely everyone is left wanting more!”
“Now, good news: Xing Tian will continue to compete. His opponent will be Baolong’s senior brother, Grey Bear!”
“Everyone should be familiar with Grey Bear. In the Black Iron Arena, no one can rival him except the Giant Cannon. Known as Bear Two…”
“Just kidding! But the Giant Cannon did say Grey Bear is in his ascendant phase, and topping the Black Iron rankings is just around the corner.”
“Can Xing Tian continue his brilliance and create another miracle against Grey Bear? Let’s wait and see.”
“As the saying goes, enemies meeting only sparks more fire! This next match is destined to be a brutal battle, with carnage and bloodshed aplenty.”
“Such a spectacular contest comes once in a century—don’t miss it! For those who want to stay and watch, please purchase new tickets. It’s not expensive—only a threefold increase.”
“For those not interested, please leave promptly.”
“Betting is now open. Place your bets quickly before time runs out.”
…
“Did I hear that right? He’s fighting again?”
“Old Deng, hold on a moment.”
Chang Xi, who was brawling with his father, immediately stopped the elder and pulled out his phone to check with Ye Cheng.
The entire arena fell silent.
Xing Tian challenging the second strongest of the Black Iron Arena, Grey Bear, despite being four ranks below?
Heh, admirable courage—place your bets!
“Son, this time you really shouldn’t bet on Ye Cheng.”
Chang Huan, dark circles under her eyes, tightly gripped Chang Xi’s arm and urged earnestly:
“I saw Grey Bear’s fights—he’s brutal! His defense is so high, Ye Cheng won’t break through.”
“Enough nonsense. Ye Cheng said he’s sure to win!”
Chang Xi hung up and pushed Chang Huan aside. “I’m placing my bet. Don’t interfere this time.”
…
“I’m sure everyone’s eager by now,”
After building up the excitement, the announcer paused his torrent of words.
Smiling, he stood center ring and announced loudly, “Betting is closed!”
“Competitors, please enter the arena!”
No sooner had the words fallen than a man emerged from the left lounge.
Of average height but broad-shouldered, his muscles developed horizontally, giving a solid hexagonal impression.
His neck was especially thick, and his eyes had more whites visible than irises.
One glance from him sent chills down the spine.
Grey Bear had arrived!
“Grey Bear is a physical constitution Martial Disciple of the eighth rank.”
The announcer handed the microphone to Grey Bear, grinning as he asked, “What do you think about your junior brother Baolong being knocked out by an unknown newcomer with one punch?”
Not good with words, Grey Bear clenched his jaw and spat out three stiff words: “Xing Tian, die!”
Wow, he’s furious!
This is going to be a show!
The crowd cheered enthusiastically.
Some stirred up the atmosphere, urging Grey Bear on fervently.
“Grey Bear, I bet my entire fortune on you! If you lose, I’m coming for your mom tonight!”
“Xing Tian made me lose money—tear him to pieces and feed him to the dogs!”
“Is Baolong dead? If not, bring him out so we can see how badly Xing Tian loses!”
“Everyone, look! Xing Tian is coming out.”
Ye Cheng stepped out of the lounge slowly, drawing many gazes.
His pace was steady, exuding an intimidating aura.
“Hmm? This Xing Tian… looks different from before.”
Manager Nie, comfortably seated in the leather sofa of the VIP room on the second floor, suddenly sat upright upon seeing Ye Cheng.
His eyes sparkled sharply, fixed on Ye Cheng.
“His rank… has advanced!”
Manager Nie nearly dropped his glass, standing up with a start.
Only ten minutes had passed since they parted, and Ye Cheng’s rank had already improved?
Rank advancement usually requires intense concentration—when did it become so effortless?
Collecting himself, Manager Nie picked up the internal phone and dialed.
“Manager Shen, I’ve found a very promising young man here. Would you like to come take a look?”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you.”