The Fight Union was a guild established by a group of martial madmen on the continent.
In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second place. Here, there is only combat!
"Those in the Qi Gathering Realm who achieve ten consecutive victories may obtain the title of Ten Combatants. Those in the Qi Sea Realm who achieve a hundred consecutive victories may obtain the title of Hundred Combatants."
Jin Wanshan began explaining, "At the Zongshi Realm, the ten strongest individuals among their peers may obtain the title of Combat Zongshi..."
"At the Stellar Realm, the ten strongest individuals among their peers may obtain the title of Combat Stellar..."
"These are titles awarded through continent-wide competitions. Those with Combat titles rank among the top ten fighters of their generation."
Lou Mengyu watched the pair—one speaking animatedly, the other listening with rapt attention—and jumped in alarm. "Don't tell me you're actually considering entering the Combat Tournament?"
Jin Wanshan shook his head immediately. He'd never waste time on such pointless matches. The Fight Union members were all lunatics—some settled disputes with duels, others with lethal combat.
The real problem was this: defeat one of them, and they'd hound you relentlessly until they could claim victory.
Qin Yang shrugged. "Why not enter?"
His eyes glinting mischievously, Qin Yang smiled. "There's gambling involved in these tournaments, right?"
Jin Wanshan nodded.
Qin Yang's hands snapped together in sudden excitement. "Perfect! We're rich!"
Jin Wanshan shot him a contemptuous glance. "Don't even think about it. If the Fight Union finds out you're betting heavily on yourself, they'll arrange your opponent accordingly!"
"Meaning they'll pit me against someone a major realm higher?"
Jin Wanshan shook his head. "Not that extreme."
"Then what's the problem?"
Qin Yang strode into the Fight Union, the charged atmosphere already pumping adrenaline. He followed the corridor directly downward, toward the subterranean arena.
Beneath the Fight Union lay an enormous arena!
Dozens of platforms filled the space, each surrounded by eager crowds.
A luminous screen formed by an array spell scrolled across the walls, broadcasting the results of every match.
Some spectators danced in triumph, while others slumped in defeat.
"Welcome! To participate in the Combat Tournament, you must purchase a Combat Badge with one low-grade spirit stone," announced a voluptuous young woman. "Winning against a peer earns one point, while losing resets your score to zero. Accumulate ten points to upgrade your badge to a Ten Battles Badge."
Qin Yang nodded inwardly. Ten consecutive victories were required - a single loss after nine wins would erase his progress and force him to start anew.
"Must Qi Sea Realm cultivators truly secure a hundred consecutive wins?" Qin Yang inquired.
The voluptuous attendant smiled and nodded.
"How then are the ten strongest cultivators selected after reaching the Zongshi Realm?"
The attendant blinked in surprise. This young man's questions were rather... ambitious. Nevertheless, she patiently explained, "A ranking system will be established. Those listed may challenge each other. The top ten become Zongshi. The same process applies for the Stellar Realm and beyond."
"Alright, let's start with a badge!" Qin Yang said.
Lou Mengyu frowned. "Think carefully! Once you join the Fight Union, you can't refuse challenges from peers!"
Qin Yang smiled. He'd welcome any challenge—why would he refuse?
Jin Wanshan hadn't expected Qin Yang to actually join the martial madmen. He glanced at the crowd eyeing them like hungry wolves, his heart pounding.
"I advise you to reconsider," Jin Wanshan whispered. "Look—you've already become their prey."
"Prey?" Qin Yang chuckled. Who the real prey was would become clear soon enough!
"During fights, it's all about winning," Jin Wanshan continued. "Some people play dirty—this isn't like normal matches..."
Qin Yang nodded in understanding. Anyone who'd worked hard for nine consecutive wins would resort to any means to secure that tenth victory.
"This brat's mine! Don't even think about challenging him!" roared a one-eyed man.
"Bullshit! I saw them first when they came in—I'm challenging him!"
"Maybe you should fight each other first. Whoever wins can challenge him!"
The atmosphere instantly erupted into frenzy as Qin Yang secured the Combat Badge. Everyone treated him like a walking score generator.
"Everyone, settle down! Listen to me!" Qin Yang cleared his throat. "I'm a reasonable man. Seeing you misunderstand me makes me feel guilty. How about this? I'll give a brief self-introduction first. Then you can decide whether to challenge me. How's that?"
"Get to the point! Spit it out!"
"You only get one score per opponent. You'd better hurry up. If you're quick, we might all get an extra point!"
"Hahaha!"
The crowd roared with laughter.
Each cultivator glared like a ferocious beast, ready to devour Qin Yang whole.
Lou Mengyu's face burned with anger as she glared at Jin Wanshan.
Even Jin Wanshan hadn't anticipated things escalating this far, but Qin Yang's words left him utterly speechless.
"I am at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm, having mastered all martial arts to their pinnacle..."
"My motto: 'Return the opponent's own methods against them'!"
"Among peers, if I claim second place, none would dare claim first."
After this exchange, the entire underground arena erupted once more.
Even cultivators who scorned sparring with newcomers couldn't resist the urge to challenge him.
"That brat needs a proper lesson! How dare he act so arrogant?"
"Mastering all martial arts in the world? Refined to perfection? Does he think martial arts are that easy? Even drinking water can cause toothache. Doesn't he fear his tongue will slip from such grandiose claims?"
"Second among peers, none first? Who gave him such confidence?"
"Is this brat here to disrupt the Fight Union?"
The crowd instantly turned frenzied. If not for the Fight Union's rules, Qin Yang would likely have been beaten to a pulp by now.
"Qin Yang, these people are already madmen. Why provoke them further? You must be half-mad yourself!" Lou Mengyu whispered urgently.
Unfazed, Qin Yang continued loudly: "If we're going to fight, what's the point without stakes? Here's the deal: four thousand low-grade spirit stones per match. Those who can afford it, step forward now. Those who can't, spare us your time."
The crowd erupted in commotion. Wanshan City, after all, was merely a remote settlement in the Northern Plains. The instant he offered four thousand low-grade spirit stones, everyone was stunned into silence.
Only a few remained unfazed, staring at Qin Yang with astonishment.
"You really do go all out," Jin Wanshan said, startled himself. "Don't you want to keep any options open?"
Qin Yang shrugged. "I'm here to make money, not play games. While joining the Fight Union means I can't refuse challenges from equal-ranked opponents, that doesn't mean I'll waste my time on every random fighter."
"Damn, you're not just giving away points—you're throwing away four thousand low-grade spirit stones too? Hahaha! I challenge you!"
A bald, burly man pushed through the crowd, his face darkening as he stepped forward.
"Vulture Li? So it's this ruthless bastard?"
"I heard he could break through to the Qi Sea Realm but suppressed his cultivation. He could easily earn a Ten Battles Badge, yet he refuses... all to manipulate gambling outcomes. This kid's really bitten off more than he can chew!"
"Hmph, this is no contest! Just hope Vulture Li doesn't crush him completely. We need him alive for more fights—can't keep raking in those points otherwise."