Chapter 1

In the dead of night, in a remote abandoned factory in XN City, BH Province, China, a scene unfolds.

Despite its dilapidated exterior, the interior of the factory was far from shabby. It was spacious and meticulously renovated to house a large, enclosed underground arena.

At this moment, the vast underground arena was brightly lit, packed with people, and filled with a chaotic, deafening noise.

"Sand King, Sand King, hold on..."

"Wild Tiger, Wild Tiger, beat Sand King to death..."

"Hit, hit, hit, don't stop, hit him hard for me..."

The arena was filled with no less than a thousand people, all dressed in fine attire, exuding an air of success. They were now screaming and cheering wildly, stimulated by the brutal fight on the stage.

On the stage, a bloody and brutal life-or-death battle was taking place, a true fight to the death with signed death contracts!

One of the combatants was a veteran underground black market boxer from XN City, known as Lin Sha, the "Sand King." He had an impressive record of fifteen consecutive victories and had reached the peak of his skills in Sanshou (Chinese kickboxing).

The other was a Xingyi Quan expert known as "Wild Tiger," whose real name was unknown. He had no prior black market boxing experience in XN City or even the entire BH Province. It was rumored that he had been brought in from elsewhere by a wealthy boss, and he was exceptionally skilled.

The fight had reached its climax and was now nearing its end. The situation for the local black market boxing expert, "Sand King," was dire. His face was swollen and bruised, his eyes were split, and his muscular chest bore several purple bruises. His steps were unsteady, and he swayed as if he might collapse at any moment.

Blood trickled from his split eyes, stinging and causing tears to flow uncontrollably. His mind was hazy, his vision blood-red, and the pain in his body had long since numbed. He had cursed his ruthless and relentless opponent, "Wild Tiger," countless times.

"Doesn't he know the rules? Can't he see I'm in such a bad state? Doesn't he even ask if I want to concede?"

In the underground arena, the rules were clear. Even if "Sand King" wanted to concede, it was up to his opponent to allow it. Once on the stage, life and death were not to be taken lightly.

It wasn't that "Sand King" feared death. He had already put his life on the line by stepping onto the stage. The timing, however, was just too coincidental.

He and his boss had already discussed his future. After this fight, he was to leave the arena and become the security manager of a new real estate company, thereby completely washing his hands of his past.

There was no betrayal or betrayal. The black market boxing scene in a small city wasn't as lucrative as to make a billionaire boss take such risks. Such "underhanded rules" were more common in large cities and international black market fights, which "Sand King," at his peak of Mingjing (manifest strength), couldn't afford to play.

Who knew his luck would be so bad? In his final fight, he had encountered a rare Neijia (internal) Quan expert at the early stage of Anjing (hidden strength). This opponent was not only ruthless and relentless but also seemed determined to finish him off. "Sand King" couldn't recall offending any powerful enemies.

His condition was dire, with pain everywhere. The injuries from the Anjing techniques caused excruciating pain, making it difficult for him to gather his strength. If not for his combat experience and instinctive defense of his vital points, he would have been killed by the vicious "Wild Tiger" long ago.

Even so, he knew he couldn't hold on much longer.

"Wild Tiger" wouldn't miss the chance to finish off a weakened opponent. He had a special purpose for being invited here, and the body of the famous XN City black market boxer, "Sand King," would serve as his stepping stone.

"Take advantage of my weakness, and take my life!"

"Wild Tiger's" eyes glinted with fierce determination. He suddenly darted forward, his left foot and left fist leading, his right foot behind, and his right fist by his right rib, forming a standard San Ti Shi (Three Body Posture).

"Damn, he wants me dead. I'll die, but I won't let this bastard off easy!"

Seeing "Wild Tiger" assume this familiar stance, "Sand King's" muddled mind cleared. His eyes glinted with fierce determination, and he discarded all distractions, mustering his last bit of courage. He adopted the standard Sanshou starting posture, one arm forward and one arm back, ready to face "Wild Tiger's" lethal attack.

Thanks to the highly developed modern internet, there were detailed introductions to the various schools of Neijia Quan. "Sand King" immediately recognized that "Wild Tiger" was using the initial routine of the Half-Step Linked Crushing Punch.

Sure enough, "Wild Tiger" suddenly roared, his forehead veins bulging. He lunged forward, his left foot stepping out, followed by his right foot, while his right fist twisted inward and punched forward, his left fist retracting to his left rib.

With each step, his left foot was always in front, and his right foot behind, his punches alternating in a continuous, rapid, and powerful assault like a string of arrows.

Under such fierce attacks, "Sand King" was forced to retreat, struggling to defend himself. "Wild Tiger's" punches were not only powerful and fast but also carried hidden strength, causing significant damage and pain with even the slightest contact. In just a few breaths, his forearms were already bruised and purple, and the pain had almost completely numbed them.

His nose and mouth were bleeding profusely from the severe impact, his face pale as paper, and his body swaying as if he might collapse at any moment.

The audience around the arena had gone wild, their faces flushed, screaming and shouting. Some were cheering for "Wild Tiger" to "beat Sand King to death," while others were desperately urging "Sand King" to "hold on." The noise was deafening, and the atmosphere was at its peak.

The noise from the audience had no effect on the two fighters, who were now in a critical, life-or-death moment.

Fortunately, "Wild Tiger" was only a beginner in Anjing techniques and had not yet reached the terrifying stage where every part of his body could unleash hidden strength upon contact. He could only rely on direct punches and hidden strength to injure, which gave "Sand King" a chance.

The continuous Half-Step Linked Crushing Punches were exhausting, as evident from "Wild Tiger's" sweat-drenched face and body.

The significant physical exertion forced "Wild Tiger" to slow his attack. The power of the punches, which relied on fierce and rapid strikes, diminished with the reduced speed.

Seizing this opportunity, "Sand King" endured the intense pain in his hands and suddenly spread his arms. He slid forward, surprising "Wild Tiger," and wrapped his arms around "Wild Tiger's" head. Ignoring the severe pain from the blows to his body, he spat out blood mixed with internal organ fragments, his face filled with fierce determination. He hooked "Wild Tiger's" head with his arms, pressed down, and delivered a powerful knee strike with all his strength.

Crack!

This was the most beautiful sound "Sand King" heard before losing consciousness. He thought, "That bastard 'Wild Tiger' will either die or be crippled. I didn't suffer in vain."

What he didn't know was that this final knee strike directly shattered the chest bones of the Neijia Quan expert "Wild Tiger," who had been dominating the fight, and "Sand King" himself didn't fare much better...