Li Xiuwen realized that since the Kowloon Grand Arena had existed for so long and served as a vital source of profit for Changle, every exploitable loophole had long been plugged.
After watching nearly twenty bouts, everyone had caught a glimpse of various martial arts styles—Six Harmonies, Saluting the Buddha, White Ape, Bear Mountain, and more.
Huang Sihai said, "Now that you've seen the fundamental fighting techniques of masters from all walks of life, it's time for you to get some real combat experience.
"What I showed you just now were the 'gambling rings.' Contenders of similar levels are randomly paired up to facilitate wagering.
"The gambling rings are meant for entertainment, a bit of fun through low-stakes betting, and Changle rakes in a handsome profit from them.
"The Kowloon Grand Arena has another format called the 'challenge rings.' Changle arranges fighters of specific strength to defend the ring, with the difficulty escalating stage by stage.
"The so-called Three Grand Rings are these 'challenge rings.' If you can clear the First Grand Ring, that alone is enough to make a name for yourself in the Walled City.
"If you clear the Second Grand Ring, you'll be qualified to open a martial arts hall, or become a Red Pole or a branch leader under Changle, truly making a mark in the world!
"A person's name follows them like a tree's shadow!
"In the jianghu, if you want to avoid big trouble, keep a low profile.
"But if you want to avoid petty trouble, you need to make a bit of a name for yourself.
"The Kowloon Grand Arena is the center of the Walled City, where people from all walks of life gather and crowds come and go like clouds.
"If you can clear the First Grand Ring here, ordinary thugs and hooligans will steer clear the moment they hear your name, not daring to scheme against you.
"Of course, besides building a reputation, you can also earn a modest prize purse.
"Many masters in the Walled City support their cultivation by signing contracts with the Grand Arena Committee and earning prize purses."
A prize purse was a fighter's income—some in the form of flat appearance fees, some as cuts of the betting pool, and some as prize money for winning.
When Huang Sihai finished, their blood was pumping, and they could hardly wait to step up onto the stage to prove themselves.
Huang Sihai said, "The Three Grand Rings of the Kowloon Grand Arena are the Fresh Blood Ring, the Mire Ring, and the Bone Breaking Ring.
"With your cultivation, you can naturally only test yourselves in the Fresh Blood Ring. With Purple Membrane cultivation, clearing through the fourth platform shouldn't be an issue in principle.
"If you can't, it just means your skills are lacking, and our Sea Sand style, as an orthodox school, can't afford that embarrassment.
"The First Grand Ring has nine sub-platforms corresponding to the three stages of Green Membrane, Purple Membrane, and Black Membrane. It's the best gauge of your strength."
Liu Chun smiled. "Master, I'm confident I could reach the seventh platform... but I'm afraid Gaojiao Qi might learn my traceable origins, giving him the upper hand during the challenge visit."
Huang Sihai pondered for a moment and said, "Fair point. As our martial arts hall's trump card, you should hold off on challenging the grand ring for now. Keep an ace up your sleeve.
"What about the three of you? Any interest? I'm in a good mood today, so I'll cover the entry fee for the challenge letter! Ah Wen, don't try to beat me to the bill this time!"
Li Xiuwen asked, "Master, how much does it cost to issue a challenge letter for the First Grand Ring? And how much is the prize purse if you win?"
Huang Sihai replied, "One hundred to issue the challenge letter. Clearing one platform earns a base prize purse of five hundred. If you go on a streak, each subsequent platform adds another hundred."
Li Xiuwen nodded slightly. "In other words, if I clear three platforms in a row, I'd get eighteen hundred?"
Huang Sihai smiled. "Yes, but only for your first run. You won't get it for repeat attempts. Consider it a boon from Mr. Ming to the impoverished martial artists of the Walled City."
"Then let us try!" Ah Zhen and Cheng Kuiqiang rubbed their hands in anticipation.
Huang Sihai turned to Li Xiuwen. "Aren't you going to give it a shot?"
Li Xiuwen smiled. "With my meager strength, I'm afraid I'd only bring shame upon you, Master."
Huang Sihai said, "Without practical combat, even reaching minor success in fighting techniques is just flashy posturing. How will you fight against Night Heron Martial Arts Hall? What's the matter, do you want to hide an ace too?"
Li Xiuwen answered honestly, "Yes, I want to keep an ace hidden as well so Night Heron's people don't figure out my fighting style. After all, our odds against Night Heron aren't high to begin with."
Li Xiuwen would have liked to earn some quick cash, but with his current strength, he couldn't clear many platforms anyway and wouldn't make much.
Compared to the arena's prize purse, what he needed more was to win the upcoming challenge visit and learn that crucial movement technique.
That was something only accessible once he reached the second floor!
To be safe, it was better not to expose his strength for now.
Beside them, Liu Chun found it amusing. *What tier do you think you're on, trying to hide an ace like me?*
"Fair enough... then just watch."
Huang Sihai never truly expected Ah Wen to win in the challenge visit, so whether Ah Wen hid anything hardly mattered.
With a bit of luck, Liu Chun would take one match, Cheng Kuiqiang would take another with his innate divine strength, and a draw against Night Heron Martial Arts Hall would be more than enough.
Ah Zhen couldn't wait and eagerly took the stage.
On the first platform, her opponent was at Green Membrane.
With a few punches and kicks, Ah Zhen defeated him.
The second and third platforms also had Green Membrane opponents.
Relying on her cultivation advantage, Ah Zhen won narrowly.
On the fourth platform, her opponent was at Purple Membrane with minor success in fighting techniques.
The gap was immediately clear. Barely ten exchanges in, Ah Zhen was knocked off the stage with a single palm strike, running back with a flushed face.
"Master..." Ah Zhen lowered her head.
"Next time you announce our Sea Sand style's name, keep your voice down... Embarrassing," Huang Sihai said flatly.
"Let me try." Cheng Kuiqiang stepped onto the stage.
The advantage of innate divine strength was on full display.
On the first three platforms, his sweeping, powerful strikes toppled his opponents upon contact with zero suspense.
Starting from the fourth platform, his pace slowed, yet he remained composed.
On the fifth platform, he claimed a narrow victory as his opponent's techniques grew noticeably more proficient.
By the sixth platform, Cheng Kuiqiang had expended too much stamina, and his opponent was at peak Purple Membrane with far superior fighting techniques.
In the end, he was outmatched and defeated.
Even the Iron Cloth Shirt couldn't save him; it merely allowed him to stay on his feet a little longer.
Below the stage, the spectators discussed the match animatedly, standing up to applaud.
Huang Sihai's expression softened, and he smiled. "Not bad."
*Having great strength really is an advantage,* Li Xiuwen thought to himself. *If it were me, I'd probably stop around the sixth platform as well.*
In the end, Cheng Kuiqiang cleared five platforms in a row, earning 3,500 yuan.
Because this was a gift from Mr. Ming, the Grand Arena Committee under Changle took no cut, and the full amount went straight into his own pocket.
After watching the fights, the master and four disciples left A Thin Strip of Sky Teahouse. Li Xiuwen looked back over his shoulder.
The Kowloon Grand Arena lay coiled atop the behemoth of the Walled City, where countless masters had made a name for themselves.
...
At dusk, in Night Heron Martial Arts Hall.
A figure slipped into the hall and whispered something to Master Ye.
Master Ye chuckled. "Heh, my stakeout really paid off... Even Cheng Kuiqiang could only make it past five platforms?
"A pity Liu Chun didn't fight. No matter. Looking at the crooked melons and split dates on the first floor of Four Seas Martial Arts Hall, only Liu Chun stands a chance of winning anyway.
"That is, provided... Liu Chun doesn't face Gaojiao Qi. Otherwise, Old Huang is in for a massive humiliation."
...
That night, at Chen's Noodle Factory.
"Come on, Uncle, help me train."
This time, Li Xiuwen had bought premium ingredients for Blood-Transforming paste, costing one hundred yuan a dose.
After a single night of cultivation, his proficiency in Armor-Binding Art actually rose by 2%, far outperforming the cheap paste from before.
Moreover, he clearly sensed that the toll on his body was lighter; when he woke up the next morning, he felt no pain whatsoever.
Unlike before, when he was constantly overtaxing his martial potential and waking up with aching bones and muscles.
Within his skin membrane, streaks of purple-gold dark markings surfaced once more.
Channeling his art, a casual punch packed even greater power than the day before.
His defense had improved visibly.
"You really get what you pay for. At this rate, if I can reach minor success before the second-floor martial meet, getting up to the second floor will be a sure thing!"
...
Over the next few days.
Li Xiuwen trained methodically.
To prepare for the clash with Night Heron Martial Arts Hall, Li Xiuwen consumed another fish ball, advancing his progress by around 6% to reach [Stage: Purple Membrane (40%)].
His physical constitution and strike resistance had improved substantially compared to when he first entered Purple Membrane.
Yet just as Old Huang had said, the gap from Purple Membrane to Black Membrane was even greater than that from an ordinary mortal to Purple Membrane.
...
On this night, the hour grew late.
Tomorrow, Night Heron Martial Arts Hall would arrive for the challenge visit.
Li Xiuwen closed the *Miscellany of the Martial Tomb*, turning the knowledge over in his mind, chewing on it and digesting every detail.
Many points aligned with what Huang Sihai had taught him.
A sudden wave of clarity washed over his mind.
He looked toward the [incense burner].
The stick of incense belonging to [Elementary Martial Comprehension] burned out and was reborn, thicker and longer.
A wisp of golden smoke curled without dissipating, tracing lines of gilded characters in the empty air.
This had never happened during any previous breakthrough in training methods or fighting techniques.
Li Xiuwen's heart leaped into his throat as anticipation swelled within him.
[A censer's smoke touches creation; half a stick of heart-light refines past and present!]
[Vast and hazy, the Illusionary Realm of the Great Void!]
Chapter 33