Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Inside the basement.

Xilun lay on the ground for a long time before struggling to get up using his hands to support himself.

His body ached terribly, but he gritted his teeth and recalled how he had struggled with all his might to try and find an opening in Lund's defenses, only to be hit dozens more times in return.

This disparity in strength is simply too great, a truly despairing situation.

He picked up the black umbrella that had fallen to the side, and with heavy steps, walked back to the Golden Rooster Hotel.

After filling the tub with hot water, Xilun immersed himself completely in it.

The warm water enveloped his battered body, initially causing excruciating pain, but gradually, a strange tingling sensation spread from the depths of his bones.

He looked down and suddenly noticed that black dirt with a faint fishy smell was seeping out of his skin's pores.

The grime mixed in with the bathwater turned the originally clear water into a murky mess.

Xilun picked up a towel and vigorously scrubbed off the grime.

In an instant, an unprecedented sense of clarity rushed into my mind.

He felt as if an invisible mountain had been lifted from his shoulders, and even his breathing became incredibly easy.

The trace of impure aura that remained after absorbing the characteristics of the Silver Horned Python and the White Shark alien species was completely cleansed.

It almost feels like a complete overhaul.

He clenched his fist, and his bones cracked like popping beans.

His strength surged and roared through his meridians, seemingly showing a significant increase. He was now only one step away from the legendary first-tier ultimate realm.

Xilun exhaled a long breath, his eyes becoming incredibly bright and profound.

"So that's what it means."

[Skill: Sea Whale Guidance (Tier 3)]

[Progress: 184/2000]

[Skill: Berello Kick (Expert)]

[Progress: 378/1000]

[Skill: Natan Heavy Gunnery (Proficient)]

[Progress: 102/500]

[Skill: Spiritual Rope (Proficient)]

[Progress: 491/500]

After that day, Xilun never left the training room again.

Like a tireless machine, he began to practice his marksmanship and breathing techniques with even greater intensity and fervor.

Time flew by amidst the monotonous, sweat-drenched exertion.

When Xilun finally snapped out of his almost obsessive state of cultivation, it seemed to be more than ten days later.

Pushing open the hotel window, I saw brightly colored promotional posters plastered all over the street.

The crowds became unusually lively, and whether in taverns, docks, or streets and alleys, it seemed that everyone was talking about the same thing.

Junior Knight Fighting Tournament.

This is the annual grand event in the Lower City, the best springboard for all young extraordinary people to make a name for themselves and transcend social classes.

After having a simple breakfast, Siron put on a clean black trench coat, picked up a black umbrella, and went to the Iron Cross Fight Club.

The club seemed much livelier than usual today.

Many young trainees peered at Xilun with awe and curiosity in their eyes.

They all seemed to know that this usually quiet young man was the only player representing Iron Cross.

Fester stood at the edge of the training field, looking at Xiren from afar, silently clenching his fists, his eyes full of anticipation.

Kanavi practiced frantically on the sandbag in the corner, occasionally stopping to rest, glancing at Xilen in the distance, then gritting his teeth and continuing to pursue his goal, desperately chasing that unattainable figure.

Mentor Ryan walked out of his office, looked at Siren, and nodded in satisfaction.

Xilun went straight to the president's office and gently knocked on the door.

This time, Lund opened the door himself.

He was dressed in a well-tailored black suit with an exquisite silver cross badge on his chest.

"Now that we're here, let's go," Lund said calmly. "There are still three days until the Junior Knight Fighting Tournament officially begins. Let's go as soon as possible."

Xilun took a deep breath and glanced outside.

Many eyes met his, those eyes filled with earnest expectation and a desire to escape the shame of being at the bottom.

This inexplicably added a heavy responsibility to his previously lifeless heart.

Raine stepped forward and patted Siron on the shoulder heavily.

"Relax. With your current strength, you have a good chance of making it into the top four. Go and show the Lower City the strength of our Iron Cross."

Xilun nodded slightly, without saying a word.

The two left the club and walked onto the bustling street, where they got into a black sedan that had been waiting for them.

Only two people went.

Lund and Silen.

The car started smoothly and drove towards the center of the downtown area.

Lund sat in the back seat, watching the street scene recede outside the window, and explained casually:

"We'll go through the formalities and familiarize ourselves with the venue first. Rennes and the others will be waiting for us in the stands on the day of the match."

Xilun nodded slightly, silently watching the buildings rushing past the window.

As the car drove deeper into the area, the surrounding streets became wider and the buildings more magnificent.

"Teacher," Xilun suddenly turned around and asked, "What are we going to do next? Just wait quietly for the competition to begin?"

Lund said calmly, "You can use these few days to learn about the other clubs' opponents, as research and as a reference for your own positioning."

The wind howled outside as the car slowly drove towards the heart of the downtown area.

About forty or fifty minutes later, the car smoothly drove into an extremely open area.

The car slowly came to a stop in front of a huge stadium.

Xilun pushed open the car door, stepped out of the sedan, and followed Lund's gaze into the distance, a hint of shock flashing uncontrollably in his deep eyes.

It's like a steel mountain rising from the ground.

The buildings, arranged in a neat and orderly fashion, form a vast and expansive landscape.

The enormous dome reflected a cold metallic luster in the sunlight, and towering steam chimneys stood all around, spewing out grayish-white smoke.

It's called Daewoo Dojo.

It was originally a long-established dojo, where anyone could practice, exchange techniques, and hone their skills.

After extensive renovations and transformations, it was used as a venue for tournaments and a spectator stadium.

This place can accommodate 20,000 to 30,000 people at the same time. Its scale is so grand that anyone who sees it for the first time will feel their own insignificance.

"This property belongs to the church," Lund explained casually, standing next to Siron with his hands in his trench coat pockets.

"This place has been incorporated into the church. Under normal circumstances, it is open to visitors, but recently, as the venue for a junior knight fighting tournament, in order to ensure the safety and purity of the event, ordinary people are not allowed to enter or leave easily."

Xilun turned his head in surprise: "The church? What church?"

In his mind, the Lower City was a chaotic area interwoven with various gangs, clubs, and noble forces, and he had never heard of any church that could possess such a vast industry.

Lund glanced at him, a hint of awe in his eyes.

"Since ancient times, there has only been one church—the church that sustains the church."

"They were responsible for maintaining order throughout Victoria and mediating bloody disputes among the extraordinary."

Wherever extraordinary power exists, there is the shadow of the church being maintained.

Lund pointed to the endless shadows behind the dojo and continued:

"Not only this dojo, but also the mountains and rivers behind it, all support the church."

"It is said that the mountains behind the dojo are entirely owned by the church to maintain its operations."

The mountain contains unknown treasures, crystals, rare medicinal herbs, and possibly training grounds constructed using arrays.

Lund sighed, a rare hint of self-deprecation in his voice:

"The entire Iron Cross Fighting Club's foundation probably can't even compare to a corner of this mountain."

Xilun clicked his tongue in surprise.

This church is incredibly wealthy; it's unbelievable.

Compared to such a behemoth, the so-called downtown gangs and clubs are nothing more than small-time ants.

It was getting late, and the sky was gradually darkening.

As Lund led Siren toward the gym's main entrance, two guards in silver uniforms immediately blocked their way.

After Lund presented his Iron Cross Club badge, he spoke with the guards for a while, and once they confirmed that everything was correct, they finally allowed him to pass.

Xilun got back into the car, which drove along the wide driveway toward the exclusive rest area inside the stadium.

Inside the carriage, Lund calmly said, "The current head of the Daewoo Dojo is named Fowles."

"He is an extremely discerning collector who was assigned by the church to maintain order at the Daewoo Dojo."

Lund's gaze became somewhat distant, as if he were recalling a legendary figure.

"This person was already famous when I was fifteen years old."

He is the youngest Witcher in the Lower City in fifty years.

"He began his extraordinary training at the age of twelve, and by the age of twenty-four he had completed three baptisms, becoming a third-order aberrant."

Then, at the age of thirty-one, he underwent his fourth baptism, a perilous journey fraught with peril, successfully crossing the insurmountable barrier to become a fourth-tier demon hunter.

"At the time, news of his promotion caused a huge sensation in the lower city. All sorts of forces, big and small, and even nobles in the upper city sent people to congratulate him; it was quite a sensation."

"After that, he traveled around adventuring and hunting alien species, seemingly living a comfortable life."

It wasn't until ten years ago, when he was appointed head of the Daewoo Dojo by the church, that his life settled down, and he married his current wife, Xiuna.

Xilun listened quietly, overwhelmed with emotion.

A 31-year-old Tier 4 Demon Hunter!

He had witnessed the terror of a third-order aberration; Professor Lund could crush him with his mere physical strength.

What kind of world-destroying power do those fourth-tier demon hunters, who are above the mutants, possess?

As they were talking, the car had already driven into the underground parking lot inside the dojo.

Xilun got out of the car, carrying a black umbrella, and followed Lund toward the elevator door leading to the ground.

Just then, at the main entrance of Daewoo Dojo, a group of six people walked slowly with steady steps.

Of these six people, four are elderly and two are young.

The two young men looked to be only in their early twenties, but their extraordinary aura was exceptionally powerful, like two volcanoes that could erupt at any moment.

Their brows exuded an aura of authority that would make their peers feel ashamed; they were confident and proud, showing no stage fright in the face of such a grand venue.

The four elderly people, who looked to be in their sixties or seventies, had calm and composed expressions and walked with light steps, clearly not ordinary people.

As the six approached, the two guards at the gate immediately felt an invisible pressure and respectfully bowed their heads to ask:

"Are you distinguished guests participating in the junior knight combat tournament? Could you please show us your invitation and the list of participants?"

An elderly man at the front handed over a gold-embossed letter.

The guard took it and examined it. His expression instantly became even more respectful, even showing a hint of flattery.

"So you are six distinguished guests from the Silver Hand Club! Please come in, please come in. The second floor is your private rest area."

After saying that, he quickly stepped aside and returned the invitation with both hands.

After the group of six entered, the gatekeeper immediately dropped his obsequious expression, his face becoming extremely serious, and instructed his companion:

"Go and inform the curator immediately."

"Say that the Silver Hand has arrived."

The team was led by Li Lei, president of the Silver Hand Club, accompanied by the vice president and two senior instructors.

"The two participants are Xiu Kuo, who placed fifth in the previous Junior Knight Fighting Tournament, and Li An, the youngest son of the president of the Silver Hand Club."

After listening, his companion, knowing the importance of this group, respectfully nodded and said, "Yes!"

He then quickly turned and left.

The Silver Hand Club members entered the spacious inner hall.

President Li Lei took the lead and walked at the very front.

He was tall and strong, with eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

Following behind him was the vice president, but behind the vice president was not the two senior teachers, but the young and spirited Li An.

The remaining three, including Xiu Kuo, who came in fifth place last year, could only silently walk in the fourth row.

Among all of Li Lei's sons, the eldest son has the most outstanding academic achievements, while the third son has the best interpersonal skills.

However, the one he valued most and placed the most hope in was his youngest son, Ang Lee, who possessed extraordinary talent.

Li Lei stopped, turned around, looked intently at Li An, and ordered in a deep voice:

"Xiao An, the Silver Hand Club hasn't made it into the top four for three whole seasons now."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Xiu Kuo, who was walking at the very back, out of the corner of his eye.

In the previous semi-finals, Xiu Kuo narrowly lost to a talented student from the Blackthorn Club, finishing fifth, which Li Lei considered a disgrace to the club.

Li Lei looked at Li An again, his tone becoming more serious:

"This time, the important task is entrusted to you."

With your talent and experience, you don't need to fear anyone except Rose from the Platinum Club, including those guys from the Blackthorn.

Young and spirited, Ang Lee, with a smug smirk playing on his lips, loudly replied:

"Father, don't worry! I will definitely not let you down."

I will trample those who stand in my way under my feet!

Li Lei nodded slightly, then looked at Xiu Kuo behind him and said in an almost commanding tone:

"In the days leading up to the start of the competition, you should spar with Xiao An as much as possible."

"Use your experience to help him solidify the Soul Shattering Blade Technique."

This might be Xiao An's secret weapon in his battle against those guys from Blackthorn.

Practice diligently, and keep this a secret; do not let a word of it leak out.

Xiu Kuo's expression was calm and composed, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

Even knowing that his past honors were not valued, and that he had now been reduced to being the young master's sparring partner, he was not discouraged at all. He simply nodded respectfully and said, "Yes, Chairman, I will do my best to assist Young Master Li An."

Li Lei pondered for a moment, then looked up and sighed deeply, "Back then, I lost to that old geezer from the Blackthorn Club by a single move."

"I absolutely must win this match and wash away the shame I suffered back then!"

The group slowly ascended the magnificent staircase and entered the second floor of the dojo.

Li Lei concluded by saying, "Rest well tonight and conserve your energy. Don't overdo your breathing techniques and combat skills for the next few days; keep your body in top condition. I'll be waiting to see how you perform in three days."

Ang Lee nodded vigorously: "Yes, Father!"