Outside the changing room, cheers, shouts, and the distinctive horn sounds of the boxing ring resonated.
Two rows of horn players stood next to the ring, each holding a giant horn in front of them. When the boxing match was about to start, they would slowly blow their horns.
From deep and solemn to loud and clear, their ancient and melodious sounds, along with the oxygen delivered through the vents, lifted everyone's spirits from the depths to the skies.
The entire gleaming venue was filled with the aroma of tobacco, sweat, and the scent of hormones.
Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire
A host in formal attire held a microphone inside the octagon cage, a smile in his eyes as he looked around, "Ladies and gentlemen!"
"After 4 months and 10 days, the octagon cage in the Fourth District of City 18 is about to welcome a new fighter. Tonight, he will climb the ladder from the rookie division."
"Do you remember, a year ago on such a night, Boxing King Afan also fought a bloody battle in the octagon cage?"
"Of course, four months ago, another gifted rookie fighter died in the octagon cage."
"Every time a newcomer appears, their performance is something to look forward to..."
In the cramped dressing room, Qing Chen looked at Uncle Li Dong, "Master, you said you were only bringing me to take a look. You didn't mention getting beaten up before we came. Isn't this a bit hasty?"
Ordinary boxers could only use the rudimentary changing rooms. Only those above the Tiger Grade were entitled to their own private changing rooms.
But to Qing Chen, the changing room was of little significance since he literally didn't have any clothes to change into...
Uncle Li Dong spoke leisurely, "When I first stepped into the ring, I wasn't well prepared either. Besides, both your senior uncle and I went through this process of getting beat up, it's quite normal! A knight should face any difficulty without fear!"
Qing Chen eyed Uncle Li Dong suspiciously, "Master, are you unable to lay a hand on me and want to see others beat me up?"
After some thought, Uncle Li Dong said, "What's wrong with that? When your second uncle took me to the ring, he thought the same way!"
"I see, so this is also a knight's tradition," Qing Chen remarked.
It seemed that the person who sent Uncle Li Dong into the ring was the very one who had recently laid to eternal rest in Taboo Land 002, who had not yet formed any regular pattern.
He must have been so fed up with Uncle Li and Chen Jiazhang that he sent the pair to get beaten up.
Qing Chen was well aware of his own capabilities. Setting aside his lack of abundant combat experience, just the fact that his lineage as a transcendent placed him at a disadvantage on the boxing ring was problematic.
He couldn't use the Autumn Leaf Knife!
Moreover, Qing Chen knew the rules well; on the first night of his ranking match, he would have to fight all the way from the rookie division to the Tiger Grade, barely surviving to reach the latter division just to face a true E-Class Expert.
How could he avoid getting beaten up?
Uncle Li Dong asked, "Where else in this world, besides the ring, can you cultivate combat experience without any reservations? Not even the sparring intensity in the Federation Army matches up to this place."
Qing Chen also pondered this; real battle required rich experience, a sense of distance and rhythm. These were intuitions to be acquired over long periods of sparring.
Seeing his disciple seem moved, Uncle Li Dong continued, "Think about it, an E-Class Superhuman isn't something you see every day. In the Federation Army, only a Captain qualifies to apply for Genetic Potion of this level, and not everyone is willing to inject it. If you wish to spar with someone at the same level, they might not necessarily want to fight you even if you're willing to do so."
"Also consider this, you'd have to pay to have someone spar with you outside, but here you can earn money by sparring! Once you reach the Middleweight Level and above, for each match you fight, win or lose, you get a share of the betting pool! Plus, there's an appearance fee!" Uncle Li Dong said.
"Alright, I'll fight," Qing Chen declared.
Uncle Li Dong lamented, "If I had known money would convince you, I would not have wasted words."
"By the way," Qing Chen asked curiously, "Master, aren't you going to place a bet on me winning?"
"No," Uncle Li Dong said, grinning.
Qing Chen was taken aback, "Master, you must be convinced that I won't win tonight, so you don't want to lose money. You're just sending me to get beaten up, aren't you?"
Uncle Li Dong replied patiently, "I don't think that way; I just feel gambling isn't good."
Saying that, Uncle Li Dong took off his coat and wore it inside out. The inside wasn't pure white, but pure grey.
"Master, why are you wearing your coat inside out?" Qing Chen asked, puzzled.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"So, Master, do you think I can win tonight?" Qing Chen inquired.
Uncle Li Dong considered for a moment, "Actually, once you reach the Tiger Grade, your opponents will be real E-Class Genetic Warriors, so after several fights, it won't be easy to win. If you want to win, you lack a catalyst."
Qing Chen's expression darkened; yet another catalyst was needed.
The last time his master said he was lacking a catalyst, he specially arranged for a C-Class Expert to hunt him down.
"But Master, shouldn't I wear a mouthguard and have my boxing gloves?" Qing Chen asked.
"The rules of underground boxing have long changed. No mouthguards, no gloves. This makes it all the more thrilling," Uncle Li Dong explained.
The cheering outside the changing room grew louder, and someone outside the alloy gate was knocking, "The fighter, please come to the stage."
However, at this moment, Uncle Li Dong's phone suddenly chimed. He took it out and said after a glance, "After we left, that young lady named Yanyan returned to the Luo Shen Building. It seems she intends to live across from us."