Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

He had spent a total of 1300 combat experience points, in exchange for nearly a Combat Specialization Layer 3 and three special attribute bonuses.

Indeed, the most direct combat was the fastest way to improve oneself; a danger that was both close to real battle yet not as deadly had its unique charm. No wonder those who lived in the dreariness found a bit of joy in it.

Clutching near his wound, trying his best to stem the bleeding, Bai E made his way back to the war room. The attendants there swallowed hard as they looked at the blood-soaked wound and then at the man whose half-masked face appeared expressionless.

"Do you need... someone to tend to your wound?"

"No need. I can handle it myself, just bring me a medical kit," he replied.

The attendant who brought the medical kit stood by, ready for the moment the strong man might need assistance.

As he tended to his wound, a voice suddenly broke the silence, "Keep arranging matches for me... as soon as possible."

...

"He still wants to fight?" The person in charge frowned deeply, his gaze fixed on the figure in the rest area treating his own wound, the color of blood undeniably eye-catching, "Where did this madman come from?"

This was the most dangerous arena, not someone's backyard.

In the most perilous battles, a moment's distraction could invite a storm of blows, especially with wounds already bleeding.

Here, there were few who respected martial virtues; an injury was like an open invitation for targeting.

Even if the fights weren't to the death, the risk of injury, and a serious one at that, was high.

The one who had nearly wrecked Viper couldn't possibly be ignorant of the rules here, yet he still wanted to fight consecutively?

Madman!

But what did it have to do with him?

How many here weren't madmen? If someone could bring in profits, that was the talent he liked!

The last two fights had already earned a significant sum; the more controversial the fight, the more it attracted attention.

The news of his third consecutive battle, once released, would only draw more and more spectators.

It was, in a sense, the perfect setup for tonight's main event.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I've received another incredible piece of news..." the host's voice was filled with passion, "The White Ghost, with his two consecutive victories, requests to continue fighting. To give our most courageous contestant a little time to recover, please be patient. And let me give you a little hint, the White Ghost's next opponent will be someone who has yet to be defeated...

but it's a secret."

"F*ck!"

"Damn your hide!"

The unsatisfied audience erupted in curses, immediately followed by cautious discussions with acquaintances nearby; after all, it concerned their wallets.

"The White Ghost seemed to be quite injured just now."

"That old Viper's sneak attack must have hit hard; resting for a bit won't help, how could such injuries heal so fast?"

"But since he dares to request consecutive fights, he must be confident. I believe in the White Ghost." Discover hidden content at empire

"In my opinion, this White Ghost is a pure madman; he doesn't have any confidence, he won't leave unless he throws himself on this stage."

Among the numerous discussions, there were all sorts of opinions, but when the "rumor" came out, it almost unanimously swayed them.

"I heard the White Ghost's next opponent will be Mad Lion Paul..."

"Then it's a win for the White Ghost!"

"Exactly! He must be confident to ask for consecutive fights. I regret not betting on the White Ghost earlier; this time I'm all in on him."

"Brothers, bet on the White Ghost, it's a sure win this time!"

...

During the rest period, no other matches were arranged, as the organizers left enough time for this heavyweight match to simmer.

When the host announced the competitor's name, the savvy ones had already placed their bets.

"All in! I must go all in this time!"

"Bet it all on Mad Lion!"

"105 coins on Mad Lion, is that it?" the registrar asked with a deadpan expression and dead fish eyes.

"Shh~ Keep your voice down, don't let them hear!"

"Damn *ssholes."

Mad Lion, also known as the Junior Blood God.

...

The opponent was a sunny young man with golden hair, whose smile was radiant to the extreme.

He seemed extremely affable and approachable, not at all reflecting the "madness" in his title.

His gaze lingered on Bai E's waist, eyeing the white bandage still oozing red, and he said with a bright smile, "I'll try to avoid your wound."

"I'd rather you aimed for it," Bai E said expressionlessly.

Paul's smile faltered as he deeply gazed into Bai E's eyes exposed outside the mask, "You're even crazier than me."

Bai E's face slightly lifted, his gaze disdainful, "Did they ask you to fight just so you could chat?"

"Haha! Alright!" Mad Lion Paul burst into laughter, instantly accelerating.

His handsome and tall stature surged forward like a lion, each movement from his golden-proportioned body seemingly possessing the regal and domineering air of a lion king.

As his opponent, one could always feel the suffocating pressure as if one were alone in the wilderness, face to face with such a beast king.

Bai E could see this opponent's explosive rate—Combat Specialization Layer 4.

The level isn't especially high, just like the Viper earlier.

But their styles of fighting are completely different.

Despite the same Combat Specialization Layer, Mad Lion Paul's oppressive force was fully dialed up.

Clearly, in the training of special attributes, this Mad Lion had a higher level of aggressiveness.

The practical combat instructor, Dan, had previously told everyone the theory of integrating offense, defense, and footwork as the most basic entry-level and the absolute concept throughout combat.

Yet, on this foundation, each individual's direction for strength development was different.

Barehanded combat differs from firearms and blades, which almost certainly result in life-or-death situations. Every black fist fighter who can gain countless combat experiences in this relatively safe arena has their unique understanding of combat.

So the special attributes they train are diverse and varied.

The opponent, Mad Lion Paul, in some ways resembled the bio-guard soldiers he had faced earlier, with moves that were broad and unrestrained in dealing with external enemies, along with various joint-locking techniques specifically tailored for the human body.

Even in terms of strength, he was not inferior to himself when using Overlimit Drive…

Does he have a similar strength-enhancement specialization? Or is his physical fitness over 15?

Unknown.

But it did definitely make Bai E feel overmatched. If it weren't for the recently acquired "Enhanced Defense," he would probably be completely taken down within a minute.

An opponent whose strength was no less than his and who far surpassed him in technique.

This world is still… full of masters!

...

Watching the opponent appearing somewhat perilous under the pursuit of their young master, two silent figures in a quiet corner of the audience seats suddenly let out a light chuckle.

"Thought we had a real master here, but that's all the level there is."

"The young master's goal is to tame that beast… an enemy of this caliber is of course no concern."

"I heard tonight is the chance for that beast to make an appearance. I wonder if the young master will take action."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Probably not…"

Although the young master is formidable, he definitely isn't a match for that publicly acknowledged top black fist fighter yet; he still needs more experience.

Not to mention, the organizer announced a three against one scenario. With our young master's pride, he surely wouldn't step in under such conditions.

Thinking of that ferocious beast, a twinge of regret flashed through the eyes of one of the cloaked figures, "Only the military would waste such talent."

Until now, they hadn't issued a Gene Optimization Solution to such a person with unlimited potential, causing his abilities to be stuck within the current physical limitations.

The three basic attributes of the body have their maximum human limits, and it's the same with other abilities.

Once the specialization level is high, without sufficient basic attribute support, it's impossible to elevate or utilize those abilities.

Without access to the Gene Optimization Solution, even the most talented would eventually be confined within the cage of the human body.

Another figure, a charming silhouette, spoke with a light, amused tone, "It's not that the military doesn't care, we just don't have the opportunity to recruit such individuals."

Any expert not valued by the military is seen as a rare main force in their city's war gangs.

And since they want to recruit… they naturally have ways to make the military release such individuals, though not exactly by the book.

After talking about that beast, both of their gazes refocused on the current battle, "This fight should be ending soon, I guess…"

"To persist in wanting to counterattack shows the opponent's commendable will to fight, but in the face of absolute power…"

...

[You spent 250 points of combat experience in learning, converting into 125 points of "Combat Mastery" experience. (Medium chance to awaken a special attribute.)](Accumulated)

[Your long-term learning has allowed you to extract enough experience from your opponent's fighting method. Your specialization skill—Combat Specialization, has gained a new "special" attribute bonus!]

[Combat Specialization (Layer 2): Strike Power +4%, Evasion +2%, Block +2%, Rapid Strike (Special) +2, Enhanced Defense (Special) +50%, Opportune (Special) +2%, Joint Technique (Special) +20%.]

...

Voices from the corner expressed doubt, "Why do I feel… like the young master's opponent has stabilized again?"

The originally precarious battle situation had somehow… reached a stalemate?

The charming figure squinted, watching intently for a while before opening her rosy mouth in surprise, "He… he's learning the young master's combat techniques!"