The underground fighting pits.
Huo Yi brought Xu Qing to the location of the underground fighting pits, handed him over to a large, fat man named Yu Chen, and left without another word.
In the room.
"You're Xu Qing, right?"
Yu Chen was dressed quite sharply, a stark contrast to his bloated, fat frame. He sized Xu Qing up for a moment before asking, "How strong are you?"
"I'm just an ordinary person."
Xu Qing shook his head.
"That makes sense."
Yu Chen nodded. "If you want to make money in the underground fighting pits, you have to risk your life. You won't be fighting today. We'll arrange a match for you tomorrow."
"Understood."
Xu Qing nodded.
"Lunch and dinner will be brought to you. You are not to leave this room until your match tomorrow. And absolutely no wandering around."
Yu Chen said in a low, serious voice.
"I know."
Xu Qing nodded again.
Afterward, Yu Chen left the room, leaving Xu Qing alone. The room was sparse and simple, containing only a wooden bed, a wooden stool, and a table.
Next, Xu Qing took out all of his belongings.
Ten Copper Coins, a worn-out Hidden Weapon Crossbow, six old Crossbow Arrows, and a tattered book.
This was everything Xu Qing owned in the world.
'I need to figure out how to use this Encyclopedia of All Things in my mind,' Xu Qing mused. 'Fighting in the underground pits is a good way to earn the tuition for the Cangying Martial Arts Hall quickly, but only if I can win... and survive.'
'And that requires sufficient strength.'
As he pondered, Xu Qing immersed his consciousness into the Encyclopedia of All Things. As his focus deepened, the encyclopedia in his mind began to emit a faint, fluorescent glow.
HUM!
The next moment, a stream of information flooded his mind.
"So that's how it works."
Understanding dawned on Xu Qing, a hint of joy appearing on his face. He picked up the worn-out Hidden Weapon Crossbow from the table.
"Absorb," Xu Qing uttered softly.
SHING!
A silver light flashed.
The worn-out Hidden Weapon Crossbow in Xu Qing's hand vanished, having been absorbed into the Encyclopedia of All Things. The corresponding information for the crossbow appeared.
To give Xu Qing a more intuitive understanding, the Encyclopedia of All Things presented the relevant details as data in his mind.
[Encyclopedia of All Things]
[Worn-out Hidden Weapon Crossbow Level 1: 0/5 (A Hidden Weapon Crossbow that has been used for over a decade. Its power has greatly diminished, and it might even fall apart.)]
After the absorption was complete, Xu Qing also learned how to upgrade the worn-out Hidden Weapon Crossbow. He had to fire it. Each shot would grant one Experience Point, and after five shots, it would level up.
Immediately after, Xu Qing absorbed the ten Copper Coins and the tattered book.
...
[Great Zhou Copper Coins Level 1: 0/10 (Copper Coins issued by the Great Zhou Martial Country, usable for transactions within its borders. Having absorbed the vital energy of the common people, they possess an extremely weak Breaking Evil effect.)]
...
[Snake Body Technique (Incomplete) Level 1: 0/5 (This is an incomplete Martial Arts Body Technique. The knowledge of the technique is hidden within the chaotic text. Although incomplete, it is a Martial Arts Body Technique nonetheless.)]
...
"This is good stuff!"
Xu Qing's expression lit up. He never would have expected that among his grandfather Nine Fingers's belongings, this tattered book would contain an incomplete Martial Arts Body Technique.
HUM!
The next moment, the Encyclopedia of All Things flickered with a faint glow, and waves of knowledge and information about the mysteries of the Snake Body Technique flooded Xu Qing's mind.
Involuntarily, Xu Qing felt as if he had entered a mystical space where he practiced the incomplete Snake Body Technique over and over, gradually mastering it.
Finally, it was like a sudden enlightenment.
Xu Qing had learned the Snake Body Technique.
At the same time, Xu Qing learned how to upgrade the incomplete Snake Body Technique. He had to practice it. Each practice session would grant one Experience Point, and after five sessions, it would level up.
'Let's give it a try.'
Xu Qing began practicing the Snake Body Technique in the room. Because it was incomplete, it looked a little off, but his Stepping Technique still moved like a slithering snake.
Two hours later.
He had completed five practice sessions.
[Snake Body Technique (Incomplete) Level 1: 5/5 (Upgradeable!)]
"Upgrade," Xu Qing said.
As soon as he spoke, the Encyclopedia of All Things glowed, and Xu Qing's consciousness once again entered that mystical space, constantly practicing and extrapolating the incomplete Snake Body Technique.
Gradually, the incomplete Snake Body Technique was made whole.
[Snake Body Technique Level 2: 0/10 (This is a complete Martial Arts Body Technique. Once mastered, your steps will be as nimble as a slithering snake.)]
At this point, Xu Qing had fully mastered the Snake Body Technique.
However, after practicing the Snake Body Technique for over two hours, Xu Qing was exhausted. His stomach was growling, a clear sign that he had spent a great deal of physical and mental energy.
He couldn't practice anymore.
Fortunately, it was already noon.
A servant from the underground fighting pits delivered lunch to Xu Qing's room. After eating, much of his stamina and energy returned.
Originally, Xu Qing planned to continue practicing the Snake Body Technique in the afternoon to raise it a few more levels, which would make tomorrow's match safer. But not long after he finished eating, Yu Chen showed up at his door.
"Xu Qing."
Yu Chen cleared his throat. "The underground fighting pits are extremely short on fighters right now. The original plan was to let you acclimate for a day and fight tomorrow, but today's other fighter had an... incident. We have no choice but to have you take his place."
"But..."
Xu Qing was taken aback.
However, he was in no position to refuse.
"It's almost time. Get ready," Yu Chen said.
"Alright," Xu Qing said.
「Half an hour later.」
Atop the fighting ring of the underground pits.
WHOOSH...
Xu Qing took a deep breath. He was now standing in the ring. Looking around, he saw an environment that resembled a Roman Colosseum.
Around him, rows of spectators encircled the ring. There was a considerable number of them, and each held a piece of paper in their hand—their betting slip.
"Who's in the first match today?"
"I just looked. Contestant Number One is 'Black Heart' Zhu He. I've never heard of the other guy he's fighting. Seems like a newbie."
"I know Zhu He! He's got a pretty high win rate. He's fought nine matches, won six, and only lost three."
"Look, Contestant Number Two is coming out."
"What the hell?"
"A beggar!? Are you guys at the pits messing with us? You're actually letting a beggar fight?"
"Quick, quick, quick! Place your bets! Place your bets! I'm putting my money on 'Black Heart' Zhu He!"
"Are they just giving us free money?"
...
In the audience stands, the crowd was buzzing with discussion, all of them excited and agitated. They pulled out real gold and silver to place their bets.
In the ring.
"Kid, I don't know who tricked you into coming here, but since you've got the guts to step into this ring, you better be prepared to be beaten to death."
"Black Heart" Zhu He was about 1.8 meters tall with well-developed muscles. He was bare-chested, revealing his extremely defined physique.
WHOOSH...
Xu Qing took another deep breath, his expression calm. In stark contrast, his clothes were tattered and torn, his hair was a messy tangle, and he was covered in filth. He looked just like a beggar. Compared to Zhu He, it was the difference between heaven and earth; there was simply no comparison.
Therefore, the betting from the audience was completely one-sided.
"Let's begin," Xu Qing said in a calm voice.
"You're courting death."
Zhu He barked, bending his knees slightly. The next instant, he exploded forward, his body shooting toward Xu Qing as he threw both fists straight at his face.
"Hm?"
Xu Qing paused for a fraction of a second. He realized Zhu He wasn't that fast. At least, to his eyes, his opponent's speed seemed to have slowed down.
And so, with just a slight turn of his body, Xu Qing dodged Zhu He's attack.
Apparently, having learned the Snake Body Technique, Xu Qing's reaction speed and physical fitness had risen to a new level, far surpassing that of an ordinary person.
That was why this was happening.
Elsewhere,
The founder of the underground fighting pits was Huo Yi, the senior apprentice of the Cangying Martial Arts Hall. He held the largest share. Besides Huo Yi, there were three other main managers.
Yu Chen was one of these three main managers.
The other two were Fan Yanbin and Lv Wei.
"Yu Chen."
Fan Yanbin, a middle-aged man with a square face, stared at the ring and said, "You've got some nerve, putting a beggar like that in the ring."
"Do you have any idea how many people have bet on 'Black Heart' Zhu He? Even though we've pushed his odds down as low as they can go, if he wins, do you know how much money the pits will have to pay out?"
"If Lord Huo Yi finds out about this, you can kiss your head goodbye."
"I didn't have a choice! Zhu He's opponent died—bitten to death by a Corpse Monster in his own home. I couldn't find another fighter on such short notice, so I had to throw this guy in."
Yu Chen clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. It was clear how incredibly nervous he was. "Lord Huo Yi brought this beggar here personally, so he must have some skill, right? Besides, I've already lowered the odds as much as I possibly could."
You could say this was a huge gamble.
"Heh."
Lv Wei gave a cold laugh. Leaning against a nearby wall with his arms crossed, he said flatly, "Well then, I'll be waiting for your good news."
Meanwhile, back in the ring,
Zhu He's attacks were ferocious. Xu Qing dodged left and right, using the Snake Body Technique like a nimble snake to evade Zhu He's relentless assault. To a casual observer, it looked like Zhu He was just chasing Xu Qing all over the ring.
In reality, Xu Qing was moving with ease. Zhu He's attacks couldn't touch him at all.