Infinite Fighting

Blue City District.

One of the major districts on Shanli Island, it had a population of over seventy thousand and covered a vast area.

Its manufacturing and processing industries were also relatively developed. Kui District purchased a significant portion of its resources from here, and in turn, sent some of its own processed goods back.

After parking the car, Zhang Ji and Kratos followed an attendant into the main administrative building.

After the incident in Ling City District, Wang Quan had sent Zhang Ji here. In addition to Zhang Ji, seven other district overlords from Shanli Island who worked for the Five Elements Sect were also present.

Inside the elevator, Zhang Ji observed the city outside.

Compared to the old, underdeveloped state of Kui District, the urban planning here was much better.

But that was about the only thing it had going for it.

A single glance revealed the chaos in its social order.

Setting aside the factories that treated people as disposable, the scenes on the streets alone painted a grim picture.

From Zhang Ji’s perspective, people were lying strewn across the streets. The flesh trade was conducted openly in any given alley, and syringes and empty drug vials littered the areas around trash cans. Some people staggered forward like zombies, resembling something straight out of a horror movie.

Kui District had an absolute ban on addictive substances.

While such things could be a useful tool for controlling subordinates, they also made people lose their minds and become dangerously erratic.

Kratos preferred a more stable and orderly environment.

"We’ve arrived, sirs."

The elevator doors opened, and the attendant led Zhang Ji and Kratos to the door of a conference room.

Opening the door revealed a hastily prepared meeting room.

Inside was a long table with several chairs set around it.

Some of the chairs were already occupied by people chatting amongst themselves.

Zhang Ji and Kratos each found an empty seat and began talking in low voices.

"That’s Blood Dove from Ning City District. He deals in human blood and organs."

Kratos began introducing the others to Zhang Ji.

"Over here is Scorpion from Gaocheng District. He supplies addictive substances to several of the nearby districts."

"That fat guy is Fat Bear. He’s pretty capable. He set up a firearm production line, and most of the guns we have come from him. He has always remained neutral, dealing only in arms, and his influence is substantial."

...

Most of these people were just a ragtag bunch; not a single professional fighter among them.

The only one worth a second glance from Zhang Ji was the squinty-eyed fat man called Fat Bear.

’A person who can deal in arms on a place like Shanli Island can’t be simple.’

Of course, the most important thing was that the man’s body didn’t seem to be entirely fat.

Zhang Ji could faintly make out the contours of muscle beneath his clothes.

’This guy might just be a fighter from the Solid Body Sect.’

Zhang Ji recalled a sect whose martial arts caused its practitioners to grow fatter as they trained. Their bodies could be covered in excess flesh, with someone standing 1.5 meters tall weighing over 300 kilograms. But during a fight, they would channel their energy to tense this flab, turning the fat into a buffer layer. This not only absorbed massive amounts of damage but also provided the fighter with a continuous supply of stamina and energy, granting them incredible endurance. They could fight for three days and three nights straight.

Fat Bear wasn’t that extreme, but at 1.8 meters tall with his build, he had to weigh at least 100 kilograms.

To make a name for himself on Shanli Island with that kind of physique was no simple feat.

As if noticing Zhang Ji’s gaze, the fat man turned his head, met Zhang Ji’s eyes with his squint, and offered a friendly smile.

As a neutral party, he couldn’t afford to offend anyone; everyone was a potential client.

Zhang Ji gave a slight nod in return.

He wasn’t one to start trouble with someone whose background he didn’t know.

Afterward, more people arrived one after another.

By the time it was nearly noon, the room was full.

There were eight leaders in total, and the rest were their followers.

Well, Zhang Ji and Kratos counted as a single leader.

Among these eight leaders, the most successful had conquered five districts.

All together, they controlled a population of over four hundred thousand on Shanli Island.

Zhang Ji’s group had conquered three districts, which, including Kui District, meant they controlled four. This put them in the upper-middle range.

They ranked in the top four out of the eight leaders.

However, the others had been working for the Five Elements Sect longer than Zhang Ji, so it didn’t necessarily mean they were more capable.

Incidentally, Fat Bear had only conquered two districts, both sparsely populated, which seemed completely at odds with his actual strength.

’He’s seriously slacking off.’

But Zhang Ji thought he was very clever.

Originally, there were supposed to be more people working for the Five Elements Sect.

But the more aggressive ones were already dead.

As for how they died, it was more or less the same way as what happened during Zhang Ji’s last district conquest.

They ran into something far beyond what was expected.

The Five Elements Sect wasn’t the only one making moves here.

A short while later, Wang Quan walked in with his men and stood on the raised platform.

Instantly, all eyes fell on Wang Quan.

"I will dispense with the pleasantries," Wang Quan began. "We have already dealt with some of the recent unforeseen incidents, and we have now agreed upon a plan.

Continuing to fight like this benefits no one.

The martial arts world has its own rules. Therefore, we have decided that in one month, we will hold a martial arts tournament right here. The losing side will voluntarily withdraw."

"Master Quan, we’ve fought this long just to be told it’s over? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?" someone asked.

"It’s not inappropriate. This is in accordance with the rules, and it is the Five Elements Sect’s decision," Wang Quan said softly.

His voice was soft, but no one dared to refute him.

The Five Elements Sect was too powerful. None of those present had the ability to object to their decisions.

To object was to be replaced.

Just like when Zhang Ji had killed that doubtful underling with a single punch and simply found someone else to take his place.

"Who will fight? How will we fight? And what happens if the Five Elements Sect loses?"

Someone asked the crucial questions.

"You are the ones who will enter the tournament. As for how you will fight, anything you can find here is fair game. If you win, the Five Elements Sect will grant you the status of official disciples. Regardless of whether the Five Elements Sect wins or loses overall, you will be pardoned and allowed to leave Shanli Island to live as disciples of the Sect. As for losing..." Wang Quan paused, then continued, "In this tournament, to prevent either side from holding back, victory and defeat will mean more than just victory and defeat."

"We’ll die, won’t we?" someone muttered.

"So, I urge you all to use every means at your disposal and prepare thoroughly," Wang Quan stated calmly.

The eight leaders present fell silent.

Of course, some of them didn’t want to participate in this tournament.

But no one dared to imagine the consequences of refusal.

Zhang Ji’s brow furrowed slightly.

’While settling all conflicts with a fight is common in games, and it’s also a rule in the martial arts world... if the Five Elements Sect had the upper hand, they definitely wouldn’t have agreed to this tournament.’

He then recalled the battle he had recently faced.

’My opponents even pulled out small rocket launchers. It’s clear the side opposing the Five Elements Sect has the advantage in certain areas.’

’And this tournament is an unrestricted fighting competition.’

’You can use whatever you can get your hands on.’

’Are my opponents going to show up in a mech?’

’Was it unwise for the Five Elements Sect to agree to this tournament?’

’But they’re not fools; they wouldn’t do something with no chance of winning.’

’There must be some information I’m missing.’

"If none of you have any more questions, go back and prepare as soon as possible. You don’t have much time," said Wang Quan.

Hearing this, one of the more impatient leaders stood up, gave a quick nod to Wang Quan, and left immediately with his men.

Zhang Ji thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Master Quan, I’d like some assistance."

"If you’re asking for heavy weaponry or military-grade exoskeletons, that’s impossible," Wang Quan said.

"No, I’d like some medicine. I was injured during the last conquest, and I need some potent medicine to recover," said Zhang Ji.

Of course, he didn’t actually need it for healing.

What Zhang Ji wanted was medicine for his training.

Specifically, medicine for practicing *Iron Shirt*.

He hadn’t used up all the ointment for his Raccoon Claw Skill, but the medicine for *Iron Shirt* was completely gone. He wanted to continue training, but Kratos couldn’t gather more on such short notice.

Although those ingredients weren’t as rare as the ones needed for the Raccoon Claw Skill, they were still difficult to procure.

The medicine Kratos had gathered would have been enough for Wu Chen and the others to train for at least a year, but Zhang Ji had consumed it all in a single month. Now, his only option for getting more quickly was to ask the Five Elements Sect.

"Write me a list of what you need. As long as it’s under one million, I’ll have someone prepare it for you within three days," Wang Quan replied.

"Thank you, Master Quan," Zhang Ji said, clasping his fist in a salute.

Hearing this, the others also caught on.

While they couldn’t get anything that broke the rules, they realized they could gain certain advantages within the rules through the Five Elements Sect.

"Master Quan, I need some major parts. My vehicle was damaged on the way here..."

...

After the leaders from the various districts had left Blue City District, Wang Quan went to find Li Long.

"Ah Long, if we lose, it will be difficult to answer to the Sect," said Wang Quan.

"Will we lose?" Li Long retorted.

"Pang Yanyang of the Xian Mountain Sect became a Grandmaster twenty years ago. He is not to be underestimated," Wang Quan reminded him.

"He barely stepped into the Grandmaster Domain in his fifties and has made no progress in all these years. Him?" Li Long scoffed dismissively.

As someone who had become a Grandmaster in his early twenties, Li Long indeed had the right to look down on an old-timer like Pang Yanyang, who lacked potential and ambition.

"Still, it’s a battle of attrition. It’s best to be cautious. You are their primary target," said Wang Quan.

Wang Quan knew that the core reason the Xian Mountain Sect had agreed to settle things with this tournament was to drag Li Long into the fight.

Otherwise, the Xian Mountain Sect, who held the advantage, would never have played this kind of game with the Five Elements Sect.

The martial arts world had its rules. If Li Long died during the tournament, no one could object or seek revenge in private.

The two Sects had a long-standing feud, and Li Long’s rise was too rapid. The Xian Mountain Sect absolutely did not want to see Li Long break free and advance even further.

Thus, they intended to use this tournament to pull Li Long into the ring, wear him down with others first, and then kill him in one fell swoop to eliminate the future threat for good!

But Li Long just sneered contemptuously. "All I can say is they’re overthinking it. A bunch of useless clay chickens and pottery dogs. Even all together, they’re not worth my time!"

As his voice fell, Li Long raised a hand and pushed his palm forward.

WHOOSH—! BOOM—!

A violent torrent of air blasted out. A transparent, dragon-shaped phantom could be faintly seen smashing into a distant metal mannequin, instantly blasting it to pieces.

"The Five Elements combined into one? Ah Long, you’ve grasped it?" Wang Quan said in shock.

"I’ve only just scratched the surface. But give me another two years, and I should be able to master it completely." Li Long gently pressed his hands down in front of his chest to calm the primordial qi within his body and spoke.

Wang Quan looked at the figure before him with a somewhat complicated expression.

’This is a true genius.’

’Before practicing martial arts, you see him as a high mountain.’

’After practicing martial arts, you see him as the endless blue sky.’