Crane Fist School

Seeing the heated discussions all around him, Aiden Li was very satisfied with the effect his words had produced.

Making a public declaration was as good as setting it in stone.

Whichever side lost and failed to honor the bet would lose all credibility and never again be able to stand in River City.

"I, Aiden Li, accept this fifty-billion wager on behalf of the Li family!"

As soon as Aiden Li finished speaking, the whole arena erupted again.

Tonight’s showdown was destined to go down in Seacrest Prefecture’s history—no matter who won, they would become the undisputed commercial overlord for the next decade!

“Now, I announce that tonight’s tournament officially begins!”

After Aiden Li finished his proclamation, the emcee on the central stage was briefly stunned, then quickly recovered and grabbed the mic to announce loudly: “Tonight, the tournament begins!”

“First, let’s welcome our undefeated mystery masked man!”

The emcee’s voice was full of excitement as he held the microphone: “Since his very first match, he’s fought thirty-eight times, winning every single one! Not a single opponent has managed to injure him in the slightest!”

"So that's the masked man everyone's been talking about lately?" Summer Mu stared, shocked.

Even just standing there, the masked man looked like a rampaging beast.

The heavy pressure he gave off made the crowd's hearts pound.

"Elder Jin, with your expert eye, how strong do you think the masked man is?" Dr. Soul grinned, turning to Elder Jin.

"Hmm, his flesh is dense and his blood-energy surges—he's a rare talent. At first glance, he might even be half a level stronger than our Valley Guardians." Elder Jin nodded slightly.

Hearing this, Aiden Li looked proud.

Everyone watched as the iron-like masked man strode up to the stage.

Standing onstage, he swept his gaze around and said in a deep voice, "If you want to challenge me—and you're not afraid to die—step up!"

His voice was low and full of pressure.

His wolf-like eyes scanned each booth. When he saw Evan Lin, his gaze turned cold, icy.

"I, Quentin He of Crane Fist School, am here to challenge you!"

A voice rang out at that moment.

Everyone turned to look.

A man in blue robes, about thirty years old, stood up from one of the booths.

He wore blue, his features sharp and refined. With a single step, he leapt into the air, flipped mid-flight, and landed steadily at the edge of the stage, hands behind his back, every inch the expert.

"Crane Fist School? Weren't they wiped out by Drake Huang over ten years ago?" someone blurted, surprised.

"You don't know the half of it. Crane Fist School had a falling out with Drake Huang, who kicked them out of River City in a rage. But all these years, they've been lying low, training hard, waiting to come back for revenge. Quentin He was just early Inner Strength back then, but now? His aura says he's leveled up big time." An older man shook his head, explaining.

"Quentin He of Crane Fist School!" Quentin cupped his fist toward the masked man.

He wasn't as bulky as the masked man, but his eyes sparkled with confidence. "I came back to River City to kill Drake Huang and restore my school's reputation! But now that Drake's dead, the only way to prove Crane Fist School's strength is to take first place tonight. So when I fight, I won't hold back—no hard feelings!"

"You? Win the championship? What a joke!" The masked man sneered, looking down with utter disdain. "Crane Fist School is just trash. You dare get on this stage?"

Quentin's face darkened at the insult. He gave a cold smile. "Then don't blame me! Watch my Thousand-Form Battle Crane Fist!" he roared, his previously slim frame suddenly swelling with power.

With a shout, he bent his hands into crane shapes and charged forward, feet thundering against the ground. In an instant, a flurry of fist-shadows filled the air, all aimed at the masked man.

"Quentin He came prepared!"

"So strong! He must be peak Inner Strength now, right?"

The constant boom of fists in the air left everyone stunned.

Quentin He was way stronger than anyone who'd challenged the masked man before!

"Eat this!"

Quentin gave a cold laugh, then shot into the air. Like a crane towering over chickens, he hammered down at the masked man!

Boom!

A barrage of fists landed on the masked man. In a flash, Quentin landed, looking smug, his back to the masked man. "You took my full Thousand-Form Battle Crane Fist. If you're not dead, what are you made of?"

"Next! Who's up?"

Quentin sneered, but suddenly his face froze. He whipped around—somehow, the masked man was right behind him! Quentin's eyes went wide. "No way! My peak Inner Strength punches definitely landed on you! How—"

"I called you trash, didn't I? A few punches—barely a tickle!" The masked man snorted, grabbed Quentin by the head and waist, and twisted hard!

Crack!

One moment, Quentin was full of swagger. The next, his head spun 180 degrees. He died with his eyes wide open, not even able to close them.

Thud!

The masked man tossed Quentin's corpse aside, then swept a cold gaze around the arena. The whole crowd shuddered.

"How confident are you against him?" Evan Lin asked Gavin Duan, voice calm as ever.

"Eighty percent." Gavin's eyes burned, fists clenched, battle intent surging.