Your Excellency’s Appearance Will Shock the Whole Crowd

Whoosh—

A series of deep, muffled water sounds echoed out, as if mountains and rivers were being overturned.

Then, in everyone's eyes—

In the center of that massive iron pillar, embedded within a transparent glass cylinder, streams of water shot out, gathering at the base of the pillar to form a small pool.

And in that water, there was a strange-looking fish.

The fish was small, but its belly was unusually large, drifting slowly in the water.

“There are ten marks on the iron pillar.”

“The first mark is one hundred jin of force, corresponding to early-stage Outer Strength.”

“The second mark is two hundred jin of force, which matches mid-stage Outer Strength.”

“The third mark is four hundred jin of force, for late-stage Outer Strength!”

“The fourth mark is six hundred jin of force, representing Outer Strength peak!”

“The fifth mark is one thousand jin of force, for early-stage Inner Strength!”

“As everyone knows, one thousand jin of force is the entry point for Inner Strength. But realm isn't just about force, so from the fifth mark onward, each mark increases by five hundred jin, but doesn't directly represent a cultivation stage.”

“Now, I'll demonstrate.”

Eric Ding finished speaking and stepped forward, stopping in front of the iron pillar and the iron brick set on the platform.

Eric Ding took a deep breath, eyes flashing. He clenched his fist, let out a fierce shout, and bent down to smash his fist toward the iron brick on the ground.

A sharp gust of fist wind made everyone's hearts jolt in shock.

Bang!

A deep, heavy sound rang out.

Eric Ding's fist slammed into the iron brick, driving it down by about half a brick's height, sinking it below the platform.

The water tank inside the iron pillar's glass tube suddenly changed with Eric Ding's punch.

The strange fish that had been drifting leisurely inside suddenly had its belly swell up, looking like a white ball, its body expanding more than tenfold.

It paused in the water for a moment, then opened its mouth.

A powerful jet of water burst from its mouth, shooting upward in a surge. Using the pressure, the fish's whole body shot out of the water, rushing toward the top of the glass tube.

One mark.

Two marks.

Three marks.

......

Six marks!

When the fish reached the sixth mark, the water in its mouth was completely expelled. It shrank back to its original size, then, with a swoosh, dropped back into the tank.

The iron brick on the platform returned to its original position.

“Six marks! As expected, Eric Ding has already reached Inner Strength!” someone exclaimed, eyes wide with admiration.

“Looks like the Ding family's artifact really can boost cultivation! No wonder the Ding clan has always produced so many experts!”

Seeing Eric Ding's display of strength, many people's eyes burned with desire.

Eric Ding swept his gaze over the crowd, looking very pleased. He announced, “As you can see, these are the rules. Hitting the fourth mark means you qualify for the Boxing King Tournament.”

“But let me make it clear: this tournament has no rules, so there's a real risk of death! I hope everyone is mentally prepared.”

“Now it's up to you. Anyone who wants to try, come up. If you meet the requirement, you'll get an entry ticket.”

After speaking, Eric Ding stepped aside.

“I'll go first!”

From the crowd, a burly man instantly stepped out and walked onto the stage.

He looked imposing, but Evan Lin could see at a glance that it was all for show. In reality, the guy was only a bit stronger than early-stage Outer Strength.

The man took a deep breath, clenched his fist, and smashed it down onto the iron brick.

A dull thud sounded.

Everyone turned to look at the iron pillar.

The fish's belly in the water slowly swelled, and with a whoosh, it shot upward.

One mark.

But just before reaching the second mark, the fish lost momentum and fell back into the water.

“He looks tough, but he didn't even reach mid-stage Outer Strength?” someone snickered from the crowd.

“All show and no substance. What a joke,” another scoffed, looking at the man on stage with disdain.

“That can't be right! I don't believe it. Let me try again!”

The man looked embarrassed and stepped up to the iron brick, raising his fist to try again.

But Eric Ding grabbed his hand.

“Sorry, everyone only gets one chance. Please step down.” Eric Ding said coldly, his eyes showing no emotion.

“I didn't use my full strength! Let me try again! Let go of me!” the man shouted angrily.

Eric Ding threw a crisp punch, landing squarely on the man's chest.

The man was sent flying a long distance by Eric Ding's punch.

“Time is limited and there are many contestants. Please cherish your chance and respect the rules. Otherwise, you'll end up like that guy.”

Eric Ding spoke indifferently, while the man in the distance spat blood, clearly on the verge of death.

“Trash shouldn't bother. I'll go.”

A man with yellow and purple hair walked onto the stage, sneering. He didn't use his fist, but turned it into a palm and slapped the iron brick.

The fish in the water shot upward immediately.

It stopped at the fourth mark.

“Outer Strength peak!”

Many people clicked their tongues, staring at the yellow-purple-haired man in surprise.

“Please go over there to collect your entry ticket.” Eric Ding smiled slightly.

“Outer Strength peak! I wonder when I'll be that strong. I know I'm not good enough, but I still want to try!”

Shawn Shi watched the yellow-purple-haired man step down, eyes burning with envy.

Evan Lin stood in place, not rushing up, wanting to see what kind of strength these contestants really had.

Shawn Shi went up, gathered all his strength, and smashed the iron brick.

The fish in the water only shot up a bit past the second mark, not reaching the third.

Shawn Shi stepped down, a bit disappointed. Tony Dong sensibly didn’t dare go up and embarrass himself.

He wasn’t as strong as Shawn Shi yet.

Next, a few people made it through, but most were eliminated.

“Sir, if you went up, you’d definitely shock the whole crowd!”

After stepping down, Shawn Shi stood next to Evan Lin, looking at him with burning anticipation.

Deep down, he couldn’t help mentally tying his own future to Evan Lin—even if he knew it was just wishful thinking.

“Shock the whole crowd? Heh, what a boast.”

A scornful voice suddenly rang out.