New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 327 Warrior vs. Monk
It just so happens that there's a 'cage fight' tonight. Mr. Yuan, are you confident in your goblins? If so, we can arrange for your 'fighters' to make their debut and make a name for themselves tonight. If you're not so sure, I think these orcs have good potential and are perfect for a fight.

Without any hesitation, Yuan Zhu answered directly, "Is it alright if both groups go?"

Olsen was slightly surprised by his answer: "Oh? Mr. Yuan is quite confident in these goblins. Let me be clear first, the fighting competitions here have always had a stellar reputation. There's absolutely no cheating; it's all about skill. Once they're on stage, we don't hold back until one side is completely incapacitated. Therefore, accidents, serious injuries, disabilities, and even deaths are not uncommon. You must have put in a lot of effort to train such clever goblins; it would be a pity if they got hurt or killed. Actually, I would suggest taking them to a circus to perform acrobatics; they'd earn quite a bit."

Despite the earnest advice, Yuan Zhu remained unmoved: "Actually, it doesn't matter if one or two are killed. Doesn't this further prove that the 'Fighting Goblins' we've trained are just as skilled? Perhaps they're a bit weaker in terms of strength, but their fearless and courageous fighting spirit is no less than any martial artist. On the contrary, it has made the 'Fighting Goblins' famous. Their fierce fighting and skillful performance can bring the audience the most realistic and visually appealing experience, which is precisely our competitive advantage."

Olsen still didn't have much confidence or interest in the "Pure Goblin Fighting Theater" that Yuan Zhu and A Miao mentioned, but Yuan Zhu's willingness to send goblins to participate in regular underground battles was an interesting gimmick.

After watching countless evenly matched fights, watching a match where someone easily defeats an opponent can offer a refreshing change of pace and bring some novelty to the audience. Among the boxing matches he organizes, there have been battles between wild beasts and superhumans challenging mutated animals, but there has never been a 'goblin beating', which sounds very trendy and interesting.

So Olsen asked, "What level of combat do you plan to have them participate in?"

Yuan Zhu: "What kinds are there? Could you introduce a few?"

Olsen pointed behind Yuan Zhu to a group of goblins wearing masks, some with their arms crossed and bodies leaning back, others striking various flamboyant JOJO poses.

Suddenly, he paused, his mouth slightly open, his mind captivated by the suggestive gestures, and he couldn't utter a word for a long time: "Uh..."

Yuan Zhu tentatively asked, "Is there something you're having trouble saying?"

Olsen shook his head violently, suppressing the extremely awkward feeling in his heart, and tried his best not to look at those lewd things: "No, it's just that I suddenly feel that you goblins do have some skills."

Ah Miao had seen these stunt people with hoods and poses before, and then burst into laughter.

She had long seen through the extraordinary nature of these goblins. It had nothing to do with their strength; they simply possessed a mysterious, never-before-seen demonic quality, along with a supremely abstract sense of torment. This indiscriminately tortured the eyes and mind of every viewer, making them resist yet unable to look away, continuing to suffer the ongoing damage.

Yuan Zhu: "Thank you for your recognition. I also believe that they are extraordinary and will surely make a name for themselves in Runing."

Orson, unwilling to delve into the topic, stated directly, "Based on the strength of your goblins, I can arrange three tiers of opponents. The first tier consists of opponents slightly stronger than them, resulting in a close fight in the early stages, giving them ample opportunity to showcase their abilities, but they will be defeated later. The second tier comprises opponents far stronger than them, all renowned fighters. The battles won't last long, but a crushing defeat of the goblins will elicit cheers from the audience and leave a lasting impression. If the fight goes well, more renowned fighters might even request your goblins to join the fray."

"The third tier, also known as the midnight tier, is a truly indiscriminate bloodbath. Your goblin can choose between weapon combat or unarmed combat, with no rules, no holding back, and the option to execute the loser in the most brutal and despicable way. Your goblin will most likely not walk off the stage alive, but if his death is incredibly spectacular or gruesome, he can still make a name for himself on the stage. If the competition is popular with the audience, we will invite you to participate long-term in the future."

Upon hearing this explanation, Yuan Zhu promptly passed option 1 and asked, "What's the difference between the second and third options? Is one something that can be repeatedly attacked while the other is a one-time loss? Where do I get any benefit from that?"

"Very good, you're a smart guy. The second type, to put it bluntly, is a human target. Those moderately famous fighters need all sorts of gimmicks to maintain their fame. One-sidedly beating up a corrupted goblin who knows martial arts is a very good gimmick. If they are truly as you say, skilled in performance and unafraid of life-or-death combat, they are very likely to be noticed by their opponents and hired long-term. The other type is a death match, with an extremely high risk of death and injury, so you provide the 'person,' and I will share a portion of your boxing winnings."

Yuan Zhu immediately understood. He could accept either option, but these goblins were his beloved friends and family, to whom he had poured his heart and soul. Could he bear to watch them die like this? Therefore, he would have to pay more!
"A third type of deathmatch, where they are certain to die, can you really gamble on the outcome of that?"

Olsen patiently explained, “You can bet on how many rounds they last before they fail, you can bet on whether they die or are crippled, you can even bet on how they die… there are so many things you can bet on! Young man.”

Yuan Zhu, however, looked reluctant, his fingertips releasing a faint holy light as he pressed them to his brow in prayer, hypocritically saying, "Oh! This is too cruel, we need to add more money!"

Olsen smiled and said, "If Mr. Yuan is interested, you can participate in a game tonight and see how it goes. If you choose the third option, I can give you 5% of the net profit as an appearance fee. There's not much time to consider, I need to adjust the match schedule in advance and find opponents willing to play against you."

Yuan Zhu responded decisively: "Let's do it! I'll send out two 'Fighting Goblins' to participate in the second and third tiers of the competition, respectively. Then I'll send out two Orcs to participate in the second tier."

"That's a bit too much. Most of tonight's matches have already been scheduled. Let's just arrange three matches, two goblins and one orc, and see how it goes."

After saying that, Olsen opened the door and called over several martial arts instructors. After giving instructions in a low voice, he looked at Yuan Zhu and said, "Pick three that you like and go with this instructor."

Without hesitation, Yuan Zhu chose the strongest of the mixed-blood orcs. As for the twelve zodiac warriors, their skill levels were the same, so he randomly pointed to 'Brother Rooster' and 'Brother Ox'.

Then, the two played a best-of-three series, deciding the outcome with a game of rock-paper-scissors.

In the end, the Bull Warrior narrowly defeated the Chicken Brother and advanced to the [Second Gear Battle]. The Chicken Brother, however, was destined for this fate, as his good friend (the Bull Warrior) orchestrated a trap, forcing him into a life-or-death battle.

Since it was not good with weapons, Yuan Zhu selected the 'hand-to-hand combat mode' for it.

...

Although only three of his underlings were chosen to participate in the competition tonight, leaving 14 others as bystanders, the owner, Olsen, still arranged a luxury private room for him to watch the competition out of respect for A-Miao.

Unlike the 'Abandoned Warehouse Fighting' that its predecessor participated in, the [Thunderbird Martial Arts School] not only has a huge two-story fitness and training space, but also a circular 'fighting grandstand' built on one side of the main building, built entirely according to the standards of professional competitions.

According to A-Miao, besides the regularly held fighting competitions, other teams in Cat Street also rent venues for other types of performances, including the circus acrobatics suggested by Olsen. On the eve of the competition's opening, A-Miao asked doubtfully, "That guy was right. Your goblins are incredibly talented. Why not send them to a circus troupe to make money instead of having them fight? You know, famous circus troupes have 'goblin animal trainers,' and goblin acrobatics is a classic and highly praised art form. A good performance can earn a lot of money. I could even set up a shop for you in Cat Street for professional goblin street performances."

Yuan Zhu replied, "My reluctance to take on acrobatic performances stems primarily from my self-positioning. These 'fighting goblins' are products I use to promote and showcase the [Body Tempering Fluid]. I need their fearless fighting to prove the product's quality. I even package the 'fighting goblins' themselves as loyal and intelligent 'fierce dogs,' fearless, painless, and willing to sacrifice their lives as defensive pets. They're for guarding homes, fighting to their deaths in the streets, and even self-destructing bombs capable of scaling walls."

"If I let them take on acrobatic performances, no matter how well they perform, it will equate my goblins with acrobatics and clown shows. The prestige will be completely gone, and how will I promote my frog-themed potions afterward? The mere mention of goblins will conjure up images of clowns, and the entire brand will be disgraced. I'd rather they fall miserably in the ring and show their fierce side. If they fight well and are recognized, that would be even better."

A-Miao, listening from the side, seemed thoughtful, especially after Yuan Zhu mentioned the advantages of being 'fearless and willing to self-destruct'. She suddenly spoke up: "A-Zhu, tell me, if I were to incorporate the 'goblins' you've trained into my 'private legion' under the guise of 'military dogs,' serving as supply handlers and high-explosive attachments, would there be any future in it? I'm not interested in recruiting teammates and diluting my control over the 'legion'; but if I were to recruit a large number of 'military dogs' and train them simply, I could increase the size of my 'warehouse' by increasing my 'plugin' proficiency, right? In critical moments, I could also send them out to die, scout ahead, cover the rear, and block pursuit!"

At this moment, Ah Miao appeared to be asking Yuan Zhu a question, but she was actually completely immersed in answering her own. She recalled her past experiences in the Misty Mountains, where she outwitted and outmaneuvered investigators, fought against local gangs on the Taixi coastline, and was attacked by monsters while leading people along a trail in the mountains…

Having a group of 'intelligent, self-destructing goblins' around you could instantly solve many problems. Thinking about it carefully, it's quite appealing.

"However... with a massive expansion of [military dogs], won't your [legion] be contaminated by goblins? Are your homemade [frog-type goblins] clean and hygienic?"

Yuan Zhu: "How is it not clean?"

Ah Miao turned to look at the goblin hiding in the corner, silently munching on the fruit plate, then glanced at the four mixed-blood orc brothers, and muttered, "It's [Shadow], huh? Then I feel much more at ease!"

Yuan Zhu retorted, "Hey! How much do you look down on [Shadow]?"

"I don't look down on you at all. On the contrary, I think you have a very sharp eye! The [Shadow System] is recognized as the 'contamination system' that is least likely to arouse hostility from superhumans. Its safety, reliability, stability, and universality are all recognized. I think your 'goblin business' has great potential for the future. So, to show my sincerity, I'll pre-order 7 of them. You can send them over whenever you train them. You name the price, and I won't haggle."

……

Amidst their bickering, the match inside the arena officially began, with two human martial artists taking the stage first.

Unlike the amateur underground competitions his predecessor participated in, the two people in the center of the arena, although not superhumans, both possessed considerable superhuman reactions, with an intensity similar to that of Yuan Zhu when he was branded with the [Holy Mark] but did not receive the [Holy Seal].

Besides the physical enhancements brought by their extraordinary powers, they have all received professional martial arts training and possess rich and professional combat experience. Their entertainment value and skill level far surpass those of the barbaric and unregulated underground competitions.

As Yuan Zhu observed, he asked the person beside him, "Are these two considered to be ability users?"

"No! During their daily training, they must have undergone 'supernatural corruption' modifications, but they haven't mastered a systematic [power system]. They are ordinary people who have been guided and corrupted in a targeted manner, and have been intentionally strengthened by the corruption. For example, taking a special medicinal bath infused with 'monster blood'; receiving blessings from some 'supernatural rituals'; secretly worshipping some illegal demon gods; using or injecting some special magical potions..."

Yuan Zhu: "It sounds like they're already engaged in extraordinary cultivation."

A Miao: "For mortals, a systematic and complete orthodox [Transcendent Inheritance] has a high entry threshold, which they cannot access. Some of these martial artists lack connections, while others do not want to join the ranks of the unknown and dangerous 'gods and demons.' Although their bodies are corrupted and twisted, the degree is not deep, and their souls have not yet been polluted. They attempt to gain fame and recognition through the arena and seize the opportunity to change their fate. Physicians of your Holy Light system often offer 'Holy Light Blessings' to patients at high prices. You can't expect that being constantly exposed to Holy Light is equivalent to being polluted by [Holy Light], can you?"

As the two sides chatted, matches ended one after another, some quickly and some slowly, and the audience's reactions varied. Until Yuan Zhu's 'Hybrid Orc No. 1' entered the arena, his opponent was a monk with a third bronze-skinned right arm growing from his chest.

The audience erupted in excitement at the sight of a strong, dark-skinned, fanged orc versus a bronze-skinned, three-armed monk in a robe.

Yuan Zhu: "[Buddhism]? Physical cultivation?"

A-Miao nodded: "The [Flesh Branch Buddha] lineage, a newly initiated martial monk, a very typical 'Buddha Hand Monk'."

"Buddha's Hand Monk?"

Seeing Yuan Zhu's confusion, A Miao casually explained, "Buddhism is divided into two lineages: the 'Flesh Branch Buddha,' who cultivates the physical body to attain indestructibility; and the 'Hive Buddha,' who cultivates the spirit and soul to achieve immortality through reincarnation and build a spiritual mountain within the mind. In the Flesh Branch lineage, besides the 'Buddha Cocoon Receiving Flesh,' one also receives a 'Flesh Limb Blessing' from their master—a Buddhist empowerment—to transform the 'Buddha Cocoon' within the body. This usually involves 'organs' or 'limbs,' somewhat similar to the sacred seals of your 'Holy Temple.'"

Seeing this scene, Yuan Zhu thought of the eggplant-headed monks of Vajra Temple in the [Little Red Realm], whose bodies were covered with all sorts of limbs, usually arms. They were also conjoined Buddhist practitioners.

Are there many Buddhist practitioners with such abilities?

A-Miao: "I heard that in the past, there were quite a few Buddhist sects, just like the Taoist sects, who were ostracized by the Crimson Dragon Dynasty and crossed the sea together to the west coast. However, they were later rejected by the Federation and forced to move to the south. But deep in the Misty Mountains, there are many traces of 'Buddhist pollution,' so monks always secretly enter the mountains to find cultivation materials. It's not surprising to occasionally encounter one or two."

Once the battle began, the monk from the [Flesh Branch] lineage easily defeated Yuan Zhu's orc number one in just two rounds. Despite the orc's frantic resistance and berserk attacks, they were all easily neutralized by the monk's bare hands.

The third bronze arm, growing from its chest, remained in a Buddhist bowing posture, never being used once. Yuan Zhu shook his head repeatedly, utterly disappointed. The orcs' first battle was a failure; their performance was far too mediocre, conforming to popular stereotypes, with no highlights whatsoever.

Fortunately, the monk, the opponent, was not bloodthirsty and only made light contact throughout the fight, leaving the orc with no minor injuries, which drew constant boos from the audience.

(End of this chapter)