Chapter 572: Underwater Challenge

Chapter 572: Challenge in the Water

A few days later, Wu Tong returned to Shanghai nonetheless.

Among all other reasons, for her parents the main thing was that after leaving the capital, Wu Tong’s work could slow down—they certainly didn’t demand she drop it entirely, but at least she wouldn’t have to go to the office every day.

Wu Tong felt helpless; her physical condition was excellent, all checkups showed no issues, but she couldn’t withstand the nagging from both sets of parents.

Besides, wedding preparations were in full swing, with the venue chosen in Hangzhou, which was also closer.

Once Wu Tong’s pregnancy stabilized, Meng Fan resumed his previously interrupted live-stream challenge of world records. Two days passed quickly, and he completed world record challenges in the other six shooting events, earning the title of “Gun God.”

During this period, China consecutively announced two major events: first, a breakthrough in lithography machine research, and second, the formal establishment of a certain laboratory—each was a matter tied to national destiny.

Whether these were related to the third national reward from the hidden bonus of 20% from “King of the World,” Meng Fan had no way of knowing. Back then, he had chosen the second and third options. The second, a family reward, randomly granted 9 years—all family members gained 9 years of life in the country. The third, a national reward, randomly granted 8 items—eight events that would strengthen the nation within a year.

Whether these two were among those eight, or one of them, or if other events had occurred but remained undisclosed, none of it could be verified.

Of course, Meng Fan most hoped that these two—or any that had happened but were not yet public—were not from his reward at all.

The more secret, the more unknown to others and to him, the better!

After finishing the archery and shooting challenges, Meng Fan rested for a day and then began a new challenge.

The live stream opened, and countless netizens flooded in, seeing a bright and spacious swimming pool. Their eyes lit up—it didn’t matter what the challenge was; what mattered was the screen full of handsome men and beautiful women with great figures and radiant smiles!

“Is this something we can watch for free?”

“During the Asian Games, the show Iron God did—my favorite episode was the swimming one.”

“I don’t know breaststroke from freestyle; I just know abs and waistlines! I’m so shallow, hahaha!”

“The swimming team really has amazing bodies—those long arms and legs, how do they grow like that?”

“So why is Iron God here? Challenging swimming events?”

“Though I’d call Iron God the god of sports, that doesn’t mean he can do everything!”

“Sure, there are plenty of swimmers with his height, but not a single one with his weight!”

“Haha, they’re playing speedboats, and you’re a cargo ship butting in!”

…

Soon, a familiar figure appeared on the live stream—Meng Fan’s good friend from the swimming team, also a fellow townsman, who had been with him during the Asian Games swimming episode.

“Bro, you finish archery and shooting and now you’re coming for us? Can’t you let us live?”

Xu Wujin naturally knew about Meng Fan’s “random” challenges lately. Meng Fan had informed the team coach beforehand and then called him. He was both surprised and skeptical—then and now.

He had to admit Meng Fan’s underwater swimming speed was fast, but not yet fast enough to break the world record, let alone other events. It wasn’t that he doubted Meng Fan’s athletic ability; he just didn’t think his weight was suitable for competitive swimming. When had competitive swimming ever seen such a heavy athlete?

Meng Fan smiled and said, “Who says coming to a pool means I have to challenge swimming?”

Xu Wujin grew more puzzled: “Then what are you here for? I thought you needed the measuring equipment here?”

Meng Fan pointed at the live stream: “Can’t I just do something for the… 8 million viewers in the stream? Let them see the grace of our province’s swimmers.”

Xu Wujin was speechless and somewhat unconvinced. “So what are you challenging? Anything I need to help with? I’ll prepare early.”

Meng Fan shook his head: “No need. I’m just passing through to give the viewers a little treat. I’m going to the diving hall next door to challenge.”

Xu Wujin was even more skeptical—was this worth calling the leaders and coaches?

But Meng Fan really did leave, walking in from one side and out the other, heading straight for the diving hall.

Meng Fan waved: “I’ll go challenge two events at the diving hall first. I’ll be back here in about half an hour.”

Only then did Xu Wujin believe him, and he followed to watch the excitement.

Not just him, but other team athletes too—Iron God diving? That was even more absurd than swimming!

When others performed the water splash disappearance technique from the ten-meter platform, Iron God would perform the pool disappearance technique from the same height!

Not only would he splash all the water out of the pool, he might even smash a hole in the bottom.

Meng Fan met with the diving team’s head, whose level of “distrust” far exceeded Xu Wujin’s at the pool.

“Bro, what are you challenging?”

“Holding my breath!”

After Meng Fan gave this answer, everyone fell into a strange silence.

He really meant holding his breath!

“Bro, are you serious?”

“Haha, I thought you were going to pull off some big move, but oh, it’s just holding your breath!”

“With all this fanfare, you’re just going to show us breath-holding? Isn’t that a bit much?”

Seeing everyone’s confusion and shock, Meng Fan said, “Really, holding my breath. The world record for underwater breath-holding is 24 minutes and 33 seconds. I’m going to challenge it.”

With that, Meng Fan started taking off his clothes.

Once they heard the time length and processed it, everyone understood the intensity of the challenge—it was no joke.

Holding your breath for 24 minutes? Was that even human?

An ordinary person can hold their breath for 30-60 seconds; with professional training, 3-5 minutes is possible. Some underwater performers, sitting still to reduce oxygen consumption, can reach 10 minutes, which is already incredible. Twenty-four minutes truly qualifies as a human who doesn’t need to breathe.

After the shock wore off, the diving hall’s head immediately objected, stopping Meng Fan, who had already stripped down to his swim trunks and put on goggles: “This challenge is far too dangerous. Without adequate medical support, I can’t let you try it recklessly.”

Forced prolonged breath-holding leads to oxygen deprivation and excess carbon dioxide, which can directly damage the brain!

He dared not let Meng Fan have an accident in his venue.

This was a national treasure beyond national treasures—how could he take such a risk?

Meng Fan was stunned too; he really hadn’t considered medical support because he was absolutely confident he could complete the challenge. He was about to explain and persuade the head.

But the head, being very responsible, shouted to the distance: “Drain the water, drain the water in the pool immediately! Call the police, call the police—if Iron God dares to get in the water, you call the police right now!”

“Bro, isn’t this a bit much?!”

Meng Fan was completely at a loss!

(End of chapter)