Chapter 209: The Duel

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Royal Star Warrior Paradise!”

On the brightly lit stage, a host in a black tuxedo held a wireless microphone, shouting excitedly: “Tonight, right here, the three most intense, most thrilling battles will take place! Let’s witness the birth of our champions together!”

Instantly, wild cheers and roars like crashing waves erupted from the audience surrounding the stage.

Many blew whistles or slammed their seat armrests, creating even louder noise.

This was the multi-purpose arena on the ship’s third floor.

During the day, it served as an indoor basketball court; at night, it transformed into an MMA fighting ring!

The stands, capable of seating over two thousand people, were now packed full. The refined men and women of daytime seemed to have ripped off their masks of civilization here.

They had turned into beasts hungry for blood and slaughter!

In such an atmosphere, only fighters with strong willpower could keep their minds clear,

avoiding being driven into madness and bloodlust.

“Tonight’s first duel! First, please welcome our combat warrior from Hong Kong Island. He is—”

As the crowd’s excitement built, the host drew out his announcement: “Whirlwind Leg—Tan! Long!”

“WOW!”

With intense background music, a lean, muscular man appeared at the end of a red pathway to the stage. Surrounded by five or six supporters, a spotlight hit him, tracing his every move.

Tan Long moved with agile steps, his legs seemingly spring-loaded. Midway, he suddenly leaped and delivered three consecutive mid-air kicks!

Everything was captured on camera and projected onto a big screen.

This immediately drew countless cheers.

“Next, please welcome his challenger!”

“The Reaper of Australia—Tyrice!”

The atmosphere instantly reached its peak. Though a preliminary match, it felt like the main event.

Truth was, every fight aboard Royal Star matched the main bouts in brutality—even the undercards.

Here, words like ‘friendship’ or ‘warm-up’ didn’t exist. Once on the stage, one fighter had to fall—often beyond recognition.

Win or die!

Backstage, Gao Jing signed a document.

It was essentially a life-and-death waiver—putting his name down meant accepting the rules.

Fighting rules here were far looser than standard MMA. Aside from biting, any body part could be used as a weapon.

There were zero restrictions on targets—including forbidden zones like the groin or the back of the head!

And if a fighter went down but neither they nor their corner surrendered? Opponents could keep hitting them.

To the death, with no regrets!

After signing, Gao Jing refocused on the TV screen.

Tan Long and Tyrice’s first round had begun.

Matches had five five-minute rounds with one-minute breaks between.

If neither tapped out after five? A sixth round was added.

Until a victor emerged.

Rarely would anyone survive all five unscathed.

Their clash exploded instantly, with barely any testing phase.

When Tan Long landed a fierce high side-kick to Tyrice’s face, spraying blood across his opponent, victory seemed sealed.

Tyrice fought viciously too. Even with a shattered nose and one swollen-shut eye, he endured till Round 3.

Only when Tan Long’s steel legs hammered him unconscious, did his corner throw in the towel—saving him from eventual death.

Tan Long’s victory saw him raised triumphantly aloft by his team, bathing in cheers and glory.

Meanwhile, Tyrice—limp as a dead pig—got carried away.

As the loser, the Australian now faced curses from angry onlookers.

Tyrice had lost them their betting money.

Workers swiftly cleaned ring bloodstains. Several sizzling-hot bikini-clad dancers began performing to music, giving fans time to bet on Match Two.

The next winner was Thai. Within four rounds, he killed his Malaysian foe.

Yes—killed, literally. The Malaysian fighter failed to surrender in time and died right there.

This drove the crowd feverishly insane.

Not with fear—with pure thrill!

“WOW! WOW!”

The host’s voice boomed anew: “Cheers for the victor! And condolences for his fallen foe! Ready for the spotlight bout? Tonight’s grand finale: the most epic duel!”

“First—open arms for our invincible warrior! All the way from Siam: a professional assassin!”

“Va! La! Ri! No!”

And with Valarino’s entrance, the stadium’s energy exploded.

Nicknamed “The Hitman,” this Thai fighter stood 1.75 meters tall—bald and dark-skinned. His muscles gleamed inhumanly hard, sculpted like forged steel.

Colorful tattoos snaked across his body; his eyes glared like a predator’s.

Stepping through the red pathway, fans screamed madly, some even hurling cash toward his teammates.

“Now please welcome… the challenger! From Great Xia: The Flaming God of War!”

“Mister! Gao!”

Instantly, the cheers faltered—smothered by jeers and boos.

Compared to the unknown Gao Jing, Valarino ruled Royal Star’s fighters.

Within that very ring, he’d defeated—and crushed—past challengers as prey.

Still, undefeated!

At least half came tonight specially for Valarino—and placed hefty bets on him.

They waited eagerly for him to pound his newcomer rival brutally.

Grind him to dust beneath his boots!

“Brother Gao will win!”

Gao Jing wasn’t completely friendless.

Hou Weidong sat near the front row with his girlfriend Qianqian and pals.

This Malaysian-Chinese youth was Gao Jing’s biggest admirer.

Ignoring sneers and eye-rolls, he leaped up, wildly shouting support.

Up in the ring, Gao Jing smiled amid the chaos.

Just then, the referee approached, inspecting Gao Jing and Valarino briefly.

Ensuring neither hid forbidden equipment…

Dang~

Metal chimed. The first round began.