Chapter 333: I'm Going to Skip Grades
Guo Li Cheng decided to follow Dong Xin tonight and stop by the “Spirit Suppressing Stele” training ground.
The main reason she trusted him was actually because of his group of die-hard fans.
These young people didn't look like gang members; they looked more like ordinary workers.
On Paradise Island, although everyone inevitably served a gang, in reality, only a quarter of the population was truly involved in gang activities.
Of course, considering that the real population of Paradise Island likely exceeded 20 million, the total number of gang members was still astonishing, certainly enough to give any Executive Officer with designs on the place a headache.
What to do? Only kill!
These six words were the first thing Guo Li Cheng thought of.
Even if the number of gang members decreased by 10,000 every day, it would still be enough for players to level up for a year and a half.
Along the way, conversations with the locals also initially confirmed her suspicions about his identity.
Where there is oppression, there is resistance.
Those die-hard fans said that they and their neighbors had organized a mutual aid militia.
Everyone built walls and defensive towers at key community intersections, purchased weapons, strictly checked outsiders entering and exiting, and limited the gangs' encroachment on the community through a combination of force and negotiation.
Dong Xin was also a member of the mutual aid militia, and having made a name for himself in the gladiator fights, he was a young cadre with the status of a spiritual leader among them.
Such cities within cities were everywhere on Paradise Island.
This mode of resistance also gave Guo Li Cheng great inspiration.
With dense buildings in the city, it was very easy to set up checkpoints and barricades at roads and building gaps. Combined with automatic cannons and robot Soldiers, the firepower would be sufficient against ordinary gangs.
The ordinary people inside who were willing to live peacefully could be protected.
Cangyuan could also use this method to expand its territory. Since the Seven Deadly Sins advocated jungle law and anarchy, they should be prepared to face the consequences of their choices.
As she pondered, they arrived at the training hall.
The “Spirit Suppressing Stele” was located on the ground floor of a giant apartment building. The interior space was very large, almost the size of a large supermarket in reality.
Sandbags, fitness equipment, and various shapes of training rings were everywhere. Although it was past midnight, there were still over a hundred contestants training.
The roof was decorated with huge cross-shaped LED lights, casting a pure white glow.
It seemed that the owner, Mr. Drew, was a man of faith. Even after the catastrophe of the apocalypse, some of humanity's oldest religions had continued in small pockets.
Gladiatorial combat was really popular here, Guo Li Cheng sighed.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll go find Mr. Drew and show him the video of the previous match.”
A moment later, Dong Xin returned.
“It’s all set! Mr. Drew agrees to let you train here! However, since you didn’t actually win the tryouts, he can’t guarantee anything more.”
“Fine, whatever.”
“Then let’s go fill out the forms.”
He led Guo Li Cheng to the front desk, which was decorated like a beast cage.
“300 credit points per month, and you can use the venue and equipment as you please.”
The front desk girl in the cage took the registration form and the disclaimer of life and death, her gaze lingering on “Age: 17” for a few seconds. She then looked up at Guo Li Cheng and finally decided not to expose her self-deception.
“That cheap?”
“It’s not that price for everyone. If you haven’t received Mr. Drew’s approval, the fee would be more than 10 times higher.”
“How much does it cost to hire a coach and an agent?”
“No.” The front desk girl shook her head.
“It’s not what you think. You go to the training area first to train your physique and hit sandbags. If any coaches or agents think you’re a promising talent during that time, they’ll come down to find you voluntarily.”
She pointed to the platform corridor on the second floor of the training ground, which led to the coaches’ lounge.
More than a dozen people were leaning on the railings, carefully observing the contestants below, scouting for potential cash cows.
“That’s how everyone gets started,” Dong Xin said. “Don’t worry, with your punching power, you’ll definitely be noticed in five minutes at most.”
“Alright…”
Guo Li Cheng, eager to get into advanced matches quickly, followed Dong Xin to the sandbag area with some reluctance.
Only by winning advanced matches could she truly enter the “upper class” of Paradise Island and establish connections with crime bosses and middlemen who might be linked to Azrael.
Along the way, she looked up at the Hall of Fame portraits on both sides of the wall.
There were five Level 6 champions, countless Level 5 champions, and the sole Level 7 super champion, “Instructor” Kelly. She was a female contestant like herself, but her championship was 45 years ago, and she failed to defend her title.
She must be the “legend” and signboard of this training hall.
“What happened to these combat champions later?” Guo Li Cheng curiously asked Dong Xin, who was walking ahead.
“Most of them took on many jobs through top middlemen, made a lot of money, and took the opportunity to cultivate their own influence. Now they live in those luxurious penthouses in the city center and can do whatever they want.” Dong Xin said.
“On Paradise Island, as long as you are strong enough, other strong individuals will respect you, and many people will actively come to follow you. Even the Seven Deadly Sins will proactively help you. Gladiatorial combat is a pillar industry in the city; they can’t stand to see a champion they’ve invested heavily in easily left dead in the streets.”
“Of course, some people resolutely left Paradise Island and never returned, like Aunt Kelly. People often say Paradise Island is a paradise for the strong, but not everyone thinks so.”
“Where can one go after leaving Paradise Island?”
“Anywhere. Probably not in the Star Alliance anymore! If you can stay at the Level 6 champion position for three years, your cumulative prize money will definitely exceed two billion, enough for you to recruit Soldiers and buy a warp ship to spend the rest of your life wherever you dream!”
Dong Xin’s eyes were filled with infinite yearning. It was clear that he did not miss his hometown.
Guo Li Cheng nodded silently.
This income was even more exaggerated than that of world-class boxing champions in reality, likely due to television broadcasts across the entire Star Alliance, GG, and sponsorship from the gambling industry behind the scenes.
Of course, the frequency of matches was also much higher than those boxing champions who might only fight once every six months.
In short, without a doubt, this was the Star Alliance universe’s true ace entertainment industry!
Bang!
“Damn it! These pieces of trash are more effeminate than the last. Which slum did you find these wastes for me?”
Suddenly, a thud nearby, followed by curses, interrupted Guo Li Cheng’s thoughts.
She turned to look at the octagonal cage, only to see a bald contestant holding a training sword, complaining to the training hall staff.
“Eight people are already down in less than fifteen minutes! These sparring partners you found aren’t nearly enough to fight. Is Blade District experiencing a talent gap!?”
His team members, who also sported the same bald brand look, were also very displeased.
As for the sparring partner who had just been knocked unconscious on the stage, his physique was at least twice that of the bald man.
“Who is that?”
“’Warrior Monk’ Hutt, Level 5 champion.” Dong Xin responded to Guo Li Cheng in a low voice.
“I heard that Level 5 matches all use power armor. Why are they still practicing unarmed?”
“Because this is the training policy set by Mr. Drew! He believes that even for high-level contestants, training without power armor helps increase agility and coordination.”
“That’s true, then is this Hutt formidable?”
“Of course! In unarmed combat, he could probably take on three of me. If he had weapons—” Dong Xin gave an awkward laugh.
Then they wouldn’t be on the same level; it would be like an adult fighting a child.
“Oh—”
Listening to his description, Guo Li Cheng felt that she should be able to handle it.
“Excuse me—” She walked towards the training hall staff next to the ring. “Can I go up and be a sparring partner?”
“What are you doing!?” Dong Xin immediately became very nervous.
In his opinion, no matter how amazing Guo Li Cheng’s performance was in the previous fight, even if she really had been a mercenary and was quite good, there was absolutely no way she could withstand three moves from a Level 5 champion in the octagonal cage!
Mercenaries were good at tactical shooting, not close-quarters combat!
The staff member also frowned.
“I haven’t seen you before. Are you new?”
“Yes.”
“Have you fought before?”
“Yes. I won my fight to get here.”
“Have you installed cybernetics? Reinforced skin? Titanium alloy skeleton?”
“I… I guess you could say so.”
“You’re lying, aren’t you? I can tell you’re completely original. Take my advice, don’t fantasize. Although we all use training swords, a casual swing is enough to cut your skin open and break your bones.”
The staff member waved Guo Li Cheng away, then called over an assistant.
“Call Hannigan, the one who just made it to Level 3. Tell him to come spar tonight, on-site within half an hour, triple pay.”
“Okay!”
Sigh—
Guo Li Cheng shook her head.
Never mind, every place has its own rules. I should respect them. I can go smash some sandbags first.
Just then, a provocative whistle came from behind.
“Hey, beautiful!”
Clearly, Hutt was very pleased with Guo Li Cheng’s appearance.
“It’s okay, don’t be sad~ Later, when I’ve taken care of all the useless men from your Blade District, let’s go somewhere else and train alone!”
“Is that so?” Guo Li Cheng stopped and turned around.
“Of course! You’re luckier tonight than all my female fans. After I warm up, I’ll show you what real impact feels like!” “Bro!” The arena assistant, holding his phone, returned to the staff member with a frown.
“That kid Hannigan said his gang has an event tonight, he’s not coming!”
Guo Li Cheng looked at the staff member and shrugged.
“You see, I’ve signed everything I need to sign. Once I’m on stage, you won’t lose anything. At least—”
She pointed her chin at Hutt.
“You can help this poser champion stay warmed up. In the meantime, you can contact someone else.”
Hutt grinned.
“Oh—it seems you can’t wait, huh!? That’s fine, I actually quite like getting started with a crowd watching.”
When it came to trash talk, he was a professional; a challenge from an unknown nobody wasn’t even worth considering.
The staff member thought for a moment.
“Alright! Hutt, for Mr. Drew’s sake, go easy on her.”
“Alright, alright, alright~~~ I won’t mess with her, at least not here! Hahahaha!!”
Hutt’s team members also stared at Guo Li Cheng unkindly, letting out contemptuous laughter.
Then, the laughter suddenly ceased.
Whoosh!
Guo Li Cheng, as usual, made a rocket jump directly into the arena.
“Holy cow!”
Everyone who witnessed this was stunned.
“What happened?”
“That woman just now, didn’t you see her? She jumped directly into the octagonal cage from outside!”
“She must have used some high-jumping technique, right?”
“No, she just jumped straight in like that!”
“What kind of lower body explosive power is this!? Did she have experimental cybernetics installed?”
It’s not “that woman,” it’s a girl!
Guo Li Cheng’s eye twitched as she took the training sword from the referee.
During this, the unintentional release of killing intent made the referee, who was accustomed to life-and-death battles, slow down his movements by half a beat.
The training sword was about 1.1 meters long, with a high-toughness alloy skeleton inside and a relatively soft, elastic polymer wrapped around the outside. It had a flat tip and no blade, designed to maintain swinging kinetic energy while minimizing the chance of lethal cuts.
“This young girl can fight!” a coach from above suddenly shouted.
“She’s the one who defeated ‘Fang’ in the tryouts tonight. She’s got some moves!”
Hearing him say that, everyone quickly pulled out their phones to watch the video, which was rapidly gaining popularity.
“This! Dong Xin, you couldn’t even retaliate!?”
Dong Xin gave a bitter laugh.
“If it were you, it would be the same.”
The atmosphere… didn’t seem right!?
Hutt stopped trash-talking.
He couldn’t pull out his phone in the ring, but he wasn’t afraid of someone who could defeat a tryout champion without retaliation.
The key issue wasn’t there at all!
After the opponent took the sword, her demeanor and eyes instantly changed. She walked forward with a smile.
All the awkwardness of a combat novice vanished without a trace.
This woman came from the most brutal jungle, from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood!