Chapter 492: Death Duel: Fate’s Ultimatum

On the Death Duel stage, even as Fang Hao’s voice trembled with sheer terror, Yenir stood there as unmoving as a statue.

Noticing that Yenir seemed determined not to back down—and wrongly assuming he was unaware of the dire situation—Fang Hao paid no mind to how inappropriate his own actions might be.

In a flash, he bolted onto the stage, his explosive stride effortlessly pushing aside the nearby Third-Stage Advanced opponents.

“Yenir! Don’t be foolish!”

“Come with me! We don’t accept these Death Duels!”

“Hold on! You’re already Third-Stage Mid-level!? Damn, you’re nearly Advanced!?”

The moment he stepped on stage, after his rushed words, Fang Hao instinctively reached for Yenir’s arm, desperate to pull him out of this death trap.

But then, noticing an even greater surge in Yenir’s power, his heart skipped a beat in sudden shock.

This kid’s leveling up is practically like cheating!

Wasn’t it said that during his days at Far Frontier he was always chasing girls? Damn, even flirting can boost your level!?

Instead of marveling at it, Fang Hao grew increasingly anxious—the stronger Yenir’s potential shone, the more he worried.

Just as Lu Tianming realized the terrifying pace of his upgrades, Fang Hao’s tension only deepened.

Before Fang Hao could even try to forcibly end the Death Duel, a host of judges and high-ranking officials, snapping out of their shock, began to berate him in anger.

“Fang Tong! This is a Death Duel! Please be mindful of your position!”

“Commander Fang, your actions are completely out of line! The Death Duel has already begun—calling it off now would be like treating the Military as a joke! Are you doubting our protection!?”

Whether it was the high officials or the judges, even though Fang Hao held significant status and a unique position,

this disruption made his actions come across as an accusation against them, something they would never tolerate!

Moreover, noticing Fang Hao’s determined attempt to rescue Yenir, Lu Tianming shot over a scornful glare and demanded,

“Fang Tong, why do you devalue yourself by trying to persuade him?”

“This Death Duel was initiated at Yenir’s own behest! Are you trying to use your status to pressure me?”

He no longer cared whether his words might offend Fang Hao.

No one knew how many private messages Lu Tianming had received after Yenir revealed his ‘true’ combat strength!

The stakes and profits involved had already spiraled beyond his control! Even if he didn’t want to be ruthless with Yenir, the myriad factions investing massive funds from the sidelines wouldn’t let him off the hook!

If Yenir hadn’t been taken out, this little punk wouldn’t have lost so disgracefully.

Afterwards, those heavy-hitting factions would undoubtedly come for him!

Thus, whether for Lu Tianming or any of the big-money backers, this Death Duel had to carry on at all costs!

Observing the unsettling atmosphere and the palpable discontent among many Third-Stage fighters and some high-ranking officials, Fang Hao’s heart sank dramatically.

Of course—he knew that everyone involved could foresee the potential fallout!

If he dared to halt the duel now, he’d be pitted against the prevailing tide!

Even as one of the Four Commanders, his authority paled in the face of such overwhelming interests.

With a cold, bitter heart, Fang Hao scanned the crowd, only to see that despite their awareness of looming trouble, most regarded him with unnervingly icy stares.

It was as if his attempt to stop the duel had branded him the enemy in everyone’s eyes…

Even the few top-level officials who had dashed in just to watch met his gaze calmly, showing no sign of wanting to end the duel.

Could it be that those top officials were now tangled up in this too?!

Or had Yenir really crossed a line, making him a target that someone wanted dead?!

With a parched mouth and a weighed-down heart, Fang Hao took a deep breath, unwilling to entertain that possibility. He fixed his gaze on Yenir and enunciated each word deliberately:

“Surrender! Accept defeat the moment you step up!”

“As long as you’re alive, there’ll always be another chance!”

“Yenir, there’s something…”

Unable to finish his thought, Fang Hao’s heart turned bitter. Yet in his expectant look, Yenir simply shook his head slightly, even offering a small smile.

“Uncle Fang, I understand.”

“This Death Duel… is bound to claim lives.”

“But I won’t be one of them.”

Disregarding Fang Hao’s momentary stunned expression, Yenir calmly withdrew his arm and turned to face the judges.

“Proceed.”

A brief silence fell over the arena. Listening to Yenir’s words, Lu Tianming—who had been feigning reluctant intervention—couldn’t help but break into a bitter laugh.

What a kid.

If there’s a road to heaven and you won’t take it, you’ll stumble into hell instead!

If Yenir really called for the duel to end, coupled with Fang Hao’s pressure, this Death Duel might collapse completely. The losses would be unimaginably massive.

Surely someone’s going to die?

Exactly!

Today, he vowed to execute that arrogant fool on this very stage!

“Kid, I hope you manage to crawl out of this in one piece later!”

“The Death Duel continues!”

“It begins in three seconds!”

“Three!”

“Two…!”

….

Escorted off the stage, the defeated Fang Hao stared blankly at the Youth up there.

The final countdown echoed in his ears like a voice from another world.

He chose not to intervene any further.

It wasn’t fear, nor the worry that stopping again would offend powerful people…

It was because…

On the information panel, a message from Yenir flickered to life.

This high-stakes Death Duel—a gamble worth over 400 billion in funding—had been orchestrated by Yenir himself.

“Uncle Fang, bet on me winning.”

“One Strike!”

“One strike is all it takes!!”

“Death Duel, begin!!!”

“Buzz!!”

In an instant, a dark crimson glow of Spirit Energy burst across the Spirit Cage.

Simultaneously, as the competitors entered and just as the duel was about to commence, a fierce shout from Lu Tianming resounded throughout the arena.