The battle between the two powerhouses left viewers breathless. Jason felt the familiar thrill of watching a live arena fight, debating Zheng Yilong and Yu Hai's combat styles with Bai Er. Bai Er, trained in formal martial arts, broke down each move with clinical precision, while Jason, relying on instinct and battlefield experience, reached the same conclusion: Yu Hai outmatched Zheng Yilong in technique, agility, and nerve. Zheng's only advantage was his status as a Divine Executor, leaving the outcome uncertain.
Jason noticed a "child" from King's entourage—a pale, delicate boy who couldn't be a summoned creature—fly back to King's private stand. Not a zombie, he mused. King's a Superbody; he can't raise those. Curiosity prickled, but he stayed silent. No need to let Jiao Ruidu's sharp tongue loose again.
Bai Er commented, "King's playing the long game. Boosting a pawn's luck stat lets his team farm rare drops. But I've never invested in luck."
"Me neither," Jason agreed. "But the game's top player wouldn't waste resources. That 'Stormborn' rune Shen Wufei wanted? High luck'd make it drop."
So that's what "luck" does…
The fight ended abruptly. Yu Hai's final punch shattered Zheng Yilong's defenses, leaving the latter's body crumpled on the arena floor. The crowd roared, but silence fell over Qiao's group. Even battle-hardened players found the brutality unsettling.
Yu Hai stood victorious, battered but alive. As he limped toward the exit, his gaze locked onto Zou Yidao. The arena erupted.
"Zou Yidao's jumping the rail!" Jiao Ruidu whispered.
Jason and Bai Er tensed. If they intervened, their allies—Shen, Shu Ai, and Shen Wufei—would be exposed. But watching Zou and Yu clash alone? Suicide.
Thankfully, the two men spoke briefly before Yu Hai stormed off. Zou Yidao lingered, then vanished into the crowd.
Jason's group retreated to the streets, hunted by covetous eyes. Bai Er spotted Zou's allies—three men from his past—confronting him.
"So, you're alive," said the leader, a man named Lao Cheng.
Zou forced a smile. "Let's grab a drink?"
Lao Cheng shook his head. A younger man snarled, "You killed your own brother!"
Zou's hand trembled as he lit a cigarette, crushing it mid-puff. His boot stamped out the butt, crushing it like a crushed heart.
Jason's blood ran cold. Zou killed his comrade?
Before they could react, the Black Masks arrived—Zhao Mennong, their arch-nemesis, leading a squad.
"Bold of you to show your face again," Zhao sneered.
Jason shot back, "Aren't you breaking the 'no PK' rule?"
Zhao's smile turned lethal. "We don't need the city gates to hunt rats." He patted Jason's shoulder. "Sleep well."
Back in Doumuxi, tension hung thick. Zou's group awaited them.
"Did you… kill him?" Bai Er blurted.
Zou nodded.
Shu Ai's face paled. "Why?!"
"I have my reasons," Zou said flatly.
"If you leave, you're a marked man," Jiao snapped. "Stay. We fight together."
Shen Wufei broke the silence. "They'll come for us. We need defenses."
Bai Er suggested traps. Shu Ai proposed rallying the town. Shen Wufei, haunted, muttered, "Maybe we should summon… it."
The room fell silent.