Chapter 10: Broken Promise
Almost simultaneously with Lu Kai's shot, Lao Niao also drew his bow and shot an arrow. Incredibly, the two arrows collided precisely in mid-air.
Lao Niao's arrow was clearly less powerful than Lu Kai's and was directly broken by the impact, but Lu Kai's arrow was also knocked off course and landed to the side.
Ji Nanhong and the other evolver both showed surprise on their faces. Lu Kai was stunned for a moment, then his face darkened. He immediately drew an arrow and quickly nocked and shot again.
Lao Niao remained calm, also nocking and shooting an arrow again. Then they saw the two arrows collide once more.
Lu Kai's face was grim. He continuously drew arrows and shot at Lao Niao, who retaliated without hesitation. Arrows flew back and forth in the air, ultimately colliding with each other.
Lu Kai's arrows were powerful and heavy, with significantly greater speed and force than Lao Niao's. Each arrow could break Lao Niao's arrow, but Lao Niao's shooting speed was faster than his, and each of his arrows could precisely block Lu Kai's.
When Lu Kai shot his sixth arrow, Lao Niao had shot one more than him. As soon as Lu Kai shot his arrow, he had no time to dodge and was hit by Lao Niao's arrow on the top of his helmet, which knocked his helmet off.
Lu Kai's face turned ashen. If that arrow had been aimed at his eyes, which were not protected by armor, he would have been in grave danger, either dead or severely injured.
Ji Nanhong and the other cultivator looked at Lao Niao in disbelief, finding it hard to believe this was the Lao Niao they knew. While his power was a bit less, such accuracy was truly heaven-defying.
"When it comes to archery, you're still far behind. With your level of skill, you'll never be able to hit the great black sky demon statue's eye. Go back and practice more," Lao Niao said proudly, standing there.
Hearing Lao Niao say that, Chen Guan knew his earlier guess was correct. Lao Niao's seemingly reckless and impetuous behavior was actually him demonstrating his strength and value to Ji Nanhong.
Chen Guan understood, but said nothing.
"Lao Niao, are you confident you can hit the great black sky demon statue's vertical eye?" Ji Nanhong asked Lao Niao calmly.
"Besides me, I believe there's no one else on the island who can do it," Lao Niao said proudly, his confidence reaching its peak.
"Captain, don't listen to him bragging. He just got lucky earlier. He can't be that lucky all the time..." Lu Kai said through gritted teeth.
"You rely on luck to shoot arrows. Don't think everyone is like you and relies on luck," Lao Niao said dismissively, glancing at him scornfully.
"You..." Lu Kai wanted to retort but was stopped by Ji Nanhong's wave.
It seemed Ji Nanhong's authority was indeed very high. With just a wave, Lu Kai swallowed the words he wanted to say and didn't dare to utter another sound.
Ji Nanhong reached out and took out a pocket watch, holding it between her fingers. She said to Lao Niao, "I will open and close the pocket watch cover. The time is the same as the opening and closing time of the great black sky demon statue's vertical eye. If you can hit it before I close the cover, you can rejoin the Elite Team. After killing the great black sky demon statue, you will get a share of the spoils."
"I want thirty percent," Lao Niao said.
"Hit it first..." As soon as Ji Nanhong finished speaking, she flicked open the watch cover with her finger without warning, while simultaneously reaching with her other finger to close the cover.
The moment she flicked open the cover, an arrow flew over, directly piercing the watch face. The force of the arrow tip did not diminish as it flew past and embedded itself in the trunk of a large tree, the arrow tail still trembling.
"Very good. From now on, you are back in the Elite Team. You will get thirty percent of the great black sky demon statue's spoils," Ji Nanhong said directly, without any hesitation.
Lu Kai's strength was indeed greater than Lao Niao's, and his arrows were more powerful, but in terms of accuracy and timing, he was indeed inferior to the current Lao Niao.
It now seemed that what Lao Niao said earlier was indeed true. On this island, only his archery skill had a chance of destroying the great black sky demon statue.
"I have two more conditions. I need to level up to level ten first, and I also need to bring this Brother of mine into the Elite Team," Lao Niao said, pointing to Chen Guan.
"Lao Niao, don't go too far. Why should a newcomer join our Elite Team?" Lu Kai said coldly.
"Because he is my Brother, Lao Niao's Brother, and because only I can hit the great black sky demon statue's vertical eye," Lao Niao said, puffing out his chest. He didn't look at Lu Kai, but at Ji Nanhong, knowing that only Ji Nanhong had the authority to decide this.
"Taking you to level ten is something we need to do anyway. It can increase the success rate of killing the great black sky demon statue. But letting a newcomer who just arrived join the team violates the rules we in the Elite Team established back then. If the rules are broken, who will follow them in the future? If everyone does this, it won't take long for the members of the Elite Team to be more than just these few. At that time, the spoils will also be diluted. How much will you get then? You don't want things to develop to that state, do you?"
Seeing Lao Niao's gaze waver slightly, Ji Nanhong continued, "A newcomer joining the team is impossible. I have a unique Secret Method here as a token of sincerity for inviting you back to the team."
Saying that, Ji Nanhong took out a golden Mystic Spirit core and threw it directly to Lao Niao.
Lao Niao reached out and caught the Mystic Spirit core. After a brief sensing, he immediately knew the information about the Mystic Spirit core. It was indeed a unique Secret Method, just as Ji Nanhong had said.
"Vajra Top Scripture... Unique..." Lao Niao was overjoyed. Even on this island, where there were many high-quality Mystic Spirits, obtaining such a unique Secret Method was extremely difficult. Only a few people at the top of the pyramid, like Ji Nanhong, possessed unique Secret Methods. Being able to obtain one now would immediately save him many detours, and his future increases in Yuan Qi upper limit would also be greater.
Lao Niao directly absorbed the Mystic Spirit core and learned the incomplete Vajra Top Scripture. Then, after a moment of thought, he turned to look at Chen Guan and sighed, "Brother, wait a few days. I'll take you leveling up later."
"Didn't we agree to go kill the great black sky demon statue together?" Chen Guan had already guessed it would be this way, but he still wanted Lao Niao to say it himself.
"The great black sky demon statue is not that easy to kill. The two of us can't do it at all. It's too dangerous, we might even lose our lives. Don't worry, with your Brother here, I guarantee you won't suffer any losses on this island. I'll take you leveling up when I get back," Lao Niao comforted him.
"Alright. Each person has their own destiny. You go ahead," Chen Guan said calmly. How could he believe such empty promises?
Once Lao Niao joined the Elite Team, he would have his own circle. From then on, he would only hang out with people in his circle. How could he possibly spare a lot of time to help him level up?
A person who had just made a promise and could turn around and forget it immediately – even if he came back later, Chen Guan would not be able to cooperate with him again.
"Let's go, Lao Niao. Let's complete the mission together. It's a good chance to raise your level," the cultivator riding the Ghost Head Horse extended his hand to Lao Niao, indicating for him to get on the horse and ride together.
However, Ji Nanhong directly summoned a rare quality Ghost Head Horse pet, then transferred the Ghost Head Horse pet to Lao Niao. "From now on, it's yours."
Lao Niao was overjoyed. Riding on the Ghost Head Horse, he was instantly filled with pride and satisfaction, as if his life had reached its peak.