Almost simultaneously as Lu Kai fired his arrow, Old Bird also drew and released his bowstring. Incredibly, the two arrows collided midair with pinpoint accuracy.
Old Bird's arrow clearly lacked the power of Lu Kai's, snapping upon impact, but the collision also knocked Lu Kai's arrow off course, sending it harmlessly aside.
Ji Nanhong and the other practitioner both showed expressions of astonishment. Lu Kai froze momentarily before his face darkened. He immediately nocked another arrow and fired in rapid succession.
Old Bird remained composed, calmly drawing and releasing his own arrow once more. Again, the two projectiles met in midair with uncanny precision.
Lu Kai's expression turned ugly as he continuously drew and fired arrows toward Old Bird, who returned fire without hesitation. Arrow after arrow streaked through the air only to collide and fall.
While Lu Kai's shots carried greater force and speed, easily breaking Old Bird's arrows upon impact, Old Bird's firing rate proved faster. Each of his arrows perfectly intercepted Lu Kai's.
By the sixth exchange, Old Bird had fired one more arrow than Lu Kai. Before Lu Kai could react, one of Old Bird's arrows struck the very tip of his helmet, knocking it clean off.
Lu Kai turned deathly pale. Had that arrow aimed for his unprotected eyes, he would've been severely wounded if not killed outright.
Ji Nanhong and the other practitioner stared at Old Bird in disbelief, scarcely recognizing their former comrade. Though lacking in power, his accuracy bordered on supernatural.
Hearing this, Chen Guan knew his earlier suspicions were correct - Old Bird's seemingly reckless behavior had actually been demonstrating his worth to Ji Nanhong. While Chen Guan understood perfectly, he remained silent.
"Old Bird, are you confident you can hit the demon statue's vertical eye?" Ji Nanhong asked coolly.
"Besides me, I doubt anyone else on this island could manage it," Old Bird replied, his confidence brimming.
"Captain, don't believe his boasting! That was just luck—" Lu Kai began through gritted teeth.
"You're the one relying on luck. Don't assume everyone else does," Old Bird retorted with a contemptuous glance.
When Lu Kai tried to counter, Ji Nanhong raised a hand, instantly silencing him. Her authority was absolute. Google seaʀᴄh noveⅼfire.net
Ji Nanhong produced a pocket watch, pinching it between her fingers. "I'll open and close this watch's cover, timing it to match the demon statue's eye movements. If you can hit it before I close the cover, you'll rejoin the elite team and receive a share of the spoils after we slay the statue."
"I want thirty percent," Old Bird demanded.
"First prove you can do it—" Before Ji Nanhong finished speaking, she flicked open the watch cover without warning, her other hand already moving to close it.
The instant the cover opened, an arrow shot forth, piercing clean through the watch face before embedding itself in a distant tree, the shaft still quivering.
"Excellent. From today, you're back on the elite team with thirty percent of the spoils," Ji Nanhong declared without hesitation.
While Lu Kai possessed greater strength and shot more powerful arrows, his accuracy and timing couldn't match Old Bird's current skill. Old Bird's earlier claim held true - on this island, only his archery stood a chance against the demon statue.
"I have two more conditions. First, I need to reach level ten. Second, I bring my brother here into the elite team," Old Bird said, gesturing at Chen Guan.
"Don't push your luck! What right does a newcomer have joining our elite team?" Lu Kai snapped coldly.
"The right of being my brother, and the fact that only I can hit that demon's eye," Old Bird retorted, chest puffed out as he addressed Ji Nanhong directly, knowing the decision rested with her.
"Leveling you up was always part of the plan to improve our chances. But bringing in a fresh arrival breaks our team's founding principles," Ji Nanhong countered. "If we bend the rules now, soon our elite team won't be so elite anymore. More members mean smaller shares for everyone - including you."
Seeing Old Bird waver, she continued, "The newcomer can't join, but as a token of sincerity..." She produced a golden technique core and tossed it to Old Bird.
Catching it, Old Bird immediately sensed its properties - just as Ji Nanhong said, it was a unique technique.
"Vajra Pinnacle Scripture... truly unique..." Old Bird's heart raced. Even on this island teeming with high-quality Mystical Spirits, obtaining such a rare technique was nearly impossible. Only apex figures like Ji Nanhong possessed such treasures. This would save him years of struggle and significantly boost his Primordial Energy capacity.
Absorbing the core instantly, Old Bird mastered the incomplete Vajra Pinnacle technique. After brief contemplation, he turned to Chen Guan with a sigh. "Brother, wait here a few days. I'll come back to level you up later."
"But we agreed to slay the demon statue together," Chen Guan pressed, though he'd anticipated this outcome.
"That statue's no easy prey. Just the two of us would be suicide. Don't worry - with me around, you won't suffer on this island. I'll definitely return to help you level up," Old Bird reassured.
"Fine. Each to their fate. Go ahead," Chen Guan replied flatly. He knew better than to trust empty promises. Once entrenched in the elite circle, Old Bird would have little time for newcomers.
Someone who so easily discarded commitments wasn't worth future cooperation, even if he did return.
"Come, Old Bird. Let's complete our mission and get you leveled up," said the practitioner on the Ghost-Headed Horse, extending a hand to pull him up.
Instead, Ji Nanhong summoned a rare-quality Ghost-Headed Horse pet and transferred ownership to Old Bird. "From now on, it's yours."
Ecstatic, Old Bird mounted his new steed, basking in this pinnacle of achievement.