Gong Masters were rare in the game, fewer even than Divine Enforcers or National Scholars. None of the team—save Shen Wufei—had direct experience with them.
Shen explained the basics:
Gu : Not limited to insect-based parasites. Any animal could be turned into a Gu, provided the Gong Master possessed immense mental strength. The weaker the creature's consciousness, the easier it was to control. The "weakest" of all? The dead. Most Gu in the game were not truly alive—puppets animated by decaying flesh.Custom Gu: High-tier Gong Masters bred their own Gu, a time-consuming process. Shen's ant colony was a hybrid: dozens of true Gu commanded living ants, creating an endless swarm.
"Brilliant," Jason muttered. "But I'd still prefer a tiger."
Back at the hideout, Shen studied Bai Er's heterochromatic eyes.
"You're from the White Clan, aren't you?" he asked.
Bai Er froze. A dagger embedded itself inches from Shen's eye.
"Answer him," Jason ordered, restraining Bai Er.
Bai Er's voice was ice. "How do you know?"
"The White Clan's history is… fascinating," Shen said. "Your ancestors sacrificed their humanity to preserve purity. Tragic, really."
Shen's words struck a nerve. Bai Er's dagger trembled.
Later, Bai Er confronted Shen in private. "If you value your life, never mention that again."
Shen unleashed two Siberian tigers into the Pao Xiao hunting grounds.
"They're not fully trained," he warned. "Use them to corner the prey, not kill."
The tigers' presence doubled their efficiency. Pao Xiao, nimble and small, struggled to evade the predators. By nightfall, Jason earned 900 credits.
"This is nothing compared to what's coming," Shen muttered, watching the tigers devour their kill.
At dawn, Zou Yidao and Sherry returned with grim news:
Bounty Update:Jason & Bai Er: "Blood Prophet" rune (S-tier, self-healing) for one kill; "Stormchild" rune (T-tier, +10% speed) for both.Sunbird City Duel: Zheng Yilong (Zen Heart's Divine Enforcer) vs. Yu Hai (Sharp Peak's Hybrid). Winner claims a "Jack" seat.
Zou's fists clenched. "Yu Hai dies by my hand. Not Zheng's."
Bai Er ignored the tension. "The White Clan's 'Three Sons of Baidi'… they're all dead except me."
The team arrived at Sunbird City under aliases, their faces obscured by hats and masks.
The arena buzzed with anticipation. Spectators from across the four free markets crowded the stands, whispering about the duel's implications.
"Over 1,000 people here," Jason whispered. "This is bigger than the Grand Tournament."
As the duel began, Zheng Yilong's fire magic scorched the arena. Yu Hai countered with hybrid ferocity, his claws tearing through defenses.
"This isn't a fight," Sherry murmured. "It's a execution."