Upon hearing that Li Yao wanted to spar with Li Haitao, the crowd immediately erupted.
Li Haitao's immense strength was something they had all witnessed. None of the students could last more than a minute against him in PvP (Player Vs Player).
Even the two students ranked second and third, Zhang Ming and Wang Qiang, who were clad in green equip, had shown off before, but still didn't last one minute in the finals against Li Haitao. Li Haitao, on the other hand, had only lost less than a third of his health.
In a context where green equipment represents the premium gear and some people couldn't even afford a full set of the ordinary white equipment, Li Haitao's full set of enhanced green equipment made him simply invincible. It was uncertain whether even ten people could kill him. More likely, he'd end up killing them instead.
"Yaozi, you've drunk too much," Zhao Lei hurriedly supported Li Yao, speaking loudly, "Sorry everyone, Li Yao just had a bit too much to drink earlier, he was just talking drunk."
Li Haitao smiled and responded: "Leizi, how could Yaozi be drunk? Since Yaozi wants to spar, I naturally can't refuse, as long as everyone is having fun."
Li Yao stopped Zhao Lei and said: "Alright, let's not keep everyone waiting any longer. Let's get started."
The crowd erupted with cheers. Even though no one was optimistic about Li Yao's chances, they still applauded his bravery.
Li Haitao maintained a calm face but was elated inside. He was looking for an opportunity to personally defeat and embarrassment Li Yao, and Li Yao just served himself up on a platter.
Although he was loath to admit it, Li Haitao harbored deep jealousy for Li Yao. He simply couldn't understand why Feng Yi, a girl who even he could not attain, would take a liking to Li Yao.
Because he's good at academics? That's a joke. In the Qin family, even a successful businessman with billions in wealth wasn't particularly impressive, let alone an excellent student.
He thought about the last banquet he attended; his father and the patriarch of the Qin family, who was also Feng Yi's father, had a small business collaboration. His father's old rivals were practically green with envy when his father merely shook hands with the Qin patriarch. That incident took place more than two years ago, but it was something his father still repeatedly bragged about.
This made him even more resentful. Li Yao had outshone him and ruined his relationship with Feng Yi. He had been excited for the longest time and now he could finally bring disgrace upon Li Yao all the while appearing righteous.
Even he, with his calm demeanor and stoic face, couldn't help but tremble from excitement as he held his glass of wine.
Li Haitao took a deep breath and said: "Since we're having a friendly bet, I'll up the stakes. If Yaozi beats me, I'll admit that he is the best."
"That's not right, Haitao. Everyone has seen your generosity. The competition is over, and the champ is the champ. No one would deny that," Wang Yan said loudly. "Since there's a stake, Li Yao should also put up something of equal value, shouldn't he?"
"I'd hate to disappoint everyone," Li Yao said, acknowledging the crowd. "But sorry, I don't have a father who allows me to throw money around recklessly. As a humble commentator, let alone not having the money, even if I did, I wouldn't splurge recklessly. Isn't that fair?"
"Yeah, we ordinary folks have it tough. Haitao, let's just have fun, don't go overboard," came the agreement.
Most of the old classmates were simple folk and they rallied around Li Yao.
Li Haitao's face fell. He didn't expect Li Yao to be so cunning and bring himself down to the level of his classmates.
The normally silent Feng Yi spoke up for the first time: "If you want to bet, I'll accompany you. Let me make it clear, I earned my own money, I didn't use one cent from my family."
Li Haitao's face instantly went through a range of emotions, his heart was antsy. Suppressing his anger and forcing a smile, he said: "If Feng Yi wants to join the fun, I certainly can't refuse. Let's get started."
As the two walked towards the gaming room, Li Haitao whispered to Li Yao, "Li Yao, you brought this upon yourself. I'm going to make you lie at my feet like a dead dog."
Li Yao calmly replied, "I'm waiting."
Upon logging in the game, Li Yao saw an option on the panel that allowed him to connect to the competition server. Li Yao chose to enter.
Li Yao, cloaked and invisible, and Li Haitao, a warrior shimmering in green, appeared in a large plain.
"This isn't fair. An open plain gives Yaozi no place to hide," Zhao Lei exclaimed loudly.
In the game, Li Haitao was slightly taken aback but pretended to be magnanimous: "If you think it's unfair, we can change the location."
"No need. It doesn't matter where we fight, the outcome is already decided," Li Yao's in-game voice, unlike his real one, responded. Not only his voice, but even his appearance was different. The game system rated your character creation, for example, if you were rated five points in appearance, your character would also be rated five points. This was done to protect players' privacy and to prevent them from deceiving others through beautification.
"It seems you're aware of the result. You're correct. It doesn't matter the location," Li Haitao chose to confirm preparation.
Li Yao also confirmed, and countdown timers appeared in both players' fields of vision.
"Who do you guys think will win?" Zhang Ming asked loudly.
"It should be Haitao, right?"
"What do you mean 'should'? It's 'definitely'! Wang Qiang said loudly, "Not to mention equipment, Haitao has learned six skills, one passive and five active. Except for Haitao, who among us doesn't envy the two skills they have?"
Everyone nodded. Zhang Ming said, "Look, they are starting. Haitao's learned the Charge skill. Once Haitao charges, Li Yao will be stunned for a second. Then a hamstring to slow Li Yao, followed by a heavy blow and a Thunder Strike to finish off Li Yao."
Everyone nodded again, because all the people who met Li Haitao were instantly taken out, without a chance to retaliate.
"What a bore. To think it was... What's going on? Why isn't Haitao charging?" Wang Yan exclaimed in a sharp voice.
Everyone was at a loss, for as the countdown ended.
Li Yao suddenly fired an arrow. Li Haitao rolled aside to dodge, but before he could get up, another arrow shaft glowing with a pale blue light hit him in the head.
Li Haitao pushed himself to stride towards Li Yao, whereas Li Yao was retreating while rapidly firing arrows.
-10-12-9-13...
One after another, damage numbers floated over Li Haitao's head, but he couldn't even touch the corner of Li Yao's clothes.
"Yaozi must be sentimental about their school relationship. He doesn't want to embarrass Li Yao too much. Haitao has over four hundred health points, and Li Yao has less than two hundred. Letting him win a few points would be nothing." Zhang Ming justified it.
However, no one responded to him, because Li Haitao's face had turned ashen. The unmistakably furious expression on his face was clearly visible to everyone.
Wang Xiaolei was also confused. She turned to Feng Yi, "Feng Yi, I heard you're also a commentator. Can you help us with what happened?"
"Yeah, Feng Yi, please explain this to us."
"Yes, please, explain."
Feng Yi was not shy; she walked up to the screen and took the mic. After a slight cough, a gentle voice came from her mouth.
"It is actually straightforward. Li Haitao did not avoid the charge. He couldn't charge."
"Can't charge? What do you mean? Why wasn't he able to charge?" Zhao Lei asked.
Feng Yi looked at Li Yao's sharp gaze and softly spoke, "You need to know, a warrior's charge is within thirty yards. Even with passives, the maximum distance can only be thirty-five yards. If you look closely, their distance has always been maintained above thirty-five yards while a bow and arrow can attack from a distance of forty yards or more."
Everyone suddenly realized. The lively hall quieted down and everyone paid full attention to the competition along with the gentle commentary.
"Li Haitao is very formidable; he managed to dodge Yaozi's Concussive Shot with a dodge roll. Look, he dodged this time and his speed increased, he was just two seconds away from charging. But Li Yao didn't give him a chance. Using Shadow Roll twice to create distance again. Li Yao's archery is too strong; he only afforded Li Haitao to dodge one Concussive Shot. Li Yao's attack is highly lethal; it can penetrate even enhanced equipment. If things continue this way, Li Haitao doesn't have a chance and the outcome of the match is already determined."
"Aargh!" Li Haitao could no longer restrain himself and roared with rage. His face contorted in fury.
While Li Yao simply focused on firing arrows, each glowing arrow shaft shot out accurately, with almost no misses.
Li Haitao, on the other hand, was roaring continuously, the health bar above his head kept decreasing.
When Li Haitao was down to less than half his health, he started to use hit and run tactics. But he could not dodge Li Yao's Concussive Shot; irrespective of whether he moved forward or backward, he still could not dodge Li Yao's arrows.
Li Yao was like a venomous snake who seemed to see through all his moves. He tumbled left and dived right, but he couldn't dodge Li Yao's arrows.
After a few minutes, Li Haitao was like a live target; arrows were all over his body. Full of frustration, he fell to the ground and looked like a giant porcupine.
Everyone was at a loss for words. Just now, Li Haitao was like a War God who instantly finished anyone he saw, regardless of the quality of his green equip, he was dazzling.
Looking at Li Haitao on the screen who had turned into a porcupine and then at Li Yao, fully replenished, everyone seemed to be in a daze. Everything appeared so unrealistic.
With a bang, Li Haitao kicked the stool blocking his path, heavily panting, he stared at the calm and composed Li Yao. He coldly said, "Since it's a duel, it should be a best of three rounds. I suggest that we can use all objects apart from Healing water in the next round."
"Enough of this! Can't you accept defeat?" Zhao Lei loudly said.
Wang Qiang also announced loudly, "A one-on-one fight is always best of three rounds, that's a rule."
The grace of Li Haitao was long gone, with a gloomy face staring at Li Yao, like a venomous snake. He sneered, "Suppose you don't dare?"
Li Yao looked at his vicious face, gently smiled, sighed and said, "Can we use props? Are you sure?"
"Yes, all items except Healing related potions can be used." Li Haitao panted out.
"Hmm, I see, that's fine." Yaozi said in a low voice.
"So you agreed." Li Haitao laughed out loud.
"Well, I have not had enough yet." Li Yao turned and walked back into the arena. As he had just said, he had only killed him once in the game. He hadn't let off steam yet...