Two weeks had passed since the PSIA incident happened. Upon hearing the news, Daniel and his group interpreted it as a direct shot to them. The destruction caused by JacQuarius seemed like a display of power aimed at intimidating them.
Daniel and his comrades, particularly Daniel himself, harbored no fear. They had devoted themselves to rigorous training and received support from their boss, leaving them well-equipped for the impending confrontation.
With only 16 hours remaining until the showdown, they immersed themselves in strategizing, harnessing their new and improved strength to devise tactics.
All three—Ian, Selena, and Daniel—now all stood at Gold 3rd Layer.
"Ian, have you mastered those new skills? I have an idea for a powerful dual skill," Daniel inquired.
Ian completed his final set of push-ups before responding, "Yes, share your thoughts with me via transmission." They weren't one hundred percent sure or not if the building was bugged or being watched, so they communicated all important topics via thought transmissions.
Ian had prioritized physical training over cultivation recently due to the significant flaw in his technique. Whenever he cultivated using his method, it consumed his muscles to strengthen his soul. His soul essentially fed off his muscles, and in extreme cases, his bones, posing a threat to his physical integrity.
Failure to maintain his physical conditioning would result in either stagnant cultivation or bone loss, potentially fatal. Nevertheless, despite the inherent risks, his technique remained potent—a calculated gamble with potentially limitless rewards.
Daniel's soul had grown significantly stronger, potentially making him the most formidable member of their group. Equipped with new sets of artifacts and other enhancements, they had become far more versatile in both defense and offense.
Rising from his meditative state, Daniel posed a question to Selena and Ian. "Ready to go?"
Selena and Ian responded with immediate nods, swiftly gathering their belongings. Having discussed the plans in advance, they aimed to depart a day early, settling into a nearby hotel to await the impending confrontation.
Daniel opted for an early arrival to preempt any potential ambushes the following day. While he didn't fear JacQuarius's strength, he feared his intelligence. At first, he could easily fool JacQuarius and was playing him well, like at the school situation, JacQuarius walked in head first with no idea there was an ambush there! But in that small time between then and last month, JacQuarius had completely surpassed Daniel in everything! Every play that Daniel threw at him, he countered it and returned it twofold.
The recent PSIA incident had also left a profound impact on Daniel. Just two weeks before the attack on PSIA, JacQuarius and the PSIA had actually formed an alliance, he literally backstabbed them!
Daniel was haunted by the implications of such oversight, realizing that JacQuarius had likely learned from his own past mistakes. Before the recent turn of events, JacQuarius had not displayed this level of cunningness.
Same Time But At A Penthouse In A 5 Star Hotel
JacQuarius, Tela, and Kiyomi were fully engrossed in their cultivation efforts, striving to match the levels achieved by Daniel's group, from their previous encounters they had realized they were already behind.
JacQuarius had recently broken through to Gold 2nd Layer, showing modest progress. Meanwhile, Kiyomi maintained a formidable Gold 5th Layer status. Tela, however, underwent a miraculous transformation. His physique evolved dramatically, resembling that of John Cena, thanks to special cultivation materials that intensified his training. He utilized the hotel's gym extensively, achieving feats like bench-pressing 350 lbs for ten sets, among other rigorous exercises.
Over the past two weeks, Tela experienced remarkable growth, mirroring the preparations of Daniel's group. Like them, JacQuarius's team honed dual and trio skills and secured complete artifact sets. They seized the treasury of PSIA, then collaborated with the FBI to organize an auction, reaping substantial profits. From this venture, JacQuarius amassed an impressive 46 billion, underscoring the operation's success.
Yet, the true boon of the auction lay beyond monetary gains; it established a crucial acquaintance with the FBI. JacQuarius adopted the adage "keep your friends close, but your enemies closer," suspecting the FBI of being the organization that controls Daniel's group. However, he discovered that the FBI's interests aligned with his own—specifically regarding Daniel, who had reportedly eliminated an undercover informant of theirs within the Yakuza, leading to shared animosity towards him.
This revelation eased JacQuarius's suspicions and increased his partial trust in the FBI. He was initially wary of an ambush during the forthcoming 3v3 confrontation, causing his strategic contemplations to intensify during the month-long interval. He meticulously evaluated every conceivable scenario, utilizing the time to plan his approach meticulously, or at least that's what he thinks, majorly due to his flaw of overthinking.
During this period of reflection, JacQuarius also contemplated the broader implications of their upcoming clash. Beyond immediate tactical considerations, he recognized the potential long-term consequences.
Meanwhile, Tela's physical transformation symbolized a broader shift within their group. Their collective efforts had not only bolstered their combat prowess but also solidified their strategic positioning. As they neared the scheduled confrontation, JacQuarius harbored a mixture of anticipation and vigilance, ready to execute their meticulously crafted plans.
They all turned in for the night, preparing for the eventful long day tomorrow!
The Next Day
They woke up to a stunning morning, greeted by the lyrics of Kanye West's "Father Stretch My Hands," setting a cheerful tone for the day.
JacQuarius, in a buoyant mood, played the song loudly as everyone prepared for the upcoming event, embracing a unique dress code: ghetto formal.
JacQuarius exemplified this style with a black Denim Tears turtleneck paired elegantly with light blue Amiri jeans and Celine church shoes. Tela sported a black Balenciaga logo sweater vest with denim blue True Religion jeans and sleek black Balenciaga Triple S sneakers. Kiyomi radiated confidence in a strapless silk red dress that accentuated her curves flawlessly.
Once dressed, they exited through the window and leaped onto Jimmy, embarking on a lengthy flight to their destination. Amidst the exhilarating journey, anticipation filled the air as they approached the pivotal event. The morning's energy and their distinct attire mirrored their readiness for the challenge ahead.