"Rules? Ha! This is an all-out melee, there are no rules here!" Yang Wei bellowed with laughter. "What we lay eyes on is ours—that's the Hunting Dragon Squad's way. But hey, thanks for softening up those Level 5 Elites for us. We'd have been no match for them otherwise!"
"Look at that, only two of their team members are still standing. Haha, their loss is our gain!"
"Big thanks for taking down those monsters for us. You've done the heavy lifting, and soon, we'll be sending you off to your doom!"
"The slaughter points from the Level 5 Elites, plus the two of you, will bump us up two whole levels!"
The Hunting Dragon Squad members energetically encircled Old Master Zhang, taunting Chen Guo as they did. Seeing the Yellow Turban Warrior trailing behind Chen Guo, they assumed it was Chen Guo's team that had cornered Old Master Zhang.
Old Master Zhang was hanging on by a thread, and Chen Guo's team was down to two. The squad didn't consider Chen Guo a hidden powerhouse—after all, one couldn't directly check another challenger's stats, so they were clueless about Chen Guo's level. They even mistook the Yellow Turban Warrior for another trial challenger.
To them, it seemed like an opportunity ripe for the taking. Old Master Zhang was barely breathing; a bit more pressure, and he'd be done for. And the remaining two from the opposing team? Against their ten, they didn't stand a chance.
Snagging the kill on the elite monster now and looting their corpses later—it was a delightful prospect!
Chen Guo remained silent. With the ten opponents hell-bent on stealing his kill, he wasn't about to let them have their way. The Hunting Dragon Squad might have had ten members, but at an average of Level 2, they couldn't hope to finish off Old Master Zhang in a single blow.
Without a moment's delay, Chen Guo used his teleportation ability to appear behind Old Master Zhang. Then, wielding his Seven Star Sword, he struck at his neck. His super strength erupted, and in an instant, Old Master Zhang's head was severed from his body!
Old Master Zhang's head hit the ground with a thud, and his body collapsed, lifeless!
"You have slain Level 5 Elite Old Master Zhang. You have earned 5000 Slaughter Points!"
"You have advanced to Level 6!"
Chen Guo breathed a sigh of relief, thankful his teleportation hadn't activated; otherwise, the Hunting Dragon Squad might have snatched his prize.
Quick to act before anyone else could, Chen Guo hastily searched Old Master Zhang's body and initiated a duplication.
"Ding! Duplication triggered. You have copied Old Master Zhang's Strength x15. You have duplicated Old Master Zhang's Primitive Level talent, Copper Skin and Iron Bone!"
"Copper Skin and Iron Bone: You now possess a zombie-like resilience with copper skin and iron bones, significantly boosting your defense!"
With Old Master Zhang's rewards securely in his possession, Chen Guo finally relaxed. Just then, the Yellow Turban Warrior caught up and took a position beside him.
"Damn it, Old Master Zhang was ours, how dare you steal from us?!" Yang Wei exploded in rage.
Chen Guo rolled his eyes in response, "How can you be so utterly shameless? He was clearly my kill, and you're accusing me of stealing after failing to take him yourself. That's just revolting!"
Chen Guo might keep a low profile, but that didn't mean he was a pushover. These people had the audacity to try and steal his kill, and they were about to learn that actions have consequences.
"Boss, check the system alert. This person..." one of the Hunting Dragon Squad members began.
"What now?"
Yang Wei glanced at the system alert, and his eyes bulged in shock:
"A trial challenger? Killed Level 5 Elite Flying Corpse Old Master Zhang, gaining 5000 Slaughter Points!"
"A trial challenger? Has leveled up to 6!"
The Hunting Dragon Squad members all had a moment of clarity—Chen Guo was the elusive powerhouse they'd been searching for!
They had been on the hunt for this hidden boss, eager to uncover his secrets, and here he was, right in front of them. It seemed fate had a sense of irony!
"So you're the hidden boss who's been leading the pack. We've been searching high and low, and here you are, handed to us on a silver platter!" Yang Wei gestured, and the rest of the Hunting Dragon Squad closed in around Chen Guo.
Unfazed, Chen Guo asked coolly, "From what you're saying, you've been after me all this time?"
Yang Wei eyed Chen Guo with avarice, declaring, "You've leveled up so quickly and grown so powerful, there's got to be a secret behind it! Be wise, hand over your secret, kneel and surrender. We might just show mercy and let you live! But if you refuse to talk... well, heh..."
His menacing intent was unmistakable as he spoke.
"Have you lost your minds?" retorted Chen Guo. "I'm at level 6 now, and you're threatening me? First, you steal my kills, and now you demand my secrets. I wasn't planning on wiping you out, but it seems I have no choice now!"
Licking his lips, Yang Wei boasted, "Your strength is decent, but we are ten strong. Plus, you should know, I'm one of the three Eon-level talents from Beginner Village! All of us together, you don't stand a chance!"
"So, you're an Eon-level talent too? How intriguing, it's like you've delivered yourselves to me," Chen Guo thought, his intent to kill solidifying.
These people had long been scheming against him, seeking him out.
They had nearly stolen his kills.
Now they were threatening him.
There's only so much uncle can bear, but auntie won't stand for it!
"Boss, enough talk. Let's take him down!" urged a member of the Hunting Dragon Squad.
"Indeed!" Yang Wei bellowed, "All together now, let's capture this guy!"
With those words, Yang Wei flung a dagger into the air. It hovered, then, under his command, darted towards Chen Guo.
The other nine unleashed their talents in a coordinated assault on Chen Guo.
Their teamwork was nearly impeccable, their understanding of each other profound.
Chen Guo had to admit, their synergy, along with Yang Wei's telekinetic mastery over the dagger, would likely catch any average level 5 trial challenger off guard.
But they had sorely underestimated Chen Guo's prowess.
"Yellow Turban Warrior, to battle!"
At Chen Guo's command, the Yellow Turban Warrior charged into the fray, striking down foes.
Wielding the Seven Star Sword, Chen Guo deflected the incoming daggers, embarking on a relentless slaughter!
At level six, Chen Guo's nominal fighting capacity had surged to 955, but in reality, it had already soared past 1000, utterly overwhelming these level two novices!
No matter their numbers!
"You have slain Trial Challenger Wei Shengjin and earned 200 Slaughter Points!"
"You have slain Trial Challenger Hua Zhuang and earned 200 Slaughter Points!"
"You have slain Trial Challenger Fu Yanjie and earned 200 Slaughter Points!"
Chen Guo's initial assault was nothing short of impressive. With just three swift strikes, he had dispatched three members of the Hunting Dragon Squad.
"How can this be? No!" Yang Wei was taken aback, realizing they had sorely underestimated Chen Guo. In a desperate move, he lunged with his dagger at Chen Guo while simultaneously turning on his heels to flee.
Seeing their leader bolt in terror, the rest of the Hunting Dragon Squad followed suit. They cursed their luck for not having an extra pair of legs to carry them away faster.
"Think you can escape? Not so fast!" Chen Guo was determined to prevent them from getting away and potentially exposing him, which would jeopardize his ability to lay low and power up.
With resolve steeling his heart, Chen Guo teleported instantly, catching up to another trial challenger and delivering a fatal thrust with his sword!
"You have slain Trial Challenger Fei Jiubei and earned 200 Slaughter Points!"