Wang Shaoyun wished for nothing more than to vanish into thin air.
The inhabitants of Beginner Village, particularly the Bellowtalons members, were overwhelmed with embarrassment and shame.
The Sector Announcements buzzed with chatter:
"This Wang Shaoyun is something else! He's actually putting up with this!"
"It's a tough spot to be in. If you're outmatched, you're at the mercy of others. To survive, you've got to swallow your pride!"
"He's completely abandoned his dignity. This guy's ruthless! But looking at it now, Beginner Village 996 isn't exactly a pushover, though it's hardly able to withstand a second blow!"
"What about Guangcheng?"
"With the main force decimated, what can one man do?"
Everyone expected Beginner Village 996 to fall, but no one anticipated such a swift and brutal defeat.
The top gang, Four Seas Gang, was utterly routed. Their leader, Zhou Tao, scampered away in disgrace, like a dog without a home.
The second in command, Bellowtalons, saw their leader, Wang Shaoyun, hit the ground in submission, even willing to suffer indignities just to cling to life.
Now, only a handful of stragglers remained, along with Boss Guangcheng, but even he was unable to reverse the tide.
Inside Beginner Village 996.
The Tiger Claw Gang members finished their mocking laughter.
"You've done well. Now..." Lee Fala began with a friendly tone, but as Wang Shaoyun's guard dropped, he suddenly drew his waist knife and struck at Wang Shaoyun's neck, "You can die now!"
Blood sprayed as Wang Shaoyun's head hit the ground. Being outclassed by Lee Fala, his instant death was not unexpected.
"Why?" Wang Shaoyun's severed head asked with its dying breath.
Lee Fala let out a cold laugh, "You, kid, could endure such disgrace. You've got spirit, and I can't risk keeping you around. I'm familiar with the tale of King Goujian of Yue. You aspire to be him, but I refuse to end up like King Fuchai of Wu!"
Wang Shaoyun died with eyes wide open.
"Take the rest and hold them as hostages!" Lee Fala commanded.
The trial challengers from Beginner Village 996 were rounded up, disarmed, and tied up—taken as hostages.
Lee Fala bellowed in the district channel, "Guangcheng, you coward, your main forces from Beginner Village 996 have been crushed by me. Aside from Zhou Tao and a handful of stragglers who escaped, the rest are now my prisoners!"
"You'd better surrender and face your death. If not, I'll execute one hostage every ten minutes until you show yourself!"
Chen Guo was aware that the clash between Beginner Village 996 and Beginner Village 10733 was sparked by his actions, and he had a rough idea of the outcome.
The casualty reports flooding the channels made it clear that Beginner Village 996 had been utterly defeated.
Yet, Lee Fala's bluster seemed utterly ridiculous to Chen Guo. The fate of those prisoners meant nothing to him; he was indifferent to whether they lived or died.
"Lee Fala, I must thank you for invoking the Nether River Order to wage war on our village, and congratulations on your victory. But let's be clear, those captives are neither my kin nor my friends. I'm a true lone wolf. Threatening me with their lives? Are you joking?" Chen Guo shot back.
A real powerhouse doesn't bow to threats. Not even the peril of his own family would compel Chen Guo to risk his safety.
He would simply avenge them later, if necessary.
The most effective way to handle a villain is to outdo them in their own game.
"I'm aware you don't value their lives, but my desire to kill remains. Once I've finished with them, I'll scour the earth to find you and ensure your demise!" Lee Fala cackled, "You should've known better than to cross the Tiger Claw Gang!"
"Oh..." Chen Guo responded, "So the Tiger Claw Gang is set on targeting me, I see."
"That's correct, we've got our sights set on you!" Lee Fala affirmed.
Chen Guo proposed, "Here's an idea: if you halt the killings, I'll come and wipe you out myself in an hour. All two thousand of you will be sent to your graves. I'm tied up at the moment, but give me an hour, and I'll be ready to dispatch you all to the afterlife! Are you willing to wait that long?"
Lee Fala declared, "If you're truly that brave, we'll give you one hour to prove it!"
"Boss, could this guy be bluffing?" someone voiced their concern.
"It doesn't matter. Whether he's bluffing or not, as the world's top fighter, his absence after an hour will ruin his reputation!" Lee Fala asserted. "He'll be seen as a coward by all. Then, crushing his skull will be just as satisfying!"
The crowd settled in to wait for the hour to pass.
Chen Guo was recognized as the strongest fighter globally, but with the Tiger Claw Gang's two thousand members, it was common knowledge that Chen Guo would meet his end if he appeared after an hour.
Yet, if he didn't show, his reputation would be shattered, and he'd be branded a coward in the eyes of the world.
With the sheer numbers of the Tiger Claw Gang and the confined space of Beginner Village, Chen Guo couldn't possibly stay hidden indefinitely.
It seemed like a checkmate for Chen Guo.
...
Many believed that Chen Guo was facing an inescapable checkmate.
But Chen Guo himself didn't see it that way.
True, his combat strength was unmatched worldwide, but taking on a gang of two thousand was a stretch too far.
However, Chen Guo had an ace up his sleeve!
The treasure chests!
Despite Lee Fala's meddling limiting the number of treasure chest fragments he received, the amount was still staggeringly high.
Chen Guo was in possession of 1034 golden treasure chest fragments.
Using the Omnipresent Duplication, he could generate 3102 treasure chests.
Moreover, Chen Guo had acquired five orange treasure chest fragments, and with Lin Xinru's demise, he gained another, totaling 12 orange treasure chests!
3102 golden treasure chests!
12 orange treasure chests!
Just imagine the possibilities!
With such a haul, Chen Guo was confident that his combat strength during the Beginner phase would skyrocket. Taking on and defeating 2500 people alone wasn't out of the question.
Chen Guo was aware that Lee Fala's appearance was no fluke. Even without him, there would have been another to take his place.
Ultimately, Chen Guo's exceptional combat strength and astounding wealth were too enticing for many to resist.
Everyone in Beginner Village was well aware of Chen Guo's prowess, and they'd abandoned any underhanded ideas they might have had about him.
But the more formidable individuals and powers in the larger region wouldn't hesitate to pry into Chen Guo's secrets.
Chen Guo knew he had to strike hard and fast to set an example.
Should Chen Guo manage to single-handedly wipe out the Tiger Claw Gang in a 1vs2500 showdown, he would cement his status as a legend, commanding respect across the entire East Asia region!
After such a display, no one would dare cross Chen Guo again for quite some time!
Therefore, Chen Guo was determined to pull off a miracle!
Luckily, with 3,102 golden treasure chests and 12 orange ones at his disposal, he had all he needed to make it happen.
"Let's crack open these treasure chests. Within the hour, my fighting capacity will soar to new heights!"
Chen Guo was resolute.