Title: The Hidden Crane Priest
The little beauty, Gu Lixue, tilted her head, her long black hair flowing softly down her shoulders. Her bright eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and doubt. "Alright, boss," she said playfully. "But if they're too weak, I'll complain to you!"
Yang Shung crossed his arms, a calm yet confident smile playing on his lips. "Don't worry. They're decent enough," he replied.
If Yang Chen, his childhood friend and a trusted companion, were present to hear those words, he might have coughed up blood in sheer disbelief. Among ordinary players, Yang Chen's team was renowned, often considered elite. But in Yang Shung's eyes, it was merely "decent."
Gu Lixue shrugged. "Fine, I'll hold you to that. Don't let me down."
Yang Shung nodded, satisfied. The agreement had been struck. Now, it was time to act.
A Strategic Call
Yang Shung tapped his communicator, bringing up Yang Chen's contact. His voice was steady and composed when the call connected. "Yang Chen, I've got a promising recruit for your team. A hidden-class White Crane Priest. His skills are top-notch. Interested?"
Yang Chen's response came almost immediately. "Are you serious? A hidden class?"
"Yes," Yang Shung replied. "And not just any hidden class. The White Crane Priest is versatile, both in support and combat. He'll fill in the gaps in your team's strategy."
Yang Chen fell silent, pondering. His team had been struggling against some of the higher-tier guilds lately, particularly when it came to coordination and healing efficiency. A hidden-class player like this could tip the scales in their favor.
"What's the catch?" Yang Chen finally asked, his voice cautious.
"No catch. Just take him for a trial run. If you're not satisfied, you can send him back," Yang Shung said, his tone as calm as ever.
"Alright, deal," Yang Chen said with a chuckle. "I trust your judgment, Shung. But if he's not as good as you say, I'll make you run ten rounds around the training grounds."
Yang Shung smirked. "Deal."
Meeting the Team
The next day, Yang Shung brought the White Crane Priest, a young man named Li Zheng, to Yang Chen's training grounds. Li Zheng had a lean build, with sharp features and an aura of quiet confidence. His white robes, embroidered with intricate crane patterns, shimmered faintly under the sunlight.
Yang Chen's team, consisting of Yang Mei, Yang Ping, and Zhang Wei, stood in a loose circle, watching the newcomer with curiosity.
"This is Li Zheng," Yang Shung introduced. "He specializes in healing and crowd control, but don't underestimate his offensive skills."
Li Zheng gave a polite nod. "I'll do my best to support your team."
Yang Mei, the team's archer, raised an eyebrow. "Support? We need someone who can keep up, not just stay in the backlines."
Yang Shung chuckled. "Why don't you test him, then? A quick sparring match should settle your doubts."
Yang Mei grinned, her competitive spirit ignited. "Alright, let's see what you've got, Crane Priest."
The Test
The group moved to the training grounds, a wide-open space lined with targets and training dummies. Yang Mei drew her bow, her long ponytail swaying as she moved with practiced precision. "Ready?" she asked, her tone both challenging and playful.
Li Zheng stood calmly, his hands glowing faintly as he summoned a white crane spirit. The ethereal bird circled him, its presence serene yet intimidating.
"Begin!" Yang Chen called out.
Yang Mei fired her first arrow, aiming straight for Li Zheng's chest. But before it could connect, the crane spirit swooped down, deflecting the arrow with its shimmering wings.
Yang Mei's eyes widened. "Not bad."
She quickly fired a volley of arrows, each one faster and more precise than the last. But Li Zheng remained composed, his crane spirit weaving gracefully through the air to block or redirect each shot.
Suddenly, Li Zheng raised his hand, and the crane spirit let out a sharp cry. A burst of white light erupted, momentarily blinding Yang Mei. In that split second, Li Zheng closed the distance, his staff glowing with energy.
Yang Mei barely managed to dodge, her heart racing. "Alright, I get it! You're good!" she admitted, laughing breathlessly.
The rest of the team watched in awe. Even Yang Chen, who rarely showed his emotions, nodded in approval.
Building Trust
After the sparring match, the team gathered around a campfire to discuss their upcoming missions. Li Zheng sat quietly, listening as the others talked strategy.
Yang Chen glanced at him. "Li Zheng, what do you think? Any suggestions?"
Li Zheng hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Your formation is solid, but your frontlines are vulnerable to ambushes. I can set up protective barriers to cover those weak points."
Yang Ping, the team's tank, frowned. "You sure those barriers can hold up? We've faced some tough enemies lately."
"They're stronger than they look," Li Zheng replied confidently.
Yang Shung leaned back, a small smile on his face. "Give him a chance. You might be surprised."
The team agreed, albeit reluctantly. Trust was something that had to be earned, and Li Zheng was determined to prove himself.
The First Mission
Their first mission as a team was a high-risk dungeon raid. The dungeon, known as the Shadow Caverns, was infamous for its deadly traps and unpredictable enemies.
As they delved deeper, the team quickly realized the value of Li Zheng's abilities. His barriers deflected surprise attacks, his healing kept the group alive during intense battles, and his crane spirit provided crucial crowd control, immobilizing enemies at critical moments.
Yang Chen, who had initially been skeptical, found himself relying more and more on Li Zheng's support. "You're better than I expected," he admitted grudgingly.
Li Zheng simply nodded, his expression calm. "Thank you."
A New Beginning
By the time they exited the dungeon, the team's opinion of Li Zheng had completely changed. Yang Mei clapped him on the back, grinning. "You're not bad, Crane Priest. Not bad at all."
Yang Ping gave him a thumbs-up. "Those barriers saved my hide more times than I can count. Glad to have you on board."
Even Zhang Wei, the usually quiet swordsman, gave a rare smile. "You've got skill. Welcome to the team."
Yang Shung watched the scene from a distance, a satisfied expression on his face. His gamble had paid off. Li Zheng had not only proven his worth but also earned the trust and respect of the team.
As the group celebrated their success, Yang Shung turned to leave. Gu Lixue was waiting for his report, and he still had other plans to set in motion.
But before he could go, Yang Chen called out to him. "Hey, Shung. Thanks for the recommendation. You've got a good eye."
Yang Shung waved a hand dismissively. "Just doing my part. Take care of him."
With that, he walked away, his mind already working on the next step in his ever-evolving strategy.
Epilogue
The Shadow Caverns raid marked the beginning of a new chapter for Yang Chen's team. With Li Zheng's addition, they became stronger than ever, ready to take on even greater challenges.
And as for Yang Shung, he remained in the shadows, quietly orchestrating events, his sharp mind always one step ahead.