You Are Always the Prey

Lan Mu said solemnly, "Where is the competition held? Doesn't the government care if people die?"

Fang Moqi's eyes remained unfocused as he replied, "The location changes every time. The organizers are incredibly wealthy, and before the duel, the shooters voluntarily sign a life and death agreement, which is why these major competitions have always been held smoothly."

Lan Mu said seriously, "You participated in such a competition and got second place?"

Fang Moqi stated, "Yes, I defeated strong opponents from various countries, never killing anyone, yet I won consecutively until the finals against one person."

Lan Mu looked at Fang Moqi in astonishment. He hadn't expected that in such a life and death duel, he could win without killing anyone. This indicated that the gap in strength between him and his opponents was considerable, allowing him to achieve this.

Fang Moqi continued, "That person was very strong, the true strongest shooter in the world, America's number one explorer, and a genius from the Gates family of adventurers."

"His name is Benrato Gates. He participated in three competitions and won first place three times consecutively, all with easy victories without killing a single person."

"He was never hit by an arrow!"

Lan Mu blinked, seeing a look of reminiscence and admiration in Fang Moqi's eyes, as well as the mutual respect between strong individuals.

"Your final battle with him to decide the world's number one? You lost? That's why you're second?"

Fang Moqi said in a low voice, "Yes, I signed the life and death agreement with him for the final duel. Many people at the time said I was the most likely to defeat him and become the new king, because I had also crushed all my opponents to reach the finals."

"The venue for that duel was in the virgin jungle of Costa Rica. The organizers sectioned off an area, and we could only fight within a zone covered by hidden cameras."

"Within the rules, we could hide anywhere, and there was no time limit. We were both hunters and prey to each other."

"It continued until one party died or one party surrendered. If the steel plate on the chest was hit, it would be judged as 'death,' counting as a loss."

Lan Mu listened intently, not interrupting him.

Fang Moqi continued to recall, "We concealed ourselves within a three-kilometer radius, searching, probing, and fighting to the death..."

"His reaction time and archery skills both surpassed mine, and his jungle reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance abilities were also extremely outstanding."

"I was constantly suppressed. The duel lasted for a full three days. During those three days challenging the limits of life and death, I grew rapidly and survived several crises."

"Three days without eating, drinking, or sleeping, both of us were nearing our limits. Finally, we had our decisive battle in the rainforest."

"Gates was ultimately stronger. He shot an arrow first. My reaction was a fraction of a second slower. Instead of dodging, I immediately shot an arrow back."

Lan Mu's eyes widened, and he asked, "You were slower! So you lost?"

Fang Moqi's tone was low, "His arrow hit my chest, piercing the steel plate and nearly embedding itself in my flesh."

"And my arrow was about to hit his chest, but he... he was too proud. Even though he had a steel plate protecting his chest, he insisted on dodging that arrow."

"In that split second, he performed a maneuver that I couldn't have done at the time, dodging the chest area. That arrow hit his lung."

"The organizers later ruled me as the loser, and he became the world's number one shooter for the fourth time. As the only person to hit Gates, I became the undisputed second place, with no one to refute it."

Lan Mu patted Fang Moqi's shoulder and said, "Don't be discouraged. Come back next time, you'll definitely win. The gap between you isn't that large."

Fang Moqi replied, "That's exactly what I thought. After that, I practiced my archery relentlessly and constantly honed myself in various dangerous areas, pushing myself to grow in extreme environments."

"A year passed, and I grew very quickly. At thirty years old, I honed my reaction time to the human limit. It can be said that I was no longer inferior to Gates in terms of raw strength."

"But when I wanted to challenge him again, I was informed that shortly after the previous competition ended, he had died from a bacterial infection, caused by my arrow."

At this point, Fang Moqi frowned deeply, filled with regret and unwillingness.

"The Gates family told me that during the three days in the rainforest, my arrow was filled with viruses and bacteria. After hitting him, it caused a lung infection that led to his death."

"That guy, if he hadn't dodged my arrow back then, he wouldn't have died!"

"But he was too proud. For honor, for the sake of no one being able to hit him, he insisted on dodging with all his might."

"To win, he would rather be truly shot in the lung than be hit in the chest plate. Even if my arrow had hit his chest, he would have won because I would have been 'killed' first."

"So, the outcome of that time was... I lost, and he died."

"That guy, I'll never have another chance to defeat him."

After saying this, Fang Moqi's expression became dejected, saddened by the death of the greatest opponent he had ever faced.

Lan Mu remembered seeing a pierced steel plate in his backpack at the club back then, amidst a pile of weapons.

With a little thought, Lan Mu realized that Fang Moqi had kept the steel plate that Gates had shot through, a symbol of his only defeat.

Perhaps he had never found peace in his heart, always mourning the man who had died by his hand yet had defeated him.

This was perhaps the mutual appreciation between rivals.

"But... but why do you want to have a life and death duel with me? Do you want me to participate in that competition with you?" Lan Mu suddenly recalled Fang Moqi's initial words and asked, looking bewildered.

Fang Moqi calmed his emotions slightly and said to Lan Mu, "It's been three years. Apart from Gates, I haven't been defeated. Yet you defeated me with a bow and arrow, and it was a complete rout."

"Honestly, based on archery skills alone, you have far surpassed both Gates and me."

"But a true combat shooter still needs duels in life and death to determine victory."

Fang Moqi said with a serious expression, "Gates defeated me, and I have nothing to say! He also paid the price of his life for it."

"But I will not allow myself to lose to anyone else! So... let's have a life and death duel!"

"Only by defeating me in such a true duel will I acknowledge you."

Lan Mu saw how solemn Fang Moqi was and seemed to be serious, hesitating slightly.

It wasn't that he was afraid. So far, both of Lan Mu's transformation forms had been in their element, the jungle.

If the duel were here, he didn't believe he could still die.

"But... I consider you a friend. Is a Life and Death Duel really a good idea?"

Hearing Lan Mu's words, Fang Moqi was stunned, then laughed heartily, "I consider you a friend too!"

"Put it on. I've already prepared it."

After speaking, Fang Moqi took out two chest plates connected by ropes, designed to protect the front and back of the heart.

Lan Mu took the chest protection and sighed, "But you just fought an alligator and exhausted yourself. Do we really need to fight now?"

"It's fine. I didn't expend much energy, and I've been to this jungle many times. I'm much more familiar with it than you are, so you'll be at a disadvantage."

Lan Mu was a bit speechless and could only say, "Alright! If you insist..."

"I accept your challenge!"

"But I hope this is the last time. I truly don't want to duel you again."

Fang Moqi smiled and retreated, disappearing into the jungle while saying, "Okay... the arena will be from here all the way to the previous camp..."

"Be careful to hide yourself. I won't hold back."

With that, he completely vanished into the jungle.

Lan Mu also took out his bow and arrows, becoming serious. He turned and moved, running through the jungle. After about five minutes, he hid behind a large tree.

"If there's no time limit, the longer I drag this out, the more stamina I'll consume."

"In the jungle, unless you eat raw food for calories, starting a fire could easily give away your position."

"With the enemy hidden and me exposed, I'll be at an absolute disadvantage."

Lan Mu initially put on a show of analyzing the situation, but then realized he had no experience at all. Why was he trying to imitate the experts?

"Tsk, why not just transform and get it over with? Let's finish this quickly. Du Yu and the others are waiting for us to come back for lunch."

With that thought, Lan Mu first transformed into an Elf, then put on his hat and lightly climbed the forty-meter-tall tree.

His sharp eyes scanned his surroundings. Although his ears were covered by his hat, they twitched restlessly, listening for any sounds.

Suddenly, a string twanged.

An arrow flew out from the branches, heading straight for him.

Lan Mu was startled. He infused his legs with Natural Power and moved abruptly, dodging the arrow.

"That was close! I was discovered so quickly?"

Lan Mu didn't dare to linger. He agilely leaped through the treetops, landing and running towards the distance.

This time, his speed far surpassed his human form. In about five minutes, he was lost in the jungle.

He looked around, hid himself under some leaves, and pondered his next move.

"Fang Moqi is really skilled. He found my hiding spot in my human form so quickly."

"Fortunately, I transformed into an Elf beforehand, which allowed me to dodge that arrow."

"If I had been any later, I might have been shot before I could even transform."

Lan Mu felt a chill of fear. If he had been in his human form just now, he might not have reacted until the arrow hit him. Dying at Fang Moqi's hands like that would have been truly unjust.

This made Lan Mu even more cautious, and he decided to maintain his transformed state at all times.

His human form was too weak. In a Life and Death Duel against an extreme expert like Fang Moqi, his human self would be completely defenseless.

"Hmm, I tried my best to observe his position earlier, but even in my Elf form, I still couldn't find the hidden Fang Moqi. This shows his concealment skills are profound. Without any reconnaissance experience, even with senses far beyond human, it's not enough."

"Should I rely on the White-haired Lion after all?"

"A duel where we are both hunter and prey..."

"The Hunter is undoubtedly the most suitable form to transform into."

Taking off his shirt and hat, Lan Mu instantly transformed into a White-haired Lion. His crimson eyes pierced through the dense foliage, and countless creatures fell within his perception.

"In front of the Hunter, you will always be the prey!"