Falling Star Bow

I just opened the treasure chest and a special item that doesn't appear in the loot list appeared.

[Chen Duyan's Token: This is a unique token belonging to Chen One-Eye, a high-ranking leader in the pirate Chen One-Eye Ye Mazi Faction. You can give it to any faction opposed to Ye Mazi (whether it's the Wokou Faction or the anti-Japanese pirate faction) to receive reputation and Merit Points as rewards.]

The Wokou Faction" is a general term referring to all pirate forces that plundered the southeastern coast of the Great Ming.

These pirate forces shared a common enemy: the Anti-Wokou Ming Army. However, it must be noted that the pirate forces within the Wokou Faction were not a monolithic entity, but rather divided into many groups, often engaging in double-crossing and infighting. For example, this particular Ambush between the Xu Hai Faction and Ye Mazi Faction, two high-ranking leaders, is a prime example.

Therefore, this [Chen Duyan's Token] was specially marked so that it could be given to either the Wokou Faction or the anti-Japanese pirate camp.

"This is a great stepping stone. Killing a level 7 Boss Tier is no small feat. Chen One-Eye must be Ye Mazi's right-hand man!" Zhao Zhixiong said cheerfully. "I suggest we join Xu Hai Faction! Since they Ambush Chen One-Eye's fleet, they must be adversaries."

"Join the Wokou Faction?" Bai Xiaowen's expression remained unchanged. "Why not join the Anti-Wokou Ming Army?"

Zhao Zhixiong waved his hand and said, "School General Knowledge Course should have taught us about the history of the Great Ming, right? In the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty, the Ming Army's combat effectiveness was extremely poor!"

"The Wokou Faction is different. Those ronin samurai from Japan are extremely powerful. There are fewer than a hundred ronin samurai in history. They once roamed dozens of prefectures and counties along the southeast coast and killed or wounded thousands of the Ming Army!"

"But the Jiajing Wokou Rebellion was ultimately quelled," Bai Xiaowen said.

"That's not important," Zhao Zhixiong waved his hand, speaking leisurely. "We Awakened Ones focus on interests, not necessarily on choosing the historical winners... The Great Ming valued civil officials over military ones, had a bloated bureaucracy, was inefficient, and most importantly, its reputation grew too slowly... You've noticed, haven't you? Killing an Elite Tier pirate might raise your reputation to Friendly among the Wokou Pirates pirates in Xu Hai, but it will still leave you neutral among the Anti-Pirate Ming Army Faction! Getting your reputation with the Anti-Wokou Ming Army to Revered to complete the main quest is far too difficult."

Bai Xiaowen shook his head and said, "I still want to choose the Anti-Pirate Ming Army Faction."

Zhao Zhixiong spread his hands. "Dude, you're so determined to choose the Ming Army army, are you some kind of blindly patriotic hothead?"

You can understand it that way.

Zhao Zhixiong showed an incredulous expression. "Come on, this is the Spirit Realm... not reality! Joining the Wokou Pirates is no big deal."

Bai Xiaowen shook her head slowly but firmly.

"Alright then, we'll have to part ways," Zhao Zhixiong said with a helpless expression. "Actually, cooperating with you has been quite pleasant... How about this, I'll keep this token for you... It'll be a good stepping stone if you want to join the Anti-Wokou Ming Army."

"Thank you." Bai Xiaowen did not refuse. He and Li Shuyi Kill Contribution, so he felt it was only right to accept the token.

Behind Bai Xiaowen, a ruthless glint suddenly flashed in Zhao Zhixiong's previously downcast eyes.

Boom!

As if receiving some kind of signal, Tai Shuisheng leaped forward and pounced on Bai Xiaowen, Knockdown his shield heavily against the ground.

Shockwave!

Bai Xiaowen instantly felt dizzy, while Zhao Zhixiong drew his bow and arrow, a streak of starlight tracing across the bow, and laughed loudly, "You're welcome!"

Swish!

A terrifying, star-studded arrow shot out.

"Awakened Zhao Zhixiong has launched an attack on you! For the next 30 minutes, you are in a state of legitimate self-defense, and your kill rating will increase by one level."

"Awakener Zhao Zhixiong's skill: Killing Shot activated. If this shot hits a vital point, it will deal 150% damage."

"Awakener Zhao Zhixiong's equipment: Falling Star Bow. Additional skill: Falling Star activated. Under the blessing of starlight, this shot deals an additional 46 points of magic damage."

"Awakener Zhao Zhixiong's equipment: Falling Star Bow LV4 Enhancement Effect: Burst Trigger. When casting the Falling Star skill, if you have been stationary for more than 30 seconds, Critical Hit will definitely be triggered."

"Awakener Zhao Zhixiong's Equipment: Falling Star Bow LV7 Enhancement Effect: Aiming Trigger, when using the Falling Star skill, as long as it hits the target, it is considered Vital Strike!"

Just as the [Shockwave] hit, Bai Xiaowen immediately used the accessory [Eclipse Dominator Badge] to break free from the Shockwave's control.

However, Zhao Zhixiong's arrow came too fast, and Bai Xiaowen's agility was Suppression by him, leaving him no time to dodge.

Bai Xiaowen immediately executed Targeted Airdrop, and a Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier blocked the trajectory of the Starshine Arrow!

With a crash, the Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier Burst into a shower of Bone Shatter. Then, to Bai Xiaowen's astonishment, the starlight arrow, its momentum undiminished, pierced deeply into Bai Xiaowen's shoulder.

The powerful force sent Bai Xiaowen staggering backward.

"My LV4 Snipe Piercing effect, attacking targets in a straight line! Blocking is useless!" Zhao Zhixiong was slightly surprised when he first saw the Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier the arrow, but he quickly regained his composure and laughed loudly. Just as he finished saying, "... blocking is useless," Bai Xiaowen had already been hit by the arrow and was forced back.

Critical Hit!

Killing Shot damage bonus increased by 150%!

The Falling Star skill grants a damage bonus of 46 points!

Vital Strike!

Unsurprisingly, the instant kill was triggered, Bai Xiaowen instantly suffered 290 points of damage (equivalent to her maximum Life Value).

A smile crept across Zhao Zhixiong's lips, his gaze then settling on Li Shuyi. Although this beauty had formidable DPS, she had just used her ultimate skill (Demonfire Dance) against the boss. Without this troublesome summoner, wouldn't she be easy for him to handle?

However, Zhao Zhixiong did not see the expected panic on Li Shuyi's face, and he instantly sensed that something was wrong!

Thump, thump, thump!

Zhao Zhixiong turned his head in shock, only to see Bai Xiaowen, who should have been instantly killed and turned into a Tai Shuisheng chest, rushing towards him like an enraged bull. Tai Shuisheng, who was standing to the side, reached out to stop him, but was knocked back several steps by Bai Xiaowen's casual punch, blood gushing from his mouth and nose.

"How... is this possible?"

Zhao Zhixiong tried to escape, but felt a wave of fear – it was Bai Xiaowen's Intimidation skill. His reaction wasn't slow; he quickly used an item to dispel it, but in the blink of an eye, Bai Xiaowen had already pounced on him and unleashed a punch!

This punch was imbued with intense flames— the Kusanagi-Style Ancient Martial Arts, Wild Bite.

Zhao Zhixiong raised his arm to Block, but the instant his arm touched the ground, he felt an overwhelming force that shattered his Block stance.

"This... this is impossible! My strength is as high as 27 points, how could I lose to an awakened person with Mental Specialty!"

With this question in mind, Zhao Zhixiong, his body enveloped in flames, staggered backward.

Bai Xiaowen followed up with a step and raised his elbow, sending Zhao Zhixiong flying into the air. Then, his hard iron elbow, also glowing with fire, slammed down hard!

Kusanagi-Style Ancient Martial Arts - Wild Bite - Nine Wounds - Nanase!

This is Kyo Kusanagi's most skillful and simplest combo in the Kusanagi-Style Ancient Martial Arts. After using Orochi Nagi many times, Bai Xiaowen's control over the Kusanagi Flame has become more and more proficient, and he is already able to perform some of these combos.

Zhao Zhixiong felt as if he had been hit by a train engine; his bones were almost broken, and blood gushed out, but under the steaming heat of the fire, the blood turned into mist and evaporated as soon as it came out of his mouth.

The three consecutive Combo had dealt nearly two hundred points of terrifying damage! Zhao Zhixiong's Life Value was now less than one hundred points, and the shadow of death loomed over him.

"Damn it... how can your strength be so high!"

Zhao Zhixiong gritted his teeth. Such high damage was comparable to that of the power-type BOSS Chen One-Eye from before, which he found hard to believe.

Bai Xiaowen smirked coldly. "Do you have any return items? If not... then die!"

The White Eagle's Assault - Swooping Flight Skill Activated!

Bai Xiaowen soared high like a falcon, delivering an upward kick. Supported by his skill, the speed of this kick was almost doubled. Zhao Zhixiong, despite his superior agility, had no time to dodge and could only try to Parry with one hand in front of him.

Thud! This kick nearly broke Zhao Zhixiong's arm, leaving him wide open! Bai Xiaowen spun in mid-air and followed up with a second kick, this time hitting Zhao Zhixiong precisely in the chin.

Crack!

Several teeth flew out along with blood, and Zhao Zhixiong's jawbone was cracked in several places. His body became light, and he was once again kicked into a floating state!

At this moment, Zhao Zhixiong's Life Value were less than fifty!

Seeing the flames in Bai Xiaowen's palm, Zhao Zhixiong finally despaired. He endured the excruciating pain in his jaw and screamed, "I... I will never let you go!"

A flash of white light enveloped Zhao Zhixiong and Tai Shuisheng! Bai Xiaowen's next "Dark Swipe" swept across the ground, but passed through the air.

The white light dissipated, and Zhao Zhixiong and his companion vanished.

Spirit Realm Rules Message:

"Based on your Insight, you have obtained the following combat information."

"Awakened Zhao Zhixiong used an S-Tier item: Mind Teleportation Scroll, which instantly teleports the user and team members to any target location within a ten-kilometer radius. It can be used in battle."

Clearly, this S-Tier "Mind Teleportation Scroll" is a precious item used to save lives, and its value is even higher than that of the return item "Return Scroll".

Its advantage is that using this item will not leave the Spirit Realm, thus preserving the opportunity to complete the main quest and preventing the loss of hard-earned Psionic Points, equipment, and items.

Bai Xiaowen breathed a sigh of relief. He could feel the surging power within him receding like the tide.

The Golden Ring [Ring of Torment] grants the skill "Agony Potential," which grants 1 point of Strength for every 10 points of damage taken, and only calculates damage taken within the last 30 seconds.

Bai Xiaowen took 290 damage – which temporarily increased his strength by 29 points! His base strength was 22 points, so this meant he temporarily had 51 points of strength, a very powerful statistic, comparable to a level 6 strength-specialized boss.

That's why Bai Xiaowen decisively chose close combat— Zhao Zhixiong was skilled in long-range shooting, and it would be foolish for Bai Xiaowen to engage in a shootout with him. Relying on his superior strength to launch a close-range attack was the wise choice.

As a result, Bai Xiaowen only used one Intimidation skill, plus a set of combined punches, to make Zhao Zhixiong flee in disarray, forcing him to use his precious life-saving item. This demonstrates the correctness of the tactical choice.

"Xiao Wen, how are you feeling?" Li Shuyi had just chosen Tai Shuisheng as her target and was pressing Tai Shuisheng hard when he used a life-saving item to escape, so the matter ended there.

"I'm fine. I was able to survive Zhao Zhixiong's Killing Shot thanks to the LV4 job enhancement effect ' Life Sharing '... It's a god-tier skill, you're right." Bai Xiaowen smiled.

"How can you still laugh?" Li Shuyi patted her chest. "That guy is too cunning. I always felt there was something wrong with him. You can't believe I didn't notice."

"I can see that," Bai Xiaowen said with a smile. "A level 5 DPS Hero Class is dealing so much less damage than you, he must have been saving his skills. What would he be saving his skills for? Who else could he be using them against but us?"

"Then why aren't you careful!" Li Shuyi said.

"I also left two Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier ..." Bai Xiaowen shook his head, "However, his Killing Shot skill enhancement effect is actually Piercing, it can hit a straight line, the Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier's Targeted Airdrop had no effect... I really didn't expect that."

"In my opinion, from now on, if we encounter any unfamiliar Awakened Ones in the Spirit Realm, we shouldn't interact with them. They try to kill us the moment they make a move—it's too vicious! What kind of compatriots are they? Disgusting!" Li Shuyi said angrily. "If it weren't for Life Sharing, you would be dead."

After this experience, Miss Li became even more wary of unfamiliar awakened individuals, and she would never again befriend any unfamiliar awakened individuals while venturing into the Spirit Realm.

Bai Xiaowen patted Li Shuyi: "Don't get so excited... If I didn't have the Life Sharing skill, I would definitely be much more careful."

Zhao Zhixiong's reason for wanting to kill was simple: he was confident that he could Ambush and kill Bai Xiaowen instantly. As the saying goes, "He who possesses a weapon will naturally have the will to kill."

Bai Xiaowen didn't constantly act as if he were facing a formidable enemy when guarding Zhao Zhixiong, and the reason was simple: Bai Xiaowen was confident he wouldn't be instantly defeated...

As for Zhao Zhixiong's motives for murder, one was to seize the treasure chest dropped by the pirate Boss Tier Chen One-Eye, especially the "Chen Duyan's Token". The other was that Bai Xiaowen had decided to join the Anti-Wokou Ming Army, making the two opposing sides.

Since they are on opposing sides, their later missions might involve conflict, and Bai Xiaowen, a powerful summoner in the Anti-Pirate Ming Army Faction, will be a troublesome opponent. Therefore, it's not hard to understand why Zhao Zhixiong struck first.

"Be careful, that guy hasn't left the Jiajing Plane," Li Shuyi said in a low voice with some concern.

Bai Xiaowen nodded gently. "Don't worry, I won't let him get away with this."

Even without Li Shuyi's warning, Bai Xiaowen would have set a trap for Zhao Zhixiong. Such a formidable Snipe, if left unchecked, wouldn't it be like having a knife to one's throat at any moment?

"But then again, why did you insist on choosing the Anti-Pirate Ming Army Faction...? Is it really just the angry young man Zhao Zhixiong said? I don't think it's that simple," Li Shuyi said.