The Bait

Four Boss Tier fighters charged Bai Xiaowen, with Li Daozhen attacking from a distance. Bai Xiaowen remained calm. Over the Team Channel, he said a single word:

"Bait."

It was a prearranged signal for one of the White Phoenix Squad's more unusual tactics.

At the word, his three teammates withdrew, leaving Bai Xiaowen alone against five enemy Boss Tier fighters. Even his summoned creatures were sent away.

Only Qiao Rui remained, raising her flute to play Soul Melody.

Gu Zhen was puzzled, but the opportunity would vanish in an instant. His body moved before his mind could catch up. His sword flashed with points of icy light, six feints hiding one true strike, like a plum blossom opening as it swept toward Bai Xiaowen's chest.

A bald old man with cold eyes rushed in behind Bai Xiaowen, wielding a gleaming golden Bronze Man. In his hands, the heavy weapon moved as easily as a reed. A blow backed by a deep, powerful gust drove toward Bai Xiaowen's lower back.

A plump middle-aged man who looked like a wealthy gentleman swung a golden saber. Its gleaming blade slashed toward the side of Bai Xiaowen's neck.

Another old man, tall and gaunt with deeply sunken temples, gave a sharp shout. His palm strike carried enough force to split stone as it thundered toward Bai Xiaowen's abdomen.

In the distance, Li Daozhen flicked both hands. Two dark projectiles shot out in shallow arcs toward Bai Xiaowen's temples. They flew faster than sound; the dark shapes arrived before their piercing whistles reached him.

All five Boss Tier fighters of the Sword Song Plane unleashed their strongest moves, intent on blasting Bai Xiaowen to pieces.

With their attacks amplified by internal energy, even one of them could deal more damage than an Awakened could readily