Wager

A capsule-shaped piece of blue metal as large as an egg rapidly transformed in midair, like a Transformer shifting forms. By the time it landed, it had miraculously become a robotic gunslinger clad head to toe in a blue metal exoskeleton, with a metal holster at its waist and a metal cowboy hat perched on its head.

The Superspeed Gunslinger stood a head taller than an ordinary person. Its face was a metallic skull, red lights flickering in its eyes. It looked bizarre and horrifying, yet possessed an indescribably chilling beauty.

"That's... a Superspeed Gunslinger..." someone among the Gene Mutators below exclaimed enviously.

Ordinary people had only ever seen rare Alloy Creatures like the Superspeed Gunslinger in videos. Most Gene Mutators were seeing the real thing for the first time.

"Isn't it too extravagant to use a Superspeed Gunslinger as a touchstone?" Lao Ye said.

Naturally, he knew how formidable a Superspeed Gunslinger was. If he encountered one in the wild, he could use the terrain, equipment, and the power of a Gene Mutation Pet to deal with it. It would not be too difficult.

But the venue was only this large, and neither equipment nor pets could be used. Even Lao Ye was not certain he could take down the Superspeed Gunslinger under these conditions. He might even be injured by it.

If that happened, his taking Lin Shen's place would no longer count, and Qi Shuheng and Wang Tianer would certainly force Lin Shen to fight.

Although Lin Shen had just displayed his barehanded gun-snatching technique, stunning everyone present, Lao Ye knew perfectly well that Lin Shen had not even completed his Gene Shift. He absolutely could not be allowed to fight the Superspeed Gunslinger head-on.

"I think it's fine. We can't let others laugh at the three of our families, can we? It's rare for Young Master Qi to be so generous as to bring out such a rare Superspeed Gunslinger as a touchstone. I have no objections. What do you say, Fourth Master Lin?" Wang Tianer and Qi Shuheng played off each other, seemingly leaving Lin Shen no room to refuse.

Lao Ye wanted to speak up and help Lin Shen out, but Lin Shen calmly said, "I've always had trouble controlling my strength when I make a move. It would be a pity if such a rare pet were destroyed just like that."

"It is merely an Alloy Grade Superspeed Gunslinger. It is nothing much. Since Fourth Master Lin has no objections, then it is settled." Qi Shuheng directly nailed the matter shut.

Lao Ye sighed inwardly. Fifth Brother may be clever, but he has rarely dealt with such matters before. He has too little experience handling things. How can he contend with Qi Shuheng and Wang Tianer? I can only risk everything. No matter what, I must help Fifth Brother get through this trial. But the Superspeed Gunslinger is so fast that there is no chance in a direct confrontation. If it comes to it, I can only take one of its attacks head-on and make a dangerous gamble, hoping we both end up wounded. As long as I destroy the Superspeed Gunslinger, we should be able to muddle through this. As for whether the Qi and Wang Families will grow even more suspicious, that is no longer something I can worry about.

"There is only one Superspeed Gunslinger, while there are three of us. You are looking at me like this... surely this was not prepared specifically for me?" Lin Shen stared coldly at Qi Shuheng.

Qi Shuheng coughed twice. "Fourth Master Lin, you are overthinking it. Naturally, we will take turns. Everyone must enter the field. How could it have been prepared solely for you? We would not miss such an opportunity to display our strength either. If Fourth Master Lin is so eager, we can let you take the field first."

"Stop making fools of yourselves with those petty tricks in front of me. You just want to see me make a move, don't you? There is no need to make it so troublesome. It couldn't be simpler." Lin Shen raised his right hand and held one finger out before Qi Shuheng.

"What does Fourth Master mean by this?" Qi Shuheng did not understand.

"One strike. I only need one strike to subdue it. If I do, it belongs to me." Lin Shen pointed his extended finger at the Superspeed Gunslinger.

"Fourth Master..." Lao Ye was anxious. In his view, Lin Shen was trying to force Qi Shuheng into backing down with this method, but the idea was far too naive. How could Qi Shuheng possibly retreat at a time like this?

The Superspeed Gunslinger was precious, but to the Qi Family, trading it for a chance to verify Lin Shen's true identity was more than worthwhile.

Lin Shen waved a hand to stop him from continuing. He said nothing else, merely looking at Qi Shuheng with contempt.

"Since Fourth Master is in such high spirits, I shall naturally accompany you. Please make your move, Fourth Master. If you can subdue the Superspeed Gunslinger in one strike, it will belong to you, Fourth Master. But according to our previous agreement, you may only use your own Gene Shift Power. You may not use pets or any other armaments." Qi Shuheng narrowed his eyes as he spoke slowly.

It's over! Lao Ye let out a long inward sigh. Things had reached this point. Even if Lin Shen wanted him to fight in his place now, it would be impossible.

As Lao Ye's thoughts raced, considering how to break this deadlock, he heard Lin Shen say, "Fine," before actually rising and walking down.

Lao Ye froze in place. He had no idea what Lin Shen was planning. That was an Alloy Grade Superspeed Gunslinger. Lin Shen was not even Steel Grade yet. What could he possibly do down there? Forget that Lin Shen could never keep up with the Superspeed Gunslinger's speed—even if it stood still and let Lin Shen hit it as he pleased, Lin Shen probably could not even break through its defense.

Although Qi Shuheng and Wang Tianer did not know Lin Shen's true circumstances as well as Lao Ye did, they did not believe Lin Shen could subdue the Superspeed Gunslinger in a single strike.

They both acknowledged that Lin Xiangdong was formidable, but they still found it hard to believe that Lin Xiangdong could subdue a Superspeed Gunslinger in one strike.

If someone claimed Lin Xiangdong could kill a Superspeed Gunslinger in one strike, they might believe there was some possibility. But subduing it in one strike was even more difficult than killing it. That was the difference between beheading an enemy and capturing one alive. Even if the man before them truly was Lin Xiangdong, they did not believe he could capture the Superspeed Gunslinger alive in a single strike, leaving it no room to resist or struggle.

If he truly managed that, the Superspeed Gunslinger would likely be close to death anyway. In that case, it would be useless even if Lin Xiangdong took it away.

"Lin Xiangdong is far too arrogant," Wang Tianer said through gritted teeth. Now, he was somewhat convinced that this man really was Lin Xiangdong. Other than Lin Xiangdong, he could not imagine a second person in Blackbird Base this arrogant.

"Even if he truly is Lin Xiangdong, his chances of winning are slim." Qi Shuheng snorted coldly.

As Lin Shen walked toward the Superspeed Gunslinger step by step, countless thoughts flashed through Lao Ye's mind, yet he could not think of any way to break the current impasse.

I absolutely cannot let Fifth Brother come to harm. Even if I am exposed, I must protect Fifth Brother. Lao Ye had already resolved to smash the jade rather than preserve the tile. No matter what, he could not allow Lin Shen to be hurt.

"Fourth Master, why aren't you using your Gene Shift Power yet?" Seeing that Lin Shen was already less than two meters from the Superspeed Gunslinger while his body remained completely unchanged, Qi Shuheng could only frown.

"To subdue a mere Superspeed Gunslinger, why would I need to use Gene Shift Power?" Lin Shen swept his gaze over the Superspeed Gunslinger and spoke proudly.

The moment those words fell, not only did Qi Shuheng and Wang Tianer think Lin Shen was too arrogant—even Bai Shenfei and Wei Wufu looked at him strangely.

The ordinary Gene Mutators below began whispering among themselves, feeling that Lin Xiangdong was truly far too conceited.