Chapter 8: The Enigma of the Melee Archer

"What are you discussing?" Miss Wang grew apprehensive as she overheard the trio engaged in cryptic conversation.

"It's nothing. We'll escort you back. Our earlier banter was just to throw off Ghost Face King Kong," Gu Shanhai reassured her before inquiring, "How far to Qingshui City?"

"We're about two miles away. Once we exit this forest, the city gates will be in sight," Miss Wang hurriedly replied.

"Two miles, just a few minutes' walk. You two managed well to endure it," Gu Shanhai remarked abruptly.

"What?!" Miss Wang exclaimed in surprise.

Observing her reaction, Gu Shanhai couldn't help but feel exasperated. Was she startled by the mere two-mile distance? It's not twenty miles, just a thousand meters—what's the fuss, one person every five hundred meters?

And what about the old white ape?

"I must say, Ghost Face King Kong's demise was no accident. I'm accustomed to misfortune, but today, it seems luck has favored you youngsters," a swordsman clad in white emerged from the forest, brandishing a long sword.

Meanwhile, rustling in the foliage revealed a thin middle-aged man with a goatee perched on a nearby treetop.

"A double elite battle. It appears we can't evade this. Whom shall we engage first?" Gu Shanhai inquired.

At this juncture, he grasped Ghost Face King Kong's strategy. The communication was likely not solely meant to sow discord but also to signal their allies. If the foolish player indeed waited as expected, the remaining two could easily ambush them. Nonetheless, there were advantages; the encounter flowed smoothly.

This challenge could be considered the initial dungeon's difficulty. Correct preparation was crucial; otherwise, it would be a walk in the park, akin to a beginner's tutorial.

"Luoxiake, brother, your speed is impressive, and Huanghua Diao seems agile. They won't be easy targets," the stout little iron pot remarked.

"???" Gu Shanhai wore a bewildered expression. Were they joking? They advised him to engage in melee combat from a distance. Something didn't add up.

Nevertheless, he refrained from commenting and simply nodded before turning towards Huanghua Diao. Given the opponent's expertise in light techniques and concealed weaponry, they likely possessed some knowledge of poisons.

Such adversaries tended to be fragile, unlike Ghost Face King Kong, who belonged to the tankier category. Even in low-level games, tank characters typically had lower health pools.

Swish!

A barrage of needles flew toward Gu Shanhai like a cascade of petals.

"Your hidden weapons leave much to be desired," Gu Shanhai remarked as the needles halted thirty centimeters from him, immobilized.

He refined the Spirit Clothing technique further, utilizing the resonance between the robe and the Yunling grass to create an area where aura could be locked in place, preventing dispersion, and enhancing its concentration. This provided an optimal environment for spellcasting, amplifying the power of spells and facilitating cultivation.

Thus, the Spirit Clothing technique evolved into a defensive mechanism within the legal domain—a shield-like protection that remained active at all times.

However, even within his legal domain, aura persisted. It materialized into transparent blades, perpetually surrounding him like a protective barrier. Not only could it withstand damage that breached the outer defenses of the legal domain, but it also possessed offensive capabilities.

Despite its relatively limited strength, quantity, and range, such attributes were to be expected.

With a burst of acceleration, the invisible aura blades swiftly pierced through the yellow sable's throat, rendering the opponent motionless as they plummeted from the tree.

The ensuing blood spatter resembled a gushing fountain, indicating the fatal outcome—most of the neck had been severed by Gu Shanhai's attack.

Approaching the corpse, Gu Shanhai utilized his mana to simulate a high-pressure plunger pump, intensifying the pressure on the aura blades to resemble a high-pressure water gun, albeit with lethal blades instead of water. With precise aim, the opponent stood little chance of survival.

"It's pitiful, relying solely on manual hidden weapons," Gu Shanhai remarked, swiftly searching the corpse. Compared to Ghost Face King Kong, the yellow sable proved to be far less affluent, possessing only copper coins.

"Thankfully, there are still some spoils, but why do these people carry cheat books with them?" Gu Shanhai grumbled, retrieving another cheat book from Huang Hua Diao's belongings and stashing it away.

However, he encountered difficulty in removing the hidden weapons from the yellow sable's clothing, opting instead to don the garments himself. The concealed weapons were intricately woven into the fabric, making it impossible to detach them without damaging the clothing.

After examining the corpse, Gu Shanhai turned his attention to the ongoing battle nearby.

"Unbelievable!" Gu Shanhai exclaimed as he watched the stout little iron pot deftly wield a longbow, matching Luo Xiake's prowess.

Though he initially regarded their combat style with skepticism, witnessing their skill firsthand left him astounded.

While melee mages, gunners, and even priests were not uncommon, utilizing a bow in melee combat was a novel sight for Gu Shanhai.

"It's a matter of talent. Using a bow in melee combat not only increases damage but also offers additional benefits," the big white goose chimed in.

Impressed, Gu Shanhai acknowledged the remarkable talent displayed. Despite their unorthodox approach, their abilities surpassed expectations. Although unfamiliar with them in his previous life, their talent and prowess were undeniable.

Their operation, while lacking finesse, was compensated by their exceptional talent and partially digitized bodies, which mitigated pain perception. This allowed them to engage in fierce combat without succumbing to pain—a luxury not afforded to ordinary individuals.

While their combat experience was lacking, Gu Shanhai recognized the significance of their talent. It was a rare asset that transcended the need for traditional combat training.

(End of Chapter)