Beast God
Chapter 7: Archery Talent

Old Bird grew increasingly agitated as he spoke: "Although my abilities are average, I awakened a Rapid Shot talent. While my accuracy against moving targets isn't great, I make up for it with sheer speed. Quantity over quality means I still hit a few shots. If it weren't for that woman Ji Nanhong, I wouldn't have fallen to this state - I should have reached level 10 long ago."

"Who is Ji Nanhong?" Chen Guan asked curiously.

"Ji Nanhong was the most talented and capable among our group, the first to reach level 10," Old Bird said bitterly. "Originally we helped each other on the island, everyone benefiting together. But that woman gathered several talented individuals to form an elite team, selfishly hunting high-grade Mystical Spirits while ignoring everyone else's survival. Those who joined her team leveled up rapidly, obtaining high-quality spirit pets, Secret Techniques, Secret Skills, and treasures they could pick and choose freely. The rest of us couldn't even level up properly - without strong teammates, hunting Mystical Spirits became extremely risky. Many had to work like slaves just to exchange for some resources. If not for this, I wouldn't still be stuck at level 7 after all this time - I should have reached level 10 ages ago."

Chen Guan remained silent. He didn't think Ji Nanhong and her group were entirely wrong - survival of the fittest was the jungle's law. Helping the weak would be benevolent, but not helping wasn't a crime.

"I was originally part of that elite team," Old Bird continued, growing angrier, his teeth grinding audibly. "But that woman Ji Nanhong claimed my archery accuracy was too poor for important tasks and kicked me out... Just wait until I perfect my archery! I'll go to the Golem Valley, kill a Legendary-grade Mystical Spirit, obtain legendary Secret Techniques, Skills, and pets - then they'll regret it!"

"What's this Golem Valley?" Chen Guan's interest was piqued upon hearing about Legendary-grade Mystical Spirits.

"Golem Valley is one of the island's mysterious areas, home to black golem Mystical Spirits that are extremely powerful. When Ji Nanhong's group tried hunting them, they suffered heavy losses - they suspect those golems are Legendary-grade." Old Bird sneered. "According to their research, the golems' defense is too strong - without Legendary-grade treasures as weapons, you can't even scratch them. The only possible method is damaging the vertical eye on their foreheads, which is their sole weakness when opened. But that eye only opens for an instant when the golem uses a Secret Skill, and during that moment the golem moves at high speed. They couldn't even touch it, let alone strike the eye. Only long-range attacks like archery might have a chance to hit that eye in that split second."

"Tell me more about these golems. Maybe we can team up to kill one," Chen Guan said with great interest.

Old Bird shook his head with a bitter smile: "I was just venting earlier. Even if I could shoot accurately, the two of us couldn't kill a golem Mystical Spirit. It's likely a level 10 Legendary-grade - the two of us combined wouldn't last against one hand of it. How could we force it to use a Secret Skill and reveal its weakness?"

"Though my level is low, my pet here is quite formidable. Combined with your archery, we might actually succeed." Chen Guan pointed at Rouge beside him.

"Is that a Rare-grade Evil Cute Rabbit? Its size seems larger - could it be Uncommon-grade? Even Uncommon-grade would struggle against a golem. Still, you're lucky to obtain such a pet - at least it improves your survival chances on the island." Old Bird said dismissively.

"Take a closer look." Chen Guan had Rouge walk over and pull the Bloodsucking Blade from the tree.

Old Bird stared in shock: "That blade is the Evil Cute Rabbit's treasure? I've never heard of Evil Cute Rabbits having treasures before... Could it be a Unique-grade Mystical Spirit?"

"Exactly, a Unique-grade. If we raise its level to 10 along with your archery skills, do you think we'd have a chance against the golem?" Chen Guan left unspoken that his greatest trump card was Cheerleader's Soul. With that enhancement, Rouge might stand a chance one-on-one against the golem.

"A Unique-grade Mystical Spirit!" Old Bird was astonished. After a year on the island, he hadn't obtained any decent high-grade spirit pets, yet Chen Guan had acquired a Unique-grade so quickly, and such a powerful one at that.

"In that case... there might be some chance, though probably slim... And my archery accuracy..." Old Bird clearly lacked his childhood confidence, no longer the fearless youth he once was.

Chen Guan studied Old Bird intently. The island held many mysteries, and having an experienced guide could prevent unnecessary dangers. Moreover, he couldn't be certain if Rouge enhanced by Cheerleader's Soul could solo the golem - if not, they'd need Old Bird's archery to critically hit the golem's eye weakness. It was essential to involve him as insurance.

As for betrayal risks, Chen Guan had already considered this - at level 7, Old Bird was weaker than level 2 Rouge. Any funny business and Chen Guan could simply enhance Rouge with Cheerleader's Soul to handle him.

Having reached this conclusion, Chen Guan said solemnly: "Old Bird, you should know - on our street, you were our childhood idol. Remember when you took me bird hunting in the wild woods? We saw two turtledoves sitting together on a branch, and you asked if I believed you could hit both with one stone. I said impossible, but without a word you picked up a stone, drew your slingshot, and took them both down in one shot. Do you know what you were to me then? You were a god in my eyes - something unbelievable."

"But those were just ordinary birds sitting still - completely different from fighting Mystical Spirits now," Old Bird replied with a bitter smile, still appearing dejected, a far cry from his fearless younger self.

"It's the same. To me, your archery talent is unique - no one suits bow weapons better than you, no one comes close to your accuracy." Chen Guan raised a hand to stop Old Bird's protest, continuing seriously: "I believe your archery talent is unmatched. You could be the finest archer. Your current inaccuracy comes from caring too much about others' opinions - you've lost yourself, failing to unleash your true potential."

As he spoke, Chen Guan secretly activated Cheerleader's Soul, curious how much effect it would have on another practitioner.

Old Bird stared blankly at Chen Guan, those words somehow stirring something in him, yet he still smiled bitterly: "Chen Guan, you overestimate me. I'm not as exceptional as you imagine."

"No? Then let's test it." Chen Guan picked up a pebble the size of a pigeon egg from the ground. "I'll throw this - you shoot it midair."

Before Old Bird could respond, Chen Guan tossed the pebble. Old Bird felt an emotion surging within him, instinctively drawing an arrow and firing - shooting the pebble down midflight.