CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 77: WHAT YOU DON’T DARE, WE’LL DO

The word "Gray Robes Gang" echoed among many people in the square, and the gang leaders on stage couldn’t help but scrutinize Lin Qi and his companions as they approached.

"Are they the so-called Gray Robes Gang?"

"These people don’t seem particularly strong. How did Ghana from the White Feather Gang get taken down by them? Was it because of those B2-level weapons?"

The name Gray Robes Gang was well-known among the outdoor gangs present, and in recent days, it had become a hot topic among the major outdoor gangs.

Taking out a quasi-martial artist and over twenty apprentices from the White Feather Gang in one battle was an achievement that hadn’t appeared in the wild for years.

Many gangs suspected it to be fake news, deliberately spread by vagabonds of the Human Race.

After all, those who investigated the Gray Robes Gang would know that this gang was newly established and composed of undocumented vagabonds, which made the whole situation seem impossible.

Although the thirty-one men of the Gray Robes Gang displayed impressive strength, led by Lin Qi as an Extreme Apprentice, along with four Advanced Apprentices, sixteen Intermediate Apprentices, and the rest as Basic Apprentices.

Such strength was enough to contend for around the top hundred outdoor gangs, but it was still not enough to detain a quasi-martial artist like Ghana.

After much contemplation, the gangs present concluded that the only possibility lay in the B2-level standard weapons in the hands of the Gray Robes Gang.

With B2-level weapons, penetrating A6-level armor wouldn’t require much effort. If a group of Advanced Apprentices combined with an Extreme Apprentice to surprise attack a quasi-martial artist, four hands could hardly take on many; it’s really possible to capture Ghana.

"Just as the rumors say, they indeed have guts. With so many B2-level standard weapons, are the people of the Gray Robes Gang not afraid of being robbed?" Hou Fei below the stage clicked his tongue while looking at the ten players carrying the B2-level standard weapons.

The value of B2-level weapons was generally around five to six hundred thousand; although many outdoor gangs could afford them, they couldn’t afford to use them.

In the perilous wilderness, compared to monsters, people are the most dangerous. Holding B2-level weapons is like holding great wealth, making oneself an attractive target.

Additionally, B2-level weapons are the primary tools for monster hunts, and while they might not interest martial artists, for vagabonds, who aren’t even martial artists, carrying B2-level weapons is like being a walking ATM.

Besides martial artists, even suburban gang members would be unhesitant to rob when they see such weapons in the wild – it’s profit if stolen, and there’s no reason not to rob.

So, in the wild, except for some strong experts, even if one could afford B2-level weapons, they would only use A6-level weapons. Only those who are either ignorant or reckless would dare use B2-level weapons.

To openly carry ten B2-level standard weapons, you’re either ignorant or have a big heart, unafraid of being robbed.

"Gray Robes Gang, huh?"

The leader of the White Feather Gang, Isaac, looked at Lin Qi with sharp eyes, carrying a hint of killing intent.

"The Gray Robes Gang does seem formidable. No wonder Fluo promised a 20% share."

Valorde, the leader of the Cyan Sparrow Gang, was somewhat surprised and didn’t expect that the Gray Robes Gang, as mentioned by Fluo, was willing to bring out ten B2-level weapons. Such extravagance was beyond what even their Cyan Sparrow Gang could manage.

"That One Leaf Floating Cloud is actually still alive and has even reached the level of an Intermediate Apprentice. It seems the Gray Robes Gang is indeed extraordinary, no wonder the gang members are willing to risk their lives." Fisher recognized a familiar figure among the crowd and couldn’t help but hold Lin Qi in higher regard.

"This Gray Robes Gang is truly remarkable. It’s not just One Leaf Floating Cloud, even Hall Master Lin has seen astonishing strength development, likely now at the level of an Extreme Apprentice." Observing Lin Qi leading, Fluo couldn’t help feeling both shocked and fortunate.

In just twelve short days, Lin Qi had progressed from an Intermediate Apprentice to an Extreme Apprentice, a growth rate as wild as injecting genetic potions.

Since Chasing Light City was destroyed a century ago, resulting in the deaths of many martial artists, the newly researched genetic potion became vital for the city.

Ordinary people could achieve rapid growth and reach the Extreme Apprentice level by injecting genetic potions, despite the significant potential development coming at the cost of drastically reduced longevity, potentially living just half of a normal lifespan.

Yet despite such consequences, many were still willing to use it, allowing Chasing Light City to witness a resurgence of martial artists in a short time.

Now that Chasing Light City’s martial artist numbers have peaked again, genetic potions are now only used by a few city-center forces, given their high price and rarity.

Among suburban gangs, only perhaps the Phosphorus Fire Gang and a few others are qualified to acquire them.

Seeing Lin Qi’s Extreme Apprentice strength, Fluo became even more convinced that Gray Robes Gang was likely cultivated by the Phosphorus Fire Gang, otherwise Lin Qi wouldn’t have improved so rapidly.

As Lin Qi and his team stepped onto the stage, everyone’s gaze again fell on the White Feather Gang and Cyan Sparrow Gang.

Wearing deep gray long-sleeve T-shirts, the Gray Robes Gang was indeed quite conspicuous, but the core of this death battle was between the White Feather Gang and Cyan Sparrow Gang, with the Gray Robes Gang being relatively insignificant compared to the two major outdoor forces.

"Valorde, the disciple of that esteemed person is also present." White Feather Gang’s leader Isaac glanced at a distinguished young Feather Race man under twenty, who was seated up high on stage. Even Extreme Quasi-Martial Artists were exceptionally respectful of this young man, Isaac said arrogantly, "You still have a chance to surrender. Once the war begins, it will be too late for regrets."

After Isaac spoke, Heaven-Breaking Hammer Bot and Heavy Shield Artre took a step forward, their body’s aura surging. The blood Qi of the Extreme Quasi-Martial Artists seemed almost tangible, pressing towards the Cyan Sparrow Gang members.

This scene caused a stir among the audience.

"Such rich Blood Qi, far beyond ordinary Quasi-Martial Artists. They’re truly just a half-step away from becoming Martial Artists!"

"With these two, the White Feather Gang genuinely stands a chance to compete for a top-ten spot."

Many experts below watched Heaven-Breaking Hammer Bot and Heavy Shield Artre on stage, with expressions of shock and envy.

The step from Quasi-Martial Artist to Martial Artist was a barrier that halted many.

Like Heaven-Breaking Hammer Bot and Heavy Shield Artre, their Blood Qi was almost tangible, but that final half-step was one few people in the crowd would ever reach in their lifetimes.

The Cyan Sparrow Gang leader Valorde on stage looked grim.

Hesitating whether or not to fight.

If they did fight, even with him joining, the chances of winning were less than twenty percent. Losing would not only diminish Cyan Sparrow Gang’s strength but also further offend the White Feather Gang, which would lead to repercussions.

Surrendering now means half of those participating will die and the gang will be ridiculed by others.

"Our Cyan Sparrow Gang gives up." Valorde clenched his teeth, uttering each word with difficulty.

The disparity in strength was evident. Even if mocked by the surrounding gangs, in Valorde’s view, as long as Cyan Sparrow Gang retained its high-ranking forces, the others could laugh but wouldn’t shake its top-thirty status.

"Wise choice," Isaac laughed heartily, "Very well, let twenty-five men come up to die!"

Although Isaac personally desired the battle, to decisively announce the rise of the White Feather Gang and instill awe among the others regarding its might.

Considering the future development of the White Feather Gang, it’s better to save some experts’ lives, avoiding sharing any spoils with other invited gangs - killing two birds with one stone.

"Hold on!"

A deep and resonant voice suddenly spread across the stage, drawing everyone’s eyes to a young human male in a black martial robe, standing less than six-feet-three tall.

The speaker was a young human man, clad in a jet-black martial robe, not even six-foot-three tall.

"Hall Master Lin, what do you mean by this?" White Feather Gang leader Isaac looked at Lin Qi with sharp eyes, malice faintly lingering, as he noticed that a disciple of that great one was already seated atop the stage, a noble young Feather Race man under twenty. His presence commanded great deference from the gang representatives present, even from the Extreme Quasi-Martial Artists.

"Considering you were invited here this time, we surrender, naturally counting the half deaths for us," Valorde said generously. "And we will not require the participants to fight this time."

"Smart decision." Isaac laughed heartily.

However, considering what follows afterward, the White Feather Gang’s resurgence needs acknowledgement and the public must understand the White Feather Gang’s formidable nature.