Blessed by Luck: "Just saw the message, boss. No need to ask—I’m definitely joining. I’m at the Monster Store right now. Need anything?"
Blessed by Luck sent over an item list. Qi Xu skimmed through it but didn’t find anything useful, so he replied, "I don’t need anything for now. I’ll add you to the group chat later. You can ask around there."
Blessed by Luck: "Got it! Hehe, for our team members, I won’t charge any service fees for shopping runs."
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "You should still charge something. A discount or some perks would be fair."
Letting Blessed by Luck help everyone without any benefit would harm long-term dynamics and breed entitlement. It was better to set clear boundaries from the start.
Blessed by Luck: "Understood! Don’t worry."
Qi Xu checked again—only Muzi Li and her sister, Ballpoint Pen, and Song Peifeng hadn’t responded yet.
Muzi Li’s chat box showed "typing..." for a long time, but no message came through.
Qi Xu wondered: Was she hesitant to join the team, or did she have other concerns?
After a while, Muzi Li finally replied: "My sister and I ranked well this time only because the princess’s banquet didn’t require combat. The moral dilemma was just us outsmarting two opponents. Honestly, we’re still pretty weak..."
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "No problem. Stick with us, and I’ll help you train in the next dungeon."
Muzi Li: "Okay, then my sister and I will join. Thank you... We can’t promise much, but one thing we’ll never do is betray you."
Ballpoint Pen: "Thanks for trusting us, Whirlwind! We’ll follow you from now on."
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "Let’s work hard together."
Now, the only one left without a reply was Song Peifeng.
Just as Qi Xu was puzzling over it, a notification popped up on his screen:
[Player Song Peifeng has challenged you to a 1v1 special arena duel (no vehicles). Do you accept? The winner receives 100 official Survival Coins, and the loser’s fate is decided by the winner.]
After a brief hesitation, Qi Xu clicked "Accept."
Song Peifeng had used a 1v1 Duel Card, a rare item at this stage. Though Qi Xu didn’t understand why Song Peifeng would suddenly use it, he trusted his judgment—Song Peifeng meant no harm, at least not toward him.
Still, he prepared thoroughly: equipping his pistol, chainsaw, anesthetic ring, and protective gear.
The moment Qi Xu accepted, a server-wide announcement flashed in the chat:
[Player Song Peifeng has challenged Player Invincible Black Whirlwind to a 1v1 duel using a Duel Card! Invincible Black Whirlwind has accepted! The winner receives 100 Survival Coins, and the loser’s life is forfeit. Let’s witness the first duel in Zone 88, District 666!
Premium Preview: After the duel, auction for 1v1 Duel Cards and Group Challenge Cards will begin! Stay tuned!]
Heartbroken Kitten: "Damn, this guy’s got guts challenging Whirlwind. With that card, he could’ve gone after Fortune God’s Only Daughter instead."
Panda Panda: "What’s going on? Didn’t Song Peifeng join the cross-zone arena before? How’d things go sour?"
Big Boss: "Song Peifeng, you’re digging your own grave. Rooting for Whirlwind!"
Negative Times Negative: "Whirlwind’s unbeatable. No need to worry about this clown."
These two had turned into mindless cheerleaders in the chat ever since their former faction, Heroic True Colors, was wiped out.
Ex-Girlfriend’s Future Dad: "Paying top dollar for a 1v1 Duel Card! Fortune God’s Only Daughter, you’re next!"
Fortune God’s Only Daughter: "Try using a Location Card first."
Ex-Girlfriend’s Future Dad: "Don’t act smug. This duel doesn’t allow vehicles—your whole advantage is gone. Let’s see how you fight without them!"
Fortune God’s Only Daughter: "Offering high price for Location Cards. Before you get a Duel Card, I’ll find you first and end you!"
Top Battle Edge: "@Ex-Girlfriend’s Future Dad Don’t worry, bro. We’ll back you up."
Original Pure Love Warrior: "Yeah, screw her."
Cursed by Misfortune: "Seriously, why’s Song Peifeng challenging Whirlwind? Lost his mind? I’m never trading with him again."
Realizing his threat held no weight—since he was broke anyway—he tagged Blessed by Luck and added: "@Blessed by Luck, sis, let’s blacklist him!"
Blessed by Luck: "Absolutely!"
Meanwhile, the group chat was buzzing with confusion, though no one spoke up in the main channel.
Watch Me Cut You Down: "What’s Song Peifeng thinking? Rebelling? I’ll slice him up!"
Chinese Master Chef: "No idea. We met him during the cross-zone arena, right? Quiet guy, but seemed decent."
Golden Bell Armor Iron Shirt: "Quiet people just keep to themselves. I traded with him once—seemed normal."
Tonsils Never Speak: "Bet there’s more to it. No rush—Whirlwind won’t lose. Let’s wait and see."
Old White Dragon in the Waves: "Agreed. Even if it’s a real challenge, Whirlwind’s unbeatable. Unless I’m dead, I’ll never turn against him."
Chinese Master Chef read that and nearly teared up, typing with trembling fingers: "I knew my ship was real! Sob..."
Retired Magical Boy: "Chef, I feel you!"
As the 10-second countdown ended, Qi Xu was teleported onto a circular platform.
Endless darkness surrounded the arena, with nothing visible below.
Song Peifeng, already waiting, immediately tossed his circular blade to Qi Xu’s feet and raised his hands. "Boss, don’t misunderstand—I’m not challenging you! I’d never betray you!"
Qi Xu hadn’t even activated his Pink Chainsaw armor, so he wasn’t alarmed—just cautious.
Curious, he asked, "What’s going on? Relax, it’s fine."
..........
