Chapter 662: Zong Ge vs Bing Yang – Contest of Equipment and Tactics
Another figure lurked unseen within the crowd.
It was Elder Yuan Ci!
He too watched today's battle with keen interest.
“I hope Long Fu proves formidable enough to eliminate Bing Yang outright.”
"Otherwise, how could Shi Liu ever rise to prominence?"
The Ice Prison Warden's decision to field Bing Yang in this grand duel had genuinely caught Yuan Ci off guard. He had secretly bribed numerous individuals, yet things had ultimately gone awry.
From his perspective, Bing Yang had once been gold level. Though now demoted to silver level, his combat prowess undoubtedly surpassed that of most silver level fighters.
A figure like Long Fu truly represented the greatest hope for eliminating Bing Yang.
Yet Elder Yuan Ci had simultaneously placed a wager on Bing Yang's victory.
If Bing Yang won, he'd rake in a fortune. If Bing Yang fell in battle, he'd lose his bet, yet feel even more delighted.
Yuan Ci displayed his true colors as a merchant: regardless of Bing Yang's outcome, he stood to gain.
“Just a silver level duel, yet it's this heated?”
“The betting frenzy around this match has amplified the crowd's enthusiasm.”
“Notice how few gold level spectators are present? Seems Long Fu isn't quite enough to draw gold level attendees."
“True. He defeated Teng Dong Lang, but that magic projection showed a very close victory. The final outcome had a lot to do with luck.”
Such murmurs circulated among the crowd.
Most could only see the surface.
In reality, numerous gold level figures watched from the shadows. Many others were deeply invested, their attention intense.
The masses wouldn't dream that this duel held immense significance, touching upon the vital interests of various factions, as well as deep-seated grudges and vendettas.
Suddenly, the crowd erupted into cheers.
Both combatants entered the arena simultaneously.
Stepping onto the right side was “Long Fu” (Zong Ge).
A massive dragon head, crimson vertical pupils, sharp fangs and teeth, its entire body covered in red dragon scales, dense and intricate. His hands and feet were noticeably larger, each ending in sharp, clawed dragon talons. His crimson tail, also covered in dense scales, radiated a sense of solidity and resilience.
Entering from the left was Bing Yang. A snow elf, his complexion appeared much healthier than during his imprisonment in the ice cell. Tall and slender, his features bore the natural, refined beauty characteristic of the elven race. Yet he bore the severe ravages of the potion [Beautiful Future], now aged and bearing a deeply troubled expression.
“Seeing Bing Yang again, I never imagined he'd aged so much.”
“That [Beautiful Future] potion was truly disastrous. It caused quite a stir back then.”
“What's infuriating is that old fool Ban Tu still holds a position as an elder in the Alchemy Guild. The higher-ups are blind!”
Among the audience were many victims from that time, their resentment palpable.
Little did they know that Ban Tu would soon make a remarkable comeback. The alchemy project “Ice Cube Red Wine” had fundamentally altered Ban Tu's life.
The two gradually approached each other, halting simultaneously when they reached a hundred paces apart.
Compared to Long Fu, Bing Yang looked even more aged. But the audience paid little attention to age; their focus was entirely on the two men's equipment.
Zong Ge was clad in three layers of armor, carrying a pair of gold level short spears on his back, a Gold Flower Hacksaw, and a Small Thunder God Flying Hammer at his waist. Metal gauntlets covered both his hands. Those in the know recognized these gauntlets as the Striking Shifter.
Zong Ge also carried a Battle Qi Boosting Syringe. Pearl bubbles were concealed within his armor lining, with an additional layer of the Striking Shifter wrapped around the foam. To puncture the pearl bubbles, he could simply use the Striking Shifter, convenient and swift. The pearl bubbles served as a trump card, to be used only when absolutely necessary.
After all, their supply of pearl bubbles was already pitifully scarce, barely enough to get by.
As for the dragonman youngster's Golden Silk Chainmail, Grand Arena medal, and ski goggles, he had taken them with him, leaving none behind. After all, the youngster had intended to pursue Lan Zao, necessitating his weapons. Crucially, he hadn't anticipated the subsequent chain of unforeseen events that would prolong his stay.
Thus, the pair of gold level short spears strapped to Zong Ge's back weren't the dragonman youngster's either, they belonged to Zong Ge himself. He had carried it with him since his time on Mystifying Monster Island.
Looking at Bing Yang.
He wore an Ice Heart Headband, a one-handed sword at his waist, and a pair of anti-magic bracelets on each wrist.
His black leather armor, leather pants, and leather boots formed what appeared to be a complete defensive set, all designed in nearly identical styles.
The audience scrutinized both combatants' gear, then began whispering and murmuring among themselves.
Both “Long Fu” and Bing Yang possessed numerous gold level items. For a silver level player to have such depth of resources was nothing short of extravagant.
“Judging by the equipment, Bing Yang has the upper hand.”
“No wonder he was once gold level. His financial resources still far surpass those of a silver level.”
“Long Fu is ultimately a silver level, not a gold level.”
After careful observation and comparison, the audience generally agreed that Bing Yang's gear was superior.
What they didn't know was that Bing Yang had sold off most of his own equipment. These gold level pieces were instead procured through the efforts of He Gai Tou and Mei Lin, among others, behind the scenes.
They had been meticulously selected, each piece tailored for specific purposes.
The Ice Heart Headband countered Long Fu's Dragon Prestige skill.
Bing Yang's main weapon was a gold level one-handed sword, superior to his previous one-handed sword. Its piercing capability was formidable, specifically designed to counter dragon scales.
The anti-magic bracelets were intended to neutralize any magic scrolls Long Fu might pull out.
Most crucially, his black leather armor, leather pants, and leather boots. Confirmed through external channels, this was indeed a full set of gold level defensive armor. Crucially, this armor set was officially registered with the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
The kingdom enforced an armor ban law, strictly limiting the existence, sale, and use of gold level armor.
This prohibition remains in effect during duels.
Regardless of origin, any transcendent participating in a duel must abide by the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's laws.
If not officially registered, outsiders could not use armor of gold level or higher within the dueling arena.
Zi Di's gaze fixed on Bing Yang's leather armor.
This defensive set was the most crucial element. In terms of pure defense, Bing Yang completely outclassed Zong Ge.
“Though Zong Ge is of gold level and surpasses Bing Yang in fighter level, he carries significant hidden dangers.”
Blood Vengeance, Flower Willow, and a deadly poison—Zong Ge harbored three such threats, causing Zi Di considerable worry. Yet, they had no means to resolve them.
"This is merely the equipment Bing Yang has displayed. He must have other items concealed on his body. Much like Zong Ge's Qi Boosting Syringe."
Yuan Ci also assessed the situation in silence: “Judging by both sides' equipment, things look rather grim.”
“The Gold Flower Hacksaw used by Long Fu is spoils of war he captured. Will he be accustomed to using it?”
“Even if he could, the Gold Flower Hacksaw is designed for heavy weapon clashes. Bing Yang wields a one-handed sword, he's an agile fighter who clearly avoids direct confrontations with Long Fu.”
“That makes the Gold Flower Hacksaw cumbersome and a liability.”
Hope surged within He Gai Tou's heart.
He knew Bing Yang inside out. To understand him thoroughly, he'd even fought him personally.
“Bing Yang excels at attrition tactics.”
“Therefore, the key to this battle lies in speed!”
As long as he maintained a speed advantage, Bing Yang could keep his distance from Zong Ge, allowing his attrition tactics to succeed.
For this reason, He Gai Tou had specially brought Bing Yang a pair of spider silk stockings.
Though designed for women, they would suffice.
Bing Yang not only secretly wore the spider silk stockings but also adorned all ten toes with rings.
Beyond boosting speed and agility, these rings served to fortify bodily balance and movement coordination.
His speed-enhancing gear was maxed out.
After all, using such equipment demanded focus. Too many unfamiliar items during intense combat could create openings, making it counterproductive.
But this alone wasn't enough.
He Gai Tou also arranged for Bing Yang to have an alchemy pistol.
It was a ladies' model, pink, named Chirp.
Whatever it fired produced no gunshot sound, only a chirping bird call. This was an assassination weapon, having claimed the lives of many important figures.
It held considerable renown within assassin circles.
He Gai Tou had borrowed it through channels connected to Yi Jiu.
The alchemy bullets loaded into the ladies' pistol [Chirp] were mostly frost rounds, hits drastically slowed victims. Others were mind-disruption rounds, causing cognitive chaos. Some were lethal poison rounds, the toxins supplied by Mi Fang.
“Once the battle commences, accelerate immediately and create distance.”
“Use pistols and other means to continuously fire, reducing Long Fu's speed.”
“Achieving this step will allow us to calmly execute an attrition tactic.”
"Your Frost Aura will be the trump card. I'm quite looking forward to seeing Long Fu face the aura."
These were the words He Gai Tou spoke to Bing Yang.
His tactical plan deeply resonated with Bing Yang.
When Bing Yang unleashed the Frost Aura, it carried the potion effect of [Beautiful Future]. Once Long Fu was enveloped by it, it would be equivalent to ingesting the [Beautiful Future] potion. and the effect would take immediate effect!
This was terrifying.
He Gai Tou's anticipation grew even more.
He anticipated “Long Fu” (Zong Ge) perishing under this tactic.
Though duelists analyzed that “Long Fu” was likely gold level, falling victim to [Beautiful Future] and dying remained entirely possible.
It all hinged on Bing Yang, whether his luck had carried him through the early stages, or if he'd paid the price of downgrading to survive this long.
In truth, [Beautiful Future] had claimed the lives of numerous transcendents, including the fall of three gold level fighters!
He Gai Tou had bet on Long Fu's victory.
Yet he preferred the outcome of Long Fu's defeat.
He could use this to earn merit and actively align himself with Mei Lin and others. The hidden benefits behind this far outweighed the mere tens of thousands lost in wagers!
After the arena officials verified the participants, the duel commenced.
Following their prearranged tactics, Bing Yang swiftly retreated, widening the distance between himself and Zong Ge.
Zong Ge, meanwhile, drew a folding crossbow.
This alchemy weapon automatically loaded bolts into its grooves.