Almost at the same moment Lu Kai shot his arrow, the old bird also drew his bow and released an arrow, and the two arrows inconceivably collided in mid-air.
The force of the old bird's arrow was clearly weaker than Lu Kai's and was directly broken, but Lu Kai's arrow was also deflected off course and fell to the side.
Ji Nanhong and another Evolver both showed expressions of surprise. Lu Kai was initially stunned, then his face turned sullen as he quickly drew another arrow, nocking it onto the bowstring and shooting again.
The old bird, unflustered and unhurried, also swiftly nocked an arrow and shot once more, and once again their arrows collided in mid-air.
Lu Kai's expression grew ugly as he continuously drew arrows to shoot at the old bird, who unhesitatingly retaliated. The arrows darted through the air, ultimately colliding with each other.
Lu Kai's arrows carried tremendous force, with more speed and power compared to the old bird's. While each of his arrows could break the old bird's arrows, the old bird's shooting speed was faster, and every shot could perfectly block Lu Kai's arrows.
When Lu Kai released his sixth arrow, the old bird had already shot one more arrow than him. Just as Lu Kai released his arrow, there was no time for him to dodge, and the old bird's arrow hit the tip of Lu Kai's helmet, knocking it off.
Lu Kai's face turned ashen, realizing that if that arrow had been aimed at his unarmored eye, he would likely have been in serious danger, heavily injured if not dead.
Ji Nanhong and the other cultivator looked at the old bird in disbelief, unwilling to accept that this was the same old bird they knew. Although his power was weaker, such precision was simply extraordinary.
"In terms of archery, you're still far behind. With your skills, you'll never be able to hit the Great Black Celestial Demon Statue's eye. Go back and practice more." The old bird stood there and said proudly.
Hearing these words from the old bird, Chen Guan realized that his earlier suspicions were indeed correct. The old bird's seemingly reckless behavior was actually a demonstration of his strength and value to Ji Nanhong.
Chen Guan understood clearly, yet said nothing.
"Old bird, are you confident you can hit the vertical eye of the Great Black Celestial Demon Statue?" Ji Nanhong asked the old bird calmly.
"Besides me, I don't think there's anyone else on the island who can do it." The old bird said proudly, his confidence at its peak.
"Captain, don't listen to his bragging. He just got lucky this time; there's no way he can keep getting lucky..." Lu Kai gritted his teeth and said.
"You rely on luck for your archery; don't think everyone is like you and depends on luck." The old bird glanced at him disdainfully and said contemptuously.
"You..." Lu Kai wanted to retort but was stopped by a wave of Ji Nanhong's hand.
It seemed Ji Nanhong indeed held high prestige, as with just a wave of her hand, Lu Kai swallowed back the words he wanted to say, not daring to make another sound.
Ji Nanhong took out a pocket watch, holding it between her fingers. She said to the old bird, "I will open and close the watch cover. The time will coincide with the Great Black Celestial Demon Statue's eye opening and closing. If you can hit it before I close the cover, you can rejoin the Elite Team, and after the demon is killed, you'll get a share of the spoils."
"I want thirty percent." The old bird said.
"Hit it first, then we'll talk..." Ji Nanhong's voice had barely fallen when she unexpectedly flicked open the watch cover with her finger and was about to close it with another finger.
The moment she flicked open the watch cover, an arrow flew over, directly piercing through the dial. The arrow continued with undiminished power, nailing itself into the trunk of a large tree, the arrow tail vibrating endlessly.
"Very well, from now on, you will rejoin the Elite Team, and you will receive thirty percent of the Great Black Celestial Demon Statue's spoils." Ji Nanhong said directly, without the slightest hesitation.
Lu Kai's strength was indeed greater than the old bird's, and his arrows were fiercer, but in terms of precision and timing, he was indeed not as good as the current old bird.
Looking at it now, the old bird's previous words were indeed accurate. Only his archery on this island could potentially defeat the Great Black Celestial Demon Statue.
"I have two more conditions: I need to be elevated to level ten first, and I want to bring my brother with me into the Elite Team." The old bird pointed at Chen Guan and said.
"Old bird, don't go too far. What qualifies a newcomer to join our Elite Team?" Lu Kai said coldly.
"Simply because he is my brother, and only I can hit the vertical eye of the Great Black Celestial Demon Statue." The old bird stood with his chest out, not even glancing at Lu Kai, instead looking at Ji Nanhong, knowing that only she had the authority to decide.
"Taking you to level ten is something we already need to do, as it can increase the success rate of killing the Great Black Celestial Demon Statue. However, allowing a newcomer to join violates the rules we initially set for the Elite Team. If we break these rules, who will follow them in the future? Everyone will do the same, and before long, the Elite Team will consist of more than just us. By then, the spoils will be diluted, and how much will be left for you? Surely, you don't want things to develop to that state?"
Seeing the old bird's expression waver a bit, Ji Nanhong continued, "It's impossible for a newcomer to join. I have here a rare Secret Technique as a gesture of sincerity for inviting you back."
With that, Ji Nanhong took out a golden Secret Technique Core and tossed it to the old bird.
The old bird caught the Secret Technique Core, sensed a little, and immediately understood its content. It was indeed like Ji Nanhong said, a unique Secret Technique.
"Vajra Sutra Fragment... Unique..." The old bird felt ecstatic. Even on this island abundant with high-quality Secret Spirits, acquiring such a unique Secret Technique was extremely difficult. Only a few, like Ji Nanhong at the very top, possessed them. Obtaining it now would let him avoid many detours, allowing more potential for increasing his Primordial Energy limit in the future.
The old bird directly absorbed the Secret Technique Core, learning the Vajra Sutra Fragment, then after a moment's thought, turned to Chen Guan and sighed, "Brother, you wait for a few days, and I'll take you leveling later."
"Didn't we agree to go kill the Great Black Celestial Demon Statue together?" Chen Guan had already guessed this outcome but still wanted the old bird to say it himself.
"The Great Black Celestial Demon Statue isn't so easy to kill. The two of us alone can't do it; it's too dangerous and could even be life-threatening. Don't worry, with me here, I'll make sure you won't suffer any loss on this island. Wait for me to come back and I'll take you leveling then." The old bird reassured.
"Alright, everyone has their fate. You can go." Chen Guan said calmly, knowing these hollow promises meant nothing.
Once the old bird joined the Elite Team, he would have his circle. He'd spend most of his time with them and wouldn't have time to help Chen Guan level up.
Someone who can easily toss aside promises won't regain Chen Guan's trust for future cooperation.
"Come on, old bird, join us in completing the task. We'll also help you level up." The cultivator riding the Ghost-headed Horse extended a hand to the old bird, inviting him to ride together.
Ji Nanhong, however, directly summoned a rare Ghost-headed Horse pet and transferred it to the old bird, "From now on, it's yours."
The old bird was overjoyed, mounted the Ghost-headed Horse, feeling triumphant, as if his life had reached its peak.