Chapter 57: Absolute Advantage

Qu Zheng’s figure was like a wraith in the darkness; wherever he passed, Stealth players would drop instantly, their health bars plummeting to zero in the blink of an eye. The sheer critical damage left everyone stunned—each strike unleashed an astonishing number. With eyes narrowed and a cruel smile playing at his lips, Qu Zheng radiated an eerie aura, as if Death itself had come to claim the souls of the doomed.

After a string of swift executions, the opposing party’s morale visibly waned, while the momentum of Ye Yu’s six surged ever higher. In a blur, Qu Zheng appeared behind the members of “First Power.” Before they could even turn to dodge, he became a streak of silver light, sweeping through their ranks.

He landed at Ye Yu’s side, twin daggers agleam with silvery light. With a graceful flourish, he spun the blades and slid them back into the sheathes at his waist. The faces of those he’d passed turned pale, as though they were suffering immense pain. Now, all of them were trapped by Ye Yu’s “Light String Wind Binding,” immobilized for several seconds before their bodies convulsed and were violently hurled backward. Cries of agony rang out as blood sprayed from their wounds.

This time, however, the attack was not the instant, lethal flurry Qu Zheng had unleashed before. Instead, it slashed away thirty percent of their health in one fell swoop—a result more than satisfactory. After suffering such a blow, the opponents fell into a weakened state, unable even to strike back.

The crew-cut youth who had been knocked out with his health wiped to zero was barely revived by their team’s healer, only to be caught in Qu Zheng’s next attack; the hard-won thirty percent health he’d regained was stripped away once more. This time, there was no saving him. Though their side had several healers, rescuing someone under such circumstances was no easy feat—especially with Luo Wei’s bronze puppet hammering away and disrupting every move.

Under Ye Yu’s control, their opponents rarely had the chance to close in. And if a Stealth player got too close and was immobilized by Ye Yu, Huang Hong’s deadly assault was sure to follow.

With Tan Cong’s totemic protection up close, Luo Feng’s crucial healing buffs, Luo Wei’s puppet mastering both offense and defense, and Huang Hong’s spear ever ready to strike at Ye Yu’s signal, Qu Zheng’s attacks became unassailable. In the midst of it all, Ye Yu stood at the center, the least likely to suffer harm. As long as Ye Yu remained standing, their advantage was absolute.

“That was a perfect kill steal,” Tan Cong chuckled, teasingly. With the totemic shield, they had all avoided fatal blows and simultaneously amplified their damage output. This meant Qu Zheng’s attacks hit even harder, and any survivors, unable to be healed in time, fell to Huang Hong’s merciless spear.

Tan Cong brought his shamanic staff down with a thud, and a ghostly green totem flared into being—“Entangling Totem.” It ensnared the “First Power” players, holding them fast. Then, with another wave of his staff, Tan Cong drew a semicircle of white light. Mist billowed outward, and in an instant, the battlefield turned into a world of ice and snow, the ground freezing into slick sheets that pinned their foes in place once again—“Frozen Totem.”

Immediately, a “Thunder Totem” buffed their team, blue lightning dancing over them. Bathed in this electric aura, everyone gained a twenty percent increase in damage. With so many buffs stacked, the damage-dealers—Huang Hong, Luo Wei, and Qu Zheng—were all massively empowered. Under Ye Yu and Tan Cong’s coordinated skills, it was easy to unleash devastating attacks.

In such seamless cooperation, each of the six unleashed their skills in perfect sequence. Despite starting at a disadvantage, they reversed the dire situation step by step, gaining an overwhelming edge that could not be overturned.

Ye Yu’s class was a versatile support, specializing in seals and crowd control—naturally making him the primary target for elimination. But taking him down was no simple task. The rest of the team shielded him at the center; anyone wishing to kill Ye Yu would have to break through their defenses first.

Just then, a mage in the distance began casting a fire spell, the long incantation catching Qu Zheng’s eye. With a flicker, he closed the gap in an instant, weaving through the crowd like a phantom. Twin daggers flashed into his hands.

“Bone-Piercer.”

Both daggers shot forward, stabbing deep into the mage. With the damage buffs, an attack that should not have been fatal became instantly lethal. Qu Zheng had meant only to interrupt the spell, but instead dispatched the opponent outright.

Ye Yu’s six already had a level advantage, narrowing the gap between the two sides. More importantly, their teamwork was leagues beyond the past; their skill combos were so precise that no amount of chaos could disrupt them. With their morale surging and buffs stacking ever higher, Qu Zheng and Huang Hong’s damage climbed to terrifying heights. Huang Hong, too, burst into motion, spear in hand mowing down one player after another. Those with only forty percent health remaining couldn’t even withstand two of his attacks.

Qu Zheng landed lightly after slaying the mage, then darted beyond the remaining “First Power” players, coming to rest on the opposite side. This time, his twin daggers shimmered not just with silver light—they were faintly stained with blood.

With a swift movement, Qu Zheng returned to Ye Yu’s side. Ye Yu plucked his guqin, and the melody burst forth, a sound that captivated the soul. Arcs of violet light shot out at blinding speed, piercing through player after player.

The survivors were once again rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Mass crowd control!

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