Chapter 259 - 243: Rookie Competition (22) - Part 2
Chapter 259: Chapter 243: Rookie Competition (22) - Part 2
Zhao Chi noticed it too. "They’re incredibly fast. But at that speed, it means their power and range have increased... Focus on dodging and blocking!"
They were both a little surprised.
It was common sense, and they both knew what it implied.
Faster arrows meant greater power.
The power of an arrow flying at 50 meters per second is a completely different concept from one flying at 100 meters per second.
The difference in power was fourfold!
Roughly speaking, a single arrow from Jiang Die’s side hitting an enemy had the power of four arrows.
This was a powerful ability.
This wasn’t an effect that could be achieved by an enhancement to firing rate.
Enhancing the rate of fire only increases the number and frequency of arrows shot, not the flight speed of the arrows themselves.
Jiang Die really was skilled.
And that was only one aspect.
On the other hand, increased arrow speed also meant increased range.
Theoretically, the range should also increase fourfold.
But with air resistance and other factors, the effective range would in reality increase by about twofold.
That was why Jiang Die launched her attack just a few steps after Zhao Chi and his forces emerged from the woods.
Beyond that, the high arrow velocity made them much harder to evade.
High arrow speed didn’t necessarily mean high accuracy.
But it definitely made them harder to evade.
By the time one realized they were about to be hit, it was often too difficult to evade.
’Who would have thought a seemingly ordinary arrow would have so many enhancements.’
Arrow speed, power, range, and the difficulty of evading them had all been significantly boosted.
’No wonder her battles always seemed so unremarkable, yet she always managed to win.’
’Perhaps this was one of her secrets.’
’This Jiang Die really is something else.’
Their extreme speed tore through the air, turning the sound into a hum.
The Female Soldiers raised their shields in unison.
Zhao Chi advanced cautiously under his shield, his mind seriously analyzing the situation.
Gu Qing also held her shield, but her other hand was in constant motion.
A powerful gust of wind blew out, summoned by her Vertical Wind Skill.
On one hand, it increased the Movement Speed of the Zhao Chi Army; on the other, it slowed the arrows in the sky.
Unfortunately, the Vertical Wind Skill’s range wasn’t very large.
She could only maintain it around herself.
But reducing the arrow speed even a little would reduce the damage taken.
It was worth it.
In an instant, fifty arrows passed through the gust of wind and rained down.
THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD!
THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD!
Zhao Chi didn’t know about the others, but his shield felt like it had been hit by a stone. The impact made his arm ache and go numb, and the force of the blow cut his Movement Speed in half.
He glanced at his Iron Shield’s Durability; a chunk of it was gone.
It would likely only take four or five more arrows to completely deplete the Shield’s Durability.
At this level of power, it would only take four or five arrows to shatter his Iron Armor’s Durability as well.
’These arrows are truly powerful.’
Looking to the sky, another volley of fifty arrows was flying toward them from high above.
In the distance, Jiang Die’s Female Elves had already drawn their bows taut again.
The instant Zhao Chi looked over, the arrows were already loosed from their bowstrings.
’So fast?’
Zhao Chi was a bit shocked.
’Have Jiang Die’s Female Elves also enhanced their rate of fire?’
’Is that why they can fire an arrow every second?’
’This distance... It’ll probably take another ten seconds to get close, which means we’ll have to endure ten more volleys of arrows?’
’By the time we reach Jiang Die for close combat, our shields and Iron Armor might already be completely destroyed.’
’And that data is just for the Iron Armor Female Spear Soldiers.’
The twenty Leather Armor-clad Female Swordsmen with Qi Yue were even weaker; their Leather Armor couldn’t fully defend against Bow and Arrow attacks in the first place.
Now that Jiang Die’s Bow and Arrow was so powerful, he estimated that once the Iron Shields shattered, the Female Swordsmen would start taking injuries.
They might even start rapidly losing soldiers.
’I can’t let them get shot to death for nothing.’
Even if they’re heavily injured, as long as they’re alive, they have strategic value.
"Gu Qing, go to Qi Yue’s side. The Female Swordsmen’s Leather Armor won’t hold for long. At the very least, make sure they last until they reach the woods over there."
As Zhao Chi analyzed the situation, Gu Qing did the same.
Her conclusion was the same as Zhao Chi’s.
But Gu Qing’s analysis had clearly considered one more factor than Zhao Chi’s—his own safety.
She was hesitant about this decision.
"My Lord, but what about you... I can’t leave you. You are the key. If the enemy concentrates their fire on you, I’m afraid you won’t be able to withstand it..."
Zhao Chi, of course, understood he was the key.
But he had a full set of Iron Armor and an Iron Shield and could withstand at least nine arrows.
"It’s okay, Gu Qing. I can have the Gunners provide protection. I’ll call you when my Shield and Armor Durability gets low."
Gu Qing immediately called back four Female Gunners.
"You four are responsible for the lord’s safety. Use your shields and your own bodies to block attacks for him, understand?"
"Understood, Sister Gu Qing!"
Zhao Chi had been hesitant about letting his Female Soldiers take hits for him before.
But ever since they gained the Bone Gathering Resurrection Improved Genes, Zhao Chi no longer had any such concerns.
Besides, the Loyalty of these Female Soldiers was very high, and they were all very willing to take hits for Zhao Chi.
It had gradually become an effective tactic.
The four Female Gunners slowed their pace and moved closer to Zhao Chi.
Two positioned themselves in front and two at his sides, protecting Zhao Chi in the center.
Gu Qing, however, didn’t leave, nor did she say a word.
Her cheeks puffed out slightly, her red lips pouting a little.
Then she leaned in close.
"Gu Qing, what are you—?"
Before Zhao Chi could finish his sentence, Gu Qing’s red lips silenced him.
Immediately after, he felt a warm mass in his mouth.
’What is this? Saliva?’
’No... it’s Silk Paste.’
’The Silk Paste that hasn’t yet been converted into Spider Silk.’
Previously, Gu Qing would never have missed any opportunity to be intimate with Zhao Chi.
But now was not the time to be self-indulgent.
After spitting it out, Gu Qing immediately pulled away from Zhao Chi.
A glistening thread stretched between their lips.
Gu Qing licked her lips and quickly said, "My Lord, it’s Silk Paste. It has no taste."
Zhao Chi didn’t really care what it was.
Gu Qing continued, "The Silk Paste is very sticky and can remain in your mouth for some time. If you get injured, it can give you immediate Treatment."
So that was why.
Zhao Chi nodded and carefully held the warm Silk Paste in his mouth. It felt like holding a mouthful of a plain rice dumpling.
Gu Qing smiled. "I was always eating yours before. Now you get to feel what it’s like for me."
After saying her piece, Gu Qing let out a charming laugh and quickly departed.
Zhao Chi was a little speechless. ’Gu Qing was perfectly willing back then,’ he thought.
’She always ate it with such relish, just like Qi Yue.’
’Why did she make it sound like she was forced?’
Only a few seconds passed.
The Zhao Chi Army had already charged to the center of the plain.
On the left was the Qi Yue Team.
Qi Yue was leading the charge, having almost reached the woods on Jiang Die’s side.
Qi Yue’s speed was too great.
Before the arrows could land, she had already moved out of their firing path.
And since she was only 1 person, she was not a primary target for the enemy.
Thus, even though Qi Yue wasn’t deliberately evading, she was still hit very few times.
Behind her were twenty Female Swordsmen.
The Female Swordsmen were not so special.
Though they were fast, their numbers were not small, and they were being focused on by the enemy’s attacks.
Their shields had already been shattered, and the next arrow would injure their bodies.
Gu Qing was already prepared, ready to apply Treatment at any moment.
At the same time, she kept looking back to check on Zhao Chi’s condition, ready to support him with a Spiritual Technique at any moment.
Tang Ruan was the same, ready to use her Shi Jingshan Taunt at any time.
They were about to enter her Taunt’s range, and she was very excited.
’I wonder what it feels like to be pierced by ten thousand arrows?’
Behind Tang Ruan were the Female Gunners.
Their shields were shattered as well, but their full sets of Iron Armor still kept them safe.
Even without Treatment, they could be sure of reaching the woods on the other side.
Moreover, they had increased Defense, so even if their Iron Armor was destroyed, the Damage their bodies would take was much less.
However, the Iron Armor was much heavier, after all, which made their speed a bit slower.
But that wasn’t a big problem.
Behind the Gunners were the six Female Archers.
Their Power was 1 point higher than the enemy’s, but the arrows they shot were like willow leaves floating upstream—incredibly slow compared to the arrows of the Female Elves.
But their Morale and Mood were both very high.
They weren’t affected just because the enemy was strong.
Their six arrows had decent Accuracy and had already forced a few of the Female Elves to change positions to evade.
At the very back were Zhao Chi and the four Female Gunners guarding him.
These Female Gunners were very dutiful.
Zhao Chi had only taken three arrows, and his Shield still had plenty of Durability remaining.
The other arrows had all been blocked by the Female Gunners.
Zhao Chi wanted to issue a command, but the ball of Silk Paste in his mouth made his words muffled and unclear.
He simply decided to keep his mouth shut.
’Besides, Gu Qing and the others were commanding quite well.’
’When a truly critical moment arrives and I absolutely have to issue a command myself, I’ll just spit the Silk Paste into my hand and give the order then.’