The old bird became a little excited as he spoke: "Although my abilities are average, I've awakened the Rapid Fire Talent. Though my aim at moving targets isn't great, I can shoot quickly, and win by volume. I often hit a few. If it weren't for Ji Nanhong, I wouldn't have fallen to this point; I should have been Level 10 long ago."
"Who is Ji Nanhong?" Chen Guan asked curiously.
"Ji Nanhong is the most talented and capable person among us, also the first to reach Level 10," the old bird said bitterly. "Originally, we helped each other on the island, and everyone benefited. But that woman recruited a few talented people to form an Elite Squad, hunting high-quality Secret Spirits for themselves, ignoring everyone else's survival. Those in her squad leveled up quickly, gained high-quality Spirit Pets, Secret Techniques, Secret Skills, and Secret Treasures, and could use them at will. The rest couldn't level up; with no strong teammates, hunting Secret Spirits came with great risk. Many even had to work as labor for resources. Otherwise, I wouldn't still be at Level 7; I'd have reached Level 10 long ago."
Chen Guan didn't speak. He thought Ji Nanhong and her group weren't necessarily wrong. Survival of the fittest is the rule of the jungle. If Ji Nanhong wanted to help the weak, that's benevolent; not helping isn't a crime.
"I was in that Elite Squad at first, but Ji Nanhong said my archery was too inaccurate and kicked me out…" the old bird said, getting angrier, gritting his teeth. "When I improve my archery, I'll go to Golem Valley, kill the World-Defying Secret Spirit, and get the Unparalleled Secret Technique, Secret Skill, and Pet. They'll regret it."
"What is Golem Valley?" Chen Guan's interest was piqued by the mention of a World-Defying Secret Spirit.
"Golem Valley is one of the mysterious areas on the island. It has a kind of black golem Secret Spirit, very powerful. Ji Nanhong previously tried hunting them and suffered greatly, suspecting it to be a World-Defying Secret Spirit." The old bird sneered, "According to their study, the golem's defense is too strong to break without an Unparalleled Secret Treasure. The only way is to hit the vertical eye on its forehead, its only weak point when it opens during a Secret Skill. But during its use, the golem moves so fast they couldn't even get close, let alone hit it. Only ranged attacks like archery might hit the eye when open."
"Tell me more about this Golem. Maybe we can team up to kill it," Chen Guan said, intrigued.
The old bird shook his head with a bitter smile: "I was just venting. Even if my shooting were accurate, we couldn't kill the golem Secret Spirit. It's likely a Level 10 World-Defying Secret Spirit, and it could kill us combined with one hand. How could we force it to use a Secret Skill and expose a flaw?"
"Though my Level isn't high, my pet is quite powerful. Combined with your archery, we might actually succeed," Chen Guan said, pointing to the rabbit beside him.
"Is that a rare Evil Adorable Rabbit? It seems bigger, might it be of uncommon quality? Even so, it's hard to compete with the golem. But you're lucky to have such a pet; it improves your survival chances on the island," the old bird said dismissively.
"Look more closely," Chen Guan instructed as the rabbit hopped over and pulled the Bloodsucking Saber from the tree.
The old bird was stunned, showing surprise, "Is that saber the Secret Treasure of the Evil Adorable Rabbit? I've never heard of it having a Secret Treasure; is it a Unique Spirit?"
"Indeed, it's a Unique Spirit. If I level it to 10, combined with your archery, do you think we can take down the golem?" Chen Guan didn't mention his real ace, the Spirit of the Cheerleaders.
When the Spirit of the Cheerleaders boosts the Evil Adorable Rabbit in a one-on-one, it might just take down the golem.
"A Unique Spirit!" The old bird was taken aback. He'd been on the island for a year without finding a decent high-quality Spirit Pet, yet Chen Guan had one after not long, and its combat prowess was formidable.
"If so, there might be a chance, though small… Moreover, my archery aim is harder to ensure…" The old bird had lost the self-confidence of his youth, no longer carefree and fearless.
Chen Guan stared at the old bird; the island had many mysteries. He didn't want to explore them alone. Having an experienced guide avoided unnecessary trouble and danger.
He cannot be sure if the Evil Adorable Rabbit, boosted by the Spirit of the Cheerleaders, could solo the golem. If not, they'd rely on the old bird's archery to hit the golem's vertical eye weakness. He needed the old bird as a safety net.
Chen Guan considered if the old bird would betray them. At Level 7, he was weaker than Level 2 Zi Yan. If he really had bad intentions, Chen Guan would use the Spirit of the Cheerleaders' boost to handle him with ease.
Deciding so, Chen Guan solemnly said to the old bird, "You know, back on our street, you were our generation's childhood idol. Remember when you took me bird hunting in the wild woods? Two old spotted doves stood side-by-side on a branch, and you asked if I believed you could hit them both with one stone. I didn't believe it, but then you picked up a stone, drew your slingshot, and hit both doves. Back then, you were a god to me, an unimaginable existence."
"After all, those were ordinary birds, not moving, different from fighting Secret Spirits now," the old bird said with a bitter smile, still looking a bit defeated, no longer fearless.
"Not different. To me, your Shooter Talent is unique. No one suits archery like you, no one matches your accuracy." Chen Guan stopped the old bird from speaking, continuing sternly: "I believe your archery talent is unparalleled; you'll be the finest archer. You miss now because you care too much about others' opinions, you've lost yourself, not showing your true talent."
As Chen Guan spoke, he secretly used the Spirit of Lala, wanting to see its effect on a Cultivator.
The old bird stared blankly at Chen Guan, listening, feeling unexpectedly fired up, but still smirked: "You overestimate me, Chen Guan. I'm not as good as you think."
"Aren't you? Then try this." Chen Guan picked up a pebble the size of a pigeon's egg and said, "I'll throw this pebble, hit it with an arrow."
The old bird hesitated to speak, but Chen Guan already tossed the pebble. The old bird felt a surge of emotion, subconsciously drew an arrow and bow, and shot the pebble down in mid-air.