Chapter 31: I Yield!

"Shuttle Step!" Zhang Gui called out softly, his left hand's four fingers tapping the keyboard with dazzling speed—A+D+A+D+Space+Ctrl—repeating the sequence in a continuous rhythm. On the computer screen, Grand Marshal Flying Fox darted left and right in quick, broken steps, suddenly crouching and leaping with a movement as elusive as a phantom.

"Shuttle Step!" a young man shouted shrilly, gazing at Zhang Gui with pure envy. The internet café instantly erupted with excitement. The significance of this match had completely transformed; it no longer mattered whom anyone supported. What truly mattered was the chance to observe two masters in combat and to glean any useful techniques from their duel.

Ergou was already beaming with joy. He didn’t want to comment further; as a friend, he simply wanted to give Li Xin a heartfelt thumbs-up.

Shuttle Step, one of the movement techniques created by Dawn, the nine-time champion gun king. Fewer than five percent of the entire CF gun community had managed to master it, a testament to its difficulty. Though the sequence appeared to be a simple six-key loop, executing it was incredibly challenging. On one hand, it demanded extraordinary finger dexterity; on the other, it required absolute precision.

Precision was needed in two aspects: the crouch-jump and shooting.

Master these two points, and the combination of Shuttle Step and instant sniping became nearly invincible in solo matches. In demolition and team modes, unless the opponent possessed exceptional gun-fighting skills, victory was all but assured.

A curious Dawn fan once compiled statistics from all of Dawn’s matches since the invention of Shuttle Step. The hit rate for kills using Shuttle Step combined with instant sniping was a staggering seventy percent, consistently maintained. When this data was released, it caused a sensation and sparked a second frenzy to master Shuttle Step.

Now, as Zhang Gui performed it, the self-proclaimed sharpshooters and pretty young women in the café watched in awe, their hearts racing with envy.

Sure enough, Zhang Gui succeeded and scored a kill.

"Brother Gui, you're amazing! Unstoppable!"

"No wonder you're the Sniper God of Sunan. Your ninety-win streak will be even heavier after today."

"If only I had Brother Gui’s skills, I could go out and impress girls, boasting about how awesome I am," a young man exclaimed, stars in his eyes, his imagination running wild.

"Forget it, with your skills, that’s a lost cause," someone else quipped mercilessly.

…

As the Phantasmal Array state ended, Li Xin felt no frustration; instead, his fighting spirit soared. Since leaving the professional arena, Zhang Gui was the strongest opponent he’d encountered—equal to any pro he’d ever faced. The thrill reminded Li Xin of the finals of the Golden Gun King individual tournament, his blood surging with excitement.

"Shuttle Step? I can do it too!" Li Xin laughed heartily, controlling Flying Tigers with even greater speed. He executed Shuttle Step while crouch-jumping atop a high crate, firing a shot mid-move.

2:1!

The hundred spectators in the café stared in shock, every cell in their bodies taut with excitement. Sweat broke out on their foreheads, a sign of their utter admiration for the two duelists, and an even deeper awe for Li Xin’s astonishing strength.

Ten minutes ago, they had all mocked him, dismissing him as a noob destined to be crushed.

How laughable!

It was the Sniper King of Sunan, Zhang Gui, who was being crushed instead.

"You… you can actually do Shuttle Step too!" Zhang Gui’s lips turned pale, his voice trembling with shock and anger.

"Hmph, what’s so great about that? I, Zhang Gui, have never conceded to anyone in instant sniping!"

With a sharp look, Zhang Gui’s left hand danced swiftly on the keyboard, executing a series of strange, impressive maneuvers. Grand Marshal Flying Fox darted through the transport ship like Superman. Occasionally, he would feint a shot to distract his opponent, but his overall speed never faltered. At one point, the audience almost saw afterimages trailing Flying Fox.

Li Xin remained calm and composed. Zhang Gui’s skill with instant sniping was formidable, but as a former nine-time gun king, Li Xin was no easy match. In the pro ranks, fewer than five could defeat him. Today, another half could be added to that number.

Zhang Gui didn’t have the power to defeat him, but he had the strength and spirit to fight to the end. That "half" was well deserved.

"Brother Gui, excellent movement!" Li Xin suddenly grinned, his admiration genuine. Zhang Gui was taken aback, then returned the smile. For a master, finding a worthy opponent was truly rare and precious.

"Good man! You’re my friend from now on!"

"I won’t hold back anymore. Today, I must defeat you!"

Li Xin replied with a gentle smile, "Likewise."

Their duel became even more intense, the momentum shifting back and forth. The internet café fell silent; no one dared to speak. Beyond Zhang Gui’s status as the local boss, in all of Sunan’s CF tournaments, he had never admitted defeat, nor seriously befriended anyone. This young man from out of town was the first exception.

Given Zhang Gui’s authority, if he acknowledged and befriended someone, who would dare show disrespect? That would be a direct insult to Zhang Gui himself.

Watching that slightly chubby, passionate figure in the heat of battle, Ergou was filled with emotion, shaking his head with a wry smile.

10-all!

20-all!

30-all!

Neither Li Xin nor Zhang Gui gave an inch. If one took the lead by a kill, the other would catch up; if one overtook, the other refused to back down. This instant-sniping duel could be recorded in the annals of Sunan’s gunfighting history. The audience was transfixed, their blood boiling with tension.

With only ten kills left, everyone expected the two to keep trading points, but the situation suddenly changed.

Li Xin felt his legs going numb, sensing he was about to have an attack. He didn’t want to drag things out. Without the Phantasmal Array, Flying Tigers’ attributes couldn’t reach their peak, but his own abilities far surpassed Zhang Gui’s. Gritting his teeth, Li Xin quickly maneuvered Flying Tigers onto the diagonal high crate and teleported across a great distance.

Hit!

From then on, it became his personal showcase: double kill, triple kill… until he re-entered the Phantasmal Array state and the match ended.

40:30. In the final phase, Zhang Gui failed to score a single kill. To the casual observer, it might seem humiliating, but no one dared mock him—Li Xin was simply too strong. Zhang Gui, though formidable, was not his match.

Ding!

[System Message]: This match rating: S. Growth experience gained: 600 points.

Ding! You have leveled up.

Li Xin: Spirit of the Game
Level: 10
Growth Experience: 450/1000
Attribute Points: 10
Special Skill: Universe

It was a brilliant showdown between masters. Li Xin performed steadily, and Zhang Gui’s strength contributed to the high rating. Thus, this S-rank was well earned, leaving Li Xin only 550 experience points short of leveling up again. He yearned to unlock new skills, but for now, real-world matters demanded his attention.

"Brother Gui, thank you for the match!"

"I…" Zhang Gui hesitated several times, then let out a long sigh and stood up with a wry smile. "I concede!"

He had no choice but to accept it; Li Xin had been holding back on him the whole time.

"Brother, here’s my card. If you’re ever in Sunan and need anything, just ask."

Li Xin took the card with a faint smile. "I won’t be shy, then."

Both laughed heartily. Zhang Gui strode over, clapped Li Xin’s shoulder with a strong arm, and they walked side by side toward the third floor of the café.

Whoosh—

The crowd parted, forming a wide path, their eyes filled with envy. The quicker ones rushed to their computers, eager to check Li Xin’s account and add him as a friend. Ergou was quick to react, hurrying forward. "Move, move, let me through!"

Though the crowd grumbled, no one dared argue, and could only watch as Ergou deleted the login record. Still, their excitement was undimmed as they hurried to post on social media.

On the third floor.

After a few casual words, Li Xin was ready to leave. Zhang Gui, being shrewd, didn’t immediately voice his intentions. A talent like Li Xin would never easily abandon his current life to join Zhang Gui’s "group."

"Brother Gui, your WeChat is the same as your phone number, right?" Li Xin suddenly asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"I’ve already added you. I’ll transfer the medical expenses to you soon."

With that, Li Xin left with Ergou and Wang Yong. His departing figure radiated an air of effortless mastery.