Chapter 279: Defeat CG

Shen Zexi and Min Tianyou hadn't expected Chi Jinan to launch an unannounced attack; watching the Blood Crystals blasted into the sky by a single shot from Ying Duo, they only then realized what had just happened.

But when they tried to stop it, it was already too late.

Chi Jinan's offensive and Ying Duo's retreat occurred almost in the same instant, and Shen Zexi and Min Tianyou's reactions were merely a half‑beat slower.

In battle, such a brief interval can already decide life or death.

Ying Duo's reaction was equally terrifyingly swift, barely managing to dodge Chi Jinan's killing move; yet the massive gap in level and combat experience remained, sealing the fact that the current Ying Duo could not match Chi Jinan.

A dizzying series of attacks and defenses unfolded on the open ground in front of the bar; only those who had luckily survived last night's ruined bar could keep up, and the speed of the two combatants' exchanges left onlookers like Min Tianyou only able to glimpse blurred afterimages and splintering energy flashes.

Shen Zexi's heart seemed about to leap out of his chest.

He watched helplessly as new wounds kept appearing on Ying Duo, his life force visibly waning.

Shen Zexi was frantic; both of their speeds were too fast, and he feared that a reckless Lightning Chains attack might harm Ying Duo.

If Ying Duo were in a party formation, he wouldn't have so many concerns.

Yet Ying Duo's condition was far from optimistic; Shen Zexi furrowed his brows and could only try to act more covertly.

His palm emitted a gentle blue glow, pure energy precisely enveloping Ying Duo; the bleeding from the wound on Ying Duo's left rib slowed noticeably, and the torn flesh edges even began to show faint granulation movement.

【HP: 42%→45%→48%.......】

"Chi Jinan, are you insane?!"

Min Tianyou almost simultaneously raised his hand, the moisture surrounding Ying Duo instantly solidifying; several thick Ice Walls rose rapidly between Ying Duo and Chi Jinan, temporarily pushing Chi Jinan back a few steps.

However, after spotting the attacker, Chi Jinan impatiently flicked his hand, and the Blood Crystals, like living venomous snakes, easily pierced the sturdy Ice Wall; amid the spray of ice shards, his assault remained unabated.

"Ying Duo, find a chance to run!"

Shen Zexi let out a low shout, thrust his palms together then flung them apart; dazzling lightning crackled between his hands, and several golden bolts of Lightning Chains attempted to form a cage around Chi Jinan, trying to trap him in place.

Chi Jinan's steps only faltered slightly; the Blood Crystals and Lightning Chains collided head‑on, exploding into tangled vortices of red‑and‑gold energy.

Seizing the moment, Ying Duo turned and charged into the narrow alley piled with junk beside the bar.

"Trying to run?"

Chi Jinan shattered the Lightning Chains entangling him, his figure becoming a blood‑streaked shadow that lunged toward Ying Duo at a speed surpassing before.

"Danger!" Shen Zexi and Min Tianyou shouted in unison.

Chi Jinan's speed was too great; almost simultaneously, Yang Yixie immediately pressed the move‑aside button, and although his reaction might still be too slow, at least he avoided the vital spot...........

Puff—

A sound that pierced flesh and bone.

Time seemed to stretch infinitely at that moment.

Ying Duo's forward charge froze in place; he lowered his head, staring blankly at the Blood Crystal spike protruding from his chest as blood dripped slowly from it.

Even at the brink of death, his usual composure remained unshaken; his face showed only a fleeting surprise, as if saying, "Ah, I got hit," which vanished instantly.

Then his body swayed, collapsing forward like a puppet with its strings cut, crashing heavily onto the cold, filthy ground.

His Ying Guang Lu hair, stained with dust and bright red blood, lost its luster completely at that moment.

Fresh blood gushed from beneath him, forming a glaring scarlet pool.

He lay still.

The world fell silent.

Only the wind at the alley mouth rose, swirling ice‑crystal dust across the ground, carrying the scent of blood past them.

Shen Zexi froze in place, his lips trembling, yet no sound escaped.

Min Tianyou's pupils contracted, the knuckles of his clenched fist turning white.

He hadn't expected Chi Jinan to dare a killing blow, so clean and decisive, so........ recklessly bold.

He thought this was Tianmian City, and that Chi Jinan would never defy that person.

The gang members at the bar entrance were also stunned, staring blankly at the youth's corpse on the ground, frozen in place.

Even knowing the level gap was huge, actually witnessing a character's "death" still tightened Yang Yixie's chest.

He had no time to consider whether the earlier speed disparity or a lag had prevented Ying Duo from reacting, and immediately began searching for a resurrection option.

In such a high‑freedom game, a character's death is usually not the end.

The key is that this isn't merely a pixel game, so normal logic doesn't apply.

But he found nothing; even the status bar, inventory icons, and other UI elements around the screen vanished, indistinguishable from a regular story CG.

Still, this should be called a defeat CG, I guess.

At least, in reality, nothing abnormal has appeared on him......?

Is this a blessing in disguise?

In the game screen, Chi Jinan slowly retracted the Blood Crystals, and the raging blood aura around him gradually subsided.

He stood still, gazing at the lifeless Ying Guang Lu silhouette not far away; his brows knit tightly, and his pure black eyes held no thrill of eliminating a "suspicious element," but rather full of doubt.

Dead?

Just... dead?

Too easy.

Although the process seemed intense, the kid's final resistance was weaker than he had expected.

Moreover, the feel of that final blow was odd; it didn't seem to shatter the heart completely, but rather struck some kind of energy entity........

So this guy still has a backup move?

No wonder, even at this point, he hasn't unleashed his full power........

"Ying Duo—!"

Shen Zexi's roar was filled with disbelief; he tried to rush forward, but Min Tianyou held him back tightly.

Min Tianyou shook his head at him, his gaze full of warning; going over now could only provoke the still‑unsettled Chi Jinan, and then even they might be in danger.

Now the situation has really blown up.

There have always been people in the Church's upper echelons who dislike Chi Jinan; if those above seize the opportunity, they might not be able to protect her.

Chi Jinan couldn't care less what those two thought; she simply walked over to Ying Duo, crouched down, intending to carefully examine Ying Duo's corpse, and also search for any missed clues.

He didn't believe Ying Duo had just died like that.