Sam immediately bristled. He could accept being told his skills were lacking—but being called useless? That was crossing the line.
"Guang Bo, right? I'm a soldier—I use guns. Who even uses something this primitive anymore? One bullet can beat several of your arrows."
Guang Bo merely glanced at him sideways. Then, in one smooth motion, he snatched up the bow, nocked an arrow, and released—all within a single breath. He didn't even aim. His eyes never left Sam.
Whoosh—!
Boom—!
The arrow exploded on impact. The entire target vanished, obliterated, and even the bamboo forest behind it was blasted open.
"You said one bullet can match several of my arrows?"
Guang Bo still didn't even glance at the target, his gaze fixed on Sam, a hint of amusement in his expression.
Sam was utterly humiliated. He wished he could dive into the nearby lake and never resurface.
"Uh…"
His eyes darted around helplessly, looking to the others for support.
Guang Bo snorted and tossed the bow to Peter.
Startled, Peter caught it awkwardly and looked at Guang Bo with a sheepish grin.
"Uh, Guang Bo, I don't really do archery… I use webs. Bows are kinda redundant for me. If you really want me to do something, maybe give me some dragon scales to study? I'm telling you, this stuff is—"
Peter immediately launched into a ramble. Ever since getting together with Felicia, his old social anxiety had vanished—replaced by the opposite extreme.
Guang Bo stared at Steve and the others, confusion practically spilling out of his eyes. Was this kid always like this?
After receiving silent confirmation, Guang Bo snatched the bow back from Peter and handed it to Steve.
"Sorry, Guang Bo. I don't use bows either. This is how I fight."
Steve took off his vibranium shield and handed it over.
Guang Bo examined it curiously—tapping, feeling—then had someone bring over a dragon-scale shield.
"Hold it."
He returned Steve's shield and motioned for him to brace himself. Then, with a sudden motion, Guang Bo slammed the dragon-scale shield into the vibranium one.
Boom!
A shockwave rippled outward, shaking the surrounding bamboo and scattering leaves everywhere.
Yet both shields remained completely intact—not even a scratch.
Guang Bo nodded in satisfaction. He couldn't identify the material of Steve's shield, but its durability was undeniable.
He then turned his attention to the last two—Carl and Tony.
Tony shrugged. By now, it was obvious Guang Bo was testing their strength. If they were to fight together later, understanding each other's abilities was crucial.
He tapped the arc reactor on his chest. Instantly, nanotech armor flowed over his body. Floating cannons deployed behind him, and twin energy blades extended from his hands.
"Well? Cool or what?"
The blue plasma blades shimmered with dangerous energy.
Guang Bo had never seen anything like it. He thought it was some kind of decoration.
"What is that?"
"Uh…"
Tony froze. He had prepared an entire explanation—but Guang Bo genuinely had no idea what he was looking at.
Without another word, Tony swung a blade at him.
A flash of light—then a burst of sparks.
Guang Bo had already anticipated the attack. The moment Tony moved, he raised his dragon-scale shield to block.
The result was the same as before—neither could damage the other. The clash only produced a shower of sparks.
Guang Bo nodded again. Tony's weapon was formidable—more offensive than Steve's shield.
Finally, he looked at Carl.
From the beginning, Carl had been empty-handed. At least Peter and Natasha had their gadgets.
Guang Bo gestured, and someone brought over a blade and a staff for Carl to choose from.
Carl waved them off.
"No need. I've got my own weapon."
Instead of drawing his usual gear, he casually flicked his hand—
A green wind blade shot out.
With a sharp slice, the target split cleanly in two. The bamboo forest behind it was neatly severed as well.
Carl shrugged. He knew the bamboo would regrow anyway, so he didn't hold back much.
Guang Bo nodded.
"You pass. Come with me."
---
They followed him to the center of the training ground, where a large platform stood.
At the same time, Ying Nan led Shang-Chi and Xia Ling to an ancestral hall.
Inside were numerous portraits and memorial tablets—among them, Ying Li.
The siblings immediately spotted their mother.
They stood before her portrait, eyes reddening.
It looked more like a painted likeness than a photograph, accompanied by incense and a memorial tablet.
"You were everything to her. She knew you would come here one day, so she made preparations long ago."
Ying Nan stood beside them. After they finished offering incense, she had two bundles brought in.
"These are for you. Open them."
Shang-Chi and Xia Ling each stepped forward, removing the silver clasps and pins securing the cloth bundles.
Inside were garments—woven entirely from fine red scales, shimmering with a flowing glow.
Dragon-scale armor.
Shang-Chi looked at Ying Nan in surprise. He hadn't expected this to be their mother's gift.
"You are children of this land. It's only right you wear dragon-scale armor. Your mother made these for you herself and sent them here, asking me to give them to you when you returned."
Ying Nan gently touched the armor, as if still sensing Ying Li's presence.
Then she quietly left, allowing the siblings to remain alone.
---
Back at the training ground, dozens of villagers practiced in perfect unison—staffs, blades, shields moving rhythmically.
Red light flashed everywhere, creating a dazzling yet intimidating scene.
And yet, despite its intensity, the glow caused no harm—like a brilliant, living spectacle.
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