C22 Provoke Me

Ma Rulong's invitation came out of the blue, leaving Ye Kai somewhat unprepared.

"How could this guy possibly have such good intentions?" Ye Kai wondered inwardly.

Clearly, it was out of the question for Ma Rulong to be genuinely kind-hearted.

Yet, Ye Kai remained unfazed.

He didn't regard Ma Rulong as a threat.

"Alright then..."

Since Ma Rulong had extended a genuine invitation, Ye Kai felt it would be rude to decline. Together, they headed to the company's cafeteria.

The cafeteria was quite large, catering to the hundreds of employees who usually dined there.

Come mealtime, the place was bustling with activity.

Ye Kai followed Ma Rulong inside.

Ma Rulong wore a slight smile and appeared quite friendly, but Ye Kai was not about to be fooled.

Someone like Ma Rulong harbored a cunning nature, and Ye Kai was far from naive enough to trust him.

He regarded Ma Rulong with a detached coolness, as if the man's presence was inconsequential.

Ye Kai's composure was unshakable.

They found a quiet corner to sit. Ma Rulong was surprisingly warm.

"Mr. Ye Kai, hold on a moment, I'll go grab us something," he said.

Watching Ma Rulong walk away, a smirk played across Ye Kai's face. Clearly, Ma Rulong was up to something, though he hadn't yet shown his hand.

But Ye Kai was certain that Ma Rulong would eventually unveil his devious plans when the time was right.

Just then, Ma Rulong returned with a burly man in tow.

The man was clad in a security uniform and carried himself with authority. Ye Kai pondered who this imposing figure could be.

One thing was clear: he was undoubtedly one of Ma Rulong's men, and given his attire, he was likely part of the company's security staff.

The man took a seat next to Ye Kai.

Ma Rulong gestured towards him and said, "Allow me to introduce you. This is Lin Feihu, the captain of our company's security team."

His voice was courteous, yet there was an underlying tone of brazen challenge. Ye Kai couldn't help but pick up on it.

A cold smirk crept onto his face.

It was crystal clear that Ma Rulong's introduction of Lin Feihu was nothing short of a challenge directed at Ye Kai, a certainty beyond doubt. With that in mind, Ye Kai paid it no mind.

He regarded his counterpart with a casual glance.

"Kid, I've heard you're quite the fighter?" Lin Feihu suddenly remarked with a mocking tone.

"Hmm?"

Ye Kai's expression shifted upon hearing this. Lin Feihu's words were a blatant challenge.

Ye Kai could easily pick up on this, his eyes briefly flashing with a chill. He was unmistakably irked.

Currently lacking any real strength, he still refused to take Lin Feihu's bait. After all, this man was an extremely formidable figure.

"This is an office, not a ring!" Ye Kai shot back without a hint of courtesy.

In the face of Lin Feihu's relentless taunting, Ye Kai certainly wasn't about to show any deference. His response was a metaphorical slap across Lin Feihu's face.

Lin Feihu's expression turned awkward, as if Ye Kai's words had struck a nerve.

Lin Feihu stared at Ye Kai with a frosty gaze.

"Kid, I'm not looking for a fight. Mr. Ma mentioned you've got some skills, so I thought we might spar a bit!"

Lin Feihu said, extending an inviting hand.

His gesture appeared to be a friendly invitation to Ye Kai.

"Uh..."

Caught in this situation, Ye Kai felt a wave of resignation. He definitely didn't want any physical altercation with Lin Feihu.

Especially since Ye Kai's fighting skills were outdated, taking on Lin Feihu wouldn't be straightforward.

Just as Ye Kai was about to decline, the voice of the system echoed in his mind.

"Congratulations, host, on receiving a temporary mission. Accept Lin Feihu's challenge and, upon success, receive a reward of 100,000 yuan in cash and 50 points. Failure will result in a complete wipe of all cash and rewards in your system account!"

"Damn!"

Ye Kai nearly choked on his own frustration upon hearing the system's announcement. According to the system, this was a do-or-die challenge.

He was utterly dumbfounded.

Scratching his head, Ye Kai's face was the picture of dismay.

He was at a loss for words in the face of such a predicament.

The system had issued a mission, one that was non-negotiable and had to be accepted.

Ye Kai's face contorted with displeasure.

Suddenly, a spinning wheel materialized in his mind.

"To aid in completing this mission, the host is granted a temporary opportunity to participate in a lottery draw..."

"Another chance at the lottery!" Ye Kai's face brightened.

Without this opportunity, completing the mission with his current abilities would be virtually impossible.

But with an additional chance at the lottery, the odds could shift in his favor.

Understandably, Ye Kai was overjoyed.

"Time to start the lottery!"

He eagerly proceeded with the draw.

The lottery wheel spun rapidly, the pointer whirling with equal speed. Ye Kai watched intently, his expression grave.

He was acutely aware of the significance the lottery result held for him.

The outcome could be pivotal.

"I hope to draw something incredibly useful..." Ye Kai whispered to himself.

At that moment, the lottery wheel ground to a halt, revealing the result to Ye Kai.

"Congratulations, host. The lottery draw is complete!"

The system's message flashed through Ye Kai's mind.

"The lottery is complete!"

A surge of excitement ran through Ye Kai.

He was eager to see what he had won; it was of paramount importance to him. Then, four words emerged in his thoughts.

"Endless Weakening System."

"The Endless Weakening Function has a four-hour duration. Within that time, you can select an opponent and freely adjust their physical functions, albeit only to weaken them."

As he processed this information, data for Ma Rulong and Lin Feihu appeared before Ye Kai's eyes.

Ma Rulong: speed 52, strength 53, attack power 39, defense 48.

Lin Feihu: speed 72, strength 73, attack power 70, defense 71.

Observing the data and the minus signs next to them, Ye Kai realized the potential.

"The Endless Weakening System seems to be quite the asset!"