[7.8K Words]
On the edge of a small town on a planet in a certain Dao realm, along a winding road, stood a quaint tavern.
The wooden door, inlaid with copper nails, seemed to tell of its history.
The setting sun cast a faint golden hue on the door panels.
Pushing open the heavy door, a mingled aroma of wine and wood washed over me.
The room was dimly lit, lit only by a few flickering candles, creating a warm and mysterious atmosphere.
Hanging on the walls were ancient wine jugs and jars, bearded with the marks of time.
In a corner of the tavern, at a wooden table, sat a few customers. Their voices alternated between high and low.
"Have you heard? A large city to the east was massacred by the ancient royal family. The entire city was stained red with blood, and corpses were everywhere. The stench of blood lingered for three months."
"These beasts are so arrogant! Even though the war has officially ceased, they still dare to act like this. It's truly despicable."
"But they're having a hard time now."
One person sneered with a hint of gloating pleasure.
"You're talking about a mysterious individual, right? I really admire him. One person, with a single bow, silenced the entire group like frightened birds. It's truly satisfying."
"I don't know who he is. Do you think he could be a contestant in the Tianjiao Tournament?"
"This person uses a bow, and there doesn't seem to be anyone using a bow on the list."
In the tavern, heated discussions were going on, with everyone speculating about the identity of this mysterious master. At a table inside, a man in a black robe and hood stood, his face obscured. However, he seemed deeply concerned about the topic, his gaze constantly lingering on the discussion.
Just then, the tavern door opened, and a blind man wearing a bamboo hat and bandaged eyes entered.
He leaned on a bamboo stick in one hand, the other gently stroking the longsword in his bosom. The patina of the scabbard gleamed in the dim light.
His steps were steady. Although he couldn't see, each step seemed precisely calculated, avoiding obstacles on the ground.
The other guests in the tavern paused their conversations and cast their eyes on this special guest.
The blind man smiled slightly, revealing his white teeth. He then pulled out an old, patched spirit stone bag from his bosom and gently placed it on the table.
"A pot of Drunken Immortal Wine and a plate of beef," the blind man whispered.
The tavern owner nodded and turned to prepare the food and drinks. The other guests returned to their own conversations, but their eyes kept glancing at the blind man.
Although this wasn't the epicenter of the conflict, it was still within the ripple zone of the conflict between the two tribes. How had this blind man gotten here?
Soon, the food and wine arrived. The blind man sniffed the wine, then tilted his head back and took a sip. A look of satisfaction crossed his face, as if this drink were some divine brew that could make him forget all pain.
The blind man reached for the wine glass, his finger lingering for a moment, as if he could see the crystal-clear liquid flowing within.
He murmured, "Life is like a dream; in drunkenness, the world is vast." Then he began to laugh to himself again.
Everyone dismissed him as a blind man babbling nonsense and paid him little attention.
Just then, a group of uninvited guests suddenly entered the tavern, shattering the tranquility.
Everyone was startled. They were none other than humanity's mortal enemies, the ancient royal family. They came in all shapes and sizes: some with fangs, some covered in scales, and still others towering like mountains. But the largest group was a group of Phoenix Clan members, their wings and fiery feathers.
They emitted chilling laughter and a terrifying aura, filling the entire tavern with an eerie atmosphere.
"It's... it's the Ancient Royal Clan! How could they come here?!" someone shouted in shock.
"Never mind, just run!"
It was unknown who shouted first, but everyone in the tavern immediately scattered, and soon the once bustling place became silent.
"Wow, there really are some who aren't afraid of death." A member of the Ancient Royal Clan observed the person still sitting in the tavern, a cruel smile on his face.
The other members of the Ancient Royal Clan also laughed.
"Brother, we'd like to have a drink, but we don't have any snacks. Could you please help us?"
A member of the Phoenix Clan came to a table and leaned over to look at the black-robed man who was still leisurely drinking.
"Brother, it tastes delicious! I'm craving it just by looking at it." He placed a large hand on the black-robed man's head, his eyes flashing bloodshot, the stench of blood emanating from his mouth making one nauseous.
Just as a tragedy was about to unfold...
"Burp..."
A burp echoed throughout the tavern, alerting the members of the ancient royal family present to the presence of another individual.
The individual wore a bamboo hat, his eyes covered by a white cloth, and held a bamboo stick in his hand. He was dressed simply and casually, looking slightly tipsy as he chuckled at the members of the ancient royal family.
"Where did you get this blind man? What are you laughing at?" The member of the ancient royal family, a descendant of the Phoenix lineage, who was about to devour the black-robed man, was immediately annoyed by the blind man's mockery.
This stinking blind man looked like a beggar, his body lacking any powerful energy, and there was no sense of his strength. How dare a lowly human mock him?
"I laugh at your ignorance. I laugh at how even though you can speak, you're still beasts who eat raw meat and drink blood. Hahaha." The blind man threw back his head, took a sip of his wine, and let out a hearty laugh.
"He's looking for death! Go kill him!" The Phoenix-lineage Ancient Royal spread its wings, transformed into a streak of fire, and rushed towards the blind man, opening its bloody mouth, ready to devour the blind man who had attempted to provoke the Ancient Royal Family.
The blind man wasn't panicked or frightened. He seemed half drunk. Leaning on the bamboo stick in his hand, he staggered to his feet and walked towards the Phoenix-lineage Ancient Royal Family who were attacking him.
The Phoenix-lineage Ancient Royal Family didn't take the blind man seriously. All the surrounding Ancient Royal Family members waited to see the blind man being bitten to pieces. The black-robed man, who had remained silent until then, also tilted his head slightly and cast his gaze on the blind man, who was exploring the way with the bamboo stick.
At this critical moment, the longsword in the blind man's other hand slashed through the air like lightning.
A shrill scream echoed as the head of a member of the Ancient Imperial Family, a descendant of the Phoenix lineage, flew off, blood splattering everywhere.
The other members of the Ancient Imperial Family were stunned by the sight and looked at the blind man with fear in their eyes.
The blind man didn't stop. He moved nimbly among the members of the Ancient Imperial Family, his longsword wielding like the Grim Reaper, reaping the lives of these beasts.
With every swing of his sword, a member of the Ancient Imperial Family fell.
In a short moment, several members of the Ancient Imperial Family had fallen to his sword.
The blind man's sword was swift. By the time he reached the black-robed man, he was covered in bodies chopped into pieces. He swung his longsword, shaking off the blood, then sheathed it.
"Am I being too much?" the blind man smiled faintly. The black-robed man raised his head, revealing his resolute and handsome face. A hint of fear flashed in his eyes as he looked at the blind man. He said, "Thank you for your help."
"Haha, I think you can kill these people even if I don't. Am I right? Lord Yi Yu of the Sun-Shooting Clan, a follower of the Son of God."
"Who are you?" Yi Yu frowned.
He had been trying to find information about someone suspected to be a member of the Sun-Shooting Clan. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he had been operating in secrecy and hadn't told anyone. How did this blind man recognize him?
"Of course, I can't compare to the followers of the Qin clan's Son of God. I'm just a casual cultivator, and a blind one at that, haha."
The blind man placed a pot of wine in front of Yi Yu and continued, "I've also been keeping an eye on the person you're looking for. Now that you're here, I'm too lazy to bother with him. He's in the south now. You should be able to see him if you rush over."
"Why are you telling me all this, and what are you doing here?" Yi Yu didn't immediately believe the blind man.
The blind man said, "I heard that some members of the Ancient Royal Family are still refusing to abide by the ceasefire agreement, and that a mysterious individual is hunting them. I also heard that the Phoenix girl of the Phoenix lineage is en route, so I wanted to see if I could bring this mysterious person back to preserve the human race's vitality."
"The Phoenix girl!" Yi Yu muttered the name in a low voice, his eyes burning with unquenchable hatred.
"I'll treat you to a drink. I only hope that if you see members of the Ancient Royal Family slaughtering our human race, you'll help." The blind man said, then he picked up a bamboo stick, tapped the ground, and walked out of the tavern. Yi Yu stared at the wine jug on the table, silent for a moment. He then picked it up and headed south.
"This blind man is no ordinary person. His cultivation level is unknown, but he's certainly not inferior to mine. Several members of the ancient royal family, even those leading the way were at the Saint Realm, yet they were beheaded by a single sword strike. The sword was so swift I couldn't even see it clearly."
Yi Yu recalled the blind man's lightning-fast sword strike in the tavern, comparing it in his mind. He realized that if he were to get close, he wouldn't be able to dodge the blind man's sword.
Furthermore, the blind man wasn't very old, about the same age as he and Qin Tian. It was truly incredible that such a person could be a casual cultivator.
Just as Yi Yu hurried along, pondering, he suddenly stopped and looked in one direction.
"Sister, hold on. The sect's support will be here soon." A man stepped on a flying sword, his hand swirling with magic, dodging attacks and counterattacking.
Besides him, there were more than ten other people fighting, desperately resisting, as if they were protecting something. On the ground, a woman in a green robe, her sword stuck in the ground, propped up and half-knelt. Her face was pale, beads of sweat streaking across her face, and her chest, covered in blood, was clearly seriously injured.
"Hahaha, support? Do you think you can get it?" a member of the ancient royal family flapped their wings, clutching a corpse in their hands.
Nalan Xuan bit her lips tightly, her eyes fixed in anger at the sky. The corpse in her hands was her beloved junior brother, whom she had treated like her own brother. Now, looking at his cold corpse, Nalan Xuan couldn't help but feel a surge of powerlessness and sorrow.
Crushing the corpse, she revealed a cruel smile and said, "Nalan Xuan, I see you're quite pretty. If you surrender, let's have some fun, and we'll consider sparing your disciples."
Nalan Xuan bit her lip, her gaze determined. She stood up and unsheathed her longsword from the ground.
"Don't even think about asking me to serve you beasts. Let's fight! Even if we all die here, you'll sooner or later die at the hands of the rest of my human race!"
After Nalan Xuan finished speaking, the other brothers and sisters sided with her. They were all wounded, but their gazes held unwavering.
The human race's hatred for the Ancient Imperial Family is ingrained in their very bones. Even the most cowardly will burst forth with incredible courage when facing them.
It's simply because of this hatred, etched in the bloodlines of generations past.
In ancient times, the Ancient Imperial Family committed atrocities and treason, replacing the immortals in their stead. Humanity, deprived of their protection, was slaughtered, enslaved, and used as food. This is humanity's saddest and darkest moment in history.
Countless heroes and sages perished in the war of resistance, a pain humanity will never forget.
"Hmph, I'll grant your wish. You're nothing more than our blood food!" The members of the Ancient Imperial Family stopped wasting time, fearing complications. They unleashed their full cultivation.
"Kill!"
Nalan Xuan roared, leading the remaining disciples and brothers, charging towards the Ancient Imperial Family once again.
"Phoenix Seal!"
The Phoenix lineage member of the Ancient Imperial Family launched a direct palm strike. Terrifying mana transformed into a palm seal, carrying a terrifying aura of suppression.
The palm strike was like a scorching sun falling, threatening to incinerate mountains and simmer seas.
Nalan Xuan's face changed. In her prime, she could have taken the blow, but now, gravely injured, she was powerless to resist. Furthermore, she couldn't hide. She was the only one capable of fighting this Phoenix lineage member of the Ancient Imperial Family. If she hid, her disciples would surely suffer heavy casualties.
Nalan Xuan could only grit her teeth and attack. As the eldest sister, she had to protect her fellow disciples and bring them safely back to the sect.
The longsword in her hand shone with dazzling light, and with a single thrust, it collided with the Phoenix Seal.
However, with just this one strike, blood flowed from the corner of Nalan Xuan's mouth.
"You're trying to stop a chariot with a mantis arm! You're overestimating your own abilities! Die!" The ancient royal family of the Phoenix lineage sneered and delivered a punch.
The sword light shattered, and Nalan Xuan was also impacted. He spat out another mouthful of blood and flew backwards.
"Senior Sister!"
"Protect Senior Sister!"
"You beasts, I'll fight you to the death!"
The others watched Nalan Xuan spit out blood and fall to the ground. They rushed towards him like crazy, trying to block the impending Phoenix Seal.
"Ahem, hurry up and leave me alone. I'll buy you time. Every one who can escape is a good one. Escape back to the sect and tell the master what's happening here!"
Nalan Xuan looked at the fellow disciples blocking her way. She kept urging them to flee, but no one took a single step.
"The human race is truly the most foolish. If you all escape, maybe a few of you might survive. Now, die!"
The ancient royal family of the Phoenix lineage laughed.
Facing the incoming lethal attack, Nalan Xuan stood up and walked over to stand with his fellow disciples. A poignant smile graced his bloodstained face, his gaze determined as he said, "This is the fundamental reason why we humans have never been defeated by you. It's something you beasts will never understand."
Just as Nalan Xuan closed her eyes, intending to die alongside her fellow disciples,
In the distant sky, the space suddenly ripped apart, creating a massive hole.
A massive spatial rift pierced half the sky. The scene was heart-shaking, leaving countless people stunned and stunned!
As the spatial rift expanded, an arrow burning with the sun's true fire suddenly burst forth from the depths of space, piercing directly through the Phoenix Seal.
"Who is it!"
Feeling the power of the flaming arrow, the ancient royal family of the Phoenix lineage's expression changed drastically, and they hurriedly turned to resist.
With a loud bang!
The terrifying force of the arrow tore through his body, instantly charring it black and plummeting to the ground like a pile of charred charcoal.
Everyone present, whether Nalan Xuan or the remaining members of the Ancient Imperial Family, was stunned, completely unable to react.
"What the heck is this?!" a member of the Ancient Imperial Family screamed.
They were terrified. A flaming arrow filled them all with immense fear!
"Run... Run!" a member of the Ancient Imperial Family desperately flapped their wings and fled.
But another flaming arrow pierced through the air, piercing him.
Soon after, several more arrows descended, scattering the previously arrogant members of the Ancient Imperial Family one by one. They were like burning suns, blasted to the ground.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
The arrows flew with such force that the very void shook!
Under the stunned gazes of Nalan Xuan and the others, all the members of the ancient royal family perished under this sudden barrage of arrows.
"Senior Sister, this is..."
"Someone saved us," Nalan Xuan said, pointing in the direction of the arrows. Then, clasping her hands together, she bowed deeply.
The others did the same.
"Nalan Xuan of the Xuanjian Sect, thank you for your assistance. If you can ever use me in the future, I will repay you with my life."
Nalan Xuan waited for a moment, receiving no response. She knew the person didn't want to show up, so she bowed again and led the rest of the group back to the sect.
Far away, on a mountaintop, Yi Yu stood, his entire body radiating the surging true fire of the sun.
A sun totem faintly materialized on his chest, its aura brimming with power. His eyes shone like the blazing golden sun, and he bore the Sun Wheel on his back, surging with spiritual energy. In his hand, he held a golden longbow.
He lowered his bow and arrow, vanishing in a flash of golden light. The totems on his body dissipated, returning to their original form.
He glanced at the wine jug in his hand, smiled faintly, opened it, and drank from it. When the wine was empty, he discarded it and continued south.
The Sky Phoenix Girl was in a deep mood. The Phoenix King's resurrection had dealt a heavy blow to her standing within the Phoenix lineage. Furthermore, the blow Qin Tian had shattered half her head had left her resentful.
Recently, a mysterious individual had emerged, preying on the ancient royal family, particularly her own Phoenix lineage. Many had already been shot dead.
The clan finally gave up and gave her a second chance to eliminate this mysterious individual.
Of course, the ancient royal family had not been without reward. During another battle, this individual had planted a Phoenix Fire Seed, and the Sky Phoenix Girl could sense this fire and locate this mysterious individual.
"Found it, right here in this mountain!"
"Sky Phoenix Seal!"
The Sky Phoenix Girl immediately activated the Nirvana Fire within her body, and a massive flaming phoenix flapped its wings, sweeping across the sky. Her palm winds blasted out, and the void roared, and the earth shook.
It was like a primordial phoenix, descending from ancient times across time and space, its might shaking everyone's heart.
Boom!
The mountain exploded, countless huge pieces of rubble flying out, followed by a collapse. A dark shadow quickly dodged amid the falling rocks.
"Hmph, you're still trying to hide."
The Sky Phoenix Girl summoned a quasi-imperial weapon, a Phoenix Feather Blade.
The Phoenix Feather Blade slashed down like a celestial sword.
The black shadow could only barely dodge, but was still wounded several times, splattering blood.
But the black shadow didn't sit still and wait for death. He drew his longbow and unleashed a barrage of arrows at the Sky Phoenix Girl in the sky.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The arrows, carrying the force of a thousand acres, pierced through the void, each one easily capable of killing a Saint-level expert.
After witnessing this archery technique, the Sky Phoenix Girl's eyes suddenly widened, a hint of surprise hidden in her eyes as she exclaimed in amazement.
"This is... the Sun-Shooting Clan's Sun-Shooting Archery Technique, Nine-Radiance Consecutive Beads!!"
But she didn't have much time to be surprised, as arrows, blazing with flames, were already approaching.
The Sky Phoenix Girl swung the Phoenix Feather Blade in her hand, blocking the arrows aimed at her. But the other members of her clan didn't possess such a precious treasure.
One arrow after another pierced the chest of the Phoenix Clan member. A terrifying killing force, capable of shooting down the sun, moon, and stars!
"How is this possible! How could there be any survivors from the Sun-Shooting Clan besides the one person Qin Tian accepted as a follower?"
She personally went into the massacre, and every member of the Sun-Shooting Clan was slain. Even if there were any who escaped, they couldn't possibly be so powerful.
Yi Yu's rapid progress stemmed from following Qin Tian, with the Qin Clan's support and unique advantages.
In this round of fighting, both sides exchanged blows, leaving the mysterious man severely wounded. Heavenly Phoenix Girl was left alone, having lost all her tribesmen.
As the dust cleared, Heavenly Phoenix Girl could clearly see the mysterious man.
He wore a tattered, loose black robe, his entire body swathed in bandages that hadn't been changed in ages. The bandages were stained with blood, and his fiery red eyes made meeting hers feel as if she were engulfed in a sea of fire.
He stood trembling, as if enduring excruciating pain. His mouth gaped open, he gasped, saliva dripping from the corners, his eyes filled with madness and hatred.
"Die, die, you all deserve to die!" he roared, the golden sun totem branded onto his body, emitting the sizzling sound of flesh burning.
He drew his bow again, and the arrow blasted out.
"I don't know how you escaped last time, but you won't be able to escape this time."
The Phoenix Girl struck, a terrifying surge of magical power transforming into a giant hand that covered the sky. The Sun-Shooting Clan's innate magical power naturally restrained the Phoenix lineage, so she would not allow another Sun-Shooting Clan member to grow.
The giant hand stretched out, seemingly encompassing the entire universe.
The arrows shattered before the giant palm, but the mysterious man didn't dodge. He roared frantically, "Heavenly Phoenix Girl! My brother, my parents, my people, their lives, you must avenge them!!"
His eyes blazed with astonishing rage and hatred.
The power of the Great Dao converged, transforming into countless arrows that pierced the air.
Like the god Yi shooting down the sun.
The giant palm and arrow erupted with terrifying energy, the resulting impact shattering several mountains, causing rivers to flow backward and the sky and earth to change color.
"Who are you? There can't possibly be another like you in the Sun-Shooting Clan!" Heavenly Phoenix Girl frowned at the man's combat prowess. She could already sense the aura of the Sun-Shooting Great Dao within him.
This man was at least one of the most powerful members of the Sun-Shooting Clan's bloodline, at least a direct descendant. But she had already killed all those with powerful bloodlines. Yi Yu's escape was an accident; if it weren't for Qin Tian's interference, Yi Yu would have died too.
Thinking of this, Heavenly Phoenix Girl couldn't help but think of one person, and one arrow.
"Yi Kong!"
During the massacre of the Sun-Shooting Clan, there was someone who had injured her and even suppressed her. If she hadn't finally, unethically allowed the Quasi-Emperor to kill him, she might not have been able to kill him.
Yi Kong was also the most powerful, gifted, and most powerful member of the Sun-Shooting Clan, serving as its young leader.
"You're still alive! How could you possibly have survived our clan's Phoenix Fire?" Heavenly Phoenix Girl was shocked. She had clearly seen Yi Kong reduced to ash.
"He's dead! Died in the fire! Now I'm a vengeful ghost!"
Yi Kong roared, unleashing an arrow that transformed into a blazing bolt of light, hurtling straight towards Heavenly Phoenix Girl.
Heavenly Phoenix Girl was naturally unafraid. The Phoenix Feather Blade in her hand blazed with flames. "Hmph, if I can kill you once, I can kill you a second time. But if he knew you weren't dead, he'd be so happy! Hahaha."
Yi Kong: "What do you mean!?"
Heavenly Phoenix Girl: "Why would I tell a dead man?"
Heavenly Phoenix Girl sneered, and with the Phoenix Feather Blade in hand, she was in front of Yi Kong in almost an instant, slashing at his head.
Yi Kong barely dodged the blow, but a bloody gash still pierced his face. He tried to quickly distance himself from the Phoenix Girl, but she gave him no chance. With his phoenix-blooded body, Yi Kong could only retreat and dodge. He was now covered in wounds, each one burning like flames, slowing his movements.
Ever since ancient times, archers have been known for their formidable skills, but they couldn't withstand close-quarters assassins.
Just as Yi Kong was about to collapse, an arrow pierced through the palace. He sensed something and turned in shock, staring at the flaming arrow hurtling toward him from afar.
The arrow carried the will to destroy everything. Wherever it passed, the void shattered, transforming into a pitch-black abyss!
This was it!
"Sun-Shooting Arrow Technique—Piercing the Sun!"
Yi Kong exclaimed in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.
The arrow pierced through the void, catching the Sky Phoenix Girl off guard and being struck directly. She let out a scream that shook the heavens, her phoenix body shattered.
The fire of Nirvana ignited within her, rapidly repairing her shattered form. She gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with shock and rage.
"Damn it! Why is he here too!"
Yi Kong stared blankly behind him, completely ignoring the raging Sky Phoenix Girl. Behind him stood a handsome man with a resolute gaze, wielding a golden bow. The arrow had just been fired by him.
Yi Kong stared at this figure, both familiar and unfamiliar. He looked much taller than he remembered. In his memory, he must have been younger and more innocent.
"Xiao... Xiao Yu..."
"Are you okay? So good! There are still survivors of the Sun Shooting Clan." Yi Yu came to his side, squatted down, and looked at him with concern.
Yi Kong was covered in bandages, his hair tangled and scattered, making him look completely unrecognizable. Yi Yu didn't recognize him either.
"What's wrong with you? Do we know each other?" Yi Yu saw Yi Kong staring at him, his eyes filled with joy and familiarity.
Yi Kong's gaze was terrifying, like a blazing fire; he could feel his skin burning just by looking into his gaze, yet Yi Yu sensed a sense of familiarity in it.
"No, no, I'm just glad to see another member of my tribe alive." Yi Kong averted his gaze, lowered his head, and hid his ugly face beneath the bandages in the shadows.
Just as Yi Yu was about to ask more questions, a terrifying cry echoed through the heavens and earth, and a massive phoenix soared into the sky.
"You deserve to die! Not to mention you, even if the Qin clan's divine son came, I wouldn't lose to him!"
The Sky Phoenix Girl, transformed into her true form, began to get serious.
Yi Yu and Yi Kong exchanged a solemn glance, tightening their bows.
Yi Yu whispered, "Let's take her down together and avenge our people. Blood debts must be repaid with blood!"
Yi Kong looked at Yi Yu with a hint of relief in his eyes. He nodded, his gaze firm.
The battle was about to break out. The Sky Phoenix Girl transformed into a giant phoenix and soared high. Flames erupted from her mouth, instantly igniting the mountains and forests.
Yi Yu and Yi Kong quickly dodged, simultaneously drawing their bows and arrows, aiming at the Sky Phoenix Girl. The arrows sliced through the air with a sharp sound.
However, the Sky Phoenix Girl's defenses in her original form seemed formidable. Their arrows were incinerated by the flames, unable to harm her at all.
Yi Yu and Yi Kong were startled. Heavenly Phoenix Girl was, after all, a renowned prodigy among the ancient royal family, her strength undeniable. Moreover, after transforming into her true form, she possessed the Phoenix Clan's powerful body and innate flames, possessing the heaven-defying power of Nirvana. Killing her would be exceedingly difficult.
Yi Yu and Yi Kong remained undeterred, dodging through space while continuing to search for opportunities.
All things in the world interact with each other. The Phoenix Clan's heaven-defying power of Nirvana could revive even those with powerful bloodlines, but the Sun-Shooting Clan's innate magical power, the Sun-Shooting Archery, could prevent the Phoenix Clan from using their Nirvana power.
So, they were not without a chance of victory.
Yi Kong gestured toward Yi Yu, then quickly circled behind Heavenly Phoenix Girl. Yi Yu was startled by the gesture, and stared at Yi Kong with suspicion as he flew away.
This hand gesture was a unique way of communicating that the two brothers had developed when they went hunting together as children. It meant that he could attract prey so that he could sneak up on them and attack them from behind.
Yi Yu wondered how this person knew the hand gestures he and his brother used to use, but before he could dwell on it, the Phoenix Girl's attack had already landed on him. He had no choice but to draw his bow and fire back, just like when he and his brother went hunting together, to attract prey.
The moment the Phoenix Girl turned to attack Yi Yu, Yi Kong swiftly unleashed an arrow with all his might. The arrow's speed seemed to transcend space, striking her squarely in the back.
The Phoenix Girl roared in pain and turned to lunge at Yi Kong. Seeing this, Yi Yu quickly fired another arrow, blocking the Phoenix Girl's attack.
The battle intensified. The Phoenix Girl flapped her wings in anger, and blazing flames leaped towards the two men like a giant dragon. They dodged in every direction, firing continuously, each one pouring their full force into the air.
Time seemed to slow down, and every dodge and shot seemed incredibly difficult.
The Heavenly Phoenix Girl's attacks grew increasingly fierce, the raging fire nearly igniting the entire world. Yi Yu and Yi Kong's clothes were drenched with sweat, and their strength was nearly exhausted.
However, they persisted. Faced with the hatred of genocide, they fought to the death. Yi Kong aimed his arrow and shot it directly into the Heavenly Phoenix Girl's eye.
Yi Yu followed closely behind, shooting her in the other eye. The Heavenly Phoenix Girl screamed in pain, disoriented, and began to attack randomly throughout the forest.
Yi Yu and Yi Kong exchanged a glance, their tacit understanding complete. With a simultaneous gesture, Yi Yu's body lit up with golden runes, and nine suns converged, transforming into an extremely dazzling arrow!
A single arrow pierced the vastness!
Yi Yu roared, "Sun-Shooting Arrow Technique—Piercing the Sun!"
Though blinded, the Heavenly Phoenix Girl still sensed the arrow's power. She spun around, shielding her chest with her wings, and with a flick of her wings, the arrow shattered.
"Hahaha, your Sun-Shooting Arrow Technique is nothing special. You'll be dead the moment my eyes recover!"
Just then, just as the Heavenly Phoenix Girl had deflected Yi Yu's arrow, her wings spread wide, her center opening. An arrow, swift as lightning, pierced through her defenses.
As the Heavenly Phoenix Girl stared in disbelief...
Puff!
The Heavenly Phoenix Girl, descended from the ancient royal Phoenix lineage, was pierced by an arrow, transforming into a rain of blood! With a shrill scream, she plummeted from the sky, landing heavily in the forest.
It turned out that Yi Yu's arrow was just a feint, a thunderous and powerful attack, but the real killing blow was Yi Kong's simple and unpretentious arrow. It landed in the brief moment after Heavenly Phoenix Girl had done her utmost to block Yi Yu's attack, delivering the killing blow!
Yi Yu panted heavily and looked at Yi Kong, his eyes filled with surprise and doubt. How could this man know so much about the hunting methods he and his brother used to use when they were young?!
"Brother..." Yi Yu opened his mouth to address her.
But at that moment, Heavenly Phoenix Girl let out a deafening roar. She had returned to her human form. She clutched her chest with one hand, where a bloody hole had pierced her. She was bathed in blood, and the fire of Nirvana burned fiercely, attempting to repair the bloody hole.
"Damn it! Damn it! Ahhhhh!!!"
The Phoenix Girl raged like a madman, a jade talisman clutched in her other hand. "Although I don't want to use it, I can't care less to kill you."
She crushed the talisman with all her might, and a burst of flames shot up into the sky, opening a passageway in the heavens.
At that moment, a fiery haze suddenly filled the sky, and the sky seemed to be ablaze, a crimson red.
A shadowy figure stepped out of the passageway and settled in the void.
It was a young man in a scarlet-gold robe, with wings sprouting from his back. With a trembling movement, a sea of fire surged forth.
His appearance instantly filled the heavens and earth with a powerful pressure, instantly crushing all the mountains and leveling everything.
Yi Yu and Yi Kong, along with the Phoenix Girl, were instantly pinned to the ground by Wu Bian, as if the sky were falling down upon them. The terrifying pressure etched a hue on the earth, and the very planet trembled at his arrival.
"Waste." The man glanced at the Heavenly Phoenix Girl.
The Phoenix girl lay prone on the ground, the immense pressure weighing down her, exacerbating the pain in her already severely injured body. Her beautiful phoenix eyes stared at the man in the sky, a mixture of resentment and anger.
"They are the remnants of the Sun-Shooting Clan, a bunch of ants. Die!"
He charged towards Yi Yu and Yi Kong, a raging flame sweeping out like a massive wave.
The raging flames quickly engulfed Yi Yu and Yi Kong. This was his innate magical power, even more powerful than the Nirvana Fire. Not all Phoenixes possessed the Nirvana Fire, but there was another innate flame even rarer: the Undying Flame, which could endure countless calamities and incinerate everything in the world.
"Huh?" the man exclaimed softly, his gaze fixed on the sea of fire.
In the sea of fire, Yi Yu and Yi Kong stood up, bearing the pressure, their gaze fixed on the man in the sky. Yi Yu held a token in his hand, which emitted a different aura, resisting the man's pressure.
Looking at the token in Yi Yu's hand, and seeing the ancient Chinese character "Qin" on it, he chuckled faintly, relinquished his imposing aura, and landed on the ground.
Next to him was the bloodied Heavenly Phoenix Girl sprawled on the ground. He looked down at her condescendingly and said calmly, "You disappoint me so much. I gave you a chance, but you didn't seize it. I'll punish you when we get back."
He then stopped looking at the Heavenly Phoenix Girl, and a deep sense of resentment flashed in her eyes. She lowered her head and remained silent.
Looking at the token in Yi Yu's hand, he said, "I'll give you a chance to crush it and fetch your master."
"If he comes, we can kill him, costing the Tianjiao human race a quasi-emperor."
Yi Yu: "You're dreaming of killing the Son of God."
"This Dharma body truly can't kill him. To kill the Qin clan's Son of God, I'm sure the real body will need to arrive. But you think I'm here alone? There are several great emperors of our clan here. If Qin Tian dares to come, I guarantee he won't leave this planet."
"By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. Let's meet the ancient royal family. The strongest, the ancient prodigy of the Phoenix lineage, the Phoenix King.
"He's also a contestant in the Prodigy Tournament."
Yi Yu frowned. "You say there's an emperor ambushing us? Should we believe you? Your emperor's every move is being monitored by the human race. If we send out the emperor, the human emperor won't sit idly by."
The Phoenix King smiled faintly, "What if we have another emperor they don't know about? Are you willing to gamble your master's life with me?"
Yi Yu fell silent. He really didn't dare to gamble. If he summoned Qin Tian and they were ambushed, his own death wouldn't matter, but if Qin Tian was injured or killed, he would die without mercy.
"I don't need the Son of God to help me. I can kill you." Yi Yu, bow and arrow in hand, prepared for a desperate fight. He couldn't call Qin Tian, absolutely not.
"I'll buy time. You escape quickly. Go to the Immortal Qin Ancient Domain and find the Qin Clan. They will protect you," Yi Yu whispered to Yi Kong.
Yikong looked at Yiyu, his eyes filled with relief. The child who used to only call him "brother" had grown up.
"Heh, none of you can escape," the Phoenix King said coldly, then slapped the two of them with a mighty aura that burned the heavens.
The Phoenix King's attack was too powerful, and even Yiyu and Yikong's best efforts to block it were no match. At that moment, a phoenix feather, like a sharp sword, pierced through the sea of fire and stabbed Yiyu. In the nick of time, Yikong blocked the fatal blow with his body to protect Yiyu. The feather pierced through his heart, leaving Yikong nearly dead.
Yiyu saw Yikong being pierced by the phoenix feather for him, and his heart was filled with pain and anger.
Yikong's bandages fell to the ground, revealing his skin, which had been completely burned by the flames. His body was covered in wounds and burned flesh. The sight was horrifying, and one could hardly imagine the torture that the owner of this body had endured. "Don't move! I'll save you right away!" Yi Yu hurried forward to support Yi Kong. This was the last of his clan members left in this world, and he couldn't let him die like this.
Yi Kong looked at him, lying on the ground, his breath weak. He looked at Yi Yu, a hint of a smile on his face, "Xiao Yu... you've grown up..."
"Why do you know my nickname? Besides my parents, only... only..."
Yi Yu looked at the ugly Yi Kong in his arms. He was so different from the brother he remembered. His brother was handsome, kind, and gifted. He was an excellent brother, the one he admired most and the role model he wanted to be when he became powerful.
"I must look scary, right? I'm sorry I scared you, Xiaoyu."
"No, no. Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why did you hide it from me, brother?!"
"I don't want you to see me like this."
Yi Yu held Yi Kong's hand, tears welling in his eyes. "Stop talking. Take the elixir quickly."
Yi Kong shook his head. "This body has long been broken. Burns scorch my body. All I see is a sea of fire. I've exhausted everything, living only for revenge. Seeing you alive is so wonderful."
Yi Yu clenched his teeth, trying hard to hold back the tears. "No! I finally found you. We just met, and you're leaving me again..."
"Xiaoyu, you've grown up. You don't need my care anymore... If I could just spend more time with you... that would be... that would be great..."
Yi Kong's vitality was rapidly fading, and his hand slipped weakly from Yi Yu's grasp.
"Pa, pa, pa." A round of applause erupted. The Phoenix King clapped his hands and said with a smile, "What a deep brotherly love! Just met and yet parted forever! How touching!"
"I am a kind-hearted man. I will see you two reunited in the afterlife."
The Phoenix King swept out his hand, seemingly manifesting phoenix wings that slashed through the void like a celestial blade, slashing towards Yi Yu. Wisps of immortal flames clung to these wings, their heat capable of incinerating heaven and earth and melting everything.
Yi Yu buried his head in Yi Kong's chest, tears silently streaming down his face. "I will avenge you..." he croaked.
Then he stood up, his eyes filled with determination.
He picked up Yi Kong's bow and arrow, stood on the ground, facing the sun in the sky, bent his bow and drew his arrow, like his ancestor Dayi, determined to shoot it down.
Boom!!!
A resounding bang echoed between the two men, followed by a massive explosion. The impact shook the void, and the entire planet showed signs of cracking.
The earth shattered and collapsed, forming a bottomless abyss. Everything fell, and a figure flew out of the blast radius and fell into the abyss.
Yi Yu was covered in blood, his clothes torn. His hand holding the bow was empty, and blood was splattered all around.
The power gap was too great. Even if the Phoenix King was only a clone, without his real body, Yi Yu could not defeat him.
The Phoenix King leaped down, watching the falling Yi Yu with a smile, "You still have one hand. Crush the token and call Qin Tian over."
"Don't even think about it..."
"So loyal? Die with your loyalty!" The Phoenix King sneered, then, his body ablaze with immortal fire, transformed into a black flaming phoenix, charging towards the falling Yi Yu, incinerating everything in its path.
Yi Yu stared at the approaching Flame Phoenix and closed his eyes in despair. Guilt and self-blame filled his heart. It should have been his brother who survived. If it had been him, he would surely have been even more powerful than he was. If it had been him, he would have avenged his parents' death.
He couldn't face his brother and parents, not to mention the tragic deaths of some of his tribe members.
"I'm sorry, brother. I'm too weak. I can't do this... I can't do this..."
"I can't do this..."
"I can't do this..."
"I can't do this..."
"I can't do this!"
"I can't do this!" Yi Yu threw his bow and arrow to the ground, crossed his arms, and sat there angrily, his cheeks puffed out in an adorable way.
"Xiao Yu, stop messing around. If you want to go hunting with me in the mountains, you have to practice your archery." A handsome young man squatted beside Yi Yu and reached out to caress his head lovingly.
"But how could an arrow made of wood possibly penetrate such a huge rock?" Little Yi Yu pointed to a man-high boulder in the distance. It was covered in dents and many broken arrows lay on the ground.
"Xiao Yu can do it. I believe in you," Yi Kong consoled him.
"I'm not your brother. You're a genius in our clan. How could I possibly compare to you..." Yi Yu turned away, his tone somewhat dejected. He had always wanted to be as talented as his brother. He had tried hard, but he could never catch up.
"That's not right. Do you know why I can shoot through rocks?" Yi Kong asked with a smile.
"It must be because of my brother's high cultivation and talent."
"Wrong, because I believe in the bow and arrow in my hand."
"Believe in the bow and arrow in my hand?"
"Yes, it means to believe in the bow and arrow in my hand. Bows and arrows are not simply weapons for us, the Sun Shooting Clan, but also our companions. You must believe in them. If you doubt them yourself, how can they possibly unleash their full power?"
Yi Kong picked up the bow and arrow from the ground and asked Yi Yu to hold it. He squatted beside him, pointed at the boulder, and said, "Xiao Yu, try again. Remember to trust the bow and arrow in your hand."
Yi Yu pulled the bowstring and aimed at the boulder in the distance.
Yi Kong held his little hand and whispered softly in his ear.
"Xiao Yu, trust your bow and arrow."
Yi Yu nodded and closed his eyes, forcing himself to trust the bow and arrow in his hand, trust them, and trust himself.
Yi Kong's voice still echoed in his ears.
"Xiao Yu, believe in your bow and arrow."
"Xiao Yu, believe in your bow and arrow."
...
"Xiao Yu, believe in your bow and arrow!"
Yi Yu opened his eyes. Beside him was his brother Yi Kong's bow and arrow. He grasped the bowstring with his remaining arm, then kicked it with his foot, pulling the longbow to full draw.
The bow began to hiss, cracking under the weight, and the bow began to break. Yi Yu roared! The bowstring sliced through his palm, lodging in the bones!
"Maximum draw!"
"Sun Shooting Arrow Technique—Extinguish the Sun!"
A dazzling arrow appeared from the bow, emanating overwhelming power.
"Phoenix King, I'll go first. Your Dharma body, accompany me to hell, hahaha."
"As for your true form, the Son of God will kill you!"
Yi Yu, unafraid of death, with a resounding bang, the bowstring severed his five fingers, the bow exploded into pieces, the void shattered, and the arrow pierced through the void and shot towards the Phoenix King.
The arrow, brimming with endless brilliance, shot towards the Phoenix King.
The Phoenix King frowned, his Undying Flame shielding him as it collided with the arrow, sending a vast wave of energy sweeping like a storm.
"As expected of a member of the Sun-Shooting Clan, your Sun-Shooting Archery technique truly restrains my Phoenix Clan."
The Phoenix King stood in the void, half his body gone, but his expression remained as indifferent as ever.
"I admit you're a powerful being. You're worthy of praise for destroying one of my Dharma bodies."
The Phoenix King's body slowly dissipated, eventually turning to dust. And in the abyss, only a broken bow and arrow remained, as if to prove that someone once existed here...
Yi Yu, the bowstring snapped...