Chapter 961 - 429: An Arrow Amazes All; When I Draw the Bow, Heaven and Earth Watch—My Hunting Ground

Chapter 961: Chapter 429: An Arrow Amazes All; When I Draw the Bow, Heaven and Earth Watch—My Hunting Ground

Li Xian drew his longbow as if to shoot at the heavens. Though the string held no arrow, his intent soared high. Suddenly, clouds gathered at the horizon, dark and heavy, shrouding the sun. Long had Li Xian’s hand missed the bow, and his heart swelled with excitement. Filled with disdain for all, on a whim, he drew the bow into a perfect arc, focusing his gaze as if aiming beyond the clouds. Though no arrow was loosed, his intent pierced through, and in the clouds appeared a sudden opening, a shaft of sunlight pouring onto the streets.

Li Xian gently stroked the Silver Bow, the chill seeping into his bones, as if holding ice. The bow quivered slightly. Though it had no spirit, in the hands of a good master, it absorbed his intent, gradually becoming extraordinary!

Li Xian thought: "I once crafted the Peach Blossom Bow, made from the trunk of a tree spirit. It was exceptionally tenacious, yet not of particular use. But over time, it aligned well with me. Unless absolutely necessary, this bow and arrow would have continued in use. After much wandering, at last I possess a worthy Treasure Bow, forged entirely from Silver Cold Iron. Every line, every inch of its texture was carved out by the hands of a skillful craftsman. The bowstring was made from refined tendons of great beasts, mixed with Jade Silk, Silk, Stone Silk, and more."

This bow was ingeniously designed. The bowstring, crafted with special technique, allowed the left end to be detached, triggering a mechanism turning the Silver Bow into a silver ball the size of a "fist", with the bowstring tied at one end.

It could be hung at the waist, and when needed, a flick of the mechanism would restore the Silver Bow to its original form, allowing Li Xian to swiftly string it and shoot arrows. But the "bowstring" was exceptionally resilient, very difficult to pull, requiring tremendous strength, and was highly compatible with the bow’s nature. Among the Gold Appraisal Guards, only a few like Tiesmith and Deng Fan were equipped with Silver Bows, yet they never activated the mechanism or detached the bowstring. Though convenient to carry, it demanded great strength to restring, and if improperly strung, it could affect shooting accuracy.

Li Xian marveled at the craftsmanship of the Jade City craftsmen.

He took out the silver arrow from his waist, nocked it onto the bowstring, and thought, "No matter how great the archery skill, without a good bow, it’s in vain. With this bow’s aid, my arrows will certainly be sharper." Eagerly, he wished to shoot immediately, to express his unbridled delight.

But all around was prosperity, and people flowed like rivers. Though a silver arrow was on the string, he had no target, feeling a sense of solitude. Li Xian pondered: "This Treasure Bow of mine must be used on the blood of vile thieves to truly draw its power." Slowly, he unstrung the bow, triggered the mechanism, and untied the bowstring. The Silver Bow transformed into a silver ball, hung at his waist.

Not far ahead, suddenly from afar, there came booming thunder, wave upon wave. Li Xian thought: "This thunderous sound is loud and frequent, following a pattern. It must be the Thunder Drum God-killing Formation without a doubt. If I’m not mistaken, it should be Jin Chang leading the patrol to catch a thief. Though this matter has nothing to do with me, a look shouldn’t harm. If possible, using it to test the bow would be excellent too!"

Thus he urged his horse forward. Upon arrival, he saw a shadow dart between tall buildings, moving incredibly fast, seeming slightly panic-stricken and lightly injured. Li Xian, with keen eyesight, noticed over a dozen bodies lying scattered, marking a significant disturbance from the thief-catching attempt.

After a moment’s observation, he realized that the Gold Appraisal Guards’ encirclement had failed, the enemy thief escaped the siege. Li Xian’s eyes lit up, ready to act, but lacking a target. He immediately grabbed the silver ball at his waist. With a flick of his fingers, the Silver Bow transformed back into a bow.

He strung the bow again, leapt across eaves and walls, climbing to the roof of a tall building. The guests on the balcony saw Li Xian soaring towards them and exclaimed in surprise, making way. Watching his light figure, which swept onto the balcony in an instant, stepping on its wooden railings, he leaped again gracefully, ascending continuously to reach the rooftop’s green tiles, where he stood firmly, the wind sweeping his robes and hair. The guests converged on the balcony, leaning on the railings to look up, catching only glimpses of his attire.

Li Xian drew the bow like a full moon, locked on target, and released an arrow. The flying black thief seemed to sense it, his expression froze, cursing, "Damn you, still coming! If not for your numbers, I would have killed you all one by one!" Just as he turned to grip his bow and arrow.

Little did he anticipate underestimating Li Xian’s archery. This arrow’s ferocity and speed were utterly unprecedented. The black thief’s regret came too late, grabbing in vain, his old strength depleted, and new one not yet risen. In that instant, thought ceased, unable to actualize any of his martial abilities, pierced by the arrow.

The residual force from the arrow hauled him out, shooting into the third floor of a restaurant, nailing him onto a central wooden pillar. This pillar was the restaurant’s mainstay, towering like a sky-sustaining rod, requiring twenty people to encircle it. Nailed there, it was as if embedded in the wall.

The black thief’s eyes were filled with terror, rattled and dizzy. The arrow had penetrated his abdomen, avoiding all vital points. He tried pulling out the arrow, but the residual force rendered his hand numb, completely powerless. Although seasoned in committing atrocities across the lands, having encountered numerous formidable archers, never had he met such archery prowess before!

He cursed: "Damn! If only I hadn’t been careless, you wouldn’t have hit me!" Looking along the direction of the arrow, he only saw a faint black dot. The archer was far away, yet his presence was palpable through the arrow’s might, spreading throughout the entire restaurant.

The restaurant was named "Huanxin Restaurant," a famous establishment in Zhou Mountain Square. At the time, it was nearly full of patrons. Though initially startled by the commotion, disorder did not ensue, their gazes irresistibly drawn to the distant black dot.

Li Xian was a great distance from the restaurant, beyond the sight of ordinary vision. Yet when Li Xian drew the bow, it was as if the world fell silent, everything focused, heavens and earth converged in harmony. Where the arrow’s trajectory pointed, all patrons forgot fleeing, fear, and thought, fixating uniformly on Li Xian.