Chapter 595 448: Two Arrows, Two Fates

"The domain under Green Pond is vast, not like East Sea where rule is established on islands... Their laws differ from East Sea, and there is great distinction between families, Immortal Peaks, and Perfected Persons... One must not make reckless comparisons."

Zhong Qian pondered this, speaking obediently:

"It sounds much like the laws of the Dragon Palace... This junior has been enlightened."

With the pattering of rain, Yuan Huye at the side appeared somewhat unsettled. After all, this water ape was a Foundation Establishment Late Stage demon beast; Li Xuanfeng could not contend against it. If injured, that would be a lesser evil, but if the beast remained here, catastrophe would soon follow.

The pressure from Yuan Su and the Ning Family was not to be underestimated, and with the Li Family's influence, at last Yuan Huye stamped his foot and resolutely used a secret technique to transmit sound:

"Taoist... This demon beast is not to be underestimated... Why not just return those items to him... Make peace on both sides... Let matters rest."

Li Xuanfeng shook his head; the ties between the two families existed, so he was still courteous to this man, and replied likewise with secret technique:

"The Perfected Person dispatched me to slay the demon."

Yuan Huye instantly understood and withdrew with a respectful bow:

"If Taoist has any request, just summon us, and we shall leave the formation to face the enemy."

Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly; he was not arrogant, but Yuan Su's words before had shown this was no ordinary affair. He had to first confront it alone, not refusing Yuan Huye's goodwill.

Only a few breaths had passed when from far away, a beam of white light came flying, closer and closer, and indeed it was a water ape with pale fur, as large as a pavilion, eyes round as wheels, gleaming with a blood-red light.

This water ape was peculiarly bizarre, its pale fur tinged with metallic luster. Striding upon the waves, it hugged a massive pillar, clearly a superb Magic Artifact, and fell upon the island's edge, roaring:

"Old man Yuan! So you've finally come to your senses... Not bad, not bad! Wait till I come down for a look... Well."

His voice thundered like rolling clouds above the island; Zhong Qian was somewhat startled, yet among them the middle-aged man at last released the bowstring.

"Whoosh!"

From the quiver at his waist, an arrow leapt with agility like a golden phoenix, nimbly lodging upon the string.

In an instant, everyone felt the hairs rise on their backs, their faces cut as by knives. The Foundation Establishment Guest Elders fared better, but Zhong Qian withdrew several steps, his lips breaking and leaking blood, as if blood oozed from his face, and in terror he thought:

"Heavens... Truly this Taoist did not deceive me! This bow... This arrow..."

Beside him, Yuan Huye was likewise shocked, stunned for several breaths before reacting to shield Zhong Qian, inwardly mocking himself yet astonished:

"Clearly, this old man has overthought it! How could one chosen by the Perfected Person be of ordinary kind? Such mastery of Bow Control—perhaps in all Yue Country, only he possesses it..."

Li Xuanfeng, focused wholly, paid no mind to the reactions of those present. The golden radiance pointed to the heavens; he lightly loosened his fingers, declaring:

"Go!"

The dazzling golden light vanished in an instant. Li Xuanfeng drew the bow again, rising with the wind, adjusting his aim, squinting toward the distance.

High up, the water ape remained smug, not yet finished his words, when suddenly the island's Great Formation flared brightly. The water ape was briefly stunned, as if being toyed with, stamping in frustration and roaring:

"Yuan Huye! You!"

His angry shouts not yet finished, his fur bristled, his left eye searing with pain, and in fright he cried:

"How dare you! How..."

"Ah!"

He had time only for a flicker of light on his face before it exploded with a deafening blast. This massive demon let out a world-shaking shriek, shaking the sea and scattering clouds.

"Buzz."

A golden ray, as fine as silk, swiftly returned whence it came. The water ape pushed away, clutching his left eye; blood poured down from the sky, drizzling like rain.

Zhong Qian wiped the silvery beast blood from his face. Behind him, the risen Great Formation blocked his retreat; hearing Yuan Huye beside him marvel:

"Just a single exchange... and this old demon has lost a piece..."

Zhong Qian looked up at the golden stream flying radiant in the sky, and for the first time a vague impression of Artifact Technique at its pinnacle awoke within him. Excitedly, he sighed:

"All say Artifact Technique is inferior to Immortal Law, and Immortal Law less than Divine Skills... Now it seems... it's not the technique that falls short... but the one who wields it!"

"Hahaha!"

Yuan Huye laughed heartily, shaking his head:

"The Taoist comes from the Sword Immortal Family... and is but a junior in the clan... If you were born decades earlier, and had seen Moon Que Sword Li Tongya, Qing Sui Sword Li Chijin... that was true mastery of Artifact Technique! Even to..."

Yuan Huye thought carefully; though he'd never seen it, he had heard many tales. Watching the magnificent spell battle overhead as if admiring a scenic wonder, he began recounting the battle where the Sword cleaved Maha.

This story was well known in Yue Country, not often spoken of in East Sea. The onlookers were astonished, wonderstruck.

...

Above the market.

Li Xuanfeng's archery thrived on sudden assault, with astonishing speed and devastating might; often he could achieve fine results with but a single shot. So this injury to the careless demon was no surprise—he rode the wind in pursuit.

The demon beast, now wounded, was left with but a black hollow for a left eye. The remaining eye brimmed with rage and disbelief, still exclaiming:

"Impossible! Who are you! How dare you! I am..."

He raged, his face shifting, his hulking form shrinking like a deflating balloon. He spat out several Mercury Jade Tokens, dim and lustrous, which circled his body.

"Buzz!"

The second arrow shot like a meteor, and the Mercury Jade Tokens at his front exploded with a roar. The water ape howled in fury, spewing a mist of blood.

'Immortal Foundation power? Not bad!'

Li Xuanfeng glanced back at the Mysterious Arrow that had cleverly flown into his quiver; those Mercury Jade Tokens combined Immortal Foundation into a special spell. This arrow had not pierced the demon's flesh but instead exploded the token before returning.

'It carries the flavor of a life-protection spell...'

Having battled demons in the Southern Border for years, Li Xuanfeng had witnessed countless strange sorceries. He cared little; once more, he set arrow to string, releasing two arrows in swift succession.

The water ape, never expecting that after years of cultivation, his five Mercury Jade Tokens would be blasted apart within two moves, panicked and formed hand seals, casting spells. Golden light flashed again, forcing him to bring out Mercury Jade Tokens as defense.

"Boom!"

This time, its power was not as expected; the arrow exploded before him. The water ape bit down, enduring, then abruptly halted and grinned joyfully:

"Such attacks cannot be unleashed endlessly! Nearly was fooled!"

He was about to recall his spells, but never imagined that the surging Clear Light Gang Qi before him would forcibly push away several spells, rippling and winding; the spells trapped as if in a marsh.

"Buzz!"

The water ape was stricken with fright, blood streaming from eyes and ears; pain stabbed his belly, as golden lightning pierced, tearing a fist-sized wound, from which silvery blood flowed.

'He means to kill me! He truly means to kill me! Not mere intimidation! Not mere warning!'

At last, the water ape awakened to the truth. He had come alone to this island, entirely losing his usual rhythm in combat; from start to finish, he'd fallen into every trap, forced always to respond with weakness to others' strength, wounded twice by an unknown master—half his might lost.

He excelled at concealment, stealth, sea fleeing, water manipulation, even the Eighteen Secret Techniques and talisman control, but had not once managed to display his arts. His wounds were severe.

This water ape had his own background and understood much. Seeing that the Green Pond Demon Sect cared not at all, determined to claim his life, he muttered:

"Master... Master cannot protect himself... Forget the old ape... No wonder... No wonder..."

His Immortal Foundation churned at full force; his form faded slowly into air, but all spirit of battle had left him. His heart was empty, cold as water; gazing at the man in Black Gold Armor whose face could not be seen, his pain was mixed with a deep chill.

"Today, this old ape... falls to his death!"