Chapter 191 A Single Arrow Breaks Through the Might, Beautiful Eyes Gaze (Please Subscribe!)

Fortune, or destiny, is something unseen yet ever-flowing and ever-changing. The fortune of the world remains constant, flowing through the bodies of countless heroes and talents over thousands of years.

Those who are literate use their literary talent to seize opportunities.

Martial artists are rarely favored by fortune. This is because martial artists often act without regard to "reason." Zhou Shijie, thanks to the blessings left by his father, inherited a wisp of his father's fortune despite being a martial artist.

Later, he entered Qiongtianfu Academy to cultivate himself in peace. He practiced martial arts and studied... making progress in both areas, and his skills surpassed those of his peers.

At this moment, he remained neither humble nor arrogant, facing the assembled seniors and experts from various races. His words were sharp and his reasoning clear, leaving everyone speechless.

Zhou Shijie thought to himself, "A golden carp is a rare sight. My luck is meager, and this scale is fragile. But... I must try, I must fight for it."

Her demeanor and bearing are truly extraordinary.

Ou Yezi's expression changed, his eyes darted around, and his mind raced:

"Golden Scales Holding Pearls... Scale pearls are the most precious. I have already received a portion. It's a pity I can't get the scale pearls, but the harvest is already plentiful."

"Furthermore... I'm currently refining a precious artifact for someone on the [List of Beauties]. She paid me in advance, and it's all rare and precious items. I've already used some of them to ensure success."

"I came to the prefectural city because I heard that there is ice jade snow silk for sale here. This is a material for forging weapons, so I came here specifically."

"Although this kid's luck is meager, even if I'm unreasonable and provoke him, I'll only suffer bad luck for a few years. Could it be that heavenly lightning will strike me down and kill me on the spot? However... for us weapon refiners and alchemists, crucial moments and subtle details can affect success or failure. I'm currently refining a weapon... so it's really not advisable to provoke this kid."

...

He hesitated, looking towards the various clans.

The clan elders of the Lin, Cao, Yuwen, and Chu families, each with their own thoughts, were surprisingly united:

“A wisp of fortune is not something to be trifled with under normal circumstances. But the Golden Scale only appears once every ten or several decades. Compared to that, it’s nothing. However… the distribution is already set. Even if an extra Scale Pearl appears, it may not necessarily fall into my hands.”

"Who knows... we might just be doing all this for Ou Yezi's benefit, letting him get a bigger share. Hmph, rather than that, we should do as this boy says and give up the Scale Pearl, so that Ou Yezi will feel the pinch."

Many thoughts and intentions remain unspoken.

Cao Shuang said, "Young Master Zhou, what do you think? Tell me."

Zhou Shijie observed the expressions of everyone present and sensed that something was amiss. The more critical the moment, the more crucial it was to strike the right balance. Advancing even half an inch, retreating even half an inch, was unacceptable.

"These people are willing to listen to me only because of luck. But my luck is thin, and if they are determined to oppose me, there is nothing I can do."

"My words at this time should appear fair, making the powerful families feel that they have a chance to obtain the Scale Pearl. At the same time, I should strive to gain some space for myself."

Zhou Shijie had made up his mind. He gently shook his folding fan and said, "I am grateful that you elders are willing to listen to what I have to say. All matters in the world boil down to one principle."

"I have an idea, kid."

"How about this, the distribution arrangements previously agreed upon by the old heroes of each tribe will remain unchanged. The golden carp swims and leaps in the pool at an extremely fast speed. We, the people in the building, will take care of capturing the golden carp."

"Whoever catches the golden carp will obtain its scale pearl. The remaining portion will be divided among the five tribes. What do you think, elders?"

The elders exchanged glances, their approval evident. They all secretly praised Zhou Shijie, deeming his inclusion on the list of outstanding talents well-deserved. Not only was he formidable in martial arts, but his ability to assess situations and act accordingly was also highly commendable.

His actions were naturally aimed at getting the Scale Pearl into his own hands. However, by inviting the geniuses of the Celestial Tower to participate, he did not completely extinguish the desires of various clans to obtain the Scale Pearl.

Furthermore, they formed cliques and allied with the impoverished Tianfu family, intending to oppose Ou Yezi and eliminate him completely. These few words concealed a great deal of consideration.

Given this arrangement, how could any of the major families disagree? They immediately voiced their opinions and expressed their approval.

Ou Yezi spat and said, "Bah! I've ended up losing a piece of the pie to you, and I can't do anything about it."

In the distant pavilions.

Gu Nianjun nodded slightly and praised, "Your words are well-structured and insightful. Zhou Shijie is both a scholar and a warrior, and his remarks are quite brilliant. In my opinion, they are even more impressive than the most advanced basic martial arts techniques."

A man should possess an upright and indomitable spirit, and remain calm and composed in the face of danger. While Li Xian is striking, the characters she plays are all merely outstanding individuals of her age. Nothing special.

Zhou Shijie's ability to navigate complex relationships with powerful figures and master blacksmiths in the prefectural city is truly admirable.

Zhou Shijie addressed the crowd, saying, "Gentlemen, you've all heard it. I've secured an opportunity for you all. No need to thank me; go and seize your chance!"

"Yes..."

"In this contest, you are all free to display your talents. Do not be limited to basic martial arts, such as fists, legs, and hands."

These words were loaded with meaning. He sat high on the throne, listening to Li Xian ascend the tower and gradually reveal his unparalleled martial arts skills, knowing that a contest was inevitable. He himself was also highly talented in martial arts, having received instruction from a master, and possessed four complete foundational martial arts techniques: Eagle Claw, Coiling Leg, Dragon Spine Fist, and Iron Ring Fan.

However, he calculated in his heart that he was no match for Li Xian's three sets of unparalleled martial arts. If Li Xian were to challenge for the title of Martial Arts Champion, he would undoubtedly lose.

I felt restless and uneasy.

Fortunately, this unexpected turn of events allowed them to regain control of the situation.

Previously, the prodigies in the Celestial Tower were inevitably restrained. Once the shackles were broken, the seventy-four young prodigies rushed out of the Celestial Tower from its seven-story height.

Using his lightness skill, martial arts techniques, and various methods to his heart's content, he tried to capture the golden-tailed fish. The golden-tailed fish hurriedly fled, darting upstream and downstream at incredible speed.

The lake stretches for several miles in both directions, making it quite large. A single golden-scaled fish can swim freely in both shallow and deep waters.

They are extremely difficult to catch.

But the golden scales, shimmering with golden light, remained hidden even as they submerged to the lake's bottom, their location always imperceptible. More than seventy exceptionally skilled fishermen skimmed the water, splashing and catching the fish…

They were in hot pursuit.

This fierce battle showcased the unique skills of each side. Amazing martial arts techniques and extraordinary sights unfolded... hidden weapons, lightness skills, and advanced martial arts techniques...

Suddenly, a prodigy surnamed Cao appeared. He caught a glimpse of golden scales swimming past him and was overjoyed, immediately unleashing his "Snake Scale Hand." This was a low-level martial art, requiring a medicinal bath to cultivate "snake scales" on the hands.

He plunged his hands into the water, reaching out with incredible speed, the water's resistance negligible. Just as he was about to grab something, a huge wave swept him into the lake.

Zhou Shijie wields the "Sinking River Sword," his feet treading on churning waves. He parries, slashes, and thrusts with the longsword, displaying his "Wave-Treading Skill" through swordsmanship.

Combining the [Water Manipulation] properties of the Sinking River Sword, with a seemingly effortless movement, a wave several feet high was created. The wave contained hidden energy, slapping people into the lake and dragging them to the bottom.

His figure was elegant, his feet treading on the waves, a long sword in hand. His charisma was unmatched; he stood alone at the top.

The top five talents on the Heroes' Ranking wanted to compete with him. However, Zhou Shijie was empowered by a magical artifact, and his inner energy surged. Before they could even get close, they were swept away by a huge wave.

"Old Zhou, let's go again!"

Second on the Heroes List: Wang Kun. Seizing the opportunity, he suddenly attacked. Zhou Shijie, sword tip pointing downwards, lightly deflected him. He seemed to be performing a light-body technique as if walking on flat ground, effortlessly flying to a high place.

Ou Yezi praised, "Excellent! What a wonderful application!" He admired it in his heart.

He had forged this precious sword and knew its general uses, but had never truly developed them. At this moment, he saw Zhou Shijie transform his body into a light boat and the sunken sword into a light oar.

Using the sword to propel oneself through water, one can either fly horizontally or leap vertically. In the martial world, such agility allows for unparalleled freedom of movement!

How could he not admire such ingenious and clever ideas? Seeing that his precious artifact had found a wise and capable master filled him with joy, and his previous displeasure lessened.

The group of talented individuals entered the lake to catch fish, but they could not stay on the surface for long. They could not stand on the water like Ou Yezi, who could only touch the water with his toes. Therefore, every half hour, they had to fly back to the island in the middle of the lake, put their feet on solid ground, and then use their lightness skills to enter the lake again.

Capture the golden scales.

As time went on, the young talents like Wang Kun, Ji Hongyan, Chu Mei, and Cao Xiuxiu were all soaked in the water. Only Zhou Shijie, riding the waves, remained completely dry, a truly remarkable feat.

Ji Hongyan sighed, "Young Master Zhou's strength far surpasses ours."

Wang Kun said, "If it weren't for that River-Sinking Sword, I might still be able to put up a fight with him. But now... he's soaring arrogantly in the lake, like a tiger with wings. I... can hardly even touch him!"

Luo Bu'er, soaking wet, climbed onto the island in the middle of the lake. He hadn't managed to touch the golden carp, but he had accidentally caught quite a few grass carp. He saw Zhou Shijie manipulating the waves, trying to create a whirlpool to trap the golden carp.

He couldn't help but sigh and said, "It has to be Young Master Zhou. He is undoubtedly number one. His strength and demeanor are impeccable. Heh, that Immortal Li was quite eye-catching for a while, but once the restrictions were relaxed, he immediately paled in comparison. He's probably not even as good as me."

Upon hearing this, everyone thought, "Even if one's basic martial arts skills reach their peak, their effectiveness is minimal in this vast lake."

Wang Kun's pupils contracted, and he exclaimed in surprise, "It's done! He's created a whirlpool... and trapped the golden scales!"

He immediately said admiringly, "I am no match for Brother Zhou. It seems... this golden scale is his to have."

They sat down on the ground to watch Zhou Shijie's performance. Luo Bu'er's mind was in turmoil; wanting to reap the benefits, he suddenly used his lightness skill to grab at the golden scales while Zhou Shijie was imprisoning them.

With a loud "bang," Luo Bu'er was thrown back by the wave. He exclaimed in surprise, "How can this wave have such power?"

Wang Kun said, "Do you really think that you can easily trap Jin Lin just by wielding the Chenjiang Sword? Jin Lin is extremely fast; it can break through ordinary water whirlpools with a single charge."

“Brother Zhou’s Qi is astonishing. He used the properties of the Sinking River Sword to channel his inner Qi into the whirlpool of the lake waves. What appears to be lake waves is actually every drop of water containing Brother Zhou’s inner Qi.”

"I admire you, I truly admire you. If nothing unexpected happens, this golden scale is undoubtedly his."

Ou Yezi, who was observing from the sidelines, said, "This boy is indeed capable; his cunning and strength are both quite impressive. It wouldn't be difficult for him to accept a share of the spoils."

"The other children, in terms of both intelligence and strength, are far inferior to him..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden whooshing sound rang out. Immediately afterward, the whirlpool that Zhou Shijie had painstakingly created exploded with a deafening roar, sending water spraying several feet into the air.

That golden-scaled creature... flicked its tail and immediately fled again.

"who?"

Everyone was bewildered. Wang Kun, Cao Xiuxiu, Li Ruhu… all the prodigies had already experienced the power of this lake's waves. Gentle as water, yet relentlessly entwining.

The whirlpool had taken shape and was growing larger and larger. Not to mention the golden scales, even the most outstanding talents would find it extremely difficult to escape if caught in the whirlpool of the lake.

"Is it an arrow?"

"Who shattered the whirlpool with a single arrow?!"

A long arrow floated on the lake's surface. The assembled prodigies were filled with astonishment and disbelief. One arrow stirred up a giant wave, another shattered a whirlpool. This arrow must have struck the heart of the whirlpool, and contained…

It requires internal energy comparable to Zhou Shijie's. Only then could one disrupt the vortex's momentum with a single arrow!

The crowd looked around but saw no one with a bow. When they looked up, they saw the wicked lieutenant Li Xian had already climbed to the top of the tower. He was disassembling an umbrella into a bow and using the umbrella ribs as arrows.

Draw the bow fully...

One arrow breaks through the enemy's momentum!

Li Xian was not skilled in light-footed martial arts, so he was indeed inferior in catching fish in the lake. Therefore, he played to his strengths and used his archery skills to maneuver.

Seeing Zhou Shijie display his "Wave-Treading Skill," creating a surge of waves on the lake, he knew that Zhou had secretly sabotaged his landing on the island. He immediately retaliated, drawing his bow taut and releasing an arrow in an instant.

When he shoots an arrow, he always has a unique style that is unparalleled in the world.

The arrow flew from the bowstring. In an instant, all was utterly silent.

Gu Nianjun stood up unconsciously.

Madam Wen crossed her legs, her posture alluring, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration, joy, and pride. She parted her red lips slightly and said haughtily, "My woman, how dare you compare?"

(End of this chapter)