Chapter 213 Archery Skills Amaze Everyone, Galloping Across Thousands of Miles

"Senior Long, we've come to your aid."

In the distance, seven figures rushed closer.

It turned out that a grand banquet was being held not far from here. Upon hearing the commotion, they quickly rushed to help.

Su Yu asked, "Who are you waiting for? Given this situation, do you have a good solution?"

The python, having expended a great deal of energy, now lay in the river, resting and conserving its strength. The river was unusually calm, allowing the dragon boat to hover steadily in the water.

But the rain did not stop, and thunder was brewing. Once the flood started, people could be exhausted, struck dead, or killed... it would be difficult to stop halfway through.

The seven men looked at each other and said loudly, "We are the seven brothers, the Seven Masters of Baihe."

Wen Caishang said, "The Seven Masters of Baihe... Zhang's Fish Shop Master of Yunan Road is well-versed in water skills. Tell us how you will assist them."

The leader of the seven said, "It is an honor that the lady has heard of our reputation. We seven are not very talented, but we know a little about wave dancing. We can help Senior Dragon with his wave dancing!"

The python raised its head and said, "Good! You all dance the waves for me!"

The seven disciples stood on the shore, arranged in a peculiar formation. It was the "Seven Stars Formation of Opening and Closing." Any one of the seven disciples, individually, would be of average strength.

However, when the seven of them joined forces and formed a battle formation, they had a record of capturing martial artists of the third realm alive. The ingenuity of this formation lay in the Seven Star Formation.

The seven individuals are not related by blood, but their connection is profound. After meeting in the martial world, they hit it off immediately. By a twist of fate, they inherit the legacy of the long-lost "Baihe Sect" martial arts.

Having mastered the art of perfect harmony, the Seven Star Formation, imbued with the principles of opening and closing and the transformations of the stars, saw the seven individuals stand in seven separate locations, their inner energy intertwined in a mysterious way. Suddenly, one of them extended both palms, channeling their energy into the river and creating a surge of waves. Another person "received" the wave and passed it on to the next person.

In this way, the waves surged and piled up, their momentum growing ever stronger. The river waves grew larger and larger, churning and surging, carrying with them powerful energy. At this point, the seven men, working together to control the waves, were already sweating profusely, finding it extremely difficult.

In the blink of an eye, their inner energy was exhausted. The seven of them worked together to push the wave toward the edge of the water, shouting, "Senior Dragon, now is the time!" The python-dragon rode the wave and was effortlessly propelled more than a hundred feet into the air.

With the help of the momentum, it leaped again, this time soaring nearly five hundred feet, its momentum like that of a dragon. It brought with it a powerful airflow, carrying the dragon boat upwards.

After several attempts, the python finally crossed the waterfall. In that instant… the rain intensified, and the thunder roared even louder. Then, specks of gold appeared among its scales.

From python to dragon, the first metamorphosis.

Riding a dragon boat, we were swept along by giant waves and carried by the air currents as the python leaped up, crossing the water's edge.

The seven disciples watched the dragon depart, and seeing its fierce momentum, they felt somewhat relieved.

Along the way, for six thousand li, seven thousand li, eight thousand li... the momentum was so strong that nothing could stop it, nothing could hinder it.

The golden hue of the dragon's scales deepened amidst the dark green.

The third day of February.

Traveling thousands of miles a day, a day and a night passed.

We arrived at a flat area where the river channel was straight and the surface was wide. The pythons and dragons frolicked in the water, feeling extremely exhilarated.

As dawn breaks, savor the moment of peace.

Turn into a bend.

Suddenly, more than ten boats appeared swiftly from the riverbank. On each boat were dozens of people, armed with knives, spears, clubs, iron nets, silver hooks, and all sorts of weapons.

There were approximately one hundred people.

They cast iron nets, intending to enter the river to hunt down the dragon. Nearly a hundred people, all excellent swimmers and skilled in martial arts, dared to jump into the water to fight the dragon.

The leader was named "Shan Qingdao," and he was extremely skilled with his sword, being a master of the Shan family's boat crew.

The python was enraged and lashed out with its tail, crashing against the waves. With a single, gentle flap, dozens were killed or wounded. Though small, the ants were numerous and powerful. Some were lucky enough to manage to slash the dragon's body, breaking its skin.

"kill!"

Suddenly, they heard several large ships approaching from another direction. The soldiers on board were extremely brave and jumped into the river to fight the soldiers with only light swords in the water.

The two sides are deadlocked.

The single swordsman waved the flag, commanding his soldiers in the water to form a fierce battle formation. The formation was perfectly ordered, the result of countless rehearsals. The entanglement was so intense that it slowed the progress of the waterborne advance.

Li Xian understood: "This must be the clash between admiring and slaying dragons. Senior Python-Dragon has traversed thousands of miles of water and undergone a molting transformation, but the real danger has probably only just begun. It's a pity that my strength is insufficient, and I can only be a spectator. But... for such a grand event, even as a spectator, I am content!"

Zhu, observing from the ship, caught a glimpse of Li Xian out of the corner of his eye and suddenly thought, "This kid has been on board for a day. He's neither a master nor of any use. He just wanders around aimlessly, which is really an eyesore. We've been working so hard to protect the dragon, and in the end... this kid has gotten away with it!"

Feeling indignant, and seeing the fierce fighting in the water, he walked over with a smile and said, "Brother Li, what do you think of that fight in the water? Isn't it magnificent? Isn't it exhilarating?"

Li Xian truthfully said, "The fighting and combat were fraught with danger and ferocity. Yet, it was also incredibly exhilarating."

“How can a fine young man be afraid of these things?” Zhu Butong said, “If you ask me, at your age, you should experience these trials. Why don’t you go down into the river, shed some blood, and do your part? That way, you’ll feel more at ease sitting in the boat.”

Li Xian understood the implied meaning: he was implying that he wasn't qualified to sit on the boat. He said, "Why doesn't Senior Zhu get off?"

"You go down first, then I'll go down," Zhu Butong said, his words carrying a hidden threat.

Wen Caishang walked gracefully over, her gaze sweeping over the scene indifferently.

Zhu Butong took a half step back and said, “Madam Wen, I have no ill intentions. It’s just that your young master is handsome and fair-skinned. Thanks to you, Madam Broken Sword, he has gained all the benefits just by sitting here. I really envy him. He is really lucky. But it is not good for us martial artists to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others’ labor. So I asked him to do a little work. This way, his reputation will be justified and his words will be in accordance with the law.”

Wen Caishang said, "You look down on him?"

Zhu Butong laughed and said, "Does someone like me, the Golden Knife Earth Dragon, need to look down on juniors?" He was arrogant and conceited, and after a day on the boat, he had developed a deep respect for all the experts on board.

Li Xian was the only one with very weak strength, yet he had a close relationship with Lady Zhejian, and was even able to share a boat with her. The more he looked at her, the more annoyed he became, but not wanting to offend Wen Caishang, he dared not utter any insults.

Therefore, they intentionally provoked each other.

“What if I said… that he’s more useful than you?” Wen Caishang said with a smile.

"What a joke." Zhu Butong was angry but didn't say anything, thinking to himself, "Wen Caishang, you are far too arrogant. How dare you compare me, Zhu Butong, to this kid."

He snorted coldly and turned away. He dared not do anything further.

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Wait a minute."

"What's wrong?" Zhu Butong asked, annoyed.

Wen Caishang said, "I am not joking. If you don't believe me, how about you compare yourself to Li Xian?"

“I will stand right here. If your son dares to take even half a step closer to me, then he wins.” Zhu Butong stood with his hands behind his back, staring at Li Xian. He had practiced the extremely powerful “Dragon Madness Qi-Sealing Technique,” ​​a technique without any fist or foot moves, but entirely focused on cultivating the power of the entire body.

A fierce glare can intimidate an opponent, hindering their flow of qi. Zhu, having observed the Dragon-Walking Technique, found it extremely beneficial. He naturally unleashed it now, striking at Li Xian.

Li Xian snorted coldly, stepped forward, and said, "Senior Zhu, what should we do?" Although he felt his pores stand on end and his body grow cold, Li Xian had experienced many life-and-death situations since he started practicing martial arts, which had tempered his resilient martial spirit.

Even the most advanced qi-concentration techniques are useless against him.

“You…” Zhu Butong was taken aback.

Wen Caishang looked at him approvingly and said softly, "I imagine that if Brother Zhu is defeated like this, he will definitely be dissatisfied. This round cannot be counted, and we should have another match."

"Tell me again, how do you want to compete?" Zhu Butong said in a low voice.

Wen Caishang walked to the edge of the boat, pointed to the river, and said, "It's simple, whoever makes that single light knife fall into the water first wins."

"Really?" Zhu Butong asked suspiciously, thinking to himself, "Your young master is only at the Essence Consumption Realm. He probably can't withstand a single blow from Shan Qingdao, so how dare you say he'll fall into the water?" Of course, he didn't dare say this out loud.

“Of course,” Wen Caishang said.

Zhu Butong said, "Alright!" and leaped away. The golden sword was drawn, its light flashing, accompanied by the roars of dragons and tigers.

Wen Caishang said, "Shoot him in the left leg." Li Xian carried a longbow on his back, took down an arrow, and shot it at Shan Qingdao's left leg.

Dan Qingdao was taken aback, then swung his sword to parry, deflecting the arrow. He glanced at the dragon boat and frowned. Wen Caishang said, "I'll tell you where to shoot, and you shoot there."

"Seven arrows were fired in succession, hitting his...Lingtai, Xuanji...and other acupoints."

As soon as Wen Caishang gave the order, Li Xian fired an arrow. The two worked in perfect unison, without pause.

"Four arrows were fired in quick succession, targeting the neck, eyes, torso, and back."

The four arrows were fired almost simultaneously, with unparalleled accuracy and tremendous force.

"Very good, use three parts of your strength to shoot his index finger, four parts to shoot his right shoulder. Finally, use all your strength to shoot an arrow into empty air."

Li Xian's use of force was exquisite. The last arrow missed its mark, and miraculously, the single, light blade fell into the river with a splash, leaving everyone in awe.

He exclaimed in horror, "What terrifying swordsmanship! What terrifying archery!"

He used archery skills to execute sword techniques. His single, light sword, like a duel, forced him into a retreating position, his weaknesses, flaws, and shortcomings all exposed. In his final desperate attempt, he missed completely.

With a soft splash, it fell into the water.

Unlike the Golden Knife Earth Dragon Zhu, the outcome was already decided before he even arrived. But looking back, he dared not underestimate him again.

He saw Madam Wen standing gracefully behind Li Xian, and suddenly smiled, whispering a few words in her ear. Li Xian then turned his arrow and shot it at him.

Zhu Butong deflected the flying arrow, already recognizing its extraordinary skill. His archery technique was exquisite, but his strength was lacking. Even more remarkable was that the arrow targeted a weakness in his martial arts, breaking through the opponent's defenses. In a real fight, Wen Caishang could defeat him with a single arrow.

He too tumbled into the river with a splash, looking utterly disheveled. The remaining experts on the boat—Su Yu, Qi Kaiyan, and others—all gasped in shock.

Everyone shared the same thought: Li Xian had gotten a great deal. After this incident, they all thought, "How could Lady Zhejian's young master, at such a young age, have such archery skills? He shoots exactly where he points, without the slightest hesitation, his control of force is extremely precise, and the arrow contains hidden power... Such archery skills, in Lady Zhejian's hands, are like a tiger with wings!"

"This Lady Broken Sword's swordsmanship is also extremely terrifying. With just a little skill, she can break Shan Qingdao's feather and make Zhu Butong fall into the water."

Wen Caishang smiled faintly, yet she had already exerted her authority without her even realizing it.

Zhu Butong leaped out of the water, grabbed the edge of the boat, and climbed onto the deck. He was holding his breath, but dared not lash out.

The fighting in the river continues.

While riding the dragon boat, Wen Caishang said, "The dragon's movement on water directly relates to the professions that rely on the journey to the Flower River."

"Among them, the most heavily involved are the fishing and boating businesses... These are the businesses that rely on the river, and they are most afraid of losing their limelight. One family wants to admire the dragon and help it move across the water. The other family wants to slay the dragon and kill it as soon as possible."

“Little Fairy, this dragon boat was forged by the Hong Clan Shipyard. Hong Muya, whom I introduced to you earlier, is a master of the Hong Clan Shipyard. The person you shot into the water to hunt the dragon is Shan Qingdao from the Shan Clan Shipyard.”

"A dragon moves through the water, and interests clash. There are battles for precious treasures, battles for trades... and much more to come. Just wait and see."

Wen Caishang casually imparted knowledge about the martial arts world.

Li Xian muttered, "The relationships in the martial arts world are complex, and interests are intertwined. Once you're in the martial arts world, you can't avoid it."

As the dragon traverses water, its energy wanes the further it travels. Therefore, although the Dragon Slayers set up obstacles along the long road ahead, they rarely confront the dragon head-on.

After traveling thousands of miles, the dragon gradually became exhausted. The guests at the Dragon Slaying Banquet were sharpening their knives, all in position, and their momentum grew increasingly fierce!

(End of this chapter)