The speaker was Duanmu Rong, and Nalan Ruode and his wife followed behind her.

Duanmu Zhi Qiu said, "Elder sister, this person claims to be a guest alchemist of the family, but he doesn't seem like it at all. He's most likely a spy!"

"Guest?"

Duanmu Rong laughed, "Brother Lan, you really know how to joke."

Changing the subject, he continued, "Second brother, this person was indeed invited by grandfather. We met when we were slaying the dragon the other day. As for whether he is a guest elder of the family, I don't know!"

Lan Hua laughed and said, "I was just saying it casually, don't take it seriously!"

Duanmu Rong said, "Brother Lan, please don't be so polite. Master Lan's reputation is now renowned throughout the Half Heaven Realm, and he is known as the most talented young alchemist."

Moreover, you are a master archer; even within a family, you are an extremely rare talent!

Duanmu Zhi Qiu asked in surprise, "Is this kid also a bow cultivator?"

Duanmu Rong nodded with a smile, "That's exactly why Grandpa invited him to the family!"

"In that case, I'll have to test his methods."

Master Lan, would you be willing to accept my invitation?

Duanmu Zhi Qiu gestured for him to enter and smiled at Lan Hua.

Lan Hua did not have any psychological aversion to Duanmu Zhi Qiu.

This child's behavior just now did not show any obvious signs of being a spoiled brat.

Even when he's looking for a fight, he's relatively polite, but he still retains his inherent arrogance.

After all, he comes from a prestigious family, is exceptionally talented, and is one of the best among the younger generation in terms of cultivation.

Duanmu Zhi Qiu's ability to reach the fourth level of the Dan Shen realm is inseparable from his daily arduous cultivation.

“Alright, I’d also like to see how skilled the archers are.” Lan Hua readily agreed.

"I wonder how Brother Duanmu intends to conduct the competition?"

“Come with me!” Duanmu Zhi Qiu said.

The group stopped in the center of the training ground. Those who were originally practicing in the training ground put down their bows and arrows and watched the spectacle as the eldest grandson was about to compete in archery with an outsider.

With a wave of his hand, Duanmu Zhi Qiu summoned two young men from prominent families who brought over a large cage filled with chirping birds.

Lan Hua frowned slightly, roughly understanding what the competition was about to begin.

Duanmu Zhi Qiu laughed and said, "There are two hundred birds that have disappeared in this cage. Let's see who can shoot down the most birds after they have flown away for a moment."

Brother Lan, how is it?

Lan Hua asked curiously, "What is a bird that disappears without a trace?"

Duanmu Qian smiled and said, "This bird is unique to the Half-Heaven Realm. It is extremely fast, far surpassing its kind."

In the blink of an eye, the bird vanished without a trace, hence its name "Vanishing Bird," making it perfect for archers like us to practice our skills!

Lan Hua nodded. "I see. No problem!"

He has now mastered the Spirit Bow. Although it is still only of medium grade, with the blessing of the weapon spirit, he can shoot down even the fastest bird.

Duanmu Zhi Qiu and Lan Hua stood on the left and right, respectively, ten feet apart.

With a flick of his left hand, a large purple bow appeared in his palm—a superior-grade spirit bow, the Purple Cloud Bow.

"Damn, another top-grade bow. The Duanmu family is really rich; they have so many good bows."

No wonder Duanmu Rong gifted Miss Xiaoxiao a crimson moon bow; it seems this family is quite well-off!

Lan Hua summoned the Yueque Bow, its body black and red, with a clear willow pattern visible on it.

Upon seeing Yue Que's bow, Duanmu Zhi Qiu exclaimed, "This bow is excellent!"

Duanmu Rong said, "Second brother, Brother Lan's cultivation is very strong. You must not hold back, or you'll lose face if you lose!"

"Are you kidding me? I'd lose?"

Lan Hua found it amusing and said, "Without a prize, this competition isn't exciting!"

Duanmu Zhi Qiu snorted, "If I lose, I will accept Lan Hua as a guest minister. Even if my father doesn't acknowledge it, I will!"

Lan Hua laughed and said, "Alright, if I lose, I'll be your little brother and follower, how about that?"

“It’s a deal!” Duanmu Zhi Qiu readily agreed.

Nalan Ruode laughed, "Second brother, you said it yourself, so I'll give you a piece of advice: don't hold back, go all out!"

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Zhi Qiu was puzzled, "Third brother-in-law, even you don't think highly of me?"

The other members of the noble families, however, refused to believe in such superstitions and firmly supported Duanmu Zhi Qiu, saying:

"Go, Crown Prince! You're invincible! We believe in you!"

Duanmu Qian said, "Second Brother, Brother Lan participated in the battle to slay the dragon!"

Thus, Duanmu Zhi Qiu was even more puzzled and suspicious. So what? My cultivation is two levels higher than his, how could I possibly lose?

The two drew their bows to their fullest extent, and the invisible arrows condensed into shapes, dazzlingly bright.

When Duanmu Zhi Qiu saw Lan Hua use the Invisible Arrow, he was slightly taken aback, but then he understood what was going on and realized why everyone had advised him not to hold back.

"Let's begin!" Lan Hua said calmly.

The training ground was located on a flat hilltop, with a cliff directly opposite the two of them.

The cage containing the elusive bird was placed on the edge of the cliff, with an open space on one side, making it perfect for the bird to escape.

As soon as the birdcage was opened, the two hundred birds that had disappeared seemed to see freedom and rushed out of the cage.

The elusive bird was extremely fast, and in just a breath, it flew a hundred feet away.

One breath in and one breath out constitute one breath.

A moment later, Duanmu Zhi Qiu took the lead and used the eighth move of the Invisible Arrow Technique, Wind and Rain from All Directions.

Once the arrow was released, it instantly split into one hundred and twenty-eight invisible arrows, shooting towards the distant, unseen bird.

Lan Hua then unleashed her own storm of wind and rain.

The hundred arrows he fired contained powerful spiritual energy, and under the guidance of his divine sense, they firmly locked onto the elusive bird.

Two waves of arrows swept past, creating a clear dividing line in the air.

Though the elusive bird was swift, the two invisible arrows were even faster.

Duanmu Zhi Qiu fired a hundred arrows at once, hitting forty of the missing birds.

However, when he drew his bow fully, ready to fire another arrow, he was dumbfounded.

Because all of Lan Hua's hundred arrows hit the bird that had vanished without a trace, not a single one escaped.

The remaining thirty-odd birds were very lucky; they disappeared into the distance.

Not only was Duanmu Zhi Qiu stunned, but the Duanmu Rong sisters and others were also greatly surprised.

They had thought that even if Lanhua won, it would be a hard-fought victory, but they never imagined it would be so easy.

Lan Hua's arrows never missed their mark, and Duanmu Zhi Qiu suffered a complete defeat.

The scene fell silent. The scions of noble families who had originally planned to cheer for Duanmu Zhi Qiu's great victory all shut their mouths, their mouths agape, their faces filled with disbelief.

Duanmu Rong's eyes were somewhat dazed. "How could this be? He controlled every arrow so perfectly. How did he do it?"

In her memory, only those at the Refining God Realm or above could barely manage to do it.

Unbeknownst to them, Lan Hua, a sixth-grade talisman master, had become increasingly powerful after her journey through the realm of consciousness.

Controlling a hundred arrows is a piece of cake; even controlling a thousand arrows simultaneously is achievable, though it requires an immense amount of mental energy.

Nalan Ruode was far less surprised than the others, because he knew that Lan Hua was a talisman master and had witnessed Lan Hua's amazing archery skills back on Mount Undying.

Duanmu Zhi Qiu was deeply disappointed, and his once passionate heart suddenly turned cold.

However, he was flexible and adaptable, and quickly emerged from the shadows.

"I have lost. From now on, Brother Lan will be a guest of my family. I, Duanmu Zhi Qiu, will certainly treat you with the utmost respect!"

Lan Hua laughed and said, "It's all thanks to Brother Duanmu's generosity that I had the chance to win. Besides, Brother Duanmu didn't know my background, so I benefited from the situation!"

Nalan Ruode patted Duanmu Zhiqi on the shoulder and comforted him, "Second brother, don't be discouraged. Brother Lan has his own extraordinary qualities."

The other day, it was Brother Lan who shot and killed the dragon at the Refining Spirit Realm; none of us could have done that!

Duanmu Qian asked curiously, "Yes, Brother Lan, how did you do that?"