Chapter 191 - 146: Arrow Skill Advancement
Chapter 191: Chapter 146: Arrow Skill Advancement
Inside the Celestial King Stronghold, Lu Yuan continued his cultivation. Though a massive army would be at their gates tomorrow, he wasn’t too worried.
’With my current Gathering Pill Realm cultivation, dealing with opponents at the Divine Origin Realm is actually a breeze.’
Not everyone possessed Divine Essence. The power it granted upon reaching its peak was something ordinary people couldn’t even begin to imagine.
After the effects of several Qi Condensing Pills were absorbed, he picked up his bow and began practicing in the courtyard. He didn’t focus on his power, just drew the string normally.
However, his Experience Points were still increasing.
Night fell.
Finally, the system data popped up in his mind.
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill: Breaking Gang Arrow Skill (60,731/50,000 - Entering the Stance). Advance? (Y/N)]
Seeing the data displayed above, the corner of Lu Yuan’s mouth curved up.
He immediately chose to advance.
He then felt a flood of insights on Arrow Skill appear in his mind, as if he had grown up with a bow in his hands since he was a child.
The bow and arrow had practically become his life.
One day, he had a sudden epiphany and comprehended an incredibly powerful Arrow Skill.
[Fourth-Grade Cultivation Skill: Condensing Void Arrow Skill (731/1,000 - Minor Achievement)]
Lu Yuan’s eyes narrowed. He drew his bow, and in the next moment, Spiritual Power from the surrounding void rapidly converged on the feathered arrow.
It was as if a transparent gas enveloped it.
"WHOOSH!"
As the feathered arrow shot through the air, it instantly pierced a thick ironwood tree—one that would take a person’s full embrace to circle—and the trunk then exploded.
The feathered arrow continued onward.
It didn’t stop until it bored into the ground, leaving a seemingly bottomless pit as wide as a bowl.
A satisfied look appeared on Lu Yuan’s face.
He estimated that even an expert at the Divine Origin Realm might not be able to block that arrow.
This increase in strength gave him the confidence to face the two great strongholds.
He had been so absorbed that, before he knew it, daylight was already breaking.
Lost in his cultivation, an entire night had passed.
"The armies of the two strongholds have probably arrived," Lu Yuan muttered to himself as he walked outside.
Just as he stepped out of his residence, Wu Han arrived. He looked at Lu Yuan and said, "Village Chief, they’re here. They’ve made camp ten li outside our stronghold."
Lu Yuan chuckled. "Let them come. We’ll see what they have planned."
With that, he walked toward the outer walls, accompanied by Wu Han.
Atop the walls, a large number of archers stood at the ready. When Lu Yuan arrived, they all bowed in greeting.
These men were the key to defending the stronghold.
Celestial King Stronghold had no protective Array, so for an expert, breaking through the gates would be all too easy.
Therefore, they could only rely on archers to lock down the area and stop powerful enemies from attacking.
Otherwise, never mind someone at the Divine Origin Realm; even an expert at the Void Manipulation realm could shatter the gates with a single palm strike.
Nearly all the stronghold’s leaders were present. As they looked at the enemy camp ahead, faint, almost imperceptible traces of fear and nervousness showed on their faces.
After all, they were facing an army of 500,000, and the enemy’s leaders were incredibly strong.
The last time, a single Divine Palace Realm expert had broken in and caused grievous losses for the entire Celestial King Stronghold, killing more than three thousand people.
And this situation was far worse. Now, their only hope was Lu Yuan.
"These people are interesting. They traveled through the night to get here, and now they’re setting up camp and cooking breakfast first thing in the morning. They must be completely certain we won’t dare to attack," Lu Yuan said, channeling his Eye Power to gaze into the distance.
He could see a vast camp already set up, with smoke from cooking fires drifting into the air.
He could even smell food wafting over on the wind.
Beside him, Wu Han said softly, "From the looks of it, they won’t attack this morning. They’re probably preparing for this afternoon or tonight."
"Right. The effectiveness of our archers will be lower at night," Lu Yuan said, a smirk playing on his lips.
Then he commanded, "Have fifty thousand archers stay and guard the stronghold. If anyone enters attack range, shoot to kill. In a moment, I will personally lead thirty thousand cavalry out to ’greet’ these people."
The men from Ice Mirror Lake and Tianya Village wanted to rest? Lu Yuan had no intention of giving them that chance.
Although powerful experts could go for days without sleep, a 500,000-strong army wasn’t composed solely of them. Ninety-nine percent of the soldiers were still ordinary people who needed to eat and sleep.
Facing 500,000 with 30,000, he didn’t feel his side was at a disadvantage. If he played his cards right, he should be able to annihilate them quickly.
"Village Chief, that’s too dangerous!" Wu Han said hurriedly.
He stood in Lu Yuan’s way, clearly not wanting him to take such a risk. He knew Lu Yuan was powerful now.
But they were up against an army of 500,000. If he were to be surrounded, his life would still be in danger.
Lu Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "Follow my orders. You will hold the fort at Celestial King Stronghold. I’ll be back before you know it."
With that, he leaped from the top of the wall, landing directly on horseback.
Wu Han roared, "Yang Xiao! Take your men and go! You must protect the Village Chief at all costs!"
"Yes, sir!" Yang Xiao acknowledged, then charged out after Lu Yuan with his thirty thousand men.
These thirty thousand men under his command were all skilled fighters who had broken through to the Entry Level in the past few days, thanks to the Elixirs sent by the Seventh Prince. Every one of them was brave and battle-hardened. Their cultivation had been on the verge of a breakthrough, and after taking the Elixirs, they had advanced immediately.
They were all experts in shock tactics, mounted on warhorses that could travel a hundred li in a day, and now they were clad in full armor.
Like a black cloud, they swept forward.
The thunder of hooves shook the ground, a roaring cacophony.
They were like a sharp sword, threatening to pierce the very heavens.
Lu Yuan, at the very front, bellowed in a deep voice, "Everyone, form a wedge! Follow me! We’re going to carve a path straight through the enemy camp!"
His voice was coarse and deep.
Imbued with Magical Power, it carried clearly to every single soldier.
As he spoke, he tightened his grip on the Dragon-Carved Bow.
「Meanwhile, inside the camp of Ice Mirror Lake and Tianya Village.」
The Village Chief of Ice Mirror Lake listened to the Village Chief of Tianya Village, his expression dark and furious.
The latter, however, paid him no mind and continued, "A forced march is a grave military error. We rushed here overnight, and now what? We still have to stop here to eat and rest."