Chapter 448: Two Arrows

Li Yuanjiao unfolded the letter and glanced at it. His eyes relaxed slightly, and the corners of his mouth turned up; he seemed much more at ease. He put the letter into his embrace. Li Yuanjiao said nothing more, turning to Zong Yan and asking softly, "What has been the income and expenditure on the island these past few years?"

"After deducting all expenses, there's a surplus of two spirit stones... as for the construction of formations and rewards... that's even more," Zong Yan said, producing a record and appearing somewhat ashamed. Zongquan Island was remote, and naturally, there had been little income in recent years; only the population had grown. If the costs of formations and spirit rice were included, they were actually at a loss.

The Li family had never expected any gains from this location, merely seeing it as a foothold in the Eastern Sea. Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly and replied, "No matter."

As they chatted, the thick, dark clouds outside the island parted. A host of fish and turtles of all sizes passed through, and a demonic creature with a fish head and bird wings descended. From outside the formation, it called out, "Mortals below, quickly open the array!"

"It's Huicao," Zong Yan responded, clearly nervous. Li Yuanjiao waved his hand and said, "Let him in."

Having spoken, Li Yuanjiao returned to the hall and sat at the head of the room. Soon, a blue fish entered from outside the door; it was indeed Huicao, who years ago had accepted bribes and threats from the Li family to conceal their offerings.

Now in humanoid form, with a fish head, a human body, and scaled wings under his ribs, he immediately spoke: "Li Yuanjiao! You're finally out of seclusion! Something big has happened!"

Li Yuanjiao, having read the letter sent by Li Qinghong, already had some understanding of the situation. He sipped his tea and asked, "Oh? Is your Zhunan Water Manor's Dragon Prince related to that fallen demon king?"

Huicao paused, remembering that Li Yuanjiao also had connections. He rubbed his hands and shook his head: "Not exactly related, but the Dragon Prince's faction has always been at odds with the demon king. You've been in this remote corner for so many years, Sir, it's finally your chance to return."

Li Yuanjiao wasn't concerned with the internal changes of the dragon kin. He simply frowned and asked, "Are you saying this will affect my location? Are you going back with the Dragon Prince?"

Huicao shook his head, a look of envy crossing his face. He said, "I'm not even at Foundation Establishment, how could I have such good fortune? It's just that a few of the manor's elders will be returning with me. At that time... I'm afraid a new master will be assigned here."

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. Huicao continued in a low voice, "It's just that during this period, the sea region will be unguarded. This is precisely the time for us to expand and merge... I hope, fellow Daoist... you can lend a hand..."

He added, somewhat ingratiatingly, "When our status in the manor rises... it will be easier for us to do favors for our brothers... wouldn't you agree?"

Li Yuanjiao immediately understood, but he didn't want to be used as a pawn by this demon. He shook his head and sighed, "I have a mission right now, so I'm afraid I can't go."

"Oh... it's still early... it's only a rumor for now. When the time comes, as long as you team up with me to kill a few demons, the matter will be settled... my Huicao clan... will offer a generous reward."

Li Yuanjiao glanced at him and gave a perfunctory agreement, thinking to himself, "When the family needs Daoist energy, I might as well give it a try."

Huicao nodded and happily departed, riding the wind. Only then did Li Yuanjiao look at Kong Heng: "Master, I'd trouble you to guard the island for a few days. I'm going outside."

He planned to visit Fenkuai Island, though Li Yuanjiao didn't elaborate. Once the two had made arrangements, he stepped out of the island and flew north on the wind.

Hesui Sea.

As soon as Li Xuanfeng spoke, Zhong Qian was instantly overjoyed, bowing his head in gratitude. The shock in the young man's heart subsided, and he couldn't help but wonder, "Could there be such righteous individuals even within the Demonic Sect? He wants neither my precious herbs nor compensation! And he even wants to slay that demon..."

Having grown up in the Eastern Sea, he was naturally wary. He could humble himself and prostrate at any moment, or act with respect and deference, but it was hard for him to believe in such righteousness. He secretly thought, "But this man's aura is too astonishing, and he doesn't seem to mean me harm. I can only wait and see... observe his actions... As long as I'm not caught off guard... if I can activate this ancient talisman in my hand, I still have a chance to escape."

As he thought this, Li Xuanfeng finally spoke, saying softly, "Come with me to meet them below."

"Yes!" Zhong Qian had no room to refuse. Stepping out of the grand formation, he looked up and saw the thick, dark cloud layer outside, yet nothing was shrouded. He was startled and exclaimed, "Senior, the island's protective formation isn't open, and that demon can sense my aura; it's probably already on its way."

"That's why I want him to come," Li Xuanfeng casually replied, stepping down the stone stairs. Yuan Huer and a few others were respectfully waiting at the foot of the mountain. Seeing an extra person inexplicably behind Li Xuanfeng, they dared not ask, only whispering, "Greetings, Daoist...!"

Zhong Qian saw that the few market stewards were all looking respectful, realizing that this person not only possessed profound strength but also held high prestige within Qingchi and had a distinguished status. He secretly wondered, "Could his surname be Chi...?"

He paused slightly. Li Xuanfeng had already stepped forward and shook his head at the stewards, saying, "This demon is coming for him. If a fight breaks out later, you few just protect him."

Although Yuan Huer was puzzled, Li Xuanfeng had come by the True Immortal's command, so there was naturally a reason for his actions. He dared not ask further, only respectfully saying, "Understood, your subordinate!"

Only then did Li Xuanfeng look back at Zhong Qian and say softly, "This demon probably despises you deeply. Stay with these gentlemen and don't leave the formation."

Hearing this, Zhong Qian finally believed him. Li Xuanfeng wouldn't play so many tricks on him for nothing. He cupped his hands and replied, "May I ask for Senior's name!"

"Li Xuanfeng, under True Immortal Yuansu."

As soon as he finished speaking, huge winds and waves stirred up in the distance, approaching from afar. A thundering roar could faintly be heard. Li Xuanfeng looked into the distance, standing with his hands behind his back, and pointedly said, "The territory under Qingchi's governance is vast; it's not like the Eastern Sea where one occupies islands to establish a foothold... The regulations are different from the Eastern Sea; there are significant distinctions between families, immortal peaks, and True Immortals... one cannot generalize."

Zhong Qian, deep in thought, obediently said, "It sounds similar to the Dragon Palace's regulations... This junior has learned a lot."

A rustling rain began to fall. Yuan Huer, standing nearby, appeared somewhat unsettled. After all, this water ape was a demon at the late Foundation Establishment stage. If Li Xuanfeng couldn't defeat it, injury would be one thing, but if he were to perish here, Yuan Huer would be in big trouble.

The pressure from Yuansu and the Ning family, not to mention the Li family's influence, was not to be underestimated. Yuan Huer stomped his foot, finally making up his mind, and transmitted a secret message: "Daoist... this demon is not to be underestimated... perhaps it would be better to return those items to him... and make peace between the two sides... then the matter will be over."

Li Xuanfeng shook his head. Given the existing friendship between their two families, he was still polite to Yuan Huer, replying with a secret message, "The True Immortal sent me to eliminate this demon."

Yuan Huer immediately understood. He nodded and stepped back, respectfully saying, "If Daoist has any requests, just call, and we will sally forth from the formation to meet the enemy."

Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly. He wasn't being arrogant; with Yuansu's words in mind, he understood that this trip was unusual and that he should first try to handle it alone. He did not decline Yuan Huer's goodwill.

After only a few breaths, a white light flew up in the distance, approaching from afar. It was indeed a water ape with white fur, as large as a pavilion, its two eyes as big as chariot wheels, emitting a crimson glow.

This water ape was peculiar, with fur that was white with a metallic sheen. It came striding over the waves, clutching a large pillar that appeared to be a fine magical artifact. Landing by the island, it roared, "That old man Yuan! You've finally figured it out... Good, good, just wait until I come down and see..."

Its voice rolled like thunder, echoing above the island. Zhong Qian was slightly startled, but then he saw the middle-aged man before him finally drawing his bowstring.

"Whoosh!" An arrow darted nimbly from the quiver at his waist, like a golden phoenix, gracefully nocking onto the string.

In an instant, everyone felt the hairs on their backs stand on end, and their faces stung as if cut by knives. The few Foundation Establishment guest elders were relatively fine, but Zhong Qian stumbled back several steps, his lips cracked and dripping red blood, his face appearing to ooze blood. He was horrified, thinking, "Heavens... this Daoist really wasn't deceiving me! This bow... this arrow..."

Yuan Huer, standing by, was also startled. He froze for several breaths before finally reacting to protect Zhong Qian, feeling both self-mockery and shock in his heart: "It seems I, an old man, overthought it! How could someone favored by a True Immortal be an ordinary person? This level of bow mastery... perhaps he is the only one in the entire Yue Kingdom..."

Li Xuanfeng was fully concentrated and paid no attention to the reactions of the others. The golden light pointed straight to the sky. He released his grip lightly and commanded, "Hit!"

The dazzling golden light in his hand vanished in an instant. Li Xuanfeng drew his bow again, slowly rising on the wind, adjusting his angle, and squinting towards the distance.

The water ape above was still smug, its words unfinished, when the island's grand formation suddenly lit up again. The water ape paused, startled, then began to stomp in frustration as if being mocked, roaring, "Yuan Huer! You!"

Before his angry words could fully escape, his fur bristled, and his left eye felt agonizing pain. Horrified, he cried out, "How dare you! How could you..." "Ah!" He only managed to bring a faint halo to his face before it exploded. The massive demonic creature let out an earth-shattering shriek, causing the seawater to erupt and scattering clouds everywhere.

"Buzz." A thread of golden light swiftly returned to where it came from. The water ape quickly retreated, clutching its left eye, as blood, like rain, pattered down from the sky.

Zhong Qian wiped the silvery-white beast blood from his face. The subsequent blood rain had been blocked by the quickly rising grand formation. He heard Yuan Huer beside him exclaim in awe, "Just one encounter... and this old demon lost an eye..."

Zhong Qian looked up at the dazzling golden stream of light flying through the sky. For the first time, he had a vague impression of the pinnacle of artifact mastery. He exclaimed excitedly, "Everyone says artifact mastery is inferior to immortal techniques, and immortal techniques are not as good as divine abilities... But now it seems... it's not that artifact mastery is inferior... it's that the wielder of the artifact is inferior!"

"Hahahaha!" Yuan Huer burst out laughing upon hearing this, shaking his head. "The Daoist comes from a family of sword immortals... and he's still a junior in his family... If you had been born a few decades earlier and seen Li Tongya with his Moonfall Sword, or Li Chijing with his Green Spike Sword... *that* was truly the pinnacle of artifact mastery! Even..."

Yuan Huer thought carefully. Although he hadn't witnessed it himself, he had heard many rumors. While watching the aerial battle as if it were a beautiful spectacle, he meticulously recounted the incident of the sword cutting down a Mahārāja.

This incident was widely known in Yue Kingdom, but less so in the Eastern Sea. The few listeners were greatly enlightened and filled with admiration.

Above the marketplace.

Li Xuanfeng's archery excelled in its suddenness, extreme speed, and immense power, often achieving significant results with a single shot. It was no surprise that he wounded this careless demon with an arrow, then pursued it on the wind.

The wounded demon, with only a dark, empty socket where its left eye had been, had its remaining eye filled with rage and obvious surprise. It continued to shout, "How is this possible! Who are you! How dare you! I am..."

As it continued to bellow, its expression subtly changed, and its body rapidly shrank like a deflating balloon. It spat out several mercury jade tokens, dark and shimmering white, which circled around its body.

"Buzz!" The second arrow pierced through like a meteor. The mercury jade tokens in front of the demon exploded, and the water ape let out a frantic roar, spitting out a spray of blood.

'The power of an immortal foundation? Not bad!' Li Xuanfeng glanced at the profound arrow that obediently flew back into his quiver. Those mercury jade tokens were a special magical art combined with an immortal foundation. The arrow hadn't pierced the water ape's body but had exploded the token before returning.

'It has the flavor of a substitute death technique...' Having fought demons in the Southern Border for many years, Li Xuanfeng had encountered numerous strange demonic arts. He paid it no mind, instead nocking another arrow to his bow, drawing and releasing it, firing two more arrows.

The water ape had never imagined that one of its five mercury jade tokens, cultivated for years, would be shattered in a mere instant. Panicked, it quickly formed hand seals to cast a spell, but the golden light was already upon it again, forcing it to conjure another mercury jade token to block.

"Boom!" This arrow's power was unexpectedly disappointing; it merely exploded in front of him. The water ape was gritting its teeth, enduring, when it suddenly paused, its face breaking into a joyful smile: "As expected, this level of attack cannot be used multiple times! I was almost fooled by him!"

Just as he was about to recall these magical arts, he unexpectedly found that the pervasive clear light and astral qi in front of him forcefully pushed the spells aside, swirling and entangling them. The spells were as if trapped in a mire.

"Buzz!" The water ape was greatly horrified. Blood streamed from its eyes and ears, and it felt a sharp pain in its abdomen. The golden light, like lightning, had passed through, tearing a fist-sized opening from which silvery-white blood flowed.

'He wants to kill me! He really wants to kill me! This isn't a show of force! It's not a deterrent!' The water ape, in its current predicament, finally realized the truth. It had come to this island alone, completely losing its usual combat rhythm. From beginning to end, it had been hampered at every turn, using its weaknesses to counter others' strengths. After being shot twice by this unknown powerful individual, a significant portion of its strength was gone.

Its specialties—stealth, water evasion, even the eighteen secret techniques, and controlling demons and talismans—none had been usable in this fight, and it had already sustained considerable injuries.

This water ape had connections and understood many things. Seeing that the people of the Qingchi Demonic Sect were utterly unconcerned and intended to take its life, it mumbled, "My Lord... My Lord cannot even protect himself... He no longer needs this old ape... No wonder... No wonder..."

Its immortal foundation operated at full capacity, and its form slowly vanished in the air. Yet, there was not a trace of fighting spirit; it only felt an emptiness in its heart, cold as water. Looking at the man before it, whose face was obscured by his black-gold armor, its pain mingled with a profound coldness.

"This old ape... will perish here today!"