Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

In the distance, behind that old tree.

Yu An’s eyes darted around.

Although his only thought right now was self-preservation, his recent observations confirmed it: the Archer on the other side was absurdly, undeniably powerful.

Several times, he had considered making a break for it, but each time, reason won out over impulse. He remained hidden, not daring to move an inch.

’Of course, he knew in his heart that Bai Fangshuo was right. Trying to break out alone would be suicide.’

’Cooperation is the better option!’

’After all, Bai Fangshuo definitely wants to save his own skin. And since he’s a top-tier Dark Force Archer, teaming up with him is a much better bet than risking it all alone.’

’As for the Immortal Bone Sect’s schemes... the Bai Family is already in too deep. Even if Bai Fangshuo died, the Bai Family couldn’t just walk away. They’d have to see it through.’

But no matter what, cooperating to stay alive was the priority right now.

”...You find a spot!”

Having reached this conclusion, Yu An burst from cover, weaving and dodging with all the speed he could muster.

Even though Bai Fangshuo had judged that the enemy Archer was stretching and catching his breath...

...Yu An didn’t dare let his guard down for a second.

He didn’t dare run in a straight line or stay in one place for more than a breath. He darted left and right, zig-zagging to stay out of the unseen line of fire.

He was already unnaturally fast, and he’d even throw in occasional bursts of speed as he moved to make himself a harder target.

However, these bursts of speed didn’t last long and couldn’t be used consecutively. Unlike the Inconstant Moon Step, which allowed for superhuman teleportation, his technique was ultimately inferior.

But even so, in just a few moments, he had managed to retrieve seven or eight Iron Arrows.

He dashed back to rejoin Bai Fangshuo.

Bai Fangshuo took the Iron Arrows as if he’d just swallowed a calming pill. The anxiety that gripped his Heart finally eased a little.

He stuck the Iron Arrows into the ground beside him for easy access.

He kept one in his hand, nocked on the Golden Patterned Hard Bow, ready to fire at a moment’s notice.

”Something’s not right... This was too easy...”

As if suddenly realizing something, Yu An’s brow furrowed. He lowered his voice to a bare whisper:

”Why would he need this long to recover?”

”That’s not surprising.”

Bai Fangshuo’s lips barely moved, his voice also a whisper:

”He’s using a Thousand-Pound Bow. He fired more than ten shots in a row with almost no break. His muscles must be at their limit. It’s normal for him to take a bit longer to recover. If it were me, I’d need even more time.”

”...Could he have used the time he was recovering to change position?”

A vein throbbed on Yu An’s bald head, and the wound by his ear was still bleeding freely. He paid it no mind, his attention completely focused on scanning their surroundings:

”If he moved, is our cover... even useful anymore?”

”No.”

Bai Fangshuo shook his head:

”My ears aren’t just for decoration. Before, with all the people and noise, I couldn’t hear clearly. But now? If he so much as takes a single step, I’ll hear it.”

”Okay, good...”

Hearing this, Yu An finally let out a sigh of relief. His tense shoulders slumped as he slowly exhaled a puff of white breath.

”Oh no!! Why is it coming from the front!?”

However, before Yu An could even finish his sigh of relief, Bai Fangshuo suddenly cried out in alarm.

His eyes were locked dead ahead, pupils contracting to pinpricks. The color drained from his face in an instant, as if he’d seen a ghost.

Only as Bai Fangshuo’s voice faded did Yu An hear the sharp whistle.

He was all too familiar with that sound. To hear it meant the deadly Silver Bullet was already upon him.

But unlike before, this time the piercing sound came from directly in front of them.

Originally, the enemy Archer had been behind their cover.

Now, the Silver Bullet was coming from the front.

This meant Bai Fangshuo’s prediction was completely wrong! The ears he was so proud of were useless!

But even so, Bai Fangshuo was still a top-tier Dark Force Archer.

In that instant between life and death, instinct moved faster than thought.

The Iron Arrow he held was nocked on his Golden Patterned Hard Bow—a weapon that was also a Thousand-Pound Bow—and he had not lowered it for an instant.

In the blink of an eye.

He didn’t think. He didn’t aim. He couldn’t even clearly see the trajectory of the silver glint.

He relied purely on the primal instinct of a master Archer, a sixth sense for his target.

The moment before that fatal, piercing whistle would have slammed into his face.

The bowstring boomed!

”CLANG—!”

A crisp crack of metal on metal burst through the air.

The sound was sharp enough to pierce eardrums, like two masterfully forged blades clashing violently in mid-air.

Sparks flew and a shockwave erupted.

The Iron Arrow had actually intercepted the speeding Silver Bullet in mid-air with perfect precision.

The Arrow shattered into pieces, and the Silver Bullet was sent tumbling off course, its trajectory completely altered.

”Incredible! What amazing Archery!”

Yu An, his nerves still shot, watched with wide eyes. Cold sweat mixed with blood and streamed down from his temple. His eyes were locked dead ahead, and his Adam’s apple bobbed furiously.

”I heard it! I heard his footsteps!”

Bai Fangshuo’s eyes flew wide.

His pupils contracted, then, like a hawk’s, they locked onto the source of the sound.

His gaze was so sharp it seemed it could pierce through anything.

He didn’t know why he had been completely unable to hear the enemy Archer’s footsteps before, even when the man was already so close.

But now was not the time to ponder the reason.

Because now, he could hear it, clear as day.

The sound of steady, powerful footsteps, striding in their direction.

His eyes slowly closed. In his mind’s eye, he could already picture the man’s exact position and silhouette.

”Finally, it’s my turn!”

He took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, they were blazing with a startling light.

His hand shot out toward the Iron Arrows planted in the ground beside him.