Thunder Bow's First Test

Boom!

A bolt of lightning struck down, landing with exquisite precision a few feet above the heads of the martial artists trapped in illusion. The thunderous intent surged, scattering the demonic illusions and jolting their minds awake.

It even carried a majestic power, as if acting on behalf of heaven to unleash lightning!

"Many thanks, Daoist Master, for saving our lives!"

The martial artists, startled awake by the thunder, instantly regained their senses. They repeatedly expressed their gratitude while quickly retreating.

Along the way, Li Qingyun had continuously employed his Lightning Method against the encountered demons and monsters, his understanding deepening through practice.

With a "cultivation-crippling" physique and only average comprehension, he felt his only redeeming quality was his ability to learn through practice!

In his previous life, as the third young master of the Marquis's Estate, he had diligently trained in horseback riding, archery, swordsmanship, and spearplay, improving rapidly through actual combat!

"Man can conquer heaven; truth comes from practice..."

Feeling the power of his Lightning Method increase once more, Li Qingyun's heart stirred with excitement. He recalled famous sayings from his past life and the heroic spirit of mortals daring to challenge the heavens!

"Excellent! Daoist friend, your Lightning Method has become even more refined!"

Wang Muyun's spirits lifted, and she couldn't help but praise him. Simultaneously, she channeled her mana, intending to pull the three individuals into her protective shield of clear light.

Sizzle! Sizzle!

Suddenly, emerald-green vines emerged from the ground, coiling around the three people like living snakes. With immense strength, they dragged them backward.

Within the scarlet demonic energy, the Nightmare Deer Demon's figure flickered in and out of sight. Demonic vines sprouted from its body, aggressively advancing towards the crowd in front of the desolate temple!

At the same time, invisible demonic forces continuously collided and pressed in, exposing more merchants and guards outside the protection of the clear light.

"Help us..."

An increasing number of people were ensnared by the demonic vines that suddenly erupted from the ground, being dragged away forcefully!

The oxen and horses, unable to be tended to, were directly impaled by the monstrous vines, their blood rapidly drained, a gruesome sight.

"Junior Brother, the situation is dire. This Nightmare Deer Demon appeared out of nowhere and is too powerful. It seems only a high-level expert of the Dao Foundation realm can deal with it!"

Zhao Yifan finally drew the Thousand-Year Peachwood Sword from his back. The sword emitted a dazzling red glow as he swung it, severing a demonic vine from a person beside him.

However, Zhao Yifan's face showed a hint of fear, and he transmitted his voice in a low tone: "If it comes to it, stick with me. We'll have to flee for our lives!"

Li Qingyun continuously swung his sword, cutting through the monstrous vines erupting from the ground. The tiger's mouth of his palm was already numb from the impact and beginning to crack and bleed.

He looked at the terrified, screaming "mortals," a flicker of compassion in his eyes.

In this world, demons and monsters ran rampant, and the common people suffered greatly!

His pity might be insignificant, perhaps even foolish.

But he wanted to hold on a little longer.

"Let's see, Senior Brother! We still have a chance to fight back now. Perhaps Daoist Wang's rescue will arrive soon!"

The desolate temple was in chaos. People were continuously pushed out of the clear light's protection and then ensnared by demonic vines. If they, the cultivators, didn't go all out, less than ten percent of these nearly a hundred people would survive!

Wang Muyun continuously unleashed her magic beads, sending sparks of fire to scorch the demonic vines everywhere.

The demonic vines weakened upon contact with the magic fire but were not destroyed. They continued to drag the martial artists, intending to pull them into the scarlet demonic energy.

The two old enforcers from the Four Seas Pavilion, disregarding their incomplete recovery of vital energy, let out strange cries and transformed again. Alongside the three side-branch enforcers from the Cai Family of Luoshui, they charged out like monstrous humanoids, ferociously tearing at the snake-like demonic vines!

"Guard Zhang, lend me your bow and arrows!"

Li Qingyun shifted his position, moving beside Guard Zhang, who was shooting arrows wildly. Without hesitation, he snatched the bow and arrows.

With the great bow in hand, the familiar feel sent a wave of emotion through him.

The skilled young man from Qinghe County, adept at archery and horsemanship, had returned!

Except now, he could be called a Thunder Bow user!

Mana surged, and his fingers rapidly tapped along the bow's body. In an instant, six traces of Thunder Seal's mana appeared on the bow.

Guard Zhang's great bow was well-made and crafted from good material, likely forged with considerable expense and containing some iron essence. Like that bronze short sword, it could withstand some mana infusion.

Zzzt!

The Thunder Bow was drawn taut with a thrum. A wisp of electricity coursed along the bow, then converged on the arrow!

"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"

Li Qingyun drew and released continuously, his chest heaving. Arrows imbued with lightning power rained down in a steady stream!

The brutal scene before him forced him to reveal some of his strength.

A flash of light emanated from him, revealing his external cultivation as Qi Refining Layer One!

Pulling off a breakthrough during battle seemed reasonable enough!

Where the Thunder Bow pointed, the lightning arrows fell!

He aimed specifically at the demonic vines that had already been ignited by Wang Muyun's magic fire.

With the combined power of fire and lightning, the demonic vines snapped one after another!

The severed and shattered demonic vines writhed on the ground but posed no further threat. Within a short while, they withered like dead snakes.

As a skilled rider and archer, Li Qingyun's archery, honed through dedicated practice, was already quite extraordinary. Now, with the added boost of mana and mental focus, it was even more lethal and explosive!

The Thunder Bow was continuously drawn, rescuing merchants and adventurers who were about to be pulled into the scarlet demonic energy.

"Junior Brother Qingyun, it seems your mana had a breakthrough during the battle!"

"After we defeat this demon, I'll treat you to tea!"

Wang Muyun, greatly aided by Li Qingyun's sudden surge of power, rejoiced. A glint of excitement flashed in her eyes as she praised him loudly.

Previously, this disciple of Biyou Palace had been more reserved, addressing Li Qingyun as "fellow Daoist." Now, she directly called him "Junior Brother Qingyun," clearly showing a much warmer attitude towards him.

"Heh, then I'll be looking forward to Senior Sister Wang's fine tea!"

Li Qingyun smiled, then suddenly stumbled, his handsome face paling with a hint of weakness.

I might have overdone it. I need to cover this up!

His outward aura was barely at Qi Refining Layer One. How could he possibly have an endless supply of mana, firing lightning arrows like rain, overshadowing Zhao Yifan and even the enforcers from the Four Seas Pavilion and the Cai Family of Luoshui?

He took out two Minor Grass Pills, pretended to swallow them, and then continued to draw the Thunder Bow, his arrows shooting out like lightning.

For a moment, he was full of spirit, even seeming to control the entire scene!

His archery was now on par with a low-level spell, one that could continuously output powerful attacks.

"You all deserve to die!"

The Nightmare Deer Demon, seeing its demonic vines being damaged one after another, became even more ferocious. Its emerald green eyes were filled with ferocity as it glared at Wang Muyun and Li Qingyun from afar.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

More demonic vines emerged from the soil. Amidst the chaos, some people were finally dragged into the scarlet demonic energy, followed by piercing screams!

Blood rained down, and the sound of chewing and devouring echoed from within the demonic energy.

Demons and monsters loved to eat humans and absorb their souls, because by consuming human flesh and absorbing their yang energy, they could become even more powerful!

Li Qingyun also felt a sense of helplessness. The gap in cultivation between him and the Nightmare Deer Demon was quite large. Even with his and Wang Muyun's tacit cooperation and frequent successes, they couldn't protect everyone.

Casualties were unavoidable!

But this was the harsh reality of the Shadowed Domain. If ordinary people ventured out at night and encountered demons and monsters, they would almost certainly perish.

"Evil creature, die!"

Just then, a flash of treasure light streaked across the eastern night sky, followed by a stern, authoritative roar!

A dazzling pillar of light descended from the sky.

Instantly, the scarlet demonic energy collapsed violently, large patches of demonic vines snapped, and even demonic blood was seen flying. This demon must have lost some parts!

"It's an Opening Mansion Realm cultivator! Those despicable Biyou Palace bastards deserve to die..."

The Nightmare Deer Demon let out a howl of fear!

It burst into arcane fire and, no longer daring to attack, turned and desperately fled into the darkness.

It had harbored a sliver of hope, thinking that Wang Muyun could only summon a Dao Foundation Realm cultivator from Biyou Palace at most!