Thrum—whoosh!
The bowstring twanged. The arrow leapt from the bow, a blurred black streak racing toward its target at astonishing speed!
Thud!
The muffled sound of a blade sinking into flesh rang out. The arrow struck the fleeing bandit squarely in the back, and its tremendous momentum sent him pitching forward.
Chen Yue's brow furrowed slightly.
He had aimed for the vital spot at the back of the heart, but the arrow had landed about two inches off, striking the torso just below the shoulder blade.
It wasn't that Chen Yue's hand had shaken or his aim had wavered. His subtle calculations of the hunting bow's arrow speed, drop, and string vibration were still off by a hair.
The Limit-Breaking Pearl Star Chain had given him top-tier fundamentals and a keen feel for archery, but the countless variables that could change in an instant during actual combat still required practical adjustment.
In the distance, the bandit who had been hit didn't die immediately. Racked with agony, he let out a shrill scream and even struggled to crawl back to his feet, reaching futilely behind himself to pull out the arrow.
Chen Yue's gaze didn't waver. He was as calm as the most seasoned hunter.
He drew another arrow and nocked it. This time, his draw was steadier, and his breathing and heartbeat seemed to fall into sync with the bowstring's tremor. He made a slight adjustment for the subtle deviation he had felt at his fingertips from the first shot.
Thrum!
The second arrow leapt from the bow, faster and straighter than before.
Thud!
The arrow pierced the bandit's back precisely at the heart and passed straight through, its tip jutting halfway out of his chest. The bandit's body convulsed violently, all struggles abruptly ending as he pitched to the