The Ink Jiao's enormous body crashed into the gorge. For a moment, the gorge shook, and loose rocks came tumbling down.
Still shaken, Xie Jinghan stared at the huge jiao sprawled within the gorge, utterly stunned.
Just as Xie Jinghan was rejoicing at having survived the calamity, the plainly dressed youth stepped upon empty air and rose into the sky.
In an instant, he was above the gorge.
He stood upright in midair just like that, with no flying sword or auspicious cloud beneath his feet, nor any spell at work.
High above, he looked down upon all living beings!
"What cultivation realm is this?"
Xie Jinghan was shaken to his core.
His pupils contracted.
"Absorb!"
With a sharp command from the youth, the longbow in his hand blazed with spiritual light. A tremendous suction surged forth, drawing the Ink Jiao's body—hundreds of feet long and weighing over ten thousand pounds—straight into the bow.
It vanished before Xie Jinghan's eyes.
"What... what kind of ability is this?"
Xie Jinghan had already been stunned time and again, yet the sight still left him marveling inwardly.
Nearby, the White Tiger and Azure Wolf trembled on all four legs, huddling in a corner against the cliff wall with their heads lowered, not daring to make the slightest reckless move.
They were filled with dread before this mysterious powerhouse.
The youth put away his longbow, slinging it diagonally across his back. With a flicker, he landed ten feet in front of Xie Jinghan.
His gaze settled on Xie Jinghan, and he spoke gently. "Young friend, do not be afraid."
The instant those words fell, the youth's entire bearing abruptly changed.
The world-worn look slowly faded from his eyes, replaced by a clear, unclouded gaze brimming with youthful spirit.
At the same time, a translucent