The Dust Settles

The long-lost whistling of arrows was more pronounced than ever, but in reality, it was incredibly fast. By the time everyone had registered it, the arrow had already shot towards Zhang Da's face. If it were an ordinary bandit, their eye would surely have been blown out by a single shot.

Gu Xiaojiang's bloodshot eyes widened, anticipating a miracle.

However, the next moment.

Everyone's heart sank.

Zhang Da's body, which had been lunging forward, suddenly stopped. He tapped his foot and immediately retreated in an awkward posture. Then, with a sweep of his saber, the arrow aimed at his eye was instantly cut and deflected. He laughed heartily:

"Little rat hiding in the dark, I've been wary of you for a long time!"

He had been observing for a long time.

Although the archery from the person in the dark was astonishing, they were definitely not a martial artist. With his Skin Refining at the Iron Skin stage, as long as he protected vital points like his eyes, even if he was hit, it would at most be a minor injury and not fatal. It might not even be able to break through his defense!

He had deliberately exposed a weakness just now to lure Gu Sheng into taking action.

However, he was still shocked by Gu Sheng's archery. The arrow was swift and cunning. Even though he was prepared, it was still somewhat perilous, and he could feel the chilling intent of the arrow.

Gu Xiaojiang's eyes gradually dimmed.

Gu Dajiang rushed over desperately, took a hit from a wolf-tooth club, and spat blood. He was very close, but out of reach.

Zhang Da laughed and lunged forward, with no intention of delaying any longer.

But his expression immediately changed. A sense of crisis suddenly arose. A barely audible whistle entered his ears. Unlike the previous incredibly loud whistling of arrows, this arrow was extremely stealthy, following closely behind the previous one. He only discovered it when it was almost upon him!

Gu Sheng had shot two arrows in rapid succession!

Gu Sheng's gaze was icy.

From the beginning, he hadn't expected the first arrow to succeed. Zhang Da was so vigilant and cunning that he wouldn't easily expose a flaw.

The first arrow was just a lure. He deliberately chose a special way of exerting force, making the arrow's sound slightly louder. Then, the second arrow shot towards him immediately after!

This was the limit of what he could do.

The second arrow was his true killing blow!

Gu Erniu, standing nearby, was already dumbfounded. Such archery was truly difficult to describe in words.

Zhang Da felt a chill run down his spine. The arrow was too fast. He didn't have time to swing his saber at this moment. He gritted his teeth and used his left arm to protect his eyes while continuing to retreat.

Screech!

The spinning arrow collided with his arms, which were glowing with a dark green hue. The iron arrowhead felt like it was hitting solid iron, encountering immense resistance. This powerful arrow, capable of piercing through a throat, ultimately only managed to embed itself halfway.

A hint of regret flashed in Gu Sheng's eyes.

If his archery had broken through to perfection and generated special effects, it should have been able to tear through the defense of a Skin Refining martial artist.

Or, if he himself became a martial artist and wielded a three-stone bow or even a four-stone bow, he could have pierced Zhang Da's arms and shot out his eyes.

Alas, there were no "ifs."

This was already the limit of what he could do.

Shooting a third arrow or not would have little meaning. At this distance, hitting a martial artist's vital points was too difficult. Perhaps if he were closer, this arrow could have hit his eye, but Gu Sheng would also be in danger.

"Next, it depends on your luck."

Gu Sheng glanced at Gu Xiaojiang, who was struggling to get up, and Gu Dajiang, who was rushing over desperately. He thought silently.

The arrow was coated with Black Blood Powder.

If he was lucky, Gu Dajiang might have a chance to save Gu Xiaojiang, but he knew the hope was slim.

The Black Blood Powder shouldn't take effect that quickly.

Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu quickly changed direction, constantly observing the battlefield. If things truly became impossible, they could only flee. It was better than losing their lives here for nothing. He had done everything he could, and at least his conscience was clear.

At this moment, Zhang Da's left arm was hit by the arrow. The tearing sensation of flesh made him let out a roar of pain.

"Despicable scoundrel, don't let your Grandpa Zhang catch you!"

He pulled out the arrow and roared at the sky.

"I'm going to kill this brat today, and I'll see who dares to stop me!"

Blood stained his left arm, making Zhang Da even more ferocious. He glared fiercely at Gu Xiaojiang, who was struggling to stand up with a strong will to survive, and raised his saber with his right hand to attack again!

However, his body suddenly stiffened. His blood flow became sluggish, and his entire body began to feel numb and rigid. This feeling grew stronger and stronger.

"The arrow is poisoned!"

He was shocked and furious, his teeth almost grinding to dust.

Sometimes, things just happen by coincidence.

Under normal circumstances, poison like Black Blood Powder wouldn't take effect so quickly. But the problem was that Zhang Da had previously consumed a Blood Boiling Pill he had been holding between his teeth in order to launch a surprise attack.

The Blood Boiling Pill was a medicinal pill passed down by the Fire Worship Cult. After taking it, blood flow would greatly increase, and the strength of a Skin Refining realm martial artist could be significantly enhanced. It also had some use for Blood Refining realm martial artists.

The downside was that it would cause a period of weakness afterward, requiring rest and nourishment. If taken too often, it could even damage a martial artist's foundation.

But for ordinary martial artists, it was undoubtedly a powerful trump card that could achieve miraculous effects with a sudden burst of power.

Zhang Da had treasured the Blood Boiling Pill rewarded by Wang Chong. He had only taken it because he had no other choice just now. He never expected that the Blood Boiling Pill would now become a fatal item!

The blood accelerated, causing the Black Blood Powder, which was not fast-acting, to quickly spread throughout his body, even enhancing its effects.

His muscles felt numb and he was somewhat dizzy, unable to pursue Gu Xiaojiang for the moment.

Gu Sheng noticed something was wrong with Zhang Da and felt puzzled.

Logically, the Black Blood Powder shouldn't be this potent.

At this moment, Wang Chong had also taken the Blood Boiling Pill, his muscles swelling again. He brandished his wolf-tooth club menacingly, intending to intercept Gu Dajiang.

However, Gu Dajiang was solely focused on saving his son and had no intention of engaging with him. His left fist turned the color of iron and stone, striking like a heavy hammer. But after all, he was still flesh and blood. Even with perfected Skin Refining, his tendons and bones hadn't been involved yet. How could he possibly contend with such a massive weapon?

With a crack.

Gu Dajiang's left arm hung limply, and his entire left arm was a bloody mess.

Wang Chong seemed to have not expected Gu Dajiang to be so ferocious, willing to sacrifice his left arm to save his son. This gave Gu Dajiang an opportunity to instantly dart away.

Gu Dajiang looked at Gu Xiaojiang's tragic state, his eyes bloodshot.

"You dog thief, pay with your life!"

His right hand gripped a thick-backed saber. Even an injured Blood Refining Realm expert was no match for Zhang Da, especially since Zhang Da was poisoned by the Black Blood Powder.

Riiiiip!

The saber's momentum was like a waterfall, with all of Gu Dajiang's rage and resentment poured into this single strike. Under this saber, he was invincible, slicing Zhang Da in half at the waist!

Flesh, shattered bone, and organs burst out instantly, splattering everywhere, a horrifying sight.

Gu Dajiang was covered in blood. This man, who looked like an old farmer, was now as terrifying as a demon.

Gu Sheng couldn't help but stare in shock.

But he quickly regained his senses, knowing that Zhang Da's death didn't mean the end of the matter. Although Zhang Da was dead, his objective had been achieved. Gu Dajiang's left arm was crippled, and he would surely be even less able to withstand Wang Chong.

With his capable subordinate cut in half, Wang Chong's eyes blazed with fury.

He held his wolf-tooth club and strode forward, stomping his feet like a monstrous beast!

Everyone's hearts trembled.

At this moment.

A figure was rapidly approaching from the distance. It was vaguely visible that he was a burly bald man, moving with the gait of a tiger, each step covering a great distance.

"Damn it, die for your Vajra grandpa!!"

Even though the man was still far away, his fierce aura reached everyone's eyes. As he ran, the bald man's arm muscles bulged, swelling nearly double. He hurled a boulder, half a person's height, smashing it fiercely towards Wang Chong.

The momentum was unstoppable.

The people of Gu Family Village were greatly encouraged, their faces showing ecstatic joy.

Gu Sheng, who had been holding his breath, finally let out a sigh of relief and couldn't help but collapse onto the ground.

"Gu Jingang... you damn well better be here..."

With the reinforcements from Gu Family Village arriving, victory was assured.