Surprisingly, the immediate response was only silence. The arrow disappeared the moment Yi Qiang stopped applying force to the bowstring, and time seemed to stop for a second before the Absolute's eyes grew wide and he waved his hands frantically for an instant.

A brilliant blue wall suddenly materialized in front of the cliff face. While he couldn't see the arrow moving, Yi Qiang had only an instant to smile wryly seeing that the Absolute was clearly unprepared for his power.

That smile faded instantly, though, when the shining projectile disappeared the instant it hit the wall. No reaction, no damage to the wall, nothing.

Looking at Yi Qiang's dour expression, the Absolute chuckled, "A little underwhelmed? Well, don't be - I should hope to be able to stop something like that. Regardless, that's an impressive attack. Did it drain you?"

Casting a glance at the other contestants, who were intently focused on the two, Yi Qiang hesitated slightly before nodding. There isn't much I can do to stay low-key now - they're fully aware of my power.

"Excellent! So, kid, I'll cut you a deal.

"You stay in the competition - it's a shame to kick you out, seeing that you got the farthest in, well, ever. Of course, there will be consequences! Not only do you lose all of your accumulated benefits - take it as payment - you do every objective, but around... 13 times harder. So, what say you?"

  Yi Qiang was startled. I get a second chance?

 Barely any thought was given before he immediately accepted.

  "Of course."

 The Absolute broke out into a wide smile.

  "Excellent! Well, then, now that's settled, shall we take a little trip to our fourth stage?"

  Everyone, still slightly shocked from Yi Qiang's display, nodded dully.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

 A wave of the hand and the scenery changed once again.

----------------------------------------

  In front of the group were vast, rolling hills. Covered in lush grass, the wind gently ruffled the expansive surfaces.

 Yi Qiang gazed quizzically into the terrain, slightly baffled as to what sort of trial there was to be had here.

  "Confused? Just wait for a second, you won't be soon enough." The Absolute said brightly.

  Shrugging, the marksman turned his eyes back to the rolling hills, waiting for whatever the Absolute planned to come.

   His questions were soon answered as the grassy ground ruptured, forming a huge hole at the side of one of the wide hills. Instantly after, a colossal worm shot out, arcing through the air before burrowing into another hill. The most curious part was how the ground immediately closed back up after the worm's disappearance. The repair was so seamless that if not for the expressions on everyone else's faces, he would have almost convinced himself the giant, leaping worm was a hallucination.

  The Absolute beamed seeing their shell-shocked faces, cheerfully saying, "You are all really going to enjoy this!"

  Yi Qiang remained silent as one of the contestants, cowed by the appearance of the monstrous creature, spoke up timidly.

  "Um, what exactly are we supposed to do?"

 The Absolute feigned surprise. "You can't tell?

  "Well, it's easy! Just capture or kill one for me. I'll give you... seven days. Nice number."

   The Absolute rolled his eye, seeing everyone blanch. "Fine, fine, you can do it together. Er," he continued speaking after the contestants relaxed, casting a glance at Yi Qiang, "The archer has a different task. Sorry!"

 The hope in their eyes disappeared once again, but the Absolute ignored and waved a hand, "You can start planning, or whatever you want, now. Not a second to waste! As for you, kid, follow me."

 The powerhouse started walking down the hills, unheeding of the occasional worm bursting out of the ground as he walked.

  Yi Qiang followed him, more mindful of his step than the Absolute, on edge as he descended.

   The Absolute gestured for Yi Qiang to come closer as they walked, the marksman complying before the powerhouse started speaking. 

  "Remember how I said your bit will be harder? Yeah, you're gonna have fun with this. Just follow me for now, I'll show you what you have to do."

   Internally prepared for whatever the Absolute would force him to, Yi Qiang followed along silently.

  Within minutes, the rolling hills gave way to a mountain. If this is the same type of place as those hills, then what kind of worms, or worm, stay here?

  The Absolute turned to Yi Qiang and grinned. "Your job? Kill three of the worms here. Alone. I'll give you... three days."