CHAPTER 20: THE ARROW THAT PIERCED THE HEAVENS

The world always seemed gentler in the morning. The simmering sun stretched its golden fingers across the sky, pushing away the last remnants of night. A delicate warmth bathed the earth, kissing the dew-soaked leaves and weaving through the branches of ancient trees. Birds chirped their morning songs, and the faint rustling of the wind through the grass carried a sense of peace.

For most people, mornings were a time of renewal, a fresh start. A moment where one could breathe deeply and feel at peace with the world. But for me?

"Ah, what a fine day!" I stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh. "The perfect day… to go hunting."

I wasn't a philosopher, but I had my own way of seeing the world. Life was simple: when the tavern was empty, I hunted. When the tavern was full, I cooked. And when neither was happening, I slept. A straightforward way of living, free from unnecessary complications.

Lately, business had been slow. There had been barely any customers for days, which would have been a cause for concern—if I actually cared. Instead, I took it as an opportunity to enjoy life. Why worry about coins when I had the whole forest as my personal pantry?

I slipped into my hunting gear, strapping my quiver to my back and making sure my bowstring was taut. I ran my fingers over the finely crafted wood, feeling the familiar comfort of a well-worn weapon.

"Alright, let's see what's on the menu today."

The forest was my domain. Unlike the man-made roads of the village or the clatter of the marketplace, the wild had its own language—one that I had learned to understand over time. The whisper of leaves, the soft crunch of soil beneath my boots, the distant cries of unseen creatures—it all painted a vivid picture.

As I moved through the trees, I kept my senses sharp, scanning for any movement. Hunting wasn’t just about shooting arrows; it was about patience, about blending into the environment, about knowing when to act and when to wait.

A good hunter didn’t chase prey recklessly. No, a good hunter let the prey come to them.

I crouched near a bush, watching a rabbit nibble on some grass. "Too easy," I mused, moving on.

I wanted something better. Something bigger.

That was when I looked up and saw it—a massive eagle soaring through the sky, its wings slicing through the air with effortless grace. It was a king of the heavens, untouchable, majestic.

I grinned. "Eagle meat stew… now that’s a delicacy!"

Little did I know, I was not the only hunter in these woods today.

Far above, a battle raged. A woman, her silver robes stained with blood, her hair disheveled, struggled to stay aloft. Her grip on her sword was tight, but her movements were slowing.

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She was breathtaking even in her dire state, a warrior who had fought beyond her limits yet refused to fall. Her breathing was ragged, her wounds deep, but her eyes still burned with defiance.

Opposite her, a monstrous bird-like beast hovered in the air, its dark feathers glistening ominously. It radiated an oppressive aura, a presence that sent shivers through the air.

The woman gritted her teeth. "Evil beast! My Immortal Sword Sect will not spare you!"

The beast let out a cruel, grating laugh.

"Immortal Sword Sect? What a joke!" It sneered, flapping its wings. "Your so-called elders have already fallen. My Hundred Beast Sect has crushed them. Even your father must have met his end by now."

The woman’s face paled. "Impossible! My father is strong… he must be fine!"

But the beast was relentless. It dived at her with razor-sharp talons, its attacks swift and merciless. She barely managed to parry, the force of the blow sending tremors through her arms.

She knew she couldn’t win in the sky. Her mind raced. "If I can just lure it into the forest… it won’t be able to maneuver freely!"

Taking a deep breath, she made a daring choice—she let go of her sword and allowed herself to fall.

"Come, let’s die together!"

But the beast only sneered and rose higher.

"Hah! You think I’d be that stupid?"

Despair settled in her heart. "No! I’ve been seen through… the gap between the Martial Spirit Early Stage and the Late Stage is too vast… is this really how I die?"

Unaware of the battle above, I focused on my target.

My fingers brushed against the bowstring, pulling it back with a smooth motion. The air grew still, the world narrowing to a single point—the eagle’s flight path. My breathing slowed.

"Bird, prepare to become my next meal!"

Just as I loosed the arrow, the ‘eagle’ turned its gaze toward me.

"Bird?! I am a hawk, you lowly mortal! Are you looking for dea—"

The arrow sliced through the air with a high-pitched whistle, faster than any ordinary shot. The beast’s qi barrier shattered like fragile glass, and the arrow buried itself deep into its chest.

A strangled cry tore from its beak as its body went rigid.

"Impossible…! A mere mortal… took down an immortal beast…?"

With disbelief in its fading eyes, it plummeted from the sky, crashing to the ground in a heap.

I pumped my fist in triumph. "Hah! Perfect shot!"

The woman gasped for breath, barely believing what she had witnessed. Then, her gaze fell on the arrow.

Her fingers traced the carvings along its shaft.

"Dao Engraving…?" she whispered. "This arrow… actually has Dao Engravings on it!"

Then, a voice broke her thoughts.

"Hey! Don’t fall too far, my bird!"

She turned her head, and her breath caught.

A young man—me—strode forward, bow in hand, dressed in simple hunting attire. There was no overwhelming aura, no spiritual qi fluctuations, nothing.

Yet, he had shot down a beast beyond her strength with a single arrow.

"This man… could he be a hidden master?"

I slowed my steps, taking in the scene. A stunning woman, clearly injured, lay next to my fallen prey. My first thought?

"Eh? Someone’s here?"

My second thought?

"Wow… she’s beautiful."

She was staring at me, eyes filled with something unreadable. I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Erm, excuse me, miss, but you’re kind of bleeding a lot."

Without answering, she suddenly bowed, her body trembling. "Senior… please… sa… ve…"

Before she could finish, she collapsed.

I barely caught her in time. "Hey! Miss? Miss?! What happened to you?"

No response.

My face darkened. "She must’ve been at her limit… but even then, she held on this long. She must be a cultivator."

I sighed, shifting her unconscious form in my arms. "First, I hunt a bird, and now I have a half-dead fairy in my hands. What a day."

I looked down at the woman, her breath shallow but steady.

I exhaled. "Guess I have no choice… time to play hero."

I slung my bow over my shoulder, adjusted my grip on the woman, and walked away from the battlefield.

"So much for a simple hunting trip."

Little did I know, this was only the beginning.