Section 9: Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Great Eagle
Author: Gu Zhenren
2013-02-09
Section 9: Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Great Eagle
“Great Dragon Seal!” Chu Yun shouted loudly while riding on the Sky Fox.
“Heart-Piercing Thorn!” Fang Suikong sneered, not showing any weakness.
*Boom!*
The two figures crossed paths, the flashing saber light and the golden spear aura exploding together. Brilliance scattered in the air, and the lights and shadows constantly shifted.
This fierce battle between dragons and tigers had already reached nearly three hundred rounds. Truly, it was a case of worthy opponents meeting, each matching the other blow for blow.
Chu Yun gritted his teeth, his arms trembling. The Drunken Snow Saber grew heavier, even dragging down the Sky Fox. Both the man and the fox were panting for air.
In contrast, Fang Suikong was no better off, his face pale. The Flying Wing Spear was no longer as ferocious as before, for both sides had limited stamina.
“To be able to hold on until now, you’ve surprised me slightly. But struggling like this is useless. Everyone knows the weakness of the Drunken Snow Saber! Chu Yun, surrender obediently and accept your death! Falling Pear Blossoms!” Fang Suikong roared, once again activating his Supreme grade Dao technique.
Instantly, white pear blossoms bloomed in the air, forming a majestic force that tore through the air, hiding peerless killing intent within their beauty.
Chu Yun snorted coldly, steering the Sky Fox to avoid the full force of the attack. His opponent was three years older and had more stamina.
“Chaotic Flower Blood!” Fang Suikong laughed heartily. The White-Browed Eagle beneath him shrieked and flapped its wings, its Flying Wing Spear drawing bloody threads in the air, coiling towards Chu Yun.
“Another Supreme grade Dao technique!” Chu Yun furrowed his brows, a mix of shock and joy in his heart. He was shocked by his opponent’s deep reserves, truly worthy of being called the “Sea Eagle” of his past life, with endless Supreme grade Dao techniques. He was happy that his opponent was abusing these powerful techniques so recklessly, which would undoubtedly consume a vast amount of Demonic Energy. Once that energy was depleted, his opportunity would arise.
As the two were locked in battle, on the Fang family’s advancing fleet.
“This is the flagship of my second brother, the Meng Ya. It’s a Great Demon class vessel, equipped with the Collision Dao technique, capable of easily cleaving through treasure ships of the same class. Wei Qing, what do you think?” Fang Zhu said, gesturing to a large treasure ship nearby as he entertained Wei Qing.
Upon seeing it, Wei Qing noticed the ship was massive but not bulky. Instead, it was slender like a blade. The ram at the bow was a giant, upward-curving ivory tusk, as large as a carriage. The white tusk gleamed with a sharp, cold light despite its rounded tip. The dark hull, paired with the white ivory ram, exuded a sinister and sharp aura that sent shivers down one’s spine.
He couldn’t help but shiver and sincerely praised, “The renowned Meng Ya, with its impressive combat record, how could I not know of it? Paired with a brave and fearless master like yourself as the second young master, it is a perfect match.”
Fang Tianshang, praised to his face, let out a cold snort, a hint of pride in his demeanor.
Fang Zhu smiled slightly and pointed to the warship they were on. “This is my flagship, the Qing Zhu. It’s also a Great Demon class vessel. It can absorb Vital Energy from the earth, cultivate a bamboo forest, and unleash thousands of bamboo arrows, making it effective in both close and long-range combat. What do you think, Wei Qing?”
Wei Qing cupped his hands and sighed, “This is a famous treasure ship in the Archipelago, the symbol of the Fang family. How could I not know of it? The family head has said that this Qing Zhu alone is equivalent to dozens of ordinary warships. Its power is immense, and it cannot be besieged by less than ten times the military force.”
Fang Zhu laughed heartily, his imposing aura growing with each exchange. In contrast, Wei Qing, though seated beside him on the deck, felt diminished.
Wei Qing’s heart felt heavy, knowing that the other party was flaunting his military strength. However, at this moment, the Wei Family Island had lost two fleets, leaving only one, which gave him no confidence to retort.
After some thought, Wei Qing changed the subject, “The Third General has been gone for so long, why hasn’t he returned yet?”
“Perhaps that Chu Yun escaped very quickly,” Fang Tianshang said, speaking less with Wei Qing present. He chimed in unexpectedly.
Fang Zhu waved his hand dismissively. “My third brother is highly skilled, and killing Chu Yun is a simple matter. You needn’t worry, Wei Qing. Come, look at my soldiers.”
He clapped his hands, and a troop of soldiers emerged from behind him. They were all broad-shouldered and strong, with sharp eyes and determined expressions. Each held a large, round shield in their hands, the edges of which were lined with chilling sawteeth.
Seeing this army, Wei Qing’s face changed, and his eyes became solemn. “Are these the renowned Fang family elite soldiers, the Whirlwind Shield Soldiers?”
Fang Zhu threw his head back and laughed heartily, clapping his hands. “Precisely. Wei Qing, I ask you, are my family’s warships magnificent? Are my family’s weapons sharp?”
Wei Qing’s voice was dry. “Magnificent and mighty, incomparably sharp.”
“If so, why not join me and the Fang family in creating a great enterprise?” Fang Zhu finally got to the point, his eyes flashing with sharp light as he stared at Wei Qing. “Your Wei family is all but gone, with most of your clansmen captured. Do you think the Shu family will let them go? With only one fleet remaining and sparse defenses on the island, you are in a precarious state. It is better to pledge allegiance to our Fang family, for that is the way to survive in this chaotic era.”
Hearing this, Wei Qing’s face turned ashen. He clenched his fists, remaining silent. This was the chaotic era where might made right, and interests reigned supreme. The Fang family, with its city-level island, had seen its strength plummet, making them vulnerable to various forces.
Fang Zhu’s lips curled into a smile. Just as he was about to continue speaking, a military dispatch arrived.
Upon opening it, Fang Zhu’s smile widened. “Third brother has caught up to Chu Yun and is currently engaging him in battle. The Eagle Soars is pursuing the enemy fleet. It’s likely my third brother will return within the hour. You might as well take a look, Wei Qing.”
He deliberately handed the dispatch to Wei Qing to increase the latter’s psychological burden.
Wei Qing read it, his mood becoming quite complex. For some reason, a sense of anticipation suddenly arose within him, a wish for Chu Yun to win. He then asked, “Third General fighting Chu Yun alone with no one to assist, is that alright?”
“It’s fine. My third brother not only possesses several Supreme grade Dao techniques but also a top-grade Recovery Dao technique. Combined with the White-Browed Eagle under him, even our family elder, Sky-Shaking Hammer Fang Hong, would have a headache.” Fang Tianshang raised his brows, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, filled with extreme pride.
“A top-grade Recovery Dao technique? Doesn’t that mean unlimited Demonic Energy?” Wei Qing shuddered and exclaimed involuntarily.
“Therefore, Chu Yun is destined to lose. You will see his head before long,” Fang Zhu and Fang Tianshang, the brothers, roared with laughter.
On the battlefield at sea.
“Four Directions Congratulate!” Fang Suikong let out a loud shout, and the golden scaled armor on his body flashed with golden light. Immediately, a powerful suction force drew in all the Vital Energy within a radius of dozens of feet.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.*
The invisible Vital Energy was absorbed at an alarming rate, emitting a sound like rushing water. The air flowed, forming a visible, semi-transparent vortex of Vital Energy.
Within this vortex, Fang Suikong’s Flying Wing Spear, the White-Browed Eagle, and the golden scaled armor he wore were all enveloped in a layer of light. Their Demonic Energy was increasing and recovering significantly.
“Four Directions Congratulate? This is a secret Fang family technique, a top-grade Recovery Dao technique. I didn’t expect Fang Suikong to have mastered it already!” Chu Yun’s face turned grim.
Supreme grade Dao techniques were powerful, but they consumed large amounts of Demonic Energy.
Without Demonic Energy, a demonic spirit could no longer use Dao techniques.
Fang Suikong had been shamelessly abusing Supreme grade Dao techniques earlier, and Chu Yun had planned to evade his attacks and strike when his Demonic Energy was depleted.
The appearance of the “Four Directions Congratulate” Dao technique had disrupted his plan.
Recovery Dao techniques were extremely rare, similar to Pill Refining hand seals. They provided the greatest support for a demonic spirit’s sustained combat. Top-grade Recovery Dao techniques were more effective than most Pills, making them very precious.
However, Chu Yun merely frowned; he was not flustered. Having his battle plan disrupted was a common occurrence.
Battles between Monster Tamers involved revealing trump cards, adapting to the situation, the mutual restraint between demonic spirits, and the clever use of tactics and strategies.
The disruption of his tactical plan simply proved his opponent’s strength and great potential for development.
“The ‘Sea Eagle’ who will one day ascend the Talented Person Ranking truly lives up to his name. If I don’t kill you today before you soar to the heavens, I will never find peace.” A sharp glint flashed through Chu Yun’s eyes and then vanished. He then put away the heavy Drunken Snow Saber into its sheath and took out the Star-Fixing Bow.
Chu Yun’s pressure immediately eased. Even the Sky Fox couldn’t help but wag its beautiful tail, feeling a sudden sense of lightness.
“Meteor Arrow!” Chu Yun drew his bow and nocked an arrow. The arrow flew with the speed of a meteor, striking its target in an instant.
“What a fast arrow!” Fang Suikong was startled and quickly stopped his Recovery Dao technique, using the Flying Wing Spear to block the Meteor Arrow. However, the arrow’s power exceeded his expectations, exploding and leaving him disheveled, almost falling from his saddle.
“This is a bit tricky,” he grunted, stabilizing himself. Just as he was about to re-engage with his spear, his eyes widened in disbelief as he saw Chu Yun, riding the white fox, flying westward.
“Chu Yun, stop! If you have the guts, fight me for another three hundred rounds!” Fang Suikong roared, urging his White-Browed Eagle to give chase.
The White-Browed Eagle, being a Flying Demonic Beast, was faster than the Sky Fox’s “Fiery Flight Heaven” Dao technique.
Seeing that he was about to catch up, Chu Yun suddenly drew his bow again and shot another Meteor Arrow.
Having suffered a loss, Fang Suikong no longer dared to block with his spear. He used his Dao technique to detonate the Meteor Arrow prematurely. However, this delay caused the distance between them to widen again.
Fang Suikong roared in frustration, “Chu Yun, you disappoint me so much! A cowardly scoundrel with no guts!”
Chu Yun ignored him.
Fang Suikong continued to shout, taunting him, “You truly live up to your reputation as a ‘Young Tiger’ on the Young Heroes Ranking. Do you dare to fight me?”
If it were any other young man, hot-blooded and unable to withstand such provocation, he might have turned back to fight. But Chu Yun paid no mind and continued to flee.
Fang Suikong became even more enraged. “You won’t escape today! Even if you flee to Shu Family Island, I will kill you in plain sight!”
At this moment, Chu Yun intentionally slowed down, closing the distance. Then, he let out a cold laugh and suddenly turned back, drawing his bow. The arrow was incredibly fast, giving Fang Suikong only enough time to block it with the shaft of his spear.
*Boom!* With a loud explosion, blue light bloomed, and the White-Browed Eagle let out a painful cry, sustaining minor injuries.
Chu Yun had previously used a replica Meteor Arrow. This time, he was using an authentic Meteor Arrow gifted by the Country Lord of the Mengyuan Kingdom.
With this blow, the White-Browed Eagle’s speed slowed considerably.
Chu Yun let out a teasing laugh, “Fang Suikong, didn’t you want to experience the Meteor Arrow? How does it taste?”
Caught off guard, Fang Suikong was stunned. He had never suffered such a loss before! Enraged, his hair bristled, and he roared, “Shameless brat! Let’s see how many arrows you can shoot! I already know the weakness of the Star-Fixing Bow. When I catch you, I will pierce you with my spear, one by one, until you’re riddled with holes!”
