Chapter 265: Breaking the Formation with a Single Arrow

“Lord Zhao, please calm your anger!”

Zhou Zhongtian and his group hurried forward and bowed deeply to Zhao Li in unison.

Gu Ning’an, however, remained composed. He gave Zhao Li’s large bow a once-over and smiled. “A fine bow indeed—able to unleash its power even without an arrow.”

Ignoring Zhou Zhongtian and the others entirely, Zhao Li gazed at Gu Ning’an with interest and asked with a grin, “You have a good eye. Then why don’t you take a guess—if I draw this bow to its fullest, can you dodge it?”

“The full moon wanes. Sometimes, when a bowstring is drawn too tight, it snaps.”

Hiss—

Everyone present sucked in a sharp breath.

He was already being aimed at, and yet he still dared to provoke Zhao Li?

Did he truly not fear that with just a slight release of the bowstring, Zhao Li could send him straight to the afterlife?

“Oh?” Zhao Li continued pulling the bowstring back. When it reached the shape of a half-moon, Zhou Zhongtian and the others could feel their hearts pounding in their throats.

With their status, they had no right to intervene.

Even if they wanted to act, they had no way of saving Gu Ning’an before Zhao Li let loose the bowstring.

After all, the Demon-Slaying Bow in Zhao Li’s hands was a genuine artifact bestowed by the Immortal Sect.

Its most legendary feat? Exterminating three thousand demons with a single arrow.

The actual number of demons might have been exaggerated, but even so, Zhao Li was far beyond their ability to resist.

“Pointing a bow at someone—that lacks courtesy.”

At that moment, Qiao Min, who had been silently eating her porridge, finally spoke up. Only then did Zhao Li take notice of her presence—and more importantly, the iron sword strapped to her back.

“Interesting. What’s your story, little girl?”

“Why are you carrying a sword?”

Zhao Li casually put away his longbow, slinging it back over his shoulder.

Seeing this, the External Agents who had been holding their breath finally let out a sigh of relief.

Qiao Min replied flatly, “I’m from the Universal Temple. I carry a sword to slay demons.”

“Oh?” Zhao Li narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized her, then glanced at Zhou Zhongtian.

Understanding his intent, Zhou Zhongtian quickly recounted Qiao Min’s accomplishments.

After listening, Zhao Li’s interest fully shifted to the young girl before him.

“With such remarkable skills, why lower yourself to serving a degenerate temple? Why not join my Golden Guard instead?”

“With my endorsement, you’d have a chance to earn the favor of the Immortal Sect.”

The moment Zhao Li spoke, Yang Wei’s envy nearly made him grind his teeth to dust.

After all, he had spent years grinding through ranks, networking tirelessly, just to barely earn the privilege of wearing three golden daggers on his chest.

Even then, he had never been in contact with anyone from the Immortal Sect.

The only reason he was able to request Zhao Li’s assistance this time was that he had burned through nearly all his connections—and even then, Zhao Li had only helped because he happened to be nearby.

And yet, this living legend had casually extended an invitation to a little girl who looked no older than ten!

Qiao Min looked at Zhao Li in confusion and asked, “The Immortal Sect? Didn’t I already say that I’m from the Universal Temple?”

“Our temple worships the Universal Immortal. Why would I need the so-called favor of the Immortal Sect?”

Hearing this, Zhao Li couldn’t help but laugh.

“Little girl, those two things are worlds apart!”

“You’re young, yet already so skilled—it’s clear you’ve been deceived… Those degenerate temples are scattered all across Great Wu, yet none last long before they mysteriously disappear…”

“But the favor I speak of comes from the orthodox Immortal Sect—the very sect that holds dominion over Northern Huangtian, suppressing two mighty demons so they cannot escape.”

Zhao Li’s confident and reverent expression did nothing to spark Qiao Min’s interest. She merely shook her head, disinterested, and continued eating her porridge.

Just as Zhao Li was about to say more, the Golden Guards who had been sent to investigate the four villages returned.

They ignored everyone else and immediately reported their findings to Zhao Li in detail.

During their report, Zhao Li had Zhou Zhongtian fill in some additional details that the Golden Guards had missed.

After listening, Zhao Li pondered briefly before saying, “You’ve done well… but ultimately, this is only a temporary solution.”

“Even if that Temple Keeper Huang completes his formation, and even if you manage to eliminate those four chang ghosts…”

“What makes you think the master behind those chang ghosts won’t come back?”

“If the spiritual energy of Shengxian River is truly valuable to him, he will return without a doubt.”

“So, all you’ve done is extend the death sentence of Four Corners Town…”

Hearing this, Zhou Zhongtian interjected, “Lord Zhao, Temple Keeper Huang said that once his formation is complete, the master behind the chang ghosts won’t be able to locate this place…”

“You actually believe a demon’s words?” Zhao Li sneered.

“A demon?” Zhou Zhongtian frowned. “Lord Zhao, are you saying Temple Keeper Huang is…”

Zhao Li chuckled. “That’s right. You didn’t notice because of the gap in cultivation… but he is a transformed demon. I haven’t made a move against him yet, so I’m not sure what kind of demon he is.”

“Oh, and you—little girl…” Zhao Li turned to Qiao Min, his gaze meaningful. “Didn’t you say you slay demons? Then why are you willing to associate with one?”

“For a temple to allow a demon of considerable cultivation to serve as its temple keeper… I’d say this so-called Universal Immortal you worship has a rather… mysterious identity.”

Clang!

A flash of cold light.

A black iron sword, radiating an eerie red glow, landed in Qiao Min’s hand.

Her youthful face turned cold. “If you continue to slander the Universal Immortal, don’t blame me for drawing my sword.”

“Look at that! Look at that!” Zhao Li laughed, completely unfazed. “I like that fiery spirit of yours. That defiant glare—you remind me of myself when I was a child!”

“Since you dared to draw your sword against me, I’ll let this slide.”

“But I’m going to show you who offers the better future.”

With that, Zhao Li gulped down the last of his porridge, then stood up and strode outside.

The others exchanged puzzled glances before following him out.

Outside, Zhao Li—his broad shoulders and powerful stance radiating dominance—reached for the gleaming silver bow on his back.

He raised the bow toward the sky, placed his hand on the bowstring, and pulled—hard!

In an instant, the silver bow curved into a full moon shape.

With a deep hum, a spiraling silver energy arrow suddenly materialized on the bowstring.

Zhao Li released it.

The arrow shot toward the heavens with a deafening explosion, the force shaking the eardrums of everyone present!

Mere moments later, a cracking sound—like ice shattering—echoed across the sky.

Then, a dark shadow plummeted from above, crashing straight toward Zhao Li!

Zhao Li remained unshaken. With a swift motion, he raised his bow and blocked the incoming figure.

Boom!

A shockwave of dust and debris erupted from the impact, spreading outward from the center of the collision!

“Zhao Li! You destroyed my formation! Do you truly think you can challenge the one behind the chang ghosts?”

Temple Keeper Huang’s voice, thick with murderous intent, rang through the air.

Qiao Min didn’t hesitate. She tightened her grip on her sword and moved to join the battle.

But just as she stepped forward—someone pulled her back.

When she turned around, she was surprised to find that the External Agent, whose face she could never see clearly or remember no matter how hard she tried, was now fully visible to her.