Legend of the Divine Archer

The forest became a blur of green as Yan Jin and Wei Xi moved through it at full speed, their bodies in perfect sync with the rhythm of the wild. The air was thick with the scent of moss and earth, and the sound of their rapid footsteps mingled with the distant calls of unseen creatures.

They were like shadows, darting through the underbrush, leaping over fallen logs, and swinging from low-hanging branches with practiced ease.

Yan Jin, though blind, moved with an exceptional awareness of his surroundings. His every step was precise, each movement calculated. He ducked under a thick vine, his hand brushing against the rough bark of a nearby tree as he used it to propel himself forward.

His feet found purchase on a narrow branch, and without hesitation, he launched himself into the air, somersaulting over a tangle of thorny bushes before landing lightly on the other side.

Wei Xi was right behind him, his smaller frame allowing him to weave through the trees with agility. He kicked off the trunk of a towering tree, propelling himself upward before grabbing onto a sturdy branch. He swung from it, his body twisting mid-air as he aimed for the next landing spot.

His feet touched down on a moss-covered rock, but he didn't pause—he immediately pushed off again, his momentum carrying him forward.

The forest floor was uneven, littered with roots and hidden pitfalls, but neither of them stumbled. Their eyes—Yan Jin's internal sense and Wei Xi's sharp gaze—scanned the terrain ahead, anticipating obstacles before they appeared. They leaped across a narrow ravine, the wind rushing past their faces as they soared through the air.

The ground below was a blur of green and brown, the drop dizzying, but their landings were solid, their movements fluid.

A large tree loomed ahead, its branches sprawling like a natural staircase. Without breaking stride, Yan Jin sprinted up the trunk, his feet barely touching the wood as he ascended. Wei Xi followed, using the momentum of his run to jump from branch to branch, climbing higher with each leap. At the top, they paused for a split second, surveying the landscape from their elevated position.

The forest stretched out beneath them, a sea of emerald leaves swaying gently in the breeze. But there was no time to admire the view. With a nod to each other, they jumped down, plunging back into the depths of the forest.

The descent was even faster, gravity pulling them forward as they dashed down the slope, dodging low branches and vaulting over rocks. The ground blurred beneath them, their senses heightened to the smallest details—the snap of a twig, the shift in the wind, the faint rustle of leaves that hinted at approaching danger.

"This is far enough, scout the perimeter let's, regroup in the hollow tree over there." Yan Jin said.

--

In the dimly lit confines of the Golden Warriors' headquarters, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Nie Li's fury echoed through the grand hall as he smashed vases and overturned tables, his rage unchecked. The clang of metal and the crash of pottery reverberated off the stone walls, mirroring the tempest in his mind.

His usually composed demeanor had been shattered by the events in Pine City, and his men, once unwaveringly loyal, now whispered doubts behind his back.

Nie Li's chest heaved with anger, his thoughts consumed by the humiliating failure. The treasure he had sought, the stem cell, had been nothing but a mirage—a false promise that had led him down a path of ruin. Worse still, the memory of a teenager's mocking smile haunted his dreams, a constant reminder of his defeat.

Each night, that infuriating face appeared, sneering at him, taunting him with his own shortcomings.

But the final blow came with the news that Pine City had not only survived the massacre but had somehow revived the celestial vein using the very stem cell he had coveted. His fists clenched at the thought, knuckles white with the intensity of his rage.

Had it not been for the intervention of his master and the influence of his powerful family, his disgrace would have spread throughout the northern region, tarnishing his reputation beyond repair.

"Find me everything there is to know about Yan Jin and Wei Xi. Everything," Nie Li growled to his attendant, his voice laced with venom.

The attendant, a shadowy figure who had been standing silently by the door, nodded briskly. "Yes, sir."

"And the Yan family? Have they been dealt with?" Nie Li demanded, his eyes narrowing as he sought assurance that his grip on power was still secure.

"Yes, the old man and his cronies have been locked in the dungeon. They won't cause any more trouble," the attendant reported, his tone respectful yet tinged with fear of Nie Li's wrath.

A twisted smile curled on Nie Li's lips. "Good. As long as I have control over the Yan family, Yan Bai won't be able to challenge me, even if he rises to power. Has Master agreed to meet with you?"

"No, he hasn't." Replied the attendant.

"Tsk!" Nie Li clicked his tongue in frustration, his hands tightening into fists once more. The rejection stung, a reminder that even within his own ranks, he was not as untouchable as he had once believed. "That old fool. Let him sulk. Keep me informed of any news on that blind bastard Yan Jin. I won't rest until I have him under my heel."

The attendant bowed and quickly left the room, leaving Nie Li alone with his simmering anger.

--

Purple Pen Meng stood by the window of his newly constructed city lord's house, his gaze fixed on the remnants of Pine City. The structure, hastily built in the wake of the city's destruction, lacked the grandeur and prestige of its predecessor, but it served its purpose. From this vantage point, he could oversee the recovery efforts and the gradual rebuilding of what had been lost.

Fifteen years of careful planning had culminated in the first step of his grand design. Yet, despite all his meticulous preparations, there had been one unpredictable factor: Yan Jin. That wildcard had not only thwarted his plans but had cost him dearly—his beloved niece, a loss that weighed heavily on his heart. The frustration gnawed at him.

He had never before encountered an adversary who could match him in wits and wisdom. His entire life, he had been blessed with extraordinary intelligence, always several steps ahead of his opponents. But Yan Jin had outmaneuvered him, a reality that still stung.

As he watched the city, a mix of anger and determination simmered within him. Pine City, once vibrant, was now a shadow of its former self, and the responsibility of its resurrection weighed heavily on his shoulders. But more pressing than the city's reconstruction was his desire for retribution.

Turning away from the window, Purple Pen Meng addressed his attendant, who stood silently at his side. "This is all the information we have on Yan Jin and Wei Xi," he said, his voice cold and deliberate. "Pass this to Nie Li. Let him know that I will be coming for him, for the murder of my niece."

The attendant bowed deeply, recognizing the gravity of the order. "Yes, my lord," he replied before hurrying out of the room to carry out the command.

Purple Pen Meng remained at the window, his mind already plotting the next move. Yan Jin had escaped, but the game was far from over.