The talisman arrow, enhanced by the Skull Warbow, merged with Yi Tianxing's true qi and the inherent power of the talisman itself. United as one, it unleashed astonishing destructive force. Even the massive roc was forcibly wounded by the shot—the first time it had ever been torn open.
This roc was no ordinary creature, even among first-tier ferocious beasts. It had at least reached the level of first-tier, grade six or seven.
Ferocious beasts were known for their physical prowess. Coupled with their feather armor, innate bloodline abilities, and dominance in the skies, even a first-tier, grade-nine beast on the ground would avoid confronting such a foe. And yet, it was now wounded by Yi Tianxing's arrow. Instantly, the roc's gaze turned bloodthirsty. Its cold, murderous eyes shifted from Li Guang and his companion—now locked solely on Yi Tianxing.
"This is bad. That fellow cultivator has caught the roc's attention. That's never a good thing," Li Guang said, watching the bloodied, enraged creature above.
"What incredible archery! That roc might not come out of this alive. As long as it can't get close, that fellow cultivator's life shouldn't be in danger," the young woman next to him added with a blink.
"So vengeful, and now you want to kill me? I'm not afraid of you." Yi Tianxing's eyes sparkled. "What a majestic creature. If I can tame it as my mount, I might just win this contest and earn some solid rewards."
This was one of the finest possible aerial mounts. Encountering such a majestic roc within a single day was rare luck—he had no intention of letting it slip away. Even if the beast didn't bear a grudge, he would still try to capture it. Now that it did, even better.
When he first saw the roc, Yi Tianxing had already resolved to tame it. Having such a magnificent creature as a mount would grant immense prestige. Other cultivators could never find one more outstanding. Properly nurtured, this roc could become a powerful ally.
Screeeech!!
With a piercing cry, the roc flapped its wings and dove straight at Yi Tianxing. From the sky, it swooped downward like a living bolt of thunder. Its sharp claws glinted with a cold, deadly light, seemingly capable of ripping the heavens apart.
At the same time, with every flap of its wings, countless feathers condensed below it like iron arrows. Riding the fierce wind, they rained down upon Yi Tianxing's position, covering the area in a deadly barrage. Each feather shimmered with murderous intent, their destructive force strong enough to threaten even cultivators of the Divine Sea Realm.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!
Yet Yi Tianxing remained unshaken.
A true archer, a divine archer, needed an unbreakable spirit—calm even as Mount Tai crumbled before them. Even as death rained down, he did not retreat.
Instead, he drew not one, but three talisman arrows at once and nocked them to his bowstring. With a crisp sound, the three arrows shot forth, each radiating a different glow:
A green arrow, fast as lightning — Gale Arrow
A red arrow, shrieking through the air — Flame Arrow
A blue arrow, radiating cold — Frost Arrow
Three arrows in one draw, fired like meteors. The Gale Arrow led the charge with unrivaled speed, all three targeting the roc's vital points.
Clang clang clang!!
However, the arrows didn't reach the beast. The incoming feather storm collided with them midair. Though some feathers were shattered by the arrows, there were simply too many. The storm overwhelmed the three shots, rendering them ineffective.
In the chaos of fire and ice, the arrows were buried—unable to pose any real threat.
The roc drew even closer.
"Good. Let's see how deadly you really are," Yi Tianxing muttered, watching as icy-feathered projectiles came into sharp focus, ready to slice him to pieces.
Whoosh!
In that life-or-death moment, a divine light burst from Yi Tianxing's body. From the light, a black battle armor materialized and covered him from head to toe. This armor wasn't just form-fitting—it emanated a strange pressure. A black dragon coiled along its surface, releasing a soft dragon's roar.
Life Aperture – Black Armor! (命窍——玄甲)
Clang clang clang!!
Feathers struck the armor with explosive force, yet the armor radiated divine light, protecting him completely. Infused with true qi, its defense was pushed to the limit. Among Divine Sea cultivators, few could penetrate this armor.
The Black Armor Life Aperture produced armor intimately connected to one's body and cultivation method. It grew with the user, constantly evolving. As long as it wasn't destroyed in one blow, Yi Tianxing's true qi could replenish its strength.
The armor held. No signs of cracks. No breach.
The roc's iron talons descended, aiming to crush his skull.
"Hmph!"
Yi Tianxing snorted and punched out without hesitation.
Boom!!
The punch unleashed his full blood-qi might—over thirty thousand jin of raw power. The fist gleamed with divine light, smashing directly into the incoming claws.
The impact reverberated through the air. The roc cried out in agony. It never expected such terrifying strength from a human. Its bones and organs trembled violently.
The creature's massive body, mid-dive, was knocked backward and flung into the sky.
Not just because of Yi Tianxing's strength—but because the roc now feared him. The raw force of that punch—it was monstrous. If not for its tough body, it would've been obliterated.
"Trying to escape? Not without my permission."
Yi Tianxing's punch didn't end there. His fist morphed into a claw that seized the roc's leg. He let himself be carried into the air, using the momentum to flip onto its back.
In one fluid motion, he stood tall atop the roc.
This was a deep insult to the proud beast. No way it could tolerate a human standing on its back.
Screeech!!
It shrieked in rage, flapping furiously as it soared thousands of meters into the sky. Then suddenly, it flipped over—belly to the sky, back to the earth—trying to throw Yi Tianxing off to his death.
Clatter!!
But Yi Tianxing was faster. A black-and-white Yin-Yang Lock appeared in his hand and transformed into a chain, which he flung around the roc's neck. His feet stuck to its back like roots.
No matter how the beast flipped, it couldn't shake him off.
"Trying to throw me off? How naive. Now, get down!"
Yi Tianxing sneered, stomping hard on the roc's back.
With his monstrous strength, the stomp was like a mountain falling. The roc let out a pained cry and plummeted rapidly.
"Such strength! That roc won't escape. He's probably going to bind it as a mount," Li Guang murmured. "I've got a long way to go if I want to keep up with the elites."
Watching from below, the worry faded from Li Guang's face, replaced by urgency.
"If I were in his place, I couldn't do the same."
"Don't worry, Brother Li," the young woman beside him said gently. "With your talent, you'll become one of the brightest stars of the Eternal Continent."
"I'm not discouraged," Li Guang smiled. "In fact, I'm more determined than ever. I, Li Guang, am second to none."
"But meeting that fellow in person to thank him? Seems impossible now. They've flown far from this area," he added, a little regretfully.
The battlefield had changed. The roc, flying high and far, had carried Yi Tianxing away from the original location.
Mid-air, the roc flapped desperately to stop its descent, but each attempt to climb was met with another brutal stomp.
Its eyes burned with fury.
It tried to twist around and peck Yi Tianxing, but every time it moved—
Wham!!
—it got kicked square in the head.