The Seven-Kill Arrow was not just a real battle arrow—it was a projectile condensed from the power of slaughter, an energy arrow so refined it had taken on tangible form. Once it struck the body, it would instantly burrow deep into flesh and even into the soul itself. The terrifying Slaughter Intent imbued in the arrow wreaked havoc within, and if it struck a vital point, the very essence of life would be fundamentally destroyed.
"One arrow, seven kills—obliterating all chances of evasion and delivering instant death."
Arthur witnessed this and his pupils contracted. He involuntarily gasped, a trace of horror flashing through his heart. The scene struck him with immense shock. That arrow—who could possibly defend against it?
"What a terrifying archery technique… and such fearsome arrow intent."
The alien archer, with a flicker of awe in his eyes, slowly spoke those words before his body suddenly disintegrated into a cloud of blood mist. The overwhelming Arrow Intent had already torn him apart from the inside. Once his will collapsed, so did his physical body.
And yet, even in death, he uttered no curse.
As a marksman, to fall under such an exquisite display of archery was not dishonorable—it was a worthy end.
"Dark Night Elves."
Yi Tianxing had already identified the archers hidden in the darkness. They belonged to a race renowned for assassination and unparalleled archery skills: the Dark Night Elves. They possessed a natural affinity with darkness and the night, making it far easier for them to comprehend Dark Arrow Intent—a unique racial advantage. This was the foundation of power for many dominant races.
Innate bloodline advantages—these were undeniable strengths.
Some might argue that a powerful bloodline would limit one's potential for growth, acting as a ceiling. But that was simply sour grapes from those without such bloodlines.
To possess a strong bloodline was to be born with a solid foundation.
Very few cultivators ever reached the peak or attained the status of great divine beings. No one could guarantee they would attain the Dao, become eternal, or reign supreme. Even becoming a great power was nearly impossible. Yet, some of these high-bloodline beings didn't need cultivation at all—upon reaching adulthood, they already had combat strength rivaling mighty experts.
That disparity—that was the reality.
Weaker bloodlines required immense resources and iron-willed determination to rise. Even then, only a handful could ever hope to succeed. Thus, the chance of a weak-blooded race producing top-tier experts paled in comparison to powerhouses like the Dragon Clan. A single adult dragon could wield terrifying power. Very few could rival them.
Moreover, a strong bloodline wasn't a cage. At higher levels, one could walk their own path, transcend the limits of their bloodline, and even evolve it. There were countless examples of this.
It all came down to one's talent and ability—whether one truly was exceptional.
So no, there was nothing wrong with a strong bloodline.
The tale of a mortal body rising to slay a true dragon was just an exception. To defy the heavens took blood, sweat, and a thousand times more effort.
After witnessing his companion's death, the remaining Dark Night Elf archer shot a deep look at Yi Tianxing before turning to flee without hesitation. Clearly, he had no confidence in withstanding that Seven-Kill Arrow.
Unfortunately for him, Yi Tianxing had no intention of letting him go. His Falling Star Bow was already drawn again, another Seven-Kill Arrow forming on the string.
Whoosh!
The arrow tore through the air like a blood-red flash, cutting across the dark sky.
Seeing this, the Dark Night Elf knew there was no escaping. Gritting his teeth, he drew his own bow and loosed a counterattack, aiming straight at Yi Tianxing. On his bowstring, three pitch-black arrows appeared at once.
With a swift draw and release, the attack was seamless.
The arrows shone with black light, as if surrounded by swirling vortexes that devoured all light. Arranged in a triangular pattern, the three arrows darted forward like lightning, erratic in their trajectory, shifting direction mid-air in response to Yi Tianxing's movements. What's more, they spun as they flew, infused with a spiraling force.
This was no ordinary shot—it was a last-ditch effort, a life-for-life retaliation. The Elf had poured everything into this strike.
Even as the Seven-Kill Arrow pierced his body, the elf's eyes remained fixed on those three arrows, willing them forward. It was this obsession that kept him from collapsing on the spot.
"Spiral Arrows!!"
Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed sharply.
The Spiral Arrow was a terrifying archery technique. By embedding a spiraling force into the projectile, it became incredibly hard to block or intercept. As it spun faster, its speed and power grew exponentially. If one couldn't shatter that spiral force, the arrow would shift unpredictably, its trajectory near-impossible to track.
But Yi Tianxing did not dodge.
As the three arrows closed in—
A golden pocket watch silently appeared above his head. In the next instant, all wind stopped, space froze, and time itself seemed to halt.
The three Spiral Arrows, just inches from his body, froze mid-air. Even their spiraling force was locked in place.
The world became a still painting.
Yi Tianxing reached out calmly and plucked the three arrows from the air as if picking fruit. They disappeared into his palm, instantly stored in the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower. No matter what they were—once inside the tower, they were no longer free.
The pocket watch vanished.
"Impossible..."
Time resumed its flow. The arrows were gone without a trace, as if they'd never existed. No one saw what had happened—only that the deadly projectiles had mysteriously disappeared. It was uncanny, but undeniable: the attack had been thwarted.
Boom!
The Dark Night Elf's eyes dimmed, and like his companion, he burst into a mist of blood, falling on the spot.
"So powerful... To be strong to this degree…"
Arthur gasped once more.
Yi Tianxing's technique was so bizarre, so unfathomable, even Arthur couldn't fully understand it. But one thing was certain—it spoke volumes about the depth of Yi Tianxing's strength.
"Thank you, Emperor Yi, for saving my life. Otherwise, I truly would've died here."
Arthur offered his heartfelt gratitude. He knew—this was no minor favor. This was a life debt.
"Think nothing of it. We're all of the human race. Naturally, I'd lend a hand. That said, if you're feeling bad about it… feel free to offer me a few heavenly treasures. I won't refuse. If it's an architectural artifact, even better."
Yi Tianxing replied casually, glancing at Arthur with indifference.
"What?!"
Arthur was stunned, momentarily speechless. Inwardly, he was in turmoil: Wait—weren't Eastern cultivators supposed to be modest and noble? Say a few nice words, and they'd be satisfied. Wasn't this supposed to be altruism? Why is Emperor Yi asking for payment?! Did I run into a fake cultivator?!
His world felt like it was collapsing. This wasn't what he'd heard at all.
But he dared not protest. He forced a smile.
"Of course, of course. Compared to my life, what's a treasure or two?"
With a bitter heart, Arthur produced a precious artifact and handed it over as compensation. He still needed Yi Tianxing's protection if he wanted to survive this place. Who knew what dangers awaited ahead?
After all, treasures could be replaced. Life could not.
Yi Tianxing accepted it without ceremony. He also collected the storage treasures of the two fallen elves, including their flesh and blood remains, which he swept into the Heavenly Emperor Tower. All of it would serve as nourishment.
He wouldn't let a single thing go to waste.
"So, what's the plan? Emperor Yi, do you think you can crack this Death Maze?"
Arthur's face twitched again as he watched Yi Tianxing loot everything in sight like a human vacuum. Truly, not even a feather was left behind. Still, survival came first.
"When this Emperor reaches the end… the maze will cease to exist."
Yi Tianxing replied flatly, glancing at Arthur without the slightest regard for his status.
Without another word, he continued forward. As his foot stepped down, the earth quaked. The ground cracked and crumbled, expanding outward in all directions.
Destruction.
Pure, unfiltered destruction.
He would walk a path where no maze could exist. At the journey's end—only he would reign supreme.
"So domineering…"
Arthur stared in stunned silence. The shock in his heart deepened.
But he no longer dared walk ahead of Yi Tianxing. He would not be the scout—not anymore.