Chapter 54: Women Only Weaken My Draw Strength!
"You're saying you were giving Xiao Lan a physical exam?" Xiao Yi Xian looked at Jiang Lin suspiciously. The blue eagle, larger than even Xiao Yi Xian herself, pitifully hid behind her, peeking its head out with a vicious glare aimed at Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin: "…"
He'd seen dogs relying on their masters, but this was the first time he'd seen an eagle pulling that stunt.
Sigh, Eagle-bro… you're too attached.
Shrugging helplessly, Jiang Lin raised his hands. "A magical beast's Dou Qi and meridians are valuable for research. I was just examining its meridians. I wasn't doing anything inappropriate."
"Coo coo coo coo!" the blue eagle continued its protest.
"You were sniffing Xiao Lan all over?" Xiao Yi Xian looked at Jiang Lin as if he were some kind of pervert.
"…What? Wait, how can you understand all its cooing?" Jiang Lin's expression darkened, and he hurried to explain. "Its feathers had that herbal scent you always carry. I figured you'd bathed it, and I got curious and sniffed a little."
Hearing that, Xiao Yi Xian's previously angry face blushed slightly. She glared at the innocent-faced Jiang Lin for a moment before snorting through her nose.
"Hmph! I'll let it slide this time. But you're not allowed to bully Xiao Lan again!"
"No bullying! Definitely no bullying!" Jiang Lin shook his head like a rattle drum.
"Sigh…" Xiao Yi Xian sighed softly. She wasn't really angry at Jiang Lin, but with Xiao Lan behind her, she felt she had to stand up for her companion. She knew Jiang Lin well—he was always kind to those around him. Still, she'd recently noticed that when it came to enemies… he wasn't exactly "humane."
Xiao Lan had recently become Xiao Yi Xian's sworn little brother. Even if she knew Jiang Lin meant no harm, she still had to put on a show of support.
After all, even in a play, someone has to be the villain and someone the good guy. Xiao Yi Xian naturally had to treat Xiao Lan better—after all, the bird could bring them fortune!
Now that the tension between Jiang Lin and Xiao Lan had eased, Xiao Yi Xian shared the discovery with him.
"You're saying there might be a hidden cave residence midway up a cliff on the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range?" Jiang Lin paused at the good news relayed through Xiao Yi Xian via Xiao Lan. He didn't even question how she could understand the coos and instead asked for the exact location.
"Coo coo coo," the blue eagle called from behind Xiao Yi Xian.
Before Xiao Yi Xian could translate, Jiang Lin's eyes lit up, and he clapped. "Ah! So it's there! Let's go check it out right now—doesn't sound dangerous at all!"
"Huh?" Xiao Yi Xian blinked at his sudden insight and hesitantly asked, "You… understood Xiao Lan?"
You couldn't blame her for being doubtful. She could only half-understand based on Xiao Lan's expressive body language. For complex information, it usually took repeated back-and-forths to piece things together.
Jiang Lin, however, replied confidently, "Nope, not at all. But Eagle-bro only flies in areas with tier one or two magical beasts, so it's a pretty safe zone."
Xiao Yi Xian: "…"
Blue Eagle: "…"
"Alright then…" Xiao Yi Xian sighed and changed the topic. "Xiao Lan can carry, at most, two people. If you wear your heavy armor, you'll have to walk."
"It can fly with us?!" Jiang Lin's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he tossed aside his precious armor like trash. "Forget the armor! If we can fly, who needs heavy gear?!"
"But…" Xiao Yi Xian hesitated.
Then Jiang Lin pulled out his Black Feather Bow. Click! The wings unfolded. A third-tier Dou Artifact appeared in his hand—a six-winged, heavy-duty mechanical compound bow as tall as Jiang Lin himself, sleek and industrial in design.
Thanks to the mechanical pulley system, the bow had improved arrow speed, more stable aim, stronger power, longer range, quieter strings, and most importantly—looked cooler than anything else. Of course, its defensive power was weaker… but seriously, who would challenge Jiang Lin in close combat?
At that moment, Xiao Yi Xian noticed the faint silvery storage ring on Jiang Lin's finger.
"I just forged this heavy bow. Tier two magical beasts are nothing more than moving targets. My archery's solid too. Even if I fall from hundreds of meters up, I can still shoot down tier one beasts mid-air." Jiang Lin's tone hinted at something deeper.
Xiao Yi Xian: "…"
Blue Eagle: "…"
With Jiang Lin's firepower onboard, Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Lan took advantage of the evening glow to slip out of the Myriad Medicines Pavilion and head toward the Magical Beast Mountains.
From the shadows, Master Yao silently watched the trio's departure. The corners of his lips curled slightly as he gazed at the twilight sky.
"Youth… what a beautiful thing."
"Wahoo! Lift-off!" Blue Eagle spread its wings, light blue Dou Qi shimmering across its body, and took off into the golden dusk. Xiao Yi Xian sat in front, Jiang Lin behind her. The evening breeze played with her silver-gray hair. Jiang Lin slowly reached forward and gently caught a strand of it, eyes distant.
"Xiao Linzi, look—such a beautiful sunset… I've never seen one from the sky before." Xiao Yi Xian pointed to the yellow-red horizon in delight. Jiang Lin turned to look at the magnificent sunset, dazed for a moment, then smiled.
"There'll be many more beautiful sights waiting for us ahead."
"Really?" Xiao Yi Xian turned to glance at his profile, her gray-violet eyes glowing softly.
Jiang Lin stared at the distant sun, the dusk's golden light casting warmth on his face and adding a golden hue to his black robes.
"Of course. No doubt about it." The handsome, confident youth answered with pride.
Click!
The Black Feather Bow appeared in his hands. Wings spread. Left hand held the bow as he pulled Xiao Yi Xian gently into his arms. Without anyone noticing, his right hand already held a black arrow. He nocked it and drew the bow. With the mechanical pulleys assisting, the bowstring let out a smooth hiss. Even at half draw, the bow was already taut!
SKREEEE!
Suddenly, a sharp eagle cry echoed from ahead. A black shadow darted in front of them. Sitting on the eagle's back, Xiao Yi Xian could feel Blue Eagle tremble slightly.
A tier two magical beast—Scarlet Flame Azure Hawk!
Its hunting stance and killing intent were obvious from afar. Jiang Lin had sensed it the moment it came into view.
"Quiet." The young man whispered, his gaze steady. His voice carried a strange, calming magic that soothed both Xiao Yi Xian and Blue Eagle's anxiety.
"Hold your breath," he whispered again, as if teaching the girl in his arms how to draw a bow.
"Aim." Crimson-gold Dou Qi gathered around the black arrow. Xiao Yi Xian could feel her heart nearly stop against Jiang Lin's warm chest behind her.
"Release!"
Whoosh!
Third-tier Dou Artifact Bow + Perfection-level Xuan-tier Archery + Tier Two Arrow!
A crimson-gold streak tore through the sky!
SKREEEEE!!!
The tier two Azure Hawk let out a pained screech and plummeted toward the cliffs below.
"Huh? Only pierced the bone at half draw? Not bad," Jiang Lin murmured near her ear. Then he chuckled. "As expected, women only weaken my draw strength."
Xiao Yi Xian turned red with indignation and pinched his thigh hard, making him cry out in pain.
Below, Blue Eagle watched its old nemesis fall from the sky with a single arrow and couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement.
Indeed… the three of us are incredible!
(END CHAPTER)
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