Chapter 175

He threw the Thunderstrike Ironwood Bow to Qin Shuo, then Nie Jinfeng turned around and sat back in the pavilion, never glancing at Qin Shuo again.

Translation: He threw the Thunder-Strike Ironwood Bow to Qin Shuo, then Nie Jinfeng turned and sat back in the pavilion, refusing to glance at Qin Shuo again.

pavilion

His standards are exceedingly high; unless the other's archery talent truly surpasses his own, there is no way to reach the summit of that ten‑thousand‑ren peak.

Translation: His standards are exceedingly high; unless the other's archery talent truly surpasses his own, there is no chance of scaling that ten-thousand‑ren peak.

His standards are exceedingly high; unless the other's archery talent truly surpasses his own, there is no way to reach the summit of that ten‑thousand‑ren peak.

He would never allow a repeatedly provoking brat to inherit Wind Thunder Valley's supreme secret arts, nor would he personally teach him archery.

Translation: He would never allow a brat who repeatedly provoked him to inherit Fenglei Valley's supreme secret art, let alone personally teach him archery.

Nie Jinfeng gave a cold snort, thinking, "I hope he actually has some ability!"

Translation: "I hope he really has some skill!" Nie Jinfeng thought with a cold sneer.

Choosing Qin Shuo was a reluctant move.

Translation: Choosing Qin Shuo was a reluctant move.

The way of archery is easy to learn but hard to master.

Translation: The way of archery is easy to learn but hard to master.

Almost anyone can pick up a bow and shoot arrows to harm others.

Translation: Almost anyone can pick up a bow and shoot to injure.

But to use archery as a path to the Dao, to merge with heaven and earth and grasp the true essence of martial arts, is far more difficult than mastering swords, spears, or staves.

Translation: But to enter the Dao through archery, to merge with heaven and earth and grasp the true essence of martial arts, is far harder than with swords, spears, or staves.

Wind Thunder Valley has tens of thousands of disciples, but in the past century, only those who have seen the divine weapons,

Translation: Fenglei Valley numbers tens of thousands of disciples, yet in the past century only a few have beheld the Divine Weapon,

Besides him and Zhang Youlong, the only other person who had high hopes placed on him was Xue Chengkong.

Translation: besides him and Zhang Youlong, the only other one who had been expected to achieve it was Xue Chengkong.

According to Nie Jinfeng's deduction, the criteria for selecting divine weapon trial participants are mainly archery talent and archery proficiency.

Translation: According to Nie Jinfeng's deduction, the Divine Weapon's selection criteria for trial-takers are mainly archery talent and skill.

He himself had already seen the divine weapon decades ago, and was later guided into the secret realm to participate in the divine weapon trial.

Translation: He himself had beheld the Divine Weapon decades ago, and was later guided into a secret realm to participate in the Divine Weapon trials.

Although Zhang Youlong's archery talent pales in comparison to his own, he still managed to see the divine weapon thanks to decades of archery expertise.

Translation: While Zhang Youlong's archery talent falls far short of his, his decades of skill still earned him a glimpse of the Divine Weapon.

However, although he had seen the divine weapon, he never received the summons, could not enter the secret realm, and could not participate in the trial.

Translation: However, though he had seen the Divine Weapon, he never received the summons, could not enter the secret realm, and could not take part in the trials.

Therefore he surmised that so‑called archery talent is not innate and fixed, but can be improved.

Translation: He therefore surmised that so‑called archery talent is not innate and fixed, but can be changed.

Zhang Youlong is the best example.

Translation: Zhang Youlong is the best example.

If archery proficiency improves, archery talent should also increase accordingly.

Translation: If archery skill improves, archery talent should rise as well.

Thus he conceived the idea of guiding Qin Shuo's archery to boost his talent, so that Qin Shuo could stand on his shoulders and compete with the peak's wielder for the divine weapon.

Translation: That is why he conceived the idea of guiding Qin Shuo's archery to boost his talent, so that Qin Shuo could stand on his shoulders and vie with the peak's wielder for the Divine Weapon.

"Junior brother, isn't your one‑hour limit too strict?"

Translation: "Junior Brother, isn't your one‑hour limit too harsh?"

Zhang Youlong also sat back in the pavilion, turned his head toward Nie Jinfeng behind him, and seeing the youth holding a long bow, lost in thought, he let out a faint sigh.

Translation: Zhang Youlong also sat back in the pavilion, turned his head toward Nie Jinfeng behind him, and sighed at the sight of the youth holding a long bow, lost in thought.

This junior brother of his is fine in every way, except his pride is too high and his mouth too stubborn.

Translation: This junior brother of his is fine in every way, except his ambition is too high and his mouth too stubborn.

Although he actually thinks highly of that youth, he constantly belittles him with his words.

Translation: Though he actually thinks highly of the youth, he belittles him in every way with his words.

He even proposed an impossible task just to grind down the youth's arrogance and temper.

Translation: He even proposed an impossible task just to grind down the youth's arrogance and temper.

Actually he knows very well that whether or not the youth can grasp the thunderous intent within an hour, the other party will surely continue to cooperate with him.

Translation: Actually he knows full well that whether or not the youth can grasp the thunderous intent within an hour, the other party will certainly continue to cooperate.

Because he simply has no choice.

Translation: Because he simply has no alternative.

"Is it too strict?"

Translation: "Harsh?"

Nie Jinfeng gave no clear answer.

Translation: Nie Jinfeng gave no reply.

"Of course it's strict!"

Translation: "Of course it's harsh!"

Zhang Youlong said with a helpless expression: "That treacherous disciple Xue Chengkong was hailed as the first genius of Wind Thunder Valley in a century,"

Translation: Zhang Youlong said with a weary face: "That rebellious disciple Xue Chengkong, hailed as the first genius of Fenglei Valley in a century,

"He actually needed three full days to comprehend even a hint of thunderous arrow intent…"

Translation: at first actually needed three full days to grasp even a hint of thunderous arrow intent…"

"Even if this youth's archery talent surpasses that treacherous disciple,"

Translation: Even if this youth's archery talent exceeds that of the rebel,

"but one hour…"

Translation: but one hour…

"is far too demanding!"

Translation: is far too much to ask!""

Although that treacherous disciple once sacrificed everything, even falling into demonic craft and refining pills from humans to restore his meridians, causing his master to lose all face,

Translation: Although that rebel once, in order to renew his heavenly meridian, did not hesitate to fall into the demonic path, refining pills from humans, causing his master to lose all face.

yet his cultivation talent is indeed the best in Wind Thunder Valley since Nie Jinfeng over the past several decades.

Translation: Yet his cultivation talent is indeed the best in Fenglei Valley in the past few decades, after Nie Jinfeng.

Otherwise, the Yunzhou prefect Chen Muyun would not have publicly praised him as the 'Double Absolute of Elixir and Arrow'!

Translation: Otherwise, the Yunzhou Governor Chen Muyun would not have publicly praised him as the 'Dual Absolute of Elixir and Arrow'!

"Is it too much to ask?"

Translation: "Too much to ask?"

Nie Jinfeng gently turned his teacup and coldly snorted, "If he can't even surpass that Xue Chengkong, what qualifies him to earn the divine weapon's recognition?"

Translation: Nie Jinfeng gently turned his teacup and sneered: "If he can't even surpass Xue Chengkong, what qualifies him to earn the Divine Weapon's approval?

He certainly doesn't deserve to stand on my shoulders and become the master of the divine weapon.

Translation: nor does he deserve to stand on my shoulders and become the master of the Divine Weapon."

When Xue Chengkong is mentioned, Nie Jinfeng's eyes also show a hint of turmoil.

Translation: Mentioning Xue Chengkong also stirred some ripples in Nie Jinfeng's eyes.

He was once a prodigy whom Nie Jinfeng had high hopes for, yet heaven grudges the outstanding.

Translation: He was once a prodigy whom Nie Jinfeng had high hopes for, yet heaven begrudged the talent.

If his meridians had not been shattered,

Translation: If his heavenly meridian had not been shattered,

perhaps it should be their Wind Thunder Valley disciple who now stands atop that ten‑thousand‑ren peak,

Translation: perhaps it would be their Fenglei Valley disciple who now stands atop that ten‑thousand‑ren peak,

what business does this brat have there?

Translation: what business does this brat have there?

Taking three days to grasp the thunderous arrow intent is only second to his own achievement of comprehending it in a single hour back then.

Translation: Grasping thunderous arrow intent in three days is only second to his own feat of comprehending it in one hour back then.

But who is he? Looking across Yunzhou, even the entire Tianhuang Dao, only a handful could surpass him in archery talent.

Translation: But who is he? Across Yunzhou, and even the Tianhuang Dao, only a handful could surpass him in archery talent.

Even the Yunzhou general, famed as the unrivaled divine archer Hong Four Symbols, would fall short of him in archery proficiency.

Translation: Even the Yunzhou General, famed as the Unparalleled Divine Shot Hong Sixiang, falls short of him in archery skill.

The only person he cannot see through and whom he wary of is the Yunzhou prefect himself.

Translation: The only one he cannot read and whose presence makes him wary is the Yunzhou Governor himself.

Barring any surprise,

Translation: As expected,

after an hour, that brat surely won't even find the way, let alone comprehend the thunderous intent.

Translation: after an hour, that brat surely won't even find the way, let alone grasp the thunderous intent.

Then he can give him a good scolding to let him know that there are always people better than you and skies beyond the sky.

Translation: Then he can give him a good scolding, so the brat learns that there are always people better than you and skies beyond the sky.

In Nie Jinfeng's eyes, the bit of archery talent he thinks he has is utterly insignificant!

Translation: In Nie Jinfeng's eyes, the brat's self‑esteemed archery talent is utterly worthless.

"Grasping the thunderous arrow intent in one hour…"

Translation: "Grasping thunderous arrow intent in one hour…

"looking through the true transmission records of divine arrow peak through the ages, only the founding master and you, my junior brother, possess this talent."

Translation: looking through the Divine Arrow Peak's true‑transmission records of enlightenment, only the founding ancestor and you, Junior Brother, have had such talent.

"that youth is merely the son of a hunter from a border town…"

Translation: That brat is merely the son of a hunter from a border town…

"Junior brother, your demand is simply too high!"

Translation: Junior Brother, your demand is simply too high!""

Zhang Youlong gave a wry smile and shook his head.

Translation: Zhang Youlong gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

He had already made up his mind that when his junior brother later criticizes the youth, he would be sure to say many kind words.

Translation: He had already made up his mind that, when the junior brother later criticizes the youth, he would be sure to say more kind words.

If necessary, he would comfort himself by recalling his own past—how it took him over half a month to grasp the thunderous arrow intent.

Translation: If worse comes to worst, he would comfort him with his own past of taking over half a month to grasp thunderous arrow intent.

In short, we can't let that boy be too embarrassed!

Otherwise, if this youth leaves in a huff, later coming to beg for mercy and seeking continued cooperation, it will mostly have to be me.

After all, making this proud and arrogant junior disciple bow his head is practically harder than climbing to heaven!

"High? When I was young I could do it, he……"

Boom—

Just then, a sound like muffled thunder exploded, cutting off the two men's voice transmission.

Nie Jinfeng and Zhang Youlong couldn't help but turn their heads to look.

In their gradually dazed gaze, Qin Shuo slowly pulled the black great bow in his hand to a full-moon shape, rolling thunder erupting from the black iron heavy arrow, as if it were not an arrow but a path of black lightning.

Boom—

As if heavenly thunder were falling, at the instant the bowstring twanged, the black iron heavy arrow shot forth like a bolt of lightning.

On that black arrow shaft, thunder roared like a tide, electric arcs like a net, crackling and exploding!

Compared to Nie Jinfeng's two arrows just now,

Qin Shuo's this arrow, in both momentum and power, naturally falls far short.

Yet the thunderbolt arrow intent contained within is not lacking in the slightest!

At this moment, Qin Shuo's Thunderbolt Arrow, one of the four killing moves of the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique…

Perfected!

"How long has it been……"

Just a few sentences' worth of time…… practiced the Thunderbolt Arrow?

Even though Nie Jinfeng is praised as the top talent in archery of Wind Thunder Valley since the founding ancestor, he now also feels somewhat doubtful of life.

According to his perception, although he had his back to Qin Shuo the whole time, he could still see clearly,

that when the youth drew the bow just now, his stance, exertion of force, breathing, and even his thoughts were exactly the same as his own.

In other words, the other merely watched his demonstration once and perfectly replicated his exertion of force and breathing.

Yes, it's not learning, but replication!

If it were learning, it could never be this fast, nor would it inherit the habit of slightly raising his elbow when drawing the bow.

What's more outrageous, even his martial will was replicated exactly.

Such talent……

Nie Jinfeng only felt his scalp go numb, shocked beyond words.

"Junior brother…… how long did it take you back then to cultivate the complete Thunderbolt Arrow?"

Zhang Youlong stared fixedly at the youth standing on the cliff's edge, only feeling his mouth dry.

Before this, he had never imagined someone could cultivate the Thunderbolt Arrow in less than half a cup of tea's time.

And it's a perfected Thunderbolt Arrow!

You must know, when Nie Jinfeng spent an hour to comprehend the thunderbolt arrow intent, it was not even one ten-thousandth of what he just displayed.

Yet this youth before us has not only comprehended the complete thunderbolt arrow intent, but is also skilled, as if he had studied for several decades.

Even with his strict eye as a martial arts master, he couldn't find a single flaw; who could tell this is a beginner!

"A monster, this is a true archery monster……"

Nie Jinfeng could no longer hear Zhang Youlong's words, left only muttering to himself in shock.

On the mountaintop.

Nie Jinfeng and Zhang Youlong both stared, faces full of shock, at the black-clad youth holding a long bow and standing on the cliff.

The latter, however, seemed oblivious, his gaze fixed on the direction behind Wind Thunder Valley's rear mountain.

There, a scarlet pillar of light shot straight to the heavens!

"Sun-Shooting Divine Bow!"

……