CHAPTER 88: ARCHERY TRAINING II

The Moon-Crossing Canon grew smoother with each day.

At first, Tian Lei’s curved arrows wobbled and missed, sometimes flying too far, sometimes falling short. But as his breathing and qi control steadied, the arcs sharpened. Soon, the arrows bent neatly through obstacles, landing on target no matter how he arranged them.

The Primordial Void Scripture took the most effort. Every time he drew the bow, it felt like he was pulling against the weight of the world. His qi drained fast, his arms grew heavy, but he kept at it. Slowly, the arrows of silence turned stable—no longer wild blasts, but clean strikes that erased their marks without a trace.

The courtyard became his record of progress: stone targets cracked open, shattered pieces lying in piles, and faint scars where Void arrows had left their mark.

By the tenth day, his movements were sharper, steadier. The Celestial Fate Bow felt natural in his hands now, as though it belonged there.

That night, sitting cross-legged with the bow across his knees, Tian Lei closed his eyes. The three archery paths rose in his mind—not separate anymore, but flowing together like streams joining into one river.

A thin line of golden-white light flashed before him, lingering for a few breaths before fading away.

This time, he allowed himself a small smile.

"The seed... has sprouted."

The first trace of Bow Intent had taken root.

The bow in his hands gave a faint pulse, as if it shared his feeling.

Just then, the protective barrier of his Immortal Cave shook slightly. Someone had come.

Tian Lei opened his eyes. A figure stood outside the barrier, wearing the robes of his sect. The man bowed lightly.

"Senior Brother Tian," he called, "the elders request your presence. They say it concerns a new mission."

A sect disciple stood outside the barrier and called out,

"Senior Brother Tian, today’s the last day to take on a sect mission. If you miss it, you might lose contribution points."

Tian Lei gave a small nod. He didn’t want unnecessary penalties. Without delay, he put away the Celestial Fate Bow and walked toward Mission Peak to choose a task.

Tian Lei reached Mission Peak, the tall stone hall where disciples came to choose their tasks. The place was lively, filled with cultivators looking through the glowing mission boards.

As Tian Lei stepped inside, he began browsing through the mission board, looking for something fast and simple to complete.

But soon, the hall shifted. Whispers spread as heads turned toward the entrance.

It was Yuxin.

She no longer wore the full mask that once hid her face. Instead, a thin veil rested lightly, revealing most of her features. Even that small glimpse was enough to silence the crowd. She had recently been named the third Celestial Fairy of the Azure Feather Sect, standing alongside the Fairy of Void Peak and even the Sect Master herself.

Because of this, her presence carried more weight than ever. Many disciples who once looked down on her now stood quietly, keeping their distance. Her beauty and new status left many feeling both awe and regret—some who had admired her before now realized they had missed their chance.

Still, whispers spread quickly. A few thought she might be preparing for another high-level mission, and some of the male disciples looked bitter, wishing they had the courage to speak with her.

But then, they froze.

For Yuxin had noticed Tian Lei. Without hesitation, she walked toward him.

Several disciples stared in disbelief as the Celestial Fairy stopped at Tian Lei’s side. She said a few quiet words to him, her voice calm but carrying warmth.

Gasps rippled through the hall.

"Why is she talking to him?" someone muttered.

"Do they... know each other?" another whispered.

Speculation spread like wildfire. Some disciples clenched their fists in jealousy, others looked pale with shock. To see the sect’s rising star, the newly recognized Celestial Fairy, stand beside an ordinary-seeming disciple—it was enough to make everyone wonder what kind of relationship they had.

Tian Lei, however, remained calm. He only gave Yuxin a small nod in greeting before turning back to the mission board.

Yuxin noticed the looks from the other disciples, but she didn’t care. When Tian Lei only nodded and turned back to the mission board without saying anything, a faint trace of annoyance flickered in her eyes.

She stepped a little closer, lowering her voice so only he could hear.

"So that’s it? You don’t even greet me properly?"

Tian Lei glanced at her, his expression steady. "We’re in the mission hall. Words aren’t needed."

Her lips pressed together. For a moment, she almost looked angry, but then she sighed softly. "Fine. Then I’ll say it directly—I want to join your mission."

That made Tian Lei pause. He looked at her carefully. "You want to team with me?"

Yuxin nodded. "Yes. You once helped me with the Nine Yin Heart Physique. Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here today. I haven’t forgotten that. And... if we work together, I can share some techniques with you. The Nine Yin Method isn’t the only thing I’ve learned."

Her tone was calm, but her eyes carried a faint seriousness.

Tian Lei thought for a moment. He wasn’t someone who relied on others, but he could sense she was being sincere. Besides, having her join might open new paths—her arts were not ordinary, and he could feel that her presence would only strengthen his training with the bow.

Finally, he gave a small nod. "Alright. We’ll go together."

The disciples watching from the side almost erupted. Many of them couldn’t believe it. The newly named Celestial Fairy had asked to join someone else’s mission—and that someone was Tian Lei.

When Tian Lei finally turned back to the board, Yuxin was standing right beside him. The disciples around the hall tried to act busy, but their ears were sharp, straining to catch every word.

After a moment of silence, Tian Lei tapped a jade slip from the board. "This one."

Yuxin leaned closer to read. Her eyes narrowed. "A cooperative mission? Two disciples required. Retrieve a spirit herb from the Hollow Mist Valley."

Tian Lei nodded. "It’s quick, not too far, but dangerous enough that one person would struggle alone. With two, the risk drops."

She smiled faintly, almost amused. "So you already planned for me to join?"

He didn’t answer, only removed another slip that matched it—the paired cooperative jade. Both slips lit up, fusing together into one. The light sank into their sect tokens, officially binding them as partners for the mission.

A quiet stir went through the hall. Some disciples clenched their fists, others shook their heads. To them, it wasn’t just a mission—it was an open acknowledgment. Yuxin, the Celestial Fairy, had willingly tied herself to Tian Lei for this task.

Yuxin glanced sideways at him as the glow faded. "Looks like we’re bound together now, Senior Brother Tian. Don’t think you can shake me off halfway."

Tian Lei only adjusted his sleeve, calm as ever. "If you can keep up, then stay."

After the mission slips fused, a disciple from Mission Peak stepped forward with a respectful bow. "Since it is a cooperative task, the sect has prepared a transport crane for the two of you. It will take you as far as the Hollow Mist Valley’s outer ridge."

Tian Lei gave a nod, while Yuxin’s lips curved faintly. Together, they followed the disciple down the stone steps toward the beast stables.

Waiting there was a massive white cloud crane, its wings as wide as a courtyard, feathers gleaming with a misty glow. Its sharp eyes glinted with intelligence as it lowered its head toward them.

The disciple handed Tian Lei a jade tag. "Offer your qi to the tag, and the crane will recognize you as its rider for the journey."

Tian Lei pressed his fingers against the tag, sending a steady flow of qi into it. The crane let out a low cry, then bent one knee, allowing them to board.

Yuxin’s veil shifted slightly as she glanced at him. "Senior Brother Tian, you don’t look like the type to enjoy sharing a ride."

"Then don’t fall off," Tian Lei replied plainly as he stepped onto the crane’s back.

Suppressing a laugh, Yuxin gracefully followed, settling down just behind him. The moment both their weights balanced, the cloud crane spread its wings. With a powerful flap, it rose into the sky, leaving the sect peaks behind.

The wind rushed past them, carrying faint spiritual mist as the mountains rolled by beneath. From below, disciples watched until the crane became a distant silhouette against the horizon.

Bound by the mission, Tian Lei and Yuxin were now flying straight toward the Hollow Mist Valley.

The cloud crane glided smoothly through the skies, its wings stirring ripples in the clouds as if the heavens themselves parted for its passage.

Yuxin sat just behind Tian Lei, her long sleeves flowing in the wind. For a while, neither spoke, letting only the sound of rushing air fill the silence. Finally, she leaned slightly forward, her voice light but tinged with curiosity.

"Senior Brother Tian... you accepted a cooperative mission so quickly. Are you that confident in me, or just careless with your choices?"

Tian Lei kept his eyes on the horizon. "Neither. I simply don’t waste time second-guessing what’s already decided."