Houyi Archery

One of the top-ten divine abilities in the Three Realms. Based on the legendary archer Houyi's techniques, it allows a cultivator to shoot a lethal arrow from a distance of a hundred thousand li or more.

Definition

Story context

This chapter is all about the *planning phase*—the quiet, methodical storm before the action. Ji Ning has just received his trial mission from Mount Innerheart: recruit a disciple radiating a hundred-zhang of golden karmic merit AND kill ten Earth Immortal or Loose Immortal-level great demons whose karmic sin blazes with a hundred-zhang of bloody light. It's a tall order that calls for both a saint and a slaughterer. But instead of rushing off, Ning does what he does best: he goes back to his chamber, sits on his meditation jade bed, and *strategizes*. He ruthlessly triages his options from the Three Realms Palace, locking in the Eight-Nine Arcane Art for its "no-cost indestructibility" and the Houyi Archery for its terrifying long-range kill power—while wistfully eyeing the Candle Dragon's Eye as a bonus. And then, because he can't fight cosmic-level demons with a Primal-stage cultivation, he dumps half a million jin of Primordial Liquid into his Primaltwin to force a late-stage Earth Immortal breakthrough. There are no flashy fights here, just the quiet hum of a cultivator optimizing his build before the carnage begins. It's the Xianxia equivalent of reloading your weapon and checking your ammo before the boss fight.

Why it matters

This chapter is a masterclass in *character preparation* before a major story arc. If you're used to Western action fantasies where the hero just picks up a new sword and goes, this slower, more deliberate beat might feel like a pause. But in the rhythm of Xianxia, this is where the real tension is built. Ning's meditation isn't laziness—it's the quiet satisfaction of a plan being forged. Pay close attention to his reasoning for choosing the Eight-Nine Arcane Art: a passive, no-cost body refinement that makes him as tough as a treasure. This is a long-term investment that will pay off in every single battle from now on. Also, note the *weight* of his resources: half a million jin of Primordial Liquid just to push his second body to late-stage Earth Immortal. This is a reminder that in this world, wealth is power, and Ning is burning through his prize money at a terrifying rate. Get ready—the next phase is going to be bloody.