C12 Army Breaking Arrow

Qiao Mao had long been aware of the Profound Iron Bow's reputation, yet he had never had the chance to lay eyes on it. With the downfall of the Qiao family, the Qin family rose to become the most formidable force in Martial Sun City. The Zhang family, once closely trailing the Qiao family, also suffered a significant setback. As a result, the whereabouts of the Profound Iron Bow became unknown amidst the Zhang family's decline.

Now, as Qiao Mao gripped the Profound Iron Bow, he could feel its formidable power firsthand and couldn't help but express his admiration.

Zhang Tianbei wore a look of pride. The Profound Iron Bow was the Zhang family's most treasured possession, seldom displayed. Even the esteemed elders of the Zhang family rarely had the chance to inspect it up close, much less outsiders. Yet, here it was in Qiao Mao's hands.

"Thank you very much," Qiao Mao said with gratitude.

He was acutely aware that for Zhang Tianbei, loaning out the Profound Iron Bow was a significant gesture. Qiao Mao had already taken note of this act of kindness.

Zhang Tianbei gestured dismissively and spoke with urgency, "Time is of the essence. Head to the ancient temple outside the city now. I'll arrange for additional troops to support you in rescuing your mother."

Qiao Mao offered a smile in response, "I appreciate your generosity. With the Profound Iron Bow, I am more than capable of handling them on my own."

Their exchange might have seemed lengthy, but it had transpired in mere moments. Without further ado, Qiao Mao sprang into action, dashing towards the ancient temple outside the city with all haste.

The temple was a short distance from Martial Sun City, and the Zhang family had dispatched skilled martial artists to covertly track Zhen Gui, ensuring she wouldn't be harmed immediately. Qiao Mao was confident he would arrive in time.

"They couldn't possibly defeat me; I am the true assassin," Qiao Mao muttered with scorn. He then delved into the recesses of his mind, seeking out martial techniques.

The Profound Iron Bow's might was undeniable, but without the proper archery skills, its full potential would remain untapped. Therefore, Qiao Mao was intent on finding a tome detailing archery techniques to complement the bow and enhance his prowess in battle.

Qiao Mao rifled through his memories and quickly located a Yellow Rank Middle Grade secret manual detailing archery techniques, known as the Army Breaking Arrow.

Despite being a Yellow Rank Middle Grade technique, Qiao Mao was aware that the Army Breaking Arrow martial skill was quite intricate and not as straightforward as it appeared.

During a rebellion in the Imperial Capital of Fire Crow Country, the city was besieged by an army of millions. As the city neared its fall, a martial artist of exceptional skill emerged—Ke Shan. Wielding a great bow, he loosed an arrow that soared through the enemy ranks, striking down the rebel leader and averting the crisis in Fire Crow Country. Ke Shan was henceforth revered as the Arrow God, a title of unparalleled glory.

Legend has it that when Ke Shan fired that fateful arrow, darkness enveloped the world, and the vast army crumbled, unable to withstand his might.

"In Fire Crow Country, aside from Ke Shan, there is no one else capable of piercing through a million soldiers to directly strike the leader," Qiao Mao remarked with respect.

The Army Breaking Arrow, a Yellow Rank Middle Grade Archery skill, was inspired by the Arrow God Ke Shan's legendary shot. Though not crafted by the Arrow God himself, it was the most formidable among the lower-tier archery skills Qiao Mao had encountered, even surpassing the typical Yellow Rank High Grade Archery in power.

Qiao Mao deepened his comprehension of the Army Breaking Arrow, swiftly grasping its core principles. Clutching the Profound Iron Bow, he drew it taut.

His body's spiritual energy coalesced into a Spiritual Energy Arrow atop the Profound Iron Bow, radiating a brilliant green glow and an impressive presence. The light casting upon Qiao Mao's face stirred a sense of awe within him.

A sound pierced the air.

Without a moment's hesitation, Qiao Mao gently released the bowstring, and the green Spiritual Energy Arrow burst forth, accompanied by a resounding blast.

Moments later, a mighty tree 150 meters ahead was shattered by the Spiritual Energy Arrow.

Witnessing the spectacle, Qiao Mao's elation was unmistakable. Eagerly, he drew his bow and fired once more, filling the sky with a succession of explosive echoes.

"The Army Breaking Arrow, when paired with the Profound Iron Bow, unleashes formidable power. It can instantly kill a martial artist at Mortality Transcending Level Five. Even those at Mortality Transcending Level Six might find themselves unable to withstand its might," Qiao Mao said with palpable excitement.

Time was of the essence. Qiao Mao dared not delay, quickening his pace. He continued to refine his technique with the Army Breaking Arrow even as he moved.

In under half an hour, Qiao Mao had mastered the Army Breaking Arrow to the stage of Small Completion, significantly enhancing his strength. Concurrently, he reached the ancient temple on the outskirts of the city.

The temple, long abandoned, was in ruins, with broken walls scattered across its expansive 600 square meter grounds. Upon arrival, Qiao Mao immediately sensed a dozen formidable presences.

Among these presences, two were at Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven, stationed around the temple's perimeter—clearly experts dispatched by the Zhang family.

Inside the temple, there were five auras at Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven and four at Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven. One of these belonged to Zhen Gui.

But then, Qiao Mao's heart skipped a beat. He turned his attention to a certain direction deep within the temple, where he detected an overwhelmingly fearsome aura. The individual there was a Martial Dao Expert at Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven.

Confronted with the aura of a Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven Martial Dao Expert, Qiao Mao's expression turned grave. "It appears the Qin family is resolute in their desire to end my life. They've even called upon a Martial Dao Great Master for the task," he muttered with a cold scoff.

In the world of Martial Dao, Mortality Transcending is merely the beginning. Yet, Martial Dao Experts at Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven are exceedingly rare in Martial Sun City and hold esteemed positions.

This rarity is due to the substantial increase in a martial artist's combat prowess upon reaching Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven, earning them the title of Martial Dao Great Master.

Taking a brief pause, Qiao Mao concealed his presence. He stealthily navigated past the Zhang family's duo, making his way toward the temple's interior, all the while remaining undetected by the two martial artists.

However, it made sense. Although Qiao Mao's current level of cultivation wasn't high, his past life's experience made it easy for him to evade them. But if he were to be discovered by the Martial Dao Great Master who had attained Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven, the consequences would be dire.

Soon enough, Qiao Mao caught sight of his mother, Zhen Gui, in a rather dire state. She was bound to a pillar, her hair unkempt, her eyes vacant and devoid of life.

Around Zhen Gui stood five martial artists at Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven, each brandishing a large blade and gazing at her with mocking amusement.

One of the martial artists chuckled and jeered, "This is the first time I've seen the renowned Qiao Dou's wife in such a pitiful state."

At the mention of Qiao Dou's name, the others froze, clearly intimidated by the mere thought of him.

The first martial artist, however, was not cowed by Qiao Dou. He scoffed, "Brothers, you're being overly cautious. Qiao Dou has already ventured into Fallen Cloud Valley, so there's no need to fear him."

Upon hearing that Qiao Dou had entered Fallen Cloud Valley, the rest of the group relaxed. Another spoke up, "Exactly, we have no reason to fear Qiao Dou. He's in Fallen Cloud Valley and won't be able to return."

"No matter how formidable Qiao Dou may be, we've captured his wife. And his son is being hunted by the Qin family to the extent that he dares not return."