Legend of the Divine Archer

The arena buzzed with the anticipation of the crowd, every eye fixed on the fighters below. The spectacle of the Iron Blood Cell Trials had already seen its fair share of intense moments, but none had commanded attention quite like the unfolding clash between Yan Jin and his three opponents.

The public's excitement was a palpable force, a mixture of awe and dread as they watched the confrontation build to its boiling point.

Yan Jin's gaze was sharp, his mind focused as he took in the positioning of his opponents. This was no ordinary fight; it was an opportunity, a live battlefield where he could refine the Garuda movement technique and sharpen his skills in close-quarter archery. The thrill of battle coursed through his veins, electrifying his senses.

The broadsword fighter came at him first, his heavy weapon crashing down with the intent to cleave Yan Jin in two. But Yan Jin was already moving, his body a blur as he sidestepped the attack with a swift, fluid motion. It was as if he were a feather caught in the wind, the Garuda movement technique guiding his every step.

His feet barely touched the ground as he twisted around the descending blade, his speed drawing a gasp from the crowd.

Before the broadsword fighter could recover, Yan Jin's hand flew to the quiver at his side. In a seamless motion, he nocked an arrow and drew the string back, his movements almost too fast for the eye to follow. The arrow flew true, striking the fighter's shoulder with a thud. The force of the impact sent him stumbling back, his grip on the broadsword faltering as pain shot through his arm.

Yan Jin didn't pause. The woman with the daggers was already moving, her lithe form darting toward him with the grace of a predator. Her daggers flashed in the dim light, aimed at Yan Jin's side, but he was ready. He twisted his body at the last possible moment, the dagger slicing through the air just inches from his ribs.

The Garuda movement technique made him seem almost weightless, his body turning and shifting with impossible speed.

With a swift pivot, Yan Jin ducked low and spun on his heel, using the momentum to draw another arrow. This time, he aimed for the woman's legs, forcing her to leap back to avoid the shot. The arrow embedded itself in the ground where she had been standing, a clear warning of Yan Jin's precision. The crowd roared with approval, their cheers echoing through the arena.

But there was no time to relish in the moment. The spellcaster was already chanting, his hands glowing with arcane energy as he prepared to unleash a spell. Yan Jin's eyes narrowed, his mind calculating the timing. He dashed toward the spellcaster, his movements a blur as he zigzagged to avoid any incoming attacks.

The Garuda technique was perfect for this, allowing him to glide through the battlefield like a bird riding the wind.

As he closed in, the spellcaster released a burst of energy, a searing bolt of light aimed directly at Yan Jin. But Yan Jin was faster. He leaped into the air, twisting his body mid-flight to avoid the blast. The light missed him by a hair's breadth, the heat of it brushing past his skin as he soared over the spellcaster's head.

The crowd held its breath, their eyes wide as they watched Yan Jin's next move. Still in the air, he drew another arrow, the bowstring pulling taut as he aimed down at the spellcaster. The shot was perfect—direct, precise. The arrow struck the spellcaster's shoulder, disrupting his concentration and sending him sprawling to the ground.

Yan Jin landed lightly, rolling forward to maintain his momentum before coming up on his feet. His senses were heightened, his focus razor-sharp. He could imitate but he was missing the essence of the Garuda's movement : Power. The broadsword fighter was already charging again, and the woman with the daggers had found her footing, ready to strike.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats, their cheers mingling with gasps of surprise and awe. "Look at that speed!" one spectator shouted, his voice filled with excitement. "He's like a phantom!" Another voice, tinged with disbelief, added, "How is he doing that? He's blind!"

Nie Li, watching from the sidelines, could hardly contain his frustration. "This bastard," he muttered under his breath, his anger simmering as he watched Yan Jin continue to outmaneuver his opponents with apparent ease. "He's toying with them."

The broadsword came crashing down again, but this time, Yan Jin didn't dodge. Instead, he stepped into the attack like a shield, moving closer to the fighter with a speed that defied logic. His bow, now held horizontally shot a blood energy charged arrow, intercepted the broadsword's descent with a powerful parry.

The force of the clash reverberated through both weapons, sending a shockwave through the arena.

Yan Jin used the momentum to spin around the broadsword fighter , brute forcing his way into the shockwave as if immune to pain, coming up behind him in a flash. Before the fighter could react, Yan Jin's bow was already drawn, the string humming with tension. He released the arrow point-blank, the impact sending the broadsword fighter sprawling across the arena floor.

The woman with the daggers saw her chance and lunged, her weapons aimed at Yan Jin's back. But Yan Jin was ready. He dropped to the ground, the daggers slicing through the air above him. In a fluid motion, he rolled to the side and sprang up, his bow already nocked with another arrow. He fired at her mid-leap, the arrow grazing her side and throwing off her balance.

She landed awkwardly, her momentum carrying her forward into a stumble.

The spellcaster, now back on his feet, tried once more to summon a spell, but Yan Jin was relentless. He closed the distance in an instant, using the Garuda movement technique to dash past the woman further displacing her with a shockwave and to reach the spellcaster.

A swift strike with his bow sent the spellcaster's staff flying from his hands, and before he could react, Yan Jin delivered a crushing blow to his chest, knocking the wind out of him.

The crowd erupted in cheers, their admiration for Yan Jin growing with each passing second. "He's unstoppable!" someone shouted. "This is incredible!" Another voice joined in, "He's like a ghost! How can anyone beat him?"

But the fight wasn't over. Yan Jin knew his opponents wouldn't go down so easily. The broadsword fighter was already struggling to his feet, his eyes burning with determination. The woman with the daggers had recovered as well, her stance low and predatory as she prepared for another assault.

The spellcaster, though weakened, was still conscious, his hands trembling as he tried to muster the strength for one last spell.

Yan Jin took a deep breath, his chest heaving from the exertion. His body was tired, but his mind was clear, focused. This was exactly the kind of challenge he needed—to push himself to the brink, to see how far he could go. The Garuda movement technique was still new to him, but each battle brought him closer to mastering it.

His close-quarter archery, too, was improving, the speed of his draws and the accuracy of his shots becoming second nature.

He could see the exhaustion in his opponents' eyes, the way their movements had slowed, their attacks less coordinated. But he couldn't afford to be complacent. He had to keep pushing, keep fighting. This wasn't just about survival—it was about growth, about becoming stronger.

The broadsword fighter roared as he charged once more, his blade raised high. Yan Jin met him head-on, their weapons clashing with a thunderous crash. But this time, Yan Jin didn't just parry—he followed up with a swift kick to the fighter's knee, sending him crashing to the ground. Before the fighter could react, Yan Jin's bow was drawn, an arrow aimed directly at his throat.

"Yield," Yan Jin said, his voice cold and commanding. The broadsword fighter hesitated, his eyes darting between the arrow and Yan Jin's unwavering gaze. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he dropped his weapon.

But there was no time to savor the victory. The woman with the daggers was already upon him, her attacks relentless as she tried to find an opening in Yan Jin's defenses. Yan Jin danced around her strikes, his movements fluid and precise. He countered with swift jabs from his bow, keeping her at bay while he looked for an opening.

Finally, he sensed it—a momentary lapse in her guard. Yan Jin struck with lightning speed, his arrow piercing her shoulder and forcing her to drop one of her daggers. She cried out in pain, but her resolve didn't waver. With a defiant glare, she switched to a one-handed stance, her remaining dagger held tightly as she prepared for one last stand.

The spellcaster, now barely able to stand, mustered his remaining strength for one final spell. But Yan Jin was already moving, his body a blur as he closed the distance. With a swift strike, he disarmed the spellcaster, his bow knocking the man unconscious with a single blow.

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers, their admiration for Yan Jin reaching new heights. "He's done it!" someone shouted. "Unbelievable!" Another voice chimed in, "This is what a true warrior looks like!"

Yan Jin stood in the center of the arena, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. His opponents lay defeated around him