C30 A Suffocating Arrow

"Hmm?"

The Old Family Head of the Yun family watched as Yun Yan vanished before Su Yun's eyes, a look of shock crossing his face. A moment later, realization dawned, and his eyes blazed with intensity, "So it is true! You do have that thing with you!"

Whoosh!

Confused by the accusation, Su Yun had no time to ponder; he dashed to Yun Yilan's side at the edge of the martial arts field.

"Su Yun, daddy he..."

Yun Yilan began, unable to hide her concern upon seeing him approach.

"Yilan, come with me, and you'll understand," Su Yun said, cutting her off without further explanation and swiftly ushering her into the safety of the Space Soul Ring.

Whoosh!

Almost simultaneously, a piercing whistle of an arrow made Su Yun's hairs stand on end. He leapt aside just in time.

A lethal black arrow whizzed past, striking the willow tree where Su Yun had stood mere seconds before.

Bang!

The arrow punched a fist-sized hole clean through the trunk.

Splinters flew, scattering over two meters, peppering Su Yun's robe and leaving several marks.

Such astonishing Soul Power!

Su Yun's gaze sharpened as he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

It was a good thing he had acted quickly, pulling Yun Yilan into the Space Soul Ring. Had that arrow struck...

The thought was too dreadful to entertain!

Looking up, Su Yun squinted towards the pavilion where the Yun family's Old Family Head stood, bow in hand.

The once gentle and benevolent elder was now unrecognizable, transformed into a cold, unfeeling killer, his smile chilling as he loosed one deadly arrow after another.

"I have a question, would you indulge me with an answer?" Su Yun called out, his voice steady as he inhaled deeply.

Anticipating his query, the Old Family Head replied, "Young man, are you seeking the reason behind my attack?"

"No!" Su Yun responded, shaking his head firmly.

"Oh?"

The elder patriarch of the Yun family raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "So, what is it you wish to know?"

Su Yun took his time to respond, "What I don't understand is why you've waited until now to act. If your intention was to kill me, there have been countless opportunities throughout the year since I married into the Yun family..."

The Old Family Head of the Yun family gave him a knowing smile. "And what makes you so sure I haven't made a move?"

Su Yun was taken aback.

Realization dawned on him, and his eyes narrowed sharply. "Was it you who orchestrated the actions of Yun Feng, Yun Liyao, and Zilan...?"

The Old Family Head simply smiled, offering no words in response. Yet, his smile spoke volumes, serving as an unspoken admission. Even if he hadn't directly given the orders, he was unmistakably involved.

"Heh..."

A bitter laugh escaped Su Yun's lips.

He had been so consumed by his hatred for Yun Linguang and his family, not realizing they were mere pawns. And to think he had been grateful to Yun Yilan for freeing him from the dungeon and gifting him a Spirit Pill, all thanks to the machinations of this puppet master.

The absurdity of it all was laughable!

"But these are minor skirmishes. The real question is whether you truly possess that item," the Old Family Head of the Yun family continued. "Besides, I had to be cautious of your grandfather, that old fiend. Without certainty, I wouldn't dare to act rashly."

"My grandfather?" Su Yun's confusion was evident as he narrowed his eyes, seeking clarification. "What do you mean by that?"

"Enough questions, young man," the Old Family Head chided as he caressed the nocked black arrow on his longbow. His tone was detached as he declared, "It's time for you to depart."

Whoosh!

In the instant his words faded, the piercing sound of an arrow slicing through the air echoed across the dark training field.

Su Yun's pupils contracted as he leapt aside in haste.

Boom!

The black arrow struck the ground where he had just been, splitting the stone with a force that rivaled some of the weaker Explosive Spirit Talismans.

While Su Yun couldn't gauge the full extent of the Old Family Head's strength, the sheer power behind that single arrow was enough to pose a threat to any Soul Cultivator at the Soul Controlling Stage.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

With a quick calculation, Su Yun heard two more piercing sounds slicing through the air.

His face set in determination, he couldn't afford a moment's hesitation. With a forceful stomp, he propelled himself high into the air.

Boom! Boom!

Two lethal black arrows, released simultaneously, narrowly missed his feet and struck the ground, blasting open a pair of fissures.

Su Yun touched down briefly before using the momentum to spring up once more. His body crackled with yellow lightning as he surged toward the pavilion like a streak of electricity.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

But he hadn't gone far when two more black arrows headed straight for him, forcing an abrupt halt and twist.

Bang! Bang!

The arrows whizzed by, barely missing his body, and exploded less than half a meter from his feet.

"Thunder!"

With a low growl, Su Yun's surrounding lightning went wild, significantly boosting his speed as he charged ahead once more.

In a battle against a Soul Cultivator like the Yun family's Old Family Head, long-range combat would make him an easy target. Only by closing the distance could he seize the upper hand.

"Such astonishing speed. But next, you'll face three arrows!"

Atop the pavilion, the Old Family Head of the Yun family nonchalantly nocked three black arrows. Above him, a shadowy black bow soul object materialized, merging with the longbow in his hands, which began to pulse with a profound black glow.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Three arrows, charged with the dark aura, tore through the air.

He had perfectly anticipated Su Yun's approach and released them at a devilishly difficult angle.

"Thunder Hammer!"

Su Yun's expression shifted as he twisted to evade two arrows, but the third bore down on him. Left with no choice, he gripped the Divine Hammer, its surface alive with lightning, and met the arrow head-on.

Boom!

The collision sent a shockwave rippling through the void.

Despite summoning his full strength, Su Yun was still knocked back two paces, his right arm numb and quivering.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Before he could catch his breath, three more piercing whooshes of slicing wind reached his ears.

With no time to evade, Su Yun was forced to grip the Divine Hammer with both hands and brace for impact.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A single arrow had already numbed his arm; facing three simultaneously, the outcome was inevitable. Su Yun was blasted backward, crashing down ten meters away, his feet carving two long streaks into the greenstone before he finally regained his footing.

A small trickle of blood escaped his lips.

"Master, you can't fight like this!"

Just then, the Hammer Spirit's voice echoed in his ears.

Su Yun responded, "I know, but there's no way to get closer!"

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

As he finished his thought, three more black arrows bore down on him.

Su Yun halted and leaped back in a swift retreat.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Having evaded another volley of arrows, the Hammer Spirit's voice chimed in again, "Master, remember the Space Soul Ring's additional soul skill!"

"Another soul skill?"

Su Yun paused, then realization dawned, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation, "Of course!"

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

As three more black arrows hurtled toward him, Su Yun dodged once more, his Soul Ring on his finger shining brightly in response.

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