Chapter 3831 One Arrow To Extinction
Davis and the rest of the team watched in horror as the arrow was about to make an impact. Their undulations almost brimmed from their bodies in an attempt to defend against the two threats rushing at them.
They felt like they were finished if either one of them missed.
If the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud swayed and dodged the arrow, their flying ship would be destroyed, and along with it, they would perish. If the arrow missed, the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud would engulf their flying ship without even knowing and burn them alive!
They couldn’t see what was going on as the arrow’s trajectory was blocked by the cloud monster!
"Hold!"
However, Davis shouted, deciding to trust his gut as he put his trust in the Level Three Empyean’s might. His shout instantly stopped the powerful wives from making a move to defend themselves.
Their nerves became taut, and their eyes narrowed until they were all ready to whip out their energy at a moment’s notice. Isabella took out a defensive talisman of unknown prowess procured from Autarch Metenoa, hoping it would cover them all.
They watched with baited breath.
As the arrow passed through the cloud, it started to break apart, revealing a dazzling light coming from within. The formidable arrow proceeded on its course, causing havoc in its path until it reached the center of the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud. The blinding light became stronger, scattering the remaining cloud and casting a brilliant brightness across the skies.
"..."
They watched in awe as the arrow pierced through the cloud with a deafening explosion, rupturing it into a million wisps. The once dark and ominous cloud quickly dissipated, revealing a clear blue sky above.
"Wha-?"
Shirley gawked.
They defeated the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud already?
From what they could see, it’s cultivation base was at least around Level Two Empyrean Stage, so it could probably reach Level Three Empyrean Stage in prowess at the very least.
However, they also sensed the Level Three Empyrean’s prowess. His arrow had reached the prowess of a peak Level Four Empyrean, or perhaps even beyond!
They couldn’t be sure, as the distance between them and the next stage was too great to be able to tell the difference.
As the blinding light began fading, they could see the level of skill and power that the cultivator possessed from how not a single cloud wisp remained. The precision and strength behind that single arrow were beyond anything they had ever witnessed before. They felt he had mastered Archery Intent to the extent of an Empyrean which meant he reached Level Seven Quiddity.
Archery Law wasn’t a Phyletic Law but a Primary Law. There were also Primary Laws like Sword Laws, Spear Laws and many more that have been catered to weapons. They doubted if he had comprehended the Phyletic Law of Archery but couldn’t exclude the possibility due to how extraordinarily suave that man was with a bow and arrow.
At this moment, a spherical object could be seen dropping from the air.
"...!"
Davis looked at that object and recognized it as the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud’s Core.
However, its descent abruptly came to a stop before it began ascending towards that Level Three Empyrean. That white-haired man reached out his hand and made the core float on top of his hand, looking immersed in it.
"..."
Davis’s eyes reddened a bit over losing such a treasure. He knew Calypsea would’ve craved it since its fire was apocalyptic in nature. It could’ve allowed her to peak the Immortal Emperor Stage at the very least.
In fact, he also craved it a bit, as the cloud possessed both fire and lightning properties, although it was primarily fire and lightning was only a secondary emergence of its body as a cloud, just like how Zephya possessed a little bit of comprehension of Water Laws despite being a Wind Spirit.
Nonetheless, he and his group were powerless to hunt down such a being, so he wasn’t too greedy and easily shook away the loss, knowing that the other end of the situation was his group’s complete demise, or at the very least, their severe defeat leading to a big chase.
The flying ship continued to head away from the Eternal Twilight Lower Realm cultivators’ line of sight, but Davis and the others could hear them speak.
"Really? Great grandfather-" One of the three Autarchs spoke.
"It’s Grand Elder for you."
However, the Level Three Empyrean quickly rebuked, his eyes full of glare.
It caused that Autarch to obediently lower his head as an apology before he raised his head and asked again.
"Grand Elder, why did you shoot it down? We are younger than you and need achievements to have promotions and come up in life."
"Don’t be so needy. This is a serious situation where a Void Class Calamity appeared from space out of nowhere, potentially due to the prior major incident involving all the realms a few days ago where all kinds of beings teleported from that unknown world, and we need to focus on stopping it before it destroys half of the region. Besides, the search for the Divine Emperor of Death hasn’t concluded yet, so what are you doing floating here and complaining about failing to finish off the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud when I gave you three the chance?"
The Grand Elder’s words were piercing, echoing through the skies with authority.
It made the three Autarchs lower their heads in shame. They were indeed given the chance to kill it, but they failed.
"Rafalgar, you will remember this- ah, alright, alright. Grand Elder, see you later!"
The great grandson cursed before he flinched and flew away.
The other two cupped their hands to the Grand Elder and left without saying a word since they weren’t directly related to the Grand Elder. Soon enough, the Grand Elder kept the core of the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud inside his spatial ring, sealing it securely inside a jade container.
He remained silent while floating in the air, seemingly thinking about a few things.
However, his gaze was on the spot where the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud died.
"..."
Davis’s heart clenched.
It was unclear if he was checking if the Infernal Haze Retribution Cloud truly died, as it had the ability to eject a fake core and buy itself some time to escape, or if he had noticed their undulations that were about to boom when the arrow was about to hit them.
Although they weren’t in his line of sight anymore, it was difficult to see through what was going on in his head.
Davis and the others remained silent for over five minutes. They even held their breaths.
By this time, Davis and the others had their flying ship completely come to a stop in order to not reveal the slightest changes in space. The Eternal Twilight Lower Realm’s Grand Elder could be looking for the Eternal Haze Retribution Cloud’s revival with his senses, but he could also accidentally find them over the countless sweeps.
Eventually, the Grand Elder sighed and shook his head, leaving the space as though confirming nothing fishy was going on.
"Phew..."
Only then did Davis and the others exhale a long breath, their nervous systems finally relaxing.
"That was a close call..."
Davis turned to look back at them, chuckling lightly.
Founder Alstreim dropped to his knees, "Not going to lie. That was scarier than anything I’ve encountered, surpassing even the descent of the Vacuous Beasts that ripped my family apart. Why did I have you as my descendant?"
"Haha. Be prepared for more."
Davis pointed at Founder Alstreim and laughed. His ancestor was always an honest man, saying what he thought. He didn’t find it offensive, as he did think he was indeed the reason for encountering such dangers. He didn’t believe it was a coincidence, as his constitution was said to attract calamities.
He turned to look at the others, clapping his hands once.
"Alright, now that we’re out of the precarious situation, let’s continue toward the Earth Dragon Border Town. Or do you all want to take a rest?"
Davis offered. He could see the hint of exhaustion in the others’ faces. Encountering this ordeal literally drained their souls and made them scared for their future. There were children with them in the Nine-Treasured Immortal Ordeal Palace, and they could’ve all died from that arrow.
"You should take some rest, but I see why you’re keeping yourself up, my Emperor."
Isabella commented with a smile. She felt it was time he slept to recover, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel pride as he protected them with his shout. Since they had the power to somewhat defend themselves, they might’ve exposed the flying ship accidentally.
"Don’t worry. This was nothing. I’m only staying up to keep a vigilant eye, but if push comes to shove, you can always rely on my trump card, which is much more powerful than you all. There’s nothing to fear."
Davis’s expression turned gentle as he sent his wives a soul transmission.
Hearing his utter confidence, their psyches were also positively affected, and they nodded.
"Let’s go!"
Shirley jumped and yelled out.
"You want to switch?" Klade asked Founder Alstreim, but the latter shook his head.
"You were also shaking in your boots. Let me handle this beauty." Founder Alstreim patted the flying ship’s surface, appearing to be in love.
"You!-"
Klade’s face flushed with anger before he jumped and hugged the wheel, his expression going rogue, "Hehe, she’s mine now."
"..." Founder Alstreim gawked.
"Ahaha~"
The ladies laughed. They could tell they were also comforting them despite almost falling to their knees one actually did but their act was also too comical to not be laughed at.
Their flying ship changed directions and began to pick up speed.
Since they used one of the Concealment Talismans, it was going to stay up until they canceled it or it ran out of energy first. Regardless, with them being concealed, it gave them the ability to travel faster than before.
With many mountains blocking their path or blocked by walls of towns or hidden family territories like the Metenoa Family’s Territory occasionally, they couldn’t use the flying ship’s full speed anyway.
Half a day later, they finally arrived near the Earth Dragon Border Town.