I Can Merge Techniques-Chapter 78 - 77: Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill Nearing Great Success

Chapter 78: Chapter 77: Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill Nearing Great Success

"Hee hee hee..."

Xia Huanhuan watched Chu Fan’s retreating figure, her body shaking with laughter. "This boy... he’s just my type!"

A vicious glint flashed in Sun Zixuan’s eyes. "Sister-in-law, that kid is choosing the hard way..."

With that, he was about to give chase.

Xia Huanhuan raised a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "Go find my second uncle. Tell him to bring Chu Fan to me."

"Someone else got to Zhao Tianxing first. We can’t let this one fall into another’s hands."

A look of jealousy crossed Sun Zixuan’s face. "But that kid is ungrateful..."

"It would be best if he can be used by me." Xia Huanhuan’s lips curved into a slight smile. "But if he can’t, I have ten thousand methods to cripple him."

Sun Zixuan nodded. "Understood."

Nearby, Ling Feng watched Chu Fan’s back, his eyes narrowing slightly.

...

The lingering snow was melting away.

A hint of spring was in the air.

Patches of snow dotted the forest floor, where the earth seemed to be breaking free from its frosty shackles, revealing dark brown decaying leaves and damp, black soil.

Gnarled, bare branches reached for the gray-white sky, each one coated in a thin layer of ice.

When the wind blew, the icy branches knocked against each other, creating a clear, crisp sound like shattering jade.

The air was sharp and clean, and each breath filled the lungs with the sweet chill of post-snow cold.

All was silent, save for the soft CRUNCH of Chu Fan’s feet on the remaining snow.

’To master the Moon Eclipse Arrow, I first need to train the "steadiness" of my Body Technique—to stand as firm as a pine, move as nimbly as a sparrow. My steps must move without my body swaying, only then can the bow frame remain stable.’

’Next is training the "penetration" of my sight—to read the wind’s direction, to see the distant as if it were near. I must be able to discern the slightest detail from a hundred paces to know my arrow’s path.’

’And then, I must train the "focus" of my mind—to not rush the shot when drawing the bow, to not worry about hitting the target when releasing the arrow. I must let the bowstring vibrate and the arrow fly, holding onto the single thought: "Hit the mark!"’

’Compared to the raw power of close-quarters combat, archery emphasizes "striking first from a distance"...’

’There’s no need for hand-to-hand fighting, yet a single Feathered Arrow can neutralize a danger ten paces away.’

’There’s no need for physical contact, yet a single moment of focus can project one’s will a thousand li away!’

’Therefore, a student of warfare who only knows fists, kicks, and melee weapons, but not the bow and arrow, is like one who looks at a mountain and sees only the peaks, not the sea of clouds. They lack the "wisdom of foresight" and the complete martial path of "using softness to overcome hardness, using the far to control the near."’

’Only when my limbs are steady, my sight is sharp, and my mind is focused can I dare claim to practice archery!’

’Only when my arrows can hit a target at a hundred paces, break through the wind’s resistance, and fly as my will commands, can I be considered to have completed the realm of "weapon extension." After all, my reach is but a few feet, but the arrow’s reach is as far as the eye can see and the heart can aim. This is what truly "allows one’s abilities to cross mountains and seas without end!"’

The lifelong learning and years of insight from Zhao Tianxing’s archery master, Chen Xuan, echoed endlessly in Chu Fan’s mind.

He walked to a clearing in the forest and came to a stop.

[Skill: Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill (Small Success) 155/300]

[Skill: Moon Eclipse Arrow (Entry-Level) Progress: (97/100) (Trait: None)]

In just five days.

His Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill had progressed at a divine speed.

The Moon Eclipse Arrow was also only three Experience Points away from reaching Small Success.

This was all thanks to the memories and insights he had assimilated through the Refinement of Zhao Tianxing and Chen Xuan.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, shattering into a delicate golden gauze that draped diagonally over his shoulders.

Chu Fan stood as still as a stone.

Around him, there was only the faint whistling of the wind through bare branches and the sound of his own breathing.

After a few breaths...

He took the Iron-Saturated Wood Bow from his back.

The longbow seemed to merge with him, becoming an extension of his arm.

Chu Fan took half a step forward with his left foot and planted his right foot firmly on the snowy ground. His body sank slightly, like an old, deep-rooted tree.

But he did not rush to act.

Instead, he first closed his eyes to focus his mind for a moment, his chest rising and falling slowly with his long breaths.

The sound of the wind, the shadows of the trees, the faint gurgle of a distant stream—it was as if he took them all into his perception, only to gradually filter them out.

When he opened his eyes again, they held nothing but the faint mark on an old fir tree fifty paces away, a scar left by the wind and snow.

That was his target.

He reached back and drew a Feathered Arrow from his Quiver in a single, fluid motion.

Nocking the arrow...

The nock at the end of the arrow touched the bowstring with a soft CLICK, landing precisely on the preset nocking point.

Chu Fan’s left hand, with the web between his thumb and index finger slightly relaxed, steadily held the bow’s grip. The tip of his index finger lightly touched the base of the arrowhead...

Not to straighten it, but for that initial, subtle touch, to confirm the arrow’s position relative to the bow was perfect.

Hooking the string...

The pads of three fingers on his right hand hooked into the string with even force.

Hooking the string wasn’t a death grip, but a relaxed alertness, like a falcon gathering its strength a moment before seizing its prey.

His right elbow naturally rose to shoulder height, forming a stable and powerful baseline for the draw.

Drawing the bow...

Chu Fan’s back muscles engaged first, pulling his shoulder blades back and down slightly. Power flowed like water from his core into his arms.

The bowstring pressed against the tip of his nose and the peak of his lip—his constant anchor point for every draw, ensuring the release angle was perfect down to the millimeter.

The bow’s body emitted a faint, pleasant hum from the tension. The stored energy had reached its peak.

His movements were slow and precise, filled with a rhythm honed by countless repetitions.

At this moment, the entire world blurred in his eyes. All that remained was the invisible, taut line between his fingertips, the bowstring, and the target.

His gaze locked onto the mark on the tree like a hawk...

VMMMM—

The bowstring sang, a deep and powerful vibration spreading through the forest.

The next moment, with a dull THUD, the black-shafted, white-fletched arrow had precisely embedded itself in the center of the mark. The tail of the arrow quivered from the immense force, emitting a faint, continuous hum.

[Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill Experience Points +1]

Chu Fan slowly lowered the longbow, his chest rising and falling again as a puff of white vapor shot from his mouth like an arrow.

This seemingly simple shot actually contained the years of experience and insight from Zhao Tianxing’s and Chen Xuan’s archery practice.

Chu Fan’s gaze was calm as he watched the still-quivering Feathered Arrow, like a master painter examining a freshly laid brushstroke. There was no joy or sorrow, only the confirmation that this stroke matched the composition in his mind.

Then, he suddenly began to run rapidly through the woods!

While running, he raised his hand again, reaching for his Quiver.

[Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill Experience Points +1]

[Running Technique Experience Points +1]

In the forest, only the ancient song of power and precision, sung again and again by the bowstring, remained...

Until dusk fell.

Chu Fan finally stopped, panting heavily, and went forward to retrieve his arrows one by one.

[Skill: Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill (Small Success) 273/300]

[Skill: Running Technique (First Breaking Limit 1490/3000) (Trait: Wind under the Feet)]

He had gained a total of 118 Experience Points for his Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill.

He had gained 270 Experience Points for his Running Technique.

Chu Fan frowned and looked at the sky.

With a little more effort, the Hundred-step Piercing Willow Arrow Skill could reach Great Success.

But he had something else to do...

After a moment of silence, Chu Fan put away his longbow and headed for the Seven Stars Gang Sub-Branch.

Returning to his quarters, he took out a brush and paper and quickly wrote a few lines.

Once the ink was dry, he folded the paper, tucked it into his robes, and left the Seven Stars Gang, heading straight for the Zhuyue Tower outside the Sub-Branch.

He went up to the second floor of the Zhuyue Tower and found a seat by the window. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

From there, he had a perfect view of the Seven Stars Gang Sub-Branch’s main gate.

"Sir, what would you like to eat?"

The restaurant waiter’s eyes quickly scanned the seven stars on Chu Fan’s robes before he asked respectfully.

Chu Fan’s expression was calm. He just waved his hand slightly. "Brew me a bowl of tea first, to quench my thirst."

"Right away! I’ll get you a pot of the finest green tea immediately!" the waiter replied hastily, but his feet didn’t move. He continued to wait respectfully—he knew this gentleman would be ordering food as well.

Chu Fan’s gaze swept past the window. After a moment of thought, he said, "A pound of braised beef. I want it well-marbled and savory."

"Yes, yes! Our Zhuyue Tower’s braised beef is from a secret family recipe, I guarantee you’ll be satisfied, sir!"

"A plate of crispy fried peanuts, well-roasted."

"Don’t you worry, they’ll be golden, crunchy, and seasoned to perfection!"

"Finally, a bowl of noodles with minced meat sauce from the stove. The noodles should be chewy, and the broth plentiful and hot."

"Got it all down! Please have a seat, sir. Your food and drink will be right out!" The waiter repeated the order to confirm, then bowed and practically backed away from the table.

Chu Fan sipped his tea while keeping his eyes fixed on the main gate of the Seven Stars Gang Sub-Branch.

People came and went through the gate, all walking briskly, each lost in their own thoughts.