Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 253: Chapter 74: Perfect-Grade Opening the Acupoints

[Fear of Death Arrow: Heart steady as a mountain, eyes sharp as an eagle.]

[It does not rely on trickery, nor seek hidden secrets; it depends solely on the utmost strength of the bowstring and the sharpness of the arrow, to defeat the enemy from a thousand steps away. When the arrow is unleashed, it must hit and the hit must be fatal, hence called ”Fear of Death”—those who cherish their own life must kill the enemy, those who fear the enemy’s survival must aim for precision.]

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After finishing the book, Lin Chen realized why Lord Qiu gave him this archery secret manual.

This archery technique also has requirements for the bowstring.

According to this predecessor, the Fear of Death Arrow technique demands a bowstring made from demon beast tendons, to achieve greater range, with the best being the tendons of Flood Dragons or Shark Demons.

Although the string of this Snake Shadow Bow was not made of Flood Dragon or Shark Demon tendons, it met the basic requirement.

Below the Entering the Grade level, a typical archer wouldn’t shoot beyond five hundred steps.

Here, a step refers to the maximum distance of a stride. Lin Chen calculated that one step was roughly 1.6 meters, making five hundred steps nearly two li in distance.

An arrow covering two li is the farthest distance an archer below the Entering the Grade can achieve, while ordinary hunters shoot within fifty steps.

The Fear of Death Arrow technique consists of seven moves.

The first three moves are for close shooting, while the last three are for long-range shooting up to a thousand steps, and the final move... this predecessor did not elaborate, merely naming it Broken Bow.

According to this predecessor, once you master the first six moves, you will understand the meaning of Broken Bow.

Having memorized the Qi-Running Technique of the Fear of Death Arrow, Lin Chen picked up the Snake Shadow Bow again, gathering qi with both hands, slowly drawing the bow, and then setting the arrow...

Whoosh!

This time, the arrow didn’t shatter in mid-air; instead, with a thud, it pierced through three bamboo stalks, finally embedding into the fourth one before stopping.

Seeing the power of the arrow, Lin Chen’s mouth twitched slightly. The power was indeed impressive, and at least according to the Fear of Death Arrow’s technique, he could control this Snake Shadow Bow.

Only the accuracy left much to be desired; he was aiming at the stone at the edge of the bamboo forest, but hit a bamboo stalk three feet away instead.

The training of the Fear of Death Arrow is a lengthy process. According to the predecessor, the first step is training accuracy, practicing to the point where you hit wherever you aim.

But before training accuracy, he must first establish a solid foundation.

The first Chapter of the Fear of Death Arrow, the Foundation Chapter: Steadiness Rune.

Draw the bow a thousand times daily, the bowstring fully drawn but not released.

Both arms must be as steady as if forged of iron, unmoving against the wind, unwavering before a mosquito landing on the brow.

The foundation has three Chapters, divided into the Steadiness Rune, Accuracy Rune Technique, and Fierce Rune.

These three Chapters form the foundation of all archery techniques under heaven.

There are no tricks, only practice through repetition.

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Hongdu Prefecture.

In an ancient, elegantly styled residence.

”It seems Lin Chen has given up, knowing he can’t compete for the model student, he wants to drag Senior Brother Li down with him.”

In the courtyard, a well-dressed man spoke with a laugh, accompanied by two youthful girls, all three of their gazes fixed on a shirtless young man in front of them.

The girls’ eyes harbored enamored expressions, for this third-generation genius of the Li Family had both the backing and prowess that attracted them.

”How could the Military Affairs Hall agree to this? Isn’t it too unfair to Senior Brother Li, when the other three prefectures’ recommended students have been at the martial arts hall for two years?”

”I also think the Military Affairs Hall’s approval of Lin Chen’s request seems improper, surely someone in Raozhou Prefecture applied pressure.”

”Junior Sisters, don’t speak carelessly.”

Li Zhe turned back to speak, looking at the three seated in the pavilion: ”Since the Military Affairs Hall arranged it this way, there must be a deeper meaning. And if the contest is for the Jiangnan Dao model student, it must require matching strength.”

”Senior Brother Li, we’re not doubting the Military Affairs Hall, just that it seems unfair to you.”

”Indeed, if those three suppress their strength to match yours, Senior Brother Li, we’d have no complaints.”

Li Zhe walked back into the courtyard, the two girls eagerly shifted slightly, leaving a space beside them, hoping with anticipation that Li Zhe would sit next to them.

Li Zhe glanced at the two, but sat firmly between them, smiling: ”To me, a Jiangnan Dao model student is nothing significant. I don’t need this title to prove myself. I stepped forward because of the influence of the Hall Master and Director.”

The girls in the courtyard were curious: ”Senior Brother Li, the Director wants you to compete?”

”The Jiangnan Dao model student isn’t awarded every year, and once awarded to a prefecture’s student, the Military Affairs Hall will surely allocate more Martial Path resources there. The Hall Master and Director hope I can consider the students of Hongdu Prefecture and win this additional resource.”

”So Senior Brother Li is doing this for the sake of Hongdu Prefecture; we Hongdu Prefecture students all owe thanks to Senior Brother Li,” said the girl on the left admiringly.

”If it were just for that reason, I wouldn’t have stepped forward, because whether it’s a student from Raozhou Prefecture or Hongdu Prefecture, they’re all Jiangnan Dao students, just a difference in who benefits. It was only after certain authorities said something else that I changed my mind.”

Seeing the girls’ curious gazes, Li Zhe said solemnly: ”In every past Jiangnan Dao model student selection, if a student wins this honor, it draws attention from other regions, sometimes leading to challenges. If Lin Chen wins this honor, how will other regions view our Jiangnan Dao students? Should someone seize the opportunity to challenge, how should we position ourselves?”

”A Jiangnan Dao model student matters not to me; since Lin Chen proposed such a challenge, it suits me well. If those three seniors can defeat me, it proves their superiority, and should other regions’ students issue challenges, we can confidently respond.”