Soon, the inspection of the grounds was complete. Jiang Qiu took a deep breath. Gripping his [Black Flood Dragon] bow, he pushed through the crowd and strode toward Liu Yong, who stood with his head turned to the side.

"Considering that drawing a Qi Blood Bow repeatedly requires a high degree of Qi Blood control, you each only need to fire one arrow at that stack of Red Armor." Liu Qi glanced at the two men standing side-by-side, then pointed into the distance. "See the white circle marked in the center of the Red Armor? Aim for that. The winner is the one whose arrowhead lands closest to the white circle while piercing the most layers of armor."

Jiang Qiu squinted into the distance. The stack of Red Armor Shield plates facing him looked like a small, stacked key tag. In its center, a small circle had been drawn as if with chalk, a third smaller than the spinning circle of the white dot on the dark screen Wall.

The Armor Shield was forged from the dorsal plates of a Red Armored Giant Lizard. Anyone who could draw a Qi Blood Bow could pierce one layer; the more proficient their control over Qi Blood, the more layers they could shoot through.

It was said that within the Military Department, squads dedicated to training Archers used this very method to assess one’s level in the Archery Dao. Piercing two layers from two hundred meters away was the mark of an entry-level practitioner.

’This short rest has already restored enough Qi Blood for one shot. It’s enough to give it a try...’

At this thought, Jiang Qiu lifted his elbow, which creaked audibly. ’My muscles and bones are only lightly injured; it won’t affect my shooting. As long as I can force a massive surge of Qi Blood to my fingers in an instant, I can still draw the bow...’

"Liu Yong, you’re in the best condition. You shoot first. Jiang Qiu, you’re second."

As Liu Qi’s voice faded, Jiang Qiu and Liu Yong exchanged a silent glance. Liu Yong plucked a Conical Arrow from the basket and nocked it to the string.

DRAW—

Qi Blood coiled around his fingertips, seeping into the bow’s purple and red patterns, as if flowing through fine channels into the small beads at either tip. Drawing the bow was like a purple Wolf King baring its fangs, and the viciousness in Liu Yong’s eyes was sharp enough to strip flesh from bone.

VMMMM—

A resonant hum followed as he drew the thick string back steadily. The sleeve on his right arm strained, its seams tearing open. The crimson at his fingertips intensified to its peak. A clamorous gust of wind swept his bangs from his forehead, and the Great Bow in his hands seemed to howl like a ravenous wolf!

In the spectator area, everyone’s brows furrowed. They clenched their fists and muttered, "Does his aura feel different from when he was testing the bow? It’s like his power has doubled."

"Something’s not right. Can he really control a shot like this...?"

Jiang Qiu’s focus intensified, and he silently listened to the long, resonant hum of Qi Blood in his ears.

The Qi Blood Bow had a very high ceiling. Even someone at the Martial Artist level could wield it effectively. As long as enough Qi Blood was channeled into it, the arrow’s power would be immense—in fact, its strength often grew exponentially.

However, the amount of Qi Blood one could output was determined by the archer’s ability to control it. Forcing an amount of Qi Blood beyond one’s control was no different than tearing open a high-pressure oxygen tank with one’s bare hands.

’Liu Yong isn’t just putting his all into this shot,’ Jiang Qiu realized. ’He’s even trying to break through his own limits!’

VMMMM—VMMMM—VMMMM—

The startling hum of the thick string vibrated next to his ear. Liu Yong bared his teeth, his eyes filled with the fury of a Wolf King whose entire pack had been slain. With a RIPPING sound, the muscles on his right arm bulged like lumps of iron.

’Ever since high school, I’ve been a prodigy of Spear and Bow Dual Cultivation with few rivals. I never thought that after working so hard to master the entry-level of the Archery Dao, I would end up in an archery competition with some student who’s only been training for three days!’

’If missing the Prodigy Project selection back in middle school was the regret of my life, then this archery match today is the humiliation of my life!’

’This shot will prove that the Prodigy Project made a mistake passing me over—a genius of Spear and Bow Dual Cultivation!’

’It isn’t about comparing myself to a three-day novice like Jiang Qiu!’

TWANG! WHOOSH—

With a sudden thunderclap, a tempestuous wave of force exploded from the bowstring. The Conical Arrowhead, like a pouncing purple wolf’s head wrapped in countless tendrils of Qi Blood, shot forward, tearing through the air and riding the wind!

COUGH! COUGH!

Liu Yong staggered back two small steps, his wide eyes bright. A grin split his face. "The arrow flew true!"

BANG! SHHIIINK—

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the slender arrow—like a bamboo chopstick—slammed into the Red Armor and began to bore through its surface. The resulting roar vibrated the steel base!

Clatter.

Wu Shan, who had been waiting, pried open the first few layers of Red Armor with his bare hands. His brow furrowed, and his voice boomed like thunder, "Four layers pierced! The arrowhead is right on the edge of the white circle!"

"Four layers?!"

Zhang Shan was dumbfounded. "I heard that consistently piercing two layers is what it takes to be considered entry-level! Each additional layer is an immense test of one’s Qi Blood control!"

"Piercing four layers... doesn’t that take at least half a year of hard work after reaching the entry-level?!"

"But I heard Liu Yong only reached the entry-level a month ago. He was preparing to apply for the Prodigy Project before the Combat Training Hunt began..."

Low cries rose and fell in the spectator area. Behind his back, Zhao Gongzheng gently tapped his fingers against his palm, a dim gray light reflecting off his glasses. "Liu Yong’s talent for the Archery Dao is quite good," he said. "If he hadn’t missed the Prodigy Project back then, he might already be on the path to Mastery."

"Heh, his innate talent is certainly good," Liu Qi said, his eyes glinting. "If this were a year, or even six months ago, he’d have no trouble applying for an extra spot in the Prodigy Project with this level of strength."

He paused and sighed softly. "But that’s not possible now. The Military Department’s resources are stretched thin, and a performance like this isn’t enough to convince everyone. After all, this year’s Prodigy Project is a true convergence of geniuses. There aren’t enough resources to go around as it is. If we were to wedge in an extra person, on what grounds would he deserve a share?

This is also why General Mo is increasing the difficulty of the upcoming Military Department tests. The Prodigy Project has to accommodate many geniuses. It wouldn’t be fair if someone who couldn’t win over their peers took resources meant for others based on potential alone.

Besides, ’potential’ isn’t something that can be clearly defined. Whoever can win everyone over—*that’s* the true prodigy."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Zhao Gongzheng’s sharp, bright eyes shone from behind his lenses. His posture was as straight as a spear. "In my opinion," he said, "Jiang Qiu is the true prodigy."

"Hm?"

Liu Qi’s brow twitched. He turned to see Jiang Qiu nocking an arrow and drawing his bow. His stance was as immovable as a mountain peak. As he drew the string back, his elbow level with his chest and shoulders, it was as if he were embracing the mountains and rivers in a single, grand gesture.

DRAW—

With a smooth pull, the string went from a half-moon to a full draw. The [Black Flood Dragon] bow twisted as if it were two entwined Flood Dragons. Qi Blood, like a dragon’s breath, coiled around the arrowhead. A low Dragon’s Roar whispered, its power gazing down upon a thousand armies, its sight spanning a hundred paces of magnificent, rugged terrain.

The string was steady, the bow unmoving. A pillar of Qi Blood poured through his fingertips and into the thick string, surging without end like a gushing spring!

With each inhale and exhale, the Qi Blood swirling around him merged into his body. It passed through his right arm and into the bowstring, then circulated back with his natural breath, completing a perfect cycle!

Liu Qi’s brow pressed down over his eyes, his hands clenching into phantom fists. ’This rhythm of Qi Blood Circulation... he’s already reached the entry-level? With such a stable drawing posture, it means one of two things. Either his Qi Blood reserves are incredibly abundant, or he’s not only achieved entry-level in his Bow Technique but has also fully grasped Qi Blood Circulation and completely mastered the output required for this stage!’

’But Jiang Qiu just exhausted all his Qi Blood. After such a short rest, just being able to draw this one arrow should be his absolute limit. What talk is there of abundant Qi Blood?’

’It can only mean he has mastered shooting with the Qi Blood Bow at the entry-level!’

’Moreover, the force of this draw already surpasses Liu Yong’s. If he actually shoots it, his Qi Blood will be completely drained, but he’ll almost certainly pierce more than four layers!’

’This shouldn’t be possible. During his test shot, he hadn’t even reached the entry-level; his right arm was shaking the whole time. How is it now so steady he looks like he could thread a needle with it?’

’This kid’s talent for the Archery Dao is unnatural!’