Legend of the Divine Archer

As Yan Jin continued to absorb energy within the blood pool, he couldn't shake the idea that had taken root in his mind—a thirteenth halo. Every part of him believed that twelve halos, though rare and powerful, were not his ultimate limit. There was something more, a barrier unseen by others, a path that had yet to be charted.

His bloodline, his heretical god inheritance, and his ambition all pointed to this singular thought: there must be a thirteenth halo.

Months passed in isolation, with Yan Jin pushing the limits of his celestial form, absorbing the vast reserves of energy from the high-grade blood pool. His power had grown exponentially, but still, the thirteenth halo eluded him. Yet, he remained relentless, his mind racing through every technique, every lesson, and every ounce of wisdom Eli had imparted to him.

This was no ordinary advancement—Yan Jin was attempting to go beyond what any celestial had achieved, to reach a realm even the heavens would resist.

--

Meanwhile, in the tower, the world moved on.

Six months had passed since Yan Jin entered seclusion, and his legendary exploits had begun to fade from memory. The tower's inhabitants shifted their focus to newer rising stars, their hunger for competition never satisfied.

Wei Xi, had risen swiftly through the ranks, earning admiration for his calm nature and precise combat style. Zhang San, was known for his ruthless fighting techniques and unmatched physical prowess. He had quickly become the crowd favorite, his brutal combat style earning both fear and respect.

Then, there was Yan Bai, a name that carried both irony and tragedy. Yan Bai had become a hollow shell of his former self. After the events at Pine City, he had been broken. He was no longer the boy who sought greatness with hope; now, he carried the weight of bitterness and rage.

Nie Li had escaped repercussions, Yan Bai had hoped for some measure of justice. Instead, he watched helplessly as his clan was massacred, taking the blame for the situation and the chaos that had ensued.

His pleas to his master fell on deaf ears, and he came to understand the cruel truth: power meant everything, and no amount of bloodline or lineage could save you if you weren't strong enough to hold it.

Betrayed by those he thought could help him and disgusted by his own weakness, Yan Bai transformed. His once pure aura had become tainted with resentment and hatred. His anger toward Nie Li, his guilt for failing his clan, and his desire for revenge drove him to embrace the darkness inside himself.

In the tower, Yan Bai's rapid rise was fueled by a singular purpose: vengeance. The once hopeful youth had become an embodiment of pain and suffering, and his eyes were now devoid of the light they once held. The people around him began to take notice of the changes. There was a coldness, a cruelty in Yan Bai that hadn't been there before. But none of that mattered to Yan Bai.

All that mattered was getting stronger, no matter the cost.

--

Wei Xi, now firmly established on the 45th floor, had honed his skills with meticulous strategy and planning. His growth, fueled by the support of the Treasure Pavilion, had been steady and impressive. However, the arrival of Nie Li and Yan Bai in the tower had stirred a deep-seated anger within him. Memories of past betrayals and a burning desire for vengeance resurfaced.

With every thrust of his spear at the training dummy, he thought of the enemies he sought to destroy—no matter how long it took.

---

Zhang Chi watched Wei Xi with a mixture of concern and frustration. The relentless pace of Wei Xi's training spoke volumes about his determination, but Zhang Chi had other pressing issues. He sighed deeply as he turned to his attendant

"Any news?" Zhang Chi inquired.

"The Golden Warriors have become increasingly bold since Nie Li's arrival in the tower," the attendant reported. "Zhang San was challenged four times this week. If we don't take action, neither Wei Xi nor Zhang San will be able to advance further."

"And what about the other families?" Zhang Chi asked.

"They're staying out of it for now," the attendant replied. "The situation is too unpredictable, and they're waiting to see which way the scales tip."

"And any word from the other side?" Zhang Chi pressed.

"We've made several attempts to gather information, but the old man remains unyielding," the attendant said.

Zhang Chi absorbed the information, his mind racing with possibilities. Just then, Zhang San burst into the room, his large frame making the door tremble with his entrance.

"Why the commotion?" Zhang Chi asked, annoyed by his cousin's lack of decorum.

"He's back!" Zhang San exclaimed, breathless. "He issued a challenge on the 21st floor!"

"Who's back?" Zhang Chi demanded, his curiosity piqued.

"Huang," Zhang San replied.

The name struck Zhang Chi with a jolt. Huang's return had been anticipated ever since his declaration of war against Nie Yang. His challenge on the 21st floor was not just a personal affair but a significant event that reverberated throughout the tower.

Zhang Chi's eyes widened as he processed the news. Without another word, he dashed out of the room, his urgency evident.

--

Lee Ann paced nervously, her mind swirling with uncertainty. For six months, she had been at the mercy of rumors, the Golden Warriors' harassment, and the persistent questions from those seeking news of Yan Jin's whereabouts. His sudden seclusion had left her vulnerable, and she'd begun to doubt whether he'd ever return.

But then, earlier that day, something unexpected happened—a familiar voice echoed in her mind, clear and authoritative. It was Yan Jin's voice, commanding her to schedule a challenge against Hou Guo on the 21st floor. At first, she thought she might be imagining things, but the voice repeated, unyielding, until she understood he was back.

Still, the anxiety gnawed at her. Would he really show up after all this time? The uncertainty weighed heavily on her as she waited for the moment of truth.

--

Nie Li stood next to his massive lion, tossing raw meat into its maw as he absorbed the news. A predatory grin crept across his face.

"Finally, the bastard has come out of hiding," he muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Without wasting a second, he barked orders to his subordinates. "Mobilize all the warriors on floors 20 through 30. I've delayed my climb long enough because of him. Make sure he doesn't escape this time."

As his lion devoured the last of its meal, Nie Li stroked its mane and added with a cold sneer, "Today, I'll let you feast on orphan meat."

The beast growled in response, and Nie Li's satisfaction deepened, his mind already envisioning Yan Jin's downfall.

The atmosphere in the tower was electric, anticipation crackling through every corridor as the news of Huang's return rippled across the levels. The 20th floor arena was packed to capacity, with every seat taken and the overflow spilling into screens in the outer areas and private rooms. Everyone had tuned in for what promised to be a spectacle.

"Do you think he'll actually show up?" a spectator asked, eyes glued to the arena.

"I hope so. People have been calling him a coward ever since his arrow hit Nie Yang out of bounds," another replied.

"Is he hiding from the Golden Warrior Division?"

"If not, then why disappear for six months?"

"I heard he left the tower for a family emergency." .net

"Well, we'll know soon enough. He used to put on a show—let's see if he's gotten stronger in these past six months."

"Don't forget, Hou Guo isn't an easy target."