“Hiss…” Almost the instant the string was loosed, the black feather arrow pierced straight through Yu Wuhen’s chest. A vibrant streak of crimson blood shot out, and his body plummeted downward…

Although Hu Yanqi had not used the nine specialized arrows meant for the Sunfall Bow, his current strength was insufficient to unleash their true power. However, his archery skill was already unrivaled. Years ago, using only his self-made longbow, he had slain a Roc soaring thousands of meters high; how much easier, then, was it to shoot down Yu Wuhen, hundreds of meters above, while wielding the Sunfall Bow?

Of course, knowing his target was a Grandmaster, Hu Yanqi had poured his entire being into that single shot. After releasing the arrow, he was utterly exhausted, entirely unable to draw the Sunfall Bow again…

Conversely, Hu Yanmeng, standing beside him, held the spirit bow and continued firing upon the retreating silver-armored soldiers…

Had Yu Wuhen, as a Grandmaster, been prepared, even with Hu Yanqi’s supreme archery, he could have dodged the shot, or at least diverted it from vital organs, or used the True Essence within his body to buffer the impact. The critical issue was that he had never conceived that someone could shoot such a swift arrow capable of wounding him while he was hundreds of meters in the air…

The intense pain nearly caused him to black out. The rush of wind roared in his ears. Yu Wuhen knew that if he fell to the ground, he would face an assault from at least three formidable experts plus a divine charger—certain death awaited him…

Therefore, he absolutely could not allow himself to fall. With one hand pressed against his heart, staunching the torrent of blood, he forcefully beat his wings, and his body shot upward once more, flying at full speed toward the north…

“I was hit in the heart and didn’t die? That bastard is too damn tough!” Ye Jingyu and the others, who had been poised on the ground, watched in shock as Yu Wuhen halted his descent and instead spread his wings toward the north. Liang Xiaoke cursed aloud; he had been looking forward to tasting this bird-man’s blood. The essence blood of a Grandmaster could significantly boost his own power. Seeing the prey that was practically in his mouth flying away, how could he not be frustrated…

“No matter how strong he is, we cannot let him escape today…” Ye Jingyu roared, retracting the Heavenly Sovereign Blade. He held his hands before his chest, weaving a strange hand seal while murmuring something under his breath… At this moment, he resolved to hold nothing back…

Instantly, everyone felt the energies between heaven and earth grow agitated. A terrifying power was brewing…

“Spirit Art?” Bing Ming was startled, instantly teleporting to Ye Jingyu’s side. He knew Ye Jingyu was activating a Spirit Art, and since he was not yet a Soul Immortal, using a powerful one required time—time during which he absolutely could not be disturbed…

Liang Xiaoke also seemed to grasp what Ye Jingyu was unleashing. He licked the blood from his lips and swiftly moved to Ye Yu’s side, tightly guarding him. Even Ni Bo understood what Ye Jingyu was about to do and ceased his forward thrust, positioning himself beside him…

A milky-white light materialized in Ye Jingyu’s hands, radiating an unimaginable force. Even Bing Ming, with one foot already stepping into the Martial Saint realm, felt a lingering terror…

“Sky… Origin… Annihilate… Star… Slash…” A sharp call escaped Ye Jingyu’s lips. Immediately, a blinding white light shot from his hand. In the blink of an eye, the beam of light swelled to the thickness of a water vat, piercing straight into the heavens…

Nearly every eye turned toward this pillar of white light as it tracked toward Yu Wuhen’s line of escape…

At that moment, Yu Wuhen had already fled over a thousand meters. Yet, almost instantaneously, the white beam of light closed in behind him. In his horrified gaze, it completely engulfed his body…

The sky fell silent. When the white light subsided, Yu Wuhen’s form had vanished without a trace, leaving only two blood-stained wings drifting down from the air…

“W-what? My food, gone?” Liang Xiaoke was deeply disgruntled to see Yu Wuhen utterly annihilated by Ye Jingyu’s blast…

As for the others, they stared at the scene, dumbfounded. Bing Ming involuntarily swallowed, his mouth agape, wanting to speak but unable to utter a word…

A Grandmaster, a dignified Grandmaster, utterly vaporized—soul scattered—without the slightest power to resist that beam of light. It was terrifying beyond measure.

This power, this destructive capability, truly surpassed human limits. No wonder it was said that a Soul Master of the Spirit Manifestation realm possessed the strength to challenge a Martial Saint. With just one strike like that, even a Martial Saint would be heavily injured, if not killed outright…

However, shock aside, Bing Ming understood that if a Spirit Manifestation Soul Master truly confronted a Martial Saint, they would never have the necessary time to cast such a spell. In fact, not even a Martial Saint—perhaps not even a prepared Grandmaster—could afford an opponent the luxury of time to unleash a technique of this magnitude. At least, he himself had never worried about the Spirit Manifestation Soul Master in the Valley of Hundred Burials; he would never grant them the opportunity to cast such a high-powered Spirit Art…

“General…” The silver-armored soldiers, who were still fleeing toward the north gate, watched their commander utterly disintegrated by that blade-like beam. Grief and indignation tore through them, and desolate cries escaped their throats…

Although Yu Wuhen ruled his troops strictly, he had always shown great care for his soldiers, earning him a revered image and the deep affection of his men. Seeing the general they respected most utterly vanish into the void, how could they remain unmoved? Even knowing their commander belonged to the legendary Winged People, it could not quell the sorrow within their hearts…

Nearly ten thousand witnesses saw this. Filled with rage, they could no longer contemplate retreat. They abruptly wheeled their horses around and charged back toward the Iron Army…

They fled to preserve their strongest forces, but now that their general was dead, where would they run even if they escaped?

The Silver Armor Army was their home; Yu Wuhen was the core and soul of that home. With the soul extinguished, the home ceased to exist…

What meaning was left in living?

The vast majority resolved themselves to die, determined to avenge their general, even knowing the certainty of death…