Legend of the Divine Archer

The night had passed quickly, and as the morning sun rose, the border town awoke to a new day. For the first time in weeks, Yan Jin emerged from the underground forge, stepping into the early light. He was dressed in a dark purple robe with intricate gold embroidery, his jet-black hair tied neatly in a topknot. The wooden mask Zhang Li had given him covered his face, adding to his mysterious aura.

His longbow was strapped across his back

As the sun began to rise, the Babel Tower appeared on the horizon it was a colossal structure that dominated the sky.

It took the form of a massive pyramid, with levels that stretched up into the clouds. The base of the tower was constructed from enormous metal cogs, rotating in opposite directions to generate the immense pressure needed to keep the tower afloat.

The entire structure was reinforced with ancient blood runes, glowing faintly as they pulsed with life. The tower thumped rhythmically and radiated a menacing energy that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who gazed upon it.

Zhang Li stood at the edge of the town, watching as the Babel Tower drew closer, its shadow slowly covering the town. After a few minutes the sun disappeared or was overshadowed by the colossal ship.

After the Babel Tower had hovered in place for a while, a small trap door opened on its underside, and four men descended to the ground. Leading them was a stern-looking man who quickly approached Zhang Li, who was waiting with her group.

"Good day! General Zhang Li," the man said, his voice carrying authority. "These are the exiled of the hundred floors. The others are meeting with the other generals." He gestured to the three men behind him, who bore a mix of stoic and hardened expressions, clearly veterans of the tower.

"The tower values strength above all else. These three are considered the weakest among those who reside in the tower. If your candidates cannot defeat them, they will be denied entry," the man stated plainly, his eyes scanning for the warriors he assumed would be worthy challengers. "By the way, where are they?" he asked, looking around for any sign of impressive fighters.

At that moment, Yan Jin emerged, dragging Zhang San and Wei Xi by their ears, a sight that was as comical as it was concerning. Zhang Li, her face flushed with embarrassment, tried to compose herself.

"Ahem... Your entry test will be to fight these three tower residents," Zhang Li announced, attempting to recover from the awkwardness.

The tower representative looked unimpressed and slightly annoyed by the apparent lack of decorum. "Can we get started? I need to oversee the rest of the stock-up," he said curtly, clearly eager to move on.

"Sure! Just give them a second to wrap this up," Zhang Li responded, forcing a smile. The man raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical that these seemingly unremarkable individuals could fare well against seasoned fighters from the tower.

The three tower fighters stepped forward, each one moving to an equal distance from the others, a silent agreement passing between them. Their goal was clear—end this quickly.

Zhang San and Wei Xi, as brash and headstrong as ever, charged directly at their respective opponents. Zhang San, wielding his giant hammer infused with blood energy, made contact first. The force of the blow created a shockwave that sent his adversary flying backward.

At the same time, Wei Xi, with his characteristic speed and precision, targeted his opponent's shoulder. The impact of his strike was devastating, and the man's shoulder was blasted apart, leaving him staggering and in pain.

Yan Jin, however, took a more subtle approach. As his opponent prepared to attack, he unleashed a wave of soul force that crashed down upon the man like a tidal wave. The pressure was overwhelming, and within moments, the tower resident found himself kneeling on the ground, unable to withstand tYan Jin's power.

The fight was over almost as soon as it began. The tower representative, who had expected a much longer battle, blinked in surprise. The supposed "children" had decisively and efficiently dealt with their opponents, leaving no doubt about their capabilities.

Zhang Li, maintaining her composure, felt a swell of pride for her team, though she kept her expression neutral. "Since it's over, I leave them under your care. See you in a year or two," she said, turning on her heel and walking away with her usual briskness.

Zhang San, instinctively wanting to run after her, was quickly yanked back by his ear. "Can you stop gripping your sister's thighs for a minute? You're already sixteen, and you can't even protect her. Embarrassing," Yan Jin teased, holding him firmly enough to prevent any escape while giving Zhang Li time to disappear into the distance.

Zhang San couldn't help but voice his concerns. "What do you know? My sister has never been without me for a single day," he muttered, his voice tinged with worry.

Yan Jin, ever the pragmatist, didn't hesitate to respond. "That's exactly why she's been held back from rising to higher ranks. With her talents, she could have gone much further. If not for you, why do you think she's still where she is? Don't disappoint the efforts she's putting in for you."

Zhang San, his pride stung, shot back, "Why do you talk to me like I'm a child? I'm older than you."

Before Yan Jin could respond, Wei Xi chimed in, his voice firm but respectful. "The General said Big Brother Huang is the leader, and we should listen to him."

Feeling his irritation flare up, Zhang San turned to Wei Xi. "Why do you call him Big Brother and just call me Zhang San? I'm older than both of you!"

Wei Xi, not missing a beat, smirked slightly. "Because he's stronger. I can take you one-on-one if you want to test that."

Zhang San's temper flared at the provocation. "Boasting shamelessly again, huh? Come on, let me smash you into a pulp!" he challenged, rolling up his sleeves as if ready for a brawl.

The tower representative, growing impatient, motioned toward the trap door. "Let's go," he said, his tone curt as he led the way. Yan Jin, with Zhang San and Wei Xi in tow, followed behind him. As the trap door began to rise, sealing them inside the tower, Yan Jin's thoughts wandered to the journey that had brought him here.

From the quiet Little Creek Village to the bustling Pine City, through the dangers of the Beast Forest, and finally to the tense atmosphere of the Border Town, his experiences had shaped him into the warrior he was today. But now, he was on the cusp of a new adventure, one that would take him eastward into the unknown challenges of the Babel Tower.