Chapter 34: I Am Two Bowls

The one-eyed black-robed instructor walked as he spoke, taking two small black pouches from his sleeve and handing them to Lin Xi and Bian Linghan.

When Lin Xi and Bian Linghan opened the pouches, they discovered two leather finger guards inside. They were light golden in color, with thick yet soft leather.

"The Three-Finger Feather-Grip Archery Method uses the thumb, middle, and index fingers to hold the arrow's fletching, while only the ring and pinky fingers draw the bowstring," the black-robed instructor explained, giving them no chance to interrupt. As he slowly walked between the picturesque rainbow terraced fields, he continued, "This method provides the most stability when releasing an arrow. Skilled archers can become extremely accurate using this method—combining their three fingers and the arrowhead into a formidable aiming system. In general, top-level archers who use this method shoot with the highest precision.

However, since only two fingers control the bowstring, to avoid injury before you reach the national expert level, you must wear these finger guards."

Lin Xi slid the two golden finger guards onto his right hand's ring and pinky fingers.

They were light and soft, but somehow clung gently yet firmly to his fingers with an invisible suction-like force.

The black-robed instructor, walking ahead, turned slightly and glanced at Lin Xi. "These are made from the second layer of skin from a lightning python's neck. They're not widely distributed within the academy. Don't go showing them off."

Lin Xi nodded. Imagining the pose of holding the bow with his left hand and drawing the string with his right, he frowned. "Teacher, this posture feels awkward for drawing the bow."

"The most natural way is the four-finger draw with the arrow gripped between the fingers. But that puts the fletching right between the fingers pulling the bowstring, preventing the delicate independent control needed to eliminate string vibrations when the arrow is released. That method only favors rapid fire," the instructor said, pride creeping into his voice.

"A Wind Strider's arrow isn't meant to hunt dogs—it's meant to kill the strong. What you must do is take this awkwardness and refine it into something natural, until holding and firing your bow feels as effortless as walking in the wind."

"Yes, sir." Lin Xi didn't waste words. Given Bian Linghan's future depended on this, he simply nodded with calm determination amidst the rainbow-colored fields.

Their composed expressions brought a rare sliver of satisfaction to the instructor's face. His tone softened slightly. "In the days ahead, I'll teach you archery techniques, but remember one thing: the most important qualities for an archer are calmness and patience.

Even the slightest emotional fluctuation will throw off your aim. A moment's impatience can ruin your control over the bowstring and arrow grip."

Lin Xi and Bian Linghan nodded solemnly once more.

"You probably don't realize this… I didn't just choose you because you're Chosen," the one-eyed instructor thought silently. "It's also because of your innate calm and quiet temperament. That's why I haven't given up on you."

Lin Xi had no idea that his unique personality—shaped by his past—was considered so valuable in the instructor's eyes.

They followed him past a bamboo building.

In the clearing behind the bamboo grove, there was a rack holding three identical black longbows made of hardwood, strung with beast sinew. They bore no magical runes. Beside them were at least twenty quivers filled with dense bundles of arrows, like freshly harvested rice stalks.

"Watch how I do it," the instructor said, wasting no time. He picked up a bow and arrow, then performed the draw-and-release motion.

The seemingly awkward posture Lin Xi had imagined turned out to be astonishingly graceful—his movements smooth as flowing water, every motion full of natural rhythm and beauty.

Thwip!

A black arrow shot out like a meteor, striking dead center at a target a hundred paces away.

Thwip! Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!

He didn't stop. A sharp aura radiated from him, blending seamlessly with the elegance of his stance. Lin Xi and Bian Linghan were stunned. Every arrow hit dead center—ten targets scattered through the trees were all pinned precisely in the bullseye in an instant.

"Pick up your bows and watch how I hold mine."

The instructor stopped, letting Lin Xi and Bian Linghan each take a bow and an arrow. He then demonstrated the draw and hold posture in slow motion, like a frame-by-frame playback, though without releasing the arrow.

He said nothing more—just slowly repeated the motions again and again.

Lin Xi and Bian Linghan watched in awe, then gradually with deep reverence. After some time, the forest clearing became tranquil and harmonious. The instructor stood in the middle, with Lin Xi and Bian Linghan on either side, all three drawing their bows slowly in silence.

At times, the instructor would pause to adjust their postures.

With proper posture, the bow follows; the arrow flies true.

There were no shortcuts to mastering the Three-Finger Feather-Grip method. It was purely about repeated training—holding the bow, drawing, and perfecting the stance through repetition.

But the bows were real, and so were the arrows. Even though these were just standard black-lacquer hardwood bows, and Lin Xi—after taking the Mind-Clearing Pill on his first day—had entered the realm of cultivation and felt physically stronger, using only the ring and pinky fingers to draw the string was still a challenge.

What fascinated him, however, was that after about twenty repetitions—just as his fingers and arms started to ache—he could feel the thin stream of energy in his dantian sending waves of warmth through his limbs, easing the pain a little. But every time that energy worked to soothe him, it seemed to diminish slightly.

After several hundred repetitions, that tiny stream of energy was fully depleted, and his arms—especially his right, used to grip and control the arrow—felt sore and heavy.

"Good. That's enough for today."

Just when Lin Xi thought he could still keep going, the instructor stopped both him and Bian Linghan and handed them each a small bottle of medicinal oil. "Apply a layer on the sore areas and gently massage for a while after returning."

"Lecturer Muqing has placed identical bows and arrows in your rooms. If you recover, feel free to practice on your own. Now, if you have any thoughts or questions about today's lesson, ask me."

As they left with the instructor, Lin Xi suddenly asked, "Teacher, I thought the Academy forbade people from entering others' rooms?"

The instructor nearly lost his temper. "Stop asking stupid questions," he snapped. He glared at Lin Xi, who looked more promising the more he trained, but more annoying the more he talked. "Lecturer Muqing represents the Academy. Remember this: in this Academy, your room has no privacy from the institution."

"…Alright," Lin Xi sighed, rolling his eyes before growing serious again. He looked at the instructor and asked, "Does each shot consume a bit of soul power?"

The instructor nodded. "Soul power can ease physical fatigue. Now that you're a cultivator, even without archery, strenuous activity will slowly drain your soul power."

"Then as long as soul power doesn't run out, the body can keep going, right?" Lin Xi asked as he painfully removed the finger guards and rubbed his sore fingers.

"Of course not." The instructor looked at him. "Soul power only partially eases fatigue. It's not a miracle cure. For example, in battle—even if you've got more than half your soul power left, if someone shoots an arrow through your chest, you're still dead.

But yes, for cultivators, more training and higher cultivation strengthens the body. I could shoot over a thousand arrows with these before tiring. But for you, in a real fight, even firing a hundred in quick succession would be pushing it."

The explanation was simple and clear. Lin Xi thought about how tired he felt and asked seriously, "Lecturer Tong, I'm used to holding the bow with my left hand and drawing with my right. But since my right hand gets tired faster, can I switch and draw with my left when it's tired? That way I can shoot more arrows, right?"

The instructor laughed coldly. "You don't even know how to walk yet, and you want to somersault in mid-air?"

"Forget it," he added. "Learning a second style would double your training time. And your aptitude is only a Level 2. Your soul power develops slower than others'. Even using one style might drain your soul power dry—never mind two."

Lin Xi raised an eyebrow and thought silently, Instructor Tong, you're wrong. Sure, my aptitude is rated 2, but Headmaster Zhang was very clear about this: your bodies are like one bowl, while ours are two bowls. So my total soul power will actually be double others at the same level.

But recalling how Headmaster Zhang had warned him to stay low-key—and that even cultivators weren't invincible—Lin Xi smiled faintly.

He chose to stay quiet.

A name suddenly came to mind: Jing Wuming.

"Teacher, I just thought of another question… What cultivation level would you need to cross the Ascension Mountains and reach the frozen plains beyond?"

"At least the Saint Master level," the instructor replied. "Up in the Ascension Mountains, the air is thin to the point of suffocation. Every step burns through massive stamina and soul power."

Under the evening sun, in the valley of rainbow-colored terraces, the black-robed instructor and his two students slowly walked onward, eating as they went.