The middle-aged man looked at the young Demonic Cultivator with satisfaction.
Then he rose and spoke loudly.
"Everyone, this young man is Hayden Hale. Today, on the Demonic Bow Platform, he successfully drew the Demonic Bow that has slept for thousands of years. Since ancient times, he is the first young genius to draw it. As City Lord, I hereby name him an honored guest of my estate. He will receive the treatment of a City Lord's guest, along with one million crystals, ten arcane implements, and one hundred pills."
The crowd burst into cheers.
"Hayden Hale! Hayden Hale! Hayden Hale!"
"Incredible. A bow no one could move for thousands of years was drawn by a young man."
"His future is limitless."
"The City Lord rewarded him in person. From now on, who in this city will dare block his path?"
Hayden became even prouder under the cheers.
He straightened his back and lifted the Demonic Bow higher, bathing in the crowd's admiration.
"Mr. Hale, draw it again. Let us see it clearly."
"Yes, again. We missed it earlier."
"Show us the Demonic Bow's power."
Hayden's smile widened.
"Fine. Since everyone wants to see it, I will draw it again."
He gripped the bow with his left hand and hooked the string with his right. Then he took a deep breath and circulated the sigil-bane aura inside him.
Black baleful energy flowed from his palm like thin snakes, coiling around the bow and string.
The dark-red runes on the bow began to glow.
Cold light spread from it, carrying an ancient, powerful aura.
Hayden's expression turned solemn.
Sweat formed on his forehead. The muscles in his arm tightened, and veins rose beneath his skin.
The string moved back bit by bit.
Every inch made his face redder.
His body began to tremble.
At last, he pulled it back about one inch.
Then he released.
Buzz.
A streak of black light shot from the bowstring like an arrow, cut through the air, and struck a huge stone beneath the platform.
Bang.
A fist-sized hole appeared in the stone.
The edges were smooth as a mirror, and faint black energy drifted from inside.
The crowd cheered again.
"Powerful. Too powerful."
"One arrow has that kind of force?"
"The Demonic Bow truly is an ancient relic."
Hayden lowered the bow and gasped for breath, satisfaction written all over his face.
He turned and cupped his hands toward the City Lord.
"City Lord, I did not disappoint you."
The City Lord smiled and was about to speak.
Then a soft snort came from the edge of the crowd.
"Hm."
The sound was not loud, but it was especially clear in the brief pause after the cheers.
Everyone froze.
The square fell quiet.
All eyes turned toward the source.
At the edge of the square stood a young man in a gray robe. A faint smile rested on his lips.
Jared.
Hayden's face sank at once.

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