System: My Doomsday Train Chapter 984 - 369: Better to Be the Head of a Chicken Than the Tail of a Phoenix

"Any one of us elders."

"..."

Chen Mang fell silent, no longer adding words. Though the Great Elder had phrased it delicately, the meaning was clear to him. After a prolonged silence, he murmured gently, "Let’s go and have a look first."

"Alright."

Excitement lit up the faces of the Great Elder and his companions with broad grins.

...

Three hours passed.

Through several wormhole jumps, Chen Mang arrived with the Great Elder and the rest at a planet within this star system—the very assessment world for the "Holy Arrow", unused for ages.

No one had met the basic requirement to even attempt the test in quite some time.

That requirement demanded drawing the bow and firing a "Star Arrow" prior to awakening as a chosen one!

"Please."

Beyond the planet.

Hovering in the void, the Great Elder gazed at Chen Mang, who floated unprotected in the cosmos. A flicker of odd emotion crossed his eyes: "The world below serves as the assessment site. Only participants may enter; outsiders are barred."

"The Holy Arrow trial evaluates potential above all, not raw power."

"Expect no battles or perils within."

"Hmm."

Chen Mang gave a slight nod before stepping ahead, plummeting freely toward the planet to discover the nature of this famed Holy Arrow trial.

...

Once Chen Mang departed.

Dozens of elders stared after his retreating figure, buzzing with fervent discussion.

"Great Elder, he’s not of the Star Arrow Race; can he really pass the assessment?"

"Even if he passes the assessment, he’s not of the Star Arrow Race; will he really prioritize the interests of the Star Arrow Race?"

"Moreover... he doesn’t seem to be from a low-level civilization and doesn’t look like a weakling."

The elders turned expectant eyes toward the Great Elder, their voices alive with urgency.

He held unmatched authority and renown among them. They had once strived to forge a figure akin to the "Holy Arrow".

The Holy Arrow stood as the pinnacle among the "Divine Archers".

So why not craft a supreme one among the "Berserkers", dubbed the "War God", to rally the Rough Civilization and end its leaderless turmoil? Yet the effort crumbled. Despite eons of legacy, only the Holy Arrow commanded true reverence. The War God? A forgotten myth, unheard of.

"Don’t worry."

The Great Elder spoke gravely: "No matter his civilization’s stature, should he genuinely conquer the trial, he becomes the Rough Civilization’s guide, commanding its vast resources and legions."

"Those who reap the privileges and perks of a role naturally shoulder its duties without thought."

"He’ll instinctively safeguard the Rough Civilization and uphold its causes, for in doing so, he protects his own stake."

"Although he is not one of us."

"But——"

"There’s no time. The Rough Civilization desperately awaits a ’Holy Arrow’ to emerge."

"The countdown to that event is almost over."

Silence gripped the surrounding elders, shadows of concern etching their features.

...

At that moment—

Chen Mang had touched down safely on the planet’s surface.

Upon landing, emptiness surrounded him, save for ethereal white clouds shaping letters high above.

"Star Arrow Race Holy Arrow Position Examination, officially begins."

"Before the examination, please let the examinee first understand the responsibilities and obligations of the Holy Arrow."

Suddenly.

Vast mists billowed forward, crafting a vast display that unfolded a grand vista from overhead.

Resembling a Doppler radar overlay.

The "Star Arrow Race" spanned roughly six star systems, a formidable domain. Far off, millions of light-years distant, a colossal train fleet surged menacingly toward them.

The projection zoomed onto a bearded middle-aged man’s stern visage.

Those nearby hailed him as "Lord Saint Arrow".

Witnessed then...

A mighty roar erupted from the man, echoing instantly to every "Star Arrow Race" ear. He drew his bow first, targeting foes light-years away as his energy arrow fully formed.

Upon loosing this "Star Arrow"!

Core energies en route were relentlessly drawn into it, swelling its might ceaselessly!

Simultaneously.

Every divine archer in the Star Arrow Race nocked and fired as one.

Innumerable "Star Arrows" launched from scattered stellar realms, devouring core energies mid-flight at varying paces, merging at last into a monstrously colossal "Star Arrow".

No vast energy aura was evident.

Yet this "Star Arrow" cleaved through the void like a blade, hurtling across the cosmos until, after thirty-five minutes, it slammed into the enemy armada poised to breach a wormhole millions of light-years off.

In a single devastating blow.

The entire force was obliterated.

None lived.

"..."

Chen Mang’s eyes narrowed faintly, whispering, "Quite a bit of power."

Unaware of the trains’ precise armor ratings, the sheer devastation spoke volumes of its potency. Now he grasped the "Holy Arrow"’s role: solely it could rally the Star Arrow Race’s divine archers for such a cataclysmic volley.

The Rough Civilization’s ultimate ace.

Yet...

If that were all, the Rough Civilization’s fixation on a "Holy Arrow" struck him as needless—the strike’s true force stemmed from the horde of divine archers united.

The Holy Arrow merely ignited the barrage.

Executing it demanded legions of such archers.

But—

The "Rough Civilization" now boasted few divine archers remaining, rendering the Holy Arrow’s absence moot in his view. Even with one, this apocalyptic salvo lay beyond reach for the Star Arrow Race anytime soon.

He held his tongue and observed the continuation.

-

Vast mists billowed forward, crafting a vast display that unfolded a grand vista from overhead.

Resembling a Doppler radar overlay.

The "Star Arrow Race" spanned roughly six star systems, a formidable domain. Far off, millions of light-years distant, a colossal train fleet surged menacingly toward them.

The projection zoomed onto a bearded middle-aged man’s stern visage.

Those nearby hailed him as "Lord Saint Arrow".

Witnessed then...

A mighty roar erupted from the man, echoing instantly to every "Star Arrow Race" ear. He drew his bow first, targeting foes light-years away as his energy arrow fully formed.

Upon loosing this "Star Arrow"!

Core energies en route were relentlessly drawn into it, swelling its might ceaselessly!

Simultaneously.

Every divine archer in the Star Arrow Race nocked and fired as one.

Innumerable "Star Arrows" launched from scattered stellar realms, devouring core energies mid-flight at varying paces, merging at last into a monstrously colossal "Star Arrow".

No vast energy aura was evident.

Yet this "Star Arrow" cleaved through the void like a blade, hurtling across the cosmos until, after thirty-five minutes, it slammed into the enemy armada poised to breach a wormhole millions of light-years off.

In a single devastating blow.

The entire force was obliterated.

None lived.

"..."

Chen Mang’s eyes narrowed faintly, whispering, "Quite a bit of power."

Unaware of the trains’ precise armor ratings, the sheer devastation spoke volumes of its potency. Now he grasped the "Holy Arrow"’s role: solely it could rally the Star Arrow Race’s divine archers for such a cataclysmic volley.

The Rough Civilization’s ultimate ace.

However...