A Cold Heart

The Qin Residence boasted four imposing gates – the North Gate, South Gate, East Gate, and West Gate. With Qin Wu captured and their ancestral home ablaze, Qin clan members desperately streamed out from these four exits, each struggling to find an escape route. While Qin Chuan valiantly faced the enemy troops at the East Gate, soldiers rallied at the Southern and North Gates to break the encircling enemy forces, enabling some of the Qin Clan to make their getaway. Meanwhile, the most prominent members of the Qin Clan gathered at the West Gate.

"Hurry!" Qin He urged as he spotted Qin Wentian and Qin Yao sprinting toward him. Following his prompting, they nimbly leaped onto the waiting warhorses.

"Let's go," Qin He commanded, leading the charge. As they surged forward, a group of defenders appeared before them, equipped with bullhorn bows slung across their backs, spears held in their right hands, and swords stashed on their left saddle sides. They stood ready to engage, their choice of weapon depending on the unfolding circumstances.

Hooves thundered, causing the ground to tremble beneath them. Qin Wentian turned his gaze, his expression steeling, but he couldn't suppress a glistening tear as he looked back at the place he had called home for over a decade. He swore that this would be his last tear. Today marked the end of the year, and once the new year began, he would truly be sixteen and officially considered a member of the Jiang Hu. In the Jiang Hu, one was only allowed to shed blood, not tears.

The chilly wind whipped across his cheeks, carrying a poignant sense of melancholy. Qin Wentian and his fellow escapees rode westward with fervor, but suddenly, a host of figures sprang forth from both sides of the opulent street. The Qin Clan members, upon seeing these faces, contorted with fury.

Among those present were the elderly Ye Clan patriarch, Ye Mo, Ye Lang, and Bai Clan's leader, Bai Qingsong. It was evident that the Bai Clan had joined the forces besieging the Qin Residence. This wolf in sheep's clothing was a wolf they had unwittingly invited into their midst.

The defenders showed no intention of stopping, gripping their spears firmly as they rode atop their warhorses. In a flash, they drew their bullhorn bows from their backs, placing three arrows on the bowstrings, poised for release. Arrows were loosed in rapid succession, and the astral light trailing behind them emitted a chilling whistling sound, striking fear into the hearts of many, especially from the arrows released by the front-line defenders.

"Thud, thud, thud..." Like bolts of lightning, arrows expertly and cleanly pierced through the throats of their foes. These arrows, surprisingly, retained their momentum even after piercing through, continuing their deadly flight.

"Attack!" Qin He issued the chilling command. He knew the defenders were exceptional in terms of skill, and one among them even possessed Yuanfu-level prowess, capable of going toe-to-toe with Ye Mo.

Mounted on a warhorse, Qin Wentian unsheathed the long spear slung across his back, gripping it firmly with his right hand. The spear felt like a natural extension of his arm as he channeled Astral Energy into it.

Crimson blood spurted like a macabre fountain into the air, its gruesome beauty heightened by the brilliant rays of sunlight. Qin He and Qin Ye, their Astral Souls unleashed, fought alongside the defenders against Ye Lang's forces. An assailant brimming with murderous intent charged on horseback toward Qin Wentian.

A long spear thrust relentlessly toward Qin Wentian's throat with speed, precision, and decisiveness. The spear's movement generated a gust charged with lethal intent that slammed into Qin Wentian's body. Yet, at this critical moment, Qin Wentian felt no panic, only eerie calmness. Suddenly, his eyes gleamed with Astral Light as he deftly countered with his own spear. The tip of his spear met his opponent's with a resounding "bang." A surge of formidable energy reverberated through his adversary's arms, causing him to release his spear with a clatter. However, before the weapon could fully fall from his grasp, Qin Wentian's long spear, like a hot knife through butter, grazed against the descending spear's side. Using this unexpected support, he angled his spear upwards and thrust it directly into his opponent's throat before deftly reclaiming it. The spearhead glistened with fresh blood, casting an eerie glow.

Somewhere in the distance, Ye Lang's sharp claws were deeply embedded in the head of a defender within Qin Wentian's view. With terrifying strength, he crushed the unfortunate defender's skull, leaving him lifeless on the ground. Ye Lang's eyes glinted with wild and unbridled fury as he cast a contemptuous glance at Qin Wentian. His lips curled unpleasantly, as if challenging him to a duel.

"Next year, on this very day, we'll mark it as the anniversary of the Qin Clan's annihilation. Qin Wu and Qin Chuan will be branded as traitors to the nation and publicly executed in the Royal Capital, with millions of eyes watching," Ye Lang declared coldly, pointing his finger at Qin Yao, who was locked in combat nearby. "As for this woman, don't kill her. I want to savor her slowly tonight."

Qin Yao momentarily lost focus, nearly caught off guard by her opponent due to the surge of rage and humiliation.

Qin Wentian cast an icy glare at Ye Lang before swiftly turning his warhorse and galloping away.

"Running away?" Ye Lang sneered. They had set an inescapable trap for the Qin Clan today, and since the younger Qin Clan members had ventured in his direction, he couldn't allow them to leave unscathed.

Mounted on his warhorse, Ye Lang charged after Qin Wentian, shouting, "No one interfere; his life is mine to claim."

As bystanders in the inns lining both sides of the street witnessed the battle, they were taken aback.

"That guy just now was Qin Wentian from the Qin Clan, right? He was considered a nobody in the past, but on the examination day, he shocked everyone with his extraordinary talent. His combat skills must be exceptional."

"So what? The one pursuing him is Ye Lang, a genius of the Ye Clan from the Royal Capital and Asura Wu's disciple. Qin Wentian is walking a path to his demise."

As they discussed, Qin Wentian and Ye Lang raced to the far end of the street. This area provided ample space for a confrontation, and anyone standing at a vantage point could observe the entire street. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Qin Wentian halted his warhorse, turned to face Ye Lang, who was charging toward him, and brandished his long spear.

A low hum reverberated through the air as Qin Wentian's long spear appeared in his hands. He stopped his horse and rushed toward Ye Lang, who was rapidly approaching. But his real target wasn't Ye Lang; it was the warhorse beneath him. Given the horse's speed and inertia, it couldn't evade Qin Wentian's close-quarter spear strike.

A whizzing sound, akin to a speeding bullet, filled the air as Qin Wentian's long spear impaled the horse's head, causing it to shriek in agony. Ye Lang's body spiraled through the air as he catapulted from the horse, arms outstretched like wings, aiming straight for Qin Wentian. Despite still being at the Body Refinement Realm, unable to truly fly, he had harnessed explosive strength to leap like a bird.

Moreover, Ye Lang's Astral Soul was formed from the Demonic Wolf Constellation, granting him the leaping prowess of a wolf. Now, like a demonic wolf, he hurtled toward Qin Wentian, sharp claws extended, exuding formidable pressure and a bone-chilling aura.

Unable to exert his full strength atop his warhorse, Qin Wentian kicked the saddle, somersaulting backward just as Ye Lang's claws descended through the air, piercing the warhorse's skull with a single lethal strike. Ye Lang swiftly landed on the ground, directly facing Qin Wentian.

With some of the horse's blood splashing onto the corner of his lips, Ye Lang stared at Qin Wentian, as if he considered Qin Wentian already dead.

"Normally, those at the 9th level of the Body Refinement Realm would possess a strength equivalent to 81 bulls. Ye Lang, in addition to being at the peak of the Body Refinement Realm, can generate an astounding strength level of over 100 bulls by combining the boosting effect from his Astral Soul and his attack techniques," Qin Wentian said calmly, despite the dire situation. Having successfully lured Ye Lang here, he wasn't about to give his opponent a chance to survive.

Nine silvery needles appeared in Qin Wentian's hands, and without hesitation, he precisely pierced them into nine acupuncture points on his body. Instantly, he felt his potential being unleashed, a surge of boundless strength flooding his body. It was invigorating, and he couldn't help letting out a low roar.

Qin Wentian was already well-versed in the needle acupuncture techniques taught to him by Uncle Black, but he had never employed this potential-igniting technique before due to its side effects. However, he had no choice but to use it now to defeat the man standing before him.

"What a pity. You won't live to see the destruction of the Qin Clan or the scene of me enjoying your sister, Qin Yao," Ye Lang sneered, rushing forward without mercy. He planned to use his most brutal and violent methods to kill Qin Wentian, showing no mercy.

Qin Wentian shared the same sentiment; he had no intention of holding back.

As Ye Lang rapidly approached, Qin Wentian unleashed his Heavenly Hammer Astral Soul, a golden halo blinding onlookers in the distance. This was a battle between Stellar Martial Cultivators.

A cruel shadow emerged from Ye Lang's body. To spectators, it seemed like a terrifying, black-colored demonic wolf hurtling toward Qin Wentian with lightning-like speed, stealing the breath of the entire crowd.

Qin Wentian remained eerily calm. He sensed Ye Lang's swift approach, felt the murderous aura intensify, and then moved slightly, spiraling into action. As his body moved, his Astral Soul flickered, his arms became like the heavenly hammer, transforming into the image of a formidable dragon. The Heavenly Hammer Astral Soul and the Dragon Subduing Fist melded together, radiating tremendous pressure.

"Claws of the Heavenly Wolf!" Ye Lang's strikes contained explosive power, and his sharp claws were capable of slicing through large rocks and even small hills. Flesh and blood couldn't withstand such force.

"Draconic Roar of the Nine Heavens!" This was their second clash, both employing their ultimate techniques. A thunderous roar filled the air as Qin Wentian felt his fist being lacerated. Meanwhile, Ye Lang experienced a surge of power, carrying extremely tyrannical energy from his claws to his arm. The vibration from this energy was so intense that it felt like his arm would disintegrate. The energy even penetrated his body.

A thunderous boom rang out as the energy vibrated within Ye Lang's body. The impact sent him flying through the air before crashing heavily onto the ground, blood spewing from his mouth.

After his breakthrough, Qin Wentian had gained a new level of strength. At the 7th level of the Body Refinement Realm, ordinary cultivators possessed a strength equivalent to 49 bulls. Qin Wentian, on the other hand, had condensed an Astral Soul at the 5th Heavenly Layer, combined with his innate technique, the Dragon Subduing Fist. With the continuous potential unlocked by his needle technique, this strike held unimaginable power, far surpassing anyone's expectations.

This attack used only half of his strength, a deliberate choice to maintain his combat ability. Yet, even a strike at half his power seriously injured Ye Lang.

Ye Lang, like most martial cultivators, had absorbed substantial Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi and cultivated as a Martial Cultivator before condensing his Astral Soul. In comparison to Qin Wentian, who possessed a perfected body and the boosted effects of his Astral Soul, Ye Lang couldn't compete.

Qin Wentian, however, wasn't unscathed. He was forced to retreat several steps before regaining his stance. Almost immediately, he pounced forward like a ferocious beast, charging in Ye Lang's direction.

Ye Lang's face froze, his expression growing colder. He leaped into the air. Qin Wentian's fierce punch carried immense pressure, leaving Ye Lang with no time to evade. He had no choice but to meet Qin Wentian head-on.

A resounding "Bang!" filled the air as Ye Lang was sent soaring through the air once more. This was the second time he had been seriously injured, his Qi and blood surging uncontrollably, causing him to spit out blood continuously. His face turned bloodlessly pale. When he lifted his head, he met Qin Wentian's gaze, filled with immense killing intent. For the first time, Ye Lang felt the shadow of death looming over him, making his body tremble uncontrollably with fear. His heart turned cold, ice-cold.