Snowflakes gracefully pirouetted in the sky, their descent captivating the spectators' attention. Their eyes were fixed upon the youth who stood with unwavering determination, an ancient halberd gripped firmly in his hand.
Today, even if he couldn't save Qin Chuan, he would use his actions to express his unwavering resolve. Qin Wentian had no intention of allowing Qin Chuan to endure humiliation.
The youth exuded a newfound confidence. With his cultivation at the 6th level of Arterial Circulation, he had effortlessly subdued Yanaro beneath his foot. Furthermore, he possessed a valuable interspatial ring and appeared to have an arsenal of Divine Weapons at his disposal.
Yet, the most significant factor was the presence of the Yuanfu cultivator standing behind him.
The sinister old man's gaze remained locked on the figure supporting Qin Wentian as he inquired coldly, "You don't look familiar."
"In matters of the younger generation, an old man like yourself should not meddle too much," came the calm response from the figure behind Qin Wentian. The old man's face contorted with displeasure.
Yanaro, having risen to his feet, allowed one of his hands to hang uselessly at his side. He glared coldly at Qin Wentian and attempted to leave the scene.
"Did I give you permission to leave?" Qin Wentian's voice cut through the air. Yanaro halted in his tracks, his eyes clashing with Qin Wentian's sharp, indifferent gaze. Yet, Yanaro couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of dread the moment their eyes met.
However, Qin Wentian didn't even deign to look at him. In Qin Wentian's eyes, Yanaro was inconsequential. Yanaro vividly recalled the day he had injured Qin Wentian with a mere flick of his finger. At that time, he had looked down upon Qin Wentian with sheer contempt. Had it not been for Senior Rain's intervention, Qin Wentian would have left crawling.
But now, when facing Yanaro, Qin Wentian exuded an even more imposing presence.
Within the iron cage, Qin Chuan's eyes shimmered with pride as he watched his son. Finally, his son had grown into a formidable individual.
"Bai Qingsong, do you feel remorse for your actions?" Qin Chuan's voice resonated with an undercurrent of gravity, causing Bai Qingsong, who stood beside him, to quiver. Regret? He had once believed that his daughter, Autumn Snow, was a prodigy among mortals. But upon arriving in the Royal Capital, he realized that her talent didn't shine as brilliantly as he had imagined. Surrounded by numerous geniuses, Autumn Snow's light dimmed.
On the snowy ground, the youth wielding the ancient halberd had grown into someone who dared to face an entire army alone.
In front of the Martial Arena, another regiment of troops cleared a path. Several figures leisurely approached.
These individuals were all remarkably youthful, with the one in the lead being none other than the 3rd Prince of Chu Country, Chu Tianjiao.
To his left was a figure both proud and aloof, standing out above the rest—the demon of Emperor Star Academy, Luo Qianqiu.
To his right was a green-clad youth who appeared slightly younger than 20. His striking good looks were complemented by his long hair cascading over his shoulders and sharp, clear eyes.
"Ye Clan, Ye Wuque."
Their identities were unmistakable. Each of these three individuals was extraordinary. Chu Tianjiao, ranked 2nd among the Royal Capital's ten prodigies. Ye Wuque, ranked 5th last year but now a mystery regarding his newfound strength. And Luo Qianqiu, the youngest of the trio with boundless potential, destined to join the ranks of the ten prodigies within a year.
Any one of them was impressive on their own, but together, their presence radiated an undeniable charisma, capturing the attention of everyone around.
"Are you certain you want to proceed with this?" A faint smile graced Chu Tianjiao's lips. His intentions remained a mystery as he addressed the figure standing behind Qin Wentian.
"Your Highness, Qin Wentian is off-limits," replied the Yuanfu cultivator standing behind Qin Wentian in an unwavering tone.
"Today, he attempted to rescue a condemned prisoner. The penalty for such an act is death. What if I insist on touching him?" Chu Tianjiao's voice carried an underlying force, his intentions far from transparent.
Previously, in the Dark Forest, Chu Tianjiao's scheme had failed, leaving both Qin Wentian and Qin Yao alive. Now, Qin Wentian displayed astounding strength while attempting to save Qin Chuan. Someone like him, if they were to become adversaries, it might be wise to eliminate him before his potential fully bloomed.
"If 3rd Prince, Your Highness, truly intends to take action against him, I must caution you that some things in Chu Country are best left untouched," a voice resonated from a figure in the distance, wearing a bamboo hat and standing amidst the falling snow.
Chu Tianjiao's gaze instantly sharpened, locked onto the silhouette in the snow.
The solitary figure seemed to exist in isolation, as if he were the sole presence in the world.
Yet, despite his singularity, he represented a formidable power.
"Such as?" Chu Tianjiao inquired, his voice remaining steady. No matter the circumstance, Chu Tianjiao seemed perpetually composed. Such composure was truly daunting.
"Such as the will of the Emperor Star Academy."
The figure in the snow gradually lifted his head. With his words, a fierce gust of wind and snow erupted, creating a whirlwind. A palpable air of menace settled over the crowd.
The threat inherent in this voice was unmistakable. The will of the Emperor Star Academy...
It was as if the very essence of the Emperor Star Academy itself stood before Chu's 3rd Prince, declaring their position regarding Qin Wentian.
Qin Wentian was untouchable, and this was the Emperor Star Academy's will.
A glint of determination flashed in Chu Tianjiao's eyes as he locked his gaze onto the representative. It was as if they engaged in a silent contest of wills, their stares serving as their weapons, the tension in the air nearly tangible.
"If there's someone willing to defy or challenge the will of the Emperor Star Academy, then the academy will exact a price so unbearable that it will haunt them forever," the figure in the snow responded, his words sharp and resolute, embodying the will of the Emperor Star Academy. Unyielding and incontrovertible.
From this day onward, Qin Wentian's fate was intertwined with the will of the Emperor Star Academy. No one dared to disregard it.
Chu Tianjiao remained silent. He had never anticipated that the Emperor Star Academy would offer such unwavering support for Qin Wentian.
Beside Chu Tianjiao, Luo Qianqiu's eyes crackled with lightning.
What will of the academy? Was the Emperor Star Academy truly going to stand behind Qin Wentian?
If that were the case, the academy was his adversary as well.
For the first time, Luo Qianqiu looked at Qin Wentian with grave consideration.
No one could obstruct the path he wished to take, not even the Emperor Star Academy.
Inside the iron cage, Qin Chuan's joyous expression intensified as tears of happiness streamed down his face. He understood that the voice from the figure in the snow held the weight of a decree, unchallengeable by anyone. Henceforth, no one would dare to lay a finger on Qin Wentian.
From this moment onward, Qin Wentian's status had transformed. He was acknowledged by the Emperor Star Academy and had become a bearer of their 'will.'
Qin Wentian's future was destined to shine brilliantly.
At this very moment, a serene smile graced Qin Wentian's face. He knew that, from now on, the Emperor Star Academy would fully support him, sparing no effort to ensure his success.
Earning such high-level recognition was no simple feat. Even on the day he displayed both his 3rd and 4th Heavenly Layer Astral Souls, the Emperor Star Academy had only 'acknowledged' his talent. The treatment he received then was vastly different from what he was experiencing now. They were willing to confront even the 3rd Prince of Chu directly, adding, "The academy will definitely make the culprit pay a price so great that it's unbearable."
Essentially, this was a warning to Chu Tianjiao that defying or challenging the Emperor Star Academy's will would have dire consequences.
"Is the Emperor Star Academy suggesting that Qin Wentian can trample on the pride and dignity of my Chu Country whenever he pleases?" Chu Tianjiao asked, breaking his silence.
"Since Your Highness has already detained Qin Chuan, is there any need to humiliate him further? I believe Your Highness won't forget the contributions of the Qin Clan's ancestor, King Wu – Qin Wu. Employing such methods against his descendants would chill the hearts of loyal subjects. How can they rest assured, not knowing when it might be their turn to face such treatment? Additionally, Qin Wentian is here today not to rescue a prisoner but to prevent his father from being humiliated. How does that equate to stomping on the pride and dignity of Chu?" The figure behind Qin Wentian continued. "So, how does Your Highness propose we resolve today's matter?"
"What do you have in mind?" Chu Tianjiao inquired.
An icy glint flickered in Chu Tianjiao's eyes. However, it was Luo Qianqiu who spoke next. "Since both Qin Wentian and I are from the Emperor Star Academy, I'm genuinely curious to see what extraordinary qualities he possesses to merit such protection. If he can withstand three of my attacks today, I will spare his life."
Luo Qianqiu's calm declaration grabbed the attention of the onlookers. Unlike Yanaro, if Luo Qianqiu attacked, Qin Wentian would be in grave danger.
"Agreed," Chu Tianjiao said.
"Firstly, you don't have the authority to spare my life. Secondly, if I do withstand three of your attacks, I need a promise from His Highness, the 3rd Prince, that my father will no longer be mistreated and will never endure such humiliation again," Qin Wentian replied firmly. This was his stance, forged even before he knew the Emperor Star Academy would support him, regardless of the difficulty.
He wanted a promise. He insisted that, until he had the power to free his father, Qin Chuan should not suffer any ill-treatment or humiliation.
He understood that, with his current position and status, despite the backing of the Emperor Star Academy and the Divine Weapon Pavilion, he couldn't openly provoke the Chu Country to save Qin Chuan.
Indeed, such an action would have far-reaching consequences.
"I promise," Luo Qianqiu declared as he stepped forward. A terrifying pressure emanated from him, accompanied by visible arcs of lightning. Luo Qianqiu, in place of Chu Tianjiao, had agreed to Qin Wentian's terms.
The snow on the ground turned to dust as Luo Qianqiu unleashed his aura. He was at the 8th level of Arterial Circulation!
As he prepared to strike, he couldn't help but question the legitimacy of the Emperor Star Academy's support for Qin Wentian. He was determined to see for himself the person the Emperor Star Academy was willing to back, even if it meant opposing him, Luo Qianqiu!