Number One!

Number One!...

Standing proudly on the platform, Qin Wentian felt like an unstoppable force of nature. His jet-black hair and billowing robes gave him an aura of otherworldly elegance. His presence surged like a tempest, dominating the entire platform.

In this moment, Qin Wentian exuded an air of both awe-inspiring might and incredible charm. He appeared as if he were the sole existence in this world, emanating the sentiment that only he possessed the power to conquer it.

Once radiant, Luo Qianqiu's brilliance now seemed overshadowed, his radiance dimmed in comparison.

"He broke through..." The spectators could scarcely believe their eyes. Qin Wentian had actually achieved a breakthrough at the most critical juncture, ascending to the 8th level of Arterial Circulation.

How much time had passed since he had reached the 7th level? Breakthroughs in cultivation demanded a process and couldn't be achieved overnight. Yet, just before dawn on this very day, Qin Wentian had forcibly awakened his Bloodline Limit, a nearly overwhelming power that had nearly consumed him. Despite his unwavering determination, he had struggled for a considerable time before ultimately succeeding. This was why he had almost missed the third round of the Jun Lin Banquet.

The awakening of his bloodline had ignited the potential in his acupoints and expanded his arterial pathways almost to the point of a breakthrough. Coupled with several other factors, it had culminated in his sudden advancement to the 8th level.

The expressions of worry and anxiety vanished from the faces of the Emperor Star Academy's representatives. Ren Qianxing, in particular, wore a genuine smile as he gazed at the youth standing on the stage. He was truly elated that his judgment of Qin Wentian had been correct all along. The youth's apparent weakness had undoubtedly been the result of the Nine Mystical Palace's interference.

Regret washed over Ren Qianxing for ever doubting Qin Wentian. The Emperor Star Academy had thoroughly investigated Qin Wentian's background and character. How could a young man of such integrity be swayed by personal gain?

"As you remain loyal to our academy, we will spare no effort in providing you with a sky wide enough for you to soar freely," Ren Qianxing silently pledged. His once-cold heart had thawed, replaced by a newfound warmth.

Mo Qingcheng's face beamed with pride, and even Qin Yao, Luo Huan, Mu Rou, Fan Le, and Immortal Drunken Wine couldn't help but break into joyous smiles.

With Qin Wentian's breakthrough, destiny seemed to have been rewritten.

Luo Qianqiu's capacity to obstruct Qin Wentian's path was now a thing of the past. It was no secret that even at the 7th level of cultivation, Qin Wentian had been overwhelmingly powerful, easily defeating Sikong Mingyue. Although the spectators remained puzzled about why Qin Wentian had appeared so feeble at the beginning of his battle with Luo Qianqiu, they were more curious about the reason.

Yet, these questions had now lost their significance. Speculation ran rampant among the audience, with most believing that since Qin Wentian had achieved a breakthrough, he was no longer a match for Luo Qianqiu.

Even Luo Qianqiu himself gazed intently at Qin Wentian, his eyes showing a hint of alarm. He sensed the transformation in Qin Wentian's aura, as if, for the first time, he realized that this opponent might actually be capable of defeating him.

Qin Wentian returned Luo Qianqiu's gaze, taking a step forward as his overwhelming presence surged forth. His ancient halberd gleamed with an ethereal light, locked in a fierce stare-down with his adversary.

Today, he didn't just want to claim the top spot; he knew he would be the number one.

"In your heart, you should already know whether I'm telling the truth," Qin Wentian said calmly. He chose not to reveal that the Nine Mystical Palace had drugged him.

To him, this revelation held no advantage. What would change if everyone knew the Nine Mystical Palace's despicable act? They were still a formidable force. The truth wouldn't alter the balance of power. In this realm, might was the sole determinant of everything.

Finally, Qin Wentian unleashed his ancient halberd, executing the first stance of the Great Dream Halberd Art—Mountain Splitter.

His halberd moved like a dream, as swift as lightning and as heavy as a mountain, tearing through the heavens and earth.

Luo Qianqiu roared with madness, summoning an illusory Lightning Revenant behind him, which struck out with a lightning palm to clash with Qin Wentian's ancient halberd.

Boom!

The lightning palm shattered, forcing Luo Qianqiu to retreat explosively. However, a distinct pitter-patter sound filled the air, drawing the spectators' attention to his chest, which was oozing blood.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd as they realized that the Jun Lin Banquet's championship title was now undoubtedly destined for Qin Wentian. Witnessing this astonishing turnaround firsthand filled them with an overwhelming sense of luck and excitement.

"In the end, Luo Qianqiu, you aren't all that," Qin Wentian's calm voice resonated, sending shivers down Luo Qianqiu's spine. However, Qin Wentian now had the undeniable qualifications to make such a statement.

In less than a year, Qin Wentian, who had once been considered an underdog, was now driving Luo Qianqiu, the formerly unrivaled powerhouse, into retreat. Qin Wentian had truly become the embodiment of the Emperor Star Academy's might.

The spectators understood the situation well. It wasn't that Luo Qianqiu had become weak; it was that Qin Wentian had evolved into the Emperor Star Academy's true prodigy.

What defined a genius? Chu boasted countless individuals hailed as geniuses, but if placed in the Nine Mystical Palace, would they dare to proclaim themselves as such?

Luo Qianqiu had once radiated brilliantly, but now, standing before Qin Wentian, he was no more than a mere stepping stone.

Boom! Qin Wentian advanced with another step, utilizing the Garuda Movement Technique to appear instantly in front of Luo Qianqiu.

Qin Wentian unleashed the 2nd Stance of the Great Dream Halberd Art - Fallen Star. The moment this strike was initiated, Luo Qianqiu sensed an impending doom closing in on him. The pressure it exuded felt like total annihilation, leaving him uncertain whether he could fend off this devastating blow.

A cascade of brilliant constellations hurtled towards Luo Qianqiu, who responded with a howl of madness. He channeled every ounce of his power, both palms erupting in a simultaneous blast.

BOOM! A colossal storm engulfed the platform, and when the swirling dust settled, the spectators saw Luo Qianqiu standing there, his face deathly pale, and blood streaming from his mouth.

"Is he still refusing to concede?" The onlookers murmured among themselves.

Luo Qianqiu's pride prevented him from uttering the words of surrender. After all, he was Luo Qianqiu.

"Die!" Qin Wentian's voice was cold as he shouted. Mountain-type Divine Energy surged through his body, infusing his halberd strike. Luo Qianqiu staggered backward, blood continuing to pour from his mouth.

Chu Tianjiao remained indifferent, silently observing the unfolding events. He knew he had no authority to intervene in the Jun Lin Banquet.

Beside Chu Tianjiao, the middle-aged man from the Nine Mystical Palace finally displayed a hint of emotion. His strategy had ultimately failed. He had drugged Qin Wentian's wine, causing his energy to run amok, but he hadn't anticipated that Qin Wentian would break through at such an unexpected moment, cleansing himself of the drug's effects.

If Luo Qianqiu secured the first place, he could ascend to the 7th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion and proceed to the 8th level, in accordance with a long-standing agreement. Even if the Emperor Star Academy was unwilling, they wouldn't be able to prevent it. However, if Luo Qianqiu were to lose, the Nine Mystical Palace would still be barred from accessing the 7th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion.

The middle-aged man shot a meaningful glance at the youths standing beside him. His silence spoke volumes, conveying his unspoken intentions through his eyes alone.

"Restrain yourself," one of the youths called out as he swiftly moved towards the platform. His figure flickered and vanished before reappearing on the platform in an instant.

Qin Wentian cast a cold gaze in his direction. After all, the battle had not reached its conclusion; Luo Qianqiu had not conceded, and therefore, the match was not over.

"I said, stop," the youth on the platform, dressed in a sky-blue robe and appearing to be in his twenties, declared firmly. His imposing presence revealed his Yuanfu-level cultivation.

With a single step, he exerted a pressure akin to a heavy mountain on Qin Wentian's shoulders. Ignoring the force bearing down on him, Qin Wentian shifted his gaze towards Luo Qianqiu.

"For all the humiliation you inflicted upon me in the past, I will repay it in full today," Qin Wentian declared as the Astral Energy within his eight arterial pathways surged. It gathered around his ancient halberd as he decisively thrust it forward.

Luo Qianqiu did his utmost to defend himself, but he was already spent. His defenses crumbled almost instantly, and his body was sent hurtling through the air. Blood sprayed like a fountain before he crashed heavily below the platform.

It was a stark reversal of their first encounter when Luo Qianqiu had arrogantly forced Qin Wentian into a life-or-death decision—surrender the blood ember fruits or face death.

Today, the roles were reversed. Qin Wentian looked down disdainfully at his defeated opponent.

"He has won."

Countless eyes were fixated on the scene, and their hearts quivered with intensity. Qin Wentian had emerged victorious, defeating Luo Qianqiu and securing the top position in the Jun Lin Banquet.

The figure standing proudly on the platform was nothing short of dazzling. "The Jun Lin Banquet champion!" Mustang exclaimed, drawing in a deep breath. He had initially believed that it would take another year for Qin Wentian to truly shine. Yet, today, he had witnessed Qin Wentian's triumph over Luo Qianqiu, snatching the champion's title from the very grasp of his opponent. Pride surged within him like never before, knowing that he had earned his place on the towering platform through his own hard work.

"He's number one!" Mo Qingcheng clenched her dainty fist and thrust it into the air, wholeheartedly cheering for Qin Wentian. "I always knew you could do it," Mu Rou said with a gentle smile in her eyes.

Qin Yao couldn't hold back her tears. A year ago, her brother was considered a cultivation failure, but today, he stood as the Jun Lin Banquet champion, his name echoing throughout the world.

Luo Huan and Mountain exchanged smiles, sharing in the joy of the moment. Fatty Fan Le laughed so hard that his eyes nearly closed, overwhelmed with pride for his best friend.

"You've just become a millionaire," Immortal Drunken Wine told a young man standing beside him. The young man was equally astonished by Qin Wentian's victory; he hadn't expected his friend to become the champion.

However, not everyone was pleased. Janus and Qiu Mo wore heavy expressions, and the members of the Ye and Ou Clans looked displeased. Murin and Gretchen appeared frozen, as if they couldn't believe their eyes. Liu Yan felt an indescribable surge of emotion in her heart.

Bai Qingsong wore a troubled expression, his mind racing with countless "what if" scenarios. Autumn Snow knew she belonged to a completely different world from the youth on the platform. Sikong Mingyu, Orchon, and the others kept their thoughts hidden.

The Jun Lin Banquet had concluded after three intense days, with Qin Wentian claiming the top spot. The rankings below him seemed unimportant now. All eyes were on the individual standing at the pinnacle.

But had the Jun Lin Banquet truly come to an end? There were still some who couldn't accept Qin Wentian's victory, harboring bitterness and resentment. Qin Wentian hadn't followed their instructions, and that left them deeply displeased.