Release of Qin Chuan

Release of Qin Chuan...

At the Emperor Star Academy, chaos reigned in Qin Wentian's residence. A gaggle of elders crowded the space, casting a shadow over the young champion.

Qin Wentian had only recently clinched victory at the Jun Lin Banquet, but it seemed that plots to assassinate him were already in motion. Such treacherous schemes were strictly forbidden within the Emperor Star Academy. If the power behind these sinister plans remained concealed, there was a looming threat of similar incidents in the future.

Old Gu halted in his tracks as he approached Qin Wentian. "Wentian, can you describe the techniques the masked man employed?"

Qin Wentian sighed, his brow furrowing. "He used the Thousand Hands Imprint, and in his final strikes, he seemed to employ a sword-type innate technique. But it felt like he was deliberately concealing his identity, which is why he refrained from revealing his Astral Soul."

"Indeed," Old Gu nodded thoughtfully. The Thousand Hands Imprint was an innate technique originating from the 5th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion. It wasn't a forbidden skill, and several within the academy had the opportunity to cultivate it.

Ren Qianxing, simmering with anger, commanded, "Dispatch a team immediately to inquire with the Protector of the 5th level. I want to know who has recently accessed the manual for the Thousand Hands Imprint. Over the past month, we must identify everyone who has done so."

As some individuals hurried to execute Ren's orders, several elders soared into the air simultaneously. Their expressions darkened with displeasure as they voiced their indignation. "Someone dares to target Qin Wentian?"

"How audacious!"

The elders expressed their outrage one after another, but Ren Qianxing cut them off coldly. "Why have you all gathered here?"

The elders froze, sensing a chilling aura emanating from Ren Qianxing. He suspected that the culprit might be among them.

"This assassination attempt is a grave matter, and everyone is a potential suspect," Ren declared. "I am certain that we have a traitor within our academy. Even if this matter doesn't directly implicate you, there's still a possibility. No matter how slim, we must thoroughly investigate this."

Ren's words compelled many to nod in agreement. One of the elders spoke up, "Yao Feng and I saw other elders rushing here, so we decided to join them to find out what was happening."

Qin Wentian's eyes narrowed as he shifted his gaze to the speaker—Janus.

"There's a history of enmity between Janus and me, and he might have had a motive to kill me. However, this is the Emperor Star Academy. Surely, he wouldn't take such a risk during such a sensitive time," Qin Wentian mused aloud.

Qin Wentian's mind was racing with possibilities. He couldn't shake off the thought that Janus might be the traitor, even though the chances were infinitesimal.

Ren Qianxing fell into contemplation for a brief moment before declaring, "For the next two days, all Yuanfu cultivators in the academy must report to the Disciplinary Committee and provide an account of your activities today. I want to eliminate any possibility of a traitor among us. I hope for your full cooperation."

Ren's words sent a shiver through the hearts of the Elders. He intended to interrogate the entire academy, even those in high-ranking positions at the Yuanfu Realm. It was evident he wouldn't rest until the culprit was exposed. This spoke volumes about his regard for Qin Wentian.

"Alright, you may all leave now," Ren Qianxing concluded. The crowd dispersed, leaving him to address Qin Wentian. "Both of you, take time to recover. Leave this matter to me."

"Understood," Qin Wentian acknowledged as he settled down, his gaze fixed on Mo Qingcheng. He was unharmed thanks to her timely intervention. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

As Mo Qingcheng's pallor gradually improved, Qin Wentian relaxed. The potency of that pill she had administered earlier was astonishing. It was no wonder that skilled alchemists were rarer than Divine Inscriptionists.

After a few moments, when color returned to Mo Qingcheng's face, Qin Wentian noticed a subtle blush on her cheeks. The sight quickened his heartbeat. It was an utterly captivating moment.

Nolan's voice suddenly broke the spell. She appeared seemingly out of thin air and quipped, "If you keep staring at her like that, she might never wake up."

Qin Wentian blushed furiously, stammering, "I-I wasn't...I mean, I was just...uh..."

Nolan chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Relax, I'm just teasing you. Mo Qingcheng will be fine."

As Mo Qingcheng's melodious voice trailed off, her eyelids fluttered open. Her eyes, as clear as pristine water, gradually regained their former radiance. She shot a playful glance at Qin Wentian, yet a trace of bashfulness still lingered on her face.

"Don't talk nonsense," Mo Qingcheng chided Nolan, her glare aimed like a dagger. This prompted Qin Wentian, who sat nearby, to blink rapidly before bursting into laughter. It seemed that Nolan's observation had hit the mark—Mo Qingcheng hadn't dared to open her eyes when he was gazing at her.

"Little White, thank you," Mo Qingcheng expressed her gratitude while giving a medicinal pill to her white crane.

Qin Wentian rose to his feet, watching Mo Qingcheng as she walked away. She turned back, her gentle and intelligent eyes beaming at him. No words of gratitude passed between them. It wasn't that they were being overly formal, but that mere words couldn't capture the depth of their emotions.

"This won't happen again. Next time, I'll protect you," Qin Wentian blurted out, causing Mo Qingcheng's eyes to widen as her cheeks flushed crimson. She hastily retorted, "Who needs your protection?"

With that, she mounted the white crane. "Little White, let's go."

Nolan also climbed onto the white crane and grinned at Qin Wentian. "Well, well, your skin is getting thicker."

The white crane soared into the sky, and the two young women vanished into the horizon. Qin Wentian stared at the empty heavens, chuckling to himself. Mo Qingcheng's earlier words had a hint of romance hidden within them, he thought.

Moreover, Mo Qingcheng was a Yuanfu Realm cultivator. How could he protect her in his current state?

With these thoughts, Qin Wentian turned and began his cultivation, his determination to become stronger burning more fiercely than ever.

Deep within the Dark Forest, silence enveloped the Black Stronghold. It stood in a desolate, forgotten land where time seemed to have come to a halt.

Deep within the Black Stronghold, a network of cells was hewn from hardened ice steel, each imprisoning a living soul.

This icy fortress served as a prison, where Yin Qi reigned supreme. The only sounds that pierced the eerie silence were the echoing footsteps along the ice pathways that meandered amidst the cells.

"Qin Chuan."

Suddenly, a chilling voice broke the silence. In one of the cells, Qin Chuan's eyes flickered open, casting a cloudy glow. He ran his fingers through his unruly beard, eyeing the figure standing outside his cell skeptically. Surely they weren't here to serve him another meager meal?

He listened to the metallic clinks of chains being unlocked, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. What kind of game were they playing now? Sending someone to release him? This smelled fishy.

"Go."

"Go? Where?" Qin Chuan inquired, his tone icy.

"You're free to leave." The person outside the cell didn't elaborate, leaving Qin Chuan to furrow his brow as he was led out of his icy confinement.

Outside, another prison warden locked the cell gates with a disdainful snort. "Lucky bastard. His adopted godson won first place at the Jun Lin Banquet."

With that, the doors of the Black Stronghold slammed shut.

Inside the icy prison, a pitiful figure lay trembling on the floor, only to gradually open his eyes. Within those cloudy orbs, one could discern a sharp, sword-like determination.

This figure was none other than Qin Wu, Qin Chuan's father.

Outside the Black Stronghold, Qin Chuan inhaled the crisp morning air, feeling the dampness of dawn. A perplexed expression adorned his face.

All the chains that had bound him moments ago now lay unlocked. Even the two individuals accompanying him didn't appear powerful enough to be called guards.

The words "You are free to go" still rang in his ears, and disbelief lingered in his eyes.

Could this be a trap?

After standing there for a prolonged moment, Qin Chuan finally voiced his suspicions. "Where are you taking me?"

"To the Royal Capital. Let's go," one of the figures replied, and they ventured into the depths of the Dark Forest.

As the sunlight gradually warmed the surroundings, Qin Chuan and his companions followed the winding path, emerging from the depths of the Dark Forest. Finally, he had escaped that icy prison, and now that he was out, with the sight of human settlements and buildings all around him, the oppressive weight in his heart began to ease.

However, none of this mattered much to him at the moment, because Qin Chuan spotted two familiar figures standing there, waiting for him.

"Father!" Tears streamed down Qin Yao's face as she rushed over, burying her head in Qin Chuan's chest.

Qin Wentian also approached, calling out, "Father."

"Yao'er, Wentian, what's going on?" Confusion wrinkled Qin Chuan's brow.

Qin Yao moved her head away from her father's embrace, a radiant smile gracing her face. "Father, it's Wentian. He became the champion of the Jun Lin Banquet. Right now, not only is the Emperor Star Academy and the Divine Weapon Pavilion backing him, but there's also a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign who's taken a liking to him. That forced the 3rd Prince, Chu Tianjiao, to release you."

"Champion of the Jun Lin Banquet, support from the Emperor Star Academy and the Divine Weapon Pavilion, and a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign?!" Qin Chuan stood there, dumbstruck. After a prolonged moment, he turned his gaze toward Qin Wentian, taking in a deep breath. In his eyes, the glimmer of tears shimmered.

Stepping forward, Qin Chuan enveloped Qin Wentian in a tight embrace, his tears finally breaking free. "Countless people said my son couldn't cultivate. But I, Qin Chuan, always believed that when my son finally revealed his brilliance, he would shine like a star, high in the heavens, leaving others in awe."

Qin Chuan's voice quivered with indescribable emotions. What more could a father wish for, even if they weren't related by blood, than a son like this? Their bond was closer than that of many biological parent-child relationships.

"Jun Lin Banquet champion? Honestly, I think Autumn Snow isn't even worthy of shining my son's shoes anymore," Qin Chuan couldn't forget the Bai Clan's words and actions from the past.

"Father, when Wentian won the Jun Lin Banquet championship, Bai Qingsong and Autumn Snow were there. Autumn Snow didn't even have the qualifications to participate in the banquet; she could only look up to Qin Wentian from afar," Qin Yao chuckled.

"Father, it's finally all over," Qin Wentian sighed with relief.

"Yeah, let's chat as we walk," Qin Yao suggested with a smile.

The guards by Qin Chuan's side stepped away, and the Yuanfu cultivators who had accompanied Qin Wentian to this rendezvous point nodded at Qin Chuan.

"These seniors are the Yuanfu Elders from the Emperor Star Academy, here to ensure Wentian's safety," Qin Yao explained, leaving Qin Chuan astonished. It was clear how crucial Qin Wentian was to the academy if he needed an escort of Yuanfu-level guards just to leave the premises. The boy he once knew had grown into a formidable man, and that filled his heart with pride.

Inside the Royal Palace, within a lavish chamber, Chu Tianjiao sat on the floor, his gaze respectfully fixed on the Dragon Couch ahead.

Upon that Dragon Couch lay a frail old man with a pallid complexion.

"Father, I feel utterly powerless, incapable of easing your suffering," Chu Tianjiao admitted, a heavy burden of guilt pressing upon him.

"It's not your fault that my time may be drawing to an end," the figure on the couch replied, his voice soft and frail. "Tomorrow, I will meet with our Ancestor. As for the future of the Chu Clan, it will be entrusted to you."

Chu Tianjiao's curiosity piqued. "Is our Ancestor still alive?"

"Indeed, but only the Emperor is permitted to enter the Dragon Pool Chamber. It's a tradition of our family. Once you assume the mantle, you too will have the opportunity to meet our Ancestor. While our Ancestor may not involve himself in worldly matters, he won't remain indifferent if the Chu Clan faces a crisis."

"And if you find the time, do impart some wisdom to your elder brother. Despite his disappointments, he still carries the blood of our Chu Clan," the figure sighed. While many looked down on the Eldest Prince in Chu, the aging patriarch recognized the extraordinary potential within his eldest son.