Map

MAP...

Deep within the hallowed halls of the Emperor Star Academy, an air of tension hung like a thick fog. Elders huddled together, their eyes etched with worry and anxiety as they gazed upon a figure sprawled helplessly across a lavish bed.

Ren Qianxing, his nerves taut as piano wires, broke the uneasy silence with an urgent query, "How is he?" His gaze was locked onto the elderly figure sitting vigil by the bedside.

The Elder turned, his voice carrying an eerie blend of amazement and bewilderment. "It's uncanny, truly. His life force practically surges with vigor, and there's an astonishing energy coursing through his veins. His heart pumps with resilience, actively shielding him as he heals. Astonishingly, he's mending even as we speak." He shook his head in disbelief. In any other case, a wound so grievous would have spelled certain doom.

Ren Qianxing, his own worry palpable, pressed for reassurance, "So, he's out of danger?"

The Elder nodded firmly. "Absolutely not. Given his vitality, it's only a matter of time before he makes a full recovery."

A collective sigh of relief echoed through the room as clenched fists relaxed, and anxiety melted from their faces.

Qin Yao, her tear-streaked face now aglow with joy, remained at the bedside, her fingers gently caressing Qin Wentian's forehead. Her emotions had taken a rollercoaster ride from tears of despair to tears of joy. The assailant had struck directly at Qin Wentian's heart, and her heart, in turn, had nearly shattered.

Ren Qianxing took charge, his voice commanding, "Everyone, disperse. We must keep this news under wraps for now, and station guards here." The Elders nodded and filed out one by one, leaving only the Elder skilled in healing, who continued to mutter in sheer amazement. How could someone at the Arterial Circulation Realm possess such an astounding vitality? It was a marvel to behold.

Luo Huan, wearing a brilliant smile, stepped forward. "Wentian, Mountain has already conveyed its message. You can't leave your Senior Sister all alone." With those words, she turned to leave, her smile fading into a steely resolve. The Nine Mystical Palace and the Royal Clan of Chu—the flames of vengeance had ignited and were now burning fiercely.

In the span of a mere three days, the feud between the two academies had spiraled into unimaginable depths of animosity. They no longer engaged in the calculated clashes of Arterial Circulation Cultivators but had instead dispatched Yuanfu cultivators to hunt down the rival academy's students. The Arterial Circulation Realm students cowered within their academy's protective boundaries, venturing out only meant courting death.

Any pretense of civility between the academies had crumbled, giving way to unbridled enmity.

Chu Tianjiao found himself in a precarious position. Even he, with all his arrogance, dared not make hasty moves. The Emperor Star Academy was seething with fury, and the thought of their resorting to assassination loomed large.

Over these tumultuous three days, news of casualties on both sides spread like wildfire. The most devastating encounter unfolded when the Emperor Star Academy walked straight into a cunning ambush set by the Royal Academy. Fortunately, reinforcements arrived in the nick of time. Nevertheless, the battle left a grim toll - four Yuanfu level cultivators and eight Arterial Circulation level cultivators had fallen. The tempest of war had truly swallowed the entire Royal Capital.

Within the confines of the Emperor Star Academy, Qin Wentian remained unconscious. By his side sat two exceptionally beautiful young women.

"Qingcheng, I can't thank you enough for all your help these past few days," Qin Yao expressed her gratitude as she gazed at Mo Qingcheng.

Mo Qingcheng, her smile as warm as the morning sun, replied, "It's no trouble at all. Taking care of people is my specialty." With grace, she continued to spoon-feed Qin Wentian medicinal soup.

Qin Yao, her eyes briefly caught by Mo Qingcheng's side profile, snapped out of her trance and smiled. "It would be wonderful if you could take care of him like this forever."

Mo Qingcheng giggled. "Sure, I'd be delighted." But as the implications of Qin Yao's words dawned on her, she blushed furiously. She blinked at Qin Yao and stammered, "I mean, until he wakes up!"

"Mmm, that's what I meant. What did you think I was suggesting?" Qin Yao grinned, clearly enjoying Mo Qingcheng's flustered response. Mo Qingcheng inwardly scolded herself for her inadvertent slip.

Sighing, Qin Yao voiced her concern. "I just wish we knew when he'll wake up."

"Don't fret. He'll wake up soon," Mo Qingcheng reassured her, though she, too, was aware of the gravity of Qin Wentian's injuries. The exact moment of his awakening remained uncertain.

"Thank you," Qin Yao nodded. "Qingcheng, I'll check if the medicinal soup is ready. I'll bring a fresh bowl shortly."

After Qin Yao departed, Mo Qingcheng continued to feed Qin Wentian with the medicinal concoction. She wiped his lips gently and whispered, "You silly boy, this is the second time I've brewed herbs and nursed you. You really ought to wake up soon, okay?"

Mo Qingcheng rested her chin on her hands, her gaze fixed pensively on Qin Wentian. She couldn't believe that the person she had to nurse back to health twice was none other than Qin Wentian himself. Was this destiny playing its hand?

Studying his serene expression, she couldn't help but reflect on how much he had changed. The first time they met, he had been somewhat soft and immature. This year had transformed him into someone who had endured immense suffering and nearly sacrificed his life. She couldn't help but think, What a lovable dummy.

Lost in thought, Mo Qingcheng's hand ventured out of its own accord and lightly pinched Qin Wentian's cheek, a mischievous glint in her eyes. He was rather good-looking, she admitted.

Qin Wentian seemed to sense something. His eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes gradually opened. What greeted him was the sight of a peerless face, its expression a curious mix of panic and playfulness, fingers still pinching his cheek.

In a flash, Mo Qingcheng's hand retracted at lightning speed. She saw the bewildered look on Qin Wentian's face, and her own flushed crimson as if she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

"I was just testing to see if you'd react. Looks like I'm psychic, since you woke up," Mo Qingcheng said, attempting to play the part of a seasoned actress, a wide grin on her face. But Qin Wentian remained silent, his gaze fixed on her, intensifying the crimson hue on her cheeks.

Watching Mo Qingcheng's bashful expression, Qin Wentian's heart raced. At that moment, she was more than just beautiful; she was breathtaking.

"Come closer," Qin Wentian whispered. Mo Qingcheng's eyelashes fluttered as she blinked, lowering her head and edging nearer to Qin Wentian. Her heart pounded furiously; she had never felt so nervous.

Then, Qin Wentian reached out with his hands and playfully pinched her cheeks a few times before breaking into a warm smile. "Now we're even."

Mo Qingcheng froze, her body trembling slightly. She was utterly baffled, unsure of how to respond.

"I'll go fetch the medicine," Mo Qingcheng announced, darting off with haste. As her silhouette disappeared, a bright smile broke across Qin Wentian's face. "Thank you," he replied sincerely.

Today, Mo Qingcheng seemed unusually preoccupied and distracted. Qin Wentian couldn't help but tease her about it, reveling in her bashful expressions. Qin Yao observed this with great delight; it appeared that destiny was finally aligning for Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng.

In the days that followed, Qin Wentian's recovery progressed at a remarkable pace. By the fifth day, he could already rise from his bed and engage in cultivation. Though the storm still raged in the Royal Capital, the violent turmoil felt worlds away to Qin Wentian.

Mustang, Luo Huan, and others paid occasional visits to Qin Wentian. They withheld news of the outside world and encouraged him to focus on his cultivation. Mustang, in particular, emphasized that he should not venture out until he had reached the Yuanfu level, discouraging him from participating in the ongoing struggles outside the academy. Qin Wentian couldn't help but smile wryly; the Emperor Star Academy was apprehensive about a repeat of his previous reckless behavior and didn't want to put him in harm's way.

In turn, Qin Wentian didn't wish to burden the academy, so he dedicated himself to cultivating in solitude. A month after the incident, he made a breakthrough, reaching the 9th level of Arterial Circulation and standing on the cusp of Yuanfu.

With this newfound strength, Qin Wentian spent several more days consolidating his foundation and honing his innate techniques. His Thousand Hands Imprint technique now extended to the 4th stance - the Kuji Imprint. His mastery over his other innate techniques, the Falling Mountain Palms and the Berserker Beast Halbert Art, continued to deepen.

Today, Qin Wentian returned to the Heavenly Star Pavilion once more. As he ascended the stairway to the 7th level, he respectfully bowed to the guardian.

The old man's eyes sprang open, a newfound gleam piercing through their previous cloudiness. "Are you confident?" he inquired.

Qin Wentian nodded resolutely. "Let's give it a shot." The old man turned his gaze away, shutting his eyes as Qin Wentian strode past him, finally reaching the door to the uncharted 9th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion.

What enigmatic secret lay concealed within the unopened 9th level?

A rush of gushing sounds reverberated as divine energy surged within Qin Wentian's body. With determined steps, he delivered a powerful strike, causing the massive door to shudder violently. The guardian, witnessing this display, felt a tremor in his heart.

Qin Wentian retreated a pace, his body charged with surging divine energy. With another ferocious blow, he struck the door, unleashing both the Falling Mountain Palms and the Kuji Imprint.

BOOOM! The resounding impact sent shockwaves through the entire Heavenly Star Pavilion, drawing the curious gazes of fellow students who wondered what was happening.

Summoning his ancient halberd, Qin Wentian harnessed the weapon's divine power. Though the guardian knew that an Arterial Circulation Cultivator had limits, he wisely allowed Qin Wentian to wield the divine weapon to aid him in this endeavor.

In that heart-pounding moment, Qin Wentian's blood surged, and an aura of unwavering determination filled the air. With a demonic fervor, he wielded the ancient halberd, slashing out explosively.

Pffft! The old guardian's eyes snapped wide open, radiating an awe-inspiring, brilliant light.

Qin Wentian had succeeded. He had forced the door open!

Excitement surged through Qin Wentian's veins as he ventured into the 9th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion, eager to unveil its long-kept secrets. However, his initial enthusiasm waned as he puzzled over the ordinary appearance of the space beyond the door. It stood in stark contrast to the enigmatic wonders of the 7th and 8th levels. There, on the floor, lay a seemingly ancient map scroll.

As he unrolled the scroll, confusion etched across his features. This... it was a map.

Had the final secret concealed by the Azure Emperor within the 9th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion turned out to be nothing more than a map?

Qin Wentian, having never ventured beyond Chu, struggled to decipher the map's cryptic markings. After securing it, he started to leave, but the old guardian blocked his path.

"Senior," Qin Wentian addressed him with utmost respect.

"Starting today, the 8th and 9th levels of the Heavenly Star Pavilion cease to exist. The 7th level shall be accessible to our academy's most gifted students. What you've uncovered here must remain a secret, never to be shared," the old guardian instructed.

Qin Wentian nodded in agreement. He grasped the significance of safeguarding secrets that one couldn't defend.

With the matter settled, Qin Wentian didn't rush to leave. Instead, he ventured into the entrance leading to the 7th level, making his way to the Spirit Beast Testing Grounds. This time, he encountered only a multitude of formidable demonic beasts.

Unbeknownst to Qin Wentian, a massive commotion was unfolding within the Emperor Star Academy.

Outside the academy's gates, a gathering of Elders and students stood, awaiting the arrival of a procession. On the distant horizon, a line of silhouettes rode in on demonic beasts, while in the sky, several figures soared, their gazes imperious and unyielding, as though they were peerless in the world.

If Qin Wentian had been present, he would have recognized one of the newcomers—Yue Qingfeng, the gifted individual from the Azure Emperor Palace whom he had previously encountered in the Spirit Beast Testing Ground.

The Emperor Star Academy had only received news of the Azure Emperor Palace's impending visit two days earlier. The reason for their arrival remained shrouded in mystery. All the academy could do was gather to welcome these "reinforcements" from the same root.

It wasn't just the Azure Emperor Palace. That day, many formidable experts arrived in Chu.

Within the Royal Palace, Xiao Lan furrowed his brow. He hadn't expected the news to spread so rapidly—the revelation that the Azure Emperor had concealed his greatest secret within the Emperor Star Academy.

If this secret were to leak, not only would the small nation of Chu be shaken, but the entire Grand Xia Empire would quake with the revelation.