Rising Wind

Rising Wind...

Qin Wentian had spent the past few days in diligent cultivation, maintaining a low profile. He had learned the hard way after the previous assassination attempt that it was better to prevent trouble than to deal with it afterward. Were it not for his robust physique, he might have already met his demise.

Yet the identity of his would-be assassin remained a mystery. Was the culprit from the Nine Mystical Palace, the Ou Clan, the Ye Clan, or even the Royal Clan? Investigations were futile; all traces and leads vanished with the assassin's death.

For Qin Wentian, the top priority was to enhance his strength through cultivation.

In his courtyard, he slowly opened his eyes. A subtle aura of the demonic radiated from him since he had successfully condensed an Astral Soul from the Demon Sovereign Constellation. By absorbing vast quantities of Astral Energy heavily infused with demonic Qi, he met the requirements for advancing in the Fiend Transformation Art.

"Boss," Fan Le greeted him as he approached. Qin Wentian shifted his attention to Fan Le and inquired, "Are you slacking off again?"

Fan Le put on a serious expression and replied, "Nah, I don't slack off." Then he added with a grin, "Teacher Mustang wants us to clear out a street. Are you up for it?"

"Clear out a street?" Qin Wentian narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah, the Royal Academy has been encroaching on our territory lately. When the Azure Emperor Palace was still around, we had to tolerate it quietly. But now that they're gone, our academy has decided to launch a surprise attack to reclaim Sake Street from those Royal Academy troublemakers," Fan Le explained.

"The Royal Academy is acting so boldly?" A cold glint flashed in Qin Wentian's eyes.

"They rely on the representatives from the transcendent powers. We don't know where those representatives are from, but each controls a region, and our Emperor Star Academy wouldn't dare to act recklessly. Teacher believes that they're most likely from the Nine Mystical Palace, and they want to push our academy into a corner," Fan Le replied. Qin Wentian rose to his feet and declared, "I'll go with you."

"Great, don't worry, I have Teacher's authorization. This time, we need to teach those Royal Academy brats a lesson they won't forget," Fan Le grinned, anticipation shining in his eyes. Yuanfu-level experts from their academy's higher echelons would likely participate in the operation as well.

Qin Wentian and Fan Le swiftly gathered at a designated meeting point within the Emperor Star Academy. Upon their arrival, Mustang addressed them, "Disperse and proceed to Sake Street. Wentian, you'll accompany me."

"Understood," they all acknowledged, dispersing quietly to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

...

On Sake Street, Ye Wuque was savoring his drink when a troubled expression crossed his face.

"Look over there; those people might pose a problem."

Ye Ran and Elder You also focused their attention in the same direction, sensing something amiss.

"Spread the word: the Emperor Star Academy has arrived," Ye Wuque ordered. His command spread through the crowd, quickly stirring commotion. Some customers uninvolved in the conflict sat in the restaurants, minding their own business, fearful of offending either party and choosing to be mere spectators.

Across the street from the restaurant Ye Wuque was in, a group of figures emerged. Upon spotting them, Ye Wuque and Sikong Mingyue's expressions stiffened.

"Mustang, Qin Wentian."

"Yes, Qin Wentian's injuries have healed, and the rumors were true. He's back."

A fierce glint flashed in Sikong Mingyue's eyes, and his murderous intent surged toward Qin Wentian. However, Sikong Mingyue soon chuckled coldly when he realized that Qin Wentian hadn't even noticed his murderous intent.

One after another, groups of people emerged from the other restaurant. Swiftly, both sides of the street resembled a battlefield, with combatants taking their positions.

"Kill." A low voice cut through the charged atmosphere, and cultivators on both sides launched into frenzied combat. Their cultivation bases ranged from the 7th level of Arterial Circulation to the 2nd level of Yuanfu. Words were unnecessary; they engaged directly in battle. Qin Wentian understood that the enmity had reached a point of no return. Neither side would rest until the other was utterly defeated.

"Luo Huan has also broken through to Yuanfu," Qin Wentian noted, observing Luo Huan, who resembled a female Asura, striking with lethal precision, showing no mercy. It seemed as though all the melancholy and depression she had bottled up were now unleashed in a violent frenzy.

"Wuque," Ye Ran turned his attention to Ye Wuque. It was evident that their opponents had come well-prepared. Although reinforcements were on the way, the Emperor Star Academy had many formidable experts rushing to the scene as well.

With a resounding boom, a powerful figure descended onto the roof of a nearby restaurant. This mysterious individual was cloaked in black, emanating an intense aura of bloodlust as they peered down at the street's ongoing chaos.

However, as soon as this enigmatic figure appeared, another silhouette gracefully landed on the roof of the restaurant directly across from them. This newcomer was an elderly man, exuding a potent presence that rivaled the black-clad stranger's.

Neither of them moved, their eyes locked onto each other. It was clear that they recognized the threat posed by the other's power.

The roofs beneath their feet crumbled under the pressure of their overwhelming auras, unable to bear the immense energy they radiated. Despite the collapse, the two remained suspended in mid-air, their gaze still fixed upon one another, their composure unwavering.

A fearsome whirlwind materialized as their equally potent auras clashed.

BOOM! The black-clad figure advanced, throwing a punch that generated a swirling, black windstorm in the air before him. Yet, his opponent remained unmoved, standing with a calm demeanor. The elderly man's long white beard fluttered in the wind, and at the precise moment the black-robed figure closed the distance, the old man thrust his palm forward, summoning tens of millions of palm shadows from the heavens. Undeterred, the black-clad individual chuckled coldly, pouring more energy into the tempest, intensifying its ferocity.

A devastating aura of destruction wreaked havoc on the surroundings, causing numerous inns and restaurants to crumble. The entire street suffered under the onslaught of these Stellar Martial Cultivators. Spectators and onlookers hurriedly retreated to a safer distance, their hearts pounding as they gazed upon the once-luxurious street, now reduced to rubble.

"Experts at the 3rd level of Yuanfu. It seems this won't be a minor skirmish," muttered many with trembling voices. Flying demonic beasts filled the sky as a constant stream of experts rushed to the scene, reinforcing their respective academies.

What began as a small-scale battle had quickly escalated into a full-blown war.

Ye Wuque's chosen restaurant remained unscathed for now. He continued to leisurely sip wine, shooting a cold glare in Mustang's direction. "Mustang, are you trying to provoke a war?"

Upon hearing Ye Wuque's voice, Qin Wentian turned his gaze towards him. He had heard of Ye Wuque's reputation. More than a year ago, Ye Wuque had played a pivotal role in Autumn Snow breaking off their engagement.

Since then, Qin Wentian had encountered Ye Wuque on several occasions. The young man's aloof and arrogant demeanor made it clear he was not one to bow to others.

Mustang paid no mind to Ye Wuque's provocation. Though Ye Wuque possessed considerable power, in terms of seniority, he was just a junior. Ye Wuque's impolite tone didn't warrant a response.

"Hmph, he's quite the actor," Ye Ran muttered with a faint laugh. He turned his gaze towards Ye Wuque and remarked, "Wuque, with your current cultivation at the 2nd level of Yuanfu and your rapid progress, that Elder from the Emperor Star Academy won't be able to match you soon."

Mustang, the Elder in question, was the subject of their conversation. Qin Wentian was taken aback to hear that Ye Wuque had already reached the 2nd level of Yuanfu.

"Competing with him?" Ye Wuque chuckled as he glanced at Mustang. "Pointless."

"Yes, he's an entire generation ahead of you," Ye Ran replied, his tone carrying a hint of flattery. After all, Ye Wuque held a special status within the Ye Clan. Even though Ye Ran was an Elder, his authority couldn't compare to Ye Wuque's. Besides, Ye Wuque's current strength no longer put him at a disadvantage compared to Ye Ran.

Mustang paid little attention to their conversation, his gaze resting on Qin Wentian. He felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Mustang's Astral Soul was linked to the Heavenly Vision Constellation, allowing him to see that Qin Wentian had also reached the Yuanfu Realm.

Back when Qin Wentian was at the Arterial Circulation Realm, he could defeat opponents of higher realms, even geniuses like Sikong Mingyue or Luo Qianqiu. Previously, he had held his ground against the Yuanfu-level Ye Wuque. Now that he had entered the Yuanfu Realm, considering Qin Wentian's history of rapid growth, it wouldn't be long before he outclassed Ye Wuque.

As for Sikong Mingyue, Qin Wentian had long ceased to regard him as a threat.

"I'm growing old, and there are limits to my achievements," Mustang said, directing his advice to Qin Wentian. "You, on the other hand, are different. Don't concern yourself too much with these so-called 'geniuses' of Chu. Treat them as ordinary individuals. Broaden your horizons and don't restrict yourself. There's no need to compete with them."

Mustang's words were meant to guide and instruct Qin Wentian, but they also served as a response to Ye Wuque. He implied that Ye Wuque and his peers were not on par with Qin Wentian.

Upon hearing Mustang's words, Ye Wuque's eyes narrowed, and a sharp glint flashed within them. Ye Ran, too, cast a cold laugh towards Mustang. "What an audacious boast, truly absurd."

"How time flies. Back in Sky Harmony City, you were just starting your cultivation journey. I noticed you when you were in the Bai Clan, at the Body Refinement Realm. Even I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your current level of cultivation. I'm genuinely pleased, but I imagine the Bai Clan is filled with regret now," Mustang said, his voice heavy with emotion. Yet, beneath the surface, Qin Wentian detected a hint of pain. It dawned on him that Mustang might be willing to sacrifice himself today in pursuit of vengeance. Mountain, whom Mustang had raised from childhood, was like a son to him. Qin Wentian had sought Mountain's killers, only to be blocked by the Yuanfu-level Ye Wuque. Mustang must have learned of this through Rain or Luo Huan.

As these thoughts raced through Qin Wentian's mind, his heart trembled slightly. There was no doubt about it – Teacher Mustang intended to end Ye Wuque's life today.

That's right, Mustang had come with the sole purpose of taking Ye Wuque's life.

As Qin Wentian contemplated the deaths of Zi Jun and Mountain, a steely resolve ignited in his eyes, flickering like a sharp blade.

The clashes unfolding in the street escalated to a fierce crescendo. Expert after expert rushed to the scene, reinforcing their respective academies. What had begun as a minor confrontation had now escalated into a full-blown war. Qin Wentian also couldn't help but notice the arrival of Xiao Lan and the others – Xiao Lǜ, Wu Chong, and Wang Teng. They were all present.

As for the bystanders, they had wisely retreated from the area, not wanting to be caught up in the escalating chaos.

Amidst this turmoil, Sikong Mingyue rose into the air with a malevolent aura enveloping him. He had unmistakably reached the Yuanfu Realm.

With a grimacing expression and a finger pointed directly at Qin Wentian, Sikong Mingyue roared, "Qin Wentian, GET OVER HERE. Face me if you have the guts!"