Summons

Summons...

Following Qing`er's declaration, she advanced toward the enemy Heavenly Dipper Sovereign. Sensing her aura, the opponent didn't underestimate her in the slightest. In his heart, he cursed silently, wondering what trouble this "useless second Young Master" had caused this time. How could he provoke someone protected by a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign?

This "useless second Young Master" was truly a lost cause. Perhaps his background had spoiled him, gradually turning him into a troublemaker. Many in the Hua Clan secretly wished that if only Hua Xiaoyun possessed even half of his elder brother's abilities, they would have been content.

Qinger and the opposing Heavenly Dipper Sovereign clashed, creating thunderous shockwaves that echoed around them. The enemy Heavenly Dipper Sovereign ascended, attempting to lead Qinger away. He couldn't believe that Hua Xiaoyun couldn't handle a first-level Yuanfu cultivator, especially with assistance from his servants.

Two brilliant beams of light shot upward, leaving the Yuanfu cultivators behind.

Hua Xiaoyun's malevolent smile deepened.

"KILL HIM! All of you, attack together and bring me his head," he ordered, nearly causing the Heavenly Dipper Sovereign flying upward to spit blood. Hua Xiaoyun's talent might not be exceptional, but he was at least a fourth-level Yuanfu cultivator who had grasped the first level of a Mandate. Did he truly need to go to such lengths to deal with a first-level Yuanfu opponent?

His actions left the old Heavenly Dipper Sovereign speechless.

Hua Xiaoyun wasn't afraid of Qin Wentian himself. What he feared was the strange and enigmatic monument that Qin Wentian possessed. Under the suppressive force of that monument, he couldn't unleash his full power in a one-on-one battle. Thus, he had to gather more people to surround Qin Wentian.

As the other Yuanfu cultivators closed in, forming a circle around Qin Wentian, the sinister look in his eyes intensified. The Yellow Springs Monument floated above his head. Suddenly, brilliant Astral Light enveloped him, and a surge of demonic Qi erupted so intensely that it saturated the air. A beast-like Astral Soul materialized beside Qin Wentian, and upon seeing the form of this demonic beast, Hua Xiaoyun and his cohorts stood dumbfounded.

Astonishing in its malevolence, this demonic beast possessed a dragon's head, a lion's body, a snake's tail, roc's wings, Xuanwu Tortoise's scales, and Kirin's claws. Its grotesque appearance seemed like the embodiment of brutality itself, and its eerie aura sent shivers down the spines of all who beheld it, as though they were witnessing a creature plucked from their darkest nightmares.

Hua Xiaoyun muttered a curse under his breath, his heart filled with dread and amazement. Ignoring the question of its origin, the radiant golden corona surrounding the Astral Soul left no doubt that this Astral Soul was condensed from a 5th Heavenly Layer Constellation. Hua Xiaoyun knew that he couldn't communicate with any Constellations in the 5th Heavenly Layer, except for his elder brother.

Had someone more knowledgeable been present, they would have instantly recognized that the demonic beast Astral Soul before them resembled a Demon Sovereign, ranking first in the Warbeast Index.

Unfortunately, neither Hua Xiaoyun nor his companions possessed this knowledge.

Qin Wentian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. With the assistance of the Demon Sovereign's Beast Spirit he had obtained from the Spiritual Beasts Testing Grounds, his consciousness and intent ascended to the realm of the Nine Heavenly Layers.

In response, his Demon Sovereign Astral Soul raised its head and let out a mighty howl. Despite the daylight, an intense starlight beam shot down from above, tearing through the sky like a fissure in the heavens. This spectacle sent violent tremors through the hearts of those nearby. What in the world was happening?

ROARRR~ The Demon Sovereign Astral Soul roared as the starlight beam merged with it, fortifying the connection between Qin Wentian's Astral Soul and the Demon Sovereign Constellation in the 5th Heavenly Layer. BOOOOOM! Qin Wentian's body surged with strength as the Astral Energy within the corresponding Yuanfu overflowed, beginning a summoning.

Bzzz. The air quaked, and space ruptured as an illusory form of a majestic silver roc materialized. This silver roc, listed in the Warbeast Index, bore large and shimmering wings. It was a creature of awe-inspiring presence.

The ethereal form gradually solidified, transforming into a tangible being. As it transitioned from illusion to reality, its eyes snapped open with a malicious and brutal gleam, sending shivers down the spines of all who beheld it.

Hua Xiaoyun was left dumbfounded. "This..."

"It's a summoning-type Astral Soul. It can call forth Astral Warbeasts from other constellations," one of Hua Xiaoyun's subordinates muttered in a hushed tone, his heart racing. Using the 'summon' ability with a summoning-type Astral Soul demanded extremely demanding prerequisites. The cultivator needed unparalleled sensory abilities and an immense reserve of Astral Energy to support the 'summon' ability. Both factors determined the strength and level of the summoned Astral Warbeast.

This was Qin Wentian's first time employing the 'summon' ability of his Demon Sovereign Astral Soul. In his previous attempt, he had sensed that the strength of the summoned Astral Warbeast was somehow linked to his own.

Ranked #98 in the Warbeast Index, the Silver Roc belonged to the type of demonic beast capable of evolution. Currently, the aura it radiated matched that of a peak second-level Yuanfu cultivator.

"The summoning has leaped a level?" Qin Wentian couldn't help but express his surprise. After all, he was only at the first level of Yuanfu.

"What are you waiting for? ATTACK!" Hua Xiaoyun finally roared, snapping his subordinates out of their stupor. They sprinted madly towards Qin Wentian.

"All of you will perish." Qin Wentian's voice dripped with an icy coldness that sent chills down the spine. The Silver Roc sprang into action, hurtling towards the charging cultivators. Its massive wings created a mini-hurricane as it moved, and the Yellow Spring Monuments above Qin Wentian intensified their crimson glow, saturating the air with a towering bloodthirsty aura.

Qin Wentian remained rooted to his spot, his Demon Sovereign Astral Soul still roaring towards the heavens. This sight made Hua Xiaoyun tremble violently. Did Qin Wentian intend to summon yet another Astral Warbeast?

Madness! He must be mad! Even if he summoned more, how could he possibly control so many demonic beasts simultaneously?

A deafening BOOM rocked the earth as a Sky-ember Lion Astral Warbeast materialized beside Qin Wentian. This was one of the demonic beast spirits he had consumed in the Spirit Beasts Testing Grounds, ranking above #300 in the Warbeast Index. Its aura matched that of a peak second-level Yuanfu cultivator.

But Qin Wentian showed no signs of slowing down. Following the Sky-ember Lion, a Silver-Armored Bear King emerged, its massive frame resembling a colossal mountain as it charged headlong toward the enemy Yuanfu cultivators.

Inside Qin Wentian's mind, chaos reigned as if it were about to shatter. Each of these Astral Warbeasts held a fraction of his spiritual consciousness. With the increasing number of summoned Astral Warbeasts, the pressure on his mind grew exponentially. It was an excruciating burden to bear.

Yet Qin Wentian cared little for his own discomfort. These people had to pay the price with their lives. His killing intent was echoed by the Astral Warbeasts, their collective fury palpable in the air.

A Yuanfu cultivator was torn apart with a hiss of fury. Although the Astral Warbeasts were only at the peak of the second level of Yuanfu, their combat abilities rivaled those of human cultivators at the third level of Yuanfu. Fueled by Qin Wentian's emotions, they entered a frenzied state of battle.

Hua Xiaoyun had initially planned to encircle and overwhelm Qin Wentian from all directions. However, the aura emanating from Qin Wentian grew increasingly perilous.

"DIE!" The Silver Roc soared through the air, its target set squarely on Hua Xiaoyun. The Yellow Springs Monument and Qin Wentian himself surged forward in unison.

In a fit of anger, Hua Xiaoyun slashed out with an energy beam. But the Silver Roc proved too nimble, effortlessly evading the attack as it zeroed in on Hua Xiaoyun, aiming straight for his head.

"You vile creature!" Hua Xiaoyun's voice dripped with contempt. He thrust his palms forward with the precision of a sabre's strike, infusing his actions with the power of his Mandate to repel the Silver Roc.

BOOM! The Yellow Springs Monument descended, sending Hua Xiaoyun's heart racing and his blood coursing wildly through his veins. Simultaneously, Qin Wentian's ancient halberd descended upon him, leaving Hua Xiaoyun in a state of confusion, unsure of how to counteract the onslaught.

Infuriated, Hua Xiaoyun entered a frenzied state. His divine sword soared toward the Yellow Springs Monument, while his five fingers formed a claw-like stance, radiating a golden light as he intercepted Qin Wentian's halberd strike.

Ka Cha! A sharp, resonant sound echoed as Hua Xiaoyun locked eyes with Qin Wentian. As a fourth-level Yuanfu cultivator, he refused to believe that he couldn't eliminate Qin Wentian.

In that instant, Qin Wentian relinquished his grip on the ancient halberd, opting instead to collide with Hua Xiaoyun using his own body.

BANG! Their collision unleashed a deafening roar. Hua Xiaoyun coughed up a mouthful of blood, but his determination to kill Qin Wentian remained unwavering. His hands, sharpened to the point of resembling blades, sliced through the air as he aimed to sever Qin Wentian's arms.

Yet Qin Wentian stood his ground, summoning his formidable strength fueled by his vast Astral Energy reserves. He pushed his palms outward, creating a miniature explosion of force. Hua Xiaoyun felt his arms on the brink of shattering. With a sidestep, Qin Wentian expelled beams of sword-like light from his mouth, targeting Hua Xiaoyun's eyes and head.

A look of sheer terror washed over Hua Xiaoyun's face. He hastily withdrew his arms and summoned a golden light shield to block the sword-like beams. However, the impact's intensity left him pale, and he continued to cough up blood. Just as he retracted his arms, another ferocious beam of sword light lanced towards him, aiming to claim his life.

"NOOOOO!" Hua Xiaoyun's scream echoed with sheer horror. He raised one arm to intercept the attack, but the fierce impact left that arm hanging uselessly from its socket, as if it might fall off at any moment. In agonizing misery, Hua Xiaoyun retreated forcefully, extracting a 'Wing Seal' from his robes—a one-time use, defensive divine weapon, a final trump card gifted by his elder brother to save his life.

Hua Xiaoyun had always been a source of trouble when he ventured outside his clan. His older brother, well aware that no matter how powerful a divine weapon might be, it was useless against a truly formidable opponent, had gifted him the 'Wing Seal.' This priceless treasure had one purpose alone: escape. Even Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns would find it impossible to catch him if he chose to use it. Yet here he was, using it to flee from someone at the first level of Yuanfu.

Crushing the 'Wing Seal' in his hands, an explosion of Astral Light engulfed the area where Hua Xiaoyun had stood just moments ago. Qin Wentian, who was rushing towards him, only caught a fleeting glimpse of a faint shadow disappearing from the corner of his eye. Hua Xiaoyun had vanished, leaving behind nothing but a blood-soaked patch of ground.

"You will meet a gruesome end," Hua Xiaoyun's wrathful voice echoed from the distance. His arm hung by a thread, a testament to his seething hatred for Qin Wentian.

"Even if I have to chase you to the farthest reaches of the Grand Xia Empire, you will not escape your fate," Qin Wentian declared, gazing at the horizon. He summoned the stone monument, dealing with the remaining Yuanfu Cultivators. Qing`er and the enemy Heavenly Dipper Sovereign descended. As the Sovereign observed the situation below, his expression shifted, and he shot an angry glare at Qin Wentian, trembling with fury. "You truly seek your own death."

With that, he unleashed a colossal palm imprint towards Qin Wentian. Qing`er swiftly intervened to block the attack. Meanwhile, the elderly man transformed into a streak of light, pursuing Hua Xiaoyun.

Old Mo finally caught up from behind Qin Wentian. He had heard Hua Xiaoyun's screams of terror earlier and, upon arriving at the scene, was confronted by pools of blood and lifeless bodies. His heart quivered with unease. "Did you kill them all? Did you harm Hua Xiaoyun?"

Qin Wentian turned to face Old Mo, his gaze icy as he locked eyes with him. Mo Qingcheng had almost lost her life due to Hua Xiaoyun's actions. As her grandfather, Old Mo lacked the courage to confront Hua Xiaoyun directly.

"Do you know who he is? Are you aware of how monstrously talented his brother is?" Old Mo retorted, matching Qin Wentian's icy demeanor. He was genuinely concerned that the Hua Clan would seek vengeance.

Even at this moment, Old Mo's primary concern remained the potential repercussions from the Hua Clan. Qin Wentian's demeanor had grown so frigid that it sent shivers down the spines of anyone who looked at him. Then, suddenly, an eerie smile twisted across his face as he approached Old Mo.

"Talent? Martial Mandate? Does the Mandate of Force sound impressive?" The force of Qin Wentian's Mandate manifested as an oppressive energy bearing down on Old Mo, causing his expression to freeze.

"What about the Mandate of Demon?" A deeply malevolent aura surged forth as the essence of Qin Wentian's body seemed to embrace a demonic transformation.

"Comprehension of dual Mandates," Old Mo breathed, his heart pounding with shock.

"Or perhaps you meant Astral Souls?" As Qin Wentian's voice resonated, three of his Astral Souls abruptly burst into existence, unleashing tremors that reverberated through the void.

Rumble~~ Qin Wentian released the seals on his abilities, and the colors of his Astral Souls underwent a dramatic change. As he gazed upon Qin Wentian's Astral Souls hovering above his head, Old Mo could only stare in dumbfounded amazement, his mouth hanging agape.

All three of his Astral Souls emitted a pure, blinding golden radiance that was nearly impossible to gaze upon directly.

All three of his Astral Souls had been condensed from the 5th Heavenly Layer!

"IS THIS THE TALENT YOU WERE SEEKING?!" Qin Wentian bellowed. He advanced another step while Old Mo retreated. Old Mo's legs gave way, causing him to stumble and collapse to the ground, still utterly stunned by the mind-boggling spectacle before him.