White Deer Cavern

White Deer Cavern...

Yan Kong struggled to his feet, coughing awkwardly before making a hasty exit.

In all his years, never had Yan Kong suffered such humiliation. This debt wouldn't slip from his memory easily.

Approaching Qin Wentian, Leng Ning's eyes sparkled with mischief, though her lips curved into a gentle smile. "Greetings, Mr. Grandmaster," she teased.

Qin Wentian noticed her playful expression and playfully rapped his knuckles on her head. "I wasn't lying, was I?"

"No, you weren't. I was the doubter here. I shouldn't have second-guessed you, Mr. Grandmaster." Leng Ning chuckled. Then she continued, "But seriously, with all the grandiose talk, who would've guessed you actually lived up to it? Why didn't you give us a hint of your skill?"

A sly grin crept across Qin Wentian's face. "Wait, are you suggesting that, in your frustration, you secretly wanted me to flaunt third-ranked Divine Inscriptions to prove myself?"

Leng Ning burst into laughter. Qin Wentian's words struck a chord—imagining him brazenly showcasing his talent just to shut her up felt a tad excessive.

"Alright, alright, I admit it's my fault." Leng Ning shot a mock glare at him, her embarrassment evident. She hadn't dared believe that this braggart was truly a third-ranked Divine Inscriptionist. The memory of her earlier words to him stung.

"Haha, go on ahead. I've got some business to attend to here," Qin Wentian said before walking over to Bailu Yi. She gave him a grateful nod.

Earlier, Qin Wentian had assisted her in giving Yan Kong a proper thrashing.

"Well, I caused this mess, so it's only right I clean it up." Qin Wentian chuckled, his demeanor nonchalant. The two of them strolled side by side into the White Deer Institute.

"Just be cautious moving forward. Yan Kong won't let this go easily; he might come after you," Bailu Yi warned, her concern evident. The memory of Yan Kong's humiliation wouldn't fade quickly.

"Understood," Qin Wentian affirmed. That was why he hadn't gone so far as to maim or kill Yan Kong. Had he done so, Yan Kong's clan wouldn't rest until he was dead. He settled for humiliation, assuming Yan Kong wouldn't stoop so low as to solicit revenge from his elders. Defeat at the hands of someone of the same generation would taint Yan Kong's pride irreparably.

Leng Ning drifted into thought, watching them depart. Among the younger generation at White Deer Institute, Bailu Yi stood as the unrivaled genius. Like frost and fire, she walked alongside the blazing sun that was Qin Wentian—two opposing forces that somehow fit together. A strange pang of disappointment gnawed at Leng Ning.

"What's wrong with me?" She shook her head, questioning her sudden urge to marry that 'big-headed' guy.

Guiding Qin Wentian, Bailu Yi led him into the heart of the White Deer Cavern. This was where he'd first set foot upon entering the White Deer Institute, though back then he'd been confined to studying the Divine Inscriptions etched on the cavern's initial stone walls.

Now, under Bailu Yi's escort, he delved deeper. The first chamber they encountered was adorned with countless stone walls and monuments, each etched with a variety of Divine Inscriptions. The intricate lines gleamed like precious gems, a feast for Divine Inscriptionists' eyes. Despite their number, every line was distinct and meticulously carved, the mark of a grandmaster's hand.

"Our Elders' work is showcased here," Bailu Yi explained as they progressed. "Mastery over these Inscriptions guarantees a top-tier Divine Inscriptionist status. At the very least, one wouldn't lack the necessary Inscriptions for weapon forging."

Advancing to the second chamber, immense stone slabs depicted two Divine Inscriptionists locked in battle. The images seemed to pulse with life, chronicling countless conflicts between these experts.

Standing before one slab, Qin Wentian's gaze traced the intricate engravings. A sudden surge of destructive energy erupted, as though the Inscription sought to break free from the stone's confines.

"Remarkable," Qin Wentian marveled, his heart racing.

"Let's proceed," Bailu Yi guided him to the third chamber, larger than its predecessors. The Divine Inscriptions here carried an enigmatic aura, causing swirling tempests to whip through the chamber. Each gust was like a blade's edge, slicing the air.

"Dao of Formations," Qin Wentian mused. He closed his eyes, immersing himself in the sharp sensation. He'd encountered countless Divine Inscriptions, but these seemed almost sentient, an intricate dance gradually forming a living Formation.

At the heart of the Divine Inscription, Qin Wentian's finger flicked out, and the tempestuous gales instantly quelled. Bailu Yi approached, a smile playing on her lips. "How was it?"

"Are you unconcerned about bringing me here?" Qin Wentian chuckled. The White Deer Caverns were a veritable treasure trove for Divine Inscriptionists.

"Advancing on the path of the Dao of Divine Inscriptions sometimes requires the insights of our predecessors," Bailu Yi explained. "Many of the Divine Inscriptions here originated from the grandmasters of past generations who cultivated in this Institute. Hoarding knowledge serves no purpose. Interacting with you can undoubtedly enrich our understanding of the Dao of Divine Inscriptions."

"One more cave to explore. Follow my steps closely, and don't stray lest you trigger a Formation," Bailu Yi cautioned. Guiding him, they arrived at the fourth chamber. Inside, various Puppets stood—human, Divine Weapon, and beast forms among them.

"It looks like I'll be heavily reliant on the White Deer Institute in the future. You won't abandon me, will you?" Qin Wentian quipped, the knowledge he gained here expanding the horizons of his mind.

"As long as you stay, I might even cover your meals," Bailu Yi teased, laughter in her eyes.

"Alright, I hope you don't come to regret that decision." Qin Wentian fixed his gaze on Bailu Yi's fresh, radiant face, finding her increasingly endearing with each passing moment.

Bailu Yi found herself truly astonished by the seriousness in Qin Wentian's words. Since that day, he hadn't ventured beyond the White Deer Cavern. Apart from cultivating, his every waking moment was devoted to deciphering and grasping Divine Inscriptions. This revelation sent tremors through Bailu Yi's heart. She had long considered herself exceedingly diligent, but witnessing Qin Wentian's fervent dedication left her feeling humbled. In terms of sheer effort, she couldn't even compare.

There were occasions when Bailu Yi stood behind Qin Wentian for half a day, yet he didn't spare her a glance. His unwavering focus dealt a blow to her ego. A prodigious genius and an unparalleled beauty, she was perpetually surrounded by admirers. This marked the first time she'd been so thoroughly ignored.

Still, it stirred a deeper emotion within her. There were no inborn geniuses. Even with natural talent, true potential only bloomed through tireless exertion. She recognized that those who went on to become legendary figures, the names that resonated across the Nine Continents, all shared the resolute spirit she saw in the young man before her.

Seated beside Qin Wentian, Bailu Yi observed him, her gaze laden with wonder. It felt as if she was witnessing a legend in the making, a character destined for greatness.

Qin Wentian's intensity was infectious. With each passing day, he displayed rapid, almost unbelievable progress. At present, he was on par with her in the realm of Divine Inscriptions. If they were to pit their Inscription skills against each other, he wouldn't be outmatched.

Naturally, this spurred Bailu Yi to redouble her efforts.

"Lost in thought? Care for some fruit?" In the fourth chamber, noticing Qin Wentian's contemplative demeanor, Bailu Yi extended a plate of fruits to him.

"The Dao of Puppets is undeniably intricate," Qin Wentian remarked, his gaze lifting to meet Bailu Yi's captivating visage. His spirits lifted, and he selected a fruit from the plate.

"Absolutely," Bailu Yi agreed, a laugh tugging at her lips. "Have you gained any insights after all these days?"

"Would you like to hear about my discoveries?" Qin Wentian inquired. Bailu Yi nodded. "Certainly."

"What's your perception of Puppets?" Qin Wentian inquired.

Bailu Yi blinked, momentarily puzzled. "Well, Puppets are... Puppets. What do you mean?"

"From where I stand, Puppets are akin to Divine Weapons," Qin Wentian mused. A grin curved his lips. "Puppets can assume human, Divine Weapon, or beast forms. These categories differ mainly in external appearances. Besides a few nefarious methods that use real humans as a foundation, most Puppets' exteriors are crafted by skilled blacksmiths. Their capabilities hinge on the Divine Inscriptions etched upon them, their manipulation relies on linking spiritual consciousness during refinement, and their power source stems from embedded Yuan Meteor Stones. That's what sets Puppets apart from Divine Weapons."

"Puppets essentially represent a more advanced iteration of Divine Weapons. By employing the right formations, one can channel and convert Yuan Meteor Stones' energy, making it the originating power of Puppets. As a result, crafting Puppets is significantly more complex. The efficiency rises with stronger formations and superior materials, yielding more formidable Puppets."

"Human-form Puppets hold the most power due to their enhanced capabilities. But, naturally, the cost and intricacy of creating them correspondingly escalate." Qin Wentian chuckled.

Understanding dawned on Bailu Yi's face, and she nodded in agreement. "I never thought of it that way, but your explanation is quite convincing. Indeed, Divine Weapons bear a striking resemblance to Puppets."

"The Creator's designs are profoundly intriguing. Have you ever pondered that the runic patterns of Divine Inscriptions resemble the body's arterial pathways, energy channels, and meridians? Our inner structure empowers us to unleash innate techniques. Viewed differently, isn't this akin to Divine Inscriptions gracing Divine Weapons and Puppets?"

Qin Wentian persisted, "Moreover, for those like us with forging-type Astral Souls, a chief advantage lies in the ability to form Divine Inscriptions within our bodies before externalizing them. In that light, if every droplet of Astral Energy coursing within us underwent tempering and conversion by Divine Inscriptions, wouldn't it mean that Astral Energy, in its essence, also constitutes a form of Divine Inscriptions?"

The quiet words of Qin Wentian gave Bailu Yi an immense rush of impact, it shook the foundations of everything that she had ever known. She had cultivated her Dao of Divine Inscriptions according to the guidance of her elders, and had never seriously studied and contemplated them before. This was also part of the reason why she wanted to study with this young man beside her.

There's something to be learned from everyone, and because she had cultivated according to the insights of her elders, her foundations had been fixed at a young age. How could any notion of doubt towards their teachings ever appear in her mind?

Yet because of Qin Wentian's words, she began questioning the 'fixed truths' which she had always took for granted.

A fascinating glow of light shone in Bailu Yi's eyes as she regarded Qin Wentian. After which, she smiled, "Thank you."

"There's a commotion outside, let's go and take a look." At this moment, Bailu Yi stood up and proceeded to walk out of the cave dwelling. Qin Wentian followed and soon, they arrived at the entrance of the White Deer Cavern. However, they soon discovered that the cause of the commotion was because of a veiled maiden trying to enter the cavern. She was otherworldly, so beautiful to the extent that even her obscured features couldn't conceal her beauty.

"What happened?" Qin Wentian hurriedly stepped forth upon noticing that it was Qing`er.

Finally seeing Qin Wentian, Qing`er's clear and melodic voice rang out, "I didn't see you for several days and thus I was worried. I wanted to go in to look for you."

Hearing her words caused Qin Wentian to be stunned, and he felt touched in his heart. So, this aloof maiden had never left his side.

"Since you are fine, I'm leaving then." Qing`er turned and walked away, disappearing from Qin Wentian's field of vision so swiftly, as though she was never there!