Altering the Heavens and Transforming the Earth

Altering the Heavens and Transforming the Earth...

As the door to the ancient city swung open, eyes ignited with fervor, and the assembled group entered without hesitation.

Within these bounds, numerous antiquated structures dotted a sprawling terrain. An air of yesteryear imbued the surroundings, lending an aura of agelessness.

Yet, one certainty remained: the interior of this ancient city belonged to a realm distinct from the one beyond its walls.

Moreover, an oppressive energy, the very power of manifesting constellations, bore down upon them. Here, celestial manifestations held dominion.

Though midday bathed the land in light, countless stars graced the sky above. Amidst the expansive starlit canvas loomed an imposing, colossal statue suspended in the air, overseeing the city as if poised to subjugate the land and its inhabitants beneath its colossal feet.

"Behold a manifested constellation – the rumors were indeed true," pondered many in the crowd. While the transcendent powers were privy to this knowledge, the others were none the wiser.

The manifested constellation was a palpable entity, an embodiment of strength. The statue's imposing presence exuded an overwhelming pressure, unmistakably born of a gravity-oriented celestial manifestation.

Some ventured to defy this force by soaring into the air, only to discover that flight was forbidden within this domain. At best, they could hover a few inches above the ground. Any attempt to ascend further resulted in a forceful repulsion, returning them to terra firma.

"Manifested constellation," murmured Bailu Jing before he expounded, "It appears that the predecessors who entered here previously triggered events leading to the birth of this manifested constellation. Formerly, while the transcendent powers were aware of this place's exceptional nature, the reasons remained elusive. Now, with the presence of the manifested constellation, it becomes evident that this realm was the cultivation ground of a Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant in the past."

Bailu Yi and Qin Wentian both nodded, the history of the previous incursion into this secret realm remained shrouded. What they knew was that even Hua Taixu had suffered injury.

"Divine Inscriptionists, take the lead," commanded a thick-browed elder in that moment, stationed beside Yang Fan, exuding a palpable aura of danger. His eyes, obsidian tunnels of infinite depth, seemed to beckon the unwary within. Clearly, this individual wielded extraordinary combat prowess.

"That man is Zhu Sha, another Heavenly Fate Ranking contender," Bailu Jing whispered to Qin Wentian, giving his shoulders a reassuring pat. "Exercise caution and ensure Bailu Yi's safety."

"Understood," Qin Wentian replied, locking eyes with Bailu Yi. Together, they assumed the vanguard position alongside the Li Clan's three siblings and the youth from the Demon Cult.

"Qin, let's journey together." Old First beckoned to him, with the Star-Seizing Manor's retinue trailing behind Qin Wentian and the other Divine Inscriptionists.

In this domain, concealed traps, laden with Divine Inscriptions, were a pervasive threat. It fell upon the Divine Inscriptionists to chart a secure course.

Amidst the journey, a sobering realization dawned upon them: the knowledge accrued by past visitors held little value now. The traps and formations once within their grasp had already been unraveled by prior Divine Inscriptionists, leaving only the ones far beyond their expertise. These deadly mechanisms had proven fatal to their predecessors, entombing invaluable insights within their graves.

As the various factions pressed onward within the ancient city, hazards remained elusive thus far. Yet, distinct signs of sundered runic outlines adorned several locales, testimony to the efforts of those who'd come before.

"That platform appears to align with the constellation's radiance." Gaze fixed on the designated area, the collective attention was drawn to a massive raised platform, fortified by stone columns, its vicinity strewn with remnants of aged stone constructs. And above it, the faint silhouette of an Ascendant statue seemed to materialize.

"Astral Energy fluctuations emanate from that spot." Sensing a resonance, the group hastened toward the platform.

"Hey, you lot, ascend and inspect." Zhu Sha pointed commandingly, directing the Divine Inscriptionists.

Qin Wentian's brows knitted. Zhu Sha's tone brooked no semblance of politeness, akin to one issuing orders to a thrall.

In essence, the transcendent powers regarded them as tools for the trial grounds.

"Proceed." The trio of brothers led the advance. Cautious by nature, Qin Wentian hesitated as he sensed the runic outlines' vibrations on the platform.

"Uncle Li, hold on. Something's amiss up there," Qin Wentian called out. An enigmatic energy cloaked the platform, though pinpointing its source eluded him.

The brothers pivoted, their gazes settling on Qin Wentian as they halted. "What's the matter? Did you sense something?" they inquired.

Qin Wentian shook his head lightly. "I'm uncertain, but there's a profoundly ominous energy circulating. Prudence dictates vigilance."

"Irresolute?" Zhu Sha's voice resonated with annoyance. "Since your perception falters, why not proceed and probe it firsthand? Only through action shall clarity emerge."

"Esteemed senior, dangers unseen lurk in this realm. Vigilance is our foremost ally, as a single lapse may spell our ruin, with no avenue for recourse. Bypassing this platform in favor of safer exploration is prudent." Though vexed, Qin Wentian concealed his frustration.

"Should we yield to caution, must we shun every inkling of peril encountered? In such case, your presence here is rendered pointless." Zhu Sha's retort dripped with frost, brows furrowing at Qin Wentian's challenge.

"In that event, please, feel free to venture forth and ascertain for yourself." Qin Wentian gestured invitingly, matching Zhu Sha's impoliteness. They hadn't implored Star-Seizing Manor's aid; conversely, the Manor sought their skills. Zhu Sha's demeanor smacked of disrespect, sparking a cascade of dissatisfaction.

"What did you utter?" A frigid intent emanated from Zhu Sha, only for a round-faced elder to swiftly intervene. "Leave it be. The young one has valid points. Caution is our ally in this venture."

Zhu Sha's forthrightness clashed with the round-faced elder's diplomacy. He grasped the importance of the Divine Inscriptionists' assistance. Even if Zhu Sha aimed to target them, prudence dictated waiting until they exited the trial grounds.

"Hmph, at least one should proceed," Zhu Sha huffed.

"Very well. Third, you go." Yielding to Zhu Sha's persistence, Old First chose appeasement.

"No." Qin Wentian rebuffed unyieldingly. With heart sense enhancing his perceptions, unease emanated from the towering platform. Gazing at the benches and surrounding ruins, he sensed an aura akin to sacrificial rituals. His intuition hinted at the platform being the core of the realm's Divine Inscriptions, likely harboring potent snares and formations. Unwittingly triggering them could prove catastrophic.

"Uncle Li, please refrain," Qin Wentian reiterated, underscoring their roles extended beyond mere instruments. Zhu Sha's directive would lead to their demise, rendering the point moot.

The Li Clan brothers smiled, appreciating Qin Wentian's concern yet unwilling to incite Star-Seizing Manor's ire.

Suddenly, a Skyember Sect disciple, driven by impatience, advanced to the platform's center.

"Perfectly safe!" The participant emerged unscathed, Zhu Sha's expression soured.

"Thud!"

A titanic force descended, as if a colossal foot struck the earth. Before their eyes, the Skyember Sect cultivator morphed into a mangled mass, the platform awash in eerie light that absorbed the spilled blood.

Witnessing this, the hesitant onlookers quivered. Fate narrowly diverted as the young Divine Inscriptionist from Star-Seizing Manor intervened. But for him, their fates might've mirrored the ill-fated cultivator's.

The Li Clan elders heartened, casting grateful looks at Qin Wentian.

Zhu Sha's countenance darkened, yet he refrained from words.

Unperturbed by Zhu Sha, Qin Wentian observed, pondering an erratic heartbeat.

"Beware. An anomaly's afoot." His voice barely faded when the ground quivered beneath them.

"Indeed, the platform served as an altar," Qin Wentian mused. The expedition varied from Hua Taixu's past experience.

"Wentian, Little Yi, withdraw!" Bailu Jing summoned, sensing impending danger as the factions converged.

"BOOM!" Qin Wentian's palms pressed the earth, Divine Inscriptions etching frantically.

As tremors escalated, his speed surged. The energy imbued in the ground's runic outlines was palpable.

"Brother Jing, lend me a hand to cleave the encroaching grounds," Qin Wentian urgently commanded. Without hesitation, Bailu Jing responded, hacking at the soil with his palms, causing it to shatter. Yet, the ground soon rumbled, attempting to restore itself.

"Keep disintegrating it! Prevent the ground from converging. I need time!" Qin Wentian's voice rang out. A violent gust of wind erupted, accompanied by an unforeseen surge of airflow that swept through the area. None could have predicted this development.

Forming a circle around Qin Wentian and Bailu Yi, the White Deer Institute members, led by Bailu Jing, relentlessly sundered the ground. Qin Wentian's palms pounded down, conjuring a colossal Eight Trigram formation.

"Sealing array," Bailu Yi deciphered, comprehending Qin Wentian's intention. He aimed to establish a protective seal.

Booming resonated, the Ascendant statue's pressure escalated. Gales raged with unprecedented ferocity, while tremors ignited explosive eruptions.

"AAARGH!" A wail echoed as figures plummeted. Qin Wentian's pace surged to its peak, racing against time. His proficiency wasn't yet sufficient, necessitating extensive time for the inscription's completion.

"Speed it up!" Bailu Jing's voice reverberated. Astral light enveloped his fingers, his figure melding into the tempest. His actions were a whirlwind of slashes and cuts against the terrain.

"RUMBLE!" In the distance, mountains arose from thin air, towering skyward.

As chaos reigned, the ancient city crumbled, reshaping the landscape. Solely the Ascendant statue remained unchanged.

"Heavens transformed, Earth reshaped!" Survivors quaked, perceiving the trial's divergence from their predecessors' experiences.