A Painful Lesson

A Painful Lesson...

Qin Wentian maintained his gaze on Zhu Sha, comprehending the implications of his words. If they were compelled to take the first route, the onus would fall on the Divine Inscriptionists to initiate.

As Zhao Lie so succinctly put it, if these Inscriptionists failed in breaking the formation, what worth were they?

In the eyes of the transcendent powers, the Divine Inscriptionists were mere tools, expendable resources. This reality was no secret to the Inscriptionists either. However, they were equally reliant on the transcendent powers' might to shield them from the impending dangers while they toiled to unravel the formation.

This current impasse, however, was unprecedented for the Inscriptionists. They found themselves unable to crack the formation, their every attempt met with perilous traps. The act of neutralizing the Inscriptions inevitably resulted in their demise.

This fraught situation was the catalyst for tension between the two factions. The formidable cultivators of the transcendent powers sought to coerce the Inscriptionists into action, understanding that if the formation remained unbroken, the Inscriptionists held no value.

Zhu Sha's icy stare met Qin Wentian's, but the young Inscriptionist's demeanor remained placid. In the face of Zhu Sha's steely resolve, Qin Wentian responded, "I've recently had some insights into a potential method for breaking the formation. Should you insist on immediate action, it would undoubtedly lead to our deaths. However, if you grant me a bit more time, there might yet be a glimmer of hope."

His words bore no trace of anger or frustration. The present him had learned to shield his emotions, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.

As Zhu Sha's brows knitted, Yang Fan interjected, "Let him have the time he requests."

"Very well, I will grant you an additional three days," Zhu Sha conceded, his tone tinged with annoyance. He knew his stance would only further irk Qin Wentian, but the sentiment failed to sway his decision.

Was Qin Wentian's prowess as a third-ranked Inscriptionist truly something to be feared in combat? Zhu Sha was far from daunted by it. The notion of him engaging in real-time Inscription work during battle appeared laughable. Zhu Sha's confidence in his stance remained unshaken.

Understanding the ongoing dynamics within the Star-Seizing Manor's camp, Zhao Lie's expression shifted to one of comprehension. He weighed the decision of waiting for Qin Wentian.

The members of the Hua Clan and the Pill Emperor Hall similarly directed their attention toward Qin Wentian. The exchange had hinted at Qin Wentian's elevated status within the Star-Seizing Manor, particularly as the most potent Divine Inscriptionist in their ranks.

Among the individuals from the Pill Emperor Palace, Bai Fei's gaze inadvertently landed on Qin Wentian. A sense of puzzlement crept into her expression. There was an uncanny familiarity about him, like she had encountered him before. Yet, despite her attempts to recall, she couldn't pinpoint a time when she would have crossed paths with such a formidable third-ranked Divine Inscriptionist Grandmaster.

Approximately half a year had elapsed since she last saw Qin Wentian.

In that span, his visage had morphed from its youthful mien. His features now bore an even more refined allure, exuding a masculine charm. Coupled with his lengthened ebony locks and his transformed aura, Bai Fei remained oblivious to the individual before her.

The metamorphosis in Qin Wentian's demeanor and appearance was monumental, making Bai Fei's recognition impossible at a glance. She merely felt a vague sense of familiarity.

"Very well, we'll wait for three more days," Zhao Lie conceded. Despite his reputation for impatience, he recognized that should they opt to forcefully traverse the web of Inscriptions, the toll of casualties would be catastrophic. Even he wasn't entirely certain of his capability to navigate the treacherous maze of traps.

In light of this, the only feasible course was to exercise patience.

"Do you truly possess a solution?" Bailu Yi's gaze rested on Qin Wentian, her voice a hushed murmur. While her proficiency in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions wasn't negligible, she remained utterly perplexed by the present circumstances.

"Let me contemplate a bit more," Qin Wentian replied, his focus fixed on the faint silhouette of the Ascendant statue suspended in the air.

He held a conviction that the eminent Ascendant must have orchestrated this trial with a discernible path to success. The trial seemingly served as a testament to one's worthiness to inherit his legacy. Nevertheless, the complexity of this trial was nothing short of daunting, and failure came at the cost of death.

Within the span of three days, impatience steadily gnawed at the resolve of many. As the third day dawned, Zhu Sha confronted Qin Wentian head-on. "Time is up."

Meeting Zhu Sha's gaze, Qin Wentian slowly opened his eyes. "I can't neutralize the Inscriptions, but I'm willing to attempt crossing them. However, my strength alone isn't sufficient. I would need the aid of proficient individuals from the Star-Seizing Manor to accompany me across."

A glint of danger flickered in Zhu Sha's eyes. Qin Wentian couldn't break the formation and yet he proposed that Star-Seizing Manor experts venture alongside him?

Was he suggesting that Star-Seizing Manor's experts share the risk with him?

"How many individuals do you require?" Zhu Sha inquired.

"At least ten," Qin Wentian answered.

"You were invited by the White Deer Institute as an Inscriptionist. Shouldn't the institute have ample resources?" Zhu Sha's tone bore a frosty edge.

Qin Wentian's brow furrowed momentarily, though he swiftly regained his composure. Zhu Sha, however, detected the subtle change in his demeanor.

"Fret not. The experts sent by the White Deer Institute are all formidable. Moreover, your familiarity with them should ensure their effectiveness," Zhu Sha added.

Qin Wentian's frown deepened as he addressed Bailu Jing. "What do you say, Brother Jing?"

Bailu Jing couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The way Qin Wentian addressed him seemed peculiar. Previously, Qin Wentian had always employed a respectful 'Brother Jing.'

"I suppose we're left with no alternative," Bailu Jing replied in a nonchalant tone, though he had already grasped Qin Wentian's intentions.

"Very well, but I must stress that our success will hinge on fortune and fate. Stay close to me, on either side. Remember, speed is paramount. Move as swiftly as possible towards the door, and each step must carry an overwhelming force, pressing down onto the ground," Qin Wentian explained. "There are two key factors: velocity and strength. Blend your utmost swiftness with the most potent suppression you can muster."

Uncertainty flickered across the faces of the assembled individuals. Sustaining top speed while infusing each step with formidable force was no small feat.

After all, swiftness often entailed light steps, making it exceedingly challenging to fulfill Qin Wentian's instructions.

Bailu Jing nodded, his trust in Qin Wentian steadfast. "We'll give our all."

"Merely giving your all won't suffice. Success is imperative—failure means death," Qin Wentian declared solemnly. His words weighed heavily on Bailu Jing and the White Deer Institute members, heightening their sense of purpose for the impending task.

Zhu Sha's brow furrowed in skepticism, yet regardless, since Qin Wentian was stepping up as the vanguard, he would be the first to test this method.

"Let's arrange our positions. Bailu Yi and I will be in the center, with Bailu Jing behind me. The others will stand to my left and right, compensating for the disparity in power between me and Bailu Yi," Qin Wentian instructed. Bailu Jing nodded in agreement, and the White Deer Institute's contingent swiftly assumed their designated positions.

"Very well, prepare yourselves," Qin Wentian intoned, drawing a deep breath. In unison, astral pressure surged from all twelve figures as ethereal wings materialized on their backs.

"Go!" Qin Wentian stepped beyond the safety zone, and his comrades followed suit. With each step landing on the ground, explosive rumblings resonated as the formation surged to life.

"BOOM!" Qin Wentian and his companions promptly executed another step, a forceful stomp that struck the earth with resounding power. Their collective strength momentarily subdued the formation's activation, causing the ominous aura to wane.

"He's amalgamating their strength with the Ascendant statue's gravitational pull to subdue the formation," a glint of admiration lit up the eyes of the observing Divine Inscriptionists. This audacious approach was a stroke of genius.

Qin Wentian and his cohort moved with astonishing velocity, emulating Qin Wentian's rhythmic footsteps. Whenever concealed traps threatened to spring, their strides crashed down, dissipating the traps' potency and quelling their threat.

Despite their success in subduing the surrounding traps, the chain reaction sparked by the formation's activation was gradually amalgamating energy from the other traps. The culminating power teetered on the precipice of a cataclysmic explosion.

"HURRY!" Qin Wentian's voice thundered as he surged ahead, a distinctive rhythm to his footsteps. Those around him emulated his stride, propelling themselves forward with increasing speed. Each stomp on the ground intensified, forcibly quelling the merging trap energies.

In the blink of an eye, under the incredulous gazes of onlookers, Qin Wentian and his group were on the cusp of reaching their destination.

The peril was great, yet not insurmountable. Their jubilation swelled, almost within grasp of their goal. However, just steps away from victory, a lethal force coalesced into an arrow-shaped peak third-ranked Inscription, hurtling toward them with staggering velocity.

"Curses." Shock etched across the faces of Qin Wentian's group. Their attempts to suppress the activation had fallen short.

"Keep going, don't mind me." A senior abruptly broke from the formation, conjuring a colossal shield of Astral Energy to intercept the oncoming runic arrow.

Remarkably, the senior managed to deflect the impending attack. Yet, the chain reaction unleashed a surge of energy, birthing a horde of malevolent beasts that consumed him whole. This formation was indeed a nightmarish challenge.

"Uncle Zhong!" Bailu Jing's face contorted in anguish. Qin Wentian acted swiftly, pulling Bailu Jing along as they surged toward the exit, successfully traversing to the other side.

"They did it." The remaining observers marveled at the feat.

Qin Wentian's strategy had proven triumphant.

"Let's proceed, following their lead." Yang Fan rose to his feet, resolved to act. Zhu Sha concurred, recognizing this as an opportune moment. To catch up with Qin Wentian, whose prowess in Divine Inscriptions was formidable, would be invaluable should more traps lie ahead.

Yang Fan and the Star-Seizing Manor's members emulated Qin Wentian's strategy, relying on speed and strength to subdue the formation's activation.

However, they quickly learned that the task was more arduous than anticipated. As they advanced a second step, the entire space quaked, torrents of energy surging toward them with alarming intensity.

"PRESS FORWARD!" An overwhelming aura emanated from Yang Fan as he withstood the assault. Yet, as they advanced, unyielding traps activated one after another. Their journey to the opposite side was yet unfinished, and already, seven cultivators had fallen from their original contingent of twenty.

The fallen were all peak-level Yuanfu cultivators, a staggering blow.

"That rascal," Zhu Sha seethed, his features twisted with rage.

Only now did he recognize that when Qin Wentian initially proposed their collaboration, he had foreseen Zhu Sha's reaction. Qin Wentian had orchestrated this masterfully, assembling a team solely from the White Deer Institute, precisely as he intended.

What's more, their passage appeared smoother, with only one casualty.

As Zhu Sha and the others finally made it across, the Star-Seizing Manor counted a total loss of eleven peak-level Yuanfu cultivators. It was undoubtedly a hefty toll.

The Li Clan's trio reopened their eyes, observing the vanished figures as they coolly remarked, "Disparaging a Divine Inscriptionist in this trial was truly unwise."

The trio could discern that Qin Wentian's unconventional route was the safest, the most astute course.

Their collected words reverberated, shaking the remaining transcendent powers to their core. While Qin Wentian might not have directly antagonized the Star-Seizing Manor, and though one could argue the losses weren't his responsibility, the Star-Seizing Manor had endured a painfully high cost due to their arrogance.

Had they approached him with respect, with Qin Wentian leading them through, could their losses have been so severe?