Coerced

Coerced...

Qin Wentian and the middle-aged man pressed onward, navigating the perilous formation with caution. Amidst the danger, Qin Wentian was determined to neutralize only the traps he was confident he could handle. If he encountered challenges beyond his abilities, he preferred to take detours rather than confront them head-on.

As Qin Wentian considered his options, a sudden movement caught his attention—a silhouette on the periphery of his vision. In a swift response, he teleported next to a Puppet that seemed all too familiar—Bailu Yi's Puppet.

In a peculiar turn of events, the Puppet blinked at Qin Wentian and gestured in a specific direction. Qin Wentian's instincts pricked, leading him to voice his suspicion, "Are you being coerced by someone?"

The Puppet nodded, confirming Qin Wentian's concerns. Determination ignited within him. "Lead me there."

However, his intention to investigate was met by the middle-aged man's unexpected arrival. "Grandmaster Qin, what's going on? We should focus on breaking through the formation swiftly."

"Senior, a friend of mine is in trouble. Let's go together; your power could be a deterrent," Qin Wentian explained.

Amused, the middle-aged man wore a wry smile. Had he just been summoned as a hired muscle? Survivors at this stage were either fiercely powerful or adept in Divine Inscriptions. Why should he risk his life for Qin Wentian's friend if they were both from transcendent powers?

"Grandmaster Qin, it's wise not to meddle in others' affairs," the middle-aged man advised, trying to discourage Qin Wentian.

Despite the warning, Qin Wentian's expression hardened as a sudden gale whirled around him. The middle-aged man observed, then swiftly pressed his palm onto the Puppet, shattering it. His motive was crystal clear: a threat.

Qin Wentian's gaze turned icy. Without another word, he resumed his journey, the middle-aged man cautiously tailing behind at a distance. This time, however, the man refrained from aiding in trap-breaking, determined not to become a pawn in Qin Wentian's scheme.

The middle-aged man's caution was not misplaced, for as they moved on, Qin Wentian halted abruptly, sensing a concealed formation ahead. He called upon the Grand Formation's power, an alliance he had formed within this realm. A mountainous path appeared clear, yet he could discern the presence of a hidden formation.

The middle-aged man, skeptical, tested Qin Wentian's words with a palm strike, unveiling a previously obscured energy burst. Impressed, he remarked, "Your perception is truly astounding, Grandmaster Qin. If there are more traps, I trust you'll deal with them. The exit should be close now."

His eyes gleamed with anticipation—the truth he spoke, bolstered by his certainty that their escape was imminent.

"Senior, this formation's might is overwhelming. Without your intervention, it'll be quite the challenge to disarm it," Qin Wentian remarked with a frown.

"I have faith in your abilities, Grandmaster Qin," the middle-aged man replied, crossing his arms, a serene smile on his lips.

"If that's the case, we might experience some delays," Qin Wentian noted, pausing to inscribe a Divine Inscription. The runic patterns he drew emitted a subtle energy. Observing intently, the middle-aged man abruptly appeared beside Qin Wentian, fiery-red energy swirling in his palms. The searing heat distorted the air, a heavy pressure bearing down on Qin Wentian. It was a clear warning—any wrong move could end his life.

Unperturbed, Qin Wentian focused on his Inscription. After a while, he moved forward, directing the Inscription's manifestation to assail the formation. The middle-aged man stayed close, the threat of death lingering in his presence.

"Does Senior truly need to be this vigilant?" Qin Wentian chuckled. But as he glanced over the middle-aged man's shoulder, his expression shifted. "Who are you?" he demanded, his tone chilling.

The middle-aged man's demeanor shifted, though he didn't move. He countered with a cold smile, "Grandmaster Qin, such tricks won't work on me."

Yet Qin Wentian's gaze remained fixed, his face contorting in shock. In a swift turn, he detected an intensely sharp aura behind the middle-aged man. "Behind you," he uttered, his voice now laced with coldness.

Startled, the middle-aged man swiveled, only to find empty space. His lips curled in a self-assured smile, but Qin Wentian's expression transformed, his eyes locking onto something behind his foe. Simultaneously, he shaped his left hand into a claw, thrusting it towards Qin Wentian. Even if there truly were an enemy behind him, he aimed to immobilize Qin Wentian first.

However, as the middle-aged man pivoted, Qin Wentian seized the opportunity, stomping the ground and sinking into it. Sword-like Divine Energy surged into his Yuanfu, molding into sharp blades of Astral Light. These ethereal weapons shot toward the middle-aged man.

Just as realization dawned on the middle-aged man that he had been deceived, the devastating force of Qin Wentian's swords charged toward him, an unrelenting tide of piercing intent.

With his fiery palm, the middle-aged man fought desperately to fend off the onslaught of sharp swords. However, an unexpected stumble disrupted his defense. The Divine Inscription carved by Qin Wentian earlier emitted a radiant glow, cracking the earth beneath the middle-aged man. Seizing the opportunity, the swords homed in on his legs. Swiftly reacting, the middle-aged man stomped on the ground, leaping to evade the slashing blades. Yet, he overlooked the gravitational pull exerted by the Ascendant statue above. The intense pressure forced him back to the cracked ground, his balance disrupted.

Toppling onto the ground, the middle-aged man found himself unable to react in time as Qin Wentian suddenly materialized before him, unleashing his Falling Mountain Palms. The impact propelled the middle-aged man toward the unrevealed traps still lurking within the formation.

"SAVE ME!" The middle-aged man's terrified scream filled the air. However, Qin Wentian retreated a few steps, observing as his adversary was consumed by the triggered traps, reduced to ashes.

The decision to eliminate his captor had involved immense risk, but it was the only course of action to overcome the formidable foe. There had been no alternative.

With his captor's ashes scattered, Qin Wentian turned and hurried to the location where he had encountered Bailu Yi's Puppet, his eyes a cold void.

Even though Bailu Yi must have felt her Puppet's demise, she would undoubtedly anticipate that Qin Wentian would await her there.

During his vigil, Qin Wentian readied a formation, expecting Bailu Yi's imminent arrival.

However, Bai Fei appeared before Bailu Yi. To Qin Wentian's surprise, she was not alone, accompanied by a sinister young man whose condition mirrored her own—evidence of the arduous journey they had endured.

"It's him," Bai Fei exclaimed the moment she spotted Qin Wentian.

A flicker of interest flashed across the sinister young man's face as he caught sight of Qin Wentian.

"Make haste," the young man prodded Bai Fei forward. In a matter of breaths, they reached Qin Wentian's location.

"Why are you waiting here, Grandmaster?" the young man inquired, a polite smile gracing his features.

Bai Fei mistook the intent behind Qin Wentian's gaze, her countenance turning even more grim.

"Hehe, if she pleases Grandmaster's taste, I can bestow her upon you. She's a beauty from the Pill Emperor Hall, untouched by anyone," the sinister young man's smile widened, his words dripping with malicious intent. However, Qin Wentian merely gave him a cursory glance before responding, "I have other matters to attend to. Move on ahead and don't disturb me."

Unfazed, the young man maintained his smile. Crossing paths with Qin Wentian, the most gifted Divine Inscriptionist from the Star-Seizing Manor Camp, was not an opportunity he was willing to let slip away easily.

"Grandmaster, what if we forge an alliance? Join forces with me, and I assure you that you'll be treated well," the young man persisted.

Bai Fei interjected, her voice hesitant, "Grandmaster... Have we met before?"

A sense of familiarity lingered, growing stronger by the second. She was certain she had encountered Qin Wentian before, though the exact circumstances eluded her memory.

Qin Wentian gave her a distant, indifferent look, choosing not to respond. Just then, footsteps echoed from a distance. Qin Wentian turned his gaze in that direction, his eyes narrowing. The newcomers were none other than Bailu Yi and the black-robed old man from the Star-Seizing Manor.

The old man's eyes gleamed with a bright light as they landed on Qin Wentian. He recognized him—Qin Wentian, the talent from the Star-Seizing Manor's rival faction. He had personally witnessed Qin Wentian's prowess during their previous encounter. The memory of the incident involving the formation, where the Star-Seizing Manor suffered a setback due to Qin Wentian's actions, fueled the flames of vengeance in his eyes.

"Grandmaster Qin, what a clever scheme, causing my Star-Seizing Manor to lose a significant number of formidable peak-level Yuanfu cultivators," the old man's lips twisted into a malicious grin as he spoke. But Qin Wentian met his gaze, a glint of ice-cold resolve in his eyes. There was no hint of fear; instead, it was a clear indication that he might even be contemplating ending the old man's life right then and there.

The old man's expression remained unchanged as he moved to stand behind Bailu Yi. He understood that the threat of his death was likely connected to Qin Wentian's concern for Bailu Yi's safety.

"Grandmaster Qin?" Bai Fei's brows furrowed in thought, a look of contemplation crossing her face. She wracked her brain, trying to recall which Divine Inscriptionist with the surname Qin she had met before.

"Are you alright?" Qin Wentian's concern directed towards Bailu Yi was met with a touch of resentment.

"How alright can one be after enduring days of coercion?" Bailu Yi shot back at Qin Wentian, her tone laced with irritation. Qin Wentian breathed a sigh of relief. The fact that she could still retort in this manner implied that their captor hadn't subjected her to dire circumstances.

"Release her, and we can consider this matter resolved," Qin Wentian addressed the old man, his gaze steely and unyielding.

The old man chuckled condescendingly in response. "Qin Wentian, do you truly believe you hold such sway?"

"Qin Wentian?" Bai Fei's world tilted as a wave of memories surged forth, intertwining with the image of the young Inscriptionist before her. Stepping back in astonishment, her eyes widened in realization.

There was no mistaking it—Qin Wentian, the formidable Divine Inscriptionist, was none other than that young man from the small country!

The recognition hit her like a thunderbolt, leaving her stunned and speechless.