Descendant of Di

Descendant of Di...

Following the turmoil of the secret realm incident, tranquility once again blanketed the Moon Continent's major powers. However, those who hadn't achieved transcendent status faced immense losses without any rewards to show for it. The peril within the secret realm this time was unparalleled, even forcing the transcendent powers to relinquish a considerable number of their peak-level Yuanfu cultivators.

Survivors who managed to escape later recounted their ordeals, revealing that their exit became possible only when the secret realm crumbled. If not for the trial grounds' obliteration, they might have remained trapped within the labyrinthine formations.

Undoubtedly, the Pill Emperor Hall claimed victory in the eyes of the masses.

The Pill Emperor Hall's chosen were the solitary beneficiaries of the Ascendant's legacy. Conversations about this topic echoed throughout the expanse of the Moon Continent.

Zhan Chen, perched at rank #11 on the Heavenly Fate Ranking, hovered tantalizingly close to breaking into the coveted top ten. His acquisition of the inheritance further elevated the Pill Emperor Hall's prestige, inviting speculation about his future leap to the upper echelons of the ranking. Although the distinction between ranks #11 and #10 consisted of just one position, the gulf in reputation was profound.

Nevertheless, Zhan Chen's demeanor deviated from the jubilance around him. His countenance bore the vestiges of anguish and sorrow.

"Zhan Chen, destiny follows its course. Don't allow it to consume you," his master advised with solace.

"But my shortcomings resulted in Qing Yue's demise. I should have safeguarded her better," Zhan Chen mourned. A glint of frigidity glimmered in his eyes, and he resolved with fierce commitment, "I shoulder half the blame for Qing Yue's death. The other half lies squarely with that Inscriptionist. Had it not been for him, Qing Yue would not have perished within that formation. I'm obligated to personally end his life. A debt of blood must be settled with blood."

Zhan Chen's unwavering resolve was tangible. This determination was directed at Qin Wentian—an unwavering intent to extinguish his existence.

Apart from Qin Wentian's exposure to his secrets, there existed the matter of his injuries sustained within the trial grounds, his expulsion from the great hall, and the humiliation of being "granted" the inheritance. The course of fate had been charted; Qin Wentian's destiny sealed.

Despite Qin Wentian relinquishing the inheritance, he'd expended half his life to acquire it. He'd returned to the Pill Emperor Hall, battered yet alive.

Zhan Chen could not offer him clemency.

"Indeed, it's commendable to see your dedication. Seek personal retribution for Qing Yue; exact vengeance with your own hands," his master responded with a composed tone.

"Master, Martial Uncle, there's something I must attend to. I bid you farewell for now," a melodious voice suddenly intervened, capturing Zhan Chen's attention.

His gaze settled on Mo Qingcheng, an exquisitely beautiful maiden and the disciple of his Martial Aunt, Luo He. Her exceptional talent propelled her rapid advancement in both cultivation and alchemy since her arrival. Moreover, Luo He showered this disciple with immense favor, providing abundant resources and even valuable medicinal pills for Mo Qingcheng's use.

"Very well, go ahead. Zhan Chen, see her off," Luo He nodded approvingly.

"No need, Senior Zhan Chen should continue cultivating. My presence isn't worth his time," Mo Qingcheng's voice remained as distant as ever, leaving those desiring her company feeling as if she existed in another realm. After uttering her farewell, she offered a slight bow before departing.

Beside Mo Qingcheng stood Bai Fei, who cast a meaningful look at Zhan Chen. Emotions remained concealed in her gaze.

Zhan Chen, a paragon beneath the Heavenly Dipper Sovereign level, was always refined, approachable, and amiable. Yet, Bai Fei was well aware that any romantic notions involving him were futile. In her perception, Senior Zhan Chen resided on a distant pedestal, an unattainable presence.

First Qing Yue, and now, Mo Qingcheng.

Bai Fei sighed inwardly. Quickening her pace, she followed after Mo Qingcheng. As the lovely silhouette of Mo Qingcheng came into view, Bai Fei's eyes flickered, and her lips parted as if wanting to say something, yet she remained silent.

She knew that the Inscriptionist Zhan Chen referred to was none other than Qin Wentian.

Zhan Chen intended to end Qin Wentian's life.

If she revealed to Mo Qingcheng that Qin Wentian had arrived on the Moon Continent and had ventured into the secret realm of Divine Inscriptions, she had no clue how Mo Qingcheng would react. Thus, she opted for silence.

Given Senior Zhan Chen's determination to eliminate Qin Wentian, his fate was sealed. Any chance of Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng being together was all but extinguished.

...

On a pavilion's rooftop within the White Deer Institute, Bailu Yi gazed at the tranquil pond, her heart tinged with worry.

A month had passed, yet Qin Wentian remained absent.

She fretted that he might be in peril.

"Heh, reminiscing about that guy again, are you?" A chuckle resonated through the air. Bailu Yi shifted her gaze to her brother and shot him a glare. "No, what are you blabbering about?"

"Still playing the denial game? These recent days, someone's been holed up in her room, even neglecting her cultivation," Bailu Jing remarked with a smirk, poking fun at his sister. "If even your own brother were to go AWOL for over a year, you wouldn't be half as concerned as you are now, would you?"

"You're already such a powerhouse; what could possibly happen to you?" Bailu Yi chuckled. "His strength, on the other hand, is far from yours. Although he turned down that inheritance, crossing paths with those individuals again could spell trouble."

"Don't you think you should have more faith in him?" Bailu Jing playfully prodded.

"You have a point. That guy seems to have a hundred tricks up his sleeve. Even facing that group, they won't have an easy time taking him down," Bailu Yi finally eased up. While she hadn't known Qin Wentian for very long, his unique charisma made him seem extraordinary despite his modest cultivation base. It wouldn't be a walk in the park for anyone aiming to harm him.

Zhan Chen, Yang Fan, and Zhao Lie might all be dubbed Heaven's Chosen, but during the inheritance competition, Qin Wentian forced each of them into retreat.

"In any case, the Institute has got a bit of a headache. We've got an unwanted guest," Bailu Jing grumbled, causing Bailu Yi's eyebrows to raise. "What's going on at the Institute?"

"You remember what the elders disclosed about our heritage, right?" Bailu Jing explained, his words striking Bailu Yi like a blow.

Of course she remembered; she'd even discussed it with Qin Wentian back in the secret realm.

Qin Wentian wielded the Azure Emperor Token, marking him as the Azure Emperor's successor.

"Of course," Bailu Yi replied.

"There's someone claiming to be a direct descendant of the Di Clan, the Azure Emperor's lineage, who's aiming to seize control of our White Deer Institute," Bailu Jing revealed, causing a worried expression to cross Bailu Yi's face.

A direct descendant of the Di Clan?

And he wanted to take over the White Deer Institute?

Could this really be happening? What about Qin Wentian?

After all, he possessed the Azure Emperor Token.

And by all rights, only the true successor should know about the enigmatic "hidden" Azure Faction.

Bailu Yi sensed there was more beneath the surface.

"When did this person arrive?" she inquired.

"He just got here today. Apparently, he's done his homework on the Institute, and he even knew about you." Bailu Jing's face took on a helpless smile.

This was what Qin Wentian had deduced: the passage of time had eroded everything related to the Azure Faction. While they still followed their ancestors' teachings, any genuine attachment to the "hidden" Azure Faction from the Azure Emperor Palace had long faded. Especially among the younger generations, they felt no sentimental connection to that legacy.

"He knows about me?" Bailu Yi was slightly taken aback.

"That guy's insufferably conceited. First, he wants everyone in the Institute to follow his lead, bending to his control. Then, being from the main branch, he's decided to make amends to the White Deer Institute for concealing their true identities for centuries. His generous gesture? He's offering himself as your husband, granting you passage into the main branch as compensation," Bailu Jing quipped, chuckling as he recounted the story. While he hadn't initially held strong feelings about the Azure Emperor's bloodline, encountering such an absurd individual had certainly swayed his opinion. The whole situation was so ludicrous it bordered on comical.

"Let's go have a look," Bailu Yi declared, leaving with Bailu Jing. They soon arrived at a courtyard where a group had gathered. At the forefront stood a young man dressed in long, resplendent golden robes, emanating an air of noble arrogance.

An elder stood discreetly behind the young man, nearly imperceptible in presence. Such a setup indicated the elder's likely extraordinary status.

As Bailu Yi appeared on the scene, the young man's eyes shifted toward her with a calculating look. Sporting an appearance that could be described as angelic with a touch of devilish allure, his gaze lit up as he remarked, "Is this Little Yi?"

"Little Yi?" Bailu Yi was taken aback, her response a silent, baffled stare directed at the young man.

In all her interactions with Qin Wentian, he had never once addressed her as "Little Yi." However, despite their first meeting, this young man had casually used the term.

"May I know who you are?" Bailu Yi inquired.

"Hello, my name is Di Cheng, and I hail from the direct line of descent of the Azure Emperor. I am also his sole successor," the young man proclaimed, his tone dripping with unmistakable arrogance.

Bailu Yi looked at him, cutting right to the chase. "Do you possess the Azure Emperor Token?"

This courtyard nestled at the heart of the White Deer Institute was a haven of security, accessible only to core members. There was no fear of exposing secrets here, as everyone present was already privy to the Institute's origin.

"At this moment, the Azure Emperor Token isn't in my possession," Di Cheng answered, caught off-guard by Bailu Yi's directness.

"If you don't have the token, what right do you have to claim you're the Azure Emperor's successor?" Bailu Yi retorted icily.

Bailu Yi inwardly sighed in relief when Di Cheng failed to produce the Azure Emperor Token. While she had full faith in Qin Wentian, the existence of the "hidden" Azure Faction was an utmost secret known to very few. She'd been worried that Di Cheng might present the token, suggesting that Qin Wentian had deceived her. However, Di Cheng's inability to provide the token hinted at the possibility that his claims were unfounded.

"Hehe," Di Cheng chuckled. "The passage of time and numerous tempests have caused the token to be lost across the ages. But there's no need for the other bloodlines stemming from the Azure Emperor to continue hiding. As a representative of the main lineage, I wish for the White Deer Institute to adhere to our ancestral traditions, support me, and rise to prominence once again."

"So just because you say you are, means that you are? Are we supposed to take your word for it?" Bailu Yi shot back, devoid of courtesy. "The 'hidden' Azure Faction has remained shrouded in secrecy for countless years. Only the true successor with the Azure Emperor Token would be aware of our existence. Who are you, and how did you come to know about the White Deer Institute?"