A bunch of trash

A bunch of trash...

As Qin Wentian's words dissipated into the air, Bailu Tong's laughter reverberated. "Qin Wentian, a fiery youth unafraid of death. Truly showcasing his resolute character. While this trait holds its merits, sometimes wiser decisions can be made. Why embrace death for the sake of hollow pride? As a guest of our White Deer Institute, these esteemed Grandmasters wouldn't hinder you if you handed over the ancient scroll. We could keep it safe for you."

Bailu Tong's expression appeared full of concern, a façade of worry for Qin Wentian. Yet, the unsaid implications behind his words weren't lost on anyone, causing the various fourth-ranked Grandmasters to mentally brand him a cunning old fox.

"Senior needn't worry so much. I'm still young; death isn't on my agenda," Qin Wentian replied calmly. Guard it for him? More like seize it without remorse.

"Oh?" Bailu Tong's expression shifted as he chuckled. "Since that's the case, I won't press further."

With those words, Bailu Tong closed his eyes, tacitly permitting the other fourth-ranked Grandmasters to take action.

The sunken-eyed elder, Old Liang, Eccentric Song, and the black-faced middle-aged man exchanged glances, mirth glinting in their eyes. Old Liang fixed his gaze on Qin Wentian and squinted, his voice laden with menace. "The Ascendant scroll belongs to those with the power to wield it. A junior like you wishes to possess it alone? Death is your only fate."

At his command, the trio of peak-level Yuanfu bodyguards stepped forward, advancing on Qin Wentian.

"I've mentioned before, if you take one more step, prepare to die." Qin Wentian's voice was soft, yet his eyes gleamed with a piercing golden light. In an instant, the three bodyguards felt their minds reverberate as if subjected to a vicious mental assault.

Shaking off the mental haze, their Mandate wills surged forth. A pressure akin to mountains cascaded, enveloping the surroundings.

One of them lunged with a palm strike, conjuring a blood-red palm imprint the size of a mountain, hurtling towards Qin Wentian. Even from a distance, the will of the Mandate caused disruptions in Qin Wentian's blood circulation.

"BOOM!" The blood-red palm crashed down, its thunderous impact echoing. Just when everyone assumed Qin Wentian had been vanquished, the sound of shattering glass resonated, revealing Qin Wentian unscathed, his gaze fixed on them with tranquil composure.

"Huh?" The Grandmasters collectively knit their brows. A peculiar sensation washed over them, as if the Qin Wentian ahead wasn't solid but a mirage, an illusory form.

Fenrir rubbed his chin, a smile breaking across his face. Grandmasters possessed varying expertise within the Dao of Divine Inscriptions. Some were adept in combat inscriptions, others in neutralizing formations. Fenrir, being a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign, was skilled in Divine Inscriptions combat and identifying formations. He sensed an illusion-type formation ahead, a fourth-ranked one to be exact.

However, something puzzled him—this formation didn't bear any lethal arrays. It was purely illusion-based, intricately masked. Even though numerous fourth-ranked Grandmasters were present, none had detected this formation's existence. Unbeknownst to them, this illusion veiled the true purpose: combat-oriented Divine Inscription traps embedded in the ground.

Upon even the faintest touch, these traps would trigger, causing Fenrir to break into a sweat on behalf of the other Grandmasters. He marveled at Qin Wentian's determination and the depths he'd plunge to prove his point.

"Illusory Formation?" The Grandmasters grasped the situation, discerning the illusory formation Qin Wentian had set.

"Eccentric Song," the sunken-eyed elder looked to the esteemed Eccentric Song for advice. Eccentric Song possessed extensive knowledge of formations.

Yet, Eccentric Song's brows furrowed, unease seeping in. He was an authority on formations, yet the guards had blundered into it before he saw through it. Determined not to underestimate it, he focused his attention. Glancing at the smirk on Qin Wentian's face, fury surged within him. "Don't worry, this is just an illusion-based formation; it can't harm us. Proceed to eliminate him."

"KILL!" The sunken-eyed Old Liang ordered as Eccentric Song spoke. The three guards surged forward, lunging toward the illusory form of Qin Wentian. Whether he was an illusion or tangible, their aim was his annihilation.

Yet, a deafening whistling erupted abruptly. The guards' pupils contracted, drawn to a radiant gleam on the ground—an unmistakable indication of Divine Inscriptions.

"Xiu, xiu, xiu..." Ear-splitting slashes resonated, transforming into a piercing screech. The guards faced a surge of spiraling sword Qi, ferociously advancing toward them. This vortex of sword energy seemed limitless, almost sentient. With no escape, the guards attempted to rise into the air.

"RUMBLE!" A fresh sound reverberated, runic outlines glowing beneath them. A potent geomagnetic force rooted their feet to the ground, negating their levitation.

In an instant, the sword Qi maelstrom engulfed them, trapping them within its whirlwind.

Fear and terror twisted the bodyguards' faces as they wailed, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Desperation and dread danced in their eyes as their bodies quivered violently, ensnared within the vortex of sword Qi—a peak third-ranked Divine Inscription. It greedily consumed them.

"SAVE ME!" One bodyguard screamed in lunacy, gaze locked onto his master, Old Liang, his eyes pleading for salvation. The hopelessness in his gaze reverberated through the spectators' hearts.

"Cease!" Old Liang bellowed. Yet, the maelstrom drew closer, swallowing the bodyguards whole. The sounds of rending continued unabated, and the torrential sword Qi remained as potent as ever. From time to time, dark crimson droplets splashed onto the ground. When the storm finally relented, nothing remained.

Three peak-level Yuanfu bodyguards vanished into thin air, leaving behind no trace of their existence.

The spectators' expressions turned grim. Despite the numerous Grandmasters present, Qin Wentian managed to annihilate three peak-level Yuanfu cultivators with his Divine Inscriptions.

Their gazes converged on Qin Wentian, now realizing the young man was far from the pushover they'd believed.

"Fourth-ranked Grandmaster?" Qin Wentian quipped, addressing the sunken-eyed elder. Sarcasm glinted in his eyes. "Does Grandmaster dare to try dismantling my formation?"

Old Liang's expression darkened. He glanced at Eccentric Song, who was deep in thought.

"That Sword-type combat Divine Inscription earlier was concealed within the illusion-based formation. The formation itself lacked lethal arrays, and instead, the three perished due to the peak third-ranked Sword Qi Maelstrom Divine Inscription trap hidden within. Their deaths weren't in vain if they garnered such valuable intel."

Eccentric Song offered his calm assessment, leaving Old Liang ashen.

He'd effectively employed his guards as guinea pigs to test Qin Wentian's formation. The old schemer lived up to his reputation.

"Indeed? With firsthand knowledge of my formation, would Grandmaster be willing to give it a try?" Qin Wentian's gaze locked onto Eccentric Song, his tone pointed. Eccentric Song stroked his beard, smiling. "A mere third-level formation, must I personally disarm it? Ghaus, do it on my behalf."

A cold smile graced Qin Wentian's lips. Ghaus was Eccentric Song's proxy?

"Old fox," Ghaus inwardly cursed. Though he despised Qin Wentian, he recognized that trying to disarm the formation might spell peril.

The other Grandmasters stayed silent, mere observers. Their hearts trembled, unable to decipher the illusory formation before them. Was this truly a third-ranked formation?

They preferred to believe that intricate engraving concealed the formation's outlines. They couldn't accept the possibility of it being fourth-ranked.

Still, they thought perhaps they overthought it. The chasm between third and fourth ranks was vast; Qin Wentian, at his age, couldn't have breached it. Breaking through required decades of study and research.

"Must've gleaned insights from the ancient scroll, Ascendant's legacy must pack a punch," Bailu You mused, garnering nods from fellow Grandmasters. Qin Wentian's newfound prowess must be linked to the Ascendant's esoteric methods of inscription.

"Ghaus, get on with it," the black-faced man ordered with chilling finality. "Dispose of the brat, and you'll be duly rewarded."

Ghaus scowled, reluctant but obedient. His Puppets surged forth while he trailed behind, approaching Qin Wentian with caution.

"Kill!" Ghaus ordered, yet his vigilance was palpable.

A blaze of runic outlines erupted, birthing a majestic Great Roc soaring toward the Puppets. Ghaus's eyes gleamed, his perceptions probing.

"How long will it take, Ghaus? It's not a tough Divine Inscription to shatter," the black-faced man interjected, irritation lacing his words. Ghaus gritted his teeth, abiding. Although the Great Roc could be quelled effortlessly, Ghaus progressed slowly, meticulously.

Three steps closer, a new set of runic lines beneath the Roc lit up. The traps' complexity confounded even Ghaus.

A shrill slice rent the air. Ghaus's face drained of color as he stumbled upon a trap. Panic flickered in his gaze too late.

"Puchi…" A lethal lance impaled Ghaus, fixing him to the ground. His eyes mirrored his regret as they met Qin Wentian's. Why, oh why, had he stepped into this monster's path again?

Qin Wentian's hand beckoned, flames rained down, and Ghaus's remains turned to ash. The Puppets, too, succumbed to his control.

The Grandmasters remained mute, visages paling. Could the Ascendant's inheritance conceal traps so adroitly that even Ghaus couldn't discern them?

"Fourth-ranked Grandmasters, huh?" Qin Wentian's gaze swept over the crowd of cautious, and perhaps somewhat timid, Divine Inscriptionists who observed from a distance. A chilly smile curled his lips. "Fourth-ranked, is it? How many years have you lived compared to me? Yet, you still lack confidence in your own skills? Boasting recklessly and loudly, it's quite pathetic, isn't it? You're nothing but a bunch of worthless trash!"