Thousand Jue Alliance

Thousand Jue Alliance...

Qin Wentian's name was initially relatively unknown among the upper echelons of the Leng Clan. Only a handful of elder-level figures were privy to his existence. The incident involving Leng Ning's death had sowed seeds of enmity between the Leng Clan and Qin Wentian. The demise of Yan Tie had further deepened this animosity, as it resulted in the Leng Clan losing their qualification to access a secret realm. All fingers pointed at one person—Qin Wentian. Thus, the disciplinary elder, Leng Mao, opted to conceal this information from the higher-ups in the Leng Clan.

However, with the news of Qin Wentian's ascent to the rank of a fourth-ranked Grandmaster reaching the Leng Clan, the truth could no longer be hidden.

Swiftly, the complete story of the Leng Ning – Yan Tie affair was unveiled, its details echoing throughout the entire Leng Clan.

In the grand hall of the Leng Clan, most of the elder-level figures and those of higher rank were assembled. Alongside them were Leng Ning's uncle, Leng Jian, her cousin, Leng Lin, and those with direct connections to Leng Ning's death.

A tense atmosphere enveloped the space, an almost palpable pressure hanging in the air.

"We had a chance to befriend a nineteen-year-old fourth-ranked Grandmaster. Yet, because of your actions, he has become our sworn enemy. Hehehe, LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!" A robust elderly man roared, fixing his gaze on Leng Jian and the others. The accused parties could only bow their heads, unable to utter a word.

From the showdown orchestrated by the Star-Seizing Manor, Qin Wentian showed no restraint in his pursuit to eliminate Yan Tie. This made it evident that he would certainly seek retribution for Leng Ning. How could he forget the main culprits behind her tragedy? His inability to exact revenge at the time was due only to his lack of strength. However, now as a fourth-ranked Grandmaster, if he joined a transcendent power or further improved his cultivation, the Leng Clan would inevitably suffer the fiery wrath he could unleash.

The potential of a nineteen-year-old fourth-ranked Grandmaster was impossible to ignore.

"It seems that our Leng Clan originally intended to offer Leng Lin as a gift to Yan Tie. Is that correct?" the sturdy elder inquired nonchalantly.

Leng Mao nodded, replying, "Indeed, that was the initial plan. However, Leng Lin found a companion—a young man who was a peak-level, second-ranked Grandmaster. Coupled with Leng Jian's pleas, we eventually changed our decision and 'gifted' Leng Ning instead."

"Is that so? In any case, I've heard that our forging division is in need of a few maids," the robust elder continued. Instantly, Leng Lin's face turned pale, her voice quivering as she weakly responded, "N..no... please…"

The Leng Clan held significant influence within the Moon Continent, particularly in the realm of Divine Inscriptions. Within the clan, there existed a forging division where skilled Divine Inscriptionists congregated. These Divine Inscriptionists were either members of the Leng Clan or guest Inscriptionists who had been lured by substantial rewards. Within the Leng Clan, Divine Inscriptionists held revered positions, and they were typically assigned maids to serve them. Occasionally, some of these Inscriptionists would succumb to their primal urges, seeking to quench their lustful desires. Often, their maids were their first choice, and therefore, the maids selected by the Leng Clan were chosen for their exceptional beauty. These maids were unfortunate souls; if they encountered a benevolent Inscriptionist, their fate was tolerable, but if they encountered an abusive one, they had no choice but to chalk it up to their misfortune.

"Who, then, will take responsibility?" The sturdy elder turned his icy gaze toward Leng Lin. His voice remained cold as he added, "Notify the individual in charge of the forging division that this woman is a member of our Leng Clan and should be assigned to any Inscriptionist who proves their worth."

"Father! Save me!!" Leng Lin's scream echoed through the hall, yet Leng Jian could do nothing but watch helplessly. His face reddened with suppressed emotions, realizing that he could scarcely save himself.

"Leng Jian, you will be exiled to the forging division, where you'll perform menial tasks as a collateral worker for ten years," the elderly man declared. His words landed like a curse, leaving Leng Jian ashen-faced.

As a collateral worker, Leng Jian would be responsible for casting embryonic weapons for the Divine Inscriptionists—a life akin to servitude under their command.

"Leng Mao, as the disciplinary elder, you're not exempt from criticism. Prepare substantial offerings and personally deliver them to the White Deer Institute to convey our apologies. We must try to mend the enmity between Qin Wentian and our Leng Clan," the elderly man continued. Leng Mao nodded, a sigh escaping his lips. He hadn't anticipated Qin Wentian's extraordinary talent. Had he known, he would've distanced himself from those responsible for Leng Ning's tragic fate.

...

At this point, news of Qin Wentian's feats had reverberated throughout the Eastern Region, reaching every corner of the Moon Continent. However, he continued to cultivate within the White Deer Institute, appearing unaffected by the attention.

With the demise of the fourth-ranked Grandmasters, their possessions fell into Qin Wentian's possession. These items were of immense value.

Apart from the vast troves of Yuan Meteor Stones they carried, Qin Wentian felt slightly overwhelmed by the abundance of third-ranked Divine Weapons he now owned. So numerous were they that he began to view them as surplus junk. Additionally, he discovered valuable and rare forging materials that could be converted into Yuan Meteor Stones, ensuring a stable source for his cultivation expenses. With this added support, he considered withdrawing from the Hell Arena, no longer compelled to earn Yuan Meteor Stones.

Of course, the most coveted spoils were the fourth-ranked bladed Puppet and a handful of other fourth-ranked Divine Weapons. Unfortunately, the proficiency of the fourth-ranked Grandmasters he vanquished was limited, rendering their weapons to the lower tier. Had this not been the case, the value of his spoils would have been even greater.

"I might need to find a way to sell off these excess items or trade them for cultivation resources," Qin Wentian contemplated.

"Boss, any interesting stuff in that haul? Share some for me to play with," Fan Le interjected. He was toying with a few third-ranked Divine Weapons, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he tried to provoke Qin Wentian in jest.

"You? Forget it, these third-ranked Divine Weapons are already more than sufficient for your level," Qin Wentian retorted, rolling his eyes. Fan Le had already managed to acquire five peak-tier, third-ranked Divine Weapons from him.

"Hehe, wouldn't it be amazing if I could lay my hands on a fourth-ranked Divine Weapon?" Fan Le's grin was infectious. Qin Wentian was rendered speechless; at their current cultivation level, they wouldn't be able to fully harness the power of fourth-ranked Divine Weapons. Furthermore, relying too heavily on such potent weapons would hinder their personal growth.

"Alright, just wait until you reach the Heavenly Dipper Sovereign level. Then we can talk," Qin Wentian retorted with a hint of jest in his tone. Fan Le responded by winking and playfully flashing a thumbs-up.

Chu Mang, who stood beside them, had remained mostly silent, occupied with the great axe Qin Wentian had bestowed upon him. He had selected two Divine Weapons: an offensive-type Great Axe and a defensive-oriented Divine Armor. These two items complemented both his attack and defense, leaving him content with his choices.

Unfortunately, he hadn't come across any fourth-ranked defensive Divine Armor among the spoils. Otherwise, he would have had a gift to present to Qing`er. Fourth-ranked defensive armors were notoriously challenging to craft.

"Aren't you guys done dividing your spoils yet?" Bailu Yi approached from a distance, a smile gracing her features as she addressed the trio.

"Are there more people looking for me?" Qin Wentian returned the smile. Over the past while, he had received numerous requests for audiences, all of which he had turned down.

As an independent fourth-ranked Grandmaster in possession of the Ascendant's scroll, Qin Wentian found himself approached by unfamiliar major powers, eager to recruit him. However, he didn't pay them much heed.

Even the White Deer Institute, with individuals like Bailu Tong, had sought to eliminate him in their pursuit of the Ascendant's scroll.

"Yes, I initially wanted to spare you the trouble, but there are a few distinctive powers that seemed worth your attention," Bailu Yi explained as she handed over a book. "This is a compilation of various powers in Grand Xia. Take a look."

"Sure." Qin Wentian opened the book and began perusing its contents. After arriving in the Moon Continent, he was familiar with only four transcendent powers. Apart from these four, he lacked knowledge about the other influential forces.

"There are three powers that have shown interest in you. First is the Star River Association, I'm sure you've heard of them." Bailu Yi's words caused Qin Wentian's expression to shift subtly. He was indeed familiar with the Star River Association, which had a branch in Chu.

In his memory, the Star River Association was an enigmatic and potent entity. Although classified as a major power, they remained uninvolved in political disputes and power struggles. They maintained their own autonomy. Despite having no allies, none of the transcendent powers dared to provoke the Star River Association. This was a testament to their strength.

"I've heard of them. There's a branch in my hometown," Qin Wentian responded. Not only was there a branch in Chu, but also one in Sky Harmony City.

"The Star River Association is a unique power spanning across Grand Xia. They keep a low profile and seldom interfere in the conflicts of other factions. Yet, their vast resources and strength are awe-inspiring. They've also been quietly recruiting extraordinary talents in alchemy, divine inscriptions, and stellar martial cultivation. No one knows their true intentions."

Bailu Yi went on, "Many in Grand Xia speculate that the structure of the Star River Association resembles a pyramid—a highly regimented hierarchy where information is tightly controlled. Those at the bottom belong to the lower tiers, but they have the opportunity to ascend if they can prove their worth. The higher one rises, the more authority they wield. There are even whispers suggesting that the Star River Association hails from an empire beyond Grand Xia. The branches they've established throughout the continent may be part of a plan to solidify their presence before enacting their true agenda. However, keep in mind that these are mere rumors."

"The Star River Association is really that influential?" Qin Wentian was taken aback. In Chu, he had heard about their branches in major cities, but now he was learning that their reach extended across the entirety of Grand Xia. This was an entirely different scale of operation. The extent of their infiltration was astonishing.

As Bailu Yi spoke, Qin Wentian realized that the branches in Sky Harmony City and the Royal Capital of Chu were part of the lower tiers of this pyramid structure. If these two branches held that much power and were still considered low-level, what level of authority and influence would the higher tiers possess?

"Furthermore, there have been reports that several prominent figures in the Heavenly Fate and Heavenly Dipper Rankings have been enticed and recruited by the Star River Association. Some have even publicly declared their affiliation. Given their visit to you, it's evident what they're aiming for. They intend to enlist you—a nineteen-year-old fourth-ranked Grandmaster—into their ranks."

Bailu Yi's revelation left Qin Wentian stunned. From the start, he hadn't held the Star River Association in high regard. After all, it was the actions of Murin in Sky Harmony City that indirectly led to the death of numerous Qin Residence members.

"The second power showing interest in you is equally intriguing. Have you ever heard of the 'Thousand-Jue Alliance'?" Bailu Yi inquired, then went on to provide an explanation. "The Thousand-Jue Alliance is the largest organization of unaffiliated individuals. Unaffiliated cultivators often find themselves at a disadvantage when confronted by major powers, sometimes even at the risk of losing their lives. Recognizing this, several thousand years ago, a group of immensely powerful unaffiliated cultivators united to establish the Thousand-Jue Alliance. Its primary objective was to offer support to those who lacked the backing of major factions. Over the millennia, their influence has only grown stronger. Within the Alliance, if you've contributed significantly, you're granted a measure of power and authority."

"They hold a place amongst the transcendent powers. While their headquarters isn't situated in the Moon Continent, their influence stretches here as well. Their representatives can still be found in this region. And it's clear that their visit is meant to extend an invitation for you to join their ranks."

Bailu Yi proceeded, "Lastly, the third interested power is none other than the Leng Clan. Their disciplinary elder, Leng Mao, has personally come to visit with the intent of resolving the grudge between you and the Leng Clan."

A sharp glint flashed across Qin Wentian's eyes. The audacity of the Leng Clan to send Leng Mao to apologize was beyond belief. Did they truly think that a simple visit could erase the enmity between them? The sheer absurdity of it was astounding.