Invitation, once again

Invitation, once again...

Fan Le had been a firsthand witness to the relentless torment that led Leng Ning to her tragic demise at the hands of the Leng Clan and Yan Tie. The haunting scene had etched itself into his memory, a scar that time couldn't heal.

"Boss," Fan Le's gaze bore into Qin Wentian, the levity gone from his expression. Instead, his eyes reflected determination and a chilling madness, "Did you say that Leng Mao was the one who ordered her death?"

Bailu Yi continued, "We've also learned that the Leng Clan has taken action against Leng Jian and Leng Lin. The higher-ups in the clan must have realized that Leng Mao was responsible for the order, which is why they're sending him to apologize in person."

"Apologize?" Fan Le's laugh was bitter and cold, devoid of any humor. "Leng Mao didn't just plan to end Leng Ning's life; he aimed to eliminate you, me, and Chu Mang as well. He sought to sever all ties to the matter. You weren't there at that time, so you escaped. But I—had Leng Ning not arranged my escape beforehand, I would've met my death there."

Fan Le's voice grew raw with emotion. "And it's not just that. Even knowing you were a third-ranked Grandmaster, Leng Mao still tried to have you killed to satisfy Yan Tie. If Leng Ning hadn't hinted at your connection to the White Deer Institute, they would have come after you, Chu Mang, and me. And after that, Leng Ning... ended her own life."

"What good is an apology now?" Fan Le's tone turned bitter. "What compensation can they offer? Can it bring Leng Ning back to life?"

Qin Wentian took a deep breath, his aura turning icy and fierce. Memories of Leng Ning were vivid in his mind—how could she have been extinguished so cruelly? Though he might not have the authority to dictate the Leng Clan's decisions, Leng Ning was more than a mere acquaintance. She was a friend. And for her sake, Qin Wentian was determined to make the responsible parties pay with their lives.

Adding to the injustice was the fact that he and his friends bore no grudges against the Leng Clan. All of this suffering had been inflicted solely to win favor with Yan Tie. Did the Leng Clan truly believe that a few words of apology and some gifts could mend what had been broken?

"What's Leng Mao's strength?" Qin Wentian turned to Bailu Yi.

"Leng Mao is a disciplinary elder. He has already broken through to the Heavenly Dipper Realm," Bailu Yi replied. "The Leng Clan banished Leng Jian and Leng Lin because they held little importance in the clan's grand plan. But a Heavenly Dipper-level elder like Leng Mao still has utility. They won't dispose of him easily. That's why he's been sent to apologize in person."

Nodding, Qin Wentian's resolve hardened even further.

"I'll wait here for them. Gather the people from the Leng Clan," Qin Wentian replied, his thoughts concealed behind a composed facade. Bailu Yi cast a brief glance at him before nodding and setting off to carry out the task.

Shortly thereafter, Leng Mao and a few members of the Leng Clan approached Qin Wentian. As their gazes met, Leng Mao's lips curved into a smile. "Grandmaster Qin, your achievements are truly remarkable for someone so young. Becoming a fourth-ranked Inscriptionist before even reaching twenty is quite the feat. Your future seems boundless."

"Please, have a seat," Qin Wentian said, gesturing to a nearby patch of grass.

Leng Mao walked over to a pavilion near Qin Wentian, shaking his head. "Today, I, Leng Mao, have come to apologize for the incident with Leng Ning. Our Leng Clan deeply regrets its actions and sincerely hopes to mend the rift between us. We've taken decisive measures to punish the orchestrators, Leng Jian and Leng Lin."

"Ah, I must express my 'gratitude' to Elder Leng Mao," Qin Wentian retorted with biting sarcasm.

Leng Mao's smile turned bitter. "Back then, circumstances forced our hand. We genuinely seek Grandmaster's forgiveness and understanding for our past actions. The contents of this interspatial ring represent the Leng Clan's sincerity. Would Grandmaster Qin be willing to accept it?"

Qin Wentian remained unmoving, the tension in the air thickening. Leng Mao pressed on, "Should Grandmaster Qin find this insufficient, please let us know your wishes. We'll make every effort to fulfill them. Additionally, apart from Leng Ning, there are other women in our clan who are just as alluring. If any of them pique Grandmaster Qin's interest, we will immediately arrange for them to join you for your pleasure."

Once again, they were resorting to this vile method, offering one of the Leng Clan's unfortunate women as a sacrificial pawn. The women born into the Leng Clan were seen as commodities, traded for gains.

In the grand scheme of things, women's positions were rarely equal to that of men's. Typically, male talents outshone females', and they often assumed leadership roles within their clans or sects. Females were often used as tools for forming marriage alliances. There was an exception, though, when a woman possessed extraordinary talent. In such cases, her clan or sect might arrange for a man to marry into her family, instead of her marrying into his.

In the world of major powers, many women fell into the former category, destined to become marital pawns. A talented and young fourth-ranked Grandmaster like Qin Wentian was highly sought after. For most of the major powers in Grand Xia, forming a marital bond with him was a highly profitable prospect.

"I have a single request. I wonder, Elder Leng Mao, would you agree?" Qin Wentian's laughter carried an icy edge. Leng Mao smiled, "Of course, Grandmaster Qin, name it."

"I have a special request," Qin Wentian's voice echoed, and with each word, the ground beneath him glowed intensely. Divine Inscriptions erupted in dazzling brilliance, illuminating the surroundings. Qin Wentian levitated, surrounded by the fierce Sword Qi unleashed by the 'Tempest of Sword Qi' Divine Inscription.

Behind Leng Mao, his companions paled at the sight. Leng Mao shot an icy gaze at Qin Wentian. "Impressive, indeed. You've truly mastered the power of a fourth-ranked Grandmaster. But, should the White Deer Institute really be seen as the one orchestrating my demise, Leng Mao's death would be quite an inappropriate outcome, don't you think?"

Leng Mao's words carried a subtle psychological edge. He was subtly suggesting that the White Deer Institute's involvement might not be the best path for Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian responded by raising his hand, summoning two fourth-ranked Puppets and five peak-tier third-ranked Puppets. The constructs appeared in the air before him, positioned above Leng Mao. The cold, lifeless eyes of the Puppets sent a shiver down the spines of all who saw them.

"No need to worry about the White Deer Institute. Those under your command will report accordingly," Qin Wentian declared, his tone dripping with intent to kill. "You were the one who gave that fateful order. Did you truly think you could escape my retribution? DIE!"

Qin Wentian's voice boomed, and his Puppets descended with deadly purpose. They were a part of his victory spoils, now refined and imprinted with his consciousness.

With a snap of his fingers, the tornado of Sword Qi surged toward Leng Mao. Panic flitted across Leng Mao's face; he hadn't anticipated that Qin Wentian would possess such combat prowess even without the White Deer Institute's direct involvement. Facing just two fourth-ranked Puppets, Leng Mao found himself utterly powerless, subject to Qin Wentian's every whim.

"Grandmaster Qin, let's find a peaceful resolution," Leng Mao desperately implored as he clashed with the bladed Puppet's relentless assault. His Astral Nova, a single achievement in his cultivation, struggled against the onslaught.

A radiant beam emanated from the golden-armored Puppet, hurtling toward Leng Mao, while the remaining peak-tier, third-ranked Puppets joined the fray. Coupled with the Sword Qi tornado, Leng Mao was cornered, his fate sealed.

Outside the formation, Fan Le's fury raged like a tempest. His eyes burned with unquenchable flames as he stared at Leng Mao. "Leng Mao, when you gave that order, you probably never even considered whether Leng Ning would live or die. To you, it was just another command, her life held no value. But to me, it does. Now, it's time for you to accompany her."

A chilling scream pierced the air. Forced to defend against the Puppet onslaught, Leng Mao chose the lesser of two evils and allowed the Sword Qi tornado to crash into him. The impact skewered his body, and he screamed in agony, pleading for his life. "HAVE MERCY! SPARE ME!"

But could Qin Wentian truly show mercy? Had anyone shown mercy to Leng Ning?

The golden-armored Puppet's palm slammed into Leng Mao's chest, shattering his internal organs. Simultaneously, the amassed Sword Qi transformed into a colossal blade that descended, cleaving Leng Mao in twain. The Heavenly Dipper Sovereign had fallen.

The members of the Leng Clan quaked in terror. A Yuanfu cultivator had slain a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign? The disciplinary elder, Leng Mao, was dead!

This formidable fourth-ranked Grandmaster's power was beyond imagination—capable of annihilating them with a mere thought.

In the midst of their fear, Qin Wentian's Puppets appeared above them. Panic gripped the Leng Clan members as they gazed at the looming figures.

Qin Wentian strolled over, stopping before them. With a wave of his hand, a list of names materialized in their grasp.

"Leng Ning was one of your own, perhaps you knew her. She was pushed to her death due to Leng Mao's orders. Since the Leng Clan wouldn't deliver justice, I've taken it into my own hands. The list you hold contains the names of those responsible for her death, aside from Leng Jian and Leng Lin. If the Leng Clan seeks reconciliation, you know what needs to be done."

Qin Wentian's tone remained aloof as he continued, "You all can leave. Go and convey my message."

Suddenly released from their paralysis, the Leng Clan members retreated hastily, fleeing back to their domain.

Once they were gone, Qin Wentian gazed at the drifting clouds and exhaled. "Leng Ning, your kind spirit surely wouldn't have wished to witness these innocents' demise. Every wrong has an origin, every debt has a debtor. I will make those who caused your death pay. But if the Leng Clan insists on obstructing me, don't blame me for becoming an instrument of their destruction." An iciness flashed in his eyes as he spoke, an underlying threat concealed within his words.

Fan Le also looked at the sky, silently hoping for Leng Ning's peace.

"Let's move on. Next up, I'll meet with the representatives of the Star River Association," Qin Wentian told Bailu Yi. The enigmatic nature of the Star River Association piqued his curiosity. How deep did their power run? What did they want from him?

"Absolutely." Bailu Yi nodded and led Qin Wentian away, guiding him to another courtyard designated for the representatives from the Star River Association.

"Please forgive my delay; I was caught up in some matters," Qin Wentian expressed as he entered the courtyard. His gaze quickly landed on a middle-aged man seated on one of the stone benches. The man exuded an air of calmness, though his eyes flickered with a momentary sharpness upon sensing Qin Wentian's scrutiny. The middle-aged man smiled upon realizing that Qin Wentian had identified him as the main representative from the Star River Association. In response to Qin Wentian's discerning gaze, he politely said, "Grandmaster Qin, your humility is commendable. Your youthful age and fourth-ranked proficiency truly live up to your reputation. You're a prodigious genius."

"Your praise is overly generous," Qin Wentian replied with a smile as he took a seat on another stone bench. "Is there a specific matter Senior requires my assistance with?"

"Since you're so direct, I won't beat around the bush," the middle-aged man chuckled. "I'm the president of the forging division at the Moon Continent's Star River Association branch. We've heard of your exceptional talents, Grandmaster Qin, and have come to offer you an invitation to join our forging division. Upon acceptance, we would immediately appoint you as the vice-president of the forging division."

Recognizing the uniformity of power structure among the Star River Association branches, Qin Wentian understood that the title of vice-president was offered to him due to his potential.

"I'm deeply grateful for your kind invitation, Senior. However, I must apologize as I'm not particularly interested in Divine Weapon forging," Qin Wentian replied, aware of the Association's mysterious origins. He wasn't inclined to become entangled with them.

"Please reconsider, Grandmaster Qin. The position of vice-president is a privilege that few fourth-ranked Grandmasters can attain even if they desire it. We're offering you such a high position to reflect how much we value your potential," another elderly Inscriptionist added, trying to persuade him.

"Qin would never force himself into a role he's not passionate about. I appreciate the Star River Association's trust, but I must humbly decline," Qin Wentian diplomatically rejected.

Seeing Qin Wentian's decisive refusal, the middle-aged man chuckled wryly. "Would you at least consider becoming a guest elder of our Association? Accepting would grant you substantial benefits."

"Guest elder again?" The memory of Murin's false promises surfaced in Qin Wentian's mind. This title held no significance for him; he desired freedom and independence. "My character values freedom—having the liberty to follow my heart's desires without constraints. I must express my gratitude for your generous offers, Senior, but I must decline once more."

Faced with multiple rejections, the representatives from the Star River Association couldn't be oblivious to Qin Wentian's intentions. The middle-aged man sighed and admitted, "In that case, we thank Grandmaster Qin for the audience. Farewell."

"Seniors, take care," Qin Wentian courteously bid them farewell, standing to clasp his hands in a gesture of respect to the departing representatives of the Star River Association.