Shadow Pavilion

Shadow Pavilion...

Approaching Qin Wentian, Jing Yu and Yan Qi observed him with measured care. The transformation he had undergone was so significant that while they knew they were looking at him, uncertainty lingered in their minds, casting doubt on whether he truly stood before them.

Now, standing face to face, their doubts dissolved. This young man was undeniably the one they had known from Chu.

Male camaraderie often sparked both admiration and rivalry when it came to matters of the heart. In the past, Mo Qingcheng had captured their hearts, leading to unspoken animosity directed at Qin Wentian. As such, their impression of him was far more pronounced compared to Bai Fei's.

"So, it's truly you," they said, their voices tinged with suppressed hostility.

Qin Wentian had sensed their approach earlier but paid them no heed, his gaze focused on the Pill Emperor Hall.

"Hey, you," Jing Yu interjected calmly, devoid of anger or disdain. If the past still held sway, he might have seized the opportunity to belittle Qin Wentian. However, in Mo Qingcheng's ethereal presence, he could only bow his head in silent reverence, finding himself unworthy of humiliating Qin Wentian.

Still, Qin Wentian didn't spare them a glance. In a world defined by cultivation and hierarchical power structures, the Pill Emperor Hall loomed as a colossus, towering over all who approached. Yet, even in the face of this monolithic institution, Qin Wentian remained unperturbed, for he knew that some wielded power greater than these grand edifices.

"Love is conditional, dependent on the object. If you understand it's beyond your grasp, why persist in chasing an illusion? The chasm between you two is insurmountable," Jing Yu mused, directing his words both at Qin Wentian and himself.

As Yan Qi advanced, his disdain evident, he sneered, "The Pill Emperor Hall has ninety-nine tiers, but from where you stand, even the lowest level is out of reach. Spare yourself these fantasies, for the repercussions of your delusions would far exceed your capacity to endure."

Slowly, Qin Wentian turned his gaze to Yan Qi. A surge of golden lightning coursed through his eyes, boring into Yan Qi's with an intensity that seemed to shatter his psyche. The pressure was so immense that he involuntarily retreated, a pallor settling over his visage as sweat formed on his brow.

His aura flared, his gaze never wavered from Qin Wentian. Yet, the man before him had already shifted his attention elsewhere, dismissing Yan Qi with such indifference that it seemed he wasn't worth direct eye contact.

A feeling of unease pervaded Yan Qi. What had just transpired? Why had a single glance from Qin Wentian left him drenched in cold sweat and trembling?

A sharp glint flickered in Yan Qi's eyes, but before he could react, a burst of brilliance erupted behind them. Both turned swiftly, their expressions shifting to ones of deference as they welcomed the new arrival with respect. The figure seemed to materialize out of thin air, moving with such speed that it appeared as though he had teleported behind them.

Their senior brother, Zhan Chen, ranked #11, now stood before them. Zhan Chen was someone they held in high regard, their idol in many ways.

In terms of being worthy of Mo Qingcheng, there was no doubt that Zhan Chen's radiance matched hers like no other.

Jing Yu and Yan Qi made way, allowing Zhan Chen to pass through. Their gazes held admiration as they greeted him, "Senior Brother."

Zhan Chen offered a faint nod, his eyes locked onto Qin Wentian. Simultaneously, Qin Wentian observed Zhan Chen. The passage of time hadn't dimmed the killing intent that lingered between them, a consequence of their shared history within the secret grounds.

Zhan Chen felt a twinge of confusion. He couldn't fathom why Qin Wentian had ventured to the Pill Emperor Hall on his own accord.

Their past interactions were steeped in the revelation of Zhan Chen's secret. Given that, how could Zhan Chen feel at ease with Qin Wentian's unexpected presence?

Yet, Zhan Chen wasn't overly concerned about Qin Wentian exposing his secret. If Qin Wentian dared to unveil the truth, Zhan Chen would merely deny it and seize the opportunity to eliminate him. His standing within the Pill Emperor Hall was still unblemished, his reputation exemplary. His words held significant weight, rendering him nearly invulnerable.

Qin Wentian surely recognized this dynamic; he wouldn't so recklessly expose Zhan Chen's secret. If he did, one of them would undoubtedly die, and that person would likely be Qin Wentian.

Despite his outward calm, Qin Wentian remained inwardly vigilant. Though Zhan Chen appeared gracious and dignified, Qin Wentian had seen through his manipulative façade. Acknowledging his inferior power level compared to Zhan Chen, he understood the need for vigilance.

"I heard that you stirred up quite a storm in the Eastern Region," Zhan Chen remarked, a warm smile gracing his features, as if he and Qin Wentian were old friends reuniting after a long separation.

Qin Wentian met his gaze, offering no response.

An ominous aura emanated from Zhan Chen, the weight of his sword intent pressing down on Qin Wentian.

"But what brings you to my Pill Emperor Hall?" Zhan Chen took a deliberate step forward, his imposing presence escalating. It felt as though Zhan Chen could snuff out Qin Wentian's life with a mere thought.

"Take another step, and you'll regret it," Qin Wentian commented, his voice nonchalant. Though his demeanor remained relaxed, his words sent shivers through the hearts of Jing Yu and Yan Qi.

Did Qin Wentian dare to challenge their senior, Zhan Chen, with such audacity?

To complicate matters, Zhan Chen exhibited familiarity with Qin Wentian, suggesting an unresolved conflict in their past.

Zhan Chen came to a halt, Qin Wentian offering no indication of exposing his secret. Likely, he recognized the futility of it. Revealing Zhan Chen's secret would merely escalate the situation, prompting Zhan Chen to eliminate him without hesitation. Yet, Zhan Chen understood that pushing Qin Wentian too far might prompt him to unveil the secret. While not universally believed, such a revelation could irreparably tarnish Zhan Chen's esteemed reputation.

Thus, unless he could eliminate Qin Wentian before his secret emerged, Zhan Chen wouldn't risk it. Even if Qin Wentian were to perish, Bailu Yi still held knowledge of the secret.

Zhan Chen reined in his aura, his expression shifting to a smile. "My apologies. I overlooked the fact that you've reached the fourth-ranked level, becoming the youngest fourth-ranked Grandmaster across the Moon Continent. Your aura has transformed as well. Yet, mastery in Divine Inscriptions remains exactly that—mastery in Divine Inscriptions. Do you truly think I'd require a mere five breaths to end your life? Keep this lesson in mind."

Such menacing words, yet Zhan Chen delivered them with a grin.

Jing Yu and Yan Qi's hearts raced wildly. The youngest fourth-ranked Grandmaster on the entire Moon Continent? Since when did this happen? Could the unassuming figure from Chu truly induce apprehension in their senior, Zhan Chen?

"I'm aware that the transition from Yuanfu to Heavenly Dipper marks a substantial divide, but I'll hold hope for your triumph," Qin Wentian responded calmly. His tone remained composed as he added, "If you remain in this realm for too long, I'm afraid you'll be the one avoiding me when our paths cross again."

With that, Qin Wentian pivoted, sauntering away with his back to Zhan Chen.

Zhan Chen's formidable sword intent surged once more, yet Qin Wentian pressed on unperturbed, his lack of fear a display of outright disregard for Zhan Chen's threats.

Zhan Chen seethed with impotent fury as his sword intent faded. The silhouette of Qin Wentian gradually vanished from sight.

Jing Yu and Yan Qi stood by, mouths agape, their minds reeling from the spectacle. Could Qin Wentian truly address their senior brother, Zhan Chen, in such a manner?

Throughout the exchange, it seemed that the unassuming youth from the obscure country had never once met their gaze.

"Are you both acquainted with him?" Zhan Chen inquired.

"We're acquainted with him," Jing Yu began cautiously, "He hails from Chu and shared a close relationship with Junior Sister Qingcheng. His visit today, I believe, was to see her." He didn't explicitly state their romantic involvement, but Zhan Chen caught the implication. A steely glint entered his eyes, sharpening his gaze to a point.

"Ensure Qingcheng remains unaware of this," Zhan Chen responded composedly. Mo Qingcheng devoted herself to seclusion in the Pill Emperor Hall for cultivation, disinterested in outside affairs. Zhan Chen hoped that Qin Wentian's visit would go unnoticed by her, causing his existence to fade into obscurity—unless, of course, Qin Wentian met his demise.

Departing the Pill Emperor Palace, Qin Wentian headed for the Moon Continent's branch of the Thousand-Jue Alliance. Upon sighting his medallion's rank, the guards reported his arrival. Promptly, the same charming middle-aged representative as before emerged to welcome him.

"Grandmaster Qin's swift visit is a surprise," the middle-aged woman greeted warmly.

"I require the assistance of the Thousand-Jue Alliance," Qin Wentian smiled, receiving a nod of assurance. "As long as your authority level permits, the alliance will support your request without additional stipulations."

Qin Wentian retrieved a list, handing it over as he spoke, "I'm in need of the items listed here. I'll compensate the Alliance with the appropriate amount of Yuan Meteor Stones for the purchases."

"Understood. We'll arrange for our personnel to assist you. Once the task concludes, they will deliver the items to you, and you can remunerate the cost in Yuan Meteor Stones," the middle-aged woman replied, glancing at the list before tucking it away.

"Moreover, I require an information report on a particular individual," Qin Wentian added. Approaching the representative, he whispered softly into her ear, the middle-aged woman's eyes flickering with a peculiar light. She nodded in agreement, "Rest assured, our guests' requests remain confidential. I'll handle this personally."

"Thank you. If you require resources or expenses for this task, I'll gladly cover the costs," Qin Wentian said, recognizing the effort required for the alliance's aid. For monetary expenditures, it seemed only fair to bear them himself.

"There's no need for Grandmaster Qin to reimburse us for information gathering. The Thousand-Jue Alliance will cover all expenses," the middle-aged woman reassured him with a smile. Qin Wentian didn't argue further, offering a nod of gratitude before taking his leave.

Meanwhile, in the enigmatic Shadow Pavilion of the Moon Continent, Hua Xiaoyun engaged in a discussion with an individual who perused information reports. Qin Wentian's background was slightly challenging to trace as he hailed from a foreign land. Fortunately, Hua Xiaoyun provided a starting point: Origins—Chu Country.

"Sir, I've brought them," a messenger presented a collection of scrolls to the man engrossed in reading reports. The man's eyes gleamed as he received the scrolls.

"Qin Wentian hails from Chu, and his last known cultivation level was within the Secret Realms of Divine Inscriptions. Considering the time elapsed, it's presumed that he's advanced to at least the fourth level of Yuanfu. A fourth-ranked Divine Inscriptionist, he enjoys the protection of a female Heavenly Dipper Sovereign. Additionally, he wields two fourth-ranked Puppets as his trump cards and has vanquished several fourth-ranked Grandmasters at the White Deer Institute. Moreover, he recently eliminated Leng Mao by deploying his Puppets and inscribed Divine Inscriptions."

The information broker recited the details, causing Hua Xiaoyun's face to darken.

Originating from Chu and shielded by a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign? No doubt, it was him. But who could have predicted that Qin Wentian had ascended to a fourth-ranked Divine Inscriptionist and possessed potent fourth-ranked Puppets?

"I want him dead," Hua Xiaoyun hissed through gritted teeth.

The info-broker, his features sinister, grinned. "Wait a moment."

He returned after a brief absence, presenting Hua Xiaoyun with a sheet of paper. "This mission is viable, and this is the fee for the target's elimination. You're required to make a 10% advance payment, non-refundable. The remaining 90% can be settled upon mission success."

Hua Xiaoyun inspected the paper, his face contorting in displeasure. "Is this some sort of joke? Why's the cost so exorbitant for eliminating a Yuanfu realm cultivator?"

"Young Master Hua, feel free to try eliminating him yourself," the broker quipped, provoking Hua Xiaoyun's anger. He crumpled the paper in a fit of rage. His diminished status within the Hua Clan made it improbable for him to lead an assault on Qin Wentian. The Clan wouldn't endorse such a move, especially considering Qin Wentian's past connection with Mo Qingcheng.

Unless, perhaps, his elder brother, Hua Taixu, desired Qin Wentian's demise.

"Very well, I accept," Hua Xiaoyun spat through clenched teeth, producing a substantial quantity of Yuan Meteor Stones and flinging them onto the table. The mission to slay Qin Wentian would undoubtedly deplete his amassed wealth.

As Hua Xiaoyun departed, the sinister broker erupted into laughter, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. "Qin Wentian dared reject the Star River Association, even when the forging division's President extended the invitation personally! It's fortunate he did—otherwise, we'd never have considered this assignment. He's practically signed his own death warrant!"