Gazing at the Heavenly Fate Ranking

Gazing at the Heavenly Fate Ranking...

Opting against pursuit, Yang Fan decided to bide his time, knowing other opportunities to eliminate Qin Wentian would arise. Trusting in Qin Wentian's reluctance to harm Shu Ruanyu, he took into consideration the strong bond between Qin Wentian and the Bailu siblings. Qin Wentian, on his part, shared the same confidence—his immediate objectives in the Moon Continent were fulfilled. With Hua Xiaoyun's demise and the White Deer Institute's recognition, he wasn't unduly concerned about the Pill Emperor Hall or Star-Seizing Manor targeting him. These supreme factions wouldn't meddle in the affairs of their junior members. His primary threat now lay in the Hua Clan, as Hua Xiaoyun's family, though disgraced, wouldn't rest until they avenged his death.

The Moon Continent, he realized, was no longer a haven for him.

Racing forward, Little Rascal's speed had grown even more astonishing. Taking the nearest eastern path, they soon broke free from the confines of the Moon Continent.

Amidst the celestial expanse, Qin Wentian gazed back at the countless edifices comprising the Moon Continent. He marveled at how Grand Xia encompassed myriad countries and cities, and his own exploits there could only be a minor footnote in history. While his feats were remarkable, they paled in comparison to the monumental events involving Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns.

Despite his apparent insignificance, his earlier words had triggered a maelstrom of discussion. Within the Pill Emperor Hall, disciples buzzed with debates about Zhan Chen. As Qin Wentian had foreseen, Zhan Chen vehemently denied his involvement, blaming Qing Yue's death solely on Qin Wentian.

These murmurs reached the ears of Mo Qingcheng, who was swiftly apprised of Qin Wentian's actions and the sacrifices he had made.

Within the grand hall of the Pill Emperor Hall, situated atop 99 flights of stairs, Mo Qingcheng treaded silently, each step fraught with a profound weight. The glint of tears shimmered in her eyes, unshed but palpable.

She had come to realize, only now, the lengths to which Qin Wentian had gone for her. He had traversed over ten million miles from Chu to the Moon Continent, sacrificing everything to eliminate Hua Xiaoyun.

"I journeyed to the Moon Continent for one purpose and one purpose only: I came here to kill you."

Those words reverberated in her mind, melting her heart, and igniting her emotions.

For whom had he undertaken this arduous journey, crossing vast distances, merely to confront Hua Xiaoyun?

It was for her—Mo Qingcheng.

Ahead, her master, Luo He, stood, flanked by Zhan Chen and his mentor.

"Junior Sister has arrived," Zhan Chen greeted her with a smile, only to receive a frosty, tear-tinged gaze in return. The chill in her look could freeze even the warmest of hearts.

"Does Master know the identity of this fourth-ranked Grandmaster that Senior Zhan Chen keeps referring to?" Mo Qingcheng queried, her eyes fixed on Luo He.

Her master looked at her with a hint of surprise, "Wait, Qingcheng, are you suggesting you're acquainted with this Grandmaster?"

"Master has encountered him too. In Chu, when I was severely injured and unconscious," Mo Qingcheng responded calmly, shifting her gaze to Bai Fei, who stood beside Luo He. "Senior Bai Fei should also be familiar with him."

Bai Fei's lashes fluttered, realizing that Mo Qingcheng was well-informed.

"Bai Fei, explain," Luo He prompted, observing Bai Fei closely. Bai Fei lowered her gaze before answering, "Qin Wentian, the man I mentioned to Master before, was Junior Qingcheng's boyfriend back in Chu."

Understanding dawned in Luo He's eyes. The whispers about the remarkable fourth-ranked Grandmaster causing waves in the Moon Continent were none other than Qingcheng's past companion?

"Zhan Chen claims he's responsible for Qing Yue's death, while Qin Wentian counters that it was Zhan Chen who orchestrated her demise. I fully believe Qin Wentian's account, regardless of the Pill Emperor Hall's stance," Mo Qingcheng declared. Her words immediately cast a shadow over Zhan Chen's face, igniting a fiery hostility. He retorted, "Junior Sister, are you insinuating that I had a hand in Qing Yue's death?"

"Cease calling me your Junior Sister. We share no bond," Mo Qingcheng shot back, her tone icy.

"DISRESPECTFUL!" Luo He admonished, but Mo Qingcheng met her master's gaze serenely, asserting, "Master, he cast everything aside to kill Hua Xiaoyun. You understand the reason. Even the weight of Hua Taixu's influence couldn't deter him. Every action he took, it was all for me."

Luo He's expression quivered, her eyes widening slightly as she recollected the feud between Hua Xiaoyun and Mo Qingcheng. "For you?"

"He came to the Moon Continent solely to end Hua Xiaoyun," Mo Qingcheng said, a radiant smile gracing her lips, her voice brimming with emotion.

"Yet now... my sect, the Pill Emperor Hall, seeks his life."

Mo Qingcheng's tone dropped, a note of disappointment tingeing her words. "I hold great respect for you, Master, and I know you hold me dear. However, even before I knew you, my heart had already chosen him. He traversed ten million miles from Chu to the Moon Continent for me, discarding everything to confront Hua Xiaoyun. If any harm befalls him, I too will take up arms, no matter the cost. Even if it brands me an unfilial disciple, I would seek vengeance for him. I do not wish to betray the Pill Emperor Hall, so I implore you to forgive my insolence."

With a bow, Mo Qingcheng addressed Luo He before lowering her voice. "I respectfully take my leave, Master."

Mo Qingcheng turned and departed, leaving Luo He trembling with anger. A low curse slipped from her lips, "Damn!"

Luo He couldn't help but feel infuriated. She had made numerous sacrifices for Mo Qingcheng, yet without hesitation, her disciple had declared she'd become a traitor should the Pill Emperor Hall move against Qin Wentian.

Zhan Chen's complexion turned pale. How could his plans succeed now? With Qin Wentian in the picture, there would never be room for Zhan Chen in Mo Qingcheng's heart. This day had marked Mo Qingcheng as his adversary, all because of Qin Wentian.

"Qin Wentian," a seething hatred brewed in him, yet he maintained a composed exterior, his demeanor as genteel as ever. "Master, Senior Martial Aunt, I won't dwell on explanations. My cultivation has encountered a bottleneck recently. I wish to go out for a time to refine myself and gather the necessary resources for a breakthrough to the Heavenly Dipper Realm."

"Focus on that goal, for now. Aim to break through within a year and avoid distractions," Zhan Chen's mentor offered comfort, patting him on the shoulder. The Heavenly Dipper Realm was a significant milestone, a barrier that stymied many cultivators for their entire lives. For someone of Zhan Chen's caliber, crossing that threshold wasn't a matter of if, but when.

...

Five days later, Qin Wentian resided in a cave nestled within a mountain range, situated ten thousand miles away from the Moon Continent.

Nearby lay a small nation. In the vast expanse of Grand Xia, countless such nations were scattered across the landscape. Some were subtly influenced by transcendent powers, akin to Chu's situation when it was under the governance of the Nine Mystical Palace.

In front of the cave entrance, Qin Wentian sat cross-legged, hands grasping a Yuan Meteor Stone. His Astral Souls were released, and the stones aided in the absorption of more Astral Energy. Blood surged through his veins, the past few days of meditation accelerating his recovery, nearly healing his injuries completely.

"When are you going to release me?" A figure garbed in fiery red emerged from the cave. This woman, of course, was none other than Shu Ruanyu. Her complexion had slightly improved, but she still bore the weariness from days past.

"Why the hurry?" Qin Wentian opened his eyes, giving Shu Ruanyu a glance. "Miss Shu, just take some time to rest and heal."

"Curse you." Shu Ruanyu turned green. She hadn't dared to close her eyes for rest these past days. That insufferable fatty's gaze had continuously wandered over her, and she yearned to claw his eyes out.

Qin Wentian stood and advanced toward Shu Ruanyu. As he approached, she involuntarily took a step back, her face contorted in a mixture of embarrassment and anger. She shot him a glare. "What are you planning?"

Qin Wentian halted once they were face to face. Her teeth clenched, a trace of fear flickering in her eyes as her Astral Energy emitted subtle fluctuations.

"Touching you or killing you is not on my to-do list," Qin Wentian responded, his tone casual. His gaze lazily brushed over Shu Ruanyu's form. "Also, I have zero interest in you."

With his words delivered, Qin Wentian turned, returning to his original spot, and resumed his cross-legged position. Shu Ruanyu's fist clenched in frustration, her expression growing uglier by the second. What a wretched scoundrel.

"Since you've ensnared me with that Inscription, can you at least allow me to recover my cultivation?" Shu Ruanyu persisted. Qin Wentian had used an array to severely hamper her Astral Energy circulation. Even now, her injuries remained, her Yuanfu's Astral Energy still near depletion.

"You're no gentleman at all. How could you treat a delicate girl like this?" With Qin Wentian showing no intention to respond, Shu Ruanyu continued doggedly.

"Fatty," Qin Wentian called out suddenly. In the next instant, Fan Le descended from the sky. A mere glance from him shut Shu Ruanyu up, compelling her to turn and retreat into the cave.

"Little Rascal and Big Bro Mang aren't back yet?" Qin Wentian asked, focusing on Fan Le.

"Big Bro Mang is too boisterous; I bet he's lost track of time, busy sparring with the local demonic beasts," Fan Le smirked, mirth twinkling in his eyes. He continued, "If we continue eastward and pass through a few more countries, we'll reach the Azure Continent."

"The Azure Continent."

A thoughtful expression graced Qin Wentian's face. The Azure Emperor Palace stood proudly within the Azure Continent, though the significance of the Azure Emperor Token had evolved over a millennium. Furthermore, the Azure Emperor Palace, while still a transcendent establishment, was far from its past glory.

Not far from it was the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, also seated within the Azure Continent.

"To secure a top-three spot on the Heavenly Fate Ranking, you'll need to traverse Grand Xia extensively," Fan Le's tone shifted to earnestness as he addressed Qin Wentian. "The White Deer Institute could very well become your foundation."

Qin Wentian nodded, the determination to attain the top ranks palpable. He was resolved to compete for those coveted top spots on the ranking.

Bailu Jing's recent appearance was prompted by the White Deer Institute's intent. Their message was delivered through him.

After extensive deliberation among the esteemed elders, a consensus had been reached. There was no doubt about Qin Wentian's prowess in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions. If he could secure a top-three ranking on the Heavenly Fate Ranking, the White Deer Institute would pledge their unwavering allegiance. They'd follow his lead with devotion.

As proof of their commitment, the supreme elder—Bailu Tong's father—had stepped down from his role, yielding his position to another esteemed elder.

This development bore immense significance to Qin Wentian. With the White Deer Institute's staunch support, his influence and authority would amplify, thus facilitating the unification of the "hidden" branches of the Azure Faction.