Situ Po

Situ Po...

No soul dared to disturb Qin Wentian anymore after the enigmatic encounter with Zai Mu.

Perched at the brink of the abyss, where the towering mountains brushed against the vast expanse of the sea, a figure meditated, occasionally rising into the air to experiment with diverse techniques. Spectators in the distance couldn't help but shiver at the intensity of Qin Wentian's training.

Swiftly, whispers spread like wildfire, depicting Qin Wentian as a beastman akin to Shiki. Whispers told of demonic blood flowing through his veins, rendering him the perfect vessel to master the techniques left behind by the demon powerhouse. His grasp of these arts was like covering a thousand miles in a single day—his progress raced at implausible speeds.

Gossips grew more elaborate, and soon, most in the Unmatched Realm believed Qin Wentian to be a half-beast.

In any case, unverified tales about Qin Wentian multiplied throughout the Unmatched Realm. Some swore he was a fourth-ranked Grandmaster, while others insisted he was part beastman. There were even tales of him being a hidden prodigy from the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, born out of wedlock. The ridiculousness of these rumors amused Ouyang Kuangsheng so much that he questioned whether to laugh or cry.

In the heart of the Unmatched Realm, within an ancient pavilion, a man and a woman sat across from each other.

The man exuded a regal air, yet no discernible aura surrounded him. His movements carried an otherworldly grace, pulsating with the rhythm of harmonized Heaven and Earth.

The woman was strikingly beautiful, surpassing even Liu Xi, whom Qin Wentian had bested before. Liu Xi had countless admirers, but in contrast, the woman had none. She'd already chosen a partner. What's more, her companion was a figure renowned among the countless geniuses of the Unmatched Realm.

Situ Po, a favored one from the Sword Extinction Sect.

Likewise, he aspired to be an Azure Continent's Heaven's Chosen—a title granted to the top thirty-six Heavenly Fate Rankings contenders in the entire Grand Xia. He knew this destiny was his.

Whispers also told of his impending journey to the ruins of the Ancient Kingdom within a year. By then, securing a spot among the top thirty-six of the Heavenly Fate Rankings was practically assured.

He was Situ Po. Prior to Qin Wentian, only three had garnered recognition from all thirty-six Dao-Cultivation Halls. Situ Po was one of them.

At present, Situ Po's cultivation stood at the pinnacle of the eighth Yuanfu level. His combat prowess could easily obliterate ordinary opponents at the ninth Yuanfu level. A year's time—how much stronger would he become? No one knew, but certainty surrounded the level of his power.

Once, he was like Qin Wentian, causing such a stir that the Unmatched Realm trembled. Likewise, he'd conquered countless challengers. Today, no one dared challenge him anymore.

In the realm of beauty, a name shone—Yue Bingying, a direct descendant of the revered Azure Emperor Palace. Not too long ago, she surged to the seventh level of Yuanfu, her brilliance a testament to remarkable talent.

Leaning toward Situ Po, Yue Bingying voiced, "Have you heard of Qin Wentian? He seems to be even more renowned than you are." Her smile rivaled a blossoming flower in its elegance.

Situ Po's demeanor remained composed, devoid of any hint of wavering—neither vexation nor pride. At the mention of this name circulating through the Unmatched Realm, his countenance showed no ripples.

While others might itch to challenge Qin Wentian, to prove his strength firsthand, Situ Po harbored no such inclinations. After all, he was among the four lauded by all thirty-six halls. Like Qin Wentian, he bore an innate confidence, deeply embedded, though their surfaces betrayed no haughtiness or arrogance.

He recognized Qin Wentian's prowess, no less than his own. Gaining the endorsement of all thirty-six halls implied passage through the ultimate trial. But so what? With Qin Wentian at the fifth Yuanfu level, he was in a different league altogether. Situ Po regarded him with a mere hint of curiosity and nothing more.

"This chap's quite ruthless. He pummeled Liu Xi—a paragon of beauty—so severely that she couldn't leave her bed for days. One wonders how many suitors' hearts shattered upon learning of it. Do you not harbor any thoughts about this?" Yue Bingying playfully prodded.

"As long as he doesn't provoke you, he's free to do as he pleases," Situ Po retorted calmly, his response evoking a sweet smile on Yue Bingying's lips.

"Oh, by the way, whispers suggest turbulence within the Azure Emperor Palace. Are the Azure Emperor's descendants once again kindling trouble?" Situ Po inquired with intrigue.

"Indeed, traces lead back to the Di Clan. These fools, it's been years. There's no way they can rekindle their former glory," Yue Bingying remarked with a glint of cold, deadly intent in her eyes. "All these years, our Yue lineage has delved into the truth behind the Azure Emperor's inheritance. We suspect he might have concealed it among his descendants. We've sent agents, scouring many places, even the remote corners of distant lands, but all in vain. In any case, if they wish to stir up something amusing, it might serve us well."

"Look after yourself," Situ Po voiced with genuine concern. "Though this matter may not directly implicate you now, being cautious is always a good idea."

"Why should I worry when I have you to shield me? I can't wait for the day you fully mature. By then, my Azure Emperor Palace will back you in controlling the Sword Extinction Sect. Once you're at the helm, we can use the sect to keep a check on other powers within my palace. Merging the two powers—wouldn't that be splendid?" Yue Bingying's laughter rang out, her words echoing even if others from the Sword Extinction Sect overheard.

The Sword Extinction Sect remained a sect; it didn't fuss over lineage purity. Ambitious talents survived its grueling trials, climbing to the zenith through sheer resolve.

"That day will surely arrive," Situ Po affirmed with a smile. In that moment, a voice drifted from a distance, owned by none other than Lin Haotian. He, too, was a disciple of the Sword Extinction Sect, destined to become one of the chosen. A complex gleam danced in his eyes as they locked onto Situ Po.

He was impressive in his own right, yet being in the same generation as Situ Po meant he would never ascend to the apex.

"Lin Haotian, I heard you were checking out Qin Wentian's strength. How did it go?" Yue Bingying inquired, turning her gaze toward Lin Haotian.

"He's in cultivation," Lin Haotian replied.

"Has no one dared approach him since the Zai Mu incident?" Yue Bingying shook her head in a hint of disappointment. She continued, "Lin Haotian, do me a favor. Arrange a meeting between Qin Wentian and Situ Po. I'm genuinely curious about the gap between them."

Situ Po chuckled softly. This girl was clearly seized by curiosity. Observing how Qin Wentian had also gained the endorsement of all thirty-six halls, she wanted to witness the difference firsthand.

For a moment, Lin Haotian glanced at Situ Po for confirmation before answering, "Sure."

With that, he turned and left the scene.

News of Yue Bingying's desire to meet Qin Wentian to "test" his strength set the Unmatched Realm abuzz.

Having ascended to the seventh level of Yuanfu, Yue Bingying was perceived as unbeatable by Qin Wentian. And the man standing by her side—his identity was widely known.

Unbeknownst to Qin Wentian, the rumors that swirled through the Unmatched Realm were beyond his reach. Over a month had swept by while he cultivated before this bastion. Unwittingly, his emanation of demonic qi grew mightier and mightier.

In the present moment, Qin Wentian sat cross-legged, immersed in a dream. The eighty-one stances of demonic arts held profound, domineering truths. Frequent use led him to tap into Astral Energy from his non-demon Yuanfu when the energy from his demon-attributed Yuanfu ran dry. In turn, all three Yuanfu expanded and flourished individually, bulking up with each passing moment.

"Qin Wentian!" From a distance, perched atop a colossal boulder, Lin Haotian and a few companions called out to him. However, at this very moment, as Qin Wentian teetered on the edge of a breakthrough, their voices barely registered in his consciousness.

"Ugh, this guy. If he hadn't inscribed Divine Inscriptions there, we'd have rushed over and dealt with him already," a Sword Extinction Sect member grumbled, his mood sour. Lin Haotian nodded in agreement, then noticed a snow-white puppy at Qin Wentian's side, barking and glowering at them. This incited a wry smile from Lin Haotian. Even a mere creature dared to challenge him?

"QIN WENTIAN, WAKE THE HELL UP!" Lin Haotian's roar tore through space, carrying a fearsome sword intent that cleaved toward Qin Wentian. The sword intent pierced his mental domain, snapping him out of his deep reverie.

A mouthful of blood gushed into Qin Wentian's mouth. He swallowed it back, his eyes springing open with an ominous gleam. He turned his gaze upon Lin Haotian, his stare as piercing as an unsheathed blade.

Lin Haotian's sneer conveyed his disdain. Sure, Qin Wentian had talent, but he thought to challenge him in swordsmanship?

"Qin Wentian, someone wants to meet you," Lin Haotian said with nonchalance.

Qin Wentian paused for a moment before responding icily, "Get lost."

Lin Haotian stiffened. His sword intent chilled the air as he retorted with a laugh, "You can't avoid this. You're coming with me."

"So cocky for someone playing errand boy? I believe I told you to get lost," Qin Wentian's voice dripped ice. Interrupting him at the climax of his breakthrough? At this juncture, all he craved was to recapture the earlier state of deep understanding, to promptly reach the sixth level of Yuanfu. Other matters could wait.

"After a few wins, did you start thinking you're unbeatable? In the Unmatched Realm, you haven't earned the right to be this insolent," Lin Haotian growled, his intent to kill intensifying. Qin Wentian turned away, lowering himself to a cross-legged position, utterly ignoring Lin Haotian. Dealing with these individuals was now too bothersome; he would endure until his breakthrough.

"You might as well remain stuck there forever," Lin Haotian spat, vexed by Qin Wentian's continued disregard. Eventually, realizing Qin Wentian would persist in ignoring him, he stormed away, his threats echoing in the air.