Rewitnessing history

Rewitnessing history

"I am Qin Wentian, my destiny is that of a demon!"

With a voice soft yet imbued with unyielding resolution, Qin Wentian stood one step below the Heavenly Stele. His declaration carried an echoing power, resonating with unwavering determination. Destiny of a Demon—how unyielding was his fate? Mighty primordial demons could endure, surviving with a mere breath. In his short 19 years of life, Qin Wentian had already faced countless dangers and danced on the precipice of death. Yet, his fate was as indomitable as a demon's, always narrowly escaping death's clutches.

And now, casting aside the impending battle with Situ Po, how could he be overcome by the Ancient Will emanating from the Heavenly Stele? He held no fear for this Ancient Will.

"The 27th step of the Heavenly Stele, he reached the summit," echoed tumultuous waves of astonishment among the watching crowd.

Situ Po, who had led the way, had been outstripped. He now hesitated. Even Yun Mengyi, with her superior talent, had been repelled by the Stele's power. Yet here was Qin Wentian, the last contender, ascending to the pinnacle. The Heavenly Stele stood almost within his grasp; he need only stretch out his hand to touch it.

"Impossible," breathed Yue Bingying, her eyes filled with disbelief. Qin Wentian had steadied himself just below the Heavenly Stele. Bathed in the starlight radiating from the monument, he allowed the energy to course through him without hindrance.

Xuan Yan, Xuan Xin, and Li Shiyu watched in awe, witnessing this extraordinary scene. Had he achieved something unprecedented?

Having personally faced the pressure on the 19th step, Xuan Yan understood its terror all too well. Yet, Qin Wentian now stood on the 27th step—a feat seemingly impossible, yet undoubtedly achieved.

"Is the strength of a mortal's will inherent, an unchangeable essence? Or does it emerge from obscurity, to be honed and refined over time?" Xuan Yan pondered aloud, contemplating the question. She didn't possess the answer. Born into privilege, she belonged to a powerful clan and possessed exceptional talent. Her family's pride, she was sent to the Mystic Maiden Palace for cultivation, never lacking in resources. She had vanquished numerous rivals from transcendent powers to rise to the rank of "Princess" in the palace. All of this was built upon her talent and unwavering determination.

Yet, why was there such a chasm between her and Qin Wentian? The confusion lingered; she had faced countless adversaries from transcendent powers on her ascent. Was it still insufficient? Was the adversity she had confronted not enough?

And what about Qin Wentian? He was just an ordinary individual, wasn't he? He didn't belong to any sect that even remotely approached the level of a transcendent power.

"Well, I guess the answer to my question should be the latter," Xuan Xin mumbled thoughtfully. One's inherent talent might be fixed, but the measure of one's accomplishments was never confined to the solitary label of 'talent'. As for one's will, it bore no direct connection to innate aptitude.

Yun Mengyi, seated in a cross-legged position on the ground, engaged in breathing exercises to expedite her recovery. Despite her grave injuries, a faint smile played upon her lips—a reason known only to her.

Ouyang Kuangsheng, Fan Le, Chu Mang, and the rest were not only awestruck but also elated. Qin Wentian had completed the journey to the final step while Situ Po still lingered in hesitation. Would he dare to venture that last stride?

The sight of Qin Wentian's triumph ignited uncertainty within Situ Po once more. In this generation, four individuals secured the endorsement of all thirty-six halls—before him was Yun Mengyi, and after him, Qin Wentian. Both dared to take the ultimate step. But what of Situ Po? Could he summon the courage?

Amidst his apparent composure, Qin Wentian's inner turmoil remained a mystery.

Should Situ Po tread this final path, his heart might strengthen and endure like Qin Wentian's on the 27th step, or suffer the fate Yun Mengyi had endured, cast down from the steps. If his resolve faltered, instant death might be the consequence.

"Yet if I refrain, my heart will never find solace."

Situ Po was, in his own right, an unequivocal genius. He scrutinized his true desires. Did he desire to conquer the dread that haunted his heart? Did he yearn for his will and determination to grow even mightier?

In reality, this encounter granted substantial gains to both him and Qin Wentian. He reached the ninth level of Yuanfu with all three Mandates perfected, while Qin Wentian, charging upward without pause from the 18th level, had not only refined his Mandates but also steeled his heart.

Mighty adversaries could serve either as destroyers or as catalysts for greater strength. This confrontation had propelled both Situ Po and Qin Wentian to new heights.

Without Qin Wentian and Yun Mengyi, Situ Po's heart might not have been as unwavering—pressing onward to the 26th step. Similarly, had it not been for Situ Po, Qin Wentian might have halted at the 18th step. Perhaps his determination would have wavered upon reaching the 19th step.

Just as Fan Le had challenged Xuan Yan out of devotion to Xuan Xin, standing on the 18th step marked his supposed limit. Yet, he exceeded that, ascending to the 19th despite grievous injuries. But was that his true limit? Since he stood there, why couldn't he endure and secure his footing?

Because... Xuan Yan had already surrendered. That's why Fan Le's determination faltered, causing him to be thrown off the 19th step.

At last, Situ Po took that final step. The very instant his foot touched the 27th step, the same sensation that Yun Mengyi had experienced coursed through him.

In a mere breath's span, Situ Po was hurled down, blood drenching his body. Even his heartbeat had gone haywire; he had nearly perished from the rebound's ferocity. When one's heart felt like it was exploding, when their flesh was being shredded, how could their will remain steadfast?

Situ Po crashed harshly onto the ground, and in an instant, Yue Bingying was by his side, cradling him tenderly. He resisted her, struggling to sit up, his gaze still locked onto the figure atop the steps. How had Qin Wentian achieved it?

"Over the past decade, the Heavenly Stele Steps opened thrice to the public. Yet, how many stood where I did—on the 26th step? And that final step, who could possibly conquer it?" Situ Po's eyes were fixed on Qin Wentian's distant form. The complexity in his gaze betrayed his frustration.

"I've lost," Situ Po murmured.

"No, you didn't lose. It was just a moment of wavering, a difference of one step. It doesn't define everything," Yue Bingying consoled him.

"A loss is a loss. Even if time reversed and I had the chance to challenge him again, I wouldn't succeed," Situ Po replied in a hushed tone. This defeat marked a first in his life.

Yue Bingying shuddered. She turned her gaze to Qin Wentian below the Stele. Situ Po had been defeated by him. While the rumors of his exceptional talent and approval from all thirty-six halls hadn't fazed her earlier, today Qin Wentian had shattered her pride—Situ Po.

It was the first time Yue Bingying heard Situ Po concede defeat on his own.

"Situ Po, this is just one defeat. It can't be everything. Your talent guarantees you'll surpass him in the future. Don't let this cast a shadow on your spirit," Yue Bingying pleaded, fearing Situ Po would be negatively affected.

"Don't worry, I won't surrender easily." A glint of determination pierced the air as Situ Po's eyes remained fixed on Qin Wentian's silhouette.

"His resolve and self-belief are even greater than mine. I don't mind getting expelled from the Unmatched Realm, but Qin Wentian must die," Situ Po whispered, his face stern, an intense aura of murderous intent emanating from him.

Qin Wentian's impressiveness couldn't alter the fact that Situ Po still desired his demise, not in the slightest. In fact, it fueled Situ Po's determination to eliminate him. Qin Wentian had to be eliminated.

"But what about the eccentrics?" Yue Bingying worriedly interjected. With Qin Wentian standing atop the pinnacle, and the contest being orchestrated by the eccentrics of the Unmatched Realm, it was almost certain that some of these extraordinary individuals would be present. If Situ Po made an attempt on Qin Wentian's life now, the eccentrics wouldn't stand by and allow it.

"I understand. Let me recover first," Situ Po stated, shutting his eyes to focus on his healing. Despite the sting of defeat, his determination remained steadfast. He had reached the 26th step, just one step shy of the peak. He carried no regrets and harbored no seeds of doubt due to his loss. In fact, he was content with his gains. His strength had undergone a significant transformation—a positive outcome.

As long as Qin Wentian was eliminated, the events of today would be concluded. Any tarnishing of his reputation could be rectified in the future when he ventured to the Ancient Kingdom to vie for top spots on the Heavenly Fate Rankings.

By then, achieving a prominent position in the rankings would silence any doubts about his capabilities. As for Qin Wentian, his current experience was far more intricate than what others imagined. At this instant, his will was inexplicably being drawn into the Heavenly Stele.

"Could the Ancient Will of the Heavenly Stele possess its own intentions beyond influencing the will of those who seek it?" A sprawling empire materialized before his eyes—majestic, awe-inspiring. Yet, an unsettling shiver coursed through Qin Wentian as he recognized this place.

"Back when I glimpsed the fragmented memories of that little Astral-Being, I saw that old man bringing a woman out from this place. The scene then… is it the same as what I'm seeing now?" Qin Wentian pondered his past recollections, and his conviction grew stronger that this location was familiar. However... a sudden jolt surged through him.

Did that beautiful woman, the one his father had rescued, bear an uncanny resemblance to her?

With this thought, tumultuous emotions surged within Qin Wentian. What was the truth behind these revelations? How could this be...

Gazing upon the scene that lay before him, Qin Wentian marveled at the grandeur of the ancient empire that stretched out like a majestic canvas. Atop a grand flight of steps stood a figure—a vision of ethereal grace. The wind danced through her cascading locks as she brandished a longsword, an aura of unparalleled supremacy emanating from her very being. Her beauty radiated like polished jade, eclipsing even the most resplendent of earthly beauties that might stand beside her.

Nine imposing figures materialized, their auras unleashing a torrent that distorted the very air. As they appeared out of thin air, their attention fixated on the maiden.

"Princess, the Ancient Kingdom is no more. Grand Xia has been sundered into nine factions. There's no point resisting any longer," one of the nine men growled, his eyes betraying an unmistakable glint of greed.

Had Qin Wentian perused the ancient chronicles documenting the history of the Ancient Kingdom, he would recognize this maiden as the last princess of Grand Xia—Princess Tianyu. In the annals of history, she stood as the pinnacle of talent that Grand Xia had ever known, shrouded in legends and tales of her extraordinary abilities.

Speculations and rumors abounded regarding Princess Tianyu's fate. However, the majority veered towards the somber and sinister, imagining a tragic end for the princess. With her celestial beauty and unparalleled prowess, how could she have survived unscathed at the hands of these nine men? A grim fate seemed inevitable.

For scholars who delved into the history of Grand Xia, each encounter with this tale bore a profound sense of heartache. Now, though, Qin Wentian stood firsthand amidst the very tableau that had been etched in those chronicles—an unfolding of history before his very eyes.