Where did your courage come from?

Where did your courage come from?...

Witnessing Xuan Yan's vermilion bird devouring the ancient luck, Chen Wang seethed with impotent rage, realizing he was too late to prevent it. A cruel glint appeared in his eyes as he slammed his palms into Xuan Yan, causing her robes to be reduced to tatters as she fell heavily to the ground, coughing up fresh blood.

"Do you truly want to die?" Chen Wang's voice was ice-cold, incredulous that someone would dare thwart his plans.

"Chen Wang, Hua Taixu isn't among this group, and you're already the strongest of us. Yet, to threaten Qin Wentian, you resort to such a despicable method. Do you have no shame?" Xuan Yan coldly retorted, her eyes unwavering.

"I want to kill him by any means necessary. No one can stop me. I will make him pay for his life," Chen Wang declared venomously, his determination unwavering. He couldn't ignore the humiliation of being injured by Qin Wentian in front of countless onlookers. Qin Wentian had hidden in a cave, inscribing fourth-ranked inscriptions for protection. Rushing in recklessly would be foolish. So, he aimed to capture Chu Mang and the others to force Qin Wentian out. To Chen Wang, this was merely a means to an end.

"You will pay the price for interfering with my plans," Chen Wang sneered, turning his attention to Yao Jun. "If you help me accomplish a task, her ancient luck is yours for the taking. And if we cross paths during the ranking battle, I won't hinder you."

Yao Jun's eyes glittered with a demonic light as he considered Chen Wang's offer.

"Fine," Yao Jun agreed.

Chen Wang then shared Qin Wentian's location and instructed Yao Jun. Afterward, he departed to locate Fan Le and Ouyang Kuangsheng.

Since Qin Wentian and Xuan Yan weren't well-acquainted, Chen Wang wasn't certain he could use her to draw out Qin Wentian. Thus, he decided not to waste time and tasked Yao Jun with the mission.

Chen Wang believed that once Yao Jun had given his word, he wouldn't dare backtrack. Otherwise, if they met again, Chen Wang would ensure Yao Jun met a gruesome end.

This was the confidence that came naturally to those secure in their strength. Even the formidable Yao Jun submitted.

However, Yao Jun's swift acceptance hinted that he had his own motives. Once Chen Wang left, Yao Jun's gaze lingered on Xuan Yan, his eyes coveting her exposed skin, as he advanced toward her.

Though Xuan Yan radiated cold intent, Yao Jun abruptly silenced her attempts to resist with a single statement. "Mystic Maiden Palace women possess pure jade-like bodies, perfect for our Skydemon sect's dual cultivation. If you dare resist, I wouldn't mind giving you a lesson."

"You..." Xuan Yan paled upon hearing Yao Jun's words. He continued icily, "If you obey and cooperate, I won't violate you."

With that, Yao Jun encircled Xuan Yan's waist. She shuddered involuntarily in disgust at his touch but made no move to resist. Yao Jun then carried her into the sky, making his way to Qin Wentian's location.

In the outside world, the members of the Mystic Maiden Palace burned with cold fury. Xuan Yan, a core member and Heaven's Chosen of their sect, had suffered unspeakable humiliation. How could they let this stand?

"That girl is truly foolish," a female disciple from the Mystic Maiden Palace grumbled in front of Xuan Xin. Xuan Yan had chosen to sacrifice herself because of Chu Mang.

"Senior Xuan Yan acted rashly, disregarding that she represents the prestige of our Mystic Maiden Palace," Li Shiyu chastised.

"But Big Bro Chu Mang helped Senior Sister Xuan Yan in the first place, so she's only repaying a debt of gratitude," Xuan Xin defended Xuan Yan. However, the female disciple in front sharply retorted, "Keep your naive opinions to yourself."

Xuan Xin suppressed her displeasure, her lips twitching in silence. Finally, after much struggle, Chu Mang was expelled from the formation world by the spatial laws within. He stood amidst the crowd, and people instinctively made way for him, a mix of respect and fear in their eyes. Chu Mang, a cultivator who had comprehended a second-level Mandate in Yuanfu, was on par with Yao Jun. He undoubtedly belonged in the top fifteen of the Heavenly Fate Rankings.

Despite being indirectly eliminated due to Chen Wang's actions, Chu Mang had proven his capabilities. However, he had no interest in rankings. Right now, his eyes burned with anger as he surveyed the scene within the formation world.

"Chen Wang, Yao Jun," Chu Mang seethed with rage. The sight of Xuan Yan being mistreated for his sake filled him with regret and agony. He longed to charge into the formation and confront Yao Jun.

Inside the cave dwelling, Qin Wentian continued to cultivate. Despite his boiling rage, he knew he had to endure. His Mandate of Demons had reached the second level, initiating a second-degree demonic transformation. Qin Wentian could feel another layer of invisible shackles on his bloodline breaking apart. His blood surged with exhilaration, coursing through his body's meridians and arteries, singing with newfound power.

However, he sensed a remaining barrier hindering his bloodline's full awakening. He believed that, with further strength, this barrier would crumble, allowing his ancient primordial bloodline to fully emerge.

Outside, Yang Fan, Hua Feng, and Situ Po stood guard, their patience waning. They hadn't anticipated Qin Wentian's level of resilience. Despite their efforts to humiliate and provoke him, he remained inside the cave. Yet, they couldn't fault his intelligence. With the three of them waiting, emerging from the cave would surely mean his death. It was the only rational choice.

Regarding the plundering of ancient luck, Yang Fan and his companions were relatively indifferent. In a contest filled with formidable competitors, their primary goal was to secure a spot within the top ten. That, to them, would be a significant achievement.

Hua Feng hadn't given it much thought; all he craved was to kill Qin Wentian and release the pent-up frustration he'd been holding onto.

"Qin Wentian, are you planning to hide in there while your friend meets his end at our hands? Will you only emerge then?" Hua Feng declared coldly as he advanced toward the cave entrance. He continued in a hushed tone, "The moment Chen Wang arrives, I will inform him about your connection with Mo Qingcheng. You know, she's perceived as pure and saint-like. How do you think she'll react when Chen Wang violates her, all while the audience watches?"

An ominous surge of demonic qi erupted, and Hua Feng quickly retreated, a victorious smile gracing his lips. Every mention of Mo Qingcheng seemed to shatter Qin Wentian's concentration. This was his vulnerability, and Hua Feng planned to exploit it further, hoping to induce cultivation deviations. His intention was to continue uttering vicious words at intervals to keep Qin Wentian off balance.

At that moment, two figures flew into view – Yao Jun and the captive Xuan Yan.

Yang Fan and the others exchanged puzzled glances. Yao Jun cast a cold glance their way before coldly announcing, "Chen Wang tasked me with bringing this woman here. Originally, he intended to capture Chu Mang, but this woman disrupted his plans, devouring Chu Mang's ancient luck and causing him to exit the formation world. She must have a close relationship with Chu Mang, and now that he's outside, he'll witness everything happening here."

"I see," Hua Feng said, his eyes fixated on Xuan Yan as he chuckled. "Well, well, isn't this Xuan Yan, the Mystic Maiden Palace's Heaven's Chosen? Pure and unsullied? Look at her flawless skin, how enticing. Xuan Yan, tell us the truth, are you secretly involved with Chu Mang? Are you even still a virgin?"

"You shameless scoundrel!" Xuan Yan retorted icily when she noticed Hua Feng's lecherous gaze.

"Shameless?" A sinister gleam flickered in Hua Feng's eyes. "I'll show you what true shamelessness is. Qin Wentian refuses to show himself despite all our efforts. But I wonder, would he be sufficiently enraged to come out if we assault you right here? Perhaps he might even wish to partake in the 'festivities.'"

As Hua Feng's words lingered, a powerful surge of demonic qi erupted from the cave. The demonic energy swept over them like a tempest, and the chilling gust it carried seemed to penetrate their very bones.

"Tak, tak, tak..." The sound of light footsteps resonated from within the cave. Their eyes pivoted toward the entrance, each pair fixated on the cave's gaping maw.

Had Qin Wentian's patience finally reached its limit?

Hua Feng's smile broadened with satisfaction as he laughed. "Looks like my method is the most effective after all."

Yang Fan's eyes gleamed with a chilling resolve, and Situ Po's fist clenched in anticipation. Was the moment they had been waiting for finally here? They all yearned for Qin Wentian's demise.

A figure emerged from the cave, drawing the spectators' attention. Qin Wentian's form had grown taller and more imposing, resembling something beyond human. The demonic gleam in his eyes sent shivers down the spines of those who gazed upon him. He stood there like a demon lord, surpassing even the disciples of the Skydemon Sect in his mastery of demonification.

Despite his outward calmness, those familiar with Qin Wentian knew it was merely the calm before a storm, the serenity that masked an inner rage pushed beyond its limits.

"Qin Wentian, I require the demonic cultivation art you're practicing. Should you refuse, don't blame me for following Hua Feng's advice and stripping this woman's clothes off, piece by piece," Yao Jun declared coldly, motivated by his pact with Chen Wang. He coveted the formidable demonic cultivation art Qin Wentian possessed, having learned that Qin Wentian was cultivating an incredibly potent demon-oriented technique. Such an art would undoubtedly be ideal for the Skydemon Sect. Yao Jun had secretly hoped Qin Wentian wouldn't be eliminated too soon from the ranking battle, all because of his desire for that cultivation technique.

Qin Wentian cast a measured look at Yao Jun, a single glance enough to send shivers down Yao Jun's spine. Then, he shifted his gaze to Hua Feng and finally broke his silence.

"You appear to have forgotten how Hua Xiaoyun met his end. I can assure you, your death will be far more gruesome than his." A sinister grin played on Qin Wentian's face as he advanced directly toward Hua Feng, paying no attention to the others.

Hua Feng and his companions watched Qin Wentian in astonishment. Where was this newfound confidence coming from?

Hua Feng's aura surged as he released his Astral Souls. Realizing Qin Wentian had already reached the eighth level of Yuanfu, he deemed it wise to proceed cautiously and go all out from the outset to eliminate him. He couldn't afford any mistakes during this operation.

Meanwhile, Yang Fan and Situ Po remained motionless, choosing instead to wait and observe, keen to witness the extent of Qin Wentian's strength.

And as for Hua Feng? What significance did he hold to them?

Suddenly, Qin Wentian's third eye erupted in a radiant burst of light. Hua Feng experienced an agonizing pain in his mind, as if an ancient, primordial demon sought to tear apart his sea of consciousness. The pain was so excruciating that he broke out in an instant, drenched in cold sweat.

"Boom!"

A tremendous surge of intangible energy shot toward him. Hua Feng howled in agony and retaliated with his own palms, shaping the unleashed energy into a black palm imprint aimed at Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian's palm descended, resembling that of an ancient primordial demon, causing a colossal palm imprint to fall from the heavens. With a deafening explosion, the black palm imprint shattered instantly, dissipating into the air. Hua Feng paled and hastily raised his arms to defend himself, but in that moment when the ancient primordial palm struck down, Hua Feng was ruthlessly driven into the ground, triggering violent tremors in the earth beneath.

Gazing up, Hua Feng saw Qin Wentian slowly advancing toward him, his eyes filled with disdain as he looked down upon Hua Feng.

"I wonder, where did a worthless person like you find the courage?" Qin Wentian resembled a demon overlord, peering down at Hua Feng. In a single, swift motion, he violently tore one of Hua Feng's arms from his shoulder and flung it high into the air. This spectacle made the spectators' hearts race wildly, yet a surge of wild excitement coursed through them.

This was precisely what they had come for. This was the spectacle they had yearned to witness!