Domineering Overkill

Domineering Overkill...

Ninth level of Yuanfu.

Contrary to everyone's assumptions, Qin Wentian's cultivation base didn't stagnate at the eighth level; he had ascended to the ninth level.

While Chen Wang and Si Qiong had concealed their true might during their battles with Zhan Chen, Qin Wentian had chosen to mask his actual strength. It was only now, as the final curtains were about to descend on the ranking battle, that he revealed his true level.

The spectators now realized that none of the earlier contestants had possessed the caliber to compel Chen Wang and Si Qiong to unleash their full prowess, just as none had warranted Qin Wentian to engage at the ninth level of Yuanfu.

In this moment of revelation, onlookers couldn't help but recall Qin Wentian's audacious confidence when he had faced Emperor Azure, boldly claiming he could defeat him within ten breaths. The reason for his unwavering arrogance was now evident – he had been aware of his true ninth-level cultivation all along, not the eighth.

"When did he reach the ninth level?"

Puzzled and bewildered expressions adorned the faces of the audience. At the onset of the ranking battle, Qin Wentian was unmistakably at the seventh level of Yuanfu. After enduring confinement in the cave by Chen Wang, he emerged having reached the eighth level. It appeared to be a simple progression. Yet, when had he broken through to the ninth level?

Moreover, considering the relatively short time frame from the battle's commencement until now, Qin Wentian's advancement by two levels raised perplexing questions. While the ranking battle had brought notable transformations to all participants, Qin Wentian's transformation was nothing short of extraordinary.

Mo Qingcheng and Bai Qing stood side by side. Bai Qing had discarded her black robes, revealing her impeccable figure. Spectators couldn't help but wonder why such a charming young lady had chosen to delve into the dark arts.

"Wentian gege is truly amazing, reaching the ninth level of Yuanfu," Bai Qing exclaimed in admiration.

A grin spread across Mo Qingcheng's face as she declared, "He made a promise to me, you know? He vowed to defeat Zhan Chen. I have no doubt he'll keep his word." Her confidence radiated, bolstered by her trust in Qin Wentian. She mused that her limit-break pellets had indeed served a purpose. If Qin Wentian vanquished Zhan Chen, her Master would have no reason to oppose their relationship any longer.

The members of the White Deer Institute exchanged sighs of astonishment. None of them had anticipated that Qin Wentian would ascend to such heights in so short a time. Now, he stood just one step away from fulfilling their request.

Zhan Chen might possess a secret technique, but could it be enough to contend with a Qin Wentian who now wielded the might of the ninth level of Yuanfu? Strangely, hardly anyone considered the possibility that Zhan Chen might win. An overwhelming majority firmly believed that Qin Wentian would emerge victorious.

Their confidence was well-founded. In all his previous battles, Qin Wentian had deliberately suppressed his power to the eighth level of Yuanfu, yet he had emerged victorious with astonishing ease. Now that he unleashed his true potential, showcasing his ninth-level cultivation, the prospect of his opponent possessing a secret technique seemed trivial. Nobody could forget how relentlessly dominant Qin Wentian had been even when he was only an eighth-level Yuanfu cultivator.

"Do you even have the audacity to challenge me, Zhan Chen?" Qin Wentian's voice dripped with icy resolve as he continued, "Back when you were at the pinnacle of Yuanfu, I was just a novice at the early stages. You're unworthy of sharing the same stage as me."

Zhan Chen's visage stiffened, and he found himself without words. How had Qin Wentian accomplished this feat? How had he ascended to the ninth level of Yuanfu? Zhan Chen felt an intense pressure bearing down on him. The prospect of losing to Qin Wentian gnawed at his pride, threatening his honor and reputation.

His sole aim was to annihilate Qin Wentian on the arena platform.

Chen Wang was similarly perplexed. According to his recollection, Qin Wentian's cultivation had remained at the seventh level of Yuanfu.

"When did you break through to the ninth level of Yuanfu?" Chen Wang inquired, his tone cold. Qin Wentian cast a knowing glance at him, his eyes shimmering with a sinister gleam as he replied, "It's all thanks to you driving me into a corner. If it weren't for that, I doubt I would have reached the ninth level so swiftly."

In the world of formations, Chen Wang had relentlessly pursued Qin Wentian, determined to end his life. He had cornered Qin Wentian, forcing him into a cave. Meanwhile, Hua Feng, Yang Fan, and others had attempted to humiliate him from the outside, even dragging Mo Qingcheng's name into their taunts. In that moment, Qin Wentian's fury had soared to the heavens. Driven by his rage, he had no use for the limit-break pellet he had initially planned to consume. His Yuanfu receptacles had expanded spontaneously, propelling him to break through to the eighth level naturally.

Hence, the limit-break pellet remained unused. Qin Wentian had achieved the eighth level of Yuanfu entirely by his own means.

Afterward, he had burst out of the cave in a blaze of anger, his fury a conflagration that seemed capable of setting the heavens ablaze. His only desire was to employ the most ruthless methods at his disposal to exact vengeance on Hua Feng and the others.

The moment when Qin Wentian broke through to the ninth level was during his encounter with the legacy of the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation Art. His initial intent was to master it and then pass it down to a destined successor. It was during this period that he consumed the limit-break pellet, propelling him into the ninth level of Yuanfu.

Qin Wentian chose to remain silent in response to Chen Wang's inquiry. His gaze lingered on Chen Wang for a fleeting moment before he spoke with an icy edge, "I hope that you, who boast of being 'number one,' can uphold that title until the very end of this ranking battle. Otherwise, where will you hide your face, especially with all of Grand Xia watching today?"

Chen Wang's expression twisted with disdain. Qin Wentian's ninth-level cultivation held no significance for him. In his eyes, true strength was what mattered. He retorted, "Conquer Zhan Chen first before indulging in daydreams. Whether you hide your cultivation or not makes no difference to me."

With a cold laugh, Chen Wang descended from the arena platform, the toll of his earlier battle against Si Qiong evident in his wearied demeanor. His Yuanfu's Astral Energy had been nearly exhausted.

Si Qiong, too, departed from the stage in a similar fashion, flicking his sleeves as he left.

Now, only two contenders remained on the resplendent stage: Zhan Chen and Qin Wentian.

Would this battle conclude the Heavenly Fate Rankings? If Zhan Chen emerged victorious, there would be no need for Qin Wentian to continue fighting.

Initially, before Qin Wentian had unveiled his ninth-level cultivation, spectators had anticipated this to be the final showdown. But now, their hearts surged with renewed excitement and anticipation.

"Why are you lingering? Don't waste my time," Qin Wentian taunted Zhan Chen, his readiness for battle palpable.

A golden armor enveloped Zhan Chen as he mumbled an incantation with his eyes tightly shut, invoking the Will of the Ancients.

A powerful gust of wind swept through the arena, and a pair of wings materialized on Qin Wentian's back. He moved with lightning speed, vanishing from sight only to reappear right before Zhan Chen.

With a thunderous clap of his palms, the entire space quaked. Ferocious dragon roars resonated, and dragon palm imprints materialized, hurtling toward Zhan Chen. Zhan Chen's eyes snapped open, slashing the dragons with a sword held in his hand, emanating an aura of incredible sharpness.

"BOOM!"

Yet, the force behind the imprints pressed on relentlessly, sending Zhan Chen hurtling through the air. He coughed up blood, his face drained of color.

It was a display of sheer dominance, a manifestation of absolute power.

Qin Wentian's attack was a fusion of his ninth-level Yuanfu cultivation base, bolstered by the strength derived from his Mandate of Force and the Mandate of Demons. Its sheer might had reached unimaginable levels.

Zhan Chen, on the other hand, couldn't withstand the impact and spewed out a mouthful of blood.

"You…" Zhan Chen hovered in mid-air, his eyes brimming with simmering rage, his face pallid as he glared at Qin Wentian.

"What? Did you expect me to just stand here like a statue and let you strike me?" Qin Wentian's eyes gleamed with a potent killing intent that seemed to cut through the very air. The message was crystal clear: This battle was a fight to the death.

As his words echoed, Qin Wentian's figure vanished once again. A radiant light glowed from his forehead, the terrifying will of his Mandate surging forth. Zhan Chen's body turned golden as a ruthless light flickered in his eyes. He closed his eyes, drawing upon a source of power that did not belong to him.

"No matter what secret arts you possess, victory in this battle is no longer within your grasp," a voice quietly penetrated Zhan Chen's consciousness. In that moment, it was as if Zhan Chen could visualize Qin Wentian lunging at him ferociously. He reacted instantly, slashing his sword through the air.

But before his blade could reach its target, Qin Wentian multiplied into a million shadowy figures that swarmed and assaulted him. Zhan Chen danced with his sword in intricate patterns, defending and striking down each illusion of Qin Wentian one by one. With each passing second, his aura seemed to grow more formidable.

Yet, the entire crowd wasn't focused on Zhan Chen at all. All eyes were fixed on Qin Wentian.

Why? Because Zhan Chen's sword movements were no longer graceful and deadly; instead, they were wildly erratic, akin to a circus clown clumsily performing antics to amuse the audience. Qin Wentian, on the other hand, stood to the side with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

The spectacle unfolding before them was surreal. Was this truly a battle between Zhan Chen and Qin Wentian?

It felt more like they were watching a comedy show rather than a fierce duel.

"Once your heart wavers, how can your Mandates' will remain unshaken? How can you distinguish reality from the illusion you create?" Qin Wentian murmured, his eyes locked on Zhan Chen. Zhan Chen was undoubtedly powerful, but fear had already taken root in his heart upon learning of Qin Wentian's ninth-level Yuanfu cultivation. The second-level Mandate of Dreams from Qin Wentian made Zhan Chen perceive everything as real, a reality within his own dreams.

Much like when he faced Shi Potian, Qin Wentian infuriated him with his lightning-fast attacks, kindling his rage. He then silently employed his Mandate, watching as Shi Potian exhausted his strength. With but a thought, Qin Wentian could plunge his opponents into a dream, where their imaginations fueled his power. The Mandate of Dreams surpassed the Mandate of Illusions in strength, making it incomparably tyrannical. He ensnared his adversaries within their own imaginative realities, rendering them helpless.

A powerful gust of wind kicked up as Qin Wentian's figure vanished again. Just as Zhan Chen's sword struck, a sense of dread washed over him, and fear flashed in his eyes.

"Your life is mine to claim," Qin Wentian declared coldly. He unleashed a fierce punch, the force shaking the entire space. The crowd watched in awe as a deafening explosion resounded, and with his overwhelming, unparalleled strength, Qin Wentian annihilated everything, disintegrating Zhan Chen's body, and even his head from within.

Qin Wentian had fulfilled his promise; he had reaped Zhan Chen's life.

In the Heavenly Fate Rankings battle, before the eyes of the spectators, a Heaven's Chosen from the Pill Emperor Hall met his demise at the hands of Qin Wentian.

The scene was too intense for the onlookers, and their hearts raced, reaching a fevered pitch.

At the spot where Zhan Chen had fallen, a round golden bead emitting radiant beams of light appeared. Qin Wentian's eyes gleamed with icy determination as he reached out, forcibly binding the bead with his overwhelming force.

Buzzing violently, the golden bead struggled to break free. Qin Wentian snorted coldly, showing no hesitation. He had already sensed that something was amiss with this bead. Thankfully, Zhan Chen had abandoned the inheritance, or else he might have been ensnared.

"Shatter!" Qin Wentian declared, his finger descending. A bloodcurdling scream pierced the air, and in an instant, the golden bead shattered, vanishing completely.

The spectators, even the most powerful among them, were left stunned. The golden bead had emitted signs of life. Qin Wentian had sensed it, which was why he acted decisively to destroy it.

This young man's ruthlessness and decisiveness were truly terrifying. He had long harbored a grudge against Zhan Chen, and in his heart, Zhan Chen had to die. No matter the consequences, no matter if it would haunt him later, he remained unwavering. He only knew that Zhan Chen had to die.

So he killed him.