An Exceedingly Arrogant Power

An Exceedingly Arrogant Power

Qin Wentian slowly turned and laid his eyes upon those familiar silhouettes.

He looked towards Teacher Mustang, Senior Sister Luo Huan, Ouyang Kuangsheng, Fan Le, Chu Mang, Mo Qingcheng, and Bai Qing. A radiant smile gleamed in his eyes; he had accomplished what he had set out to do.

"HAHA, INCREDIBLE!" A robust voice resounded with laughter, and Ouyang Kuangsheng shot up into the air, making a beeline for the Vermilion Bird arena platform. "First in the Heavenly Fate Rankings! I'm too embarrassed by my own ranking."

Chu Mang, Fan Le, Mo Qingcheng, and the others also ascended the arena platform.

With the Heavenly Fate Rankings now concluded, the rules restricting non-combatants from entering the platform had naturally been lifted.

Bailu Jing and Bailu Yi joined the gathering, standing on the sidelines as they observed the jubilation on the platform. Bailu Yi couldn't help but smile as she watched Qin Wentian embrace Mo Qingcheng. She genuinely wished them all the happiness in the world.

"Boss, that battle was incredible! It wiped away all our pent-up frustrations. I feel so satisfied just looking at their faces! HAHAHA!" Fan Le wore an ear-to-ear grin. Qin Wentian gazed at his friends surrounding him, his heart brimming with emotion.

He knew that by attaining the top spot, he had offended numerous individuals from transcendent powers. Yet, his friends stood by him on this stage, celebrating his victory together. Their message was clear: they were willing to stand with him, no matter the consequences.

"Junior Brother, your luck with the ladies isn't half bad," Luo Huan teased, casting a playful glance at the beautiful women around Qin Wentian.

Mo Qingcheng, Bai Qing, and Yun Mengyi were all there. Qin Wentian rolled his eyes helplessly, knowing Luo Huan had a knack for making such jokes. Little Rascal, who had been in her arms, suddenly transformed into a white streak of light and leaped into Qin Wentian's embrace, nuzzling against his chest. Then, with an air of pride, it stared at the Purgatory Vermilion Bird above Qin Wentian's head and growled, as if asserting its dominance.

The Purgatory Vermilion Bird responded with a shrill screech, swooping down and enveloping Qin Wentian in its wings, as if vying for his attention. Laughter erupted from those watching the playful scene.

Qin Wentian's two demonic beasts seemed to be competing for his affection.

Below, the spectators gazed at the young man standing on the stage, their hearts filled with warm anticipation.

They were well aware of the challenges that awaited Qin Wentian in the future. However, people were always drawn to the concept of heroes, the idea of a solitary individual standing against the world. Despite the odds, they couldn't help but wish for Qin Wentian's success and had faith in his ability to overcome any obstacle.

Moreover, it had been a long time since they had witnessed such a heartwarming scene. The once-violent and merciless young man had shown a gentle side, surrounded by friends who were willing to stand by him, even at the risk of their lives.

In the direction of the Mystic Maiden Palace, Xuan Xin was on the verge of rushing over but was restrained by Xuan Yan, who asked, "What are you doing?"

"I want to offer my congratulations too," Xuan Xin replied, turning her head.

"Do you even grasp the situation right now?" Xuan Yan scolded her junior sister. Xuan Xin sometimes seemed too impulsive. The top-ranked contender this time wasn't from the seven grand clans and didn't belong to any transcendent power. Such an outcome was unprecedented. Moreover, considering the number of people Qin Wentian had offended, it was unclear what might happen to him.

"Yeah, I understand, but he's Fan Le's brother. It's something I should do," Xuan Xin said with a smile, shaking off Xuan Yan's grip before dashing towards the arena platform. Her sudden move caught Xuan Yan off guard. As Xuan Yan looked at the figures on the stage, her gaze inadvertently landed on Chu Mang, causing her heart to flutter and her thoughts to become somewhat chaotic.

"Nonsense," scolded her master from the Mystic Maiden Palace. "Xuan Xin, come back here immediately."

On the arena platform, Qin Wentian and the others heard the voice. They turned to see Xuan Xin already at the platform's boundary, facing her master with a mischievous expression. She then turned her gaze towards Qin Wentian and said, "Congratulations on taking first place. It seems you're even more formidable than a certain someone."

"My loss was just a fluke," Fan Le chuckled. He knew that Xuan Xin was referring to him.

"Exactly," Xuan Xin grinned mischievously. Qin Wentian looked in the direction of the Mystic Maiden Palace and said in a low voice, "Xuan Xin, you should return now."

He understood Xuan Xin's intentions, and he knew Fan Le was truly fortunate to have found such a girlfriend.

"Got it," Xuan Xin replied, making a face. She was naturally displeased with her sect's attitude.

"Qingcheng, you should come back too."

In the direction of the Pill Emperor Hall, Luo He spoke quietly, her gaze fixed on Mo Qingcheng.

Mo Qingcheng met her gaze steadily. "Master, remember what you promised me?"

She referred to Luo He's personal promise that as long as Qin Wentian defeated Zhan Chen, she wouldn't interfere in Mo Qingcheng and Qin Wentian's relationship.

"Yes, I did promise you. Did you think I would break my word to you?" Luo He's tone was cold, but Mo Qingcheng still hesitated.

She naturally wanted to stay with Qin Wentian, but her master, Luo He, had treated her well. It seemed that Luo He wasn't trying to restrict her; she was simply asking her disciple to return with her.

"Qingcheng, you should go back with her," Qin Wentian said as he held Mo Qingcheng's hand. He spoke in a low voice.

If the Pill Emperor Hall genuinely intended to stop them, he currently didn't have the power to resist. However, for the sake of Mo Qingcheng, he didn't mind mending his relationship with the Pill Emperor Hall. After all, Zhan Chen alone couldn't represent the entire Pill Emperor Hall.

The animosity between him and Zhan Chen had escalated to an unbearable level, which led him to kill Zhan Chen without hesitation.

Mo Qingcheng nodded gently, her eyes fixed on Qin Wentian. He smiled warmly at her and nodded, encouraging her to go ahead. "Go back first."

Qin Wentian was willing to take a step back for Mo Qingcheng. However, if the Pill Emperor Hall broke their promise to Mo Qingcheng in any way, he would not hesitate to destroy the Pill Emperor Hall to reunite with her.

He hoped it wouldn't come to that. After all, he had no grievances with Mo Qingcheng's master, Luo He.

Mo Qingcheng reluctantly withdrew her fingers from Qin Wentian's hand and walked back towards the direction of the Pill Emperor Hall.

"We're leaving," Luo He declared, and with a flick of her sleeves, the members of the Pill Emperor Hall mounted their demonic beasts and departed.

Mo Qingcheng turned to look at Qin Wentian. Her eyes were filled with a profound reluctance to part from him.

"After this matter is settled, I will visit the Moon Continent," Qin Wentian transmitted his words to Mo Qingcheng. She nodded, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

They had finally reunited after a long separation, only to be separated again.

Qin Wentian also felt an immense discomfort in his heart. He could only blame his lack of strength. If he had been the top-ranked contender in the Heavenly Dipper Rankings, no one from the Pill Emperor Hall would have dared to stop him, even if he blatantly ignored Luo He and took Mo Qingcheng away.

However, now that Mo Qingcheng had left, it might be for the best. After all, Qin Wentian had no idea what the near future held.

"It's better that she left. Her presence here would only complicate matters. Don't underestimate the transcendent powers. I doubt things will go smoothly between you and her," Yun Mengyi said to Qin Wentian as she walked over. She spoke in a hushed voice. "The Pill Emperor Hall probably believes that you won't survive what's coming. They expect you won't make it past today."

Qin Wentian's expression stiffened, but he couldn't deny the truth in Yun Mengyi's words. After all, he had killed several geniuses from other transcendent powers. How could they simply let him go? Though Yun Mengyi exuded an air of mystery, he had to admit that she was level-headed and composed in her thinking. It was as if the world could crumble around her, yet her heart would remain calm and resolute.

"The Heavenly Fate Rankings have concluded. The Ancient Kingdom will be closed to all except for the ranked individuals. You can continue your pilgrimage here," an announcement declared.

At this moment, a voice descended from the skies but as to who it belonged to, nobody could tell.

The voice caused the hearts of Qin Wentian and the rest to pound slightly. The owner of that voice should have belonged to the group of power Si Qiong was from. These people were still eyeing the secret arts hidden within the formation world.

"For us, by participating in the ranking battle, we have already obtained the ancient legacies of Grand Xia. Now that the rankings are concluded, we no longer have the desire to stay in the Ancient Kingdom," A person calmly spoke—this person was none other than Qin Zheng. He could feel the sinister intent from those people belonging to the ancient kingdom.

If they still stayed here now, wouldn't they be slaughtered at will? Their legacies forcibly stolen away.

"This is a custom of Grand Xia, how can we ignore it?" That voice was suddenly infused with a cold tyranny, as it boomed out in the atmosphere yet again.

"I believe we have our own will and freedom," Qin Zheng quietly replied.

"Obtaining the ancient legacies of Ancient Grand Xia, yet unwilling to continue with the pilgrimage. What are your intentions?" That voice now contained an immense surge of pressure. Those from the Great Solar Chen Clan wore sinister smiles on their faces, adding, "This is a tradition that's lasted throughout the ages, no one can defy it."

The expressions on Qin Wentian and the others all stiffened. These people had failed once when they wanted to exchange the nine ultimate arts of Grand Xia for their legacies found through the ancient luck. Now that they were forcing them to stay behind, surely they didn't have good intentions.

"This is an ironclad tradition of Ancient Grand Xia. You guys had better follow through with it." Those from the Hua Clan grinned.

"Follow through with it," The Wang Clan echoed.

Those who were from the seven grand clans of Ancient Grand Xia, definitely had prior connections with the power behind Si Qiong.

In fact, Qin Wentian even suspected that this mysterious remnant from the ancient kingdom was involved in the rebellion that happened thousands of years ago. After all, history was written by the hands of the victor, no one could say for sure what was true and what was false.

"If you will not respect the tradition, please forsake your legacies and get lost from here." That cold voice blasted out once more, bent on achieving its objective.

"If you guys are truly people from the ancient kingdom, why do you have a need to hide your faces? Why do you not dare come out in the open?" Qin Wentian inclined his head and stared at the air around him, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light.

As the sound of his voice faded, a row of figures appeared in the air with such speed it was as though they'd teleported.

These group of new arrivals were all extraordinary—they all exuded an aura that didn't lose out in the least to the transcendent power leaders presently overseeing their respective groups for this expedition.

Their gazes were all filled with murderous intent, as sharp as unsheathed swords as they stared upon Qin Wentian and the rest on the platform.

"Which transcendent power do you belong to?" In the lead, there was a middle-aged man clad in golden robes. His gaze was directly riveted onto Qin Wentian as he enquired.

"None," Qin Wentian replied.

"Fine then. Since you've acquired one of the legacies, this means that you are also a child of destiny. I will grant you the chance to join us. We will definitely nurture you all the way and accomplish your every desire. How about it?" The golden robed man spoke as though with great concern for them. "I shall bestow the same opportunity to those who have acquired legacies as well."

How arrogant did they sound? Bestowing them this opportunity, the chance to join them? Didn't the legends state that only an extremely weak branch of Ancient Emperor's bloodline remained? The attitude these people were displaying hardly seemed to fit such an image. And evidently, the newly arrived group seemed to belong to a power that surpassed even the transcendent powers—at the very least, they were superior in their exceedingly arrogant attitudes!