Gathering of the Divine Stele Remnants

Gathering of the Divine Stele Remnants...

Old Man Tianji and the leaders from the various transcendent powers chose not to intervene, as if they were disinterested bystanders in this unfolding drama.

This situation left the contenders bewildered, sparking a surge of speculation. Just who were these mysterious figures?

Wasn't the ancient kingdom completely annihilated? Weren't the remnants of the ancient kingdom supposed to be exceedingly feeble? It seemed that the narrative everyone had been fed was a mix of half-truths and half-lies.

According to the tale, several thousand years ago, Grand Xia's ancient kingdom had been overwhelmingly dominant, surpassing even the combined might of today's transcendent powers. The rebellion had exacted a heavy toll, claiming the lives of countless powerful individuals on both sides. Eventually, only the nine major powers emerged victorious, each taking control of one of the nine continents that once constituted a unified Grand Xia.

Yet, there was no concrete evidence to substantiate these historical accounts; after all, history is typically crafted by those who emerge victorious.

Qin Wentian and his companions exchanged knowing glances, a peculiar gleam in their eyes. It was clear that this mysterious group shared a deeper connection with the transcendent powers. Earlier, Chen Wang and the others had entertained the exchange offer, and they hadn't objected when Luo He took Mo Qingcheng away.

Mo Qingcheng was also among the contenders who had acquired a legacy!

Qin Wentian, Qin Zheng, Mu Feng, and Yun Mengyi had all been fortunate enough to obtain legacies through the ancient luck, and each legacy was a potent secret art of Ancient Grand Xia. However, none of them had any intention of agreeing to the exchange offer. It was evident that they would become prime targets once the ranking battle concluded.

In this moment, Qin Zheng and Mu Feng wore expressions of icy resolve. Clearly, they had no interest in accepting this invitation. Their talents made it possible for them to join any major power they desired, but for cultivators, it wasn't just about power; they sought to align themselves with a transcendent power that resonated with their ideals.

However, this middle-aged man's invitation felt more like a threat, a coercive display of dominance. No one could find happiness when faced with such a choice.

Furthermore, joining this enigmatic faction would likely mean surrendering control of their fates to this unknown power. Who knew what they might be subjected to in the future? These newcomers were skilled in soul-searching techniques, and they might easily go back on their promises, reducing their targets to mindless puppets.

Such humiliation was entirely unacceptable.

The contenders were also concerned that these individuals hailed from a power that vastly surpassed anything in Grand Xia. Even Old Man Tianji and the other transcendent powers remained silent, merely observing the unfolding events.

Qin Wentian, Yun Mengyi, Qin Zheng, and Mu Feng were united in their refusal. They would never willingly join this group.

The Purgatory Vermilion Bird hung in the air above Qin Wentian, emanating a furious, screeching rage. It comprehended the unfolding situation and recognized that these unknown intruders harbored malicious intentions.

"Vile beast," the golden-robed man sneered, flicking his finger, sending a brilliant beam of light streaking toward the Purgatory Vermilion Bird. The bird attempted to evade the attack but couldn't escape, resulting in a gaping hole cleanly piercing through its body, eliciting a miserable cry.

Despite its pain, the bird continued to flap its wings fervently, its eyes still radiating fury, refusing to yield.

Coldness swept across Qin Wentian's eyes as he floated upward, standing next to the injured Vermilion Bird and gently patting its feathers.

With a low cry, the Vermilion Bird used its wings to encircle Qin Wentian, its eyes showing a deep desire to escape this place with him.

The look in the bird's eyes tugged at Qin Wentian's heartstrings. He raised his head, anger simmering in his eyes, and asked, "Aren't you supposed to be from the ancient kingdom? This Vermilion Bird, born from ancient luck, is a symbol of Ancient Grand Xia. What do you mean by treating it this way?"

The golden-robed middle-aged man's arrogance flared as he replied, "Indeed, I am from the ancient kingdom. But this spirit, born from ancient luck and gaining a true body by devouring others, is just a vile beast. Yet, it dares to be so audacious? I simply taught it a lesson."

His actions served as a warning to Qin Wentian and the others. They held all the power, and if the ranking participants dared to show anger or resistance, they'd face the same fate as the Purgatory Vermilion Bird.

Qin Wentian grasped the unspoken threat and his eyes grew colder. The Vermilion Bird, its wings gently stroking his back, showed reluctance in its eyes, but also an unwavering resolve.

It had been born because of Qin Wentian, and now it would die for him.

It harbored no regrets, for this was its destiny.

"It's planning to sacrifice itself to summon the true soul of the Vermilion Bird Formation," Yun Mengyi's voice resonated directly into Qin Wentian's ears, her words unheard by anyone else.

"Stop," Qin Wentian commanded, his eyes locked with the Purgatory Vermilion Bird's. Even though the bird was reluctant to leave him, it understood that it had to.

"I forbid you to do this."

The Purgatory Vermilion Bird could distinctly feel the determination in Qin Wentian's heart, its eyes shimmering with unshed tears, visibly moved. It leaned forward, expressing a profound affection for him.

Qin Wentian's gaze shifted toward Yun Mengyi.

Yun Mengyi comprehended Qin Wentian's intentions and transmitted her thoughts, "You can summon the Divine Stele, as they contain the ancient will and can be used for attack. However, I can't be certain about the remaining strength of the ancient will. If you summon the fragmented pieces to reunite the Divine Stele, you might attract the attention of multiple transcendent powers."

Qin Wentian pondered for a moment. Since he had already provoked the transcendent powers, further offenses wouldn't matter. He was prepared to confront them all.

His gaze returned to the Purgatory Vermilion Bird, his eyes gleaming with determination.

How could he passively watch one of his companions sacrifice itself for him?

"Do you understand the potential benefits of summoning the true soul of the Vermilion Bird Formation as it reconstructs the formation world?" Yun Mengyi asked again, but Qin Wentian's determination remained unwavering.

"To me, you aren't just a being born from ancient luck—you are alive, you are my companion," Qin Wentian stated softly, gazing at the Vermilion Bird. "I won't allow you to sacrifice yourself."

Qin Wentian's eyes conveyed unwavering resolve as he looked up at the golden-robed man. "I don't believe you."

"I don't believe you."

Qin Wentian's voice resonated through the area, leaving the onlookers stunned. Qin Wentian was truly audacious.

"Senior, are you genuinely from the ancient kingdom? How can you prove it?" Qin Wentian inquired calmly.

"Proof? Do I need to prove myself to you?" The golden-robed man replied coldly.

"What if I can prove otherwise?" Qin Wentian locked eyes with the golden-robed man, exuding a compelling pressure that seemed to test the man's patience.

"How can you prove it?" Suddenly, a voice interjected. Qin Wentian discovered that the voice belonged to none other than Old Man Tianji.

A sharp glint appeared in the golden-robed man's eyes as he stared at Old Man Tianji. In response, Old Man Tianji merely said, "Let's see what he intends to do."

After a moment of silence, the golden-robed man turned his gaze back to Qin Wentian, wearing a sardonic smile. "Very well, I'll give you the chance. I'd like to see your proof."

This was the ancient kingdom of Grand Xia, not his territory. Besides, Old Man Tianji's involvement had complicated matters. Since he had requested it, the golden-robed man could only yield.

Gratitude flickered in Qin Wentian's eyes as he looked at Old Man Tianji. He hadn't expected anyone to come to his aid; it was truly unexpected.

Returning his attention to the golden-robed man, Qin Wentian's expression hardened with determination.

With a mere thought, four stone steles materialized before him: the Yellow Springs Monument and the three-sided Heavenly Stele he had acquired from the Heavenly Stele Steps. These were all part of the Divine Stele.

The four stone steles hovered in the air, sending shockwaves through the hearts of all who witnessed them.

"Aren't these...?" The golden-robed man's expression wavered as he gazed at the four levitating steles.

"Divine Stele," Old Man Tianji murmured, his eyes fixed on Qin Wentian. This young man had somehow acquired four pieces of the Divine Stele.

Qin Wentian began to chant an incantation, his voice transmuting into an ethereal energy, which flowed into the Divine Stele. Instantly, the four steles started vibrating intensely, emitting a spine-chilling resonance.

A profound ancient will permeated the surroundings.

"Bzzz!" The ancient will coalesced into a beam of light that shot skyward, piercing through the void and scanning the entirety of Grand Xia.

"What incredible power." The onlookers' hearts trembled as they sensed the immense might contained within that beam. Simultaneously, within the Venerate Heavens Sect on the Ginkou Continent, a stone stele trembled violently. It emitted a droning sound and resonated with the ancient will, as if obeying a summons.

"BOOOM!" A deafening explosion echoed as the stele soared into the sky, hurtling toward its point of summoning at a speed too swift for the naked eye to follow.

"What was that?" The members of the Venerate Heavens Sect saw nothing but a blazing trail streaking across the sky. The object's velocity was beyond belief.

Similar scenes unfolded in the Great Solar Chen Clan and the Shi Clan.

Furthermore, even on the distant Moon Continent, the Hua Clan and Pill Emperor Hall experienced identical occurrences. Two steles replicated the same scene, streaking with incredible speed toward the point of summoning.

In the ancient kingdom, countless spectators stared at the hovering steles above Qin Wentian's head. The golden-robed man's eyes gleamed with a sinister light, but he made no attempt to stop Qin Wentian. He allowed the young man to proceed with the re-fusion of the Divine Stele.

"An unexpected gift from the heavens," the golden-robed man sneered inwardly, planning to seize the Divine Stele the moment it manifested.

"Bzzz... Bzzz... Bzzz..." Three beams of light, in addition to Qin Wentian's original four pieces, began to merge, emitting a thunderous, awe-inspiring drone that echoed throughout the atmosphere.

"Isn't that a remnant from my Venerate Heavens Sect? They're fusing together," Old Man Tianji exclaimed, his hands trembling with excitement.

Indeed, the fragmented remnants of the Divine Stele were reuniting once more. Was this truly the work of fate?

Moments later, two more beams of light joined the amalgamation, and an intense, blinding radiance erupted.

"How fast!" Even those from the transcendent powers, who understood the situation, were astonished by the speed at which the steles were gathering.

"All the signs are converging. Destiny itself is aligning to witness the fusion of the Divine Stele. This young man will undoubtedly shape the future of Grand Xia," Old Man Tianji declared confidently. Qin Wentian was the embodiment of the demon star's prophecy, the one destined to reunite the nine fractured remnants of the Divine Stele.

When the ancient kingdom fell, the Divine Stele was divided into nine fragments. Today, all nine fragments had converged in the ancient kingdom, reassembling into a single, perfect whole. The Divine Stele had returned to Grand Xia once more!