Facing Danger Headon

Facing Danger Headon...

Qin Wentian's eyes remained locked on his Purgatory Vermilion Bird, which had summoned a Celestial Phenomenon-level powerhouse through its constellation, transforming the area into an infernal purgatory.

"Are you still in there?!" Qin Wentian's figure shot into the sky at an incredible speed, heading toward the illusory form of the Vermilion Bird Formation's true spirit, which had merged with his Purgatory Vermilion Bird. He endured the overwhelming pressure, wiping the blood from his mouth as he ascended. Mournful cries of pain and suffering filled the air as many spectators perished in this nightmarish purgatory.

Terror was etched onto the faces of the few survivors. None of them could have anticipated such a horrifying turn of events. Under the ominous Purgatory Constellation, some could barely stand, their legs giving way as they collapsed from sheer fear. With a mere thought, the Purgatory Vermilion Bird could end their lives effortlessly.

"Wentian gege!" Bai Qing's voice trembled with panic as she witnessed Qin Wentian ascending into the heavens. The malevolent aura emanating from the colossal Vermilion Bird made her question whether the Purgatory Vermilion Bird still existed within that merged entity.

Qin Wentian eventually stood beside the Vermilion Bird's visage. At this moment, the true spirit of the Vermilion Bird Formation possessed the power to decide his fate with a single thought.

Stretching out his hand, Qin Wentian gazed deep into the Vermilion Bird's eyes. It showed no warmth, sending shivers down the spines of those on the arena platform. Cold sweat drenched their backs as they watched nervously.

"I refuse to believe that you've disappeared like this," Qin Wentian murmured while gently caressing the Vermilion Bird's face.

A fierce wind whipped up, and meteor-like purgatory flames rained down from the heavens. The Vermilion Bird glared at Qin Wentian with hostility.

"Wentian, COME BACK!" Fan Le and the others shouted in frantic worry. Qin Wentian's impulsive actions had placed him in grave danger.

It was as though Qin Wentian couldn't hear their pleas. He continued to meet the Vermilion Bird's gaze until a trace of warmth and gentleness emerged from within its eyes. It emitted a soft coo, lowering its immense head against Qin Wentian's palm, allowing him to stroke it.

Only then did those on the arena platform breathe a sigh of relief. Qin Wentian had been recklessly impulsive, and they had feared the worst.

"I know you're still in there somewhere. Even though you've fused with a formation's spirit, I will find a way to bring you back," Qin Wentian said with self-reproach. If only he were stronger, he wouldn't have needed to rely on the Purgatory Vermilion Bird's power to escape danger.

The spirit of the Vermilion Bird Formation let out a screech as it gazed at the trapped cultivators. Qin Wentian mirrored its actions before issuing a cold, emotionless command, "As for those who attacked us earlier, kill them all."

"Qin Wentian, you dare?" The voice dripped with heavy killing intent.

As his threat lingered in the air, the Purgatory Constellation blazed brilliantly. In an instant, the speaker unleashed a blood-curdling scream as he vanished within a sea of purgatory flames.

Qin Wentian turned his chilling gaze toward the remaining figures, his voice dripping with fury. "Survival is irrelevant to me. But all of you... must die." These individuals had been the ones eager to end his life within the ancient kingdom. Since they showed him no mercy, he wouldn't hesitate to reciprocate.

Those experts who had tried to escape were too slow. Many who had made a move earlier, from the Chen Clan, Hua Clan, and Wang Clan, had met gruesome ends. The death toll continued to rise as more attempted to flee.

The middle-aged man's expression darkened as purgatory flames rained down relentlessly, even claiming lives from his faction. In desperation, he unfurled an ancient scroll, radiating the power of spatial manipulation—a life-saving treasure.

With a flick of his hand, the ancient scroll enveloped him and his followers within a space-altering cocoon. Although the scroll trembled and shattered under the relentless purgatory flames, the figures inside had vanished.

Such treasures could only be used once.

Several experts from the transcendent powers desperately tried to escape, and spectators who remained behind quickly joined their flight.

The entire space had transformed into a hellish Purgatory on Earth, claiming the lives of several powerful experts.

In the chaos, a figure attempted to slip away unnoticed, but Qin Wentian's gaze locked onto him. He uttered a cold command, "Di Feng, stay."

The figure turned to look at Qin Wentian, his face transformed to that of an ordinary, unremarkable young man.

"Sir, are you addressing me?" he asked innocently.

"If you had left directly, I might have spared you. But you resorted to changing your appearance amidst the chaos because you feared my retaliation. For that, you'll die today," Qin Wentian declared, his gaze sharp as the purgatory flames intensified. Di Feng had cleverly attempted to disguise himself and escape during the chaos. If not for Qin Wentian's extraordinary perception, he would have gone unnoticed.

Di Feng's scheme had backfired.

"It seems you've mastered the art of disguise. No doubt, you're the one who impersonated me and interacted with Mu Feng and his family," Qin Wentian declared, his voice ice-cold. Di Feng's pretense of ignorance was futile in front of him.

"What did you say?" Mu Feng's eyes froze as he glared at Di Feng with an icy intensity that sent shivers through those nearby.

"We've only met once, yet you were so eager to see me dead that you'd resort to such methods, using Mu Feng's hands to kill me," Qin Wentian said as he stepped forward, radiating an oppressive aura that enveloped Di Feng.

Di Feng's face turned ashen; he realized that his deception had been exposed. With his skill in illusionary arts, disguising himself had been a simple matter.

"We may have our differences, but today, I'm thoroughly convinced of your abilities. I submit to you and pledge to assist you in achieving great deeds in the name of the Azure Emperor," Di Feng replied, neither servile nor defiant. He was highly intelligent and could sense the tide of events.

However, the murderous intent in Qin Wentian's eyes didn't wane. He responded impassively, "You are not worthy."

Di Feng's face twisted into an expression of extreme displeasure. "Killing me would earn you the undying enmity of the Di Clan."

"I'll gladly rid the Di Clan of its filth," Qin Wentian retorted, his gaze unyielding. His words sent a chill down Di Feng's spine. Meanwhile, Mu Feng approached step by step, exuding a dangerous aura of poisonous energy.

Di Feng took a step back, his eyes locked onto Mu Feng. "I have no idea what's happening here. If I wanted Qin Wentian dead, I would have done it myself, not schemed through others."

Even now, Di Feng refused to admit the truth.

A tempestuous wind swirled around them. Qin Wentian vanished from his spot and reappeared before Di Feng with lightning speed, striking out with a dragon-shaped imprint. Di Feng raised his palms in defense, but the impact sent him hurtling through the air.

In an instant, Qin Wentian reappeared before Di Feng, bombarding him with countless ancient bells. Di Feng's heart raced, feeling like it might burst at any moment as fresh blood sprayed from his mouth. He couldn't withstand Qin Wentian's onslaught.

Mu Feng's poison-infused palms struck Di Feng's chest. A surge of deadly venom flooded Di Feng's body, turning his face black. With death imminent, Di Feng finally revealed his true, malevolent face.

"Your sister was delicious," he taunted Mu Feng with an evil grin. Mu Feng's face paled, and he sliced his finger, letting his blackened blood drip onto Di Feng. In moments, Di Feng's body withered as the blood within him turned black.

"ARGHHHH!" A horrifying scream echoed, but the hatred in Di Feng's eyes remained undiminished. His cleverness had ironically led to his own demise. If he hadn't altered his appearance to slip away, Qin Wentian might never have noticed him.

The agonizing screams continued, and eventually, Di Feng transformed into a dry husk that crumbled into dust at a mere touch. He had met a pitiful end.

Mu Feng's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the spot where Di Feng once stood. Seeing an interspatial ring in the pile of dust, Qin Wentian extended his hand, grabbing it and retrieving Di Feng's ring.

Di Feng had been a Di Clan successor. Qin Wentian wondered if there were any items in the ring that could be of use.

Mu Feng turned to look at Qin Wentian. "I've misjudged you before, and today you've helped me expose my enemy. From this day forward, I'll stand by your side until the transcendent powers of Grand Xia are no longer a threat to you."

Qin Wentian's eyes shimmered strangely as he regarded Mu Feng. "You don't have to do this."

"I understand that my current strength is insignificant when facing the transcendent powers. But in the future, you will find a use for me," Mu Feng replied calmly before turning and heading back toward the arena platform.

Despite his significant change in personality, now more reserved, Mu Feng brimmed with confidence about his future. His promise that day marked the beginning of a new era for him, where he, the new Poison Monarch Mu Feng, would become the figure most feared by Qin Wentian's enemies.

Qin Wentian watched Mu Feng in silence, realizing that his actions that day were for himself and unrelated to Mu Feng. Nevertheless, since Mu Feng was determined, there was little he could do to sway his decision.

In the vast space, not many remained at that moment. Those who died, died. Those who escaped had already fled. A terrifying energy swirled around the direction of the ancient kingdom, signifying that it had become a forbidden place from that day forward.

Returning to the platform, Qin Wentian looked at his friends with a wry smile. "I'm afraid I don't know how we'll safely leave this place today."

Despite the Vermilion Bird Formation claiming many lives, they were still in the Ginkou continent, and experts from the transcendent powers would undoubtedly arrive to surround them before they could escape.

Extending his arms, Qin Wentian summoned the Divine Stele into his hands. He then immersed his will into it, connecting with the cultivation arts and innate techniques recorded within.

The nine ultimate arts of Grand Xia!

Qin Wentian opened his eyes and smiled at his comrades. "Everyone, come here and choose the ultimate art that suits you best for cultivation."

The atmosphere grew tense, but suddenly, Ouyang Kuangsheng burst into hearty laughter. "Well, it appears that our little predicament has its silver lining. Why dwell on sorrow when we can immerse ourselves in mastering Grand Xia's ultimate arts right here? Perhaps we should hang around for a year or two and become masters of them all!"

Qin Wentian couldn't help but smile wryly and shrugged in response. He gazed up at the sky, contemplating silently. Was attaining first place a blessing or a curse?

However, dwelling on the past was pointless. He would only focus on the present. Even if all of Grand Xia turned against him, he remained resolute in his goal—to forge a world that was entirely his own.