Hate That The Heavens Are Too Low
Hate That The Heavens Are Too Low...
"Starting today, the Sword Son of the Zong Clan, Qin Wentian, holds authority over the entire Zong Clan, surpassing the elders, the doyens, and even myself as clan lord!" Zong Yi's declaration echoed through the minds of those from the Zong Clan like thunderclaps.
Zong Yi had just entrusted the full command of the clan to Qin Wentian, granting him authority greater than even his own. This decision left everyone in shock. By doing this, wasn't Zong Yi essentially placing the fate of the entire Zong Clan into Qin Wentian's hands?
As they gazed at the young man before them, many were still trying to process this unexpected turn of events. They had witnessed Qin Wentian's remarkable might and talent, but no one had anticipated such a decision from Clan Lord Zong Yi.
Qin Wentian, too, was taken aback. He turned his gaze toward Zong Yi and began to grasp the deeper implications. It seemed that Zong Yi intended to seize this opportunity to elevate him to a prominent position within the clan. Even the act of pulling the demon sword had already earned him the admiration of the clan. Now, Zong Yi was signaling that the Zong Clan was ready to fully support the successor of the Azure Emperor, adhering to the ancestral edicts.
If Qin Wentian were to ascend to greatness in the future, the Zong Clan, after reuniting the 'hidden' remnants of the Azure Faction, would undoubtedly hold a special place in his heart. Given Zong Yi's decisive character, he had chosen this grand gesture to convey their sincerity to Qin Wentian.
"Wentian, the fate of the Zong Clan now rests upon your shoulders," Zong Yi declared, bowing to Qin Wentian. This unexpected scene left the other members of the Zong Clan in stunned silence.
With a nod, Qin Wentian accepted the responsibility. This was not the time for modesty. Zong Yi had extended his trust, and Qin Wentian would rise to meet it.
Qin Wentian continued, "The battle has left the Heavenly Sword Sect and Li Clan in shambles. Reestablishing themselves as major powers will be an arduous task for them. However, the Wang Clan's losses were superficial. Moreover, they likely sought reinforcements from the War Continent. Uncle Zong, we can't remain in the Sword Reverence City any longer." Qin Wentian understood that his current strength was far from sufficient for a direct confrontation with a transcendent power.
"Yes, today we shall comb through the remnants of the sword range, extracting every sword, before departing from the Sword Reverence City," Zong Yi confirmed. He turned his gaze to Qin Wentian and inquired further, "Wentian, can you subdue the demon sword?"
Qin Wentian responded, "It won't be easy. The sword craves my blood, and despite the resonance I feel with it, subduing it remains a formidable challenge." He lowered his head, fixing his gaze on the massive demon sword. With a surge of power, he attempted to pull the sword from its resting place.
The earth quaked, and the precipice trembled. Sword intent filled the sky, and the astral light from the celestial constellation once again cast its brilliance upon them. The mournful cry of the demon sword filled the air, evoking a profound sense of sorrow.
Qin Wentian continued, his voice harmonizing with the mournful wails of the demon sword, echoing throughout the area. Even those on the precipice's edge outside the Sword Reverence City could hear his words clearly.
Only now did they realize that the Sword Son of the Zong Clan was none other than Qin Wentian, the top-ranked individual on the Heavenly Fate Rankings—a legendary figure in the making.
This young man aimed to subdue the demon sword, the same sword that had remained immovable since ancient times. Questions swirled in their minds. Who was Qin Wentian, and what kind of person could pull this sword even slightly?
Many were tempted to descend to the flatlands below the precipice to catch a glimpse of Qin Wentian, but the overwhelming sword intent in the vicinity deterred them.
As Qin Wentian's voice faded, the mournful wails of the demon sword intensified. The constellation in the sky gleamed even brighter, and the collective wailing now sounded like the shrill cries of countless swords.
The cacophony slowly merged into a resonating hum, reminiscent of an ancient chant.
"Hate... the Heavens... too low."
A voice from ancient times reverberated, leaving everyone stunned. The demon sword could actually speak in human language!
It had remained silent for ages, but now, its words unveiled a deep-seated hatred for the Heavens, accusing them of being too lowly.
Qin Wentian's heart trembled with awe. He continued to converse with the demon sword.
This sword...
It hadn't been immovable due to inability but because of reluctance. It detested the Heavens for their inferiority.
What a profound concept this sword held. Its thoughts were unlike anything anyone had imagined. Truly, a remarkable sword.
Even the members of the Wang Clan from the War Continent were shaken to their cores upon hearing the voice of the demon sword.
They had come to the Sword Reverence City with the intention of gaining control over the sword range and excavating all the demonic swords it held. Their primary objective was to attempt to subdue the demon sword, hoping that their mighty Wang Clan from the War Continent could harness its power.
However, when they heard the sword's words, their ambitions of controlling it dissipated. The demon sword's lament was not for mortals, not even for a prestigious clan like the Wang Clan, which, despite being a transcendent power on the War Continent, could not dare to proclaim supremacy over all of Grand Xia.
No wonder, for thousands of years, nobody could subdue this sword. It was a creation forsaken by the heavens, far beyond the control of mere mortals.
"It mourned because it found the heavens too lowly," Qin Wentian whispered, "Since you're willing to lend me your power, even if I can only pull you out a little, I will strive to be worthy of you."
The demon sword's mournful wails persisted, its vibrations reverberating through the earth. Yet, despite Qin Wentian's relentless efforts, he couldn't extract it any further.
The demon sword refused to be moved.
Nervousness gripped the hearts of the Zong Clan members as they watched. However, as it became evident that the demon sword would not yield, disappointment crept in.
Zong Yi consoled Qin Wentian, saying, "This sword is too demonic, and its newfound intelligence, as well as its unique perspective on the heavens, make it impossible for you, at your current level, to fully extract it."
Qin Wentian nodded, masking his disappointment. Yet, he couldn't help but feel frustrated. It was a missed opportunity that he couldn't fully extract the sword.
"The demon sword has been immovable for ages. You've achieved something truly extraordinary by pulling it out seven feet. No one has ever come close to this feat since ancient times," Zong Yi continued, his words echoing the sentiments of the other Zong Clan members. Qin Wentian had accomplished a feat that had eluded everyone for generations. He was the first person the demon sword didn't attempt to kill after tasting his blood, and he had managed to extract it this far.
As the highest-ranked individual on the Heavenly Fate Rankings at such a young age, Qin Wentian's future promised unparalleled glory.
Silently, Qin Wentian stood there, his blood coursing through his veins with wild intensity, as if it wished to burst out from his body.
He continued to grip the sword hilt, but the radiance of the demon sword gradually dimmed, and the celestial constellation overhead vanished.
The mournful wails ceased, leaving a haunting silence filled with the desolation of thousands of years. Who could truly comprehend the depths of its sorrow?
Hating the heavens for their perceived lowliness, who could ever gain its approval and raise it to soar through the skies, reaching the nine heavens?
Outside the Sword Reverence City, those from the Wang Clan, Li Clan, and Heavenly Sword Sect sighed in relief as they noticed the demon sword's wails had ceased. Fortunately, Qin Wentian hadn't managed to pull it out completely. If he had, the demon sword's overwhelming might would have led to their utter destruction.
This sword possessed intelligence, a spirit within it that despised the heavens for their perceived inadequacy. If Qin Wentian had full control over its power, he could potentially level all of Grand Xia.
Even with just one sentence, the demon sword had stunned the entire Grand Xia.
"Hating the Heavens for being too low!" Those words echoed in their minds.
"Continue excavating the sword range," Qin Wentian ordered. Even if he could pull out the demon sword, controlling it wouldn't be easy with his current strength.
"Understood," Zong Yi replied, emphasizing Qin Wentian's command. "Also, collect the interspatial rings from those who perished here."
The Zong Clan members swiftly followed orders. The aftermath of the chaotic battle had left numerous expert casualties, and their interspatial rings likely held vast wealth. They couldn't afford to let such treasures go to waste.
Qin Wentian descended from the demon sword and approached Zong Yi.
Zong Yi looked at him and asked, "Wentian, what are your plans for the future? You've offended many transcendent powers. Even though I've handed the Zong Clan's authority over to you, we still lack the strength to challenge the transcendent powers. What do you intend to do?"
"I aim to unite all the hidden factions of the Azure Emperor under my banner and establish a new, formidable power. I hope Uncle Zong will support me in this endeavor," Qin Wentian replied. The hidden Azure Factions, while not weak individually, lacked the collective strength to survive in the long run. By gathering them and forging them into a single, powerful entity, they could potentially rival a transcendent power within a year. However, even then, they might still fall short of the top-tier transcendent powers in Grand Xia.
Qin Wentian knew this would be a time-consuming task that required the efforts of many talented individuals.
"Naturally," Zong Yi agreed. "If I can witness the resurgence of the Azure Faction in my lifetime, it would be a dream come true. We also have older, powerful doyens and elders who were on missions. If they are still alive, they will have grown stronger. I will summon them back."
The Zong Clan, as a hidden Azure Faction, had produced many talented individuals over the centuries. Despite their older age, their desire for strength remained undiminished. Even in their senior years, they continued to seek breakthroughs in cultivation.
"That would be ideal," Qin Wentian smiled. He had little knowledge of the actual strength of the hidden Azure Factions. Some might have vanished over time, while others, like the White Deer Institute and the Zong Clan, had endured.
Perhaps, among these hidden factions, a monstrous talent had emerged. It was something he would have to investigate.
"Qin Wentian!"
A voice called out from the precipice's edge, interrupting their conversation.
Qin Wentian looked in the direction of the voice. "Is the Wang Clan still unwilling to give up?"
"Consider yourself fortunate to have harnessed the power of the demon sword. However, the actions you and the Zong Clan have taken today might have dire consequences," the voice carried a clear threat, and it was evident that the news about to be delivered wouldn't be favorable. "Furthermore, there's something you probably aren't aware of, given your time in Sword Reverence City."
Qin Wentian frowned, sensing that the incoming information wouldn't bring good tidings.
"Qin Wentian, during the Heavenly Fate Rankings, you and Mo Qingcheng stood together, declaring your love before all of Grand Xia. Even I heard about it, despite being in the War Continent. People admired you both, saying you were an ideal couple," the Wang Clan expert spoke with a seemingly warm tone, yet beneath it lurked malice.
He continued, "However, fate doesn't always favor love. Sometimes, those deeply in love may not end up together. Recently, the Pill Emperor Hall in the Moon Continent announced that they are seeking a husband for Mo Qingcheng. However, there's a catch - the groom must marry into the Pill Emperor Hall. Qin Wentian, did you honestly think that after all the effort the Pill Emperor Hall invested in nurturing Mo Qingcheng, they would let her leave so easily? If you and Mo Qingcheng were to be together, wouldn't the Pill Emperor Hall's efforts be in vain?"
As the voice faded, Qin Wentian's face turned icy, and a chilling light gleamed in his eyes.
"Luo He promised Mo Qingcheng that she wouldn't interfere in her life," Qin Wentian's voice was as cold as ice.
"Amusing, do you truly believe that Mo Qingcheng's master, Luo He, would allow her to leave with you? If Luo He intended to keep her word, why did she bring Mo Qingcheng back to the Pill Emperor Hall? The future husband of Mo Qingcheng must marry into the Pill Emperor Hall, a place you can't enter," the voice continued, dripping with malice. "Not only that, I've heard rumors that after the decision was made, Mo Qingcheng wreaked havoc in the Pill Emperor Hall in her desperation to escape. She even attempted to flee. Her actions enraged Luo He, who personally stepped in to capture her. She gave Mo Qingcheng a final chance. If Mo Qingcheng persists in her foolishness, I shudder to think of her fate."
Qin Wentian took a deep breath, exuding an aura of intense killing intent. He had known from the start that Luo He wouldn't easily accept his relationship with Mo Qingcheng. However, in just a year, Luo He had already broken her promise and taken such drastic actions.
"Qin Wentian, do you dare venture to the Moon Continent?" The voice echoed through the air as the Wang Clan expert departed, leaving behind lingering echoes.
Moon Continent, Pill Emperor Hall. Would Qin Wentian dare to confront them there?