Demon Sword Erected Outside the PIll Emperor Hall...
Qin Wentian's daring act of yanking the demon sword from its sheath and casually leaving it at the doorstep of Moon Continent sent shockwaves rippling through the entire Grand Xia. It was like a pebble thrown into a calm pond, creating a tsunami of excitement and confusion.
Nowadays, in Grand Xia, finding someone who didn't know Qin Wentian was akin to discovering a unicorn at a petting zoo. After all, he was perched at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Fate ranking, a name synonymous with power, enigma, and maybe a little bit of audacity.
As days rolled by, a steady stream of curious souls flocked to test their mettle against the ominous blade. Yet, no matter how many brave souls tried, none could budge the weapon. A crowd gathered, watching the spectacle with bated breath. They muttered and pondered why this sword responded only to Qin Wentian's touch.
Suddenly, a figure clad in pristine white robes materialized in the sky, exuding an air of grandeur that made everyone else seem like mere extras in a play. His looks were impeccable, and he carried himself with an aura of invincibility. This was a man who drew admiration and reverence with every breath he took.
This was Hua Taixu, the previous undisputed ruler of the Heavenly Fate Rankings. Back then, no one could even dream of toppling his position. He was the undisputed powerhouse in all of Yuanfu across Grand Xia.
Not too long ago, he had made a triumphant return to the spotlight, revealing that his cultivation was not as the rumors suggested – the second level of the Heavenly Dipper – but the third level. His combat skills were so fearsome that "terrifying" felt like an understatement. He obliterated a fourth-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereign in a battle that had the entire Moon Continent buzzing with excitement.
This showdown had once again etched the name Hua Taixu into the annals of Moon Continent history.
In Grand Xia, if you managed to climb the Heavenly Fate Rankings and didn't meet an untimely demise, you'd inevitably become a figure whose influence spanned the entire realm. Stepping into the Heavenly Dipper realm was a mere formality for them.
Here, at the entrance of Moon Continent, Hua Taixu gazed at the demon sword left behind by Qin Wentian.
Hua Taixu and Qin Wentian – their names echoed through the realm of Grand Xia, forever intertwined in the minds of the younger generation. They represented different epochs, yet both occupied the pinnacle of the Heavenly Fate Rankings.
The contrast between Hua Taixu and Qin Wentian couldn't have been more striking. Hua Taixu hailed from a prestigious clan, a bona fide Heaven's Chosen of the Hua Clan. He practically popped into the world with fireworks, his magnificence outshining everyone in his generation.
Qin Wentian, on the other hand, was the epitome of an underdog story. No illustrious lineage to boast of, he had to scratch and claw his way to the same summit as Hua Taixu. His competitors were all scions of transcendental powers, but he, the unsung hero, reached the pinnacle in the end. His tale resonated with countless youths in Grand Xia, a story passed down with reverence and fascination.
Now, Hua Taixu's unexpected appearance at the site of the demon sword left by Qin Wentian had everyone baffled.
As he approached the sword, the atmosphere was oddly tranquil. There was no overwhelming sword aura as the rumors suggested, only subtle traces of sword intent hanging in the air. It was nothing like the tales that painted the sword's qi as celestial, causing wails audible from miles away and forming chasms wherever it went. Right now, it seemed the demon sword was in deep slumber, impervious to anyone's attempts to rouse it.
Hua Taixu pondered over the sword for an extended moment before departing, his expression as inscrutable as ever. No one could fathom his thoughts.
After Hua Taixu's exit, another silhouette graced the scene. Like him, this newcomer's presence immediately seized everyone's attention.
Though a veil obscured her features, just a glimpse of her sent the crowd into a collective stupor. They couldn't tear their eyes away.
This woman exuded an otherworldly aura, untainted by mortal concerns. She was an icy block, an unapproachable snow lotus atop an icy peak. Her arrogance spoke volumes, standing alone at the zenith, unburdened by worldly affairs.
"Simply breathtaking," someone whispered.
Her presence left the crowd breathless. Even without seeing her entire visage, her captivating eyes and alabaster skin spoke of unparalleled beauty. No one dared approach her; it felt sacrilegious. She seemed like a celestial being, unattainable to mere mortals.
But her gaze, too, fixed on the demon sword, carried a hint of contemplation, as though she pondered a profound secret.
She lingered only briefly before walking away. Her mysterious departure left the crowd bewildered. Who was she?
What transcendent power could boast a woman of such mesmerizing beauty? When the audience finally snapped out of their stupor, they realized she had vanished, leaving no trace behind, as if she were a mere figment of their imagination.
"The most talked-about event in Moon Continent right now is undoubtedly the Pill Emperor Hall's search for a companion for Mo Qingcheng. That woman from earlier might be associated with a transcendent power, perhaps even the Mystic Maiden Sect, here to witness the spectacle. If that's the case, there's a chance she'll reappear during the selection. We mustn't miss it," someone in the crowd whispered, eager to uncover the enigma surrounding the woman.
The crowd couldn't help but steal more glances at the mysterious woman, even though they dared not blaspheme. After all, with Qin Wentian's demon sword display, it was clear his intentions lay with the marriage candidate selection. Even those who missed the woman's initial appearance would've ended up at the Pill Emperor Hall regardless.
At the entrance to Moon Continent, a steady stream of people ebbed and flowed. The only constant was the demon sword, standing tall and resolute, as though it had found its new home, steadfast and perpetually dormant. Only one person could rouse it.
People from all corners of Grand Xia flocked to the Moon Continent, creating a lively atmosphere. The central region, home to the Pill Emperor Hall, was particularly bustling. Recently, Luo He had announced to all of Grand Xia that the marriage candidate selection would occur at the Heaven Ascending Steps of the Pill Emperor Hall. Those from transcendent powers were granted access to the top 99 flights of steps, while the common folk stood below, spectators to the grand event.
For those under thirty, aside from having remarkable talent and good looks, they were eligible to participate. Given that this was the selection for the saintess of the Pill Emperor Hall, Mo Qingcheng, the candidates couldn't be unattractive. It would tarnish the Pill Emperor Hall's image. They also couldn't be too old, as Mo Qingcheng was still in her prime. The most critical factor was strength and talent.
Participants would be selected based on their combat prowess, with the top three being the priority. While candidates' backgrounds weren't explicitly emphasized, everyone knew that the Pill Emperor Hall wouldn't likely allow an unknown individual to marry Mo Qingcheng, even if they possessed unrivaled strength.
Nevertheless, aside from the Pill Emperor Hall's prestige, Mo Qingcheng's divine beauty and astounding pill concoction talent were enough to captivate the hearts of young elites. Despite her connection with Qin Wentian, the Pill Emperor Hall's grand promotion of the event indicated there was little to worry about.
The Pill Emperor Hall was flooded with visitors today. In a grand hall at the peak of the ninety-nine flights of steps, Luo He sat as the host, her eyes closed. Below her were her disciples, including Bai Fei, and the candidates registering for the selection.
"Master, it seems disciples from various transcendent powers have decided to participate. While they may not be the absolute best in their sects or clans, they are still remarkable individuals," Bai Fei reported respectfully.
Luo He nodded in acknowledgment. "Are there no figures like Hua Taixu or Chen Wang among them?"
"No," Bai Fei replied. Luo He remained silent. She understood all too well that this time, the selected candidate must marry into the Pill Emperor Hall. There was no way other transcendent powers would allow their most exceptional members to do so. If the Pill Emperor Hall were to choose someone like Hua Taixu, it would mean the Hua Clan would lose its brightest young talent.
"Are there any candidates worth mentioning?" Luo He inquired once more.
"I haven't found any yet," Bai Fei shook her head. "There are a few who aren't from transcendent powers, but their cultivation is only at the first level of the Heavenly Dipper. Characters like them will likely be the first to be eliminated. The focus of this selection is on outstanding individuals under thirty years of age. Those newly ascended to Heavenly Dipper Sovereign status hardly stand a chance."
"Mhm," Luo He nodded before issuing a stern ultimatum. "Go speak to your junior martial sister. Tell her she has seven more days to consider. My patience is wearing thin. If she continues to defy my orders, she should be prepared for the consequences."
Night blanketed the Moon Continent in silence. However, just outside its borders, cultivators gathered to observe the demon sword embedded at the entrance. Suddenly, the sword's intent shot skyward, transforming into a luminous beam racing toward the Pill Emperor Hall. This spectacle drew the attention of many, filling the air with soaring figures eager to witness the event.
By the following morning, experts from the Pill Emperor Hall stood at the peak of the ninety-nine steps, their eyes locked onto a sight that left them bewildered, angry, and shocked. Before them lay an enormous ancient sword, over 1,000 meters long, firmly lodged in the ground. Despite the distance, its colossal size made it impossible to ignore.
The implication was clear: this was a blatant challenge to the Pill Emperor Hall. When the sword's intent had surged into the night sky, the Pill Emperor Hall's experts had sensed it. But as the formidable sword energy drew nearer, no one dared approach under its crushing weight. Even the upper echelons of the Pill Emperor Hall hesitated, fearing for their lives. When they finally investigated, they found the demon sword firmly embedded in the ground, its controller vanished without a trace.
This was a profound humiliation for the Pill Emperor Hall. They, with their countless experts, had allowed someone to plant a sword as a provocation barely ten miles from their sanctuary.
Fortunately, they believed that Qin Wentian couldn't wield the demon sword. If he could, given its boundless and terrifying power, nothing in the Heavenly Dipper realm would withstand it.
As Luo He witnessed this, her complexion turned ashen. She had been too frightened by the sword's might to venture outside the Pill Emperor Hall last night. She couldn't believe that this audacious act had been carried out by someone she had once dismissed with a mere glance.
Now, in the morning, the demon sword stood there, immovable and unattainable.
Mobilizing their supreme elder-level figures over a provocation from a junior member was out of the question. It would shatter their prestige and make them the laughingstock of Grand Xia.
Meanwhile, Mo Qingcheng was imprisoned within the Pill Emperor Hall, chained and locked in a room. She couldn't help but be bewildered as she sensed the boundless sword energy. What could be the source of such power, and how could she feel it from where she was? The might of this sword was so tremendous that it permeated the very atmosphere of the Pill Emperor Hall.