Seclusion of the Pill Emperor Hall

Seclusion of the Pill Emperor Hall...

The Pill Emperor Hall, one of Grand Xia's transcendent powers, and a dominant force with Ascendants at its core, was renowned throughout the land. In the eyes of the world, it was a sacred institution, revered for its mastery of medicine and held in high esteem by the masses. The members of the Pill Emperor Hall stood atop the lofty ninety-nine steps, gazing down upon all other beings.

In the Moon Continent, wherever they walked, people would look up to them with admiration and respect.

However, today, for the surviving members of the Pill Emperor Hall, the tables had turned. They found themselves gazing upwards, their eyes fixed on the vanishing constellation and the retreating silhouette.

The starry skies gradually faded, unveiling the azure sunlight of daybreak. The survivors continued to stare at the sky, lost in contemplation. Their hearts still raced, and though the events of the past moments had been brief, they felt like an eternity.

Even the Pill Emperor, the leader of the Pill Emperor Hall, shared the same sentiments as his disciples at this moment. The imposing and unmatched ruler now wore a deep frown, his once-pristine robes stained with blood.

He was a paramount figure, but today, he had learned that there was always someone stronger, someone beyond the sky.

Qin Wentian had left him with an indelible experience that would haunt him for the rest of his days.

Meanwhile, the distant onlookers were filled with astonishment and shock.

Their attention remained fixated on the demon sword embedded at the heart of the Pill Emperor Hall. Sword intent hung in the air, a stark reminder of the devastating aftermath that had befallen the Pill Emperor Hall. The grandeur and majesty that had once defined the Pill Emperor Hall had crumbled into nothingness. All that remained now was an overwhelming sense of defeat.

"What happened just now?" The unaffiliated spectators were bewildered. They had witnessed the Pill Emperor Hall's experts, including the Pill Emperor himself, standing around in a daze, their gazes fixed on the heavens.

During the appearance of the colossal constellation above the Pill Emperor Hall, who had infiltrated their sacred grounds? And when the energy fluctuations from that constellation had sealed off the entire Pill Emperor Hall, who had been responsible?

"Where's Qin Wentian?"

To their astonishment, the enormous roc that was Qin Wentian had vanished from the scene. With a wingspan of 3,000 meters, such a massive creature should have left some trace, even if it had perished. But how could it simply disappear like that?

"Even the sacred realm behind the forbidden gate has been destroyed. And... where is Mo Qingcheng?"

The spectators were filled with myriad questions, but no one had the answers.

"Senior," at that moment, the experts from the Hua Clan descended before the Pill Emperor, bowing respectfully.

The Pill Emperor was an existence akin to their clan leader, and they couldn't help but show him the utmost respect.

However, they found the Pill Emperor in a daze, his eyes clouded. He appeared like an old man nearing the end of his life, and a chilling aura seemed to emanate from him.

"May we inquire, senior, about what precisely transpired?" one of the Hua Clan members asked cautiously.

"GET OUT!" A furious voice thundered through the air. The person who had dared to ask the question turned pale instantly, witnessing the Pill Emperor's sweeping hand motion conjuring a nine-colored flame. The coldness in the Pill Emperor's eyes was suffocating.

The members of the Hua Clan wore expressions of shock and confusion, unsure of what offense they had committed against the Pill Emperor.

"Starting today, the Pill Emperor Hall will enter a period of seclusion, cutting off all ties with the outside world. No outsiders will be allowed entry, and the duration of this isolation will be indefinite," the Pill Emperor declared, his voice as cold as ice. "Now, I grant all outsiders the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to leave my territory."

As his words faded, an oppressive pressure descended upon everyone present.

The faces of those from the Hua Clan, the Wang Clan, and the Star-Seizing Manor turned grim, their hearts filled with bewilderment. What had transpired earlier to prompt such a decree from the Pill Emperor?

The Pill Emperor Hall closing itself off from the outside world indefinitely was a shocking order, leaving countless people astonished. They knew it must be related to the events that had unfolded after the massive constellation had enveloped the Pill Emperor Hall. Yet, they would never learn the full truth.

The Pill Emperor would never divulge the details, nor would any other member of the Pill Emperor Hall. The reason behind the Pill Emperor's decree was the parting words of the mysterious figure. The events of today must not be leaked in any way, as the consequences would be unimaginable.

This meant that anyone who possessed knowledge of these events had to be tightly controlled within the confines of the Pill Emperor Hall.

The Pill Emperor had no choice in the matter. There were certain things he could control, and those he couldn't. For matters within his control, he exercised the highest level of restraint possible. Who knew if one of his disciples might attempt to escape and reveal the truth to the outside world?

The Pill Emperor's disciples comprehended the necessity of this decree. Many thoughts had raced through their minds earlier, and some had even contemplated escaping. But the memory of the mysterious figure and his dire threats had quickly extinguished those notions.

In the face of such overwhelming power, resistance was futile, strength was useless. The pressure weighed on them like a massive boulder on their chests, but it didn't crush them to their demise.

All they could do now was wait. They awaited the day when Qin Wentian would return. None of them dared to harbor thoughts of revenge against Qin Wentian at this point. The outcome weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, but none felt the burden as acutely as Luo He.

She endured the icy glares from others, shivering uncontrollably under the weight of malice and hatred. Had she truly been wrong? She couldn't have been entirely wrong, could she? In her shoes, for the sake of the old ancestor, anyone might have made the same choice—sacrificing Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng. Yet, on the surface, she appeared as the mastermind. It was she who had ignited the flames of Qin Wentian's anger, driving him to rampage through the Pill Emperor Hall. She was the catalyst for this disaster.

The Pill Emperor's gaze also turned toward Luo He. He had contemplated punishing her, but with the situation having unfolded as it did, what use would punishment serve now? They had underestimated Qin Wentian. That once seemingly crazed young man had been willing to sacrifice everything, wielding the demon sword to carve a path of vengeance across a hundred thousand miles. Would he ever forgive the Pill Emperor Hall for what they did to Mo Qingcheng? For what they did to him?

Perhaps this deep-seated hatred could only be cleansed with blood.

As they gazed upon the towering demon sword, it stood as a stark symbol of humiliation for the Pill Emperor Hall. It would remain there, a testament to their shame, until its rightful owner returned. It was a cruel reminder, akin to rubbing salt into their own wounds, much like what they had done to Qin Wentian.

In the past, Qin Wentian had been powerless, forced to gamble his life for a chance at victory.

The onlookers, filled with confusion, cast one last look at the demon sword before turning and departing. With the Pill Emperor's intentions made clear, none dared to linger. They understood that the answers they sought might never be revealed.

Among the spectators, Zong Yi remained hidden. He had observed Qin Wentian's actions from the moment he arrived at the Pill Emperor Hall to the very end. The actions of the Azure Emperor's successor had deeply moved him. Witnessing Qin Wentian's helplessness and the anxiety that had consumed him during the battle with Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants had struck a chord in Zong Yi's heart. But he knew he had no qualifications to join such a battle. If he had intervened, his fate would have been a useless and premature death.

In that moment, Zong Yi's mind raced with the image of the great roc. Was Qin Wentian still among the living?

A strong intuition surged within Zong Yi, telling him that Qin Wentian had not perished. If he had, the Pill Emperor Hall wouldn't be reacting in this enigmatic manner.

Perhaps there were numerous secrets concealed behind Qin Wentian's facade, secrets that had eluded everyone's awareness.

Swiftly, the crowd dispersed. Their questions about the day's events would remain unanswered, forever shrouded in uncertainty.

Within the boundaries of the Pill Emperor Hall, an eerie silence reigned. All eyes remained fixed on the Pill Emperor, no one dared to utter a word.

The atmosphere hung heavy with oppression.

"From this moment on, no one is to leave the Pill Emperor Hall without my explicit command," the Pill Emperor declared slowly. Then, he made his way toward the Heaven Ascending Hall, which had been split in two. The thoughts hidden within his heart were known to no one.

"In the fleeting moments of time, between the gaps of thought," the Pill Emperor muttered, shaking his head with an air of desolation. "I finally comprehend the depth of the words my father imparted to me before his passing."

In an instant, the thousand-year reputation of the Pill Emperor Hall crumbled. It had stood at the zenith of power, only to be utterly shattered in the blink of an eye.

Luo He's body quaked violently. The impact of the Pill Emperor's words felt like a thunderous explosion within her mind.

The source of it all... wasn't it because of the choices she made in those critical moments?

"Qingcheng..." In this moment of reflection, Luo He couldn't help but think of the disciple she had once been so proud of. Yet, ironically, she was the one responsible for effectively 'killing' Mo Qingcheng.

...

The group from the Star-Seizing Manor gradually departed, their brows deeply furrowed. Ahead of them, a middle-aged man donned in robes adorned with star patterns posed a question, "What are your thoughts on the events today?"

"It appears that the Pill Emperor Hall suffered a significant setback. I suspect someone saved Qin Wentian," one of them replied. The questioner frowned and murmured, "To rescue Qin Wentian from the clutches of the Pill Emperor Hall, inflict heavy injuries on two Ascendants, and then depart unscathed... The power required for such feats could have obliterated the Pill Emperor Hall entirely. So, why didn't it happen? What transpired here?"

The one who had responded shook his head. There was no easy explanation for this puzzling situation.

If there truly was such a formidable figure, why spare the remnants of the Pill Emperor Hall?

The answer eluded them.

Perhaps, Qin Wentian had met his end.

"Regardless of what occurred, our vendetta with Qin Wentian hasn't escalated to a one-sided fight to the death. If he's still alive, it's clear he has powerful backing. Powerful enough to challenge the Pill Emperor Hall. From now on, none of our people should provoke him," the speaker commanded, and the others nodded in agreement. Indeed, if Qin Wentian was alive, it was better to err on the side of caution.

This sentiment wasn't exclusive to the Pill Emperor Hall. All the transcendent powers harbored similar thoughts. If Qin Wentian was deceased, so be it. But if he still lived...

...

News of the Pill Emperor Hall's ordeal soon spread throughout the Moon Continent and swiftly reached every corner of Grand Xia.

A month later, Qin Wentian's exploits within the Pill Emperor Hall ignited an unprecedented sensation across Grand Xia. His actions and unwavering love had been immortalized in a nursery rhyme, passed down through countless mouths.

Beneath the towering precipice, the demon sword's cries reverberated.

Nourishing the demon sword with blood, hauling it for ten thousand miles, single-handedly breaching the gates of the Pill Emperor Hall;

Love, an unbreakable bond; hatred, an unquenchable fire.

Transforming into an ancient demon, a great roc unfurling its 3,000-meter wings, cleaving the Pill Emperor Hall asunder with an enormous sword;

Withered bones reawakened, the Pill Emperor emerged, life and death intertwined, their emotions stirring the heavens.

Who was this individual? According to the Heavenly Fate Rankings, he was none other than Qin Wentian!