Eruption of a Grand Battle

Eruption of a Grand Battle...

In the ancient kingdom of Grand Xia, the stage was once again set for a gathering of transcendent powers. The wind swept through Ginkou, where the date for the Heavenly Fate Rankings was drawing near. Scores of promising young talents flocked to the city, ready to prove their worth.

It wasn't just the formidable Great Solar Chen Clan, Shi Clan, and Thousand-Jue Alliance that had already established themselves in Ginkou. Other major players like the Hua Clan, Star-Seizing Manor, and the Sky Ember Sect had also arrived. Additionally, transcendent-level powers from the nine continents had converged here.

In this ancient kingdom, the winds whispered ceaselessly, leaving many bewildered by the gathering storm. Little did they imagine that an unknown young man named Di would be the catalyst for such chaos.

Upon closer examination, it became clear that Di was not the true center of attention. He was simply the spark igniting a potential war. Conflicts had been brewing among the transcendent powers for years, and any minor incident could trigger a devastating storm.

Ginkou was now home to a plethora of rival factions. The Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, engaged in a longstanding feud with the Chen Clan, was present. The atmosphere was tense as experts from the Chen Clan, Hua Clan, and Wang Clan mingled with those from the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan and Jiang Clan. Even factions from the far corners of Grand Xia, such as the Nine Mystical Palace, Greencloud Pavilion, and Misty Peak Sect from the Qing Continent, had made an appearance.

Witnessing this gathering of powerhouses sent shivers down the spines of onlookers. While the number of experts wasn't overwhelming, the volatile situation meant that a single spark could set off a catastrophic explosion.

"There's Chen Wang," someone in the crowd murmured, diverting the gazes of all present toward the Chen Clan.

Chen Wang did not stand alone. Following closely behind him was another figure who immediately drew attention due to his imposing aura. Despite his youthful appearance, everyone knew that this young man had been a dazzling presence in the Heavenly Fate Rankings three cycles ago. In this context, three cycles meant nearly nine years had passed since his ascent.

Nine years prior, he had been the shining star of the Chen Clan's younger generation – Chen Fan. He secured the second position in the Heavenly Fate Rankings, a testament to his exceptional talent. Now, Chen Fan's cultivation had reached the fifth level of Heavenly Dipper, making him a formidable force in combat. Before Chen Wang's breakthrough into Heavenly Dipper, Chen Fan had been the sole standout among the clan's younger generation Heavenly Dipper cultivators.

Both Chen Fan and Chen Wang were considered top contenders to become the future leader of the Great Solar Chen Clan, their potential unquestionable.

Despite his ordinary-sounding name, Chen Fan was far from ordinary. His eyes radiated with the brilliance of the Great Solar Light, like torches in the darkness, capable of burning others with a mere glance.

As they approached, the middle-aged Chen Clan member's eyes held a hint of respect. Though he belonged to the elder generation, he recognized the extraordinary status these two young men held within the clan. They were groomed as the future pillars of the Great Solar Chen Clan, and if one of them reached the Celestial Phenomenon Realm in the future, they would become prominent figures in the clan.

Chen Fan and Chen Wang acknowledged the elder's presence with a nod, their gazes immediately shifting toward Qin Wentian, their expressions sharp as blades.

Chen Fan gracefully ascended into the air, his gaze locking onto Qin Wentian.

"Is this the man who slaughtered members of our Chen Clan?" Chen Fan's voice carried a cold edge.

"Yes," confirmed the middle-aged clan member. Chen Fan continued to ascend until he stood above Qin Wentian, looking down on him with disdain.

A dazzling Astral Nova, born from a fifth Heavenly Layer sun-type Astral Soul, materialized above Chen Fan's head. This Astral Nova radiated intense heat, and each ray it emitted possessed injury-inducing power. The destructive potential of this Astral Soul, condensed into an Astral Nova, was nothing short of terrifying.

Chen Fan raised his foot and stepped down into the air. The blazing sun Astral Nova unleashed its full power, its rays piercing Qin Wentian. A searing wave of heat descended, incinerating Qin Wentian's clothing. His bloodline surged, enveloping him in a corona of light, yet the intense rays still pierced through, scorching his skin to a fiery red hue.

With steely determination, Qin Wentian gazed up at Chen Fan, realizing the vast difference in their cultivations. Chen Fan was at the fifth level of Heavenly Dipper, three levels beyond him. His Astral Nova was exceptionally formidable, exuding destructive power that left Qin Wentian at a significant disadvantage.

Chen Fan's aura continued to rise, but suddenly, he waved his hand and snorted in disappointment. With a shake of his head, he retracted his Astral Nova.

"You can't even withstand a single strike. You are unworthy of my effort," Chen Fan declared. He then turned away, returning to the Chen Clan's group. It wasn't that he couldn't defeat Qin Wentian, but rather, it was beneath him to crush someone so clearly outmatched. Since Qin Wentian had dared to challenge the Chen Clan and had already slain its members in Ginkou, he would undoubtedly meet his end at Chen Wang's hands. Chen Fan disdained crushing the weak, leaving that task to Chen Wang. Qin Wentian had no hope of escaping alive after antagonizing the Chen Clan.

"At the fifth level of Heavenly Dipper, bullying someone at the second level of Heavenly Dipper? Classic Chen Clan behavior," Ouyang Kuangsheng remarked with a heavy dose of sarcasm, his words prompting Chen Fan to glance back and shift his gaze toward the Ouyang Clan members. Ouyang Kuangsheng, for all his bravado, considered himself fortunate to be surrounded by his clan mates.

"I won't interfere; Chen Wang alone is sufficient. Unless, Ouyang Kuangsheng, you also wish to test your mettle against him?" Chen Fan chuckled coldly. Ouyang Kuangsheng nonchalantly brushed dust from his robes before stepping forward. "Why not? Chen Wang was known as the 'eternal number two' on the Heavenly Fate Rankings, after all. Since we've all reached Heavenly Dipper now, I've been itching for a showdown with him."

As Ouyang Kuangsheng advanced, Fan Le and Chu Mang followed suit. It was evident that despite their brave words, they still harbored concerns for their comrade.

Chen Wang, currently at the second level of Heavenly Dipper, had spent an extended period at this stage, suggesting a stable and formidable foundation.

"Hmph, the experts from my Chen Clan present today may not match your numbers," Chen Fan retorted, casting a disdainful look at the group. He understood that in a one-on-one confrontation, Chen Wang held the upper hand, but in a three- or four-on-one battle, even Chen Wang would struggle. Moreover, these individuals were all close friends of Qin Wentian. Their combined strength, especially when synergized in a group, would be daunting.

Subsequently, several experts from the Hua Clan joined the fray, shifting the balance of power.

Simultaneously, the Jiang Clan of the Wind Continent sent their own experts to stand alongside the Ouyang Clan members.

"They intend to exploit this situation to engage us once more. However, this time, the Wang, Chen, and Hua Clans are united. In that case, the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan won't have the upper hand. In fact, they might find themselves on the defensive," the onlookers speculated. The young man named Di was merely a pretext, an excuse to ignite a conflict.

Moments later, representatives from the Mystic Moon Sect arrived, led by a figure in black. Her appearance drew countless sharp glares. Bai Qing, the harbinger of death and darkness, had assassinated numerous members of transcendent powers, earning her the top spot on the kill-on-sight list.

As the various transcendent powers formed a circle around the arena, their experts stepped forward once more, ready for what lay ahead.

Back then, it was Hua Taixu who stirred up the tempest, but this time, the storm was unleashed by a young man named Di.

Chen Wang's body erupted in terrifying Qiankun flames as his Astral Nova took form. This time, he intended to make sure none of these people escaped alive.

"I'll handle her first," Chen Wang declared, pointing towards Bai Qing. In a flash, he appeared near her, his palms seemingly transformed into those of a magma giant. With a swift motion, he thrust them forward, causing the temperature to soar to scorching heights capable of turning people into ashes.

Waves of devilish power surged from Bai Qing, dark clouds gathering in the sky as she summoned a fearsome devilish saber to counter the magma palms.

"Big Bro Chu Mang!" Fan Le shouted. Instantly, astral bows materialized in their hands, and they released arrows simultaneously at lightning speed, aiming for Chen Wang.

Meanwhile, the experts from the Hua and Wang Clans charged forward, and Ouyang Kuangsheng and his allies from the Jiang Clan confronted them, resulting in a chaotic battle. Amidst all this, Qin Wentian remained stationary, as if he had been forgotten by everyone.

The participants in this battle were all Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns, with cultivations at the second and third levels. Those at the first level were deemed unqualified, while those at the fourth level observed from the sidelines.

"I don't have time to wait around," Qin Wentian exclaimed, his voice carefree. He darted into the midst of the battle, where Ouyang Kuangsheng's purplish lightning crackled, Wang Clan experts displayed body-refining techniques akin to divine weapons, and the Hua Clan members unleashed a variety of potent techniques.

"Watch out for that guy; he's skilled in the Bloodcurse Imprint!" someone warned, observing droplets of blood seeping into Qin Wentian's palms, turning them a deep crimson.

Yet, Qin Wentian moved like a phantom amidst the chaos, his actions a blur. His palm strikes left behind only piles of bones, and he even incapacitated a Wang Clan expert before they could react, his imprint stealing their life force.

"KILL HIM!" a Wang Clan expert shouted, and a figure clad in white armor stepped forward, wielding a long spear. His aura resonated at the third level of Heavenly Dipper.

"Wang Jian was once a prominent figure among the Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns of the Wang Clan, ranking in the top ten in previous Heavenly Fate Rankings," someone noted.

As Wang Jian closed in, his spear seemed to defy the laws of space itself, thrusting forth with incredible speed. Qin Wentian swiftly twisted his body, but the spear moved like a beam of light, piercing through the void and targeting the center of his forehead. The howling wind followed its path, sending chills down everyone's spines.

Qin Wentian countered with a forceful punch, infusing it with the Mandates' will, redirecting the spear's trajectory. However, Wang Jian, being a formidable opponent, swiftly adjusted. He spun the spear and sidestepped, readying himself for another attack. His movements were so swift that they resembled a streak of white lightning.

"Swish!" Qin Wentian rapidly retreated. But in that moment, a middle-aged man from the Nine Mystical Palace signaled, and their experts rushed towards Qin Wentian. They were adept at manipulating thunder and lightning, and with each punch they threw, condensed lightning became a speeding bead of energy, cutting off Qin Wentian's escape route.

"Did the Nine Mystical Palace just join in? Are they aligning with the Great Solar Chen Clan too?" The bead of lightning burst, releasing arcs of purple electricity. Simultaneously, the white spear continued its relentless advance, piercing through the brilliant purple shield and into the blurry figure of Qin Wentian!