Hostage Exchange

Hostage Exchange...

The unanimous action of closing his eyes sent a clear message to everyone present.

The sudden appearance of Jun Yu had completely derailed the Ouyang Ancestor's plan. Originally, he had believed that eliminating the Chen Clan was within their grasp, which was why he had consented to the alliance. However, with the arrival of the three Pill Emperor Hall Ascendants and Jun Yu's esteemed status, the Ouyang Ancestor no longer wished to immerse himself in this murky affair.

The Ouyang Ancestor was not Ouyang Kuangsheng. His decisions had to consider the welfare of his entire clan, and the potential risks of engaging in the battle now seemed to outweigh any possible benefits.

"Ancestor, we're not at a disadvantage if we fight," Ouyang Kuangsheng interjected, appearing beside the Ouyang Ancestor.

"Kuangsheng, hold your tongue," the Ouyang Ancestor scolded, causing Ouyang Kuangsheng's face to pale. He realized that despite his considerable talent, he was powerless to change the Ouyang Ancestor's decision.

As both the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan and the Jiang Clan refrained from intervening, anxiety gnawed at the Mystic Moon Sect.

Knowing Qin Wentian's character, he would rather perish in battle than evade it. He would never again endure the heart-wrenching feeling of helplessness that he had experienced when he was too weak to protect someone dear to him.

"Ouyang Kuangsheng, Fan Le, Chu Mang, come with me," a voice suddenly reached them. Ouyang Kuangsheng's eyes flickered as he turned towards the source. It was none other than Qin Zheng, someone they had fought alongside for several years, making them well-acquainted.

"What's going on?" Ouyang Kuangsheng asked through voice transmission.

"Yun Mengyi. She has activated the Grand Xia's ancient kingdom secret. All of you, follow me. However, we are missing one person," Qin Zheng replied, causing Ouyang Kuangsheng to instantly understand. They all turned their eyes to a seemingly ordinary individual in the crowd, realizing that he was none other than the disguised Di Tian.

"Di Tian, come with us to the ancient kingdom," Ouyang Kuangsheng instructed. Qin Wentian's expression shifted slightly as he directed his gaze at Ouyang Kuangsheng. He couldn't dare to leave, not even for a moment, at such a critical juncture.

"You can't change anything here. One of our friends has found something significant in the ancient kingdom. It could help our cause," Ouyang Kuangsheng elaborated. Qin Wentian could only nod in agreement, silently leaving with Ouyang Kuangsheng and the others, rapidly heading towards Grand Xia's ancient kingdom.

Their departure went largely unnoticed by the crowd. The leader of the Mystic Moon Sect sighed as she looked at Bai Qing, feeling an overwhelming sense of reluctance. Was there any way to cleanse the humiliation the Mystic Moon Sect had endured?

"Release Bai Qing, and my Mystic Moon Sect will overlook past grievances. We truly did not steal the Sacred Royal Medallion," the Mystic Moon Sect's leader sighed, her words reflecting her desperation. With the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan's withdrawal, though she hated submitting, she felt she had no other choice.

Hearing her plea, the crowd shook their heads in silence. Witnessing the leader of a transcendent power resorting to such measures, even considering setting aside past humiliations for the sake of Bai Qing, revealed the dire straits she found herself in. She could only hope that they would spare Bai Qing and prevent further unnecessary sacrifices.

"I can offer an ultimate art in exchange for her," the leader of the Mystic Moon Sect proposed, aware that the Chen Clan wouldn't simply release Bai Qing without a cost. She had no choice but to seek a transaction.

"Do you truly believe that the ultimate arts of Grand Xia are more valuable than the Sacred Royal Medallion?" a cold voice cut through the air. Chen Fan, a cultivator at the fifth level of Heavenly Dipper, stepped forward and grasped Bai Qing's shoulder. An intense heat enveloped her, and Chen Fan stared defiantly at the sky.

"You claim the Sacred Royal Medallion will appear today. If it doesn't, don't blame me for employing more forceful means," Chen Fan declared, the energy fluctuations intensifying. The Ascendants present focused their attention on the sky, their eyes gleaming with an ominous light. A member of the Chen Clan ascended skyward, his expression frosty.

Unbeknownst to all, a mysterious presence lurked nearby.

Before the Chen Clan's expert could ascend, a powerful gust of wind materialized in mid-air. Spectators raised their heads and witnessed the clouds parting, revealing a colossal silhouette descending from the sky.

A monstrous creature with a wingspan of 3,000 miles and baleful, cold eyes surveyed the crowd. It was a primordial great roc, and this colossal figure could only belong to Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian, presumed dead, had made a spectacular reappearance before the assembled transcendent powers.

"Wentian gege!" Bai Qing exclaimed, stunned and overjoyed at the sight of Qin Wentian. She had feared she would never see him again, yet here he was, albeit transformed into a primordial great roc. She knew his heart remained unchanged, and he still cared for her.

"Qin Wentian," the Chen Clan's Ascendant declared with sharp eyes. "The note mentioned the Sacred Royal Medallion appearing today. Did you kill Chen Wang and steal his medallion?"

The Pill Emperor Hall's Ascendants also stood, their gazes locked on the massive silhouette in the sky. Their animosity towards Qin Wentian ran deep. This great roc had torn the Pill Emperor Hall asunder, plunging their once-thriving sect into the depths of despair. Thankfully, Jun Yu's return had provided a glimmer of hope.

"Is this great roc truly Qin Wentian?" Jun Yu asked the Pill Emperor, staring at the colossal bird.

"Yes, there is no doubt. The art he employed is irreversible, trapping him in the form of a primordial great roc," the Pill Emperor confirmed. Jun Yu couldn't help but scoff. "Using the power of the demonic divinity constellations for transformation? Naturally, it's irreversible. Mortals can't wield such power without a significant cost."

The Pill Emperor nodded. Such a transcendent art was indeed irreversible. The only possibility for Qin Wentian to regain his human form was to ascend to a level beyond Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants.

Every gaze in the vicinity remained locked onto Qin Wentian, who hovered in the air. Comparing his current colossal form to the young man who had claimed the top spot in the Heavenly Fate Rankings three years ago, the onlookers couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

Qin Wentian's reign as the top ranker had been brief, yet his actions had repeatedly caused waves of turmoil throughout Grand Xia. No one before him had stirred the nation to such an extent.

Many idolized him, taking him as their hero.

Who else would have the courage and devotion to love that could drive them to split the entire Pill Emperor Hall with a sword? Be it his bravery or talent, Qin Wentian had become the ideal of countless young hearts.

The legend of Qin Wentian echoed across Grand Xia. Many admired him, yet when he appeared, who would openly stand by his side?

"Little Qing, Wentian gege has implicated you," the great roc conveyed with a gentle glint in its eyes, a sense of guilt visible on its countenance. "I've brought trouble upon your master and the other seniors from your Mystic Moon Sect who perished that day. Chen Wang was killed by someone under my command."

Bai Qing and the leader of the Mystic Moon Sect were momentarily stunned before Bai Qing shook her head. "Since it was done by Wentian gege, I don't mind bearing the consequences. My life holds no significance, but my hatred for the Chen Clan—for their murder of my sect sisters and the humiliation of my master—will never wane."

"The world is fraught with hatred that knows no end. Leave this to me. You mustn't let your young heart be tainted by the darkness of vengeance," the leader of the Mystic Moon Sect replied. "The enmity between Qin Wentian and Chen Wang began with the Heavenly Fate Rankings three years ago. It's not surprising that Chen Wang ended up dead. If the Chen Clan had the capability, they could have avenged Qin Wentian by killing him. Instead, they vented their anger on my Mystic Moon Sect."

"Little Qing, remember this. People's hearts are what truly matter. Qin Wentian risked his life to appear before the Chen Clan for you. Therefore, the Mystic Moon Sect will no longer retreat. If the Chen Clan desires a war, we will give them one. If they refuse to release you, then from this generation onward, the Mystic Moon Sect will consider the Great Solar Chen Clan an eternal enemy. We will kill one of them whenever we encounter them. There will be no mercy."

The leader of the Mystic Moon Sect spoke with an icy tone, but the Chen Clan's powerhouse remained coldly amused. He then turned his gaze to Qin Wentian. "Where is the Sacred Royal Medallion?"

"Release her," Qin Wentian demanded, his gaze locked onto the Chen Clan's ancestor.

"Release her? Return the medallion, and I will consider it," the Chen Clan's ancestor sneered.

"Ten breaths. If you don't release her, I will destroy the Sacred Royal Medallion," Qin Wentian declared coldly. He held the ancient medallion in his great roc's talons. If the Chen Clan wanted to test his patience, he was ready to destroy the valuable artifact.

The Chen Clan's ancestor's expression stiffened. With the current situation, the Pill Emperor Hall wouldn't let Qin Wentian escape again. The Ouyang Aristocrat Clan and Jiang Clan didn't dare to act recklessly, and his Great Solar Chen Clan surpassed the Mystic Moon Sect in power. Even with the inclusion of Fairy Qingmei, his clan still had the upper hand. Their success was guaranteed. With three Ascendant powerhouses from the Pill Emperor Hall containing Qin Wentian, he could eliminate the Mystic Moon Sect first and then deal with Qin Wentian.

A sly grin stretched across the Chen Clan ancestor's face as he considered the possibility of Qin Wentian actually destroying the Sacred Royal Medallion. He only feared that Qin Wentian might carry out the threat.

"Descend, and I'll release her," the Chen Clan ancestor called out.

"Wentian gege, don't trust him," Bai Qing warned, shaking her head.

"Very well," Qin Wentian agreed directly. His colossal form began to gently descend. In an instant, the Chen Clan ancestor waved his arms, conjuring a constellation in the sky above the great roc.

A blazing sun materialized behind the old man, radiating scorching heat capable of incinerating oceans. The sinister grin on the ancestor's lips grew wider.

"Release her," the Chen Clan ancestor ordered. To the Chen Clan, Bai Qing was worth less than a fart. The value of the Sacred Royal Medallion far exceeded hers.

Chen Fan released his grip, setting Bai Qing free. She flickered away, rushing towards Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian continued his descent and spoke to Bai Qing, "Little Qing, leave this place."

Defiance flickered in Bai Qing's eyes as she wanted to shake her head. However, she noticed a sharpness in the great roc's eyes. "Little Qing, aren't you going to listen to me?"

"But, Wentian gege..." Bai Qing's face turned pale.

"Go back, I can handle this," Qin Wentian transmitted. She seemed to struggle with her decision before ultimately nodding. She moved away, but she didn't leave. Clearly, she was still worried despite Qin Wentian's assurance.

Qin Wentian's colossal body landed in the arena. His immense size sent shivers down the spines of the spectators. Nevertheless, a blazing sun constellation suddenly manifested right in front of him, radiating a scorching heat capable of incinerating everything under the heavens.