Heavenly Mountain, Treasure Seizing Assembly

Heavenly Mountain, Treasure Seizing Assembly...

Qin Wentian's heart involuntarily trembled as he gazed at the blood-red demon halberd plunged into the earth. The aura of vengeance emanating from it was overwhelming.

Chi Yezi, a fifth-ranked Grandmaster, held an esteemed position and was highly respected. Who could have foreseen that the silk-pants young master of the Yin Clan would be so tyrannical, pushing him to the brink by slaughtering his kin, ultimately driving him to suicide? Chi Yezi sacrificed his life to imbue the halberd with this potent aura of vengeance, aiming it directly at the heavens.

Even in death, Grandmaster Ye sought vengeance against the young master of the Yin Clan. As a result, all those dispatched to retrieve the halberd met their end here. The young master alone escaped, his survival attributed to a powerful protective treasure. Subsequently, he sealed the area and sent wave after wave of individuals on retrieval missions, leading to the deaths of numerous cultivators.

With a swift motion, Qin Wentian advanced toward the halberd beneath the blood-soaked night sky. The closer he drew, the more he felt his mental state being affected. An unfamiliar energy sparked panic and irritation within him.

As Qin Wentian took his final steps to reach the halberd, a sudden blood-colored glow enveloped him, transporting him into a realm shaped by the halberd's power. In this surreal space, skeletal remains littered the surroundings. Blood stained the sky and earth, while haunting demonic howls filled the air, striking terror into anyone who heard them.

Streams of blood-red light shot into Qin Wentian's mind, yet his focus remained unclouded. As he faced the lingering soul within the halberd, he spoke in a resolute tone, "Senior, my heart is unwavering. The Mandate of Dreams cannot sway me."

By now, Qin Wentian had grasped the origin of this energy.

Chi Yezi had been proficient in the Mandate of Dreams, capable of infiltrating others' consciousness and ensnaring them within dreamscapes. However, after the trials he underwent in the Royal Tomb, confronting his own inner demons, Chi Yezi's dream manipulation paled in comparison.

The lingering soul was still restless, its mad screams and movements a futile attempt to assail Qin Wentian.

Shaking his head, Qin Wentian sighed, "Senior, your quest for vengeance has led to the death of countless innocent lives. Yet, your true enemy remains unharmed. Why persist in your vengeance?"

As his voice echoed, Qin Wentian continued to step forward, closing the distance to the scarlet demon halberd. He extended his hand, touching the halberd's surface and bellowed, "Allow me to bear your vendetta!"

The moment his hand connected with the halberd, the overwhelming aura of vengeance transformed into streaks of light that shot into his mind. Chaos reigned within his consciousness as the dream manipulation tried to delve into his memories. However, the trials he faced in the Royal Tomb had fortified his mental resilience. The energy of the dream manipulation left by a deceased man held no power to waver his resolve.

"Junior dares not guarantee, but if there's a chance, I shall wield this halberd, forged by your own hands, to vanquish your enemies. Their blood will serve as a cleansing balm for your vengeance," Qin Wentian declared. He sliced his finger, letting a drop of blood trickle onto the runic inscriptions etched into the halberd. Simultaneously, he focused his intent on the halberd, erasing the mark left by Chi Yezi.

With a sweeping motion, he drew the halberd from the ground and stowed it in his interspatial ring. "May peace return to this place," Qin Wentian muttered under his breath before vanishing into the night.

......

The news of the halberd's disappearance spread like wildfire the following morning, leaving people astonished.

Gone? Had someone spirited away the scarlet demon halberd?

Could it be that the Yin Clan, in an audacious move, dispatched a Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant to covertly steal the halberd in the dead of night? Of course, such speculations remained unspoken, merely exchanged in hushed conversations.

Meanwhile, the truth sent a certain young master of the Yin Clan into a fit of rage. He had invested immense effort in obtaining the ancient and fearsome halberd, even sullying his reputation in the process. To see it vanish had him seething, so infuriated that he coughed up blood. His prized possession had been stolen.

Adding insult to injury, he had received displeasing news the previous day. The man he'd sent to capture Song Jia had been injured during his return journey, and Song Jia herself had been spirited away. These two setbacks left him profoundly dissatisfied.

As for Song Jia, she was still staying in the small inn. While at breakfast, she felt a pang of sorrow upon learning about the disappearance of the scarlet demon halberd. It was undoubtedly the work of the Yin Clan.

"Miss Song, what a surprise," a voice chimed in, causing Song Jia's expression to change. She looked up and found Qin Wentian holding Little Rascal. He seemed entirely composed and at ease.

"Why are you here?" Song Jia asked, her astonishment evident.

"Just passing through. I didn't expect to run into Miss Song Jia," Qin Wentian replied with a smile as he took a seat in front of her. "Earlier, you were forced into a difficult situation. Since you're now free, I assume you encountered some fortuitous events on your journey. Why haven't you returned to Luo City?"

Song Jia's face darkened at his words. She shook her head and said, "I'm all too familiar with the Yin Clan's methods. They won't stop until they achieve their goals. If I return, they'll still send someone to Luo City to harass my clan members. I fear they will employ ruthless tactics, and I don't want to involve my clan."

"In that case, are you planning to walk willingly into the trap? Is this what your clan members would want to see?" Qin Wentian asked, a hint of concern in his eyes.

"Today, the Xuan King City is hosting a Treasure Seizing Assembly at the Heavenly Mountain, and people from major powers will attend, including Yin Cheng, the young master of the Yin Clan. I will publicly apologize to him and beg for his forgiveness. Perhaps, due to face, he might agree to release me. Although it's a pitiful move, I don't want to see my clan members suffer because of my death. If every possible avenue isn't exhausted, I truly don't wish to become a skeleton at such a young age," Song Jia explained calmly. "In life, there are moments when one must humble themselves. If I had been more mature earlier, I wouldn't have spoken out of turn, leading to this situation."

Qin Wentian looked at Song Jia's composed demeanor and sighed inwardly. Indeed, one's experiences could change their perspective. Song Jia's mindset was evolving after going through this ordeal.

"Well, I'm feeling a bit bored, and the Treasure Seizing Assembly sounds like something interesting. I'll go with you to take a look," Qin Wentian said casually, though he was secretly concerned. Originally, he planned to discreetly rescue Song Jia and be done with it. But now, she had chosen to walk into the trap voluntarily, and he couldn't stand by and watch her march to her doom.

"Since I've taken their wine, I'll just have to deal with whatever trouble comes my way," Qin Wentian mused to himself.

Song Jia looked up at Qin Wentian and nodded slightly. "That's fine. But once we arrive at the Heavenly Mountain, you mustn't be seen walking with me. My issues with the Yin Clan might implicate you if they see us together."

Qin Wentian didn't respond to that and changed the subject. After breakfast, they set off for the Heavenly Mountain.

As Song Jia watched Little Rascal transform into a pegasus before her eyes, a gleam of excitement sparkled in her eyes.

"This is Little Rascal's transformation ability. Come on up; we'll need you to lead the way," Qin Wentian said with a smile. After a moment's hesitation, Song Jia nodded and mounted Little Rascal.

The Heavenly Mountain occupied the western region of Xuan King City. It was immense, extending from the city's borders far into the distance.

While Xuan King City was filled with countless experts, the vastness of the mountain range meant that there were secrets impossible to discover. Hidden cultivators often chose this area for their cultivation.

The Heavenly Mountain was known for yielding unique treasures over time. Every six months, it hosted a Treasure Seizing Assembly that attracted an astronomical number of cultivators.

However, Song Jia, at this moment, couldn't muster any enthusiasm. As they walked along the mountain path, she spoke to Qin Wentian. "The Treasure Seizing Assembly is split into different segments. Yuanfu cultivators are at the foot of the mountains, while those below the sixth level of Heavenly Dipper occupy the mountain waist. To buy or sell valuable treasures, one must be at the peak."

"Yin Cheng has already reached the third level of Heavenly Dipper. In this assembly, he will likely invite disciples from major powers to the mountain waist. We should part ways here; I will head to the mountain waist. Don't stay with me any longer," she said, a hint of determination in her voice.

"Mhm," Qin Wentian nodded in agreement. Song Jia hadn't expected him to agree so readily, and a faint sense of disappointment crossed her face. In moments of despair, people often seek a glimmer of hope to hold onto. While she didn't want to involve Qin Wentian, it hurt to realize that he didn't even react protectively.

Song Jia turned away, wearing a distressed expression as she headed toward the mountain waist.

Little Rascal transformed back into its original form and was carried by Qin Wentian as they traversed the mountain paths. Qin Wentian extended his perception and soon found a cultivator setting up shop ahead.

"Boss, are these scrolls for divine inscriptions?" Qin Wentian asked the elderly man running the shop.

"Young brother has a keen eye. You seem to have some talent in the field of Divine Inscriptions. These scrolls I have for sale can create a shield of divine inscriptions capable of withstanding a single strike from a Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant. They're a good choice if you're looking for a life-saving treasure," the old man said, stroking his beard and chuckling.

Qin Wentian shook his head slightly. These items didn't hold much value for him. If he encountered someone significantly more powerful than him, the scrolls would be used up after a single attack, and he still wouldn't be able to escape.

"Do you have any space transference inscription scrolls?" Qin Wentian inquired. Although he could inscribe divine inscriptions, he wasn't proficient in the Mandate of Space. Back in the Unmatched Realm, only Qin Zheng had comprehended this aspect, allowing him access to all thirty-six mountains.

"No," the old man replied, shaking his head. "What you're looking for requires not only a master of divine inscriptions but also someone who has grasped the Mandate of Space. The price also varies depending on the distance it can transfer you. The farther it goes, the more valuable the scroll. For items like that, you might want to try your luck at the mountain waist. However, even if such an item is available there, members of various powers would be fighting over it. Your chances of acquiring it would be slim."

"Thank you for your guidance," Qin Wentian said, clasping his hands. With a smile, he continued along the mountain path toward the waist.

He understood the value of the item he sought. Traveling alone in this vast world, it was wise to invest in life-saving treasures if he could.