One Step, One Annihilation

One Step, One Annihilation...

The atmosphere grew tense as the crowd watched with bated breath. Who was this audacious young man in white?

The first time he had appeared, he boldly seized Song Jia, infuriating Yin Cheng but avoiding retribution due to Song Jia's surrender.

Now, he dared to challenge for a treasure Song Jia had expressed interest in. The audience couldn't fathom his audacity. Did he not realize that with Princess Shang Yue's presence, even the powerful elites from major clans had no chance to compete?

They couldn't comprehend Qin Wentian's perspective. Out in the perilous world, avoiding conflicts was near impossible. He had to be prepared and couldn't bow to every silk-robed young master. His goal was to survive, and he needed every advantage he could get.

The spatial brush before him was invaluable to his survival. He couldn't back down.

"This brush is mine, without a doubt," Qin Wentian declared with unwavering determination. The atmosphere seemed to congeal as everyone's gaze turned to him, their combined pressure bearing down.

Arrogant words. Shang Yue had already expressed reluctance to confront him directly. From their perspective, it was only proper. What made Qin Wentian believe he had the right to claim the treasure with such audacity?

"Princess, allow me to acquire the brush on your behalf," a middle-aged man beside Shang Yue volunteered with a bow.

As Shang Yue's subordinate, it was his duty to represent her in such contests. However, she refused, fearing it would tarnish their clan's reputation. Sending a fifth-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereign to compete against a third-level one would invite ridicule.

"My cultivation is at the fourth level of Heavenly Dipper. None in this area, no matter how many fourth-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns there are, can defeat me," Shang Yue stated icily, glaring at Qin Wentian. "I wanted to spare you, but your stubbornness forces my hand. Is there anyone willing to represent me?"

Her words hung heavy in the air, and several figures flickered into the central area for treasure presenters.

The crowd consisted of extraordinarily talented fourth-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns from aristocratic clans. They eagerly offered to represent Shang Yue in the impending battle. Qin Wentian, however, remained beneath their notice. If they had been the ones facing Yang Ting earlier, they would have dominated him with ease. Those not involved in that duel dared not challenge Shang Yue's decision now.

Shang Yue assessed the candidates but settled on a young man from the Golden Fire Aristocrat Clan, Jin Zhan, known for his devastating fire-based attacks. He exuded an air of confidence and victory.

As the others withdrew, Jin Zhan couldn't help but sneer at Qin Wentian, who had seemingly bitten off more than he could chew. However, Qin Wentian had other plans.

"Excuse me for a moment," Qin Wentian interjected casually, causing the crowd to murmur in surprise.

"What's this? The white-robed young man isn't willing to fight?" Jin Zhan mocked.

"Just a moment, please," Qin Wentian repeated, further perplexing onlookers. Was he truly declining the challenge?

"I don't have time to waste with you," Jin Zhan retorted. He unleashed his fiery powers, causing space to warp around him as he approached Qin Wentian's pavilion with a mocking grin.

People pitied Qin Wentian. To please Princess Shang Yue, Jin Zhan wouldn't hold back.

But then, Song Jia, in a hurry, dashed through the crowd and reached Qin Wentian's pavilion. She froze as she saw Jin Zhan's approach.

"Have you settled what I asked for?" Qin Wentian inquired, seemingly oblivious to Jin Zhan's arrival.

"Yes, I managed to obtain several," Song Jia replied, handing an interspatial ring to Qin Wentian. Her response left him satisfied, and he nodded while accepting the ring. In the meantime, he entrusted Little Rascal to her care.

Qin Wentian whispered to Song Jia, "From now on, Yin Cheng will likely forget about you. Return to your clan and, if he seeks revenge, have your clan quietly relocate elsewhere. My companion, Little Rascal, will protect you as you leave."

Song Jia stared at Qin Wentian, utterly stunned by his words.

"Don't worry," Qin Wentian reassured Song Jia, "with this little fellow's speed, even a fifth-level Heavenly Dipper wouldn't catch up to it." Song Jia couldn't help but bite her lip, realizing that Qin Wentian had provoked Yin Cheng solely for her sake.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked quietly.

"Go now," Qin Wentian replied, waving his hand. Moments later, Song Jia felt a powerful force pushing her away. The snowy puppy jumped onto her shoulder, and as she looked back, she saw Qin Wentian taking out a wine gourd and guzzling down a mouthful of wine. His answer to her question was simple: he accepted something from her clan and was repaying the debt, all for the sake of great wine.

Back then, when Song Jia reunited with her father and recounted this incident, the old servant of the Song Clan realized that the white-robed young man who had stolen their entire collection of wine was no ordinary thief. He had ensured the safety of their young miss.

Back to the present, as Jin Zhan approached, golden flames crackled menacingly around him, capable of burning through anything. Qin Wentian, with his wine gourd still in hand, took another sip and spewed it into the golden flames, creating a towering inferno.

The crowd watched as a smile spread across the white-robed young man's face. With the wine gourd still in hand, he stepped towards Jin Zhan.

With that single step, it felt as though the heavens and earth bent under its weight. An overwhelming wave of killing intent surged forth, even reaching those far away in the crowd.

Jin Zhan, however, bore the brunt of this pressure. The force of Qin Wentian's step felt as if it could annihilate him, a sword intent penetrating through him and attacking his Astral Novas.

"BOOM!" The energy of Jin Zhan's Golden Fire bloodline exploded forth. His entire body became enshrouded in flames, resembling a war deity of fire as his Astral Novas manifested above him. A golden fire lotus spun in the air, and with a wave of his hands, the fiery petals spiraled toward Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian took another step. As the second step landed, Jin Zhan let out a pained cry. He could feel the sword intent intensify, piercing his Astral Nova and leaving it covered in cracks.

Panic replaced Jin Zhan's earlier confidence. He, a prominent figure in Xuan King City, was a talented scion of the Golden Fire Aristocrat Clan. Yet, now, he doubted his own ability to win.

His Astral Novas erupted into being, and with incantation gestures, he unleashed a potent Mandate, causing the space to ignite. The fiery lotus petals, razor-sharp and spinning rapidly, sped toward Qin Wentian. The scorching temperature was about to ignite and incinerate him.

Qin Wentian's expression remained unchanged as he took his third step.

The Seven Annihilations Swordplay: Killing with a Single Step, Killing with a Single Thought.

As the third step landed, the fiery petals exploded under the immense pressure. Qin Wentian's Mandate of Swords erupted, and his Kingly Sword Astral Nova aided him, crashing into Jin Zhan's already damaged Golden Fire lotus, causing even more cracks to mar it.

Jin Zhan's face drained of color, and he let out a bloodcurdling scream as crimson liquid sprayed continuously from the corners of his lips.

This shocking sight left the onlookers in the crowd stunned, their expressions a mix of terror and disbelief as they gazed upon the young man in white.

Jin Zhan had been injured?

But the young man hadn't even made an attack. He had merely taken three steps forward.

One step, one annihilation. Each successive step was more powerful than the last.

High above in the sky, Song Jia peered down, feeling the overwhelming sword intent emanating from the Heavenly Mountains. When she saw Jin Zhan coughing up blood, her heart raced with shock.

"So, it was him!"

Song Jia now realized that the mysterious figure who had saved her from the black-robed middle-aged man was none other than Qin Wentian. His concealed features had led her to believe he was a senior expert. In reality, he had been silently protecting her all along.

The wind ruffled Song Jia's long hair as she took a final glance at the white-robed youth before turning away. There was a smile in her eyes, but it was tinged with tears of self-reproach. How could she blame him? Why hadn't she recognized him earlier?