Snatching Once More

Snatching Once More

The ancient towering tree had stood for countless years, its secrets hidden in the annals of time.

Qin Wentian strode confidently toward the tree's fruits, which radiated the essence of the Mandate of Space.

His purpose in obtaining these fruits wasn't for his own benefit but for Qing'er.

Throughout his journey from Sky Harmony City to this moment, there had been several individuals who had come to his aid—his foster father Qin Chuan, his esteemed teacher Mustang, his senior sister Luo Huan, and the enigmatic Fairy Qingmei. Qin Wentian felt a profound debt of gratitude toward these people.

However, it was Qing'er, the elusive and ice-cold celestial maiden, who held a special place in his heart. Her preference for silence and her chilly demeanor were well-known, but she had followed an order from Fairy Qingmei to protect him from the shadows for the past seven to eight years.

In countless near-death situations, it was always Qing'er who appeared to save him.

After the battle at the Pill Emperor Hall, despite his grievous injuries, he remembered that it was Qing'er who had stayed by his side, nursing him back to health and accompanying him to the Celestial Lake Palace. He had no idea what sacrifices she had made to obtain the Great Nirvana Immortal Art for him, but he was determined to repay her immense kindness.

"Qing'er is a master of the Mandate of Space. These Space Mandate Fruits are tailor-made for her. I must acquire them." Qin Wentian's eyes burned with resolve. He found himself surrounded by various experts who had gathered around the tree, all vying for the Space Mandate Fruits.

However, getting close to the fruits was a daunting challenge. The closer one approached, the stronger the sensation of disorientation became. Movements that were intended to go forward often led sideways or to random locations. Additionally, a protective spatial barrier surrounded the fruits, preventing anyone from reaching them. No one had succeeded yet, and only an expert well-versed in the Mandate of Space might have a chance.

Below him, Yin Ting and the other two were closing in. As Qin Wentian's demonic energy surged, he took a step forward, and spatial energy crackled around him, teleporting him into the zone surrounding the Space Mandate Fruits. Yin Ting's lightning serpent Astral Nova struck nothingness, as Qin Wentian had entered the space around the coveted fruits.

Within this zone, Qin Wentian experienced an escalating sense of disorientation, as terrifying fluctuations of spatial energy threatened to tear him apart.

"This spatial zone exists in its own dimension, with its own laws and directions," Qin Wentian realized. He observed a streak of spatial light approaching and quickly stepped back, then dashed forward abruptly. The space within this zone was incredibly chaotic, but with his keen perception, he managed to evade the spatial disturbances and take a step in the correct direction.

Qin Wentian sensed that he was now just one step away from the Space Mandate Fruits, yet it felt as if several layers of space were obstructing his path, significantly elongating the distance between him and his goal.

One by one, the spatial zones crumbled as Qin Wentian relentlessly pressed forward, determination gleaming in his eyes. After a while, he noticed that there were others trapped in the spatial zone he had just broken through. Among them was a strikingly beautiful figure—the Princess of Xuan King City, Shang Yue.

"It's you?" Shang Yue's gaze bore a cold, intense glare as she locked eyes with Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian simply gave her a casual glance and continued his forward progress. The backlash from the spatial disruptions intensified, and the demonic qi radiating from him surged in response.

"The power of Space is truly formidable. If one could cultivate and eventually manifest a Constellation related to the Mandate of Space, its strength would surpass that of ordinary Constellations," Qin Wentian pondered. While personal cultivation played a significant role, there were certain Mandates that inherently held an advantage.

"Hand over the spatial brush," a voice demanded from behind Qin Wentian. He swiftly turned, delivering a powerful palm strike. The roars of demonic dragons tore through the air as his aura surged. Even a single palm strike contained boundless force.

Shang Yue raised her palms to meet the attack, but how could she, with only a cultivation level of the fourth Heavenly Dipper, withstand Qin Wentian's might? The draconic imprint transformed into undulating energy waves, invisible yet terrifying, as they surged into her body, causing her to cough up blood.

"Bam..." The sheer force of the impact sent Shang Yue reeling, forcing her to retreat. Her gaze turned icy as she fixed her eyes on Qin Wentian. The fabric around her neck had been shredded by the impact, revealing her snow-white neck.

"Do you truly believe that you can acquire the spatial brush by challenging me during the Treasure Seizing Assembly?" Qin Wentian's gaze swept over Shang Yue, who now looked visibly shaken. Qin Wentian's strength had surpassed her wildest expectations, and she could feel a terrifying energy delving deep into her consciousness. Her expression became increasingly unsightly as she realized that Qin Wentian's power far exceeded her own.

"Bzzz!" As Qin Wentian turned, Shang Yue's body erupted with a fearsome surge of her bloodline power. Instantly, she became shrouded in a frigid field of lethal energy, her long hair billowing in the wind. The pressure she exuded was so stifling that it silenced all others around her.

Shang Yue hailed from a branch of the Royal Clan in Grand Shang, and her heritage granted her the power of the Royal Bloodline, specifically the vitality bloodline.

The name "vitality bloodline" stemmed from its unique ability: when activated, this bloodline power would permeate every cell in her body, enhancing their vitality. This increase in vitality resulted in a significant overall boost to her physical attributes. Even her life force became brimming with energy.

Once the innate potential of every cell was unlocked by the bloodline's power, her attacks naturally became much more potent. Additionally, her natural defenses, resistance, and regeneration abilities all reached remarkable heights.

While this bloodline didn't manifest any outwardly flashy effects, it substantially augmented the user's combat abilities.

Qin Wentian turned to face Shang Yue and recognized the transformation she had undergone as the activation of her bloodline power. Her previously black pupils were now encased in icy blue, and her gaze felt as sharp as daggers. He understood that this particular bloodline was no ordinary one.

Bloodlines were innate gifts bestowed upon individuals at birth, and they were indeed extraordinary. Qin Wentian himself possessed the bloodline of a formidable demon, allowing him to enter a berserker state that made him appear incredibly demonic. This bloodline not only enhanced his aura but also enabled him to advance his cultivation level. In the present moment, an overwhelming surge of demonic qi emanated from him, giving the impression that he was the supreme ruler of all demons. Despite being at the third level of Heavenly Dipper, his aura resembled that of someone at the fourth level.

"You think I'm incapable of winning?" Shang Yue was not only a genius but also a princess of Xuan King City, excelling in both talent and beauty. She couldn't tolerate Qin Wentian's disdain.

She unleashed her Astral Nova, which took the form of a sword radiating an icy chill. Its sharpness was unparalleled, and it rapidly dropped the surrounding temperature, causing icicles to form. Ice sculptures emerged one after another, with Shang Yue standing in their midst.

Stepping forward and slashing with her sword, the surrounding space seemed on the verge of freezing solid. In this moment, only she and Qin Wentian occupied their world. The cold intent emanating from her sword surged directly into Qin Wentian's body. With each inch the sword approached, the chill he felt deepened by several degrees.

Suddenly, Qin Wentian grasped why Shang Yue sought the spatial brush. With her Mandate of Icesnow already reaching such formidable levels, it was clear that her next Mandate of choice was the Mandate of Space. This was why she had come here to obtain the Space Mandate Fruits.

However, regardless of her motives, what did they have to do with Qin Wentian? No one could prevent him from obtaining the Constellation Fruits.

Taking a step forward, his terrifying aura surged relentlessly, resembling the dominion of demons, and it continued to intensify.

"Boom, boom, boom..." Qin Wentian took four calculated steps forward, unleashing a torrent of sword qi that enveloped the entire expanse of the heavens and earth. His formidable killing intent merged with the might of his sword, hurtling straight toward Shang Yue. However, Shang Yue mirrored his movements, directing her icy sword's power directly into Qin Wentian's path.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

Qin Wentian thrust his finger downward, gathering the entire surrounding sword energy at its tip.

Heaven Breaking Finger, a single stab capable of rending the heavens asunder.

As his finger descended, Qin Wentian flicked his sleeves and continued advancing. Seeing Jian Jingtian closing in on the fruits, his expression darkened. Allowing the Constellation Fruits to fall into the hands of others would make retrieval significantly more challenging.

Ignoring everything else, Qin Wentian pressed onward. He waved his hands, conjuring an ancient scroll that enveloped him, radiating waves of spatial energy.

"The energy of space should be the same. I wonder if I can sense it," Qin Wentian mused. Closing his eyes, he extended his powerful perception outward. Standing in place, he patiently waited. Progressing step by step was no longer an option; he had only one chance. He needed to breach all the invisible spatial barriers in one go to reach the Space Mandate Fruits directly.

With the emanating spatial energy, he attempted to perceive the fluctuations of the surrounding space. He remained motionless, fully aware that advancing step by step was now too slow. He had a single opportunity to break through the invisible spatial barriers and reach the Constellation Fruits.

Shang Qi and Jian Jingtian both made their move, successfully overcoming the last layer of spatial distortions. Their eyes gleamed with excitement as they closed in on the coveted fruits.

In that crucial moment, Qin Wentian initiated Stellar Transposition.

Stellar Transposition wasn't ordinary teleportation or a spatial skill. It triggered a burst of astral energy, utilizing the explosive force to maximize his speed. Previously, it wouldn't have been effective, but now, the situation had changed entirely...

Qin Wentian's form materialized precisely in front of the Constellation Fruits, defying the surging waves of menacing spatial energy. Without hesitation, he reached out his hands toward the fruits.

With a single grasp, he plucked the branch bearing the two Space Mandate Fruits. Terrifying spatial lacerations tore into his arms, nearly severing them.

Behind him, Shang Qi's face froze in shock as he witnessed the sudden appearance of Qin Wentian. Slowly recovering, a mixture of comprehension and fury flashed across his face.

"DIE!" Shang Qi's Frenzied Demon Halberd thrust forward, aiming to obliterate Qin Wentian on the spot.

"Court death," Jian Jingtian uttered, also recovering from his shock. He swiftly slashed with his sword, releasing a resplendent beam that cut through the air toward Qin Wentian.

With both hands, Qin Wentian plucked the Constellation Fruits and stashed them in his interspatial ring. The spatial distortions in the area immediately dissipated. The Frenzied Demon Halberd and the sword beam were closing in on him.

"BOOM!" Utilizing Stellar Transposition, Qin Wentian ascended into the sky. Instead of retreating, he soared upward. As he touched his waist, he felt blood oozing from his fingers. If he had been even slightly slower, the halberd would have cleaved through him. Blood also dripped from his ears, evidence of an injury from Jian Jingtian's sword qi.

His earlier clash with Shang Yue had left her coughing up blood and forced several steps backward. By the time she recovered, Qin Wentian had already secured the Constellation Fruits. As the barriers dissolved, the majority of experts ascended to encircle him. Qin Wentian had become a thorn in the eyes of many.

This man had snatched away so many Constellation Fruits. Wasn't he afraid for his life?

At this moment, Shang Qi and Jian Jingtian seethed with rage. They wanted to see just how capable Qin Wentian was of retaining those Constellation Fruits.