Forced Into Desperate Straits

Forced Into Desperate Straits

Qin Wentian's expression soured as he glared at the middle-aged man before him. He couldn't help but notice the potent aura of a space-sealing treasure on the man's person, a clear indication that the major powers had come well-prepared to deal with him.

Retreating swiftly, Qin Wentian swung his hands, directing beams of sword light toward the protective barrier. The energy fluctuations upon impact were evident, yet the barrier remained unscathed.

"It's futile," Yin Ting declared coldly. The sealing treasure in their possession was a formidable heirloom of the Yin Clan, specially employed for this mission. They had no intention of letting Qin Wentian escape.

"As I said before, you won't get away," Shang Qi sneered as he advanced. The chosen from the six major powers closed in on Qin Wentian, their gazes filled with undisguised killing intent.

Clearly, their ultimate goal was Qin Wentian's demise.

Qin Wentian hadn't anticipated that they would track him down with such determination, let alone possess such a powerful sealing treasure for his capture. This wasn't a haphazard pursuit; it was a meticulously planned operation.

The Vermilion Bird's baleful aura intensified, and purgatory flames surged around it. Now, the experts present paid serious attention to the bird, their hearts filled with astonishment. Qin Wentian's demonic beasts were truly extraordinary. From a shape-shifting puppy with incredible speed to a formidable vermilion bird, his menagerie was exceptional. Moreover, the aura of the Vermilion Bird was exceptionally potent.

Qin Wentian marveled at the Vermilion Bird's newfound strength, realizing that it had grown more powerful after Little Rascal devoured the crimson-eyed demonic spirit.

Little Rascal displayed its intelligence by positioning itself behind Qin Wentian, understanding the gravity of the situation. It opened its mouth and emitted astral light, creating a nebula in the sky.

"Hmm?" The middle-aged man furrowed his brows and ordered, "Stop that little creature."

"Roger," replied the middle-aged man. Several experts cautiously approached Little Rascal, but their faces bore expressions of fear. The memory of Qin Wentian slaughtering fifth-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns was still fresh in their minds, making them hesitant to provoke this harbinger of death.

"You want to play?" The middle-aged man with a seventh-level Heavenly Dipper cultivation base stepped forward. The Purgatory Vermilion Bird emitted a piercing shriek and appeared instantly before Qin Wentian, shielding him protectively. The baleful light in the bird's eyes sent shivers down their spines.

The six chosen also advanced toward Qin Wentian, their unleashed Astral Novas ready for battle. They couldn't afford to underestimate this man, especially after witnessing his near-victory against Xie Yu in their previous encounter.

"You could have saved yourself if you'd just handed over the fruits yesterday. Now, death is your only path," Feng Yunhe coldly declared. Trapped and outnumbered, Qin Wentian saw no way to escape. With no blood pool nearby for the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay, his only option was to transform into a primordial great roc once more and eliminate those who pursued him today.

The nebula in the sky condensed, forming a constellation. A sharp gleam filled Qin Wentian's eyes. When Little Rascal devoured the Vermilion Bird Formation, could it spit it out now that Purgatory had recovered, allowing Purgatory to control it?

"I have to buy time," Qin Wentian thought. His bloodline hadn't fully recovered from yesterday's intense battle. Now, burning his blood again, he felt immense pressure bearing down on him. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to fight for his life.

The starlight from the nebula landed on the Purgatory Vermilion Bird, intensifying its purgatory flames. This unexpected turn of events caused the middle-aged man's expression to waver. He quickly commanded, "Kill that accursed beast."

With his command, he rushed toward Purgatory. Lightning and thunder formed a palm imprint that struck down with blinding speed, capturing the Purgatory Vermilion Bird and causing it to explode in a flurry of sparks and lightning, injuring the bird.

The Purgatory Vermilion Bird let out an enraged scream, and its purgatory flames erupted, colliding with the palm imprint in a devastating shockwave.

Simultaneously, the six chosen attacked Qin Wentian, while other experts closed in on Little Rascal.

Qin Wentian's Astral Novas erupted, and his demonic blood surged within him as demon scale armor enveloped his body.

"Anyone who dares to approach will meet their end," Qin Wentian roared. He stomped the ground, and a towering sword qi surged, engulfing the entire area.

"Why wouldn't we dare?" Jian Jingtian frowned and stepped forward, his sword qi growing increasingly intense. A river of swords materialized, surging toward Qin Wentian.

"BOOM!" Qin Wentian advanced, unleashing the might of the Seven Annihilations Swordplay to its fullest.

"Do it!" Shang Qi commanded, and the other experts launched their attacks, targeting the snowy puppy behind Qin Wentian.

As Qin Wentian continued to move forward, the sword qi reached a terrifying height. His silhouette flickered and vanished, reappearing among those advancing toward Little Rascal, completing the fifth step. Overwhelming sword intent filled the air as his King Sword Astral Nova swung left and right. Blood sprayed as the others hastily retreated in all directions.

"BOOOM!" The Heartbreak Echo echoed in the hearts of the experts. Simultaneously, Qin Wentian completed the sixth step, and surrounding experts screamed in agony as their bodies were slashed.

On the other side, Shang Qi and the others rushed toward Little Rascal. Feng Yunhe was the fastest, his sharp talons slashing downward, but Little Rascal continued to emit astral light, turning shiny golden.

"Szzz!" Feng Yunhe's talons struck Little Rascal, flipping it over. Yet, Little Rascal continued to emit astral light, enhancing the starlight enveloping the purgatory vermilion bird.

"This little guy is remarkably resilient," Xie Yu coldly remarked. His nine arms unleashed a flurry of punches, covering the sky in fist shadows. The punches hit Little Rascal, sending it flying as it spat out blood.

Little Rascal's eyes burned with rage, and it stubbornly continued to emit astral light, showing unwavering determination, much like Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian's anger reached its boiling point. As he stepped onto the seventh step, his King Sword Astral Nova, filled with fury, struck out. Those near him felt sword qi piercing their bodies, and a haunting sword melody echoed, slicing their throats. However, the six chosen from the major powers remained unconcerned when their subordinates fell. They were willing to pay any price to kill Qin Wentian.

"Can you just die already?" Xie Yu unleashed his attacks on Little Rascal again, each punch carrying the weight of the Mandate of Great Earth and the sharpness of the Mandate of Gold.

Unable to endure this, Qin Wentian killed those obstructing his path and then used Stellar Transposition to appear beside Xie Yu. A resplendent light glowed at the center of his brows, striking directly into Xie Yu's sea of consciousness. Simultaneously, his Astral Nova aimed to shatter Xie Yu's head.

However, Shang Qi intervened directly, positioning himself in front of Qin Wentian to block Xie Yu's strike. His blood-colored palms radiated a golden light as they collided with Qin Wentian's King Sword, causing him to stagger several steps backward. In that brief moment, Xie Yu's relentless attacks landed successfully on Little Rascal.

Meanwhile, the fluctuations of the sealing energy fluttered as several new experts arrived, entering the light screen. These individuals emitted an extraordinary aura, the reserves that had been following the chosen from a distance.

"Bzzz!" Before Qin Wentian could react, the sealing energy fluctuated again, sealing off the entire space. The pursuers had chosen the perfect moment when he couldn't afford to be distracted to readjust the seal and allow the reserves to enter.

Qin Wentian assessed the cultivation bases of these experts and a look of despair washed over his face.

Even the weakest among them had reached the sixth level of Heavenly Dipper. There was absolutely no hope.

Demonic qi surged around him as he extended his will into the heavens. Only by using the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation could he hope to resolve this crisis.

However, the next moment, Qin Wentian paled. He had no way to activate the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation technique.

The sealing treasure didn't just prevent teleportation; it completely sealed off space, isolating this area from the external world. Qin Wentian couldn't establish a connection with the constellations of the demonic divinities in the Heavenly Layers.

Knowing it was impossible, Qin Wentian abandoned the plan immediately. His figure flickered, and he reappeared before Little Rascal. With Qin Wentian trapped, the experts were in no hurry to make their move. Their eyes held a cruel amusement as they observed him, fully aware that he had no way out.

"Little Rascal, if I die here, take Purgatory back to Grand Xia," Qin Wentian whispered in a low voice. There was only one solution left. However, if he unleashed the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay in these circumstances, he would unquestionably meet his end.

But now, he had no other choice.

"AROOOOOOO!" Little Rascal unleashed a furious barrage of barks, shaking its head wildly as the stream of astral light from its mouth intensified.

"Do you think these two demonic beasts can escape after you die?" Shang Qi taunted with a sinister grin. "But I must admit, they would make excellent mounts for my royal clan. You possess something as rare as a vermilion bird, and you thought you could protect them? How amusing."

"Subdue the vermilion bird first; its aura is growing stronger by the moment!" Shang Qi commanded, and the nearby experts closed in on the vermilion bird.

The flames surrounding Purgatory had reached an astonishing intensity, as if it could incinerate everything with a mere thought.

Suddenly, it let out a piercing shriek and turned toward Shang Qi and the others, launching purgatory fireballs at them.

"Careful!" Shang Qi and his companions quickly retreated. The purgatory vermilion bird didn't pursue them but instead sped toward Qin Wentian, knocking him to the ground. Just as Qin Wentian was about to release a torrent of sword qi, the vermilion bird intervened, preventing him from unleashing the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay.

"PURGATORY!" Qin Wentian roared in frustration. He watched as the vermilion bird's wings gently enveloped him, shielding him protectively. Its baleful glare softened, replaced by warmth and tenderness.

Born because of Qin Wentian, Purgatory refused to let him die while using that formidable swordplay, especially right after its revival.

It would not allow it!