Ye Country, Medicine Sovereign Valley

Ye Country, Medicine Sovereign Valley

A month later, above the ravine in the Gravity Mountain, Liu Yun lounged on the edge, sipping wine leisurely. Now and then, he glanced downward at a young man who was pushing himself to the limit, attempting to run.

"It seems this guy has quite the adaptation ability. Junior Sister Lingshuang, would you like a sip?" Liu Yun extended the wine flask to Ye Lingshuang, earning a stern glare in response.

"No need for your wine," she retorted sharply, causing Liu Yun to chuckle and withdraw the flask. Despite his light-hearted demeanor, Ye Lingshuang's reaction seemed to hurt him.

"Liu Yun," Jiang Huai, who was standing nearby, spoke coldly. Liu Yun sighed, taking another sip of his wine. "Junior Sister, try not to let it get to you. I didn't say anything wrong."

"I understand," Ye Lingshuang replied, her voice low, and Liu Yun's expression shifted slightly. He then jokingly suggested, "Why not marry me, Junior Sister? I promise to take good care of you."

"Get lost!" Ye Lingshuang shot back, unimpressed by his thick-skinned advances.

With a laugh, Liu Yun rose to his feet, declaring, "Well, it seems I'll have to visit the little fairies in the Waning Moon Tower. I'll see Junior Brother Qin again next month." He departed with an air of carefreeness, leaving Ye Lingshuang and Jiang Hui behind. They remained to observe Qin Wentian, and Ye Lingshuang couldn't help but comment on his impressive adaptation to the gravity.

When Qin Wentian first arrived at the Gravity Mountain, he struggled even to walk due to the extreme gravity. After a month of relentless effort, his body had gradually adjusted to the pressure. He utilized both his innate strength and the power of his Mandate to counteract the gravity, pushing his limits under the crushing pressure.

Now, Qin Wentian could run at a decent speed within this gravity domain, a testament to his remarkable adaptation. As he stood before a massive black rock, he pondered its weight, realizing that the gravity had multiplied it by hundreds of thousands of times.

He mustered his astral energy and Mandate, lifting the rock with a burst of strength, but he couldn't sustain it for long. The rock crashed to the ground, leaving Qin Wentian panting heavily.

Frustration welled up as he thought about the enormity of the challenge. He turned his attention to the ancient trees, attempting to use an axe to chop them down. However, even after swinging the axe, only a layer of bark was scratched, and the tree remained unharmed.

With a sigh, he returned to a pile of smaller rocks and tried to move them instead. Every step he took felt like a herculean effort, leaving deep imprints in the ground. Qin Wentian perspired profusely as he continued, finding a familiar feeling of growth through pressure and perseverance.

As he worked, Liu Yun and Ye Lingshuang would visit him once a month.

...

Today, Qin Wentian was back to chopping trees. He seemed more relaxed, and the axe felt like an extension of his body. He infused his Mandate into every swing, improving steadily with each strike. After a few tens of chops, an ancient tree finally fell.

Impressed by Qin Wentian's rapid progress, Liu Yun decided to stick around and observe. Qin Wentian continued to chop, finishing his quota of a hundred trees in a single day. However, he didn't stop; instead, he sought out more trees to challenge himself further.

Liu Yun began to wonder if Qin Wentian intended to fell the entire forest, which would be a formidable task for the tree-planting elder. These trees were specially cultivated to grow at an accelerated rate and served as a training ground for Battle Sword Sect disciples.

Liu Yun noticed that Qin Wentian had switched from using his Mandates to relying solely on his physical strength, which puzzled him. Ye Lingshuang explained the change, but Liu Yun couldn't shake the feeling that Qin Wentian was becoming weaker.

Soon after, a messenger from the Battle Sword Sect approached Ye Lingshuang and handed her a letter. Her reaction was grim as she read the contents, leaving her visibly shaken.

"Junior Sister, what's wrong?" Liu Yun's jovial tone shifted to one of concern as he observed Ye Lingshuang's distressed state.

"My father is gravely injured, his life hangs by a thread," Ye Lingshuang replied, her voice trembling. Her revelation left Liu Yun stunned; he knew well about Ye Lingshuang's background. She was the princess of an ancient kingdom, and her father held the title of Human Emperor.

Their kingdom boasted a history spanning over ten thousand years and wielded tremendous power. Yet, it was plagued by intricate internal conflicts, a topic Liu Yun was only somewhat familiar with.

"Was it the work of the Violet Thunder Sect?" Liu Yun inquired.

"I don't know," Ye Lingshuang responded, her face drained of color. Liu Yun suggested they inform their master, hoping that the Battle Sword Sect's proficient medical experts could help save her father.

Ye Lingshuang, however, gently set the letter aside. "They've already summoned the Holy Maiden of the Medicine Sovereign Valley."

Liu Yun's expression sharpened as he whispered, "The newly appointed Holy Maiden of the Medicine Sovereign Valley recently advanced to a fifth-ranked alchemist and inherited the true knowledge of the Medicine Sovereign. In the younger generation, she's considered legendary. If they've managed to invite her, there should be hope."

Rumors circulated about the Medicine Sovereign Valley's Holy Maiden, a figure on the brink of death when someone had delivered her to the valley. The identity of this savior remained a mystery, yet they had convinced the Medicine Sovereign to personally intervene and breathe new life into her. She became a personal disciple of the Medicine Sovereign and the sect's Holy Maiden, rapidly ascending to a fifth-ranked alchemist. Her identity remained shrouded in secrecy, her true name known to few.

"They won't give up easily," Ye Lingshuang murmured, feeling lost.

"Let's seek out Senior Brother. He might have a solution," Liu Yun suggested, understanding that Ye Lingshuang needed guidance in her distressed state.

As they walked away, Ye Lingshuang sighed, her heart heavy with sorrow. The birth of a genius in their Ye Clan had only fueled the flames of rivalry and internal strife.

Her elder cousin possessed a unique physique and extraordinary innate talent. He became a disciple of the Violet Thunder Sect, and his performance was so exceptional that he bypassed the need to take the tests for the Royal Sacred Sect. The Violet Thunder Sect even pledged to admit him directly once his cultivation reached a certain level. No one knew just how powerful he had become.

Meanwhile, Qin Wentian remained unaware of these unfolding events, diligently honing his strength by chopping trees and moving massive rocks.

Qin Wentian had undergone a significant transformation during his time at the Gravity Mountain. What was once considered a chore had become a labor of love for him. He approached the physical challenges and Mandate infusion practices with enthusiasm, finding satisfaction in the opportunity to grow stronger. At times, he would be struck by flashes of insight, leading him to experiment with the infusion of his Mandates into the axe, using it to slam into rocks or wield it in the air.

Living this kind of life felt surprisingly fulfilling. Even though his cultivation level remained stagnant, he felt no rush to advance. Building a solid foundation was more crucial in his eyes.

Two days later, Qin Wentian reclined comfortably on a massive rock. Sunlight bathed him, accentuating the contours of his perfectly sculpted physique. He had reached a point where the ravine's overwhelming gravity no longer affected him. He understood that he was undergoing a transformative process within this ravine, emerging with a considerably enhanced physique.

"Junior Brother Qin," a voice called out, pulling him from his contemplation. It was none other than his Senior Brother Lin Shuai.

"Senior," Qin Wentian greeted as he sat up, his gaze fixed on Lin Shuai.

"Do you realize that you've single-handedly annihilated an entire forest of ancient trees, and you still don't want to come out?" Lin Shuai quirked an eyebrow, marveling at the stumps littering the area. Qin Wentian had adapted remarkably quickly, chopping down all the ancient trees in the Gravity Mountain.

Qin Wentian chuckled and, with a vigorous stomp, defied gravity to leap out of the ravine, landing beside Lin Shuai. Freed from the ravine's oppressive force, he felt incredibly light and agile.

"Why is Senior Brother gracing me with a visit today?" Qin Wentian inquired with a smile.

"I'm here to discuss a matter with you. Your Senior Sister Ye Lingshuang is actually a princess of an ancient kingdom with a history spanning over ten thousand years. However, the kingdom is fraught with powerful factions led by different kings, and her slightly older cousin joined the Violet Thunder Sect. All of this has intensified internal conflicts," Lin Shuai explained, shedding light on the complex situation.

Qin Wentian's eyes sparkled with understanding as he grasped the bigger picture. The various kingdoms within Ye Lingshuang's country were working both internally and with the assistance of the Violet Thunder Sect to destabilize the royal authority and usurp the throne from her father.

"Ye Country itself is a formidable force. Ideally, neither our Battle Sword Sect nor the Violet Thunder Sect should interfere in their internal conflicts. However, due to certain circumstances, the Violet Thunder Sect has already covertly involved itself," Lin Shuai continued. "Currently, Ye Lingshuang's father, the Human Emperor, is gravely wounded and teetering between life and death."

As Lin Shuai walked away from the Gravity Mountain, Qin Wentian followed, engrossed in his explanation. He sensed that Lin Shuai had a purpose in sharing this information.

"Lingshuang wanted to return immediately, but I'm concerned for her safety. I've advised her against it, as her current strength wouldn't make a difference and might even invite further danger. I've dispatched a few individuals to investigate the situation. Given its urgency, our Battle Sword Sect is preparing to send disciples to escort her, departing today. Would you be willing to join this group?" Lin Shuai asked.

Qin Wentian nodded. While he understood that his current strength might not alter the situation, he had no qualms about accompanying and protecting Ye Lingshuang. Moreover, it was an opportunity for him to gain experience outside of the Battle Sword Sect.

After some time, Qin Wentian observed a group of individuals preparing to set off. Among them was Ye Lingshuang and her companions.

"If you're all together, no one would dare to threaten Lingshuang. Also, Junior Brother Qin, keep in mind an unspoken rule in the Royal Sacred Region. Conflicts often arise among the major powers, and Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns cannot intervene in matters involving Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants. If disciples of the same level engage in conflict resulting in casualties, Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants usually do not retaliate, as avoiding a full-scale war is preferred," Lin Shuai cautioned.

Qin Wentian's expression turned grave. He had witnessed a full-scale war among Grand Xia's transcendent powers before. He understood the truth of Lin Shuai's words, that once the upper echelons became involved, negotiations ceased, and the conflict would only conclude when one side had annihilated the other. Even the major powers in the Royal Sacred Region were cautious about igniting a full-scale war, leading to the existence of this unspoken rule.