Seclusion

Seclusion

In the heat of the moment, Ye Kongfan's clenched fist crackled with lightning, a visual testament to his inner turmoil. He had been prepared to accept Qin Wentian's challenge, but the interference of a senior from his own sect had raised doubts in his mind. Did they believe that he, Ye Kongfan, would fail to emerge victorious against Qin Wentian if they fought on an even playing field?

This situation was a stark departure from his prior beliefs. As a Heaven Chosen from the esteemed Violet Thunder Sect, he had always held an unwavering confidence in his abilities. However, when Qin Wentian had boldly invaded his residence, dispatched his subordinates, and issued the challenge, Ye Kongfan found himself hesitating to engage in a battle with him at the same cultivation level.

As Qin Wentian walked away, his challenge echoed in the air. He had declared that he would accept all challenges from any Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns of the Violet Thunder Sect a month from now. This was no longer just a challenge aimed solely at Ye Kongfan; it had broadened its scope, challenging the honor and strength of the entire sect.

Amidst the tension, a voice broke the silence, and it was Ye Lingshuang, who had been a vocal presence throughout the confrontation. With disdain evident in her gaze, she directed her words at Ye Kongfan, "Coward. You proudly proclaim yourself a chosen of the Violet Thunder Sect, a genius of the Qi King Manor. You were born with an innate physique and possess a powerful bloodline. Yet, you lack the courage to step onto the battle arena of our royal clan and admit to the despicable acts you have committed. Your actions have brought shame and humiliation upon our Ye Country."

With a flick of her sleeve, Ye Lingshuang led her two army camps away, all the while admiring her royal father's strategic prowess. The Qi King, she realized, was not eager to engage in a conflict at this moment. Otherwise, he would have already appeared in response to the commotion caused by the confrontation.

The onlookers understood the intricacies of the situation. The Qi King was avoiding a direct confrontation with the Human Emperor, choosing instead to tolerate this temporary humiliation. This decision was a testament to the Qi King's formidable capacity to endure and strategize for the long term.

From Qin Wentian's perspective, the Human Emperor's decision to command Ye Lingshuang and Shi Xuan to bring their troops to aid him was a demonstration of his superior intelligence. It was a calculated move to gain greater control over the situation, and it masked his true intentions. By appearing to be on the brink of death and making this choice, he sought to force the Qi King into battle while he still had some life left in him.

As time passed, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving the Qi King Manor in an eerie silence. The celestial constellations that had adorned the skies disappeared, taking their stifling pressure with them. Ye Kongfan's expression oscillated between malevolence and trepidation, his mind in disarray. The words of both Qin Wentian and Ye Lingshuang had clearly left an impact. Despite his self-proclaimed extraordinariness, he had refrained from accepting Qin Wentian's challenge on the royal battle arena. If news of this were to spread, how could he maintain his status as a chosen?

In this moment of doubt, a calming voice offered reassurance. "Kongfan, everyone's cultivation journey follows a unique path. As a Heaven Chosen of our Violet Thunder Sect, you need not doubt your own abilities simply because of a single statement from him. His desire for a restricted cultivation battle is a sign of his own limitations. He aims to provoke you into accepting a challenge on his terms. However, if you remain composed and take a step back, it's evident that you could defeat him with ease. There is no need to succumb to his provocations and allow his cunning plan to succeed."

High above, in the vast expanse of the heavens, the elder from the Violet Thunder Sword Sect uttered his thoughts, his voice echoing with a sense of gravitas. "Consider this, Qin Wentian," he began, "a month from now, on that grand stage in front of the various kings and dukes, you can deliver the final blow. Sever his head, snuff out his life. In that moment, all doubts that linger because of him will dissipate into the air like smoke, and Qin Wentian will be nothing more than a lifeless memory."

Ye Kongfan's eyes narrowed, fixating on the elder from his sect. He nodded, his agreement tinged with resolve. "Indeed," he replied, "a month from now shall mark his demise. However, since he publicly challenged the Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns of our Violet Thunder Sect, if none step forward in a month, we will undoubtedly become the laughingstock of the Royal Sacred Region."

"Why should the Violet Thunder Sect concern itself with the provocations of a junior?" the elder retorted, his tone dripping with scorn. "What right does he possess to challenge our sect? If all our disciples were to respond to his challenge, what would that make us? We would be lowering our own status, dancing to the tune of a mere youth." The elder's words held a harsh truth, and Ye Kongfan fell into contemplative silence.

It was apparent that the elder lacked confidence in the younger generation of the Violet Thunder Sect, likely stemming from his observation of Qin Wentian's combat prowess. He likely doubted that their members could defeat Qin Wentian at the same cultivation level. Only those exceptional, otherworldly geniuses who shook the Royal Sacred Region could conceivably rival Qin Wentian's strength. These prodigies were the pinnacle of their era, their power beyond measure.

Three days later, the news of Qin Wentian, a disciple of the Battle Sword Sect, challenging Ye Kongfan circulated throughout the entire country of Ye. The entire populace became aware of this event, thanks to covert efforts to disseminate the information. The factions loyal to the Human Emperor still wielded significant influence, and spreading news was a trifling task for them.

Rumors even hinted at the Human Emperor deploying his troops to protect Qin Wentian of the Battle Sword Sect, tacitly endorsing Qin Wentian's audacious act of invading the Qi King Manor and challenging Ye Kongfan. Qin Wentian had boldly proclaimed his challenge, setting a date one month from the confrontation, yet the Violet Thunder Sect remained conspicuously silent, failing to issue a response.

This revelation sent shockwaves through the region, prompting many to investigate Qin Wentian's background. Who was this audacious individual, and what justified his brash behavior? How could he force the mighty Violet Thunder Sect into retreat, subjecting them to public disgrace?

As investigations unfolded, details of Qin Wentian's actions in Xuan King City emerged. It was in Xuan King City that he had first appeared, causing chaos and vanquishing numerous experts from major powers. He was then forcefully taken under the wing of the Battle Sword Sect, an act that raised eyebrows across the region. Subsequently, he had escorted Ye Lingshuang back, becoming the foster son of the Human Emperor. To top it all off, the Holy Maiden of the Medicine Sovereign Sect was revealed to be romantically involved with him.

Furthermore, the reason behind Qin Wentian's humiliation of Ye Kongfan was exposed – Ye Kongfan had spread malicious rumors tarnishing the Holy Maiden's reputation. Qin Wentian's daring assault on the Qi King Manor and his labeling of Ye Kongfan as a coward stemmed from the latter's reluctance to restrict his cultivation and face him on the royal battle arena. In response, Qin Wentian declared a challenge to all the Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns of the Violet Thunder Sect.

Qin Wentian, at the fourth level of Heavenly Dipper, relied heavily on the power of his extraordinary bloodline. In contrast, Ye Kongfan, at the seventh level, wielded the might of his calamity lightning bloodline, granting him formidable strength. Challenging someone three levels above his own was undoubtedly seen as an act of recklessness, and while the people of Ye applauded Qin Wentian's courage, they silently shook their heads at what they perceived as sheer audacity and potential folly.

Despite the passage of time, the news of Qin Wentian's audacious challenge continued to reverberate across the land. The Battle Sword Sect's reputation had skyrocketed to unprecedented heights, while the Violet Thunder Sect found itself unable to escape the harsh glare of public scrutiny. As one of the renowned nine great sects, it was perplexing that they had no one among their ranks capable of defeating Qin Wentian in a fair fight on the royal battle arena, should they choose to suppress their cultivation bases to match his. Moreover, even if Qin Wentian were to meet his end at the hands of Ye Kongfan a month later, the Violet Thunder Sect's reputation would be irrevocably tarnished. Victory in such a situation was expected and could hardly be considered an honorable achievement.

In terms of presence and reputation, the Violet Thunder Sect had unquestionably suffered a severe blow.

During these few days, Qin Wentian secluded himself from the outside world, completely immersing himself in intense training. He was well aware of Ye Kongfan's formidable strength and was determined to maximize his own power within the month leading up to their showdown.

The Star Gathering Platform served as the cultivation grounds specially constructed for the Human Emperor. At this very moment, Qin Wentian was seated at the center of the platform, fully immersed in his cultivation. The platform itself featured nine colossal stone pillars, hewn from natural blocks of Yuan Meteor Stones, containing vast reservoirs of astral energy. An inscribed formation enhanced the rate at which astral energy could be absorbed, enveloping Qin Wentian in a radiant aura of celestial energy.

Qin Wentian's four astral souls worked tirelessly, greedily absorbing the concentrated astral energy. After a considerable period, he reached into his robes and produced a medicinal pill, which he promptly consumed before resuming his cultivation.

This pill, known as the Star Gathering Pellet, was designed to significantly heighten one's affinity for sensing astral energy and boost the rate at which it could be absorbed. Mo Qingcheng had supplied Qin Wentian with various supportive medicinal pills before his seclusion, each carefully selected to enhance his cultivation without any adverse side effects. Among them was the Star Gathering Pill and the Blood Burning Pill, which were tailored to help him reach the fullest potential of his bloodline.

In return, Qin Wentian had passed on two Constellation Mandate Fruits he had acquired earlier, capable of inducing a racing heart and enhancing one's abilities, to Mo Qingcheng.

Qin Wentian, however, didn't pause for rest. He retrieved the Great Terra Fruit and consumed it, followed by the Earth Mandate Fruits, one after the other. With each intake, his affinity with the great earth surged, allowing him to sense the earth's pulsations more acutely than ever before.

These enhancements weren't limited to Qin Wentian alone. Di Tian, who remained within the Royal Tomb of Grand Xia, benefited from the same insights and gains. The two true-selves, undifferentiated, could share knowledge, insights, and improvements, maximizing the potential of their shared bloodline.

Meanwhile, within the royal tomb, Di Tian stood in silent contemplation. His aura exuded a profound tranquility and harmony. In his hands, an ancient halberd was wielded with meticulous precision, unleashing a variety of halberd attacks. He experimented with different techniques, exploring the nuances of power behind each attack and seeking ways to enhance their potency.

Ever since Qin Wentian had embarked on his path of enlightenment within the grass hut, Di Tian had been engrossed in a similar journey of self-discovery. Qin Wentian understood that his current mastery only extended to the seventh sword strike, and achieving the eighth to fourteenth sword strike remained elusive. Nevertheless, he was committed to pushing the boundaries of his abilities. If he could attain the eighth to fourteenth sword strikes, his offensive capabilities would soar to unprecedented heights.

One of his attacks, the Ruptured Space, was particularly remarkable. Each strike unleashed invisible fluctuations of devastating energy, causing space itself to fracture and tremble violently. This technique was an application of his second-level insight in the Mandate of Force, a form of void vibration, which he incorporated into his previously created halberd attack, the Fractured Void. Now, his comprehension had reached a level where he could meld the willpower from his Mandate of Demons into his attacks, amplifying their destructive potential. However, this stacking technique was still a rudimentary form, far from the refined mastery of the eighth to fourteenth sword strikes.

Undeterred, Qin Wentian continued his practice, launching one halberd strike after another, refining the stances of his self-created Great Dream Halberd Art – Earthsplitter, Falling Star, and Fractured Void. The power behind each strike was clearly on a different plane compared to his previous attempts.

With unwavering determination, Qin Wentian persisted in refining his martial stances, tirelessly striving for perfection.

As days flowed into one another, Qin Wentian remained stationed on the Star Gathering Platform, dedicated to his cultivation. Meanwhile, Di Tian continued to sharpen his halberd techniques and contemplated the intricate fusion of Mandates within the confines of the Royal Tomb.

In the Ye Country, an oppressive tension hung in the air. Despite the looming deadline, none of the members from the Violet Thunder Sect had accepted Qin Wentian's challenge. It seemed they were adhering to the old man's advice – that once Ye Kongfan defeated Qin Wentian, all lingering doubts would vanish into the ether like dissipating smoke.

And in the blink of an eye, over twenty days had passed. Within Qin Wentian's body, astral energy surged to unprecedented heights, akin to colossal tidal waves reaching for the heavens. Deep resonances echoed from within as every Yuanfu expanded to their limits.

Inside the Royal Tomb, Di Tian sat in contemplation, his face a mask of deep thought. Despite his relentless efforts, he remained unable to unlock the secrets of the eighth to fourteenth sword strikes. Crafting a new attack technique presented an incredibly daunting challenge, further complicating the process.