Poison Scorpion

Poison Scorpion

The silvery-white radiance poured down from the pinnacle of the treasure pagoda, bathing their bodies in its ethereal glow. Qin Wentian stood resolute, his gaze fixed upon the dazzling brilliance that beckoned from above.

Ascending this celestial tower meant treading upon the very souls of the exceptional talents surrounding him. There was no room for hesitation, and he harbored no reluctance. Qin Wentian understood that this trial marked neither the end nor the apex of their challenges. In undisclosed locations, countless Heaven's Chosen underwent their own grueling tests and engaged in fierce competitions.

If he hesitated now, he would be reduced to a mere stepping stone for others—a fate he could not accept. How could he face his comrades who had entrusted him with their hopes and sacrifices?

The Immortal Martial Realm was a crucible for geniuses, a place where survival was a mere 10% possibility. If they failed to shine as the brightest stars, all their achievements would be rendered futile. When the annals of the Royal Sacred Region commemorated the brilliant prodigies, should they ever deign to mention Qin Wentian, it would be solely in reference to his role as a stepping stone.

Yet, persisting in this manner would inevitably deplete the astral energy within their Yuanfu, leaving them drained when they reached the summit. Qin Wentian's eyes adjusted to the radiant light as he scrutinized his fellow competitors. Each of the eleven present surpassed Shen Ting in strength; otherwise, they would never have ascended this far.

After taking one more step, the participants exercised restraint. They understood that initiating an attack would signify unending combat unless one among them was eliminated.

"Since everyone appears to desire a respite, allow Xian'er to serenade you with a soothing melody," Lin Xian'er proposed in her gentle voice. She began plucking the strings of her zither, conjuring a tranquil tune that enveloped them.

The melody was serene, and as the ethereal beams of light radiated from her zither, the participants found themselves transported into an illusionary dreamscape.

"Sir Qin, we meet once more," Lin Xian'er materialized before Qin Wentian, the scene reminiscent of their encounter at the Immortal Ripple Pavilion.

"Sooner or later, I'm afraid I'll have to oppose Xian'er," Qin Wentian replied calmly, his voice steady as if reminiscing about the night when moonlight bathed Lin Xian'er. That haunting melody, paired with her exquisite countenance, had been truly enchanting.

Contrary to her rumored seductive nature, Lin Xian'er wore a smile that radiated a pride exceeding the heavens. She possessed the tranquility of a still pond and the regal air of a mystical luan bird awaiting a harmonious duet.

Qin Wentian's impression of Lin Xian'er remained favorable. It wasn't solely due to her previous defense of him against the Saint Child of the Supreme Demon Sect or her captivating smile that won the admiration of those around her.

However, as they all sought to ascend the pagoda, confrontation was inevitable. The tower would test not only their strength but also their resolve to overcome even their closest allies.

"Xian'er, I shall take this challenge earnestly," Lin Xian'er proclaimed, her words tinged with intent. She wished to convey a clear message to Qin Wentian, even though it was veiled. The truth was undeniable—she had ensnared all the geniuses within the illusion-scape with her music. If Qin Wentian failed to free himself first, others could exploit this vulnerability and launch ruthless assaults against those who remained ensnared.

Qin Wentian replied, caution in his tone, "I shall be vigilant."

With a swift motion, he swung his ancient halberd, dissolving the multitude of Lin Xian'er's illusory forms that confronted him. As the melodious notes persisted, Lin Xian'er retaliated through her zither, transforming music into luminous blades, each with the potential to claim lives.

"Sir Qin's strength has undoubtedly improved, but Xian'er is not idly standing by," she remarked, her mellifluous voice carried on the wind. Her mastery of the cloning technique appeared impenetrable; each image she constructed revived relentlessly. Within this elaborate illusion-scape, the boundaries between reality and illusion blurred into obscurity.

The music transitioned into silvery threads that expanded, weaving a deadly net aimed at ensnaring Qin Wentian.

"Illusion!" Qin Wentian invoked the knowledge gained from their previous encounter. Had he truly ever located her true form in their previous battle? Had he ever truly vanquished Lin Xian'er? The answer remained shrouded in uncertainty.

The lethal melody washed over Qin Wentian, yet he had already broken free from the illusion-scape. Lin Xian'er continued to strum her zither serenely, her eyes closed, lashes fluttering gently. She understood that Qin Wentian's counterattack would not only affect the other participants but also involve her.

With his ancient halberd gleaming, Qin Wentian dashed forward, thrusting it outward explosively. The eyes of the remaining participants snapped open, shimmering with a chilling resolve.

Although Qin Wentian appeared to remain in his original position, a peculiar illusion made it seem as if the ancient halberd had already reached them. This was the astonishing effect of combat on this ascending path.

In response to Qin Wentian's attack, the others began to defend. It was akin to both Qin Wentian and Lin Xian'er launching simultaneous assaults. The participants had learned to navigate the rules of this place, particularly since they had endured these trials before Qin Wentian's arrival. They instinctively chose to defend passively when others attacked, as this strategy minimized the risk of becoming accidental targets during the fray.

However, this time was different. Qin Wentian had broken free of Lin Xian'er's illusions while the others remained ensnared. They still languished within the illusion-scape as Qin Wentian launched his assault.

Beside Qin Wentian, Lou Bingyu emanated an aura of unparalleled sharpness, her presence akin to a host of gleaming swords. These invisible blades sliced through Qin Wentian's attack. Meanwhile, the Saint Child of the Supreme Demon Sect, his transformation complete, roared with fury, unleashing his tyrannical might to breach Qin Wentian's onslaught.

Yet not all were as formidable as Lou Bingyu or the Saint Child. A piercing sound resonated, a Chosen's throat skewered by the ancient halberd. He stared at Qin Wentian in disbelief, a bitter resentment contorting his features. Then, with a final, resentful glance, his life extinguished, and he fell lifeless.

A radiant beam descended, releasing the pressure once more. Qin Wentian's countenance bore a sharp, triumphant expression, for this marked the first time he had initiated an attack. In that instant, it had felt as though he battled against the entirety of his competitors, a sensation profoundly mysterious.

BOOM!

With the death of one participant, the remaining three could feel the force propelling them upward, an inevitable consequence of the cruel rules that governed this perilous ascent. They were now in a race against each other, competing for survival in this deadly trial.

The tension in the pagoda grew even more palpable. The earlier probing had taught them valuable lessons about the rules that governed this mystical tower. It was a captivating yet perilous game, where each step held their fate in the balance.

Opposite Qin Wentian, a man adorned in opulent robes exuded an ominous fiery aura. Despite refraining from launching an attack thus far, his formidable defense when confronted by Qin Wentian hinted at his latent might. He bided his time, hidden within the crowd, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike.

Similarly, the individual beside Lin Xian'er emitted a sinister, venomous gleam from his eyes, sending shivers down the spines of those who met his gaze. Much like the man in the luxurious attire, he had yet to unleash an offensive maneuver, concealing his true strength.

In this perilous game, these five participants—the Saint Child of the Supreme Demon Sect, Lin Xian'er, Lou Bingyu, the man in luxurious robes, and the one with the venomous eyes—loomed as the most formidable threats in Qin Wentian's eyes.

Determined to unveil their true capabilities, Qin Wentian decided to take the initiative. Stepping forward, his King Sword astral nova erupted, releasing a torrent of sword intent that engulfed everyone present. Due to the peculiar rules governing this tower, it felt as though Qin Wentian was closing in on them with each stride.

BOOM!

Qin Wentian advanced, every step an embodiment of the sword intent of countless blades poised to pierce their hearts. His eyes bore a relentless edge, and the King Sword astral nova encircling him resonated with the hum of its potent sword melody.

BOOM, BOOM!

With each successive step, the pervasive sword qi grew increasingly overwhelming. All participants desperately defended themselves, fully aware of the mounting danger. They could sense the sword intent intensifying with each step, encompassing their entire beings. The relentless pressure left them feeling as though their hearts might be impaled at any moment should they falter.

The Seven Annihilation Swordplay unleashed its formidable might. As Qin Wentian's seventh step fell, the entire pagoda was inundated with a deluge of sword might. Panic consumed the participants as they labored to protect themselves against this relentless onslaught.

Unbeknownst to them, a participant with venomous eyes seized the opportune moment to act. His timing was impeccable. Crimson beams shot from his palms, homing in on the more vulnerable participants who were still reeling from Qin Wentian's assault.

When Qin Wentian witnessed the crimson beams hurtling toward him, an overwhelming sense of danger coursed through his veins. The velocity was staggering, leaving him with no time to react.

Bzz.

Utilizing the remaining vestiges of his sword qi, Qin Wentian countered. The red energy met his sword qi, instantly dispersing before it could reach him. However, not everyone shared his fortune. Four participants bore the full brunt of the crimson beams.

"Argh!" Anguished cries pierced the air. Qin Wentian turned his gaze toward the unfortunate quartet, witnessing one of them wither away rapidly, reduced to nothing but ashes.

The deafening cry of despair echoed through the pagoda as another participant met their untimely demise. Qin Wentian, drenched in the collective fear and desperation of the group, felt the oppressive weight upon his shoulders begin to ease. With each ascending step he took, the burden lightened further, a cruel testament to the death of yet another contestant.

Persistently, Qin Wentian forged ahead, conquering four consecutive levels in this harrowing climb. As he gazed down at the four fallen souls, a bewildering sight unfolded before him. In the wake of their demise, four grotesque, brown-colored poisonous scorpions inexplicably emerged, wriggling free from their lifeless bodies.

A chill swept through the survivors, sending shivers racing down their spines as they fixed their gaze upon the enigmatic assailant responsible for this macabre spectacle.

"Sky Poison Valley, Poison Scorpion," Lin Xian'er uttered with a tone of trepidation. Her composure wavered, her heart gripped by an unsettling fear as she stared at the venomous young man. The true identity of this mysterious figure remained shrouded in mystery, with very few ever having crossed paths with him. Among the elite disciples of the Sky Poison Valley, known for harboring some of the most formidable Heaven Chosen, Poison Scorpion stood out as the most menacing and enigmatic of them all.

"Now, we're down to just six," Poison Scorpion remarked in a deep, commanding voice. The group had reached the midpoint of their perilous ascent. The radiance emanating from the pinnacle grew increasingly dazzling, reflecting in the gleam of anticipation that danced within Poison Scorpion's eyes. With every step they took, they drew nearer to their ultimate goal—the summit of the pagoda.