Strength of Character

Strength of Character...

Lin Xian`er stood there, her eyes locked onto the fierce battle unfolding on the path leading to the treasure pagoda. Her gaze remained unwavering, not missing a single detail of the spectacle before her. Despite her composed exterior, her heart was anything but calm.

Before this moment, Qin Wentian had made a name for himself by defeating Ye Kongfan, but he still remained a newcomer in the Royal Sacred Region compared to the long-established Heaven Chosen. He was an emerging talent, recognized by Lin Xian`er for his potential but not yet considered on par with the absolute era-suppressing geniuses. However, her perception underwent a seismic shift when she witnessed Qin Wentian's swift and decisive victory over both Poison Scorpion and the Saint Child of the Supreme Demon Sect.

As she observed the battle drums pulsating around Qin Wentian, a sense of awe welled up within Lin Xian`er. This so-called burial ground of geniuses was indeed a place where remarkable talents could flourish. The exceptional young man before her had evidently undergone a profound transformation through the trials of this realm, elevating his strength to a level where he could contend with most of the Royal Sacred Region's Heaven Chosen.

Moreover, he had acquired a divine artifact from the Immortal Martial Realm. Lin Xian`er was aware that external divine weapons brought into this realm were useless; only Immortal Martial Realm divine weapons held power here. While they might not surpass some of the supreme techniques taught to established Heaven Chosen from major powers, they gained potency within the Immortal Martial Realm.

For instance, if Lin Xian`er were to face Lou Bingyu in a match where their strengths were evenly matched, Lou Bingyu could effortlessly suppress her by wielding an Immortal Martial Realm divine weapon, possibly even to the point of defeating her.

The rare opportunity to obtain an Immortal Martial Realm divine weapon was as scarce as finding a phoenix's feather or a kirin's horn. Many speculated that these divine weapons could evolve alongside their wielders, enhancing their innate talents. Ye Qingyun, the Human Emperor of Ye, was a living testament to this. Before encountering the Immortal Martial Realm, he was a relative unknown. But afterward, he rose to prominence and displayed his brilliance.

The Human Emperor's example was clear to all, but the truth behind the divine weapon's influence remained known only to Ye Qingyun himself. Qin Wentian once heard the Human Emperor dismiss the notion that a mere treasure could be the source of his ascension, ridiculing those who coveted it for their own gain.

Qin Wentian's possession of an Immortal Martial Realm divine weapon, the battle drum, was an undeniable testament to his extraordinary fortune. Lin Xian`er couldn't help but marvel at the sight of it.

But it wasn't just the divine weapon that captivated her attention. It was also the unwavering spirit of the elegant figure before her – a figure that endured a relentless onslaught, even to the point of spitting out blood, yet refused to yield. Such unyielding determination, when exhibited by a woman, was a testament to her inner strength.

As Lin Xianer witnessed Lou Bingyu's injuries mounting due to Qin Wentian's relentless attacks, her heart swelled with compassion and concern. She found herself deeply admiring this young maiden, the most favored disciple of the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness. Lou Bingyu was truly an exceptional individual, and Lin Xianer hoped that she wouldn't be led astray by her mentor's teachings. Lin Xian`er couldn't help but think ahead to the future, wondering whether Qin Wentian would show mercy or ruthlessness and decide the fate of this proud plum blossom within the Immortal Martial Realm.

A gentle smile played on Lin Xian`er's lips as she held onto the hope that Qin Wentian would not be heartless. After all, he was facing a delicate and beautiful young woman whose demeanor set her apart from the majority. Though Lou Bingyu possessed an icy exterior, it couldn't mask her refined presence, making her truly unique.

However, Lin Xian`er's heart skipped a beat when she saw Qin Wentian direct the sharp tip of his ancient halberd at Lou Bingyu's throat. Her eyes widened, and she watched with rapt attention as the scene unfolded.

At the pinnacle of the treasure pagoda, Qin Wentian's gaze remained fixed on Lou Bingyu. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for someone who faced death with unflinching resolve. His initial impression of Lou Bingyu had been somewhat unfavorable, largely due to the influence of the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness. Yet, as they clashed in combat, he began to see her in a different light. She stood out as one of the most remarkable and resilient individuals among the male Heaven Chosen.

"Why do you persist in this battle? You have the opportunity to withdraw," Qin Wentian queried, his eyes locked on her cold and beautiful countenance.

Lou Bingyu appeared as if she hadn't heard his words, her heart consumed by excruciating pain. She had grown up as an orphan, raised by her master from a tender age. The Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness was not only her mentor but also a maternal figure to her. Despite her mentor's strictness, Lou Bingyu understood the reason behind it. Her master harbored a single, all-encompassing desire in her lifetime – to surpass a certain individual. If she couldn't achieve that herself, she was determined to groom disciples who could surpass his own.

Lou Bingyu was undoubtedly one such disciple. The Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness had declared that, among the younger generation at the Heavenly Dipper Realm, only Ji Feixue could potentially defeat her disciple. While many initially doubted this assertion, Lou Bingyu's outstanding performances in the Battle Sword Sect quickly made believers out of everyone. Despite her youth, she shone brilliantly, pursuing the footsteps of Ji Feixue himself.

Today, in an ironic twist of fate, even before Lou Bingyu had a chance to meet Ji Feixue or contend against the eight era-suppressing geniuses, she had already been defeated by the young man who stood before her. What added a layer of bitterness to this defeat was that this person was not only her equal in status as a disciple of the Battle Sword Sect but also someone whose foster father had suffered at the hands of her master, the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness, to provide her with a treasure. Yet, despite the advantage this treasure had given her, she still fell short against this formidable adversary.

The weight of her impending confrontation with her master pressed down on Lou Bingyu's shoulders, and the thought of disappointing the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness filled her with dread.

Qin Wentian, however, couldn't comprehend the turmoil that brewed within Lou Bingyu's eyes. He could see despair and inner conflict, but this young woman, standing on the precipice of a life-and-death battle, didn't appear to fear death itself. So what, he wondered, could be the source of her despair?

The only logical answer lay in the hope and expectations that the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness had placed upon her shoulders.

"Is it because of your master?" Qin Wentian inquired in a hushed tone. "Is it worth it?"

Lou Bingyu remained as resolute as ever, her cold demeanor unwavering. "Kill me and take back the treasure axe to return to your foster father. My master's actions were driven by me, just as your actions were influenced by your foster father. Even if I die at your hands, I have no regrets."

This unexpected decision left Qin Wentian stunned. As he stared at Lou Bingyu, the ancient halberd in his grasp seemed to lose its resolve to strike.

Observing her closely, he questioned, "Even if I were to tear you apart, would I be able to retrieve the treasure?"

"When my master forced my foster father to reveal that treasure, he said this to her: 'This is but a mere treasure. Do you truly believe it's the sole reason for my success? How laughable.' And after my master acquired the treasure, she told me, 'Today, I won't be hard on you. However, if you enter the Immortal Martial Realm, my personal disciple will naturally discipline you on my behalf.' My foster father was a man of great pride; a mere treasure couldn't move him. Perhaps the only thing he found unbearable was the humiliation of being forced by the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness to reveal the treasure in front of so many experts."

Qin Wentian continued, his voice measured, "Now that I've defeated you today, I genuinely want to see if the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness will remember her haughty words from back then. As for the debt she owes, it's not your burden to bear. While the disciples of the Battle Sword Sect may not match the numbers of the other nine great sects, they are respected and feared for their individual combat prowess. I believe that you, too, will become a shining figure in our sect's future. But always remember that you are a member of the Battle Sword Sect as a whole, not merely a personal disciple of the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness. I won't end your life, nor will I forcibly reclaim the treasure that has become one with you, for I see in you the indomitable spirit of the Battle Sword Sect."

With these words, Qin Wentian lowered his ancient halberd, and a powerful force sent Lou Bingyu tumbling down the path of the pagoda.

As he watched her form on the ground below, Qin Wentian's countenance remained as serene as a tranquil lake. He adhered to his own principles, fully confident that the Human Emperor, his foster father, would understand the decision he had made.

When it came to the treasure, Qin Wentian had a clear vision of what he must achieve. One day, he vowed, he would make the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness bow her head in apology, ensuring that she didn't destroy such an exceptional disciple of the Battle Sword Sect. Only then would his own pride, his sense of self-worth as Qin Wentian, be truly satisfied.

There were two additional factors that influenced his decision to spare Lou Bingyu. First, the words she had spoken during their duel still resonated in his mind, "We are both from the same sect, I have no wish to injure you. Just leave."

Second, though he might not have consciously made this choice, the fact remained that Lou Bingyu was an exceedingly beautiful woman, and that had some influence on his decision. After all, Qin Wentian was a man.

As Lou Bingyu lay on the ground, her cold eyes flickered with traces of surprise. She lifted her head to gaze at the young man atop the pagoda, and she saw in his eyes a resolute determination and pride, a profound conviction that marked him as someone with an unshakable resolve.

Qin Wentian continued his ascent. With all the other participants knocked out, nothing and no one could impede his journey to the pinnacle of the treasure pagoda.

The silvery white radiance grew increasingly intense, almost blinding Qin Wentian. He narrowed his eyes and reached out towards the source of the brilliance. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, his grasp found nothing. The luminosity intensified further until a silver beam shot into the center of his brow, sending sharp, drilling pain into his sea of consciousness.

Unexpectedly, words of a chant manifested in his mind. The silver glow caused his sea of consciousness to tremble, resonating within him. His entire body shook uncontrollably, his limbs quivered as if they sought to break free from their confines. His Yuanfu and astral novas quaked, his meridians and artery channels reverberated, and his blood surged like a tumultuous ocean. This transformation wrought excruciating pain, and he couldn't help but cry out as he involuntarily spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

The chant within his mind grew increasingly chaotic, devoid of rhythm. It defied control, an alien source of energy that sought to penetrate deep into his sea of consciousness, oblivious to his suffering.

"STOP!" Qin Wentian's mind quaked violently, his indomitable will forcibly halting the chaotic chant. He feared that if he allowed it to persist, the transformation would rend his body apart before it was complete.