Fighting Di Shi

Fighting Di Shi

Di Shi radiated an overwhelming confidence, like a predator poised to pounce on its helpless prey.

"Wentian, exercise caution. This time, you're facing only Di Shi. Refuse the group battle," Duan Han advised through a voice transmission to Qin Wentian. A round-robin contest was rife with peril. Among the nine contenders, apart from the five era-defining geniuses, three had already grasped the true essence of their mandates, reaching the supreme tier of Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns. While Qin Wentian's talent was remarkable, his cultivation time was relatively brief.

All eyes fixed on Qin Wentian. Everyone grasped the immense pressure weighing down upon the Immortal Martial Realm's top-ranked contender. A mere year or two more of cultivation could render such challenges more surmountable. His current state left him vulnerable; Gu Liufeng might have stood a better chance.

"Wentian," Ye Lingshuang transmitted her concern from the Human Emperor's side.

Mo Qingcheng clenched her hands tightly, sweat forming in her palms. Her lovely face mirrored her worry, but she kept her silence, unwilling to add to Qin Wentian's burden.

Moon observed him, surprised at Di Shi's audacity. Despite Qin Wentian's unparalleled magnificence, accepting this challenge could lead to his demise. What would Qin Wentian choose?

Qin Wentian's flowing hair danced in the wind as his piercing eyes bore into Di Shi. His gaze was sharper than any blade's edge. He was the one who had challenged Di Shi, and if his strength didn't match up, he would face death. This battle was a test of their courage and determination.

"The first time we met, you were insufferably arrogant. I killed your brother before your eyes. The second time was in the Immortal Martial Realm, where you remained equally arrogant. But when we clashed, I bested you, removing you from the top ten rankings. This marks our third encounter, and you are still as arrogant and foolish as ever. Let this be the day of your demise," Qin Wentian stated, his voice icy. "I accept your proposal."

The crowd erupted in astonishment. He had actually agreed!

Furthermore, Qin Wentian's words exposed Di Shi's pitiful past. It became evident that Di Shi's loathing for Qin Wentian was fueled by a humiliating history. Qin Wentian had taught him harsh lessons in their previous encounters.

"The previous two times weren't true battles. Today, I'll make you regret everything," Di Shi retorted coldly, his gaze shifting to the other seven contenders. "If any of you are too timid to participate, you may withdraw now. If no one withdraws, it signifies agreement to the rules of this battle."

The seven remaining experts stood by the Sacred Battle Platform. Having already committed to this challenge, there was no turning back now.

"Since none wish to withdraw, aside from my life-and-death duel with Qin Wentian, the rest of you may concede at your discretion. We shall abstain from using divine weapons. What say you?" Di Shi inquired once more.

"I'm on board with this, but let's add a little twist," Liu Lan chimed in, his words sending shockwaves through the crowd. It was as if an unexpected plot twist had just unfolded. Why was Liu Lan, a contemporary of Di Shi, proposing a life-and-death battle with Qin Wentian? Rumors had swirled since the events in ancient Ye, suggesting that Qin Wentian and Ye Qingyun held a grudge against the Violet Thunder Sect. It appeared that Liu Lan had been dispatched here to settle that score.

"Liu Lan, you're utterly shameless. We're of the same generation, yet you have the gall to challenge my junior brother to a life-and-death battle?" Lin Shuai fired back with biting sarcasm.

"If he's not up for it, he can decline," Liu Lan retorted, seemingly unfazed.

"I accept," Qin Wentian's voice boomed, reverberating through the arena. His acceptance sent shockwaves through the spectators, the pressure of this group battle weighing heavily on him.

"With everyone in agreement, please proceed to the Sacred Battle Platform," Di Shi declared emotionlessly, a glint of cold determination in his eyes as he surveyed the participants.

Nine contenders in total.

Five era-suppressing geniuses: Di Shi, Li Tian, Chi Lian, Fan Miaoyu, and Dongyue Hanjiang.

Three supreme-tier Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns: Liu Lan from the Violet Thunder Sect, the crown prince of the Radiant Gold ancient country, and Wu Teng, the Heaven Chosen of the War Country and a disciple of the Heaven Cleaving Manor.

Such a formidable assembly now stood on the Sacred Battle Platform, and the crowd was filled with both anticipation and trepidation. It was exceedingly rare to witness such a formidable group of combatants on the platform, which was renowned as the most prestigious arena in the Royal Sacred Region. The current participants were considered the crème de la crème of the Heavenly Dipper Realm, making it a challenge to find a group that could surpass them.

Nine stone platforms materialized on the Sacred Battle Platform, each corresponding to one of the participants, and connecting them within a shimmering barrier. From a distance, onlookers marveled at the platform's expansion, which now seemed sturdy enough to withstand attacks from Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants.

"Who shall be the first to battle?" a voice inquired, setting the stone platforms into motion. The seven platforms, aside from Di Shi and Qin Wentian's, moved away from the center.

"It's my turn. I'll face Qin Wentian," Di Shi declared with unparalleled arrogance. His eighth-level Heavenly Dipper aura surged, and a fearsome azure roc phantom emerged behind him. Radiating a demonic azure glow, his eyes glinted with deadly intent, capable of killing with just a glare.

The stone platforms began to spin, and the seven others moved away from the center, leaving only Di Shi and Qin Wentian's platforms in place.

"Is the top-ranked Immortal Martial Realm contender finally confronting one of the eight era-suppressing geniuses?" Spectators fixed their gazes on the impending battle.

With a surge of power, Di Shi leaped forward like a primordial bird of prey.

Qin Wentian's eyes took on a fiendish glow as he unleashed the Fiend Art Transformation, summoning a majestic golden roc phantom behind him. The two titans locked eyes, their tyrannical auras colliding in mid-air with thunderous roars. The tension in the arena was palpable.

The tempestuous wind howled, as if it aimed to rend the very fabric of reality. Di Shi charged forward, his palms launching a furious assault on Qin Wentian. A colossal bird-shaped manifestation hurtled towards Qin Wentian with devastating force. This casual strike contained the power of an ordinary ninth-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereign.

In response, Qin Wentian thrust out his palm. The entire space convulsed violently as Di Shi seized the opportunity to close the gap, appearing before Qin Wentian. A menacing azure roc, accompanied by a piercing screech, burst into existence, as multiple savage birds of prey took form, tearing at the very fabric of the void.

BOOM!

Qin Wentian stepped forward, his star-seizing palm imprint radiating a brilliant light that enveloped his body. Di Shi moved at incredible speed, whirling around Qin Wentian with blinding agility. However, the golden light radiating from Qin Wentian continued to expand, illuminating the heavens. With a roar of fury, he broke free, matching Di Shi's speed.

The manifestations created by Di Shi relentlessly clashed with the palm imprints unleashed by Qin Wentian, generating thunderous explosions that rocked the entire arena. This battle left spectators awestruck, especially those who weren't at the supreme-tier of Heavenly Dipper. They realized that even a single strike from these combatants could easily obliterate them. Even the attacks of ordinary ninth-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns would be child's play compared to this.

The battle between these two titans reverberated through the heavens. Gradually, spectators noticed numerous incarnations appearing on the battlefield. Both Di Shi and Qin Wentian possessed a similar technique, allowing them to manifest multiple incarnations to aid in their attacks. For those who paid close attention, they realized that the number of Qin Wentian's incarnations exceeded Di Shi's. Though a small detail, it sent shivers down many spines, signifying Qin Wentian's superior talent.

BOOM!

Another deafening collision erupted as they distanced themselves, and the arena returned to an eerie calm. The incarnations merged back into their true bodies.

Di Shi floated in the air, glaring at Qin Wentian as he icily declared, "I was merely testing your strength with that attack. If this is all you have, then prepare to meet your end."

With that, a terrifying glow enveloped Di Shi as streams of blood-colored light surged into the sky. His astral soul and astral nova, taking the form of an azure roc, thundered within the void, appearing behind him. The image exuded a lifelike aura, resembling an ancient primordial azure roc.

Buzz!

An overwhelming destructive energy erupted from Di Shi, making him even more formidable than before.

"Mandate of Demon at the Perfection Boundary, Mandate of Corrosion at the Perfection Boundary, and there appears to be another strengthening effect Mandate," Qin Wentian analyzed, sensing a potent corrosive energy amidst the azure radiance. Was this Di Shi's ultimate state? He might still be concealing one more Mandate.

After this augmentation, Di Shi truly embodied an ancient primordial bird of prey. His entire being transformed into a streak of light, hurtling toward Qin Wentian at greater speed. His arms quivered, and the great wings of the azure roc behind him blazed with intense light.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Numerous beams of azure light streaked toward Qin Wentian. But Qin Wentian found his movements restricted, unable to evade. A formless energy held him in place.

This was a restrictive Mandate, a hidden ability that Di Shi had kept in reserve. In the Immortal Martial Realm, Di Shi's powers had been restrained, preventing him from fully unleashing his true strength. Now, however, he could employ all his abilities.

"Wentian!" Those who cared about Qin Wentian watched in horror as the ferocious manifestations of bird-like beams of light homed in on him while he remained immobilized.

"All eight era-suppressing geniuses possess unique abilities. Di Shi is no exception. In terms of combat prowess, Di Shi appears to have the upper hand. Can this rising star survive the day? If Qin Wentian lives, then Di Shi must die." Speculations ran rampant among the spectators.

In this pivotal moment, an iridescent astral aura enveloped Qin Wentian, casting a shimmering halo around him. The ethereal radiance emanating from his body sent shivers down the spines of all those watching. His once ebony hair had transformed into a deep, inky black, and even his attire appeared to be infused with this shadowy hue. At this very instant, he bore a striking resemblance to the descendants of those age-old primordial demons that once ruled uncontested in their era.

A multitude of incarnations materialized, their forms overlapping as they launched a synchronized assault. The heavens quaked, and the earth quivered in response. Instead of retreating, Qin Wentian surged forward, his sheer power resonating with the very fabric of reality.

"I'm genuinely curious to see how you plan to claim my life," Qin Wentian declared, his towering frame dwarfing Di Shi's. He charged ahead, his palms slamming down with unyielding force, aimed squarely at the ferocious, ancient primordial azure roc!