Rejection of Invitation

Rejection of Invitation . . .

The memories of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Palace lingered vividly in Qin Wentian's mind like an indelible mark.

His alter ego, Di Tian, had received the sacred legacy from the founding emperor of Grand Xia during his sojourn in the Royal Tomb. That ancient key, entrusted by the Xia Emperor himself, had remained securely held by Di Tian ever since.

The question arose, how ancient was the Xia Emperor? In the annals of history, his name stood as a revered figure. His audacious entry into the immortal palace remained cloaked in the mists of time. The Xia Emperor had recounted tales of acquiring the Great Dream Immortal Art and a trove of other treasures within the hallowed halls of the palace. Yet, he had never delved deep into the heart of the immortal palace, his strength at the time inadequate to fathom its mysteries. He had been a risk-taker, and that gamble had birthed an empire—a testament to his audacity.

The Vermilion Bird's symbolism had forever intertwined with the Grand Xia Empire.

Now, the revelation stunned Qin Wentian: the Royal Sacred Sect's grand gathering of Heaven Chosen from every corner of the Royal Sacred Region was in pursuit of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Palace. It was an astonishing revelation, prompting a realization.

"It appears Di Tian must soon exit the Royal Tomb of Grand Xia," Qin Wentian mused, contemplating the importance of the key clutched by his other self. Though its use remained an enigma, it was always wise to be prepared, for such a unique artifact was likely unmatched even by the Royal Sacred Sect.

The old ancestor, detecting the spark of determination in Qin Wentian's eyes, queried, "Do you have a plan?"

Qin Wentian inquired further, "Do you believe the Royal Sacred Sect might employ us as mere cannon fodder?"

The old man's gaze reflected a similar intensity. Within the Royal Sacred Sect, the Core Faction wielded formidable authority, housing Heavenly Dipper Realm cultivators of immense power. The true intentions of the sect's leadership were shrouded in mystery to those outside the Core Faction.

The old man's words served as a veiled reminder. Whether they would become mere pawns depended on their strength.

Then, the old man's attention shifted to Mo Qingcheng and Qing'er, and a mischievous smile graced his face. It was an odd sight, for even in his advanced years, his grin appeared strangely mischievous.

Mo Qingcheng and Qing'er glanced at Qin Wentian simultaneously, leaving him cursing the old man silently for his audacity. However, Little Rascal, the ever-loyal companion, chimed in with a childlike voice, "Indeed!"

Qing'er responded with a swift slap, sending Little Rascal tumbling into the crowd. It shot a woeful look back at Qing'er, its expression beseeching. "You're a bully! Wentian, when you marry her, remember to help me bully her back!"

Qin Wentian's face contorted with disbelief. He couldn't help but shudder as he met Qing'er's icy gaze, all the while mentally condemning Little Rascal. He vowed to teach his loyal friend an unforgettable lesson upon their return.

With an air of nonchalance, the old man then turned his attention to Qing'er and posed a question, "Hey hey, are you interested in becoming my disciple?"

Qing'er replied with an icy tone, "No," causing stunned expressions to form on the faces of the onlookers. The old man, aware of their scrutiny, found himself drenched in an uncomfortable sweat. His earlier antics had, indeed, cost him his dignity at the hands of these two seemingly innocuous individuals.

Quickly regaining his composure, he cleared his throat and offered a candid explanation, "I was merely jesting with you. Yes, all in good fun. Now, off you go. With your limited talents, I can't be bothered to provide guidance."

"Alright," Qin Wentian replied without a hint of politeness, immediately turning on his heels to depart. The others present watched him go, comprehension dawning in their eyes.

"Why are all of you still lingering here?!" The old man bellowed, and within moments, everyone scattered, fleeing with impressive alacrity.

...

The three days swiftly passed. Scores of peak-tier Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns from various major powers congregated at the Royal Sacred Sect. Among them were young cultivators, as well as those who had weathered more than a century of life. They hailed from different corners of the land, united here by a common purpose.

While most major powers remained in the dark about the Royal Sacred Sect's intentions, they were loath to miss out on whatever opportunity lay ahead. The sect's summons were exceedingly rare, and the gathering of so many experts could only mean one thing: a momentous event was on the horizon.

Once they crossed the threshold of the Royal Sacred Sect and ascended the towering hundred-foot ladder, they passed by various factional palaces and ultimately congregated on an expansive training ground.

Qin Wentian, too, made his way there. As he surveyed the assembly, he couldn't help but feel a subtle pressure. These individuals, while not necessarily renowned era-defining geniuses, all exuded peak Heavenly Dipper auras. It was evident that each had comprehended at least one form of True Intent.

Among the crowd, Qin Wentian spotted familiar faces—Fan Miaoyu and Wu Teng.

"Qin Wentian, you're here as well." Wu Teng and Fan Miaoyu exchanged smiles upon noticing him. Despite their duel on the Sacred Battle Platform, they held each other in high regard. Qin Wentian, in particular, had earned their respect.

"Yes," Qin Wentian affirmed with a nod, returning their smiles.

Curious glances soon fell upon him, leading to whispers and discussions among the gathered cultivators.

Qin Wentian's name had recently resounded throughout the region, making him one of the most famous figures in the Royal Sacred Region's Heavenly Dipper Realm. He had achieved remarkable feats—claiming the top spot in the Immortal Martial Realm, slaying Grand Shang Empire's crown prince, taking the life of a Royal Sacred Sect elder, and, just three days ago, emerging victorious in a grand battle against the younger generation's heroes, including the supreme Di Clan's Di Shi.

However, among those who now laid eyes on him, many harbored a cold, hostile intent. Representatives from the Grand Shang Empire and the Violet Thunder Sect, in particular, regarded him with malevolence. Furthermore, his indirect role in the death of a Royal Sacred Sect elder had earned him enmity among the sect's disciples.

"Qin Wentian," a voice suddenly called out. Qin Wentian turned to see the imposing figure who had graced the Sacred Battle Platform three days prior. The man addressed him, "Follow me."

"I represent the Core Faction of the Royal Sacred Sect, and I'm certain you're aware that this faction holds the true reins of power within the sect. I extend to you an invitation to join our Core Faction," the person addressed Qin Wentian, formally offering him an invitation.

Previously, they had invited Hua Taixu. They refrained from extending an invitation to Qin Wentian out of consideration for the Grand Shang Faction. However, following Qin Wentian's remarkable performance on the Sacred Battle Platform, they decided it was time to formally invite him.

"Senior, in terms of joining the Royal Sacred Sect, wouldn't it be the same if I continued my cultivation with the seniors of the Battle Sword Sect, given that they are also part of the Royal Sacred Sect?" Qin Wentian probed. Though he realized he'd been deceived by the Battle Sword Sect's ancestor, he remained grateful in his heart. Now, with this invitation to join the Core Faction, he needed a clearer understanding of the situation.

"It's not the same," the person replied with a shake of their head. "If you join us, you'll become a member of the Core Faction. While this may displease some from the Grand Shang Faction, you can simply disregard their feelings. We will handle any disputes on your behalf, putting an end to the matter once and for all. Additionally, if you choose to join us, you'll gain an advantage for the upcoming journey to the Immortal Palace."

The person dropped hints without revealing everything, yet they were willing to overlook and settle the feud arising from the death of the Grand Shang Faction elder in the past. This underscored how highly they regarded Qin Wentian, a point that didn't escape his notice.

However, the prospect of joining the Core Faction left Qin Wentian feeling disloyal. Although the Battle Sword Sect was part of the Royal Sacred Sect, there were still distinctions to consider. If he, hailing from the Battle Sword Sect, joined the Core Faction instead of remaining with the Battle Sword Faction, how could he justify it to himself?

"Senior, I'd like more time to carefully weigh this decision," Qin Wentian replied, covertly declining the invitation.

The person briefly faltered but quickly regained their composure. "We'll be setting out soon. Think carefully before reaching a decision; this is an extremely important matter."

Qin Wentian contemplated silently before finally inclining his head to look at the person. "My apologies, but for now, I still wish to stay with the Battle Sword Sect."

This response visibly surprised the person. Their face registered a fleeting expression of astonishment before they nodded. "Very well, you may return."

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior." Qin Wentian turned and made his way back to the crowd. Many pairs of eyes were now fixed on him. He overheard someone whisper, "That's none other than Qin Wentian, the top-ranked cultivator of the Immortal Martial Realm, and some even claim he's unrivaled in the Heavenly Dipper Realm."

"Unrivaled in the Heavenly Dipper Realm?" A female disciple from the Royal Sacred Sect glanced at Qin Wentian with an emotionless expression. "Those not from our sect simply don't comprehend the vastness of the world and the heights of the heavens. Do they truly grasp the meaning of being 'unrivaled in the Heavenly Dipper Realm'? What a joke."

"Exactly. Even if he topped the Immortal Martial Realm, it's only because we didn't participate," chimed in another, speaking in hushed tones.

Though their voices were subdued, they made no effort to conceal their words, allowing Qin Wentian to hear them clearly. In their gazes, disdain and skepticism mingled, but there were also those who looked upon him with genuine interest.