Inverting Black and White

Inverting Black and White

. . .

The immortal wielding the flute found himself pushed back, his once-steady hand now quivering as a ferocious tornado surged around him. His already daunting killing intent intensified, and his eyes gleamed with an unparalleled majesty, all of it directed at Qin Wentian.

Buzz!

Suddenly, a blur darted forward with astonishing speed. Qin Wentian, as though unfazed by the perilous situation, even dared to close his eyes briefly. Sword intent cascaded through the heavens and the earth, enveloping the surroundings. With unwavering determination, he advanced, leaving behind ethereal sword inscriptions hanging in the air.

But the tornado grew fiercer, enclosing Qin Wentian completely, inching ever closer. Outside the tempest, Quinn and Fan Miaoyu quaked with trepidation. They watched helplessly as the turbulent wind imprisoned Qin Wentian. The buried immortal, an elusive figure, danced amidst the tempest, nearly indistinguishable from the whirling gales.

"What should we do?" Fan Miaoyu's face drained of color as she turned to Quinn, a sense of powerlessness washing over her. Faced with someone like Qin Wentian, a paragon of his generation, she couldn't bear the thought of him perishing here. Yet, in the face of the buried immortal's true might, he seemed invincible.

A sinister, demonic aura enveloped Qin Wentian, giving him the appearance of an heir to an ancient, primordial demon king. His kingly sword astral nova manifested, wielding overwhelming sword might. A particle of intense light flickered at the tip of his sword as it cleaved through space, producing an ear-piercing, agonizing whistling sound. The tornado cracked under the immense pressure, but its rapid spin swiftly repaired the damage.

"The power... It's astonishing. Infusing true intent into an innate technique can produce such a terrifying effect," Qin Wentian marveled, his heart pounding. All four of his Yuanfus roared, channeling divine energy into his palm. Radiant light radiated as particles of fused true intent energy swirled around his hand. With a resounding roar, he lunged forward, surrounded by fiendgod incarnations, each capable of seizing stars and subduing immortals and demons. In an instant, a gap appeared in the tornado, and Qin Wentian, now a soaring roc, hurtled toward it at breakneck speed, determined to escape.

Buzz! An uncanny sound resonated as the tornado shot skyward, scattering clouds of sand and dust, like a destructive beam that relentlessly pursued Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian's pace remained lightning-fast; he activated a spatial transference scroll with deftness. Spatial fluctuations enshrouded him, and he vanished, reappearing far away. The tornado gradually dissipated from Quinn and Fan Miaoyu's view.

Fan Miaoyu's heart surged with amazement. She couldn't fathom how Qin Wentian had grown so powerful in just half a year. After all, when they had fought on the Sacred Battle Platform, he had only held a slight advantage over her.

"He's become this strong," she marveled.

Quinn chuckled, nonchalant. "Given his ability to surpass era-defining geniuses, becoming a legend isn't far-fetched." He took a leisurely step forward and departed the area, no longer concerned with Qin Wentian. With teleportation scrolls at his disposal, Qin Wentian stood a good chance of eluding pursuit by the buried immortal.

Fan Miaoyu glared at the woman who had attempted to ensnare her in the buried immortal's pursuit. Her voice dripped with icy disdain as she remarked, "I distinctly recall you mocking him back at the Royal Sacred Sect. The irony is almost poetic."

Having vented her frustration, Fan Miaoyu turned and left. As much as she loathed the woman's attempt to manipulate the situation, Fan Miaoyu realized she lacked the strength to confront her.

The woman wore an ashen expression, a mixture of rage and despair in her eyes. She was a Heaven Chosen from the Grand Shang Faction and a member of the Royal Sacred Sect, renowned for her mastery of three true intents and formidable combat abilities. However, within the confines of this immortal palace, she felt pitifully weak. Everyone here was at the Heavenly Dipper Realm, and she couldn't help but feel small and insignificant.

Her dreams of seizing immortal arts and treasures now seemed like a fool's errand. She had lost her confidence and come to understand the adage "there's always a heaven beyond a heaven" in the harshest way.

Upon reaching the palace's exit, she spotted several people waiting. She approached two figures standing at the forefront, calling out, "Senior Xia Sheng, Senior Zai Qiu."

Xia Sheng and Zai Qiu turned their attention to her, and Xia Sheng inquired, "Did you make any progress?"

"None." The woman shook her head dishearteningly. "The buried immortals are simply too formidable. I had no chance to engage them in combat. This time, our Royal Sacred Sect has suffered significant losses. Even Junior Brother Sun Qing... he's fallen."

The mention of Sun Qing's name cast a shadow over Xia Sheng and Zai Qiu's faces. Zai Qiu's voice grew icy as he added, "If only those two had followed orders, Sun Qing might still be alive."

"Senior Brother, are you referring to Qin Wentian and Quinn?" The woman's eyes flashed with hatred at the thought of Qin Wentian. Her vendetta against him was deep-rooted, but the Battle Sword Faction wouldn't allow him to die unless... Xia Sheng and Zai Qiu had ulterior motives.

As the realization dawned on her, flames of jealousy kindled within her. She continued, "I encountered them not long ago. They lured a buried immortal to me, endangering my life. If they could do that to me, who knows how many others they've implicated."

Xia Sheng and Zai Qiu's expressions darkened further. Zai Qiu's eyes gleamed with a murderous intent. He turned to the woman and declared, "Currently, several buried immortals roam the graveyard. It's impossible for us to unite against them. We must wait for another opportunity and return later. We'll discuss this matter once we've left."

"What about Hua Taixu? He hasn't returned yet," another Core Faction member inquired.

"No need to wait for him. Entering this immortal palace is difficult, but leaving is remarkably easy," Xia Sheng replied with a shake of his head. The others by the exit refrained from speaking, knowing that this departure might mark their final exit from the immortal palace. However, even if they returned, it might prove futile.

As the group of adventurers exited the ominous immortal palace, Elder Li, an elder-level figure in their midst, sat outside in deep contemplation. The news of their meager harvest had reached his ears, and he couldn't help but sigh in resignation. It appeared that subduing this enigmatic palace was an insurmountable task. The newcomers' reports mirrored those of the previous group. The buried immortals within were incomprehensibly powerful, beyond anyone in their realm to challenge. However, amidst the familiar disappointing accounts, a new piece of information emerged. Rumor had it that the palace's master was seeking a successor.

"If only an extraordinary talent from our Royal Sacred Sect were to emerge and secure that inheritance, their future achievements would be unparalleled," Elder Li mused, a hint of wistfulness in his voice. But such individuals were rare, and the wait for such a figure might prove indefinite.

After several days, the group returned to the Royal Sacred Sect, retreating into seclusion to focus on their cultivation. Despite their modest gains, some among them had made significant progress.

Quinn also found his way back to the Battle Sword Faction within the Royal Sacred Sect. Shortly thereafter, Xia Sheng issued a summons for all those who had entered the immortal palace to convene.

During their journey to the gathering point, Siko offered Quinn a word of caution, "You didn't save Sun Qing back there. He might hold a grudge against you. It's best to be careful when we meet him."

"We're gathering at the Core Faction Palace. Even if Xia Sheng and Zai Qiu harbor ill feelings toward me, they won't act against me openly in front of everyone," Quinn replied with a carefree smile. He was aware of Sun Qing's close relationship with Xia Sheng and Zai Qiu. His decision to save Fan Miaoyu had been an instinctual response, and no one could fault him for that.

Siko, with his cautious disposition, chimed in, "People's hearts can be unpredictable. While you may not expect them to stoop so low, others might not share your honesty or straightforwardness. If things take a turn, retreat immediately."

Quinn nodded, appreciating Siko's vigilance. The two continued their journey and encountered Fan Miaoyu along the way. Quinn greeted her warmly with a smile.

Fan Miaoyu had always felt gratitude toward Quinn for saving her in the immortal palace. She admired his straightforward and talented character.

"Senior brother, has Qin Wentian returned yet?" Fan Miaoyu inquired with a smile.

"Not yet. Perhaps he's stumbled upon more good fortune out there. But for someone of his caliber, there's no need to worry," Quinn replied, his expression relaxed. Fan Miaoyu nodded, and together, they arrived at the Core Faction Palace. They proceeded to a public square where a banquet had been arranged. Zai Qiu, donning opulent attire, stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Quinn's arrival, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Quinn furrowed his brow, sensing Zai Qiu's unfriendly demeanor. However, he quickly reminded himself that Zai Qiu's resentment likely stemmed from Sun Qing's tragic fate.

"Quinn, do you acknowledge your wrongdoing?" Zai Qiu's icy voice rang out the moment the trio crossed the entrance. His words caught Quinn off guard.

"Zai Qiu, what do you mean?" Quinn asked, his confusion evident.

"Elder Li explicitly stated that everyone entering the immortal palace must obey our commands. Yet, you defied that order. That's your first transgression. Moreover, within the palace, we should have acted as a united front. But you deliberately led a buried immortal toward one of us, almost causing her death. That's your second offense. Both of these infractions are unpardonable. What do you have to say for yourself?" Zai Qiu accused, his tone laced with hostility.

"Quinn, you should leave immediately," Siko urgently transmitted his message to Quinn, concern evident in his voice.

Quinn's response was swift and unyielding, "Don't put the blame on me for the first so-called 'crime.' It happened in the blink of an eye, and I had no time to think. And as for the second allegation, it's pure nonsense."

Zai Qiu, however, was unrelenting. He fixed his gaze on a female member of the Grand Shang Faction and insisted, "Junior sister Shang can testify. Quinn led the buried immortal straight to her."

Fan Miaoyu, unwilling to accept this false accusation, retorted, "Your actions are despicable. It was clearly her who attempted to entangle me by luring the buried immortal toward me."

"Fan Miaoyu, I understand that Quinn saved your life. But if you persist in distorting the truth to protect him, don't blame me for taking action," Zai Qiu coldly threatened, his aura oozing with deadly intent.

Fan Miaoyu, undaunted, fired back, "What makes your version of events any truer than mine?"

Zai Qiu's response was chilling, "Because, my surname is Zai!"

A wave of overwhelming power radiated from Zai Qiu, sending shivers down everyone's spine. The surname 'Zai' was synonymous with the Sacred Emperor of the Royal Sacred Sect, a name that carried immense authority and reverence.