The Medicine Sovereign and the Realmlord of the Immortal Martial Realm

The Medicine Sovereign and the Realmlord of the Immortal Martial Realm

. . .

High in the lofty echelons of the Royal Sacred Sect, turmoil of an unprecedented magnitude had taken root. Even among the venerable cultivators at such exalted levels, daily life left little time for the mundane affairs of the sect. In fact, the audacious actions of Zai Qiu had initially escaped the notice of many among the upper ranks.

Had Zai Qiu, in the beginning, sought approval for his scheme against Qin Wentian and Quinn, the elders might have dissuaded him from pursuing such a radical course. Zai Qiu, however, keenly understood this point. It was precisely why he chose to act swiftly, employing the most direct and irreversible method to eliminate Quinn.

As the days wore on, the full extent of Zai Qiu's actions became public knowledge. He found himself summoned for questioning by Elder Li. Yet, with the deed already done, Elder Li could hardly admit that Zai Qiu had erred and take punitive measures. Moreover, considering Qin Wentian's previous rejection of his advances, Elder Li had given Zai Qiu a free hand to resolve the matter as he saw fit. With Elder Li's decision cast in stone, others privy to the affair had no reason to intervene.

However, nobody had anticipated that this seemingly isolated incident would erupt into a full-blown global spectacle. The Medicine Sovereign Valley's involvement made their opposition clear, a move that redefined the balance of power. As word of this reached the ears of the upper echelons, Zai Qiu faced relentless interrogations that weighed heavily upon him.

The Royal Sacred Sect reigned supreme because of its overwhelming might, its dominion over a world often referred to as sacred ground. Aspiring talents flocked there year after year. But if the rumors held true, if the sect had indeed framed and executed Quinn and now sought to target Qin Wentian, would future geniuses still dare to affiliate with them? Despite the absence of any capable of opposing the sect, the impact of these rumors could not be ignored.

Ultimately, a consensus emerged among the upper ranks of the Royal Sacred Sect: Qin Wentian must be eliminated. There was, however, a caveat—proof of his guilt had to be established first. Qin Wentian and Quinn had defied sect members and disobeyed orders, a transgression that transcended even their prodigious talents. In the face of such actions, the sect's decision to take action against them found a measure of justification.

With this decision, Zai Qiu finally felt the crushing weight of responsibility ease, allowing him to breathe more freely. In the past few days, he had been suffocated by the pressure of his role. Thankfully, with the sect's endorsement, he could now confront Qin Wentian openly, seeking vengeance for his fallen junior, Sun Qing.

In the very spot where Quinn had unjustly met his end, Zai Qiu, Xia Sheng, and their allies had gathered. Though their numbers were few, it remained uncertain how many hidden experts lurked in the shadows nearby. Among those present, aside from the leading figures Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng, the rest hailed from the Medicine Sovereign Valley.

"Qin Wentian, do you admit to your crime?" Zai Qiu's gaze bore into Qin Wentian as he posed the question with an icy demeanor.

"What crime?" Qin Wentian touched down gracefully, meeting Zai Qiu's gaze head-on. His cold, unwavering eyes exuded a menacing intensity, laced with a palpable intent to kill.

Quinn had been unjustly slain here, at the hands of Zai Qiu.

"Before we entered that secret realm, Elder Li explicitly stated that, in his absence, all of you were to obey the commands of Senior Xia Sheng, with me as the fallback authority," Zai Qiu intoned, his tone icy as a frozen lake.

Qin Wentian nodded. "That's correct."

"I instructed you to save Sun Qing, but you defied my command. Do you still claim you are not guilty?" Zai Qiu demanded.

"Recall the circumstances clearly. You shouted a single command to Quinn: 'Quinn, save Sun Qing!' You issued no directive to me, and under the circumstances, my actions were instinctual. There was no time for contemplation. Zai Qiu, I understand your desire to end my life. Instead of spouting endless rhetoric here, why not make your move directly? Why not simply accuse me of attempting to murder you in that secret realm?" Qin Wentian's retort cut through the tension, causing Zai Qiu to pause momentarily.

Qin Wentian stood firm, resolute in his defense. It was true that back then, he had only issued a command to Quinn, directing him to save Sun Qing. In this light, it was a stretch to brand him as defiant.

But none of that seemed to matter now. Qin Wentian's fate was sealed, even without considering the secondary accusation.

"Your words are as smooth as silk, but what about your partnership with Quinn in leading an immortal beast to Junior Sister Shang? Were you trying to lure a member of my Royal Sacred Sect to their doom? Junior Sister Shang is right here. Anything to say for yourself?" Zai Qiu's words dripped with icy disdain.

"Is that so? Are her words an absolute truth? Why not just claim that all the deaths in the secret realm were my doing? Wouldn't that simplify things?" Qin Wentian retorted with a cold edge, turning his gaze towards the woman named Shang. "Shang Li, you attempted to implicate Fan Miaoyu, and now you seek to shift the blame onto me and Quinn? You bear responsibility for Quinn's death."

"Outrageous!" A chilling voice interjected, an expert at Zai Qiu's side delivering a harsh rebuke. "Qin Wentian, your actions are utterly despicable. You dare to slander Shang Li today? If you persist in your innocence, come forward and speak the truth. We have ways to make you confess. Rest assured, if we discover an error, the Royal Sacred Sect will provide a satisfactory response."

Qin Wentian couldn't help but burst into laughter at the expert's declaration of "justice." "What a farce! If I were under your control, the Royal Sacred Sect could effortlessly subject me to illusions, manipulating my words as you saw fit. The truth of this matter remains unverified, yet Zai Qiu and his cohorts have already slain Quinn. They have not faced any repercussions, and now they seek to pin the crime on me. To claim that you will offer a satisfactory response is the greatest joke of all. Allow me to ask you all, why isn't Fan Miaoyu present here?"

"How would I know what happened to Fan Miaoyu?" the person snorted. "If you refuse to confess, we have no other choice. You shall remain here while we conduct a thorough investigation to determine your punishment."

"Absurd." At that moment, a voice cut through the tension. Mo Qingcheng emerged, holding a medicinal pill in her hand. She fixed her gaze on the Royal Sacred Sect's representative and declared, "There's no need to wait for your investigation. This is a Bewilderment Pill. Once Shang Li consumes it, the truth will be revealed."

"Do you dare?" Mo Qingcheng's stare was ice-cold, causing the Royal Sacred Sect experts' hearts to flutter. Her once gentle eyes now gleamed with the sharpness of knives, unflinching in the face of confrontation.

"Nonsense! How do we know you haven't tampered with the pill? What if you've manipulated its properties, causing Shang Li to say what suits your agenda?" Zai Qiu sneered.

"Why does someone named Zai always seem to lack common sense?" Mo Qingcheng retorted with a steely glare, her words thrusting a knife into Zai Qiu's pride, provoking an eruption of seething, murderous intent.

"After Shang Li consumes the pill, we won't be the ones asking the questions. That privilege will be yours. Isn't that fair? And if you still harbor doubts about the pill, the Royal Sacred Sect boasts several experienced alchemists. You may enlist their expertise to analyze the pill. If any issues are found, I, Mo Qingcheng, am prepared to pay with my life for the oversight."

Mo Qingcheng's voice resounded with unwavering resolve, a forceful presence in the gathering. "If the Royal Sacred Sect is unwilling to have Shang Li take this pill, there's no need to engage in further verbal sparring. If you intend to kill, then do so openly. There's no need for a charade of frivolous accusations that only make you appear foolish."

As Mo Qingcheng's words hung in the air, a heavy silence blanketed the space. The Royal Sacred Sect representatives were unable to refute her arguments. If there were any issues with the pill, she was willing to stake her life on her oversight. Moreover, the sect had several potent alchemists who could analyze it thoroughly.

"How insolent! Since when have the affairs of the Royal Sacred Sect been dictated by a girl like you?" An elderly man berated, his voice resonating with authority, sending tremors through the air. An oppressive pressure descended, squeezing the breath out of Mo Qingcheng as she stood her ground, undaunted.

In the heart of a high-stakes confrontation, Qin Wentian boldly stepped forward, taking his place beside Mo Qingcheng. As he observed her unwavering resolve, he couldn't help but admire the strength and fearlessness that emanated from her. With a resolute posture, she locked eyes with the elderly man representing the Royal Sacred Sect.

In the charged atmosphere, Mo Qingcheng raised her voice, her words carrying the weight of ages. "For countless generations, the Royal Sacred Sect has reigned over the nine great sects, the Grand Shang, and Grand Zhou Empires. It has gathered the world's most talented geniuses and wielded authority over billions of lives. If the Royal Sacred Sect desired someone's demise, who could possibly stand in its way? A mere decree, followed by ruthless actions against those who dared to criticize, and the sect's will would be done. It's this sense of superiority that has driven Zai Qiu to act with such arrogance, looking down upon the world as if it were beneath him."

"But have you ever stopped to ponder the source of the Royal Sacred Sect's strength? How has it maintained its dominance over the ages? This strength is born from the accumulation of generations of exceptional talents within its ranks. While your actions today may not immediately weaken your sect's foundation, what happens if the world stops sending its most promising talents to your door? What occurs after ten years? A century? A millennium? Can the Royal Sacred Sect continue to stand unshaken, as it does now?"

Mo Qingcheng's voice, clear and commanding, hung in the air, her ebony hair billowing in the wind. A single sentence from her left the experts of the Royal Sacred Sect speechless, their arguments shattered by her eloquence. They gazed upon the beautiful silhouette before them in stunned silence, unable to fathom that Mo Qingcheng, of all people, would utter such words.

"Well said, truly worthy of being my disciple." A voice, as ethereal as mist, resonated. It emanated from within the Royal Sacred Sect, and its powerful presence sent ripples through the air as experts from the sect frantically tried to pinpoint its source.

Since the Royal Sacred Sect's premises were now graced by so many illustrious guests, why hide in the shadows any longer? Another voice, filled with authority, declared from within the sect itself. Two elderly figures materialized not far behind Mo Qingcheng. One was the Medicine Sovereign, a revered figure known throughout the land, and the other was none other than the individual who had dispatched an elder-level member of the Royal Sacred Sect.

Meanwhile, in another direction, a group of figures in white approached. Their presence exuded an aura of unparalleled significance, causing everyone to hold their breath as they observed the approaching entourage.

These individuals were none other than envoys from the Immortal Martial Realm!

"Qin Wentian, if the Royal Sacred Sect refuses to welcome you, the doors of the Immortal Martial Realm will forever remain open to you." The central figure of the envoy spoke, his voice resonating with unwavering support. This figure was none other than the Realmlord of the Immortal Martial Realm, Wu Mu!