The Sacred Emperor Appears

The Sacred Emperor Appears

. . .

The knowledge of the Immortal Martial Realm's recruitment activities had long been an open secret within the upper echelons of the Royal Sacred Sect. Even their sect leader had been compelled to silently acknowledge the Immortal Martial Realm's existence.

However, the shocking turn of events that unfolded that day was beyond anything they could have anticipated. The Immortal Martial Realm had not only made a personal appearance within the hallowed halls of the Royal Sacred Sect but had also extended an invitation to none other than Qin Wentian—the very individual they sought to deal with. This unexpected turn of events left the faces of the Royal Sacred Sect's experts contorted in displeasure.

Countless formidable figures descended upon the scene, their presence exuding an overwhelming and stifling aura, enough to make even the bravest hearts falter.

"The matters concerning the Royal Sacred Sect have never required your interference," declared a figure who stepped forward. It was none other than Elder Li. His sharp gaze swept over the assembled crowd, a silent acknowledgment that he had not anticipated this many experts converging upon the Royal Sacred Sect on this fateful day.

"Our Royal Sacred Sect's affairs? Qin Wentian has already severed his ties with the Battle Sword Sect, and he has no affiliation with your sect whatsoever. Furthermore, he is the son-in-law of the Medicine Sovereign. You dared to concoct an outrageous crime to justify his murder. Do you truly believe I will stand idly by?" The Medicine Sovereign's beard fluttered in the wind as he locked eyes with Elder Li, his words carrying the weight of authority.

"As long as Qin Wentian agrees, this matter will no longer pertain to your Royal Sacred Sect but will become the concern of our Immortal Martial Realm," Wu Mu chuckled. He didn't need to elaborate further; the message was crystal clear. Once Qin Wentian consented, he would become a member of the Immortal Martial Realm, and the realm would directly intervene in his case. The Royal Sacred Sect would be powerless to act against him.

"Pause before you agree to anything, this individual is an opportunist trying to capitalize on the moment," the Medicine Sovereign's voice resonated in Qin Wentian's mind, surprising him with the Medicine Sovereign's unwavering confidence. The Medicine Sovereign was the most enigmatic figure in the Royal Sacred Region, a pinnacle existence in the realm of medicine, rumored to have lived for countless years. Each time rumors circulated about his imminent demise, they proved to be nothing but baseless conjecture.

"What are your intentions?" Elder Li's voice dripped with ice. The Royal Sacred Sect had never found itself embroiled in such a tangled web of intrigue before. The death of a junior at the Heavenly Dipper Realm had snowballed into an unprecedented crisis, attracting the attention of the entire world, including the formidable Medicine Sovereign and the Immortal Martial Realm.

"Our intentions are not the issue here. The question is, what does your Royal Sacred Sect intend to do?" the Medicine Sovereign retorted impassively.

Elder Li's countenance contorted in a series of involuntary twitches. The events of the day had spiraled beyond his control, and his authority was insufficient to make any decisive choices in this dire predicament.

In his eyes, the Medicine Sovereign was a figure from the senior generation. Even during his own youth, the Medicine Sovereign had already held the esteemed title of Medicine Sovereign.

Regarding the Immortal Martial Realm, Elder Li was dimly aware that this entity possessed formidable influence and regularly sought to recruit exceptional talents from the Royal Sacred Region every decade. Yet, the Royal Sacred Sect had refrained from interference, primarily because the Immortal Martial Realm was backed by an immortal. This knowledge had discouraged any attempts to thwart their rival's recruitment efforts.

"Incidentally, old friend, why is your temper as volatile as ever after all these years?" A transcendent aura resonated from within the depths of the Royal Sacred Sect, breaking the suffocating silence that had befallen the assembly.

A hushed stillness draped over the environs of the Royal Sacred Sect, stifling even the most muted whispers. The awe-stricken expressions on the faces of the Royal Sacred Sect's experts revealed their respect for the presence they beheld.

"The sect leader of the Royal Sacred Sect?" Qin Wentian quirked an eyebrow as he gazed in the direction of the tranquil and immortal aura that transcended mere mortal existence.

"The sect leader addressing the Medicine Sovereign as 'old fellow'? Just how ancient is the Medicine Sovereign?" Speculations swirled like a silent storm among the onlookers.

"Fear not; that's merely his immortal will. His physical presence isn't in the Royal Sacred Sect," the Medicine Sovereign's voice resounded once more in Qin Wentian's thoughts, leaving him momentarily thunderstruck.

The sect leader of the Royal Sacred Sect was rumored to be an immortal. However, it made perfect sense. How could he confine himself solely to the Royal Sacred Sect? Perhaps he had already departed the Royal Sacred Region altogether.

"Hehe, your descendants and disciples display remarkable audacity before me," the Medicine Sovereign remarked, a smile playing on his lips, albeit not a particularly warm one.

"Taking liberties with your seniority," that voice chimed in again, addressing Wu Mu this time. "Wu Mu, it seems you've ascended to the position of Realm Lord for the Immortal Martial Realm since my departure. Your achievements are truly noteworthy, and it's highly likely that you'll reach my current realm in the future. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Senior," Wu Mu responded with respect, his nod a tribute from a junior to an elder.

While Wu Mu's demeanor was indeed respectful, it was devoid of the awe or worship one might expect. Evidently, Wu Mu had encountered immortals beyond the Royal Sacred Region.

The Immortal Martial Realm certainly had immortals within its ranks.

"Medicine Sovereign, Wu Mu, why not step aside and allow the younger generation to resolve this matter on their own? Frankly, I can't be bothered with it. Let's adhere to the customs of the Royal Sacred Region. Affairs concerning Heavenly Dipper Realm juniors should be managed by themselves. Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants should refrain from interference. Do you all comprehend my decree?" The voice adopted a tone of majestic authority, sending shivers through the hearts of those who heard it.

Indeed, the Sacred Emperor. To a being of his caliber, the matter at hand was inconsequential. The Sacred Emperor had already attained immortality, and such matters were beneath his notice. Even within the Royal Sacred Sect, it had been many years since his last appearance. His sudden appearance today spoke volumes about the great favor he extended to the Medicine Sovereign and Wu Mu.

"We acknowledge and obey, Sacred Emperor," the Royal Sacred Sect's experts intoned in unison, their bows an unmistakable mark of reverence for the supreme being in their midst. The Sacred Emperor's words were tantamount to divine command.

With the prohibition against Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants' interference, the responsibility for resolving the matter fell squarely on the shoulders of Zai Qiu and Xia Sheng.

Zai Qiu's eyes glittered with coldness as they bore into Qin Wentian, as though he were already contemplating Qin Wentian's impending demise. While the Sacred Emperor's decree held sway, there was an underlying truth—Qin Wentian couldn't possibly hope to overcome two Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns.

Although Qin Wentian enjoyed immense fame in the Royal Sacred Region, in terms of combat prowess, he was outmatched by Zai Qiu alone.

Given that the matter fell under the purview of Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns, there was no suspense regarding Qin Wentian's fate.

"The Sacred Emperor remains the Sacred Emperor, a transcendent being indeed. His words carry wisdom and benevolence, but regrettably, the outcome remains unchanged," Zai Qiu pondered. Despite sharing the same surname as the Sacred Emperor, the Royal Sacred Sect boasted numerous direct descendants of the Sacred Emperor over the generations. Zai Qiu himself was separated by several generations from the current Sacred Emperor. Prior to this, he had never had the privilege of laying eyes on the Sacred Emperor. The Sacred Emperor had long departed the mortal realm in pursuit of martial enlightenment. Consequently, he held exacting standards for his clan's juniors, a requirement to safeguard the Core Faction's supremacy within the Royal Sacred Sect and Region.

Zai Qiu, hailing from the Zai Clan, was but one of the Sacred Emperor's descendants. Should he fall to Qin Wentian, it would undoubtedly tarnish the Sacred Emperor's prestige, a fate too shameful to contemplate. Moreover, even if he perished in the battle, the Sacred Emperor would never avenge him; he would view this descendant as nothing more than a disappointment and an unworthy successor.

In the midst of this tension-filled standoff, the expressions on the faces of the Medicine Sovereign and Realm Lord Wu Mu darkened. Although both sides had agreed not to interfere, the odds were heavily stacked against Qin Wentian when pitted against the pinnacle Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns of the Royal Sacred Sect.

Qin Wentian's hand was held firmly by Mo Qingcheng, her eyes reflecting deep concern. The Sacred Emperor's words seemed to bode ill for him.

But at this critical juncture, Qin Wentian cast his gaze in the direction of the Sacred Emperor's voice. His response was both detached and resolute, as he declared, "The Sacred Emperor's command carries the weight of the heavens. Since we are entrusted with the resolution of our generation's conflicts, I shall abide by this decree. Today, there is no right or wrong; there is only the settling of debts."

"The concept of right and wrong resides within one's heart," a composed voice asserted. A single sentence from the Sacred Emperor was akin to an entire philosophical doctrine.

Were Zai Qiu's actions truly wrong? In his heart, he believed he was avenging his junior brother, who had perished due to Qin Wentian's and Quinn's inaction. His actions may have seemed wrong to others, but in his heart, they were right.

For Qin Wentian, why should he save Sun Qing while abandoning Fan Miaoyu?

Today, the question of right or wrong was irrelevant; what mattered was settling their debts.

Without sparing Zai Qiu a glance, Qin Wentian shifted his gaze to Shang Li of the Grand Shang Faction.

She had to answer for Quinn's death.

"Despite our past conflicts, my enmity with the Grand Shang Faction has been open and straightforward. Shang Tong attempted to kill me, and I retaliated with my own strength. Our grudges were out in the open. But you, ever since my arrival at the Royal Sacred Sect, you've sought to humiliate me. In the secret realm, you were responsible for implicating Fan Miaoyu, and you attempted to frame both me and Quinn, ultimately leading to Quinn's death. Quinn can't rest in peace until you pay for your actions."

With deliberate steps, Qin Wentian advanced, an ancient halberd gripped firmly in his hand, its tip shimmering with a luminous brilliance.

As Shang Li fixed her gaze on the cold determination in Qin Wentian's eyes, an involuntary shiver of fear coursed through her.

The only person among them who was fully aware of Qin Wentian's true strength was Shang Li herself. She had personally witnessed Qin Wentian's battle against the buried immortal. Despite being pursued by that formidable foe, he had emerged victorious and exited the immortal palace.

In contrast, her fearsome opponent was now advancing, and she couldn't help but look around nervously. She noticed that Zai Qiu was fixated on her, commanding, "Proceed. Since he refuses to admit his guilt, my Royal Sacred Sect won't force him. Shang Li, eliminate him for us."

Shang Li hadn't divulged to Zai Qiu the full details of Qin Wentian's confrontation with the buried immortal. Instead, she had falsely claimed that Quinn and Qin Wentian had lured the buried immortal toward her, concealing certain facts.

"No..." Shang Li shook her head, her face contorting with anguish. But as her voice faltered, the hostile gazes of the Royal Sacred Sect's experts bore down on her.

"No?" Was she avoiding the battle, even as a member of the Royal Sacred Sect? The Sacred Emperor himself was a witness to this event; she couldn't escape this fight, no matter the outcome.

"Shang Li," an elder-level figure coldly intervened, sending a tremor through Shang Li's already pallid complexion.

"Shang Li." Qin Wentian's voice rang out, causing her to turn and face him. His words were cold and deliberate. "With a character as vile as yours, even living on would be a disgrace."

With these words, Qin Wentian stepped forward, his ancient halberd striking forth with unstoppable force. The halberd seemed capable of piercing through anything, and Shang Li frantically summoned her aura in an attempt to defend herself. But it was too late; the halberd had already plunged into her heart. She lowered her head, staring at the weapon embedded in her chest, her face a mask of agony.

"KNEEL!" A voice thundered, and Shang Li felt an overwhelming pressure bear down on her heart, forcing her to her knees.

The onlookers gasped in shock as they witnessed Shang Li's sudden capitulation. Qin Wentian had forced her to her knees with a single command, despite remaining rooted to his spot. The spectacle left the experts of the Royal Sacred Sect wearing unsightly expressions. Zai Qiu's eyes seethed with anger, and his gaze smoldered with killing intent as he glared at Shang Li.

Trash. Absolute trash. She was a coward who had shirked a battle, someone without unwavering resolve. She had allowed Qin Wentian's dreamforce to infiltrate her mind, and her performance was nothing short of dismal.

This time, Qin Wentian had truly left his mark. Shang Li's heart quivered; her vision cleared, but it was already too late. With her still on her knees, Qin Wentian's ancient halberd pierced her brow. The experts of the Royal Sacred Sect remained passive, as no one dared to defy the Sacred Emperor's decree. In any case, Shang Li's conduct had been utterly disappointing. She was nothing but a disgrace!