Threaten

Threaten . . .

Qin Wentian fixed his gaze ahead, his eyes locked onto the towering demon sword before him. This sentient weapon exuded an unmistakable air of pride, a trait he had long recognized. When he first attempted to withdraw the sword, he quickly realized that without offering his blood as sustenance, it remained firmly embedded, defying any attempt to move it. The demon sword's arrogance surpassed even that of humans, a level of conceit Qin Wentian had never encountered in any mortal, let alone in an inanimate object.

"This sword bears an extraordinary origin," Qin Wentian pondered aloud. "It would never dare to resent the heavens for being too lowly if it were an ordinary blade."

"Do not fret," he continued, his voice soft but resolute. "I have no intention of disrespecting you. However, can you truly follow me in your current colossal form?" The demon sword's towering stature, reaching a thousand meters in height, presented a daunting challenge for anyone aiming to wield it effectively.

"While I am willing to lend you my power, I will not do so proactively," replied the demon sword. "I wish to see if you possess the capability to back up the bold words you spoke earlier today." From its massive frame, sword qi emanated, capable of rending the very heavens. Its piercing whistle heralded the expansion of a destructive maelstrom, laying waste to the entire vicinity. Countless Pill Emperor Hall experts gazed skyward, their eyes filled with despair.

A brilliant beam of light suddenly broke through the space, and Qin Wentian observed that the massive thousand-meter sword had condensed into a much smaller, three-foot-long version. It radiated an eerie, malevolent aura, so laden with demonic qi that it seemed like a weapon of pure evil.

This sinister sword darted through the air, effortlessly piercing the remaining structures of the Pill Emperor Hall. Its path was a trail of destruction, reducing everything in its wake to rubble. The once-majestic hall now lay in ruins, its remnants scattered by the wind, leaving only the blood-soaked demon sword, its white glow undiminished, suspended in the midst of the storm of dust.

A fiendish grin adorned Qin Wentian's lips as he stepped forward, advancing toward the place where the Pill Emperor had met his end. Those who had survived by sheer luck retreated hastily, unwilling to draw near. An aura of emptiness permeated the area, suggesting that the Pill Emperor had long prepared his escape plan. His void boat had ensured his swift getaway, and had it not been for the demon sword's devastating power, Qin Wentian might have been unable to apprehend him.

Qin Wentian stowed the void boat and proceeded to claim the Pill Emperor's interspatial ring. No one dared to approach these items; Qin Wentian, having obliterated the Pill Emperor Hall, left no room for dispute over his spoils. Attempting to seize his hard-fought rewards would have been an act of sheer recklessness.

Next, he turned his attention to the dormant demon sword. Its radiance had dimmed, leaving it resembling an ordinary blade, quietly embedded in the earth. Qin Wentian extended his arms, gripping the hilt of the sword. He cast his eyes to the heavens and with a powerful stomp, ascended, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"He's gone!"

Onlookers raised their heads, tracking the fading silhouette as their turbulent emotions gradually settled. However, when their gazes returned to the desolation that was once the Pill Emperor Hall, their hearts quaked once more.

The day of reckoning foretold by Qin Wentian had arrived. Another pillar of Grand Xia's power had been toppled. Two ascendants lay slain, and nearly all the Pill Emperor Hall's disciples had perished, their lives claimed by the malevolent might of the demon sword.

The sword, now wielded by Qin Wentian, loomed ominously in the world, a harbinger of uncertainty. Its potential for bloodshed was immeasurable, casting an unsettling shadow over the future.

"The Pill Emperor's demise, it's almost surreal," whispered a disbelieving voice in the crowd. The Pill Emperor Hall, an ancient institution that had proudly stood on the Moon Continent for millennia, had been reduced to dust.

Shu Ruanyu's friend couldn't contain her trembling curiosity. "Ruanyu, did you know he was Qin Wentian?" Her friend's eyes bore into Shu Ruanyu, searching for answers. Shu Ruanyu's contemplative gaze had not gone unnoticed. The revelation that this unassuming young man was none other than the legendary figure who had once kidnapped her friend left her with a bittersweet smile. In a world where nothing remained constant, Shu Ruanyu couldn't help but wonder how different her choices might have been had she known what he would become.

More and more onlookers gathered before the Pill Emperor Hall, their silence speaking volumes as they beheld the remnants of the once-grand structure.

News of the Pill Emperor Hall's annihilation rippled across Grand Xia, sending shockwaves through the ranks of its various transcendent powers. They couldn't help but feel threatened by Qin Wentian's overwhelming strength.

With a mere flick of his hand, he had obliterated the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, dismantled the Pill Emperor Hall, and seized control of the Azure Emperor Palace. His power was impossible to ignore. In response to these developments, the ascendants from various factions formed an alliance and embarked on a journey to the Azure Emperor Palace, hoping to negotiate with Qin Wentian.

Word soon reached the Azure Emperor Palace, announcing the imminent arrival of the ascendants from various transcendent powers, seeking an audience with Palace Lord Qin Wentian in three days' time. They anticipated that this time, Qin Wentian would grant them an audience.

Chaos ensued throughout Grand Xia. The united front of the other transcendent powers seemed determined to counter Qin Wentian's dominance. Witnessing his incredible strength and influence, many marveled at the unparalleled power he had achieved in just a few years.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed, and outside the Azure Emperor Palace, the ascendants from various factions once again descended. Their alliance was even more formidable than their previous visit.

This time, Qin Wentian was ready to meet them. He led Fairy Qingmei and his companions out of the palace, his gaze unwaveringly focused on the approaching ascendants.

The white-robed youth stood with an air of serenity, a simple sword sheath fastened to his back. His pristine robes billowed in the breeze, capturing the attention of the oncoming ascendants. They couldn't help but feel unsettled, confronted by the youth who had stirred Grand Xia into a whirlwind of chaos.

"A young hero, Palace Lord Qin, your talent is truly awe-inspiring," one of the ascendants remarked. Qin Wentian locked eyes with the speaker, his demeanor unflinching as he replied, "Is there a reason for your visit?"

"Qin Wentian, your recent actions have sent shockwaves throughout Grand Xia. The deaths of three ascendants from the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, the annihilation of the Pill Emperor Hall, the submission of the Azure Emperor Palace—what are your true intentions?" The elder from the Wang Clan inquired, his expression sharp and unwavering.

Qin Wentian's gaze shifted toward him, and his voice carried a hint of sarcasm as he responded, "And why is that your concern?"

The Wang Clan's elder bristled at Qin Wentian's audacity. He snorted coldly, "Youth is often accompanied by recklessness. In Grand Xia, you have yet to earn the right to be so arrogant."

A sinister grin tugged at Qin Wentian's lips as he fixed a mocking stare on the elder. "Who do you think you are? Are you even worthy of addressing me in such a manner?"

The tension in the air was palpable, a storm of words and egos colliding within the grandeur of the Azure Emperor Palace. Wang Ancestor's voice wavered, and he found himself unprepared for Qin Wentian's audacity despite the assembly of ascendants.

"You..." Wang Ancestor stuttered, his expectations shattered by Qin Wentian's unwavering arrogance.

"Qin Wentian," Shi Ancestor interjected, his voice raised in an attempt to restore some semblance of civility, "the transcendent powers of Grand Xia have long coexisted in relative harmony. Your recent actions, however, have been undeniably excessive."

"Excessive?" Qin Wentian's piercing gaze shifted toward the Shi Ancestor. "Are you suggesting that I should simply forget the transgressions committed against me by the Pill Emperor Hall?"

"You are all rather audacious," Fairy Qingmei chimed in, her patience dwindling as she rebuked them. In Grand Xia, survival often required ruthless ambition, with transcendent powers consuming one another to ascend. To now accuse Qin Wentian of unsettling Grand Xia was the height of hypocrisy. Had these powers possessed his strength, they likely would have acted even more ruthlessly.

Furthermore, Qin Wentian had yet to infringe upon unrelated factions. Whether it was the Pill Emperor Hall, the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, or the Azure Emperor Palace, each had a direct connection to him. He had refrained from provoking any uninvolved parties, yet now they all stood at his doorstep.

"Enough of the pretense. What do you truly seek?" Qin Wentian's voice dripped with icy impatience.

"We cannot afford another upheaval in Grand Xia," Shi Ancestor pressed, his tone softening. "Qin Wentian, given your talents, why confine yourself to Grand Xia?"

Qin Wentian's eyes flashed with a steely resolve. "Are you implying that I need your permission to stay here?"

Shi Ancestor shook his head. "Not at all. We've come to negotiate, to prevent further destruction of transcendent powers. We understand that some have wronged you in the past and are willing to make amends."

"Bullies when they can, beg for forgiveness when they can't," scoffed the Mystic Moon Hall's sect leader, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "This is the height of hypocrisy."

"This is our greatest compromise," Shi Ancestor insisted.

"And what if I decline?" Qin Wentian's narrowed eyes bore into Shi Ancestor.

"Hmph," Wang Ancestor interjected with a sinister tone, "if I'm not mistaken, you hail from Chu, under the Greencloud Pavilion's jurisdiction. Your return is timed for your wedding to Mo Qingcheng, I presume. Chu is your homeland, where your kin and dear friends reside."

Wang Ancestor's words hung in the air, a deafening silence punctuating the revelation. Qin Wentian's emotions surged, an eruption of violent energy engulfing him. His eyes transformed into windows of demonic rage, and his killing intent permeated the atmosphere.

Silent curses filled the hearts of the other ascendants. Wang Ancestor's words seemed intent on sabotaging their delicate negotiations.

Wang Ancestor felt his heart quiver as he met Qin Wentian's fiery gaze, but he quickly steadied himself. With an air of defiance, he snorted, locking eyes with Qin Wentian.

"The Ouyang Aristocrat Clan forced my brother's bride into another's arms. I avenged her by eliminating the three culprits, sparing the rest of their clan. As for the Azure Emperor Palace, I have not shed a drop of blood. The sole transcendent power I truly destroyed is the Pill Emperor Hall, a grudge as deep as the ocean. I didn't even pursue the Wang Clan's attempts on my life in the past. You come here today to offer recompense for past grievances, yet you threaten my family and dearest friends?"

Qin Wentian's words reverberated with icy resolve. Even as he aimed to reunite Grand Xia, he had no intention of achieving this through mass slaughter. He sought submission from the transcendent powers, to restore Grand Xia to its former unified glory.

However, even without any intent to retaliate against the Wang Clan, Wang Ancestor's audacious threat left Qin Wentian fuming.

"Regardless of what I say today, if there is another disturbance in Grand Xia, you shall bear the consequences alone," Wang Ancestor's voice dripped with icy determination.

"Please, everyone, follow me," Qin Wentian declared with an air of unyielding determination, his gaze sweeping over the gathering of ascendants. His tone was icy, a stark contrast to the warm ambiance of the Azure Emperor Palace.

Fairy Qingmei couldn't contain her exasperation as she addressed the ascendants, her eyes carrying a glint of frustration. The audacity of Wang Ancestor, delving into Qin Wentian's history, implied that he wasn't the sole harbinger of such intentions.

The Swordlord of Yan, his expression a mixture of curiosity and skepticism, questioned Qin Wentian's resolve. "Are you absolutely certain about this course of action, Qin Wentian?"

In response, Qin Wentian simply turned and made his way toward the exit, wordlessly dismissing the Swordlord's inquiry. His indifference and unwavering demeanor left the Swordlord seething, his countenance darkening. "Ladies and gentlemen, take heed of his insolence. Not a trace of decorum, I must say."

A simmering frustration filled the room, tensions running high as the ascendants weighed their options. However, the realization of the consequences if they were to engage in rash violence against Qin Wentian kept their murderous intentions in check. The specter of the unknown consequences loomed large, forcing them to begrudgingly abandon their hostile desires.

"We shall take our leave," one ascendant finally conceded, his eyes still burning with anger. The others silently concurred, knowing the hazards of defying Qin Wentian's resolve. Though resentful, they chose to retreat, simmering with grudges they dared not act upon.

As the group departed the Azure Emperor Palace, a palpable sense of defeat hung in the air, leaving them to reflect on the power and authority Qin Wentian now wielded over Grand Xia.