The Silhouette In The Shadows

The Silhouette In The Shadows . . .

The Royal Sacred Region sprawled magnificently, its crowning jewel being the resplendent Sacred Royal City. Here, Qin Wentian had etched his name into the annals of history. His meteoric rise to fame began when he defeated Di Shi, a member of the supreme Di Clan, and later clashed with the era-suppressing geniuses on the Sacred Battle Platform. He had proven himself as the brightest star among the younger generation, boasting unparalleled potential and combat prowess in the Royal Sacred Region.

Yet, despite his unparalleled talent, the Royal Sacred Sect had issued a death sentence for this prodigious genius. The unrivaled hegemon of the realm had marked him for execution.

In recent days, the news had rippled across the land like wildfire: Qin Wentian had been ordered to appear in the Sacred Royal City to await his demise. This dire fate also befell Ye Qingyun, the Human Emperor of ancient Ye, who adamantly stood by Qin Wentian's side.

Qin Wentian had indeed reached the Sacred Royal City, but he maintained a low profile, assuming a discreet identity. He ventured into the opulent trading grounds, seeking to acquire more Sky Demon Oracle Bone Powder. Despite the impending doom that loomed over him, he appeared unperturbed.

However, beneath his apparent nonchalance, a hint of unease lingered. Mo Qingcheng, tirelessly mobilizing the experts of the Medicine Sovereign Valley, prepared to march on the Sacred Royal City. She had not anticipated Qin Wentian's audacity in entering the city alone. The Royal Sacred Sect's relentless pursuit of him would undoubtedly stir a violent storm.

Amidst the concerns that enveloped him, there was one other person who had not appeared before Qin Wentian for a long time. Despite her absence, she couldn't help but worry about him.

The Royal Sacred Sect, a dominant force within the Sacred Royal City, radiated majesty and authority, reigning supreme over this world.

High in the airspace above the sect, a female silhouette and an elderly man loomed. The woman's eyes exuded an icy chill, hinting at a concealed desire for vengeance.

"Princess, His Majesty has inquired again. It is time for us to leave," urged the elderly man, who was keen to escort her away. However, Qing'er's steadfast refusal left him powerless.

Ever since her father, the Great Emperor, ascended the throne, he had lavished his youngest daughter, Qing'er, with affection and indulgence. He had even waged a cataclysmic war to secure the Great Nirvana Immortal Art, all because she desired it. The elderly man dared not forcibly remove Qing'er; he knew that incurring her displeasure might lead to dire consequences.

Thus, this general from an immortal kingdom had no choice but to acquiesce to Princess Qing'er's every whim, lest she complain to the Great Emperor and seal his grim fate.

"Could you do me a favor and obliterate the Royal Sacred Sect?" Qing'er's words cut through the cold air. The elderly man's expression remained unperturbed; it seemed that destroying the Royal Sacred Sect held little significance to him. To him, this sect was merely a hegemon in a minuscule world, and his lifespan far exceeded the history of the sect.

"Princess, what would be accomplished by destroying the Royal Sacred Sect?" the elderly man inquired. "On the path to becoming stronger, he will inevitably encounter foes more formidable than them. If he cannot surmount these challenges, he may become trapped or face defeat. If I were to annihilate the Royal Sacred Sect on his behalf, another Royal Sacred Sect would rise in its place eventually. Does the Princess intend to protect him from the shadows indefinitely?"

The elderly man's helplessness was palpable. Even if the Royal Sacred Sect were to crumble, would the Princess consent to leave with him?

Observing the depth of the Princess's concern for this young man, it was evident that she was deeply attached and seemingly beyond salvation.

"Have you any better ideas?" Qing'er queried, her gaze fixed intently on the elderly man, a glimmer of hope shimmering within her cool exterior.

As he met Qing'er's gaze, the elderly man couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It appeared that love had already taken root in the Princess's heart, and there was no cure for it.

With the Princess having asked him for a favor, he couldn't help but hope that rendering assistance would earn her lasting gratitude.

"Unless he has a powerful background... It would be ideal if a peerless figure could take him as a disciple and guide him out of the Royal Sacred Region. This way, he might even have a chance to reunite with the Princess in the future," the old man spoke slowly, his words igniting a spark of hope in Qing'er's eyes.

"But... I don't know any of those peerless figures," Qing'er's brows furrowed with concern moments later.

She yearned for someone to accept Qin Wentian as a disciple, preferably an individual of the highest echelons. In this manner, Qin Wentian could tread his path more smoothly, alleviating her anxieties.

"This..." The old man pondered. "If Princess consents, this old servant can relay your wishes to the Great Emperor. His Majesty has numerous friends of equal stature. However, allow me to remind Princess—those individuals at such heights do not take on disciples lightly. Even if they wish to honor the Great Emperor, they wouldn't display favoritism. It will ultimately depend on his talent."

"His talent is beyond question," Qing'er's eyes brightened. "Please help me convey my request."

"Princess," the old man addressed her, and Qing'er responded, "Yes? Are there any further matters?"

"Princess, should I deliver this message and His Majesty accedes, you will need to depart this place with this old servant," the old man beseeched.

Qing'er's lovely eyes froze momentarily. She gazed at the horizon, a hint of reluctance flickering within. Yet, after a moment's contemplation, a smile graced her lips as she replied, "Very well."

Observing Qing'er's retreating figure, the old man could only shake his head and sigh in silence. He couldn't fathom her thoughts. Even after witnessing Qin Wentian's wedding firsthand, her determination remained steadfast. Regardless of the Princess's perspective, it was unthinkable for the Great Emperor to allow his beloved daughter to share her husband with another woman, no matter how exceptional Qin Wentian might be.

"What a twist of fate," the old man mused silently. Perhaps it had been a mistake for the Great Emperor to dispatch the Princess to such a remote realm.

The Royal Sacred Sect, once haughty and domineering, had recently issued a death warrant to the world, instructing Qin Wentian and Ye Qingyun to present themselves in the Royal Sacred City to meet their demise. Unbeknownst to them, the ethereal maiden who had once threatened them had almost orchestrated their complete obliteration just moments ago.

A brush with annihilation, indeed. Had Qing'er not concurred with the old man's counsel and resolutely ordered the sect's eradication, the Royal Sacred Region's hegemon would have vanished forever.

However, this saga remained concealed from the Royal Sacred Sect. They were still awaiting the duo's surrender to meet their doom.

Qin Wentian, oblivious to these developments, sat cross-legged in a tavern room, immersed in his cultivation. An aura of resplendent particles enveloped him, exuding an enigmatic and unique rune-like pattern.

The room crackled with energy as Qin Wentian ingested the Sky Demon Oracle Bone Powder, his body resonating with its power. Arcane runes, like ethereal messengers, coursed through his being, fortifying his flesh and enhancing his defenses. An aura of unparalleled strength radiated from him.

After what felt like an eternity, he exhaled deeply, his radiant rune lights gradually dimming. He muttered to himself, "The amount of bone powder I can obtain now is simply insufficient. To truly refine a fiendgod physique, I'll need actual Sky Demon Oracle Bone, not just its powder. Finding that in the Royal Sacred Region won't be easy."

Qin Wentian's frustration grew apparent as he contemplated his situation. No matter how talented he was, lacking sufficient strength left him vulnerable to manipulation. Despite his current ability to defeat third-level Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants, he remained relatively low-level. In the eyes of the Royal Sacred Sect, his cultivation base amounted to little.

Determination flickered in his eyes. Surrounding him were mountains of Yuan Meteor Stones, his entire collection. This time, he was prepared to go all out.

"Old man, in your prime, you commanded the respect of gods and devils alike. Yet here I am, struggling in the confines of a mere Royal Sacred Region. I can't live up to your legacy." With a mental command, the Yuan Meteor Stones levitated and arranged themselves into a divine inscription diagram, with Qin Wentian at its center.

"Let me revisit the memories you left behind," Qin Wentian murmured, clasping his hands together. The diagram bathed him in a radiant glow, and an immense surge of astral energy flowed into him, its consumption rate staggering.

Closing his eyes, he directed his perception to the tiny astral being within his sea of consciousness. The astral being gleamed, guiding Qin Wentian's perception into a vast space. He ventured deeper into this boundless expanse, seeking the memories his father had bequeathed.

Astral light pulsed, and Qin Wentian's perception delved deeper still, ultimately converging on a sizable, sparkling fragment.

Meanwhile, the diagram of Yuan Meteor Stones continued to fuel him, its energy reserves depleting at an alarming pace. The crystalline fragment grew increasingly brilliant until, with a brilliant flash, Qin Wentian's perception was thrust into another realm.

Here, a colossal figure loomed large, suspended in midair. The figure intoned a complex and mystical incantation, each syllable morphing into potent runes. Immortal light radiated from the figure's body, bathing the entire sky in its resplendent glow.