Death By Suppression

Death By Suppression . . .

In the vast expanse of knowledge and wisdom, there were those who stood out as luminaries, individuals whose perspectives transcended the boundaries of ordinary comprehension. Zai Xuan and Lu Ziyan were such exceptional souls, possessing insights that far surpassed the average denizens of the Royal Sacred Region.

Within the confines of this region, a realm shrouded in mystique and ancient traditions, the knowledge of astral souls was a closely guarded secret. Very few were privy to the enigmatic radiance that bathed these ethereal entities when they were condensed at the 7th Heavenly Layer. At best, the inhabitants of this realm might have only heard faint whispers of such a phenomenon, like elusive echoes in the night.

Yet, Zai Xuan and Lu Ziyan, having traversed the boundless realms beyond, possessed a profound understanding of what it truly meant when Qin Wentian achieved the feat of condensing an astral soul from the 7th Heavenly Layer. The more they comprehended, the deeper their amazement grew.

"How can this be?" Zai Xuan's eyes widened with disbelief, struggling to accept the reality before him. Could this be Qin Wentian's fifth astral soul? He knew all too well the significance of possessing a 7th-layered astral soul as one's fifth. Even in the far reaches of the outer worlds, such a feat was a rarity, achieved only by the chosen few of the most powerful factions.

Those who could attain such heights were undeniably the Heaven Chosen, radiant figures of unparalleled brilliance.

Yet, the young man standing before him, whom he had once derisively dismissed as a rustic from the countryside, now emanated the golden-violet aura of an astral soul. Gazing upon Qin Wentian's composed demeanor, it was evident that he himself remained unaware of the extraordinary nature of his astral soul.

Indeed, Qin Wentian had only a limited grasp of the significance of his achievement. He knew well that his initial astral soul, forged at the 5th Heavenly Layer, was already a remarkable accomplishment. Subsequent astral souls, his second and third, had also emerged from the 5th Heavenly Layer. It wasn't until he achieved a breakthrough, forging his fourth astral soul, the King Sword Astral Soul at the pinnacle of the 6th layer, that he made significant progress. Now, with his fifth astral soul, he had ascended to the 7th layer, shaping it from the celestial constellations. However, he remained humble, failing to perceive the exceptional nature of his attainment. He believed that many other gifted prodigies could reach similar heights.

For instance, when he had observed the constellation of the Darkshadow Sovereign in the past, he had discerned that it evolved from an astral soul of the 6th layer.

Since the Darkshadow Sovereign could achieve the 6th-layer astral soul, it implied that others could as well. Thus, while attaining an astral soul of a higher layer might be rarer, it remained within the realm of possibility.

However, Qin Wentian's understanding was fundamentally flawed. Condensing an astral soul at the 6th layer might not have been an insurmountable challenge for a Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant. But the leap from a 6th-layer astral soul to a 7th-layer one represented a qualitative transformation, akin to ascending to the heavens themselves.

The affinity a stellar martial cultivator had with celestial constellations wasn't something fixed from birth. It had to be nurtured, cultivated step by step through meditation and the advancement of one's cultivation base.

Consequently, for many stellar martial cultivators within the Royal Sacred Region, their first astral soul typically hailed from the 1st-layer, the second from the 2nd-layer, and the third from the 3rd-layer. Beyond that, it became increasingly improbable for their affinity to break through the third heavenly layer. Their cultivation bases often found themselves restricted, ultimately reaching a plateau, confined to the Heavenly Dipper Realm or, in the worst-case scenario, stagnating at the Yuanfu Realm indefinitely.

In the illustrious domain of the Royal Sacred Region, where the brilliant stars of the martial world converged, the journey of astral soul cultivation followed a well-trodden path. For most gifted individuals, their inaugural encounter with the ethereal astral soul occurred amidst the celestial energies of the 3rd Heavenly Layer. This, in itself, was an undeniable testament to their innate talent, marking them as prodigious talents of their time.

Yet, as they continued to tread the path of stellar enlightenment, a curious pattern often emerged. It was not uncommon for these extraordinary beings to find their second astral soul also hailing from the 3rd layer. It was only when the auspicious moment of condensing their third astral soul arrived that they broke free from this numerical symmetry. Within the bounds of their abilities, reaching the 5th-layer for their fifth astral soul, upon their ascent to the celestial realm of the Celestial Phenomenon, was considered a commendable achievement. Those with exceptional potential, whose affinity with the astral realms ran deeper, might even dare to dream of breaching the coveted 6th-layer.

Thus, for many of these eminent prodigies, their astral soul origins bore a sequence like 3, 3, 4, 5, 6.

As for the more resplendent figures among them, their astral soul progressions danced to a slightly different rhythm: 3, 4, 4, 5, 6; or 3, 4, 5, 5, 6.

However, when it came to the likes of Zai Xuan and Lu Ziyan, their perspectives stretched far beyond the boundaries of such conventional measures. To these seasoned observers, the so-called 'geniuses' within the Royal Sacred Region were nothing more than individuals of moderate caliber.

In the vast expanse of the outer world, the astral souls of true geniuses unfurled like radiant constellations: 4, 4, 5, 5, 6 or 4, 5, 5, 5, 6.

For the most exceptional among them, individuals whose names resonated with awe and reverence, their astral soul sequences mirrored the brilliance of their legacies: 4, 5, 5, 6, 6. These were the elites among the elite, capable of breaching the 6th-layer while still dwelling within the confines of the Heavenly Dipper Realm, as they conjured their fourth astral soul.

Yet, within the sphere of rarefied beings, there existed a cadre of extraordinary individuals, akin to demons of unparalleled prowess. Their astral souls exhibited an uncanny speed of ascension, establishing an innate connection with the 5th-layer from the very outset: 5, 5, 5, 6, 6. Such a combination heralded an astonishing power that bordered on the sublime.

And then, there were the legends—figures whispered about in hushed tones, whose existence transcended the annals of time. Their astral soul sequences defied convention, resplendent and divine: 5, 5, 5, 6, 7. Upon their celestial breakthrough to the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, they might even partake of heavenly treasures and earthly delights, deepening their astral affinity and fortifying their will. Such formidable dedication enabled them to attain the 7th Heavenly Layer when they birthed their fifth astral soul.

Even Lu Ziyan, with her wealth of knowledge, had only encountered the faint echoes of such remarkable individuals in the oral traditions of her elders. These were beings she had never personally witnessed, only pieced together through the fragmented legends of yore.

Yet, in this seemingly diminutive world of the Royal Sacred Region, an inconspicuous mote within the cosmic tapestry, her eyes beheld the shimmering violet-gold radiance of an astral soul—a luster borne not by a distinguished luminary but by a humble country bumpkin.

Lu Ziyan blinked, half-convinced that her vision was playing tricks on her. In the outer realms, there existed legends of these very 'country bumpkin' characters who ascended to mythic heights through sheer determination and indomitable will. Their unwavering resolve and unparalleled combat prowess cast them as terror incarnate, leaving their peers in awe.

In that fleeting moment, Lu Ziyan felt a stirring in her heart, a glimmer of recognition. Perhaps, just perhaps, she had stumbled upon one such legendary figure. The gaze she cast upon Qin Wentian shimmered with newfound admiration and intrigue.

As Lu Ziyan's gaze once again settled upon Qin Wentian, a curious transformation overtook her perception of him. She found herself entranced not only by his striking good looks but also by the unwavering determination etched across his features. There was a resolute quality in his demeanor, and his eyes, ablaze with determination, harbored a subtle blend of dominance and disdain—an aura of someone perched at the pinnacle, gazing down upon the world below.

It was an odd revelation, one that Lu Ziyan hadn't quite anticipated. Previously, she had regarded Qin Wentian as nothing more than a rustic, intriguing though he might be. His brazen arrogance and ignorance of the vastness of the world had once been a source of amusement, nearly coaxing laughter from her lips in moments of ridicule.

Yet, the tides had shifted. Those very attributes that had once provoked her mirth now held a distinct charm.

"Zai Xuan," Lu Ziyan remarked, her voice carrying a subtle note of sarcasm, "your esteemed Royal Sacred Sect not only failed to recognize the potential in this young man but also saw fit to dispatch so many to hunt him down. It appears that your sect may have underestimated the expanse of the heavens and the breadth of the world." There was a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. She had no qualms about confronting Zai Xuan; after all, he was the one pursuing her, not the other way around.

Zai Xuan's countenance darkened considerably. His gaze turned toward the upper echelons, where he noticed that even they appeared taken aback by the astonishing astral souls displayed by Qin Wentian. Only Elder Li, with a glint of cold determination in his eyes, spoke up, "You may not be aware, but this young brat possesses a staggering degree of arrogance. The Royal Sacred Sect extended numerous invitations to him, all of which he arrogantly declined. He even audaciously infiltrated our sect, going so far as to slay a disciple of the Core Faction. We initially tolerated his actions, but his arrogance continued to swell. It was only as a last resort that we sought the Sacred Emperor's permission to issue a kill order. Such a brazen individual, even if we eliminate him, we shall harbor no regrets."

Lu Ziyan responded with a wry smile, her gaze fixed on the Sacred Battle Platform. "But it remains to be seen whether the third-level Ascendant dispatched by your sect will be capable of ending his life." The hint of doubt hung in the air, underlining her newfound curiosity about Qin Wentian's fate in the unfolding drama.

Amidst the gathering of onlookers, including the esteemed Ye Qingyun and the venerable experts of the Medicine Sovereign Valley, a hushed silence fell as they beheld the astonishing spectacle unfolding before them. Their collective breaths seemed to catch in their throats, and their hearts pounded with a frenetic intensity.

Qin Wentian's astral soul materialized with a breathtaking radiance—a hue that defied mere description. A violet-gold astral soul. Could it be possible? Was this the manifestation of an astral soul from the fabled 7th Heavenly Layer?

The colossal figure that emerged behind Qin Wentian was none other than his fifth astral soul, a towering giant with a form reminiscent of a human. Forged from the sublime essence of the 7th Heavenly Layer, it emanated a violet-gold corona that cast an aura of absolute supremacy—a celestial sovereign reigning over the mortal realm. A cascade of arcane runes surrounded it, each filament pulsating with a profound, awe-inspiring power.

The sheer might exuded by this astral soul was palpable. Its radiant astral light engulfed the surroundings, subjugating everything in its path. As it extended its influence, all that stood near Qin Wentian was forced into submission.

Dong Yu, who found himself directly facing Qin Wentian, experienced the full brunt of this overwhelming force. However, he proved himself to be a Heaven Chosen disciple of the Royal Sacred Sect, swiftly adapting to the extraordinary situation. The frost king, an embodiment of chilling authority, materialized behind him, conjuring a colossal wall of frigid air that stretched for a seemingly endless ten million feet. The icy breath swept forth, converging upon Qin Wentian, its crystalline form taking shape with every passing moment.

"DIE!" Dong Yu unleashed another ferocious finger attack, but to his astonishment, Qin Wentian's entire being was enveloped in a resplendent radiance. His palms crackled with a dazzling violet-golden brilliance, expanding and descending with crushing force. The violet-golden glow set in motion a cascading array of runic lights that bore down upon Dong Yu, an inexorable force that seemed capable of quelling even the heavens themselves. Dong Yu shuddered uncontrollably, his body stiffening as the pervasive suppression encased the entire world in an unyielding grip.

In the throes of this tumultuous battle, Dong Yu refused to yield. His determination surged as he clasped his hands together, invoking the transformation of his ice-type constellation into its fiery counterpart. In the blink of an eye, the world around him underwent a staggering metamorphosis. The frigid dominion of ice and snow gave way to a searing realm of molten lava, its blistering heat consuming everything in its path. The juxtaposition of ice and heat, two elemental extremes, left Qin Wentian caught off guard. Enveloped by scorching waves of heat, he felt as though he might be incinerated to ashes at any moment.

The sheer destructive potency stemming from this abrupt shift between opposing elements was staggering. It wreaked havoc upon Qin Wentian's fiendgod body, threatening to shatter it into pieces.

Yet, in a split second, radiant runic patterns swirled around him as he unleashed a palm strike into the air. A surge of supreme suppression energy radiated outward, repelling the encroaching heat. The runic patterns, born of this suppression force, converged to form an impervious force field, rendering Qin Wentian impervious to the searing temperatures. With a composed step forward, he fixed his gaze upon Dong Yu, resolute in his determination to emerge victorious.

The melding of two contrasting constellations within Dong Yu's arsenal showcased the true extent of his formidable might. It was no wonder he had earned the title of a demon-level character within the Royal Sacred Sect.

However, even in the face of such a formidable adversary, Qin Wentian remained steadfast in his resolve. Today, he would vanquish Dong Yu without fail.

The Dreamworld Constellation continued to shroud the world in its captivating embrace. The pervasive destructive energy converged upon Qin Wentian's form, amplified by the radiance of his suppression-type astral soul. With a resounding stomp, he released a torrent of monumental pressure that surged towards Dong Yu, obliterating everything in its path.

Dong Yu retaliated with a dual-handed assault, intertwining fire and ice in a brilliant conflagration. Yet, the unrelenting grip of the suppression pressure proved relentless and inexorable. It enveloped Dong Yu completely, shrinking upon itself until it compressed into nothingness. Dong Yu found himself ruthlessly suppressed by the overwhelming force, his body crushed to the point of annihilation, his very soul scattered into the ether. A Heaven Chosen disciple of the Royal Sacred Sect, brought to the brink of annihilation while still alive, succumbed to the indomitable might of Qin Wentian's onslaught.