Knocked Down From Their Divine Pedestal

Knocked Down From Their Divine Pedestal . . .

The day's events had taken a turn that left everyone astounded, their wildest imaginations left far behind in the dust. It was as if the Medicine Sovereign had walked straight out of the legends themselves, reaching a realm on par with the Sacred Emperor of the Royal Sacred Sect. The arsenal of formidable combat puppets at his disposal was nothing short of breathtaking. But what truly sent shockwaves through the onlookers was the fact that, in a bold move to safeguard Qin Wentian, the Medicine Sovereign had declared open war against the mighty Royal Sacred Sect. For the first time in tens of thousands of years, the sect faced an unyielding challenge that could reshape the balance of power in the world. The era of the Royal Sacred Sect's unchallenged dominance might be drawing to a close.

Even from a distance, among the throngs of spectators, the Star River Lord of the esteemed Star River Association had made a conspicuous appearance.

The Star River Association had always been a shadowy figure in the world of politics and power. They cared little for the means as long as they achieved their goals. Qin Wentian's arrival in the Sacred Royal City had presented them with an opportunity. With the Royal Sacred Sect baying for his blood, the Star River Association could afford to stay on the sidelines, observing with keen interest. They might not even need to intervene personally. Once the Royal Sacred Sect disposed of Qin Wentian, the Star River Association could redirect their formidable forces toward Grand Xia, focusing on reestablishing their influence.

Yet, they had not foreseen the Medicine Sovereign's concealed might, nor had they anticipated his ascension to legendary status. Witnessing his unwavering resolve to protect Qin Wentian, anyone seeking to harm Qin Wentian would have to face the formidable obstacle of the Medicine Sovereign himself.

"This won't be a walk in the park," the Star River Lord mused silently. However, the Royal Sacred Sect's displayed power was but the tip of a colossal iceberg.

For countless years, the Royal Sacred Sect had reigned supreme, governing the world with an iron grip. Beyond their Core Faction, numerous other powerful factions and over ten million experts were at their beck and call. The experts assembled here today constituted only a fraction of their forces. They could not have anticipated the fierce opposition they would encounter and the losses they would suffer in their relentless pursuit of Qin Wentian's demise.

High in the sky, Lu Ziyan observed the unfolding drama with keen interest. The combat puppets possessed an undeniable advantage, and in light of this, she couldn't help but inject a dose of sarcasm into her commentary. "A backwater world remains a backwater world, no matter how you slice it. Despite the high cultivation of many of these Ascendants, their combat prowess pales in comparison to these formidable puppets. These puppets are undoubtedly powerful, but how would they fare against a truly formidable human opponent? Unfortunately, it appears that your Royal Sacred Sect lacks such a caliber of warrior." She couldn't help but smirk at the sect's predicament.

On the sidelines, Zai Xuan's expression underwent a dramatic transformation. He stood there, rendered speechless as he beheld the unfolding chaos of the battle. Above them, the Medicine Sovereign fixed his gaze upon the colossal visage of the Sacred Emperor, his tone carrying a mix of solemnity and inquiry.

"Sacred Emperor," he began, "if we were to tally the years we've spent on this earth, you would be considered my junior. Prior to this moment, I had no intention of challenging your Royal Sacred Sect for the mantle of hegemony. Yet, your actions have left me with no choice but to take a stand. Why, I wonder, did you force my hand in this matter?"

The countenance of the Sacred Emperor remained as serene as a tranquil lake, as if the losses incurred thus far had failed to elicit any emotional response. His gaze locked onto the Medicine Sovereign as he posed a pointed question, "Where did you acquire these puppets?"

With an air of indifference, the Medicine Sovereign stood, his hands clasped behind his back, and responded, "You have no need to know the origins of these puppets."

The Sacred Emperor's gaze shifted to the distant horizon, where several figures streaked through the skies with astonishing speed. His voice carried an undercurrent of gravity as he continued, "Do you truly believe these puppets will be sufficient?"

The newcomers rapidly closed in on the Sacred Battle Platform, prompting the spectators from afar to instinctively part like the Red Sea. These experts exuded an aura of terror, appearing as a formidable legion—the Royal Sacred Sect's most elite combat unit. Each of them possessed the kind of strength capable of sending shivers down the spines of onlookers. It was clear that the Core Faction had gone all out, prepared to pay any price to eliminate Qin Wentian. In fact, this was no longer just about Qin Wentian's life; it had evolved into a battle that would determine the very status of the Royal Sacred Sect as the world's hegemon.

If they faltered and fell, how would the world perceive them?

If the Medicine Sovereign Valley triumphed over the Royal Sacred Sect, would the balance of power shift irreversibly?

Suddenly, a colossal sword was unsheathed, its brilliant glow illuminating the heavens. Simultaneously, a fearsome blood-red giant axe materialized in the grasp of another expert, causing the astral fabric of the sky to shimmer and change hue. The stage was set for a showdown of epic proportions.

A sense of unity swept over the battlefield as newly arrived experts organized themselves into formations of seven, each group taking on a single combat puppet with synchronized precision and grace.

In one particularly intense skirmish, seven formidable experts encircled the golden dragon puppet, their constellations emitting a resplendent radiance that merged into a dazzling, overwhelming force of destruction. Positioned in various directions, their combined astral energy pulsed like a beacon of might.

The golden dragon puppet roared in fury, releasing a torrent of lacerating energy that tore through the air. Its claw aimed at one of the experts, but suddenly, the intended target transformed into a beam of light, merging seamlessly with the other six experts within the superimposed constellation. The draconic claw struck at the constellation, causing fine cracks to appear. However, in a matter of moments, the abundant astral energy filled the gaps, leaving no trace of damage.

A thunderous "Bzz!" resonated through the air as a colossal blood-red axe descended from the heavens, cleaving space itself with its sheer power. The surrounding space shattered, leaving only a crimson arc of light that descended with relentless force.

"BOOM!"

The devastating strike crashed into the golden dragon puppet, causing its frame to tremble violently. It was forced downward, colliding fiercely with the superimposed constellation.

Zai Xuan couldn't help but grin at Lu Ziyan as he witnessed the tide of battle turning in their favor.

"Seven experts acting in concert, one controlling the superimposed constellation, channeling the strength of seven into a single unstoppable force. Given that all these individuals are powerful Ascendants, it's a rather effective strategy. However," Lu Ziyan remarked with a sly grin, "it's a tactic born of necessity. Your sect's weakness forces them to resort to such measures."

She glanced briefly in the direction of Qin Wentian, sensing the determination emanating from this "country bumpkin king" intent on defeating the most exceptional genius this humble world had ever known. The prospect of such a talent being extinguished in this remote and seemingly insignificant realm weighed heavily on her mind.

The intensity of the battle escalated as each of the formidable combat puppets found itself surrounded by units of seven experts. Spectators watched in awe, realizing that the Royal Sacred Sect had dispatched their most powerful warriors for this confrontation. It was a terrifying display of might that left them speechless. The Royal Sacred Sect had no intention of relenting until victory was firmly in their grasp.

"It would be a true shame if these magnificent puppets were to be destroyed," the Sacred Emperor remarked with an emotionless tone. Yet, the determination in his eyes betrayed no hint of reluctance.

The battlefield resounded with a cacophony of explosive impacts—BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! The clash of titans continued, each side fiercely vying for supremacy in this battle of legends.

Amidst the chaos in the air, the besieged puppets valiantly withstood the relentless barrage of attacks. The arrival of these formidable experts had shifted the dynamics of the battlefield, providing a momentary respite for the less powerful Ascendants from the Royal Sacred Sect. Their gazes, however, converged on one target—Qin Wentian.

"End him," a voice, dripping with icy determination, cut through the tumultuous clash as a wave of experts descended upon Qin Wentian from all directions, their intent to kill unmistakable. But the Xuanwu Puppet remained, its colossal form serving as an impenetrable shield around Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian's gaze, sharpened to a point, met the onslaught of experts rushing him. Yet, in that critical moment, the giant turtle's massive claw extended, enveloping Qin Wentian entirely. It was an unexpected turn of events. A single sweep of the turtle's colossal appendage was enough to shield him from the outside world, leaving him shrouded in darkness and the echoing sounds of battle.

"RUMBLE!"

The onslaught of attacks hammered relentlessly against the giant turtle, the thunderous cacophony reverberating through the heavens. But the Xuanwu Puppet emerged from the onslaught unscathed, not a single scratch marring its sturdy shell.

With a mighty lift of its head, the immense Xuanwu found a lance piercing into its eye, yet it remained impervious. Suddenly, the puppet drew in a deep breath, exhaling a frigid chill that instantaneously turned the assailant into an ice sculpture.

Its serpentine tail swung with a forceful crack, shattering the frozen expert into shards of ice.

The Sacred Emperor, observing with narrowed eyes, found himself intrigued by the icy aura radiating from the giant turtle.

Once more, the Xuanwu moved, unleashing a thunderous roar as it inhaled deeply, expelling a chilling wave of energy that froze everything in its vicinity—Royal Sacred Sect experts, their combat puppets, all turned into lifeless ice statues.

Time seemed suspended as a frigid world of ice and frost unfolded, enveloping all.

Then, its massive tail lashed out, a surge of destructive energy rippling through the air. Before the stunned onlookers, the Royal Sacred Sect experts disintegrated into nothingness, while the combat puppets remained unscathed.

In the blink of an eye, tens of Royal Sacred Sect experts met their demise. The echoed no more.

"Icy Underworld Immortal Qi, you..." The gigantic face of the Sacred Emperor contorted with shock. His eyes blazed with rage as he glared at the Xuanwu Puppet—an unstoppable killing machine.

"Retreat!"

The surviving experts, all formidable Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants, swiftly withdrew. The sheer spectacle sent shivers down the hearts of many, leaving them awestruck. This was the Royal Sacred Sect's might—a force that could dominate this world. Yet today, they had been defeated by the Medicine Sovereign's combat puppets.

Particularly the Xuanwu Puppet at the end, it left many daring to speculate—a puppet of immortal rank, perhaps?

Against such might, even peak-level Ascendants stood no chance. They were simply outmatched.

In a desperate scramble, the Royal Sacred Sect experts in the air fled with breakneck speed. These were the elite of their sect, and their defeat had far-reaching implications. The Royal Sacred Sect's lofty status was now under threat, and the world was witnessing a shifting balance of power.

From the start, Qin Wentian had vanquished adversaries two cultivation levels above him. Now, the Medicine Sovereign's combat puppets had routed the Royal Sacred Sect's legion. The Royal Sacred Sect, once regarded as divine, had been humbled today!