Visitors From The Outside Worlds . . .
High above, the face of the Sacred Emperor lingered in the air, but the once calm countenance had given way to a cold, narrowed gaze directed squarely at the Medicine Sovereign.
"What now?" the Medicine Sovereign quipped, a touch of mockery glinting in his squinted eyes as he met the Sacred Emperor's glare.
"Medicine Sovereign, you've hidden your true strength quite well," the Sacred Emperor retorted icily. "But do you truly believe that what you've unleashed is sufficient? My Royal Sacred Sect has reigned supreme for tens of thousands of years, and previous Sacred Emperors have formed alliances with powers in the outer realms."
The crowd below tilted their heads, fixating on the colossal visage in the sky. It was their first time hearing the Sacred Emperor speak, and the topic at hand was the enigmatic outer worlds.
The Royal Sacred Sect didn't boast a solitary Sacred Emperor; it had seen generations of them.
"Outer worlds, what are they like?" Anticipation flickered in the eyes of many. The world they currently inhabited already teemed with experts, let alone the vast expanse of other realms.
"Generations of Sacred Emperors? What great achievements could they have possibly had?" The Medicine Sovereign's laughter was tinged with cold disdain. "As for these alliances with other powers, they were likely nothing more than ordinary factions, hardly worth mentioning. Today's events unfolded because your Royal Sacred Sect incessantly provoked me, viewing the lives of the inhabitants of this world as mere playthings. Given the circumstances, my Medicine Sovereign Valley must rise to the occasion. From this day forward, not only will we throw open our doors to recruit talent, but we shall also relocate to the Sacred Royal City."
"Very well, we shall see," the Sacred Emperor replied with a glacial edge. A tempest was brewing, and moments later, the colossal visage vanished as if it had never been.
In the wake of this dramatic shift, the Royal Sacred Sect's experts withdrew from the Sacred Battle Platform, relinquishing their hold over a once-sacred battleground for the world's most exceptional talents. Now, it was firmly under the control of the Medicine Sovereign Valley. The puppets gleamed with an otherworldly radiance, casting an ethereal chill.
Qin Wentian stood atop the Xuanwu's shell, having observed the unfolding events through a slender gap between the puppet's colossal claws. He felt a profound sense of astonishment—this guardian puppet was capable of exuding immortal qi? Such power surely rivaled that of the Sacred Emperor and the Medicine Sovereign themselves. No Ascendant, regardless of their cultivation level, could withstand its onslaught.
"Let's depart," the Medicine Sovereign said, lowering his head to smile at Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian nodded in agreement, and the experts from the Medicine Sovereign Valley began to stow away the puppets before leaving the Sacred Battle Platform. Even long after their departure, the onlookers struggled to regain their composure.
News of the Medicine Sovereign Valley's clash with the Royal Sacred Sect swiftly spread like wildfire across the world, igniting a raging storm of discussion.
Soon after, the Medicine Sovereign Valley purchased a vast tract of land in the eastern expanse of the Sacred Royal City. Countless martial cultivators, skilled in their own right, worked tirelessly to erect grand palaces and imposing halls. The construction progressed at an astonishing pace.
The swiftness of their progress was no surprise given the talents involved in cultivation. Those who grasped the Mandate of Great Earth could reshape the landscape, fortifying structures effortlessly. Mandate of Water wielders could conjure rivers and streams, while Mandate of Fire practitioners forged materials and sculpted faux mountains. As for those attuned to the Mandate of Plants, lush greenery sprung forth, imbuing the surroundings with life and vitality.
"How can it be so easy? After all, it's just a rumor. We don't know if it holds any truth," Qin Wentian remarked, a playful glint in his eyes as he reached out to affectionately pinch Mo Qingcheng's cheek.
Mo Qingcheng returned the playful banter with a mischievous grin. "True, it's just a rumor. But you know, where there's smoke, there's fire."
"In that case, I better start working on strengthening myself in case the opportunity with this supposed supreme power arises," Qin Wentian replied with determination as they strolled together. Eventually, they found themselves within a secluded mountain cave. Qin Wentian sat cross-legged, and Mo Qingcheng settled in the opposite direction. Her gentle smile lingered as she watched Qin Wentian's back, respecting his need for concentration.
Inside Qin Wentian's inner world, a dazzling display of astral light illuminated the starry expanse. He found himself amidst a cosmic sea of constellations, particles swirling around him, emanating a potent, destructive force.
With a mere thought, these particles coalesced, dividing into four smaller fragments, each embodying a distinct true intent: Dream, Force, Demon, and Sword.
Simultaneously, a new energy surged into existence, radiating a brilliant light and an aura of overwhelming suppression. This energy condensed into a colossal ancient character – "Suppression."
With a simple wave of his hand, the character quivered, unleashing an intense aura of suppression that reverberated in all directions, threatening to shatter the very fabric of space.
Qin Wentian mused to himself, "I comprehended four true intents before entering the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. Now that I've made this breakthrough, it's much easier to grasp the true intent of a new Mandate." He marveled at how some pursued mastery in a single Mandate to ease their journey into the Celestial Phenomenon Realm before exploring others, significantly lowering the difficulty.
However, this approach came with inherent flaws – a shaky foundation.
Unlike them, Qin Wentian had already fused four distinct true intents to create his constellation, laying the groundwork for his profound understanding. Thus, when he condensed a new astral soul and acquired a new Mandate, he swiftly grasped its true intent.
Five particles of true intent danced above his head in the starry sky, contemplating the fusion of new energy.
Fusing suppression, force, and sword, given their similarities, seemed a logical path to explore. Qin Wentian diligently experimented, seeking the perfect fusion that resonated with his essence.
Fusion of true intent was not a foreign concept to Qin Wentian. His previous experiences made it a manageable task. However, as he delved into this new fusion, he couldn't help but feel a sense of challenge. The power he sought to create, though more potent than his Illusory Demonforce, still fell short of the fused energy that birthed his Dreamworld Constellation.
Qin Wentian believed that the constellation he aimed to condense shouldn't be the result of a simple true intent fusion. Instead, he intended to utilize his new astral soul as a foundation for his experiments. His goal was to forge a fused power of unparalleled might.
Time flowed slowly as Qin Wentian remained deep in his cultivation. Occasionally, his brows would furrow, followed by moments of enlightenment. Yet, his eyes remained closed, his concentration unwavering.
Mo Qingcheng observed Qin Wentian's changing expressions, a mischievous smile gracing her lips as she watched him intently.
Outside their secluded sanctuary, the world was still in turmoil. The aftermath of the battle between the Royal Sacred Sect and the Medicine Sovereign Valley had yet to settle. Conversations about the conflict buzzed throughout the land. Meanwhile, news spread like wildfire in the Royal Sacred Region, announcing the impending arrival of a supreme expert from the outside worlds who sought to take on a disciple.
In the Sacred Royal City, an inn on the topmost floor hosted patrons enjoying their wine and conversation. One of them, about to raise his wine cup to his lips, froze mid-motion. A sudden, intense fear gripped him, and his eyes shot upward.
"What's wrong, Brother You?" a fellow patron inquired, but received no response. Others at the table followed suit, their gazes drawn to the same direction.
Their collective astonishment grew as they beheld the unbelievable sight unfolding above. Figures descended from the heavens, breaking through the very dome of the sky. Among them, a warrior rode a golden jiao, armed with a long golden spear and an aura of indomitable power.
"Experts from the outside worlds!" someone whispered in awe. As the hushed words spread, everyone on that top floor turned their gaze heavenward, their eyes wide with amazement. These newcomers bore an unmistakable air of authority, as if they were chosen by the heavens themselves.
"Experts from the outside worlds! Could the rumors be true?" The question hung in the air, a tantalizing possibility that set hearts racing with excitement.