Abduction

Abduction . . .

In the sprawling expanse of the Cloud Prefecture, a realm characterized by its vastness and complexity, one could discern a mosaic of eighty-one countries, each a distinct facet in the grand tapestry of this celestial domain. And amid the myriad cities and territories that dotted this vast land, an intricate network of powers thrived, each striving to carve its own niche in the annals of history.

Yet, amid this labyrinthine web of influence, where power and ambition intersected, only a select few could claim a perch atop the pinnacle. Among them, the Jiang Clan of the Cloud Prefecture held their heads high, their supremacy unassailable within the bounds of this region.

The roots of the Jiang Clan traced back to time immemorial. In epochs long past, the clan boasted a revered figure, the enigmatic Jiang Chao—a divine inscriptionist grandmaster of unparalleled repute. Jiang Chao possessed an unparalleled gift for crafting celestial armaments, so extraordinary that even immortal emperors sought his services to forge divine weaponry.

But as history teaches us, greatness often begets hubris. The Jiang Clan, basking in the radiance of their grandmaster's mastery, grew haughty, their lofty self-assuredness driving wedges and igniting animosities. Moreover, Jiang Chao had a formidable rival, a martial practitioner of extraordinary prowess. Their climactic clash rent the heavens asunder, but ultimately, it was the rival's superior cultivation that led to Jiang Chao's demise.

Yet, the rival gravely underestimated Jiang Chao's indomitable spirit. With his last breath, Jiang Chao transformed his own body into a weapon of immortality, unleashing a devastating parting blow that claimed both their lives.

In the wake of Jiang Chao's demise, the powers he had offended during his lifetime descended upon the Jiang Clan's domain. Avarice and ambition converged as many coveted the fabled immortal-ranked treasures wrought by Jiang Chao's hands. The grandmaster's reputation had spread far and wide, and the allure of his unparalleled creations proved irresistible.

A cataclysmic war erupted, and the Jiang Clan faced an existential crisis like never before. Yet, true to Jiang Chao's legacy, the clan had erected an impregnable citadel of iron, a bastion that withstood the relentless onslaught of their foes. In the crucible of battle, countless experts met their end, both among the Jiang Clan and their assailants. The survivors, their spirits unbroken, absconded with precious immortal-ranked artifacts.

As the sands of time flowed on, and eras shifted, the Jiang Clan, though diminished, endured. They weathered the tempestuous tides of fate, emerging as a resilient testament to their founder's indomitable will. In the present day, the Jiang Clan, while not the behemoth of yore, stood at the zenith of the Cloud Prefecture's Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures. They had transcended their martial roots, becoming a sacred institution not only in the art of cultivation but also in the sacred craft of weapon forging.

In the bustling heart of Worryfree City, whispers of the Jiang Clan's storied history danced through the air. The tales of Jiang Chao and his indomitable legacy echoed through the streets. For the elder generation, these narratives evoked memories of a bygone era, a testament to the enduring legend of the Jiang Clan, where the name Jiang Chao had etched itself indelibly upon the annals of immortal realms.

The impending arrival of the Jiang Clan's experts in Worryfree City sent ripples of anticipation through the air, like a gathering storm on the horizon. It was a certainty that their presence would set the city abuzz with excitement and speculation.

Outside the imposing edifice of the City Lord Manor, a solitary figure stood in quiet contemplation. Zhao Yuyan, her eyes glinting with an unwavering determination, took a resolute step forward, crossing the threshold into the mansion's hallowed grounds. This time, she was resolute in her pursuit of independence and personal agency. The actions of her master, the supreme elder of the Golden Armor Sect, had left her isolated and incarcerated. Now, she was determined to prove that her destiny lay in her own hands, and she was prepared to pay any price for that freedom.

However, not every woman shared Zhao Yuyan's resolve or outlook.

Meanwhile, within the heart of the Qin Clan's ancestral home, turmoil reigned. The courtyard that housed Qin Qing was a bustling hive of activity, filled with voices raised in heated argument.

"Qin Qing, you must comply, even if it goes against your wishes. Your name has already been submitted, and emissaries from the City Lord Manor will soon arrive to escort you. This is an opportunity not just for you but for our entire clan," a cold, emotionless voice resounded through the courtyard. The speaker, none other than Qin Qing's uncle, bore a stern countenance.

"Qin Xiao, you scoundrel!" Qin Feng's rage was palpable, his veins pulsating with fury. He could scarcely believe the depths to which his uncle had sunk.

"Grandfather, please, you must intercede on behalf of my sister," Qin Feng implored, his gaze fixed on his grandfather, Qin Mu.

However, Qin Mu's response was anything but straightforward. "You insolent child! How dare you speak to your elder with such disrespect? Do you truly believe I wouldn't hesitate to render you powerless this very moment?" Qin Xiao, not one to tolerate defiance, advanced menacingly, his aura asserting dominance and pressing upon Qin Feng.

"HALT!" A thunderous roar reverberated, and the air crackled with tension. Qin Mu's visage contorted with fury as he glared at Qin Xiao. "Who gave you the authority to act in this manner? Have you forgotten that I am the clan lord, and my word is law?"

"Uncle, I had every intention of showing you the respect you deserve. But over the years, your actions have left me disillusioned and cold-hearted," Qin Xiao retorted, his gaze unwavering. "Even when Qin Feng's parents were still alive, your blatant favoritism was all too evident. They received the lion's share of our clan's resources. Even after their tragic demise, you continued to pamper Qin Feng and Qin Qing, lavishing upon them the finest opportunities. Your biases have not gone unnoticed, and you've failed to consider the welfare of the rest of the clan."

"In this clan, who granted you the right to voice such insolence?" Qin Mu's anger burned, and he directed a scathing gaze at his cousins. Their eyes brimmed with discontent, revealing that the embers of resentment had been smoldering beneath the surface for some time.

"What do you all mean by this?" Qin Mu demanded, his voice laced with frustration. His cousins, emboldened by their pent-up grievances, met his piercing gaze with steely resolve. Clearly, the discord within the clan had festered and reached a boiling point.

"I don't intend any disrespect," began a voice, cool and collected, amidst the charged atmosphere. "I simply believe that Qin Xiao has a valid point. His actions have consistently aligned with the best interests of our esteemed Qin Clan. This is a rare and extraordinary opportunity, one where the fairest of our city's maidens will vie to seize the limelight. Qin Qing, with her enchanting beauty and purity, stands a high chance of catching the discerning eye of the Jiang Clan's distinguished figures. Should that happen, our Qin Clan would undoubtedly ascend to unprecedented heights, wielding unparalleled influence within Worryfree City. The benefits are too enticing to overlook, Qin Mu. Are you truly willing to forgo such an opportunity?"

The speaker's words flowed with a measured, dispassionate tone, and all eyes converged upon him. Qin Mu returned the gaze with a steady, resolute look of his own. "So, in your view, every maiden in Worryfree City is engaged in a cutthroat competition? Do you genuinely believe it's a simple matter to garner attention? Furthermore, even if Qin Qing were selected, how do you think those influential figures from the Jiang Clan would treat her? She'd be nothing more than a plaything to them!"

Such an endeavor would be tantamount to thrusting Qin Qing into the heart of a blazing furnace.

"No matter what, we must attempt," his cousin persisted, undeterred. Qin Mu's response was to emanate a formidable aura, his presence growing increasingly imposing. "Am I the clan lord, or are you?"

"Qin Mu, if you persist in disregarding the interests of the Qin Clan, then there's nothing more to say," his cousin retorted calmly. "The envoys from the City Lord Manor have already arrived, and there's no turning back now. Even if Qin Qing is reluctant, she must go."

His voice remained as composed as ever, and just as he concluded his statement, a whistling sound sliced through the air. Moments later, several silhouettes descended upon the scene. The leader, poised mid-air, inquired, "Where is Qin Qing?"

"Over there," the elderly Qin Clan member who had been conversing with Qin Mu replied, gesturing toward Qin Qing. The girl's presence was indeed striking, not only for her exceptional beauty but also for her innate purity.

"Come with us," the lead envoy commanded, devoid of emotion.

"No way!" Qin Feng, standing as a staunch protector before his sister, retorted defiantly. "She will never go with you people."

"Mhm?" The lead envoy's brow furrowed, a glint of icy resolve in his eyes.

"Qin Feng, how dare you!" The elderly Qin Clan member admonished, his tone harsh. "Step aside."

"Elder, my sister never volunteered for this. These people have taken matters into their own hands. I implore you, forgive her and refrain from taking her away," Qin Feng pleaded earnestly, his gaze beseeching the envoy from the City Lord Manor.

"Step aside," the envoy ordered with an air of haughtiness, his countenance hardening.

"Elder…" Qin Feng's voice quivered, his eyes welling with tears, but he saw only a dismissive wave from the envoy. "Take the girl."

"Elder, please spare my sister," Qin Feng begged, and with a heavy thud, he dropped to his knees, prostrating himself before the envoy from the City Lord Manor. "I beseech you, do not go through with this."

"OUT!" The envoy's patience wore thin, his anger flaring.

"No..." Qin Feng resisted, reluctant to yield. Qin Mu also stepped forward, his voice resonating with a plea as he addressed the envoy. "My granddaughter is unwilling in this matter. I beg of you, release her."

"How impertinent! What nonsense," the envoy snapped with frigid disdain.

In response, he advanced, and with a sweeping motion, unleashed a torrent of astral brilliance, accompanied by a resounding boom. A terrifying, saber-like light cleaved downward, akin to a bolt of celestial lightning.

Qin Mu's complexion drained of color as he hastily summoned his inner energy, erecting an astral shield and raising his hands defensively. The ethereal shield shimmered with radiant light, a last-ditch effort to ward off the imminent danger. Yet, with a single, thunderous saber strike, the protective barrier crumbled, and Qin Mu was flung backward, his body trembling from the impact.

"Hmph," the imposing expert from the City Lord Manor scoffed, unrelenting as he advanced upon the beleaguered Qin Mu. His palm sliced through the air, summoning a torrent of a million saber beams that converged into a colossal, menacing blade. This formidable saber cleaved through the atmosphere with such force that even the very fabric of space seemed to part in its wake.

Qin Mu's face turned pallid with dread. He channeled astral energy, fashioning it into a protective armor, but the vicious saber effortlessly shattered his defenses, obliterating the armor and striking his body with devastating force.

The echoes of rending flesh reverberated through the air as Qin Mu let out a pained cry, blood staining the ground beneath him. He staggered backward, struggling to maintain his footing, but the relentless expert showed no mercy, regarding him with contempt. On the other side, Qin Feng, too, was hurled through the air, defenseless against the overwhelming power of the City Lord Manor's enforcers. They swiftly apprehended Qin Qing, rendering her and her brother powerless to resist.

"Grandpa! Qin Feng!" Qin Qing sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she witnessed the injuries inflicted upon her family.

"RELEASE MY SISTER!" Qin Feng roared, his fury burning bright. Nevertheless, a single kick from one of the City Lord Manor's enforcers sent him hurtling through the sky with a deafening crash.

"Pay me no heed; I will accompany all of you! I WILL LEAVE WITH YOU!" Qin Qing's anguished cries filled the air as she despaired over her loved ones. Qin Mu, despite his injuries, struggled to rise, only to find his own clan members encircling him. The elderly man who had clashed with him earlier spoke curtly, "Our Clan Lord has lost his senses. Take him back."

"You traitors! How dare you…" Qin Mu's voice wavered with betrayal as he gazed at his fellow clan members. Meanwhile, the implacable experts from the City Lord Manor cast cold glances in his direction before turning to lead Qin Qing away.

In mid-air, Qin Qing turned her tear-stained face, locking eyes with Qin Mu and Qin Feng. Her gaze was etched with profound anguish, burdened by the realization that her own presence had inadvertently brought harm upon her beloved grandfather and brother.