Demanding Release

Demanding Release . . .

The words that tumbled from Qin Wentian's lips sent shockwaves rippling through the hearts of all those present. His audacious challenge hung in the air, a daring declaration that reverberated through the very essence of the moment.

It was a day of welcome, as the revered Jiang Clan, a sacred institution of the Cloud Prefecture, graced the City Lord Manor with their presence. In honor of this momentous occasion, the City Lord Manor had meticulously prepared a grand banquet. Yet, here stood a young man who dared to defy convention, openly threatening the City Lord herself before a captivated audience. Was he, perhaps, the one who had grown weary of life's comforts?

Every pair of eyes in the vicinity, from the distinguished members of the Jiang Clan to the onlookers at large, remained fixated on Qin Wentian. He held an immortal weapon in his grasp, possessed an immortal-ranked speed-type treasure, and exuded an air of extraordinary charisma. Xie Shi and City Lord Bu Yanyu found themselves momentarily at a loss for words, their brows furrowing as they studied this unexpected intruder.

In the immortal realms, the exercise of power was a complex dance. Strength alone was not always sufficient, for one had to consider the support of one's background and the potential consequences of their actions. A single misstep could unleash catastrophic consequences, even leading to the annihilation of an entire clan. Such scenarios were all too common, with strong, audacious bullies meeting their downfall as they recklessly provoked powerful adversaries.

Qin Qing, a young girl hailing from the unassuming Qin Clan, lacked the protective veil of a formidable background, which emboldened her captors to carry out their audacious abduction.

As the thoughts swirled within the minds of Zhao Yuyan, Xie Yu, and Han Luo, they each sought to unravel the enigma that was Qin Wentian. What manner of man was this, who had brazenly snatched the Sky Demon Oracle Bone from their grasp within the Immorseize Residence?

Meanwhile, Qin Qing, her gaze locked onto her older brother, watched in awe as his display of strength unfolded before her eyes. Her emotions surged, her gentle frame quivering as she whispered, "Big brother Qin."

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined her brother to wield such power—storming the City Lord Manor, confronting its authority figures, and challenging them with unwavering resolve.

City Lord Bu Yanyu regarded Qin Wentian with a mixture of anger and trepidation. "To whom do you belong?" she demanded, her voice tinged with both indignation and fear. The mantle of City Lord weighed heavily upon her, and though she bristled at the affront, she dared not act recklessly without first ascertaining the identity and backing of her adversary. The presence of two immortal-ranked treasures in the hands of a mere second-level ascendant spoke volumes. Who in their right mind would dare suggest that Qin Wentian lacked the support of immortal-ranked experts lurking in the shadows?

Qin Wentian's gaze briefly flickered toward Bu Yanyu before returning to Qin Qing. He pressed for answers with unwavering determination. "Qin Qing, who was it that took you away?" he inquired, his tone insistent.

Amid the charged atmosphere, Qin Qing's gaze scoured the faces in the crowd, each moment ticking like a heartbeat. Finally, her eyes settled on an individual among the City Lord Manor's entourage. She pointed an accusatory finger at the figure and uttered a single, damning word, "He's the one."

Qin Wentian's eyes, meanwhile, pivoted with pinpoint precision toward the accused abductor, his intent unmistakable. The anticipation in the air reached a fever pitch, an unspoken understanding of what was about to unfold rippling through the gathered onlookers.

Then, it happened—a detonation of power that reverberated through the very core of the gathering. Astral light erupted from Qin Wentian, a fearsome maelstrom of energy that announced his fury. In an instant, his figure surged forward with an almost supernatural swiftness, his palms aglow with runic light that danced in a terrifying display of strength. The palm strike, an embodiment of overwhelming might, materialized like an avalanche, bearing down on his adversary with unrelenting force.

The unfortunate expert who had crossed paths with Qin Wentian was no novice; he stood at the formidable fifth level of the ascendant realm. Yet, even as he retreated with desperate urgency, he could not escape the inexorable advance of Qin Wentian's palm strike. The speed, the sheer pressure, and the implacable suppression inherent to the Fiendgod Heavenly Suppression Art left no room for evasion.

With an earth-shaking roar, the defenses of the hapless victim crumbled, and a crimson torrent burst from his lips, an emblem of his impending doom. His face contorted in agony, but before he could muster a coherent defense, a savage onslaught of sword qi rent the air. In a heart-stopping moment, his head became tragically separated from his body, an abrupt and brutal death that silenced all who bore witness.

The audacity of Qin Wentian's actions sent shockwaves rippling through the crowd, an electrifying jolt that left every pair of eyes transfixed upon him. He had executed an unambiguous and shocking act—slaying a member of the City Lord Manor in full view of the assembly.

Yet, City Lord Bu Yanyu and her husband, the immortal-foundation expert Xie Shi, remained conspicuously unmoved. They had the power to intervene, but instead, they chose to observe, to glean insight into the true nature of this audacious young man. They had witnessed the raw, unbridled might displayed by Qin Wentian earlier and surmised that he had likely cultivated formidable immortal techniques or arts. The telltale signs were there—shimmering runic light, the aura of indomitable fleshly power, and a palpable divine presence imbuing his attacks. All these factors painted a clear picture: Qin Wentian was no ordinary cultivator.

The collective sentiment in the gathering began to coalesce around a singular conclusion—Qin Wentian was no mere outsider. His astounding display of prowess left little room for doubt. A majority of those present, including City Lord Bu Yanyu, harbored a growing conviction that Qin Wentian hailed from a major power.

Amid the unfolding drama, a voice cut through the tension like a blade, resonating with a note of exasperation. "On the very day we welcome the illustrious Jiang Clan, troublemakers have the gall to stir the pot. City Lord Bu, it behooves you to address this, don't you think?" The speaker was none other than the master of Zhao Yuyan, the formidable supreme elder of the Golden Armor Sect. He was acutely aware of Qin Wentian's identity. In a previous encounter, when his strand of immortal consciousness sought to suppress Qin Wentian, a mysterious figure in white had effortlessly breached his mental defenses. It was abundantly clear that a formidable force stood behind Qin Wentian.

In this precarious moment, any hostile action taken against Qin Wentian by the City Lord would undoubtedly lead to dire consequences, including the potential destruction of the City Lord Manor. The supreme elder of the Golden Armor Sect harbored ill intentions, and his words were fraught with dangerous implications.

"Mother, this man is the one who secured the Sky Demon Oracle Bone," Xie Yu interjected, offering a perspective born of pragmatism. "The supreme elder from the Golden Armor Sect recognized him. Moreover, a mysterious figure in white appeared, commanding the supreme elder to depart with a single word—'scram.' How could I not see the true intent behind this provocation?"

Bu Yanyu regarded Qin Wentian with renewed scrutiny, her suspicions deepening. It was becoming increasingly apparent that the supreme elder possessed crucial knowledge. If this was the case, Qin Wentian likely hailed from an influential power beyond the Cloud Prefecture, a force that dwarfed her small City Lord domain. Such a revelation underscored the futility of antagonizing him.

Turning her attention to Qin Wentian, Bu Yanyu demanded answers. "Sir, who are you, and why have you chosen this day to create turmoil within my City Lord Manor?" Qin Wentian remained stoically silent, his gaze flicking to Jiang Kuang. He uttered no words, merely regarding Bu Yanyu with a chilly detachment before shifting his focus to the central figure in this unfolding drama—Jiang Kuang.

"By rights," Qin Wentian finally spoke, his voice a blend of authority and challenge, "I should not be here disrupting the welcome for the arrival of the Jiang Clan's distinguished experts. However, my sister was abducted against her will, compelling me to intervene. I wonder if the Jiang Clan is willing to show some restraint and return her to me. Does the Jiang Clan have the courtesy to extend this favor to the Qin family?"

Qin Wentian's audacious demeanor was a calculated move, a strategy to create the illusion of formidable backing. In the treacherous landscape of the immortal realms, the weak were often preyed upon by the strong. Only those with formidable support could ward off such threats. Qin Wentian, armed with immortal-ranked treasures and potent immortal arts, sought to craft an image of invincibility.

But this charade was not for his own sake; it was a desperate ploy to secure Qin Qing's release, for no other recourse remained.

Jiang Kuang, who had observed the proceedings in silence, continued to assess Qin Wentian with a measured gaze. Despite being aware of Qin Wentian's status, Jiang Kuang was determined to understand the depths of this audacious young man's character.

"Of course, there is no issue with that," Jiang Kuang conceded, his voice tinged with a subtle undercurrent of curiosity. "However, before we proceed, you must reveal your identity. Without this crucial information, what right do you have to demand her release?"

Jiang Kuang's query carried deeper implications, challenging not just Qin Wentian's name but the very authority he claimed. It was preposterous—a second-level ascendant who had brazenly displayed overwhelming combat prowess now presumed to dictate terms. Jiang Kuang recognized that yielding too easily would compromise the prestige of the Jiang Clan, and he was determined to uphold their honor.

Regardless of Qin Wentian's potential background, the audacious young man had yet to demonstrate the strength required to compel Qin Qing's release. The tension hung heavy, and it was Jiang Kuang who held the reins of this precarious encounter. The experts from the City Lord Manor chose wisely to remain on the sidelines, eschewing involvement to preserve their neutrality and avoid offending either party. Their goal was simple: emerge from this situation unscathed.

The fate of Qin Qing rested solely in the hands of the Jiang Clan. If Qin Wentian's brazenness was not backed by the might of an influential force, retrieving Qin Qing would prove no simple feat. In fact, the question of whether Qin Wentian would leave this place alive loomed ominously.

A palpable silence settled, allowing Jiang Kuang to maintain control over the proceedings. The City Lord Manor's experts watched, hesitant to intervene, and prayed for a peaceful resolution that spared them any entanglement in this dispute.

The burden of decision weighed heavily on Jiang Kuang's shoulders. As a scion of the formidable Jiang Clan, he could not yield to demands so easily, regardless of the commotion caused by Qin Wentian's intervention. The City Lord Manor might quail in the face of such a challenge, but the Jiang Clan, perched at the zenith of the Cloud Prefecture's power structure, remained unruffled by such provocations.

Qin Wentian's countenance grew frigid, concealing the inner turmoil of his heart. While he hoped against hope for Jiang Kuang to capitulate, he recognized the slim odds of success. As a young master of the Jiang Clan, Jiang Kuang wielded significant authority; Qin Wentian's audacious gambit would not easily sway him.

"Impress me, and perhaps I'll consider releasing her," Jiang Kuang responded, his eyes flashing with a hint of challenge. This intrusion upon his arrival at the City Lord Manor had piqued his curiosity. He was prepared to witness what cards Qin Wentian held up his sleeve, but he would not yield so readily. The Jiang Clan's prestige was at stake, and Jiang Kuang was determined to uphold it.