Bell’s Reverberation

Bell's Reverberation . . .

Qin Wentian remained unperturbed, even as Xuan Zhu approached with an imposing aura. He seemed entirely oblivious to Xuan Zhu's presence.

In his heightened state of perception, all he saw were the myriad runic inscriptions converging and melding into a singular, complete entity hovering above the Nine Immortality Bell. A thunderous resonance reverberated within his very soul, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably. At that moment, his consciousness delved deep into the bell, revealing a hazy scene before his eyes. Faintly, he discerned a pair of eyes fixed upon him.

Simultaneously, an unusual surge of energy coursed through Qin Wentian. It felt as though ringing the bell would be effortless if he chose to do so; he need only think it.

However, from Xuan Zhu's perspective, Qin Wentian's trembling was a clear sign of being overwhelmed by the pressure he was exerting.

As time passed, more and more people were expelled from the area by the Seven Sword Sect disciples, leaving only the most formidable individuals behind. The Seven Sword Sect members, however, refrained from confronting these powerful figures.

Upon witnessing Qin Wentian's persistence, a cold intent glimmered in Xuan Zhu's eyes. "Seems like you don't understand the concept of death," he sneered.

"Did the Seven Sword Sect come here just for fun too?" A voice rang out, accompanied by the bell's melodic chiming. It was Cheron, and it seemed nothing happening in the vicinity could escape his notice.

Recognizing Cheron, the coldly arrogant woman from the Seven Sword Sect inclined her head and gazed skyward. Her expression took on a more somber hue. Clearly, Cheron was a figure she couldn't afford to overlook and had to treat with respect.

Jiang Yan, a prodigy of the Jiang Clan, had fallen short of Cheron when they attempted to communicate with the Nine Immortality Bells. Cheron's superiority in this regard was evident, making him a well-known figure among the younger generation in the Cloud Prefecture.

Cheron's voice was ice-cold, sending a shiver down Xuan Zhu's spine. However, he continued his approach toward Qin Wentian, exuding a domineering aura. "Since you won't leave, don't blame me for this."

As he spoke, he unleashed a powerful palm strike aimed at Qin Wentian. Around them, the whistling sword qi continued to keep onlookers at bay.

In that crucial moment, Qin Wentian's brows furrowed, and an expression of annoyance flashed across his face.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and Xuan Zhu was captivated by their depths. At that very instant, as Xuan Zhu stared into Qin Wentian's eyes, his mind quaked violently, resonating with the thunderous echoes emanating from the towering ancient bell.

"BOOM, BOOM!" The deafening chimes resounded continuously, the purest and most resounding peals echoing as if the Nine Immortality Bell itself was on the brink of awakening.

In that moment, a profound sense of awe washed over the vast crowd, sending shivers down their spines. The booming resonance felt as if it could rattle their very souls, leaving their hearts and minds in a state of tumultuous shock.

Even immortal experts from distant realms couldn't hide the sharpness in their expressions, their hearts quivering with excitement. Was this the long-awaited manifestation of the weapon spirit?

Among those affected, Xuan Zhu suffered the most grievous consequences. He staggered backward, spewing a mouthful of blood as his internal organs convulsed violently. The deafening reverberations seemed to pierce through his entire being, assaulting his very soul. His mind teetered on the brink of obliteration, and he collapsed to the ground, trembling uncontrollably. Frothy spittle and crimson blood oozed from his mouth, staining the earth around him a gruesome shade of red.

Finally, the bell's chimes ceased. Qin Wentian, his expression still as composed as ever, casually rose to his feet. He didn't spare a glance for Xuan Zhu but directed his gaze toward the Nine Immortality Bell. Within those calm eyes, a hint of marvel twinkled.

What enigma lay concealed within this ancient bell?

"Xuan Zhu!" The Purple Flame Sect woman cried out as she rushed to his side. She was met with the horrifying sight of Xuan Zhu's convulsing body.

"How is he?" Her face drained of color, disbelief etched in her features. When the bell's resonance had rippled through her, she too had been affected, but her condition was worlds apart from Xuan Zhu's.

Her frantic eyes scanned the crowd, only to discover that Xuan Zhu was the sole victim of such severe injuries. The other participants appeared somber, gazing at the ancient bell with perplexed expressions. Even Jiang Yan, the Seven Sword Sect experts, and Pei Xiao of the King Manor seemed baffled by the reason behind the bell's sudden resonance.

"Damn." As the woman's hands touched Xuan Zhu's body, her face turned ashen. She realized that Xuan Zhu's heart had ruptured. A second later, his convulsions ceased, and all signs of life vanished. His wide-open eyes held a perplexed gaze, as if he had met an untimely and bewildering end.

Even in death, he remained clueless about the circumstances leading to his demise. His last thoughts were a bewildered contemplation of whether he had succumbed to the gaze of Qin Wentian or the resounding toll of the Nine Immortality Bell.

"It's highly improbable that the Nine Immortality Bell would resonate spontaneously," a voice broke the silence, capturing the attention of the assembled crowd. The speaker was none other than Jiang Yan.

"Could it be that someone truly managed to communicate and trigger the Nine Immortality Bell?" The cold and haughty woman from the Seven Sword Sect spoke, her eyes gleaming like sharpened blades, her heart racing. Members of the Seven Sword Sect were well-acquainted with the rumors surrounding the Nine Immortality Bells. If someone had indeed caused the ancient bell to resonate so powerfully, it meant that this individual had established a connection with the weapon spirit and might unlock the secrets concealed within.

"Yes. Given that the bell rang, the person who accomplished this feat must be among us," affirmed Jiang Yan, his gaze piercing through the crowd. However, even as the chosen representative of the Jiang Clan, he couldn't fathom who among the assembly could achieve such a feat.

Apart from him, there was no one else renowned enough in this field. The Seven Sword Sect members were undoubtedly formidable, but their expertise in divine inscriptions fell far short of his.

As he scanned the crowd, Jiang Yan remained perplexed about the identity of the individual responsible for this extraordinary achievement. The sudden resonation of the Nine Immortality Bell had taken everyone by surprise.

"Would the genius responsible for this please step forward?" Jiang Yan inquired, but no one responded. He remained in the dark regarding the person behind this exceptional accomplishment.

"Jiang Yan, perhaps it was a mere accident? Who knows, maybe the bell awakened on its own. After all, who among us could possibly achieve this before you?" Pei Xiao chimed in, his tone dripping with flattery. Jiang Yan, deep in thought, chose not to respond.

Could it be that the Nine Immortality Bell had truly awakened?

Inwardly, he doubted whether, with his current level of expertise, he could ever generate such a complete resonance, even with more time. Neither he nor Cheron of the Wondergate Immortal Manor had managed to achieve this.

So, how had anyone else present achieved it?

Had his earlier conjecture been mistaken? Could it indeed have been the doing of the weapon spirit within the Nine Immortality Bell?

Just as doubts began to creep in, a figure swooped down from the skies, emitting an air of carefree confidence. He cast a sharp gaze over the crowd below.

"Cheron!"

Jiang Yan's voice rang out, instantly clarifying that the newcomer was none other than Cheron, the genius from the Wondergate Immortal Manor. The one who had set the Nine Immortality Bell ringing earlier at a different location was indeed this young man.

"To think Cheron would be so dashing," remarked a female servant of Pei Yu in a hushed tone, her eyes filled with awe. She had expected Cheron to be a middle-aged figure, not this handsome young man before her.

However, Cheron had little time to ponder others' perceptions of him. When the ancient bell had resonated earlier, it had not been confined to this location alone. A chain reaction had caused the ancient bells in the other eight locations to vibrate and chime as well. Cheron, having established a connection with one of the ancient bells, had sensed something profound during the moment when all nine bells had rung in unison—an enigmatic and magnificent gaze that seemed to penetrate the very essence of his being.

Unlike Jiang Yan, Cheron was certain that someone among the crowd had successfully communicated with the Nine Immortality Bells and that this individual was present at this moment.

In the skies, more experts arrived one after another, representing various major powers. They had all been drawn by the resounding peals, an achievement far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person.

Qin Wentian tilted his head, his gaze fixed on the newcomers. At that moment, his eyes met Cheron's.

As for Cheron, instead of averting his gaze, he intensified his scrutiny of Qin Wentian. It was as though he sought to see through him. Qin Wentian had concealed his aura entirely, appearing utterly unremarkable. Yet, Cheron sensed a strange familiarity emanating from Qin Wentian's eyes. It was as if the profound magnificence he had glimpsed in that lofty gaze earlier originated from this man.

"Could he be the one?" Cheron couldn't confirm his suspicion. He finally withdrew his gaze when he saw Qin Wentian lower his head, behaving as though nothing extraordinary had occurred. This air of normalcy baffled Cheron and left him puzzled.

However, his attention soon shifted to a lifeless body lying nearby, not far from Qin Wentian. In an instant, sharpness gleamed in Cheron's eyes.