Dominant Attitude . . .
Qin Wentian fixed his gaze on Han Dongjiang, Jiang Yan, and the others who had set their sights on him. His calm expression betrayed a subtle glint of resolve.
"Miss Pei Yu, there's no need to concern yourself with these individuals. Please return," Qin Wentian spoke to Pei Yu, then shifted his gaze to Pei Tianyuan. "While this place boasts beautiful scenery, food, and an enchanting legend, these people excel at dampening one's spirits. Those who tread different paths cannot easily find common ground. Farewell."
With those words, Qin Wentian's figure blurred as he shot into the sky, moving at a breakneck speed like a lightning bolt.
"Trying to escape?" Zurius from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor coldly challenged, exuding an aura brimming with menace and unbridled combat intent. He clenched his fist and thrust it into the air. In an instant, a monstrous war beast materialized, its roars resonating through the heavens as it lunged at Qin Wentian. Yet, Qin Wentian evaded effortlessly, transforming into a flurry of shadows, streaking through the heavens.
Thunderous attacks ruptured the space, their echoes causing the very ground to tremble. Zurius narrowed his eyes, witnessing Qin Wentian's unflinching ascent, undeterred by the relentless onslaught. With a disdainful snort, Zurius ascended into the sky, hurtling toward Qin Wentian with a skyrocketing aura that generated a powerful shockwave, cracking the ground beneath.
Nion's eyes glittered with frostiness as she too joined the pursuit. Her sword leaped from its sheath, and she rode it through the air, chasing Qin Wentian.
"You think you can flee?" Jiang Yan, Shu Luyao, and others also gave chase. In the blink of an eye, several attendees at the banquet took to the skies, leaving less than half of the original gathering below. This unexpected turn of events piqued the interest of many observers. Who would have thought that a conflict would erupt during the Jiangling King's banquet, and that shortly after its commencement, numerous experts would depart in pursuit of a single target?
However, Qin Wentian's cultivation was merely at the third level of Celestial Phenomenon, and it wouldn't be long before he fell to his pursuers, allowing them to return to the banquet. Those who remained couldn't help but feel a tinge of sympathy for him. Although the young man displayed extraordinary talent, he seemed oblivious to his own limitations. As Han Dongjiang had earlier remarked, if Qin Wentian were a disciple of the Wondergate Immortal Manor with the same backing as Cheron, he might be able to defy these individuals, and it would be acceptable even if he acted against them. However, lacking such support, yet still refusing to yield and courting death, the onlookers could only shake their heads at his imprudent behavior. In the vast realm of immortal cultivation, countless gifted individuals had met premature ends due to their inability to control their tempers.
In the vast realm of the immortal realms, such scenes were all too familiar. Pei Tianyuan had witnessed the rise and fall of countless young geniuses throughout his life, becoming intimately acquainted with the unspoken rules of this celestial domain.
At this very moment, Pei Tianyuan's countenance remained a portrait of serene composure. He casually raised his wine cup and extended it in a gesture of camaraderie to Ji Kong, a prominent figure from the Cloud Tower Sage Sect. Together, they indulged in the rich, intoxicating wine. Then, Pei Tianyuan turned his attention to the assembled guests, his smile warm and inviting as he lifted his wine cup once more.
"Let us not allow these trifling matters to mar the delightful atmosphere. Let's savor our drinks while we await their return," he proposed.
"Jiangling King, your hospitality is truly gracious."
"We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Jiangling King and Tower Lord Ji Kong for their warm welcome."
Amidst these polite expressions of gratitude, Pei Yu, who sat beside Pei Tianyuan, remained the exception, her visage clouded with discontent.
...
Meanwhile, Qin Wentian was soaring through the heavens at breathtaking speed. The pristine, snow-covered landscapes below resembled a paradise, captivating in its beauty. Unfortunately, he had little time for admiration. His velocity was like lightning, an ephemeral streak of light tearing through the sky. Within moments, he had departed the vicinity of the Driftsnow Inn, heading straight for the heart of Driftsnow City.
Close on his heels, the experts from the major powers pursued relentlessly, their expressions ice-cold, radiating an aura of impending doom. Divine weapons gleamed as they raced after Qin Wentian, their movements as swift as thought.
These individuals, hailing from major powers, were undeniably formidable.
"Cheron, for now, I'll overlook our earlier feud. But you mustn't interfere in this matter," Shu Luyao warned Cheron, who was also hot on Qin Wentian's heels. Their speeds matched, making them among the fastest in pursuit.
Cheron responded with a cold, disdainful glance, his intentions clear.
Ghost Saber Mu Yan joined the fray as well, adopting a measured pace as he followed. His hands were clasped behind his back, his inscrutable thoughts hidden from view.
Their subordinates trailed close behind, matching their masters' speed.
Within Driftsnow City, countless eyes turned skyward to witness the unfolding spectacle. The rush of wind and the thundering roars of these airborne figures left onlookers awestruck and bewildered. Who were these extraordinary experts, and what could possibly be the cause of this upheaval?
Many local experts swiftly ascended to the skies, determined to follow this extraordinary procession and unravel the mystery.
As minutes passed, their numbers multiplied, and soon the entire airspace teemed with individuals, an army of witnesses to the unfolding spectacle.
In reality, it hadn't been long since Qin Wentian departed from the banquet. Yet with their incredible speeds, they reached the vicinity of the Nine Immortality Bells in the blink of an eye. Qin Wentian came to a halt before one of the towering ancient bells, basking in its luminous runic radiance. His suspended silhouette marked a pause, and as the others closed in, their arrival announced by the rush of wind, the tension in the air grew palpable.
Nion's gaze bore into Qin Wentian, her cold arrogance palpable. Her voice dripped with disdain, sword qi swirling around her like a tempest ready to unleash its fury. Her eyes had already relegated Qin Wentian to the realm of the deceased.
Beside Qin Wentian, Cheron materialized, also bathed in the ethereal runic light radiating from the towering bell. He fixed a stern look on Nion and declared, "Try laying a finger on him, if you dare."
Nion's frigid facade grew even colder. Her eyes locked onto Cheron, incredulous that he still intended to protect Qin Wentian at this juncture.
"Making a move? He's as good as dead. Today, I shall claim his life," declared Zurius, his words carrying the weight of the countless experts backing him from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor.
"This is precisely my intention," chimed in Shu Luyao.
Jiang Yan chuckled coldly, his gaze piercing Cheron. "You won't be able to shield him. Step aside now, or you may find yourself inadvertently harmed by us."
"Cheron, since this grudge is of their making, perhaps it's best to let them resolve it on their own. Why involve yourself in their feud?" Pei Xiao, who had recently arrived, tried to persuade Cheron. His words, however, sparked a flash in Cheron's eyes.
"Impudent!" Cheron's voice bristled with anger. "As a representative of the King Manor, you should maintain a stance of neutrality. Tianwen has never wronged your King Manor, yet you harbor intentions of harming him. If your aim is to curry favor with these individuals, your character is sorely lacking."
"Cheron, I'm merely offering friendly advice," Pei Xiao retorted, his demeanor stiffening. He remained a chosen one of the King Manor, possessing formidable combat prowess. Cheron's audacious response had ruffled his feathers.
"Are you planning to gang up on a lone individual?" Ghost Saber Mu Yan calmly stepped forward, positioning himself beside Cheron. His actions sent shockwaves through the gathering. All eyes were trained on Cheron and Mu Yan. In their eyes, Qin Wentian posed no threat; he was an easy target. But Cheron and Mu Yan were different. They were powerful and had influential backgrounds supporting them. Subduing these two would prove no simple task.
"Cheron, Mu Yan, I appreciate your goodwill, but since these people are here for me, let them come," Qin Wentian said calmly. His words caught Cheron and Mu Yan off guard. Mu Yan's face lit up with intrigue as he contemplated Qin Wentian. A smile tugged at his lips as he spoke, "Very well, since you put it that way, Mu Yan shall refrain from interfering."
Cheron fixed a profound gaze on Qin Wentian before shifting his attention to the Nine Immortality Bells. A smile of confidence crept across his face. "Alright, I'll place my trust in you, Tianwen."
With Cheron and Mu Yan stepping back, they became mere spectators to the impending showdown, leaving Qin Wentian alone to face these adversaries, each of them boasting higher cultivation bases than him.
But Qin Wentian displayed no sign of trepidation. His gaze pierced through the crowd, icy determination in his eyes as he addressed them, "A bunch of arrogant bullies who prey on the weaker. You think you're a cut above the rest, but you have no idea how pitiful you truly are. Self-proclaimed geniuses at the pinnacle? In my eyes, you're nothing but trash. What right do you have to be so haughty? If I were at your level, I'd wipe you all out in the blink of an eye."
"How audacious!" The gathering's faces grew colder at Qin Wentian's words. Nion couldn't help herself and stepped forward. Her eyes turned icy as an array of swords materialized behind her, ready to launch into action. With a mere thought, these swords spread out into a formation of seven, surging forward one after another, each more formidable than the last.
As the first sword closed in on Qin Wentian, he already sensed a towering wave of sword energy crashing towards him. He summoned his will, causing celestial and earthly runic inscriptions to dance frenetically, converging into a formidable palm imprint. He struck out with this imprint at the moment of impact, generating a deafening explosion that reverberated through the space. The sword, however, failed to pierce the palm. Yet, the second sword was already hurtling towards him, packed with enough force to shake the heavens and earth.
The third and fourth swords followed closely behind, each more potent than the last. Nion's arrogance was indeed supported by her strength.
Yet, countless runic inscriptions flowed around Qin Wentian, coalescing into an astral moat that blocked all incoming attacks. It seemed impervious, as though it could withstand even the heavens collapsing. When the seventh sword smashed into it, the moat finally showed cracks and dissipated. Qin Wentian, however, remained composed, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Nion.
"With your limited strength, a minor adjustment to these runes can provide me with an impenetrable defense. Do you honestly believe you can kill me?" Qin Wentian's voice resounded, echoing through the surroundings. Nion and her companions found their expressions stiffening as they glared at him. Could this man truly control the runic inscriptions emitted by the ancient bells for both offense and defense? Was his proficiency in divine inscriptions that exceptional?
"You all think that by joining a major power, you can ascend to the heavens, believing yourselves supreme. While you might fly higher than the common folk, you're nothing more than crows and sparrows, only daring to compare yourselves with those who fly lower. Yet, how can you comprehend the ambitions of a roc?" Qin Wentian's words dripped with disdain. The boundless runic inscriptions surrounding him shimmered, and he immersed himself in their presence. His aura now resembled that of a war deity as he continued, "Don't waste my time; come at me together!"