Driftsnow Master

Driftsnow Master . . .

The atmosphere at the grand banquet took an unexpected turn as the returning group of prodigies approached. It was immediately apparent that something had gone terribly wrong. Their auras were in turmoil, and their faces bore expressions of profound discontent. Among them, Jiang Yan and Nion appeared to be the most affected by whatever had transpired. Jiang Yan's usually composed visage was now contorted in an icy mask, ready to erupt in anger or hostility at the slightest provocation.

Nion mirrored Jiang Yan's distress, her once-beautiful countenance now marred by an ashen pallor. To those unaware of the circumstances, it seemed as if this proud and heavenly-chosen disciple had suffered a grievous humiliation.

Curiosity buzzed among the banquet attendees, and hushed murmurs filled the air.

"What could have happened?" Speculations began to circulate.

"Could it be that they failed to eliminate that young man?" Someone suggested, though doubt clouded their words.

However, the notion of their failure seemed incredibly slim. How could a mere third-level ascendant evade a group of experts? Even with the assistance of Cheron and Mu Yan, the combined strength of these elites should have been more than sufficient to subdue the young man. Such a failure was unfathomable to those gathered.

As the crowd pondered these mysteries, the returning prodigies descended back to their seats. Their grim expressions and refusal to engage with the Jiangling King, Pei Tianyun, only heightened the sense of something amiss.

Pei Tianyuan shifted his attention to Pei Xiao, acknowledging that it might be more appropriate for him to elicit answers from their fellow major power disciple. Yet, Pei Xiao's features twisted into an awkward expression, caught in a dilemma. He hesitated, struggling with how to relay the events. Truthfully recounting the incident would undoubtedly fan the flames of tension, but lying to Pei Tianyuan was equally untenable.

Respecting his duty, Pei Xiao finally addressed his king. "My King," he began, bowing slightly, "The young man possesses the ability to harness the power of runic inscriptions for combat."

Pei Tianyuan's expression stiffened as he grasped the implications behind Pei Xiao's succinct statement. It was clear that this revelation had taken everyone by surprise. The young man had defied their expectations in the most astounding way. Pei Xiao, however, treaded cautiously, recognizing the sensitivity of the situation.

"Utilizing runic inscriptions?" one individual from the crowd blurted out in a tone of skepticism, unable to fathom the significance. This prompted a cold glare from Nion, who replied tersely, "There's no need to beat around the bush. That young man possesses remarkable expertise in divine inscriptions. While his combat abilities may be unremarkable, his cunning strategy led us to the location of the Nine Immortality Bell. Once there, he harnessed the bell's boundless runic inscriptions for both offense and defense, rendering us powerless to eliminate him."

Nion's voice hung in the air, sending a ripple of surprise through the gathered crowd. The palpable turbulence in her aura hinted at her grievous injuries. Observant eyes noted that she had donned a new robe, and now, the puzzle pieces began to fall into place.

The realization was swift—there had been no way to eliminate their quarry. The return of these prodigious talents, battered and humiliated, only fueled the intrigue. These young elites had set out with enthusiasm, eager to hunt their quarry, only to return in a state of bitter defeat, apparently bested by the very person they intended to vanquish.

Nion chose not to conceal the matter, acknowledging it openly. Given her combat skills, word of the encounter would undoubtedly spread like wildfire through Driftsnow City. It was better to address it directly rather than suffer the embarrassment of rumors.

"My King, let us raise our cups," someone interjected, attempting to lighten the oppressive atmosphere. Pei Tianyuan responded with a gracious smile, encouraging the gesture. "Indeed, let us all enjoy this day to the fullest."

Cups were raised in a collective toast to the Jiangling King, but despite their efforts, the mood remained somber. These gifted individuals had little appetite for festivity, staying only briefly before departing. Their visit had initially been intended as a gesture of respect to the Jiangling King, but the atmosphere had soured beyond their tolerance.

Their thirst for retribution was undeniable. They departed, resolute in their determination to make the audacious young man pay for his humiliation of them.

In contrast, Pei Yu found herself oddly elated. She had never anticipated that Qin Wentian possessed such formidable abilities. Her instincts had proved correct—these illustrious prodigies had indeed suffered a significant setback at his hands.

As the banquet gradually drew to a close, the gathering dwindled to a select few. Present were Pei Tianyuan, the Tower Lord of Cloud Towers, Ji Kong, and the City Lord of Driftsnow City, along with their entourages.

Pei Tianyuan, sipping his wine thoughtfully, turned his attention to Pei Xiao, his gaze intent. "Share every detail with me," he instructed, his voice carrying a hint of command.

Pei Xiao nodded and proceeded to recount the entirety of the incident. As the story unfolded, Pei Tianyuan's countenance shifted from curiosity to sporadic flashes of intensity.

Upon hearing the final word from Pei Xiao, a heavy silence settled over the room. Pei Tianyuan contemplated the revelations for a protracted moment before shaking his head with a sigh. "We have miscalculated. It seems that Cheron's close association with that young man wasn't coincidental after all. To think that the individual with the deepest understanding of the Nine Immortality Bell had first incurred our displeasure. Moreover, he has garnered enmity from the major powers' experts. This is an unfortunate turn of events."

The gathering of experts from various major powers in Driftsnow City held a singular purpose—uncovering the hidden secrets within the enigmatic Nine Immortality Bell. Ironically, the man who had set the bells ringing with the most resonance, the one with the greatest potential to unlock their mysteries, was Qin Wentian. Yet, at the recent banquet, he had been subjected to repeated humiliations before finally storming away in indignation. How absurd it all was! Undoubtedly, when word of this reached the ears of Driftsnow City's denizens, Pei Tianyuan's name would face scrutiny and criticism.

But Pei Tianyuan, being the character he was, remained unfazed by such opinions.

"My King, considering Tianwen's remarkable proficiency in divine inscriptions and his potential to unravel the secrets of the Nine Immortality Bell, should we not attempt to mend fences?" Pei Yu interjected, her voice laden with concern. Pei Tianyuan cast a bemused glance her way and offered a smile. "Naive. Despite reaching the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, he remains a mere speck in my eyes. Attempting to reconcile with him now would yield, at best, a veneer of civility. True amicability would remain out of reach."

"Furthermore, despite his exceptional skills in divine inscriptions, his cultivation remains meager. Should we truly provoke the other chosen from the major powers of the Cloud Prefecture for the sake of one individual? Pei Yu, you are too idealistic. Even if, for the sake of argument, he does crack the secret of the Nine Immortality Bell, what difference would it make? Would the ultimate benefits not still fall under our control?"

Pei Tianyuan's words sent a shiver down Pei Yu's spine. His rationale left her feeling chilled.

"Pei Xiao, continue to nurture your connections with the chosen. Pei Yu, you may leave for now, but do as Pei Xiao does. You still have much to learn." Pei Tianyuan issued his orders, and Pei Yu promptly exited the scene, her haste apparent.

"My King, if you've shared all this with Pei Yu, why allow her to leave?" Pei Xiao inquired, perplexed.

Pei Tianyuan regarded Pei Xiao but offered no immediate reply. Ji Kong, who stood by his side, chuckled softly. "Pei Xiao, our Jiangling King is playing his cards deliberately. After all, Pei Yu is still a member of the King's Manor. Moreover, she, Cheron, Mu Yan, and Tianwen share a cordial rapport. It's beneficial for you to establish a connection with Jiang Yan and the others, while she maintains her ties with Cheron and company. No matter whose side the King ultimately aligns with, as long as he doesn't actively provoke, all will be well. Let them engage in their own battles."

Pei Xiao grasped the wisdom of Ji Kong's words, and he responded respectfully. "Thank you, Tower Lord Ji, for your insight."

"Learn and grow," Ji Kong advised, patting Pei Xiao on the shoulder. With that, he rose and departed. The banquet might have been deemed a failure by some, but Pei Tianyuan appeared unruffled by the outcome.

In the days that followed, word of Qin Wentian's clashes with the various chosen began to ripple through the land, casting a brilliant spotlight on his name. It became clear to many that the enigmatic young man who had once sat serenely beneath the ancient bell was not merely posturing, but rather, delving deep into profound realms of understanding.

As for Jiang Yan, every time he appeared in public, strange gazes bore into him, causing an unsettling turmoil in his heart. It was as if he teetered on the edge of a psychological breakdown.

With time's relentless march, more and more experts converged upon Driftsnow City. Like a gathering storm, their numbers swelled, and they gathered around the locations of the Nine Immortality Bells, engaging in silent contemplation of the age-old wonders.

Among these experts were emissaries from every major power in the Cloud Prefecture, their auras pulsating with an ethereal glow. It was as if they, too, hoped to touch the heart of immortality.

On a day when heavy snowflakes wafted gently through Driftsnow City, an ethereal beauty named Pei Yu stood by one of the immortality bells, dressed in pristine white. She extended her delicate hand, allowing the fragile snowflakes to alight gracefully within her palm. Raising her gaze to the heavens, she mused aloud, "Do these snowflakes, falling upon Driftsnow City, symbolize your tears?"

In her words, "your" alluded to none other than the Driftsnow Master himself. According to legend, the Driftsnow Master had sacrificed his own flesh and blood to erect the city, infusing his very soul into the Nine Immortality Bells. When they chimed, it was said to be a reflection of his yearning for Immortal Jade. And when the snowflakes danced, they were believed to be his tears, shed for their tragic love story.

"You are truly a romantic at heart," Cheron commented, joining Pei Yu's side with a smile. While he held firm faith in the legends, he couldn't quite bring himself to believe that the drifting snowflakes were, indeed, the Driftsnow Master's tears.

Pei Yu turned to him, her smile enchanting. "In this world, anything is possible. The secrets within these bells remain undiscovered, and Tianwen claimed to have glimpsed the Driftsnow Master in a vision. What other wonders might await?"

"That fellow is nothing short of monstrous. While I, too, managed to establish a connection with the bells and set them resonating, I've never experienced anything quite like his visions. To think he actually conversed with the Driftsnow Master himself. It's truly incredible. Just how profound are his skills in the art of divine inscriptions?"

Cheron couldn't help but marvel, his gaze drifting toward Qin Wentian. This was already the fifth of the Nine Immortality Bells that Qin Wentian had forged a connection with. He had to unravel the inscriptions and form a bond with all nine ancient bells to unveil the elusive secret within.

In that very moment, Qin Wentian found himself seated before the colossal bell, his perception plunging deep within its very core. But it was not merely a plunge into the depths of metal; rather, it was a descent into another realm, a realm of memories and visions.

Within this ethereal realm, a mesmerizing dance of snowflakes painted the sky, their crystalline beauty capturing the essence of winter's embrace. And there, against the backdrop of this breathtaking wintry landscape, stood an imposing fortress of epic proportions. It was a colossus in its own right, with towering walls that seemed to brush the heavens, a fortress so immense that it dwarfed mountains beneath its colossal shadow.

Yet, amid this towering monolith of stone, another behemoth existed—a figure that eclipsed even the grandeur of the fortress itself. This monumental presence loomed over the landscape, its towering form stretching to heights that surpassed comprehension. At over 33,333 meters in stature, it was a sight of awe-inspiring dread, for there was nothing remotely human in such dimensions.

However, the dread swiftly gave way to wonder as one took in the details. Despite his colossal frame, this giant bore the visage of a handsome man, his features etched with a timeless elegance. There was an unmistakable aura of tranquility and gentleness that enveloped him, a serenity that was as profound as the deepest ocean and as enduring as the very mountains themselves.

His eyes, with a gaze that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of existence, remained fixed upon the distant horizon. They held within them a poignant longing, as if seeking solace in the vastness of the world. A hand, larger than the mightiest of trees, extended outward, catching the descending snowflakes as if they were fleeting dreams. Yet, despite their frozen kiss, he remained impervious to the chill, his presence resonating with an otherworldly warmth.

In this mesmerizing tableau, he sat in unwavering stillness, an embodiment of timeless patience. It was as if he had chosen this spot, this moment, and this pose to endure throughout the aeons—a sentinel of eternity itself. There was an undeniable sense that he had borne witness to countless epochs, as though the sands of time had slipped through his fingers uncountable times, yet he remained, an enduring testament to the inexorable march of history.