Startling Transformation Of The Earth . . .
Qin Wentian's unabashed arrogance left the entire gathering in stunned silence. Even the representatives of peak-tier powers in the Cloud Prefecture were gripped by unease. If, indeed, they had killed a significant descendant of a supreme power, the repercussions would be unimaginably catastrophic.
The immortal realms sprawled across vast expanses, and the Cloud Prefecture was just one of the thirteen. Though it seemed immeasurable to them, in the grand scheme of the immortal realms, it amounted to a mere fraction. Countless mightier powers existed beyond their knowledge, sending shivers down their spines.
Furthermore, Qin Wentian's words struck a chord, resonating with the hearts of many. In the vast and enigmatic realm of immortality, supreme powers employed unique methods to train their disciples, sending them on solitary journeys, indifferent to their fates. This approach yielded formidable results, making Qin Wentian's claims all the more convincing.
A somber silence fell over the experts hovering in the air, their gazes fixated on Qin Wentian with a chill.
Observing their reactions, Qin Wentian chuckled inwardly. He continued, "A group of bullies, only capable of oppressing the weak. You flaunt your strength and self-righteously pass judgment on others. How pitiful. Today, I, Qin Wentian, will stand my ground. If you can truly vanquish me, I shall accept my own uselessness. But in the future, should calamity befall your clans and sects, do not be taken aback."
The resonance of the bells punctuated Qin Wentian's proclamation, casting a radiant runic light around him, poised for imminent combat.
"This man is a master of words, a bluff artist. To confirm the veracity of his claims, we need only capture him alive and delve into his memories with soul-searching techniques," suggested a member of the Jiang Clan, who happened to be Jiang Yan. Though Qin Wentian's words had rattled him, the burning reluctance within only grew stronger.
He couldn't help but suspect that Qin Wentian was simply playing a part, not a disciple of any supreme power, but rather trying to intimidate them with falsehoods. If they truly withdrew in fear, their names would become the subject of mockery for all time.
"Exactly, a soul-search will expose the truth," chimed in another Jiang Clan expert with a laugh. "Even if your words bear some truth, your sect would have knowingly let you face such challenges in the immortal realms. They wouldn't seek vengeance for this. Today, you won't frighten us away with mere words."
"That's right. If you're spoiling for a fight, let's have it. But let me caution you against resisting a soul-search," Qin Wentian retorted coolly. "You might stumble upon secrets that were meant to remain hidden, and the consequences would be beyond your reckoning."
"What a sharp tongue, as sharp as any blade. Your words alone could kill," observed Jiangling King Pei Tianyuan. "Nevertheless, no matter what you say, you remain a criminal of Jiangling Country. I offer you a choice: come with us willingly, or we shall deal with you here and now."
Qin Wentian, with a sardonic grin twisting his lips, couldn't help but voice his incredulity. He turned his piercing gaze towards Pei Tianyuan, adding a hint of mockery to his words. "Ridiculous," he declared, shaking his head slowly as if contemplating the sheer absurdity of the situation. "Pei Tianyuan, my dear Pei Tianyuan, do you honestly believe you possess the authority to pass judgment on me? Your arrogance knows no bounds! But, since you've chosen to display such unwarranted confidence here, let it be known to all: I, Qin Wentian, hereby claim the title of City Lord over this illustrious Driftsnow City. By virtue of my lineage, passed down from the esteemed Driftsnow Master, I shall rightfully inherit the mantle of leadership."
Pei Tianyuan's eyes flared with a sharp glint, his contempt for Qin Wentian unmistakable. Beside him, the current City Lord of Driftsnow City seethed with rage. How could a mere junior, barely at the third level of Celestial Phenomenon, dare to make such audacious proclamations? Declare himself the City Lord, no less?
Turning his attention to the assembled experts, Pei Tianyuan contemplated aloud, "Who among you is willing to capture this brash upstart?" His gaze shifted from one side to the other, addressing the question to the seasoned individuals surrounding him.
A member of the Jiang Clan stepped forward, his confidence evident as he volunteered, "Allow me the honor. After all, what threat could the remnants of the Driftsnow Master's power pose to me?" His immortal-clad form radiated brilliance, his eyes akin to blazing torches, as he descended upon Qin Wentian.
"Very well," Pei Tianyuan conceded, his voice carrying a sense of determination. "This young troublemaker has truly pushed his luck. We must apprehend him alive and delve into his very soul."
Another participant chimed in, emphasizing the importance of extracting information. "Indeed, we can't allow him to meet a swift demise, especially after he took the life of one of our Jiang Clan members." Despite his confident tone, his wary gaze betrayed his true feelings. The memory of Qin Wentian effortlessly dispatching an immortal lingered in his mind, prompting him to approach this confrontation with caution, gathering intelligence for the benefit of the group.
Suddenly, a deafening rumble erupted, transforming the entire space into a fiery inferno. Immortal flames blazed fiercely, their otherworldly brilliance casting an eerie, almost malevolent, glow. These were no ordinary flames; they were the immortal flames possessed by experts who had reached the pinnacle of their power. Each flicker held the potential to unleash an apocalyptic conflagration upon the world.
These particular immortal flames were an unsettling shade of black, evoking fear and trepidation in those who beheld them. A mere glimpse was enough to send shivers down one's spine. The immortal-foundation expert responsible for this spectacle soon enveloped himself in these ominous, inky flames, creating an armor-like shield that exuded an eerie black radiance.
The onlookers, both near and far, retreated hastily, well aware that they stood no chance against the impending cataclysm. Mortal-ranked experts from the major factions had their bodies cloaked in the protective aura of their immortal seniors, preparing to withstand the inevitable shockwaves.
Observing the chaos unfolding before them, an expert from the Wondergate Immortal Manor turned to Cheron and Mu Yan, urging them to join the fray. With a swift motion, they raced toward the center of the maelstrom, their forms soon bathed in the protective sheen of immortal light, guarding against the impending turbulence.
The battlefield crackled with a palpable tension as the clash between immortal forces unfolded. Immortal flames, wielded by an expert at the pinnacle of their celestial journey, possessed a chilling power. A mere touch of these ethereal flames could reduce mortals to ashes in an instant. Such was the grim reality that hung in the balance as Qin Wentian squared off against his formidable opponent.
Qin Wentian's gaze remained unwavering, locked onto his adversary in the midst of this fiery spectacle. With a fluid motion, he drew forth an immortal-ranked spear, its polished surface shimmering with an almost supernatural radiance, housing boundless energy within its slender form.
"Meet your end!" The expert, hovering in the heavens, barked a cold command. In response, the hellish flames, seemingly conjured from the very depths of the abyss, coalesced into a nightmarish, baleful demonic creature. Its sole purpose: to engulf Qin Wentian in a relentless, all-consuming embrace.
The resonant tolling of celestial bells reverberated through the skies, signaling the convergence of an immense, divine force upon Qin Wentian. As if summoned from the very fabric of the cosmos, a towering, god-like figure manifested, wielding a divine long spear that radiated an aura of crushing might.
With a deafening impact, the colossal spear collided with the fiendish flame beast. Though the creature disintegrated, the malevolent flames continued their descent, their fiery descent threatening to consume Qin Wentian.
However, Qin Wentian's composure remained unshaken. Luminous beams of light encircled him, forming a protective cocoon. As the infernal flames rained down with the fury of falling meteors, they found themselves thwarted by the resilient light screens. Meanwhile, the awe-inspiring long spear thrust once more into the heavens, seemingly with enough force to sunder the very fabric of reality.
The immortal-foundation expert from the Jiang Clan had prepared for this moment. With a decisive stomp, the boundless flames coalesced into a terrifying lance of hellfire, driving it earthward. In its wake, all life withered and perished, consumed by the relentless inferno.
A resounding "BOOM!" marked the collision between the long spear and the hellish flame lance. In that moment, an indomitable force shattered the lance into a thousand fiery shards. The expression on the immortal's face twisted into a grotesque mask of unspeakable dread. His eyes flickered with uncertainty as he sensed an overpowering presence emanating from the divine spear, an attribute of suppression that rendered his lance defenseless.
Fixated on the approaching long spear, the Jiang Clan expert rapidly retreated, his heart quaking before the sheer might. There was no defense against this cataclysmic force. It appeared that their only recourse would be to pool their efforts and eliminate this audacious adversary.
Yet, at this critical juncture, a sinister glint flickered in Qin Wentian's eyes, and a cold laughter escaped his lips. "Leaving so soon, are we?"
With that, the luminescence enveloping the spear intensified. The immortal-ranked weapon rocketed from the grasp of the towering giant, transforming into an ominous streak of light that tore through the very fabric of space itself.
"Watch out!" Cries of alarm echoed from the other Jiang Clan experts as they rushed forward, but their efforts were too little, too late. The spear, infused with the essence of death, emitted a shrill sound as it plunged deep into the body of Qin Wentian's adversary, shaking him to his very core with its devastating power.
"Bzzz!" Meanwhile, a colossal palm imprint materialized, its massive fingers belonging to another Jiang Clan expert. Desperation painted his features as he attempted to seize control of the immortal spear, but it was too late to avert the tragedy that had just unfolded—a member of their clan had met his end.
"To think that you'd be willing to relinquish the long spear just to take him down?" The seasoned expert cast a savage glare in Qin Wentian's direction, his eyes ablaze with a fierce determination.
Qin Wentian couldn't help but chuckle in response to the expert's incredulous accusation. "What a jest," he retorted, his voice laced with icy amusement. "This spear was forged by my own hands, bound to my will alone. Even if it finds itself in your possession, it remains an insurmountable calamity for anyone else. To you all, it's nothing more than a cursed relic of doom."
As if to punctuate Qin Wentian's claim, the long spear thrummed with an eerie vitality, casting a terrifying aura of immortality that sent those nearby retreating in trepidation, unwilling to draw any closer.
The expert continued to scrutinize Qin Wentian, his gaze piercing and laden with murderous intent. "And how do you intend to face us without the aid of immortal-ranked weaponry?" he demanded, his query more of a taunt than a question. Moments later, he signaled to the other members of the Jiang Clan, and they descended in a united front, their collective killing intent casting an oppressive shroud over the entire battleground.
Qin Wentian's response was laced with an unwavering self-assuredness as he gazed upon his adversaries. "There's only one way to find out," he declared, his tone marked by a lofty confidence. The Nine Immortality Bells overhead chimed frenziedly, their harmonious resonance converging into a singular protective barrier, taking the form of a colossal bell that encased Qin Wentian within its sanctuary.
Simultaneously, Qin Wentian closed his eyes, triggering a surge of radiant energy from the Nine Immortality Bells. The resounding chimes echoed through the surrounding space, setting the stage for the impending clash.
The attacks from the Jiang Clan's experts landed with brutal force, hammering into the protective light screen that cocooned Qin Wentian. Thunderous roars reverberated through the air, but the light screen stood firm, its integrity unscathed.
"What an indomitable defense," murmured onlookers from a distance, awe-struck by the spectacle. In the face of relentless assaults from immortal-caliber adversaries, the light screen produced by the Nine Immortality Bells remained impervious, safeguarding Qin Wentian from harm.
And then, in a split second, a faint but distinctive sound rang out, causing hearts to skip a beat. All eyes turned downward, only to be greeted by a blinding brilliance that seared the retinas.
Beneath their very feet, the earth itself seemed to come alive with the emergence of intricate runic inscriptions. An awe-inspiring transformation unfolded before their eyes: the ground cracked open, giving way to a new realm shimmering with radiant immortal light.
The gasps of disbelief echoed as the earth trembled, and an entire city materialized, replacing the previously existing structures and landscapes. It was a city of resplendent immortality, seemingly birthed from the very bowels of the earth.
"What in the heavens..." The crowd below quaked with astonishment, their gazes skyward filled with shock and trepidation. Even those locked in combat, including Pei Tianyuan, were unable to avert their eyes from this bewildering phenomenon. Could this be the fabled Driftsnow City, forged by the legendary Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade themselves?
Had the true Driftsnow City remained hidden beneath the earth all this time, concealed from the world above?