Crisis

Crisis . . .

In the mystical realms of the Heavenly Talisman Realm, disciples held their identities as closely guarded secrets, shrouding them in a veil of mystery. No one beyond themselves could ever discern their true origin. The Heavenly Talisman Palace had ensured this secrecy by placing an indelible mark upon every disciple's being. So, when two disciples crossed paths in the vast expanse of the immortal realms, they immediately recognized each other as kindred spirits. It was as if their very souls resonated with the same celestial tune.

This enigmatic man cloaked in black possessed an uncanny perception, capable of detecting the distinct aura of the Heavenly Talisman Realm that emanated from Qin Wentian. He was sure of it; Qin Wentian, too, was a disciple of their sacred order.

Qin Wentian, though, didn't possess such a formidable sixth sense. He remained oblivious to the man's presence, lost in the currents of fate.

"Master," Ghost Saber Mu Yan, known for his sharp tongue, couldn't help but voice his disdain for the Cloud Prefecture's supreme powers. "Imagine, they've mustered their forces to annihilate a mere third-level Celestial Phenomenon junior. The audacity!"

It was revealed that the man in black was none other than Mu Yan's mentor, the Saberlord of Death. Yet, even Mu Yan remained in the dark about his master's allegiance to the Heavenly Talisman Realm.

The Heavenly Talisman Realm forbade its members from joining any other factions. However, they could take disciples. Exceptional disciples even stood a chance of being recommended for entry into the Heavenly Talisman Realm.

"Isn't this a reflection of human nature? Greed knows no bounds," the Saberlord of Death replied with a knowing smile.

Mu Yan, still assessing the situation, inquired, "Master, do you plan to intervene?"

The Saberlord posed a counter-question, "Do you wish for me to act?"

"Master, as a lone wolf, you have little concern for offending these factions. If you cannot protect this city, could you at least ensure Qin Wentian's safety? It would be a tragedy to see such a remarkable talent perish here. And if he piques your interest, you might even consider taking him as your disciple," Mu Yan suggested, his smile now directed at Qin Wentian.

The Saberlord of Death remained silent, his gaze fixed on the unfolding events. At that moment, the various experts finally sprang into action. On the golden war chariot where Jiang Yi stood, a fearsome pair of wings suddenly unfurled, with a menacing spearhead at its tip. A single glance at it sent shivers down one's spine.

"Advance alongside the city's perimeter, everyone!" Jiang Yi commanded with arrogance, his voice resonating through the air. As his words echoed, the war chariots of the Jiang Clan roared to life simultaneously, charging into Driftsnow City. Their golden radiance blazed with such intensity that it seemed they could obliterate any opposition in their path.

The runic inscriptions across the ancient Driftsnow City began to surge with turbulent energy. Chains, arrows, and golden fortifications burst forth in a frenzy. However, wherever the chariots tread, they left behind a trail of destruction. Leaders of various factions led their troops from all directions, effortlessly overcoming the obstacles.

"It's the end," sighed the distant onlookers. This battle was nearing its inevitable conclusion. Despite Qin Wentian's extraordinary prowess, even managing to force the Seven Sword Elders to retreat, he was now facing an insurmountable force led by numerous supreme experts. It appeared that the curtain was about to fall on this young genius's journey.

In the sprawling expanse of Driftsnow City, stretching as far as the eye could see, time held little sway for the elite experts gathered there. In a matter of moments, their combined formidable auras converged upon Qin Wentian, bearing down upon him like a merciless storm.

Qin Wentian, his spirit aflame with the city's power, underwent a remarkable transformation. He burgeoned into a colossal figure, a towering behemoth that stretched a staggering 30,000 meters into the heavens. Clad in resplendent martial attire and wielding a divine spear that gleamed with terror, his innate arrogance radiated for all to witness. Serenely, he hovered in the air, poised and ready to confront the oncoming wave of experts.

Golden wings sprouted from the runic inscriptions, forming a mesmerizing spectacle. These wings fused seamlessly with Qin Wentian's armor, and in no time, a pair of colossal, resplendent golden wings, aglow with immortal radiance, unfurled majestically from his back. The runes etched upon them gleamed with an edge as sharp as the keenest blades, cleaving through anything that dared to cross their path as Qin Wentian soared through the skies.

"They have finally arrived," Qin Wentian murmured to himself. With a mere thought, the Nine Immortality Bells transformed into luminous screens that enveloped him entirely. In his mind's eye, he held a vivid image: the entirety of Driftsnow City.

A deafening rumble resounded, and the earth quaked violently, centered around Qin Wentian. Driftsnow City itself seemed to respond to his will, its very essence reconfiguring. Golden, metallic-hued blocks of earth rose and interlocked, forming colossal walls that soared into the heavens, encircling an area roughly a hundred miles in radius and sealing it off from the outside world.

From a distance, spectators beheld a vast expanse of shimmering golden walls barricading that central region.

"Hmm?" Many experts found themselves obstructed by these formidable walls and wasted no time launching furious attacks in an attempt to breach them.

"We must secure this city at any cost," Jiang Yi, perched atop his war chariot, declared with a steely resolve. He then directed his war chariots forward, the spearhead of his chariot radiating a towering golden light. Thunderous impacts reverberated as he repeatedly rammed the walls until cracks appeared, eventually shattering the golden obstruction.

For the weaker experts, fortune did not favor them. Those in smaller groups, three to five in number, were hopelessly trapped within the maze of walls. They unleashed their most formidable attacks, yet to no avail. Powerless, they couldn't breach the barriers that ensnared them.

In one corner, several experts from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor persistently assaulted the stone walls before them, finally witnessing their collapse with a triumphant burst of excitement. But their elation was short-lived, for a dazzling, resplendent golden wing sliced through the air toward them.

This enormous wing, an indomitable blade of divine fury, cleaved the very air itself. The sounds of rending flesh echoed as their bodies were torn asunder. Then, with a rush of wind, the colossal figure who had unleashed the attack vanished from sight.

The other experts beyond the city gaped in awe at the might of this weaponized city. The heart of Driftsnow City had transformed into an intricate labyrinth of towering stone walls and pillars, effectively severing it from the outside world. Those who had ventured within found themselves blind to their surroundings, awaiting the inevitable judgment of Qin Wentian. Yet, to the spectators beyond the city's walls, Qin Wentian's colossal silhouette flickered from one location to another.

In this moment, his figure flickered once more, and with an earth-shattering boom, another stone wall crumbled, concealing the fate of countless experts within. The massive wings behind him beat furiously, propelling him at inconceivable speeds. His colossal divine spear struck forth, claiming yet another immortal-foundation expert's life.

With incredible swiftness, Qin Wentian's figure materialized at the outermost confines of the sealed space. From this vantage point, the spectators bore witness to a massacre of epic proportions. Each thrust of his divine spear heralded the end of an immortal's existence. A chill of terror coursed through their hearts as they watched the relentless carnage unfold. They had initially believed that the amassed forces would effortlessly conquer the city, only to realize that they had gravely underestimated both Qin Wentian's might and the formidable capabilities of this weaponized city.

Jiang Yi, along with his clan members and Reverend True Dragon, had fought their way to the city's heart, but Qin Wentian was nowhere to be found. Instead, they confronted an intricate labyrinth of stone walls.

"Reverend True Dragon," Jiang Yi turned to address the seated figure, "If you remain idle as a mere spectator, we will all surely perish."

Reverend True Dragon, still ensconced in his dragon sedan, smiled enigmatically. "I shall exert myself to the fullest, fear not."

With these words, he extended his arm. Suddenly, his limb elongated with incredible force, demolishing everything in its path.

Meanwhile, Qin Wentian, amidst his relentless slaughter, suddenly became aware of an enormous arm hurtling toward him. His expression stiffened as he swiftly turned and thrust his divine spear toward the oncoming threat.

The arm collided with the divine long spear, astonishingly undamaged. Then, it morphed into a terrifying true dragon, jaws wide open and hurtling toward Qin Wentian with the intent to consume him.

"Break!" Qin Wentian bellowed with fury as he lunged forward, his wings blotting out the skies. He forcefully thrust the spear in the direction of Reverend True Dragon. The previously manifested True Dragon shattered amidst a cacophony of explosive sounds. However, Reverend True Dragon remained unperturbed. With a ghostly smile, his figure flickered as he materialized directly above Qin Wentian, gazing down upon him.

"Your life is mine," Reverend True Dragon declared, this time unleashing both his arms, crackling with draconic might, aiming directly for Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian's visage contorted with a bone-chilling coldness. He advanced, and with a deafening roar, boundless power erupted from his being. His long spear cut through everything like a hot knife through butter, thrusting forth in a surge of anger. Yet, one of Reverend True Dragon's hands seized the divine spear without faltering, heedless of the damage it incurred. Reverend True Dragon grinned and surged forward, appearing instantly before Qin Wentian. He then transformed into an immense vortex resembling a true dragon's maw, intent on engulfing Qin Wentian whole.

Qin Wentian's wings unfurled, then slammed shut with explosive force, disrupting the vortex and thwarting the attack.

"BOOM!" In that pivotal moment, a radiant golden beam, reminiscent of a lightning bolt, sliced through the air, targeting Qin Wentian's colossal 30,000-meter form.

Qin Wentian's colossal left hand clashed with the war chariot hurtling towards him, resulting in a deafening collision that reverberated through the air. His immense hand was forcibly pushed backward, a searing jolt of pain shooting through his arm. In the chariot, Jiang Yi emerged, stepping onto a formidable wheel-like artifact, intent on closing the distance to Qin Wentian.

However, Qin Wentian found himself embroiled in a whirlwind of combat, leaving little room to contend with Jiang Yi directly. With furious wing flaps, he harnessed the rebound force, propelling himself explosively backward. Yet, the wheel-like artifact morphed into a spinning chakram, hurtling toward him with crushing momentum. It struck him with formidable force, inflicting damage upon his armor and leaving a bloody gash in its wake.

Qin Wentian retreated to a safe distance, only to find a multitude of figures descending upon him from all directions. These were the crème de la crème of immortal-foundation experts from the major powers, none lower than seventh-level immortal-foundation cultivators. They regarded Qin Wentian with undisguised greed glittering in their eyes. Despite his colossal 30,000-meter stature, encircled by such a formidable assembly of experts, Qin Wentian appeared minuscule and inconsequential.

The brilliance of their immortal light enveloped them, casting an imposing aura akin to towering giants.

"Attack the city!" Jiang Yi issued a cold command, prompting numerous chariots to materialize behind him. These vehicles relentlessly bombarded the city, targeting its runic inscriptions. Their goal was clear: to weaken the city's power by destroying these inscriptions.

As Qin Wentian beheld this assault, his eyes turned frigid with resolve. Yet, despite his determination, a bitter sense of helplessness gnawed at his heart due to his current limitations.