Appearance of the Ancient

Appearance of the Ancient . . .

While the weaponized city, crafted by the combined talents of the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade, possessed incredible power, it still fell short of its true potential due to Qin Wentian's own limitations. This inadequacy had brought him to his current dire predicament. If only the Driftsnow Master were alive, these interlopers would have met their end swiftly. Unless they hailed from the immortal king realm, they would have been effortlessly vanquished. But alas, the Driftsnow Master was no more.

Despite his gargantuan size, Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel the immense pressure exerted by the surrounding experts. Their combined might was overwhelming, and it weighed heavily on him.

"Your pace is truly 'swift,'" Reverend True Dragon quipped, casting an amused glance at a group of experts. While these individuals were undoubtedly powerful, they appeared minuscule in comparison to Qin Wentian's colossal form.

All eyes were locked on Qin Wentian, as everyone waited for the pivotal moment to strike. These experts represented the cream of the crop, each possessing combat prowess formidable enough to pose a substantial threat to Qin Wentian.

A voice suddenly reached Qin Wentian's ears. "Qin Wentian, you and Cheron share a close friendship. We'll do everything we can to shield you." The speaker was an elderly man, a representative of the Wondergate Immortal Manor. He had conveyed his message telepathically, extending an offer of assistance and inviting Qin Wentian to join him.

However, Qin Wentian remained cautious. Cheron's earlier warning had left him wary of putting blind trust in anyone. Despite Cheron being a disciple of the Wondergate Immortal Manor, the bond between him and the sect's elders wasn't unbreakable. They were unlikely to go to great lengths to protect a mere friend of a chosen disciple, given that the major powers had reached an agreement that whoever slew Qin Wentian would claim ownership of the weaponized city.

"Is senior truly willing to help me?" Qin Wentian regarded the elder from the Wondergate Immortal Manor with a scrutinizing gaze before making a decision. He stepped forward, moving in the direction of the elderly man, as though he harbored no suspicion or defense. The collective gaze of all the experts now shifted toward the elder, and the tension in the air grew tenfold.

"I am deeply grateful to you, senior," Qin Wentian said, lowering the long spear in his hands as he approached the elder, appearing as though he had placed his trust entirely in him.

But in that crucial moment, a glint of malevolence gleamed in the elderly man's eyes. His palms seemed to transform into fiery furnaces, radiating scorching heat. It was as if a miniature world of flames resided within his palms, and anything they touched would be incinerated by the searing temperature.

The elderly man's figure flickered as he sprinted toward Qin Wentian, his eyes now betraying a murderous intent that had been hidden until this very instant.

"Senior?" Qin Wentian's expression contorted in surprise, as if caught off guard. Now, even if he tried to evade, it seemed impossible.

"DARE YOU?!" Other experts coldly shouted in unison. Reverend True Dragon's arms expanded, launching toward the elderly man. Jiang Yi's treasured wheel spun with frenetic energy, closing in on the elder. Simultaneously, the Seven Sword Elders' blades sliced through the void like lightning, aimed at the Wondergate Immortal Manor representative.

Experts from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor, Bloodflame Clan, Blazing Sun Divine Sect, and others joined the onslaught, launching simultaneous attacks that left the elder pale with fright. In that moment, he abandoned his pursuit of Qin Wentian and retreated explosively, driven by the instinct for self-preservation.

However, it was futile to attempt to retract the unleashed attacks on such short notice. Reverend True Dragon's arms radiated formidable power, firmly grasping the elderly man from the Wondergate Immortal Manor. Simultaneously, the Sun Sword of the Blazing Sun Divine Sect's elder swung down, Jiang Yi's treasured wheel crashed into the target, and a barrage of diverse attacks followed suit. The destructive force was overwhelming, leaving the elderly man from the Wondergate Immortal Manor in a state of despair. In his final moments, all he saw was Qin Wentian's cold, disdainful gaze fixed upon him.

"You...!" The Wondergate Immortal Manor expert roared in rage, but before he could utter another word, he was wiped out of existence. Qin Wentian's expression remained icy. It was this individual's intent to kill him that had led to the collaborative assault. This was a prime example of "the evil one brings upon oneself is the hardest to bear."

Qin Wentian's colossal wings sliced through the sky as he raced toward the Seven Sword Elders, his long spear poised for action.

"Impudent," the seven elders exclaimed in unison, their expressions turning cold. How audacious of Qin Wentian to target them for his onslaught. Clearly, he underestimated their prowess.

Their immortal foundation power surged forth, enveloping them in radiant coronas of immortal light that cast their brilliance upon their swords. Each of their seven swords matched Qin Wentian's divine spear in size and bore incomparable destructive might, capable of rending everything asunder. Simultaneously, a deluge of annihilative sword energy filled the air. Any first or second-level immortal-foundation cultivator nearby would have perished instantly under the overwhelming pressure.

Reverend True Dragon's formidable arm thrust forth once more. Qin Wentian's countenance twisted with frustration as he retaliated with a palm strike, directly colliding head-on with Reverend True Dragon's arm. He leveraged the rebound force to retreat, his wings flapping furiously in desperation.

"Do you think you can escape?" a chilling voice echoed. Behind the experts from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor, a faint image of a war deity materialized as they unleashed a barrage of palm imprints, their combined power pushing Qin Wentian downward. Despite his efforts to defend himself, his body was forced to the ground under the onslaught.

The Bloodflame Clan's experts left behind a pervasive blood imprint that infiltrated his armor. Jiang Yi's treasured wheel tore apart his armor and inflicted wounds upon his body. It was a relentless assault, mirroring the onslaught endured by the elderly man from the Wondergate Immortal Manor. Despite the formidable defense of his armor, Qin Wentian was still shaken by the overwhelming force of the attacks, blood oozing from his battered body.

A barrage of lights flickered as the aerial experts relentlessly launched their frenzied assaults, showing no intention of granting Qin Wentian respite. Their attacks would cease only when Qin Wentian breathed his last.

Struggling to rise, Qin Wentian waved his hands, causing a multitude of runic chains to extend into the air. Regrettably, these chains were ineffective against experts of this caliber, failing to impede their relentless assault.

"Your life is mine!" Reverend True Dragon's voice cut through the chaos, cold and unwavering. In response, his massive form expanded to match Qin Wentian's 30,000-meter stature, transforming into a demonic dragon as he closed in on his target with relentless speed.

"GET LOST!" Qin Wentian roared with fury, thrusting his long spear into the heavens in a desperate bid to block Reverend True Dragon's approach. However, it proved futile as the attacks from other experts descended upon him like an unrelenting storm. The echoes of thunderous booms filled the air as Qin Wentian's colossal form trembled, and he couldn't help but cough up fresh blood. Even his imposing 30,000-meter figure wavered under the barrage of injuries.

From a distance, onlookers could only sigh at the sight of this scene. Qin Wentian, undeniably an exceptional genius of his generation, was now faced with an inevitable demise, seemingly powerless to resist.

Cheron and Pei Yu watched in silent dismay, berating themselves for their lack of strength.

Mu Yan turned to his Master, his eyes filled with concern. "Master, are you really not going to intervene?"

The Saberlord stood with arms crossed, appearing unperturbed. He replied, "If he had chosen to leave, I would have had no reason to act. But the fact that he remains here suggests he has a trump card up his sleeve. Otherwise, he wouldn't await his death so patiently. Those invited into the Heavenly Talisman Realm are no ordinary individuals. Even if I doubt Qin Wentian, I trust the discernment of the one who extended the invitation."

To join the Heavenly Talisman Realm, one had to be a remarkable character, a demon-level genius. The criteria included possessing a fifth astral soul, specifically a violet-gold astral soul from the 7th Heavenly Layer.

"But how can he change the situation without external assistance?" Mu Yan shook his head in resignation.

At that moment, Qin Wentian knelt on one knee, his head lowered, but his eyes burned with an intense light.

"I didn't intend to resort to this," Qin Wentian declared coldly, his words causing a ripple of astonishment among the attackers. What did he mean by "this"? What was he planning?

"If you all desire this ancient city so fervently, then I will grant you the opportunity to speak directly with the Driftsnow Master," Qin Wentian continued, closing his eyes. The chimes of the Nine Immortality Bells rang out, filling the air with an eerie resonance.

"What does he mean?" The expressions of those present shifted as they processed Qin Wentian's words. Speak with the Driftsnow Master face to face? Could it be that the Driftsnow Master was still alive?

"You're all determined to damage the heartblood of the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade, to seize this city. Very well, now you can communicate with him personally." Qin Wentian's voice resonated, and the chimes from the bells continued. He maintained his eyes shut, his aura concealed, while the runic light from the bells flowed into him, causing his figure to expand to an astonishing degree.

The Nine Immortality Bells flickered in and out of existence, each exuding a formidable aura.

"RUMBLE!" Qin Wentian's colossal form continued to grow, from 30,000 meters to a staggering 150,000 meters, an awe-inspiring spectacle. And it appeared that his expansion showed no signs of stopping.

"What's happening?" The shock on the faces of these experts was palpable. A 30,000-meter giant was already a mind-boggling sight, but the notion of a 300,000-meter figure was beyond comprehension. Before this towering behemoth, everything else seemed insignificant, reduced to mere ants. And to everyone's amazement, that colossal figure continued to expand, approaching an astonishing 300,000 meters.

An aura of ancient power exuded from this gigantic form, and a mysterious voice resonated through the air.

"Who dares to harm my city?" The voice, while light and carefree, carried an undeniable weight, spreading across a thousand miles in all directions. Even those beyond the boundaries of the ancient city could hear these words clearly. At that moment, every heart pounded with trepidation.

Who dared to harm my city?

The 'my' undoubtedly referred to the legendary Driftsnow Master.

As the bell chimes echoed, snowflakes descended from the heavens, and the sun disappeared, replaced by swirling clouds and mist that cast a chilling atmosphere.

A sigh, as ancient as time itself, seemed to drift on the air. The colossal figure extended his hand, allowing snowflakes to gently land upon his palm.

"How many years have passed...?" The figure tilted his head, suddenly opening his eyes to reveal a gaze filled with clarity. His features underwent a transformation, no longer resembling Qin Wentian. While undeniably handsome, his face bore traces of sorrow, misery, and an overwhelming sense of yearning.

"It's truly the Driftsnow Master." The hearts of everyone present trembled profoundly. Could Qin Wentian summon the soul of the Driftsnow Master? If so, where was Qin Wentian now?

The attackers, originally poised to end Qin Wentian's life, stood in stunned silence. They seemed to have lost all motivation to fight, captivated by the astonishing sight unfolding before them.

"Could every falling snowflake be your tears?" Pei Yu mumbled, her eyes misting over as she beheld the visage of the Driftsnow Master. Slowly, she stepped forward, moving toward the ancient city. The legendary figure had materialized, standing right before her.

The Driftsnow Master turned his gaze to Pei Yu, and she ventured to ask in a hushed tone, "In the legends, it is said that 'Every time the ancient bells chimed, they represent my longing for you.' Are those words true?"