Reject Him

Reject Him . . .

As Qin Wentian and his companions strolled out of the combat arena, the absence of the three immortal kings who had brought them there was evident. The air was charged with an aura of mystery and opportunity, and Jun Mengchen couldn't help but whisper in awe, "This combat palace is truly mystical, isn't it? They say you can hone your skills here, no matter how advanced your cultivation is. Plus, you can choose different battle scenarios to train in. It's like a warrior's dream come true."

Just as they marveled at the palace, two figures soared over them, and it was none other than Fairy Xu and the formidable Saberlord of Death. The old man who had extended Jun Mengchen the invitation was conspicuously absent.

With a warm smile, Fairy Xu turned her gaze to Zi Qingxuan and inquired, "You're back! How did it go?"

Zi Qingxuan replied with a nod, "I've made significant progress and even managed to break through in my cultivation."

Fairy Xu's curiosity then turned to Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen, who had both broken through their previous limits. Jun Mengchen was quick to sing their praises, saying, "Senior Brother Qin and I also made remarkable progress. Senior Brother Qin and Senior Sister Qingxuan's combat abilities were simply astonishing. We're truly impressed."

Fairy Xu cast a meaningful glance at Qin Wentian. She had heard from her fellow immortal kings that both Jun Mengchen and Qin Wentian were extraordinary individuals. She now harbored doubts about Zi Qingxuan being the most outstanding among them.

Both the old immortal king and Bai Wuya had exceptionally high standards when it came to judging talent. Those who gained their recognition were undoubtedly exceptional.

"Mhm," Fairy Xu nodded thoughtfully. "It's quite rare for our Heavenly Talisman Realm to have missions suited for Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants. However, an opportunity of that caliber has just arisen. Would you like to hear about it?"

Curiosity piqued, Zi Qingxuan inquired, "Senior Sister Xu, what kind of mission is it?"

Fairy Xu began to unravel the tale, painting a vivid picture with her words, "In a distant corner of the immortal realms lies a region known as the Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures. Its ruler is none other than the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, but he typically resides in his Eastern Sage Palace, leaving the governance of the prefectures to his subordinates, primarily from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect."

As her narrative continued, she added, "Every century, the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect hosts a special banquet for young talents below the immortal-foundation realm. They invite the cream of the crop from the thirteen prefectures, including the heaven-chosen and geniuses. For those who shine the brightest, they offer immortal-ranked weapons, immortal arts, and a plethora of treasures. Yet, the true goal behind this banquet is to recruit exceptional talents into their ranks. The top three juniors at the event have a chance to enter the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect and possibly even become personal disciples of the Eastern Sage himself."

"The mission is precisely this: attend the banquet, acquire immortal arts and treasures, and use this opportunity to sharpen your skills. Become the three most outstanding elites among the younger generation of the Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures, and you'll have successfully completed this mission. Upon your triumphant return, our Heavenly Talisman Realm will reward you with peak-tier immortal arts." Fairy Xu's words ignited a spark of excitement in their eyes. Success would not only bring them treasures from the Eastern Sage but also grant them access to top-tier immortal arts from their own Heavenly Talisman Realm. It was an opportunity they couldn't afford to miss.

The missions bestowed by the Heavenly Talisman Realm were nothing short of legendary, tales whispered in hushed tones by celestial aspirants across the realms. The celestial phenomena were a rare breed, and finding a mission suited to their unparalleled talents was akin to searching for a needle in a cosmic haystack. But when such a mission did emerge from the depths of the Heavenly Talisman Realm's enigmatic archives, it carried a weighty mandate: to ascend as the creme de la creme of the Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures' younger generation, emerging as three unrivaled geniuses in their own right.

Qin Wentian, his curiosity aflame like a phoenix in the heart of a blazing sun, couldn't resist probing further, "Aren't we forbidden by the Heavenly Talisman Realm from affiliating with other immortal powers in the realms?" The allure of this mission was undeniable, but its target, the illustrious Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, hung like a celestial question mark over his head.

The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor stood as a monolithic figure, an authority whose mere command could set all thirteen prefectures into motion. Only the most exceptional triumvirate would be graced with the coveted status of his personal disciples. That time when he ventured into the Royal Sacred Region, he had brushed aside the local 'geniuses' with scarcely a glance. After all, comparing them to the Eastern Sage's standards was like equating a candle's flicker to the brilliance of a supernova. If he wished to accept disciples, they would come flocking, a river of geniuses eager to wash at his celestial doorstep.

A wry smile crept across the Saberlord's lips as he clarified, "This mission isn't about joining the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, my friend. The goal here is to claim the top three positions. If you succeed and stand triumphant, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor will undoubtedly extend an invitation to become his disciples. But once you've secured the treasures, you're free to decline him to his immortal face."

With those words, a glint of mischief danced in the Saberlord's eyes.

Qin Wentian's heart pounded with a mix of exhilaration and audacity. "Decline him, defy the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor," he repeated softly, his fists clenching with a fervor that mirrored the blazing determination in his eyes. The past held memories of the Eastern Sage father-and-son duo, whose thinly veiled disdain and intentions had rankled him. This was a debt he had long yearned to collect, but the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's towering supremacy had kept him at bay. He lacked the qualifications even to gaze upon the ruler who governed the vast expanse of thirteen prefectures.

Zi Qingxuan remained her usual serene self, unfazed by the audacious proposition.

Jun Mengchen, on the other hand, wore an unapologetic grin, a blend of swagger and arrogance that would make even a celestial phoenix blush. It was clear that these three individuals were the stuff of legends, demon-level geniuses deserving of the Heavenly Talisman Realm's summons. To ordinary mortals, the mere thought of rejecting an immortal emperor would send shivers down their spines, instilling dread and trepidation. For how many dared to contemplate such audacity? To reject an immortal emperor after receiving his gifts, his immortal arts, and his treasures? It was akin to challenging the very heavens.

Yet, these three were anything but ordinary. In their eyes, one could glimpse the glint of untamed nature, a fiery self-confidence that defied the mundane.

As for the repercussions of defying the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, the Heavenly Talisman Realm, in its infinite wisdom, had undoubtedly devised safeguards to shield its chosen from the wrath of celestial powers. With the realm's formidable strength, there was no room for doubt in that regard.

Fairy Xu's question hung in the air, a shimmering thread of curiosity that beckoned the trio closer to the intricacies of their forthcoming mission. Her voice, like a melodic river, flowed through the quiet ambiance.

"Do you wish to delve deeper into the mission's particulars?" she inquired, her gaze alighting on them.

"No need, Senior Sister Xu. We're ready to set forth immediately. We're heading to the Eastern Prefecture, home to the illustrious Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, correct?" Qin Wentian's inquiry held a note of urgency, his excitement palpable.

A hearty chuckle escaped him as he continued, "Haha, there's still some time before the event kicks off. The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect has merely dropped a tantalizing hint, but the actual recruitment lies ahead. They'll wait until all the prodigious talents from the thirteen prefectures have assembled. Initially, each prefecture will conduct its own preliminary selection, cherry-picking a thousand of their brightest stars to send to the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. If you're keen to participate, the Saberlord will escort you back to the Cloud Prefecture for the selection trials. Given your extraordinary strength and talents, victory should be undeniable. If you can't even secure a place within the initial thousand of a single prefecture, then you don't meet the Heavenly Talisman Realm's standards."

Fairy Xu's words dripped with unyielding confidence, a confidence that stirred a sense of responsibility within Zi Qingxuan. "Senior Sister, we won't disappoint you," she assured.

"That's the spirit," Fairy Xu affirmed. "While there may be other Heavenly Talisman Realm disciples participating, it suffices to acknowledge your sect affiliation quietly. Furthermore, to avoid undue attention, should you meet an untimely end during the mission, the Heavenly Talisman Realm won't intercede on your behalf." Her words were stark, a reminder of the mission's inherent risks. Qin Wentian and his comrades understood implicitly that if they perished at the hands of peers at the same realm, it would be a testament to their own inadequacy.

This mirrored the practices of external major powers, which allowed their disciples considerable latitude, recognizing the inevitability of casualties during the pursuit of self-improvement. These major powers seldom intervened, knowing that true growth often emerged from adversity. The Heavenly Talisman Realm, too, adhered to this philosophy, offering its disciples a similar degree of autonomy. They rarely delved into their disciples' personal affairs, and even if death beckoned in the realms beyond, few would take notice.

"Understood," the trio affirmed in unison.

"Very well, follow me," the Saberlord of Death declared, gesturing them forward. With a wave of his hand, he whisked them away.

...

In the Cloud Prefecture, home to eighty-one sovereign nations and countless bustling cities, one name shone above all others – Cloud City, the veritable jewel of the region.

This bustling metropolis, which shared its name with the prefecture itself, served as its central hub.

Cloud City, an expansive urban sprawl, lay open to the world.

Today, it witnessed an influx of experts converging upon its streets. In the skies above, a ceaseless parade of figures soared, each driven by a shared purpose – participation in the imminent selection trials.

Such an opportunity graced the heavens only once in several centuries, an irresistible allure for the most gifted individuals. Yet, the rarity of this occasion meant that only the truly extraordinary could hope to seize it. In the vast expanse of the thirteen prefectures, the number of exceptional talents defied quantification. As confident as Qin Wentian and his companions were, they understood that securing a place in the top three rankings was no foregone conclusion.

The challenge loomed daunting, for the thirteen prefectures teemed with demon-level prodigies. Amidst this illustrious throng, the ultimate victor remained an enigma.

Nevertheless, their assurance rested in the firm belief that they would excel in the Cloud Prefecture's selection trials. Failure to secure a place among the initial thousand would be an indictment of their own worthlessness.

"Stop!"

Within Cloud City, the skies had fallen under the grip of newfound restrictions. The once-free realm above the city now teemed with celestial sentinels, a formidable troop of immortals patrolling the airspace. Any daring soul who sought to breach this celestial fortress from above was met with an immediate and uncompromising halt.

The city below buzzed with whispered rumors and speculative murmurs among the populace. It seemed that the enigmatic Cloud Prefecture had mustered an army drawn from the eighty-one sovereign nations to serve as vigilant guardians of their realm's sanctity. Countless hopefuls had their wings clipped, halted by this aerial blockade. Only those whose very essence bore the radiant coronas of immortal light were deemed worthy to traverse the heavens.

For those still in the nascent stages of their celestial journeys, the gateway to the city lay behind the daunting obstacle of a rigorous test. Without passage, even the sprawling expanse of Cloud City could not hope to contain the hordes that would otherwise flood in, heralding chaos in their wake.

Beyond the city's protective confines, the grand selection trial was already in full swing. For those lacking the merest qualifications to enter the city, how could they dare aspire to be among the chosen thousand destined for the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect?

Qin Wentian and his comrades, too, found themselves subject to the airborne blockade. They stood at the city's edge, surveying the vigilant patrols. An unspoken consensus passed among them—Cloud Prefecture was evidently taking this selection with utmost seriousness.

After all, this once-in-a-century event carried a weighty significance, and the majority of the Prefecture Lords hailed from the ranks of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect itself.

"If you desire entry, first prove your mettle in the preliminary trials. As for mere spectators, those below the immortal-foundation realm shall find Cloud City's gates temporarily closed to them," a resonant voice echoed through the heavens, casting countless aspirants into the limbo beyond the city's embrace.

"Brother Qin, let us make our way to the preliminary trials," a voice beside Qin Wentian chimed in. The speaker was none other than Mu Yan, who had joined forces with Qin Wentian and his fellow sect members under the guardianship of the enigmatic Saberlord of Death. The identities of their new companions remained shrouded in secrecy, and neither Mu Yan nor the Saberlord had deigned to pry into matters unspoken.

"The rules of the preliminaries dictate that you must engage in combat against these formidable combat puppets and emerge victorious against those of a higher level than your own," Mu Yan explained as they made their way to the designated preliminaries area. An immortal-foundation expert stood at the forefront, elucidating the trials ahead.

Rows upon rows of combat puppets loomed behind the speaker, a clear indication that the competition's sheer scale rendered the requirement of vanquishing higher-level opponents an insurmountable barrier for the majority.