Battle Will

Battle Will . . .

The stone platform Gusu Tianqi had vacated held a position of utmost prestige among the eighteen immortal statues at the forefront. Surprisingly, as he left, none of the geniuses here engaged in a fierce struggle to claim the spot, in stark contrast to the fierce competition that raged on the platforms behind them. In fact, an eerie stillness hung over the area, an eerie hush that left the observers bewildered.

Why had this battlefield, where the top-ranked geniuses of each prefecture vied for supremacy, suddenly turned so tranquil? The answer lay in the watchful eyes of the elite talents ranked just below the top three contestants from every region. They understood the implications of stepping onto one of these eighteen platforms; it would paint a giant target on their backs, a collective bull's eye for the best-of-the-best to take aim at.

And yet, at this critical juncture, a figure materialized from the forest, sauntering with nonchalance. Ignoring the unspoken rules of caution, he strode confidently onto the platform.

This enigmatic young man exuded an air of carefree assurance, as if he were either supremely confident or blissfully ignorant of the risks involved.

A myriad of eyes locked onto Qin Wentian as he ascended the platform, a sensation he couldn't ignore.

Nevertheless, why shouldn't he seize this opportunity? The area before him boasted eighteen immortal statues, each an open invitation for occupancy. Should anyone dare to challenge him, he would boldly declare that instead of facing him, they might as well challenge any of the other seventeen geniuses.

In the Eastern Sage Cliff Mountain Range, the abundance of astral energy at their disposal was limitless. Who could rival him, a practitioner of the Spiritual Refinement Method? After mastering the ancient bell innate technique, he had efficiently condensed all his astral energy into bell-shaped divine energy. As a result, each of his attacks unleashed a torrent of ancient bells, their collective might instilling fear into all who beheld it. This newfound power had enabled him to easily subdue Blackpeak, even during the latter's climactic burst of strength.

As Qin Wentian gazed at the immortal statue before him, it emanated a powerful aura of battle-readiness. While it might have appeared unremarkable on the surface, Qin Wentian sensed an inexplicable allure emanating from within. He approached it, his thoughts deep in contemplation, when suddenly, the statue's eyes seemed to fixate on him.

These eyes, vast as the boundless starry sky, harbored an indomitable will. In an instant, Qin Wentian felt his own resolve and perception being irresistibly drawn into the statue. The colossal willpower of an ancient warrior materialized before him, its imposing presence overwhelming. Qin Wentian's own will seemed to wither in its presence, dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of this being. In this transcendent encounter, he felt utterly insignificant.

A thunderous "BOOM!" echoed through the air as Qin Wentian's heart quivered violently. He struggled to free his will from the statue's grip, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. Glancing to his left and right, he noticed that the other geniuses on the platform, despite the potential threat, remained deep in their meditation. Did they possess an ironclad willpower, or was there some mystical force binding them to the statues?

"This particular statue exudes an incredibly potent battle will, coupled with a unique energy," Qin Wentian pondered silently. Just then, a voice disrupted his musings. "Are you truly so audacious as to stand on that platform?"

The voice originated from behind Qin Wentian and dripped with sarcasm. As the fifth-ranked contender from the Mo Prefecture, it was difficult for them to fathom how the twenty-seventh-ranked Qin Wentian from the Cloud Prefecture could dare to occupy the platform Gusu Tianqi had just vacated. Moreover, Qin Wentian seemed utterly unfazed by the intense scrutiny, displaying an air of carefree confidence.

"If you desire this spot, feel free to come and take it," Qin Wentian replied nonchalantly, without even glancing back. His tone oozed confidence rather than arrogance or ignorance. It was as if he genuinely believed in his abilities.

"What do you all think we should do about this?" The initial speaker chuckled coldly, surveying the gathered crowd. Many ambitious geniuses turned their gaze toward Qin Wentian, all eager to claim the coveted platform. This was the very spot Gusu Tianqi had occupied before departing.

"There's only one way to settle this: the strongest deserves the spot," a booming voice declared, breaking the tense silence. The speaker was a top-ranking expert hailing from the Western Desert Prefecture. Towering at a colossal 3.3 meters in height, his muscular frame emitted a green glow, and his facial features bordered on grotesque, resembling that of a monster or a freak.

The Western Desert Prefecture was home to various races, including monks like Sorrowless and even giants. This burly and unusual-looking genius belonged to one of these powerful races.

As the echoes of his words faded, he surged forward with astonishing speed. Despite his massive build, his movements were surprisingly agile, a green streak of lightning hurtling toward Qin Wentian. His entire body brimmed with explosive strength, and as he thrust his arm forward, it expanded dramatically, muscles bulging with fearsome might. The very space around his augmented limb quivered.

Spectating geniuses felt a chill run down their spines as they watched the tremendous force hurtling directly at Qin Wentian. Yet Qin Wentian remained rooted in place, raising his palms to meet the incoming attack. A catastrophic bell materialized, smashing into the massive arm and shattering it. Astonishingly, the attacker seemed unharmed, his arm swiftly reverting to its normal size as he hovered in the air, his gaze fixed intently on Qin Wentian's back.

"INSOLENT!" The grotesque cultivator bellowed in a furious rage, his body undergoing a grotesque transformation as eight additional arms sprouted from him. These newly grown limbs whistled through the air as they expanded and shot toward Qin Wentian, creating a terrifying and nightmarish spectacle.

In response, Qin Wentian swiftly turned to face his assailant. With a powerful stomp, he launched himself into the sky. His palms became a blur as a ceaseless barrage of bell chimes filled the air. The entire space resonated with the calamitous sound of ancient bells, revolving around Qin Wentian as he wielded them like formidable long-range weapons. The destructive force they unleashed shattered the eight menacing arms with astonishing speed.

The onlookers were awestruck by the sheer number of calamitous bells that filled the sky. Qin Wentian then raised his hands once more, his violet-gold astral soul materializing and permeating the atmosphere with an overwhelming oppressive force.

"GO!" Qin Wentian commanded with ice-cold determination. His hand movements seemed to follow an intricate rhythm as countless ancient bells converged to create an enormous and terrifying bell, even larger than the one he had used against Blackpeak. This colossal bell was surrounded by a multitude of smaller ones that danced around it. The cacophonous tolling echoed through the heavens as streams of golden light surged into the grotesque cultivator's body.

The grotesque cultivator, now with three heads and six arms, roared in anguish. Qin Wentian gestured once more, and the massive bell descended, obliterating everything in its path with an earth-shaking "BOOOM!"

The grotesque cultivator's body exploded under the overwhelming pressure and impact, leaving him with no means to resist Qin Wentian's attacks.

As the fearsome chimes continued to echo, Qin Wentian's gaze swept over the entire assembly, his voice dripping with icy resolve. "If any of you believe that I, Qin Wentian, can be easily bullied, feel free to try. But those who disturb my cultivation will meet the same fate as that grotesque figure—swift and merciless death."

With that final proclamation, the reverberations of the bell gradually faded. Qin Wentian turned his attention back to the immortal statue, as if the intense battle that had just occurred was nothing more than a fleeting distraction. He used this single battle to convey a clear message to all present: just as the seventeen geniuses around him could safely comprehend the teachings of the statues, he could do the same. Anyone attempting to seize his spot would meet a merciless end.

This battle served as a stark reminder of Qin Wentian's unwavering determination, leaving an indelible impression on all the geniuses in attendance. Many who had witnessed both his earlier clash with Blackpeak and this confrontation couldn't help but sigh, realizing that within the Eastern Sage Cliff, it was best not to provoke this formidable man.

In the front ranks, the more formidable geniuses exchanged sharp glances, their eyes never leaving Qin Wentian. They weighed his strength, silently questioning whether they were prepared to face him head-on.

With his violet-gold astral soul and formidable innate techniques, Qin Wentian posed a threat no less significant than the other top contenders. After waiting for Gusu Tianqi to vacate a spot, did they now have to contend with yet another powerhouse?

The battle had left an indelible mark, instilling a sense of caution among the spectators. No one dared to act rashly, and Qin Wentian began to focus on comprehending the profound wisdom emanating from the immortal statue. But the more he delved into it, the greater his sense of awe became.

This statue wasn't merely a repository of a tyrannical battle will; it embodied a formidable immortal art that could ignite an overwhelming battle prowess within its practitioner. It was like a key to unlocking unparalleled combat capabilities.

In the ethereal realm he inhabited, countless corporeal wills took shape before Qin Wentian. These were manifestations of the battle will inherent to the immortal statue, each possessing an unimaginable might. They resembled invincible warlords, unchallenged in this world. The number of corporeal wills mirrored the depth of Qin Wentian's comprehension—the deeper his understanding, the more manifestations appeared.

"This power is incredible," Qin Wentian marveled. He sensed a unique response within his body, as if these wondrous streams of will were kindling his latent battle potential. His aura grew progressively more akin to that of the immortal statue, strengthening with each passing moment.

"BOOM!" Another corporeal will emerged, surrounded by a fearsome battle halo that radiated with blinding brilliance. The glow intensified as its might grew.

A streak of light flashed, and a colossal character for '战' (battle) materialized in the air. This character exuded an imposing battle aura that surged into Qin Wentian's projected form. In that moment, he felt as if he had unlocked a method to ignite his willpower, to fortify himself and elevate his combat prowess to new heights. It was a profound and mysterious revelation.

Moreover, this immortal statue didn't simply bestow its battle might upon him; rather, it seemed that the deeper he comprehended, the more potent and tyrannical the energy he could inherit would become.