Battle Art
Battle Art . . .
"Battle Art," Qin Wentian mused, his focus fixed on the enigmatic teachings this immortal statue sought to convey. He dedicated his entire being to grasping the essence of this mysterious inherited battle technique.
This battle art was nothing short of profound. Although it centered around a single type of battle will, its depth revealed hidden wonders. As the corporeal streams of battle will merged into the battle art, it fused seamlessly with the spirit, qi, and energy of stellar martial cultivators. This fusion manifested as an enigmatic current that surged throughout the practitioner's body. In the void, Qin Wentian found himself enveloped in a radiant halo, his towering battle intent akin to that of an immortal battle king.
He maintained this intense focus for several days. Yet, for Qin Wentian, time seemed to lose all meaning. Seconds felt like eternities as his projected form in the void absorbed the statue's formidable battle will. The rumbling sounds from within him grew more intense, threatening to rupture under the weight of such an overpowering battle will.
"RUMBLE~" Qin Wentian's projection body, a manifestation of his will during cultivation, hummed with energy. The once dissonant rumblings now harmonized into a harmonious battle song, surging his strength to new heights. His aura expanded beyond the confines of his physical body, on the cusp of shattering its limits. It was as if his very flesh and blood were straining against the bounds of their existence.
His potent bloodline stirred, conjuring the image of a primordial demon king. A cascade of blood-colored light enveloped his entire form, seamlessly absorbing and refining the battle will. Qin Wentian's body underwent an unceasing series of transformations.
In the outside world, Qin Wentian stood on the platform, emitting resonant rumblings from his physical body. This peculiar phenomenon drew the attention of fellow geniuses, and their gazes converged on him. His reactions mirrored those of Gusu Tianqi earlier. It was evident that he had acquired the unique energy bestowed by the immortal statue.
"These 360 immortal statues within the Hundred Immortals Forest are the legacies left behind by formidable immortals within the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. The statues at the forefront were crafted by immortal kings—especially these eighteen statues, each a testament to an immensely powerful immortal king character. Even immortals would venture here in pursuit of fortune. The Eastern Sage Cliff has earned its reputation as a sacred ground for cultivation largely due to this Hundred Immortals Forest. Yet, obtaining the inheritance energy from the statues at the forefront is a Herculean task. It hinges on one's affinity and comprehension abilities."
Some geniuses from the Eastern Prefecture were well-acquainted with the Eastern Sage Cliff and silently pondered the implications. If everyone could easily acquire these inheritances, wouldn't the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's disciples become unimaginably formidable? Thankfully, the mightier the inherited arts, the more challenging they were to comprehend, akin to potent innate techniques.
Both Gusu Tianqi and Qin Wentian delved into the same inheritance, bestowed by an identical immortal statue. Yet, the depth of their comprehension remained a mystery. Gusu Tianqi's departure wasn't a testament to his complete understanding; rather, he had encountered an insurmountable bottleneck. Realizing that further enlightenment was beyond his grasp, he sought alternative avenues for fortune. Even for the eighteen foremost immortal statues, not to mention those at higher tiers, comprehending their inheritances might elude even immortal-foundation experts.
From a certain vantage, those with more modest comprehension abilities might fare better selecting less demanding statues. Here, they could fully unravel a singular ability, which proved more valuable than a superficial grasp of a broader array of techniques.
Qin Wentian's body continued to resonate with the rumblings of transformation. A burst of light heralded yet another alteration. Though it happened in an instant, the air was steeped in his intense, dominating battle intent, stirring the curiosity of nearby geniuses who cast sharp, inquisitive glances at him.
Yet, Qin Wentian appeared utterly absorbed. It was as if he existed in a realm of solitude, impervious to any external disturbance.
Suddenly, a figure began to approach him. This individual hailed from the Blazing Sun Prefecture, a heaven-chosen. He concealed his aura expertly, rendering himself invisible to all senses except sight. As he advanced, an unsettling sensation settled upon the onlookers, as if a predator lurked in the shadows, poised to strike its prey.
"What's his intention?" Someone murmured in discontent. The gathered observers noted his abrupt halt, not far from Qin Wentian. His intent to ambush the young cultivator was evident.
Such tactics drew disdain, particularly from the Eastern Prefecture's heaven-chosen. They believed in seizing a platform openly to showcase their worth and strength. Sneak attacks garnered contempt rather than respect.
But not all were swayed by public opinion. Some, gifted but ruthless, embraced the path of darkness. For them, the end justified any means.
The person slinking toward Qin Wentian embodied this mindset.
"Qin Wentian!" Zi Qingxuan's voice rang out, alerting all to the impending danger. But before she could utter another word, the concealed figure unleashed a burst of repressed aura, his movement a blur of malevolent swiftness. His weapon, akin to the death god's scythe, descended with murderous intent, aiming to cleave Qin Wentian's head in twain. Death loomed, inevitable if the strike found its mark.
The strike unfolded with breathtaking speed, as if the assassin had foreseen the warning cry. In an instant, he unleashed his deadliest might, honed for swift and lethal precision. His target: Qin Wentian's head.
But as the warning reached its climax, Qin Wentian's body quivered, and in the blink of an eye, a symphony of bell chimes echoed, summoning a protective aura of ancient bells that cocooned him.
The death god's scythe descended with a thunderous blow, yet it failed to sever Qin Wentian's head from his body.
Qin Wentian swiveled, his visage ice-cold. Stellar martial cultivators possessed razor-sharp senses, especially one of his caliber. Immersed in deep cultivation, he remained vigilant for genuine threats. His strength enabled him to react defensively within the briefest instant, making the assassin's attempt futile even without Zi Qingxuan's warning.
A brilliant flare erupted as a terrifying battle intent surged from Qin Wentian, encasing him in a battle halo. Countless ancient bells materialized, coalescing into a colossal entity. The would-be assassin, recognizing the failure of his strike, promptly fled upon sensing Qin Wentian's formidable aura.
With a resounding stomp, Qin Wentian transformed into a wind roc, his speed now surpassing his pre-comprehension level of the immortal statue. Empowered by the battle halo, he became a war deity in motion.
The assassin matched Qin Wentian's speed, though the distance between them rapidly dwindled. They left the Hundred Immortals Forest Region in the blink of an eye, becoming two distant specks soaring through the sky.
Despite their rapidly increasing distance, the geniuses' keen vision allowed them to track the unfolding events. The assassin met his demise as Qin Wentian ruthlessly crushed him with the overwhelming might of ancient bells, showing no mercy. Even if it meant temporarily relinquishing his position at the immortal statue, he was determined to eliminate the audacious would-be killer.
Qin Wentian later returned to the immortal statue, only to discover that another had taken his place during his absence.
"Since you've ventured away, this spot is now mine," declared the newcomer, a formidable fourth-ranked heaven-chosen.
"GET LOST!"
Qin Wentian's response was anything but conciliatory; he wasn't about to give his opponent an inch of respect. His words sliced through the tense air, and the occupier's face contorted with cold-blooded intent.
A barrage of bell chimes filled the surroundings as Qin Wentian's battle intent soared, illuminating his battle halo with a radiant glow. Ancient bells swirled around him, their ethereal tones vibrating through the souls of onlookers. Qin Wentian extended his palms, coaxing the formation of an awe-inspiring battle bell, its presence exuding a formidable power reminiscent of a brewing storm.
The occupier, now uncomfortably close to the pulsating ancient bells, displayed an expression as ugly as a rain-soaked cat. The relentless onslaught of golden lightning was poised to strike at any moment, awaiting Qin Wentian's command.
"Three," Qin Wentian's voice carried an icy edge, counting down with a chilling finality.
"Two," as the countdown continued, the occupier's aura spiraled into a tempest, his battle intent surging to its zenith. He seemed ready to challenge the heavens themselves, eager for an epic confrontation with Qin Wentian.
At the precipice of the countdown, Qin Wentian's own aura intensified. "One."
With the final word, the occupier's formidable presence waned, and he hastily retreated from the immortal statue, relinquishing his hard-fought position. Spectators couldn't help but shake their heads in disbelief. Despite ranking within the top five of his prefecture, the occupier had been forced to retreat by Qin Wentian, a mere 27th-ranked contestant from the Cloud Prefecture. Qin Wentian's astounding combat prowess in the Eastern Sage Cliff Mountain Range defied expectations.
Moreover, his exceptional comprehension abilities became increasingly evident. After a brief period of contemplation, his battle might resembled that of the immortal statue.
Without diminishing his icy gaze, Qin Wentian stepped onto the immortal statue, his battle might undiminished. He raised his palm and unleashed a colossal battle bell that reverberated through the heavens and earth, instilling fear in those who bore witness.
His words were an unyielding proclamation. "I'll reiterate. Anyone who dares to challenge me will face merciless death, regardless of their stature. Unless you can eliminate me, I will relentlessly hunt you down and ensure your demise is excruciatingly tyrannical."
Qin Wentian's voice dripped with a tyrant's resolve and unwavering dominance. His prior concentration had been shattered by the assassin, fueling the anger that now coursed through him. The immortal statue contained an inheritance of formidable battle art, demanding his undivided focus for comprehension. Disruptions could not be tolerated, and thus, he established his dominance with unyielding determination.
No one had dared to provoke Gusu Tianqi, but they had bullied Qin Wentian. His words were an open challenge, a declaration that interference would cost one's life.