One Palm

One Palm . . .

In the mystical realm of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, nestled deep within the enigmatic expanse known as Sage Devil Gorge, our tale unfolds. This sacred place, like a colossal secret, whispered through the ancient halls of the sect, was shrouded in mystique, awaiting the arrival of those brave enough to enter. The gorge was not just vast; it was an otherworldly chasm, veiled by a towering, impenetrable formation.

This was no ordinary locale; it was a crucible where disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect came to forge themselves in the fires of adversity. Within its confines, elite talents were chosen, the crème de la crème, selected from the throngs of hopefuls. Here, martial cultivators of equal prowess clashed, often to the death, in a relentless and savage dance. The number of brilliant minds that had met their untimely end in this abyss remained a mystery.

In the present moment, an emissary of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, a venerable immortal, led the gathering of participants, their forms suspended in the ethereal heights above the gorge.

Qin Wentian gazed downward, his eyes fixated upon a shimmering barrier of light. Beyond it lay a chasm so vast that it seemed to stretch into another realm entirely.

"Enter, and you can exit through the spatial formations whenever you wish. I will halt the test once the participant count dwindles to 160. Within the gorge, disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect eagerly await your arrival. Show no mercy, for once you step inside, your equals will spot you, and the battle will commence instantly. Also, remember, no divine weapons are permitted during this trial," the immortal announced solemnly.

A hush fell over the assembled disciples as they absorbed the gravity of the situation. They were acutely aware of the daunting challenges that lay ahead. A single lapse in judgment could result in their demise within the confines of the Sage Devil Gorge.

With a sweeping gesture, the immortal beckoned them to proceed. The participants knew that peril awaited them, yet they also understood that this trial represented the gateway to their dreams—the chance to become core disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Moreover, success would grant them the opportunity to rub shoulders with the paramount figures of the thirteen prefectures.

Such an opportunity was rarer than a comet's appearance. In the eyes of Immortal Kings, no matter how prodigious one's talents, they were but lowly beings. To these lofty figures, their powers were absolute, capable of extinguishing lives with a mere gesture. They had all ascended to their current status through countless trials, their hearts tempered in the crucible of adversity, their souls nurtured by the pursuit of enlightenment over uncountable years.

The participants exchanged glances, their resolve unwavering. They were determined to join the ranks of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, to devote themselves to cultivation and ascend to a status akin to Immortal Kings, who could gaze down upon the world with disdain. In the eyes of the thirteen prefectures, Immortal Kings were titanic figures who could establish their own imperious sects or rule entire domains.

One by one, they ventured into the abyss of Sage Devil Gorge, vanishing from sight.

Qin Wentian, with unwavering determination, found himself transported into the heart of the gorge. Before him flowed a pristine river, flanked by distant mountain ranges. Sage Devil Gorge was, indeed, an isolated dimension.

Gathering his thoughts, he murmured to himself, "My energy has fully recovered. Nevertheless, even though our next opponents share our cultivation level, as disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, they must possess formidable power. Caution would serve us well." With that, he extended his senses outward, yet found no immediate presence nearby.

Meanwhile, at another entrance to the Sage Devil Gorge, scores of chosen individuals, clad in attire emblematic of the sect, assembled. Their numbers swelled into the thousands, far surpassing those who had ventured into the gorge. Among them, many were external disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, while others were esteemed core disciples. Notably, some true elites had come forth to partake in this formidable trial.

In the grand theater of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, distinctions were easily discerned, all woven into the fabric of their flowing robes. Those of the external disciples were adorned in robes kissed by a faint hint of gold, an homage to their budding potential. Core disciples, the stalwart heartbeats of the sect, proudly wore golden robes, a richer, more resplendent hue that spoke volumes of their dedication. But it was the elites who commanded the stage, draped in robes of scarlet gold, bearing vivid crimson embellishments that shimmered and dazzled, ensuring they stood out in the bustling sea of disciples.

Their hierarchical positions were just as unambiguous. Regardless of their cultivation level, the elite disciples occupied the foremost ranks, exuding an aura of authority. Core disciples held the middle ground, their experience and skills a bridge between the novices and the masters. The external disciples, the largest contingent among them, filled the rear, their numbers a testament to the sect's quest for new talent.

The air thrummed with anticipation as a voice, dripping with authority, rang out, uniting the diverse assembly. "In this grand hunt, there is no room for leniency. The importance of this trial cannot be overstated. You must give your all, for the honor of our Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, and to avoid the embarrassment of defeat at the hands of newcomers who have just arrived."

The speaker, an elite disciple, bore an air of superiority that matched his words. His gaze scanned the horizon, where several luminous specks dotted the landscape, each representing a cultivator of equal standing. But his vision, unfortunately, was marred by an unwelcome intrusion:

With an exasperated sigh, the elite disciple continued, undeterred. "These newcomers have yet to grasp the peril of revealing their auras. They remain oblivious to the fact that within the confines of the Sage Devil Gorge, releasing their energy broadcasts their location, like a beacon in the night. Now, let's see who among you can truly rise to the occasion." With his proclamation, the disciples behind him charged headlong into the gorge.

It was evident that this contest would not be a fair one. For those who had ventured into the Sage Devil Gorge, pinpointing the positions of their adversaries was impossible. However, for the disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, tracking their quarry was as simple as breathing; the moment their opponents released their auras, their whereabouts were revealed.

Within moments, all the participants had ventured inside the gorge, blissfully unaware that the disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect had already locked onto their positions, hurtling towards them at a rapid pace.

Qin Wentian, with the serenity of a seasoned warrior, followed the course of a meandering river, coming to rest beneath the sheltering embrace of an ancient tree. He assumed a cross-legged position, an emblem of focused meditation and readiness to engage in combat at a moment's notice.

As the wind whispered through the gorge, a subtle symphony of sound, Qin Wentian's senses snapped to attention. His aura rippled outward, like the taut string of a bow, and his vigilant eyes spotted a figure materializing not far from him.

This figure, draped in robes tinged with a gentle golden hue, exuded an air of formidable determination. It was none other than an external disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, and he regarded Qin Wentian with a piercing intensity.

"Qin Wentian, ranked #27 in Cloud Prefecture," he declared, his gaze drawn to the medallion hanging from Qin Wentian's neck. "I've heard that this selection will only admit a total of 160 individuals. If we base it on rankings, only 12 or 13 from each of the thirteen prefectures will secure a place as core disciples. Coming from the relatively weaker Cloud Prefecture, your chances are even slimmer. You may have the potential to become an external disciple, but that's as far as it goes—potential. You're not officially part of the sect yet."

Qin Wentian regarded his interlocutor with a measured gaze. It was true that Cloud Prefecture struggled to produce a substantial number of core disciples given its limited resources.

"So?" he inquired, his voice steady.

"So, I'm afraid you won't be leaving this place," came the ominous reply, as the disciple advanced. His eyes, once indifferent, now bore the glint of malice, infused with the deadly intent of a predator on the hunt.

Amidst the ancient canopy of the Sage Devil Gorge, a tense standoff unfolded. Qin Wentian, serene and poised, met the gaze of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's external disciple with unyielding determination.

"It appears that you hold the status of an external disciple," Qin Wentian remarked with a hint of nonchalance, his words a subtle dismissal. He then closed his eyes, his disdain for tangling with an external disciple evident.

The disciple, caught off guard by Qin Wentian's response, halted in his tracks. Confusion mingled with astonishment on his face, but it was soon replaced by a sly, cold smile. Oh, how intriguing! In his first foray into the grand hunt, he had encountered such an unusual character. Qin Wentian's arrogance surpassed even that of the core disciples, and his tone bordered on the absurd.

What was even more preposterous, however, was Qin Wentian's audacity in nonchalantly closing his eyes, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Did he truly consider himself a formidable force to be reckoned with?

A buzzing hum sliced through the air as the disciple extended both palms, summoning forth a menacing torrent of golden flames. A swirling maelstrom of mystical fire danced around his hands, turning the surrounding air to vapor. In the blink of an eye, his entire form was enveloped in an inferno of searing golden flames, his palms poised to cleave through the hardest of substances.

With a resounding crash, he advanced, and the ground beneath his feet turned to ashen blackness. As he charged, an ominous surge of fiery energy rippled through the surroundings. He materialized before Qin Wentian in an instant, his outstretched palms resembling twin swords forged of molten gold, slashing downward mercilessly.

Yet, Qin Wentian remained seated, cross-legged and unperturbed. He raised a palm aglow with ancient runic patterns, exuding an indomitable aura as he met his adversary's attack head-on. A thunderous boom reverberated through the gorge as the palm imprint he conjured stood as steadfast as a mountain, impervious to his opponent's assault.

The expression on the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's external disciple remained unaltered. A radiant brilliance radiated from his being, channeling boundless energy into his palms, unleashing another devastating palm strike aimed at dissolving Qin Wentian's resilient imprint. Simultaneously, a keen aura sliced through the air, cleanly severing Qin Wentian's palm imprint in twain.

That mocking smile never left the disciple's face as he locked eyes with Qin Wentian. With unwavering resolve, he directed a formidable surge of destructive energy, intending to pierce through Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian's palm radiated with an even more resplendent light as he unleashed a palm strike infused with a crushing suppression. The air crackled with palpable tension as a magnificent energy permeated the surroundings. With an earth-shattering detonation, their attacks collided once more. This time, it was the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's disciple who staggered backward, his assaults unable to match the ferocity of Qin Wentian's.

"BOOM!" A celestial constellation materialized, taking the form of an incandescent golden palm that encircled the disciple. In a fit of rage, he bellowed and unleashed a storm-like barrage, hurtling towards Qin Wentian.

"You court your own demise," Qin Wentian declared, his eyes ablaze with a blood-red light. A battle halo emanated from him, illuminating the surroundings with its brilliant radiance. He stood like a war king, his indomitable battle spirit surging forth. For the third time, he unleashed a devastating palm strike—a crimson palm strike imbued with enough power to challenge even the heavens themselves, capable of obliterating anything that dared obstruct his path.

In the heart of the Sage Devil Gorge, a battle of titanic proportions was underway—a battle that resonated with the explosive energy of a universe in turmoil. The air quaked as a blood-colored palm imprint, brimming with a malevolent power capable of reducing all to ashes, thundered through the gorge.

The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's disciple, his face contorted in desperation, could do naught but helplessly witness the impending cataclysm. He made a futile attempt to defend against the ferocious assault, but it was an exercise in futility. With an earth-shattering crash, the palm imprint cleaved through his defenses, coursing through his very being like a juggernaut of annihilation. In an instant, he was catapulted through the air, his body tumbling and spiraling in a chaotic ballet of pain.

As quickly as it had appeared, the celestial golden palm constellation vanished, leaving behind only the lifeless form of the defeated disciple sprawled upon the unforgiving ground. His fate had been sealed by the overwhelming force of Qin Wentian's attack.

Qin Wentian, undeterred and seemingly unfazed by the tumultuous clash that had just unfolded, nonchalantly closed his eyes once more. It was as if the monumental event that had transpired held no more significance than a passing breeze. With an air of serenity, he resumed his cultivation, wholly unperturbed by the carnage that now lay before him.

Anyone harboring the audacity to disturb his meditation would do well to contemplate the fate that had befallen the disciple who now lay lifeless at his feet—a stark reminder of the dire consequences awaiting those who dared interrupt his quest for enlightenment within the confines of the Sage Devil Gorge.