Intense Killing Intent

Intense Killing Intent . . .

Within the hallowed halls of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, every disciple was a heaven-chosen prodigy. Even among the ranks of external disciples, only the most exceptional could claim a place within these revered walls.

Yet, even among these geniuses, there existed a stark divide between the mighty and the mediocre. Among the tens of thousands of participants hailing from the thirteen prefectures, each possessed their own measure of brilliance. But the chasm that separated them was profound. Only a mere thousand would be anointed as external disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, while a scant 160 would ascend to the coveted ranks of core disciples. A paltry trio would attain the exalted status of Sage Children.

All were prodigies in their own right, but the distinctions were profound. Those who failed to secure a coveted spot among the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's disciples ceased to be geniuses in the eyes of this prestigious institution.

While many heaven-chosen individuals could awe entire regions, their combat prowess ascending to celestial heights, in the presence of those significantly mightier, they were reduced to mere mortals, easily extinguished—much like the present moment.

As the core disciple observed the resplendent battle halo encircling Qin Wentian, bestowing upon him an air of divine lineage, he felt an oppressive force bearing down upon him. Violet-gold astral souls were a rarity, and the core disciple knew that he himself lacked one; only Sage Children had the possibility of possessing such a treasure.

Furthermore, Qin Wentian's unabashed arrogance, claiming that Eastern Sage Immortal Sect disciples held no sway over his heart, struck a chord. Even disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect dared not harbor such a sentiment, let alone a participant.

The core disciple's thoughts raced as he ruminated on Qin Wentian's audacity. He thought back to the confrontation with Deepflame Immortal King, a battle that should have instilled fear in any mortal. Yet, Qin Wentian had faced it head-on, devoid of fear or reverence.

"SLASH!" A blade of terrifying brilliance descended, and Qin Wentian transformed into a wind roc, conjuring a blood-colored palm imprint that shattered the blade's force. The Star-Seizing Palm Imprint, imbued with myriad energies and true intents, surged forth, slamming into his next target. Despite the desperate eruption of bloodline power and the full utilization of his constellation, the disciple stood no chance against Qin Wentian's relentless assault.

The echoes of a cataclysmic clash resonated through the gorge. The second disciple met his demise, crushed by the Star-Seizing Palm Imprint. The remaining two external disciples, gripped by fear, turned and fled. As disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, their mission was to hunt participants. Yet, their attempt to overpower a single participant had resulted in either death or ignominious escape. It was a grievous humiliation.

But the participant's strength was overwhelming. They found themselves powerless against his might, unable to withstand even a single blow. In the face of such an adversary, fleeing was their only option.

"You think you can escape me?" Qin Wentian scoffed, his cold gaze following their retreat. He unleashed a barrage of blood-colored battle runic palm strikes, each expanding dramatically as they closed in on the fleeing disciples. A sense of inexorable dread washed over them as they felt the very laws of energy constricting them. Despair etched across their faces.

How could this be? A mere participant possessed such prodigious combat prowess? Moreover, he held the 27th rank in the Cloud Prefecture, a respectable standing within its boundaries. However, when measured against the entirety of the thirteen prefectures, that ranking translated to a dismal 300+, a position that should have precluded core disciple qualification. Yet, his might was so staggering that they could offer no defense at all.

Amidst two thunderous booms, two disciples crumpled lifelessly to the ground. These palm strikes were executed with such swiftness that they seemed to cut through the very fabric of reality, ensuring an instant demise.

In the blink of an eye, the quartet of external disciples encircling Qin Wentian lay dead at his feet. Only the core disciple, resplendent in golden robes, remained. He gazed upon Qin Wentian, his heart gripped by waves of terror. Such unbridled might was a realm he himself could never hope to reach.

Qin Wentian's eyes bore into the core disciple. His pupils, almost demonic in their intensity, radiated an overpowering battle intent, piercing through his opponent's soul.

"Now, do you still believe yourself worthy of evoking fear or reverence in my heart?" Qin Wentian's words dripped with icy arrogance. With a forceful stomp, he hovered in mid-air, bathed in the brilliance of his battle halo, emanating an aura unmatched in this world.

"BOOM!"

In that very instant, the core disciple's aura surged to its zenith. His body became cloaked in the form of an immense, golden demonic lion, exuding a terrifying balefulness. A pair of majestic wings unfurled behind him, and the lion stood as the undisputed king among its kind.

His body was sheathed in resplendent golden demonic lion armor, his eyes blazing with a radiant gold. An indomitable force radiated from him, and though Qin Wentian's strength was no less, as a core disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, he harbored no fear of battle. He would exert himself to the utmost to slay Qin Wentian.

The core disciple's constellation materialized, a colossal winged entity that seemed to blot out the heavens. Transforming into gleaming golden swords, it descended upon Qin Wentian with an unwavering determination to pierce through all defenses.

Qin Wentian's battle intent swept through the cosmos, undaunted by the looming clash. His entire body gleamed as if encased in radiant armor. The Fiendgod Body Refinement Art had forged him into an unyielding warrior. Brilliant runic patterns flashed, granting him the ability to wield a myriad of techniques, overpowering peers of equal cultivation level.

His violet-gold astral soul shone brilliantly as he unleashed a barrage of palm strikes. The golden-winged swords clashed with resounding force, illuminating the sky with dazzling splendor. The surroundings quaked under the onslaught, as if the very earth and heavens would crumble.

"I am eager to see the extent of your strength," the core disciple declared. Activating the power of his bloodline, his form radiated a blinding brilliance. All of his innate techniques were of immortal rank, and as he unleashed his full power, the heavens trembled and ghosts and demons cried out in anguish. His aura continued to soar, bolstering his courage with each passing moment.

Despite Qin Wentian employing a diverse array of techniques, the core disciple matched him blow for blow, displaying no signs of inferiority. It was a testament to the profound strength of a core disciple from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, proficient in both offense and defense.

In that critical moment, Qin Wentian's wings sliced through the heavens, cleaving open a rift in the air. The unleashed fury of wild beasts seemed to crash down with earth-shattering force. Qin Wentian valiantly defended himself, countering a relentless onslaught. Yet, in a heartbeat, a gleaming, treacherous sword emerged stealthily from the barrage of attacks, aimed directly at Qin Wentian's heart. In the span of a breath, it could have claimed his life. The attack closed in on Qin Wentian's heart, dangerously close.

"GO TO HELL!" bellowed the core disciple in a fit of rage. However, at that precise instant, resonant bell chimes echoed outward, and an ancient bell materialized before Qin Wentian, intercepting the deadly strike.

The resounding bell chimes reverberated endlessly as Qin Wentian retaliated furiously. One after another, ancient bells smashed into his opponent, their impact powerful enough to make the core disciple vomit blood. Then, the core disciple witnessed an immense ancient bell hurtling towards him.

"BOOM!" The deafening explosion rent the air, shattering souls with its thunderous might. The core disciple was struck by boundless, cataclysmic lightning, obliterating his body in an instant. His remains dispersed into the wind, devoured by the inconceivable power of the impact.

Qin Wentian was no stranger to mercilessness. While he could be amicable with friends and kin, there was no room for leniency toward those who sought his life. As for inspiring fear or reverence within him for such adversaries? Preposterous.

Having dispatched the core disciple, Qin Wentian shifted his gaze to a particular direction where onlookers had gathered. Amidst the crowd, his eyes locked onto one individual—Blackpeak. This man's gaze was sharp, brimming with lethal intent as it bore into Qin Wentian.

It was none other than Blackpeak. His aura now brimmed with overwhelming power, reaching the pinnacle of the eighth-level ascendant realm. Though Qin Wentian and Blackpeak had crossed paths years ago during the Royal Sacred Region's recruitment event, Blackpeak had already been an eighth-level ascendant at that time. Under the tutelage of the Deepflame Immortal King and years of cultivation, he had yet to ascend to the ninth level but exuded an aura befitting that of a pinnacle eighth-level ascendant. In this location, where everyone had commenced on equal footing, Blackpeak's aura alone could overpower Qin Wentian.

However, Qin Wentian's expression remained as composed as ever. He knew full well Blackpeak's true cultivation level but had chosen to spare him at the Eastern Sage Cliff. This spoke volumes about Qin Wentian's indifference to such matters.

With an indifferent glance at Blackpeak, Qin Wentian swept his sleeves and departed. The intense battle had surely attracted attention, and he would no longer find the solitude needed for cultivation in this place. A change of location was imperative.

"Keep an eye on him," Blackpeak ordered, addressing a fifth-level ascendant from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Despite Qin Wentian's departure, the pinpoint of light still indicated his location. The fifth-level ascendant nodded, affirming his vigilance.

"Summon elite disciples for me. I want that man's life," Blackpeak stated coldly. These words sent a shiver through the fifth-level ascendant, but after a moment's hesitation, he nodded once more. He produced a beacon-like treasure, brighter than those used previously, sending a signal to summon disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect to converge at this location.

In this dimension, while there were elite disciples, they usually refrained from interfering with participants. Yet, Blackpeak, a disciple of the Deepflame Immortal King, harbored a deep-seated grudge against this particular participant.

Within moments, several experts arrived at the designated spot. Among them were cultivators of varying levels, including elite disciples. One of the elite disciples turned to Blackpeak, inquiring, "Blackpeak, what brings you here? Did you issue the signal?"

"Just earlier, five of your junior apprentice brothers were killed in a domineering manner by an individual," Blackpeak responded. "A core disciple is among the casualties."

"In that case, it appears that this participant possesses considerable talent and is likely to become a core disciple," the elite disciple remarked.

"But I want him dead," Blackpeak stated coldly. "Can you assist me? Assemble a group of fifth-level Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants to hunt him down. Consider it a favor owed to you."

Blackpeak couldn't afford to wait any longer. He yearned for Qin Wentian's demise at any cost, even if it meant indebting himself to others. He was willing to go to great lengths to ensure Qin Wentian's death.