Crossing Verbal Swords

Crossing Verbal Swords . . .

Dongsheng Ting's demeanor bore the unmistakable signs of annoyance. He found himself in a situation quite distinct from the Deepflame Immortal King's perspective. To the Deepflame Immortal King, Qin Wentian was nothing more than a minor, inconsequential character. Consequently, he saw no reason to devote much attention to Qin Wentian, despite the latter's presence at the immortal banquet.

However, Dongsheng Ting couldn't share the same indifference. Comparing Qin Wentian's status to his own, he couldn't help but harbor a sense of contempt. It irked him that the man Princess Qing'er loved was none other than this seemingly unimportant individual hailing from a particle world. The Evergreen Immortal Emperor had even extended his hand in support, seeking the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's aid for Qin Wentian. This led to Dongsheng Ting's royal father organizing a disciple recruitment event specifically for Qin Wentian. But even in the face of such support, upon discovering the closeness between Qin Wentian and Qing'er, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had employed some crafty tactics to make Qin Wentian appear foolish.

However, here stood this brash young man who seemed oblivious to the consequences, participating in the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's immortal banquet. It baffled Dongsheng Ting. Surely, Qin Wentian wasn't oblivious to the fact that the head of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect was none other than the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor himself?

"I, Qin, hail from the Cloud Prefecture. I have traversed all the selection tests to reach this point. Does your highness believe that I, Qin, am unwelcome here? If that is indeed the case, I am prepared to depart immediately," Qin Wentian declared, his gaze fixed upon Dongsheng Ting. He was certain that the ridiculous conditions imposed by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had been orchestrated to make a fool of him.

The exchange between the two immediately drew the attention of everyone present at the banquet. The onlookers couldn't help but be perplexed. Here were two individuals—one, a supreme and high-ranking prince, the youngest son of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor; the other, a commoner ranked 27th, who had arrived here after successfully navigating the selection tests in the Cloud Prefecture. On the surface, there appeared to be no basis for interaction between these two individuals, let alone the display of such an attitude from Dongsheng Ting.

After all, their statuses were worlds apart.

The Idlecloud Immortal King's countenance shifted as his gaze fixed on Qin Wentian. It was as he suspected—this young man harbored secrets. He had been the center of a significant commotion in Driftsnow City, not only being acquainted with the Deepflame Immortal King but also managing to affect Dongsheng Ting's mood. The peculiar nature of this situation left everyone intrigued.

As for the Scarce Moon Immortal King, Myriad Incarnations Immortal King, Undying Immortal King, and the others, they clearly remembered Qin Wentian. This young man had nearly become the personal disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor. If fate had favored him, Que Tianyi would have had no chance at all.

Princess Glaze, too, fixed her gaze on Qin Wentian. She remained unaware of the intricacies involving Qing'er, the Evergreen Immortal Emperor, and Qin Wentian. This lack of knowledge piqued her curiosity.

Dongsheng Ting's eyes remained locked on Qin Wentian. Given the current setting and the presence of numerous supreme figures, revoking Qin Wentian's qualifications seemed unwarranted. Moreover, he questioned the rationale behind expelling Qin Wentian. With Princess Glaze among the attendees, there was a high probability that she would inform Princess Qing'er about Qin Wentian's presence. To expel Qin Wentian would only cast him in the light of a petty and narrow-minded individual. Hence, Dongsheng Ting reluctantly responded, "Naturally, you are welcome to stay."

"I must admit, I find myself a little surprised," Dongsheng Ting began, his tone bearing a hint of condescension as he addressed Qin Wentian. "You, hailing from a particle world, have undoubtedly faced tremendous challenges on your journey to reach this point. Joining my Eastern Sage Immortal Sect represents a rare opportunity for you. Strive to seize it, for if you dedicate yourself to cultivation, you may, in the distant future, catch a glimpse of the immortal king realm. Though it remains far beyond your current reach, a glimmer of possibility persists."

While Dongsheng Ting's words were delivered with a grave countenance, they carried an undertone of arrogance, stemming from his lofty social status as he looked down upon a commoner like Qin Wentian.

"You, Qin Wentian, are but a denizen of a particle world. Your path to growth must have been arduous indeed. Our Eastern Sage Immortal Sect can offer you hope and resources. The immortal king realm may seem distant, but a faint hope lingers. These words, though courteous on the surface, harbor an implicit arrogance. Yet, none found this surprising, for the speaker was none other than Dongsheng Ting. Had Qin Wentian been an ordinary ascendant, even he would have considered such words ordinary.

However, Qin Wentian was no ordinary individual.

Observing Dongsheng Ting's condescending attitude and the way he spoke as if guiding a junior, Qin Wentian couldn't help but inwardly scoff. His gaze, still sharp and unbridled, remained fixed on Dongsheng Ting. With a faint smile curling his lips, he remarked, "The path of martial cultivation is inherently challenging and fraught with hardship. Relying on the shelter or protection of one's elders cannot propel one to greater heights. Whether in a particle world or the vast immortal realms, regardless of royal lineage or common birth, the path is the same for all. How can it be any different? How many descendants of powerful figures have descended into decadence, becoming nothing more than pampered young heirs? Conversely, how many commoners have risen to prominence through their own talents? Let's consider even those fortunate enough to have powerful immortal emperors as fathers. How many among them can truly stand out, establishing themselves based on their own identity and abilities, becoming the founders of immortal regions?"

Qin Wentian spoke calmly, his voice devoid of fluctuation. His words carried a clear message: royal lineage or not, Dongsheng Ting's father had achieved his current status through his own efforts. How many of his sons and daughters could hope to surpass him?

The exchange of words unveiled a hidden agenda within Prince Dongsheng Ting's earlier remarks.

However, the fact that this participant dared to respond in such a manner surprised everyone. His audacity was truly remarkable.

"Well said," Dongsheng Ting acknowledged with a gleam of intensity in his eyes, his gaze locked onto Qin Wentian. "On the path of martial cultivation, both descendants of immortal emperors and commoners ultimately rely on themselves. Yet, those born into nobility possess inherent advantages—be it greater talent or unfettered access to cultivation resources—while commoners must vie for guidance from experts and compete for precious resources. As evidenced here, countless geniuses from the thirteen prefectures are engaged in fierce competition, all for the chance to enter my Eastern Sage Immortal Sect."

"You speak the truth, your highness," chimed in the Deepflame Immortal King. "Under the same circumstances, where talent is equal, commoners must invest countless times more effort, while the privileged require less to advance further along the martial path. Your highness's elder and second brothers, for instance, have already attained the immortal king realm at a young age. Remarkable, isn't it?" He sighed before turning to Qin Wentian, his tone now icy. "You know what's most perilous on the path of martial cultivation? It's encountering those who underestimate the vastness of heaven and earth, clinging to the naive belief that hard work alone will elevate them to the skies. How many geniuses in the immortal realms have labored tirelessly in their cultivation? Yet, how many can truly reach the immortal king realm? Your words are preposterous."

As the Deepflame Immortal King's words hung in the air, all eyes turned to Qin Wentian, awaiting his response. Curiosity and anticipation filled the atmosphere, even Bai Wuya, a mere spectator today, fixated his gaze on Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but emit a cold chuckle, his eyes never leaving the Deepflame Immortal King. How could he possibly refute these words? Doing so would only lend credence to the Deepflame Immortal King's arrogant claims.

"Hehe," Qin Wentian smirked sarcastically, his tone laced with biting humor. "Senior, as a venerable immortal king figure, your judgment is unquestionably impeccable. I can only lament that your impeccable judgment has led you astray. According to your logic, Blackpeak, your esteemed personal disciple, should possess unparalleled status, authority, and an abundance of cultivation resources. One would naturally expect him to outshine his peers by leaps and bounds. However, his performance in the first selection test of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect was nothing short of disappointing, a spectacle that tarnished your esteemed reputation."

Qin Wentian locked his gaze onto the Deepflame Immortal King, delivering each word with a sharp edge. If the Deepflame Immortal King intended to humiliate him, Qin Wentian was more than willing to retort with stinging precision.

Blackpeak, who stood nearby, could barely contain his rage. His eyes shot daggers at Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen, filled with a burning desire for revenge.

The Deepflame Immortal King's expression turned icy as he heard Qin Wentian's words.

Jun Mengchen, unable to tolerate the humiliation directed at his senior, added fuel to the fire. "Indeed, Blackpeak is Senior Deepflame's disciple. During the first selection test, he and his cronies attempted to gang up on us, but they fell like leaves before a gust of wind. My senior brother Qin crushed Blackpeak effortlessly, sparing his life by a hair's breadth. Learning of Blackpeak's illustrious lineage is truly astonishing, isn't it?" Jun Mengchen couldn't resist joining in on the face-smacking fest.

The room was filled with a palpable tension as Blackpeak's face contorted with anger. His murderous gaze bore into Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen.

The Deepflame Immortal King's eyes narrowed as he glared at Blackpeak. He couldn't help but feel ashamed of his disciple's disgraceful behavior.

Jun Mengchen didn't stop there. "Perhaps Senior Deepflame didn't have the time to guide him properly, or maybe Blackpeak lacked the motivation to put in the effort for cultivation. These things happen, but of course, it doesn't reflect on Senior's judgment."

Zi Qingxuan chimed in seriously, "Indeed, we shouldn't be quick to blame Senior Deepflame. The purpose of today's immortal banquet is to select the top three participants. Let's not delay the competition any longer. Your highness, when shall the competition commence?" The Undying Immortal King's voice cut through the awkward silence, redirecting the focus to the main event.

"That's absolutely right, Your Highness. We're all eager to witness their exceptional abilities," chimed in another guest, echoing the sentiment of the crowd. All eyes now refocused on Dongsheng Ting, and even the Deepflame Immortal King redirected his cold gaze away from Qin Wentian and his companions. Though he remained silent for now, their words had left a deep mark on his mind.

Dongsheng Ting, the host of the event, acknowledged the eagerness in the room. "The rules of this competition evolve every century, but the ultimate goal remains the same: to select the top three candidates," he explained. "Esteemed seniors, I'd like to seek your input on how we should proceed with this competition. As you can see, our 160 participants vary greatly in cultivation levels, ranging from the first to the ninth level of Celestial Phenomenon. Therefore, the rules must be both challenging and fair."

An experienced voice among the guests spoke up, addressing the pressing reality. "Becoming a personal disciple of His Majesty, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, is a goal that demands exceptional effort and skill. Therefore, we can expect this competition to be far from easy."

The participants below listened with unwavering attention. Regardless of the esteemed guests' positions at this banquet, it was clear that the participants were the stars of the show now. They were ready to showcase their brilliance and determination on this grand stage.