Frost Queen Mo Wen

Frost Queen Mo Wen . . .

The Supreme Mystic Immortal King quickly grasped the Deepflame Immortal King's intentions. It was evident that Qin Wentian had already incurred the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's displeasure in the past and had been rejected. Given this history, it would indeed be a monumental task for Qin Wentian to secure a top-three position.

The Deepflame Immortal King redirected his penetrating gaze toward Qin Wentian, continuing his relentless commentary, "You missed your chance in the past. Even if you acknowledge your mistakes and seek a fresh start, his Majesty might take notice of you, but alas, destiny has barred you from the top three."

"Is this your final word?" Qin Wentian confronted the Deepflame Immortal King, determination in his eyes.

A sardonic smile played across the Deepflame Immortal King's lips. He found Qin Wentian's optimism naïve. Did Qin Wentian truly believe that the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor hadn't accepted him as a disciple solely due to an offense? And now, he hoped to earn his Majesty's favor with a remarkable performance?

The Deepflame Immortal King would never divulge the truth; it was simply not in his interest to do so. Instead, he left behind cryptic words before departing, saying, "Certain things are preordained and unalterable, no matter how hard one tries."

His words carried profound implications.

"Some things, until the very end, yield uncertain outcomes," Qin Wentian responded, his words laden with meaning. If the Deepflame Immortal King had paid closer attention, he might have discerned the significance behind Qin Wentian's words. However, the Deepflame Immortal King dismissed it as arrogant retort from an ignorant youth.

But did he truly understand Qin Wentian's message?

As the Deepflame Immortal King departed, he engaged in cheerful conversation with other immortal kings, as if Qin Wentian's earlier confrontation had left no mark on him. However, the Supreme Mystic Immortal King couldn't help but cast a lingering look at Qin Wentian, a sense of regret weighing on his heart. He had initially considered taking Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen under his wing, even if they were fortunate enough to become Sage Children. Yet now... he shook his head, letting out a resigned sigh.

"How annoying. He's nothing but a stubborn fool," Jun Mengchen muttered, glaring at the receding figure of the Deepflame Immortal King. The Deepflame Immortal King's incessant opposition had become exasperating.

Gu Liufeng offered a reassuring pat on Qin Wentian's shoulder, his voice filled with unwavering confidence. "Qin Wentian, I believe you will be able to do it."

Qin Wentian nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes reflecting the resolute determination he possessed. "Mhm. Although this time around you didn't manage to get into the top twenty, don't be discouraged by this." He still remembered their first encounter, the aura of strength that emanated from Gu Liufeng.

Gu Liufeng's response was measured, his tone tinged with self-reflection. "Don't worry, my resolve isn't that fragile. Perhaps my temperament has shifted, and now I find myself trailing behind you and Hua Taixu. In the particle world, I was among the elite geniuses at its pinnacle. However, upon entering the immortal realms, countless individuals proved capable of surpassing me. This shift has reshaped my beliefs. Maybe, I should take a leaf out of Hua Taixu's book and explore the immortal realms to gain more experience, further tempering my state of mind."

With a supportive smile, Qin Wentian encouraged him, "I believe in you." Indeed, the immortal realms harbored an abundance of geniuses. Those who had excelled in particle worlds, when viewed in the context of the immortal realms, had to continually evolve to remain competitive. This realm demanded ceaseless advancement, with each experience contributing to their transformation. These participants were already the cream of the crop among the thirteen prefectures, yet even their genius paled in comparison to the outstanding individuals native to the immortal realms.

Gu Liufeng shifted his focus to the next challenge, his voice low as he contemplated the possible methods for selecting the top ten. "The remaining participants have diverse cultivation levels. I wonder what criteria they'll use to determine the top ten. I suspect that higher-level ascendants may have to restrict their cultivation levels to level the playing field against lower-level participants." It was indeed a formidable challenge to ensure fairness when participants possessed such disparate levels of power.

On the highest level of the banquet hall, the immortal kings engaged in discussions regarding the rules for the upcoming competition. Selecting the top ten from the pool of twenty participants required careful consideration, and Dongsheng Ting's approval was essential, given his role as the event's host.

The immortal banquet buzzed with life. Those who had been eliminated gradually accepted their fate and began to savor the festivities. Although they had missed the opportunity for further advancement, they remained core disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. With dedication and hard work, a bright future still awaited them. Many of the most prominent figures in the thirteen prefectures had once been outstanding disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. With enough effort, these participants could potentially reach the pinnacle of immortal cultivation and even govern a prefecture. The influence and authority such a position wielded were nothing to scoff at.

Although the position of a prefecture lord might not seem particularly prestigious within the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, it held immense authority within the vast expanse of a prefecture. A single Cloud Prefecture comprised eighty-one countries and countless cities. The Idlecloud Immortal King governed the Cloud Prefecture, a realm where his authority extended like a boundless sky, commanding the elements with a mere thought.

In this grand assembly, where immortal kings abounded, prefecture lords seemed to blend into the background. However, this apparent insignificance did not diminish their authority. Prefectures were vast territories, and those who ruled them held great power.

While the participants currently dined alongside immortal kings, this did not signify much. They had yet to prove their potential through the numerous challenges of the immortal banquet. Their future success would depend on their own efforts and abilities.

As conversations filled the banquet hall, time continued its inexorable march. Dongsheng Ting returned to his seat as the immortal kings silenced their discussions. The lower-level participants gazed upward in respectful silence, the atmosphere now permeated with a sense of gravity and reverence.

In the hushed anticipation of the banquet hall, Dongsheng Ting's commanding presence swept over everyone as he prepared to address the gathering. His voice, imbued with authority, resonated through the grand chamber.

"Before we proceed," Dongsheng Ting began, "I have engaged in discussions with Princess Glaze and some esteemed immortal kings regarding the rules for our next challenge. This test will serve to narrow down our twenty participants to the final ten. However, those who successfully pass this stage won't be ranked based on subjective judgments. Instead, all participants who make it through this test will be rewarded at the conclusion of our immortal banquet. Naturally, the top three rankers will receive exceptionally valuable rewards. To earn a place among the top three, one must first excel in this test."

Dongsheng Ting took a brief pause, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "The rules are straightforward. We will adhere to the order of names announced earlier by Princess Glaze. The twenty participants will ascend to the platform, and if they engage in battles against those with matching cultivation levels, there's no need for either party to suppress their cultivation bases. However, when participants of different ascendant levels face off, I will employ a special artifact to ensure both combatants have equivalent cultivation bases. Those who win their initial bouts will be safe temporarily. For those who suffer a loss, they will still have an opportunity to challenge others once the first round of combat concludes. However, any participant who accumulates two losses will be swiftly eliminated from the top ten."

With an air of authority, Dongsheng Ting continued to outline the regulations. "Additionally, participants who have already lost one match cannot be chosen as opponents by others. Instead, those with one loss will have the authority to initiate a challenge. This rule aims to prevent multiple exceptional geniuses from ganging up on a single participant. I trust that everyone comprehends these rules."

Nods of agreement rippled through the attentive crowd. Dongsheng Ting had provided clear and concise guidelines.

"For our inaugural match," Dongsheng Ting announced, "Gusu Tianqi, you're up." His gaze settled on the section of the Eastern Prefecture.

Gusu Tianqi swiftly moved, appearing on the battle platform in an instant. The other nineteen participants couldn't help but feel a pang of nervousness. The outcome of a battle against Gusu Tianqi could be precarious. A defeat in this round would leave them with just one more chance. Two losses, and they would be unceremoniously ousted from the top ten.

"Supreme Moon Prefecture, Mo Wen," Gusu Tianqi declared, his tone devoid of emotion. His choice left many spectators puzzled.

Mo Wen was the Supreme Moon Prefecture's top-ranked participant, and among the top twenty, she and Zi Qingxuan were the only females—both hailed as chosen daughters of heaven. However, Gusu Tianqi's reasoning soon became apparent. To him, the opponent might not matter; Mo Wen was at the same cultivation level, rendering any suppression unnecessary. For Gusu Tianqi, simplicity was key.

Mo Wen gracefully took her place on the platform, draped in robes of icy blue. Her presence exuded an air of regal grace, her complexion as fair as freshly fallen snow.

Jun Mengchen, casting a watchful eye over Mo Wen, couldn't help but mutter in hushed tones, "Can Mo Wen hold her own against Gusu Tianqi?" His concern was unmistakable, his gaze fixed on the formidable female contender before him.

"It might seem like a formidable challenge, but Mo Wen is far from an ordinary contender. Even if Gusu Tianqi aimed to test his mettle against her, he'd better be prepared to unleash his full potential," remarked Qin Wentian, his voice carrying a tone of respect. The trio's collective gaze remained fixed on Mo Wen, who now occupied the central stage of their attention.

The reason for their intense focus? Mo Wen hailed from the same realm as them—the Heavenly Talisman Realm.

Among the top twenty participants, four hailed from the Heavenly Talisman Realm, including the trio and one other, Mo Wen. Yet, from the beginning until this moment, not a word had passed between them. In fact, there was no outward indication that they even recognized each other's origins. Instead, they silently observed one another, each acutely aware of the others' existence.

Mo Wen, draped in robes of icy blue, remained incredibly composed. As a brilliant battle aura radiated from Gusu Tianqi, a sudden crackling filled the air around her. All at once, an icy world materialized, and the surrounding temperature plunged precipitously.

"How bone-chilling!" Even those seated far from the platform could sense the frigid aura emanating from Mo Wen. What's more, her jet-black hair had transformed into icy strands, sharp as swords, floating behind her. Her entire demeanor underwent a stunning transformation, and the ice beauty from earlier now bore an ethereal quality, akin to a frost queen.

Gusu Tianqi unleashed a mighty strike, accompanied by a blinding, sun-like radiance. However, as his attack neared Mo Wen, the frost within her icy domain was so bitterly cold that even the sun's brilliance would be frozen solid. The resounding crack of freezing shattered the fist imprint Gusu Tianqi had thrust forth, revealing the chilling temperature of the surroundings.

An ice lance shot forth, shattering the frozen fist imprint with ease. The formidable combat energy contained within the imprint dissipated effortlessly.

"This Mo Wen possesses a unique physique—an exceedingly rare innate Frost King Physique!" murmured one of the immortal kings. However, it was clear that Gusu Tianqi, exuding boundless confidence, wouldn't have chosen Mo Wen for his initial bout unless he believed in his own abilities.