Comprehending the Abstruse

Comprehending the Abstruse . . .

Qin Wentian appeared lost in a meditative trance, ensnared within the depths of his own comprehension.

Having meticulously constructed the palm-shaped model in three dimensions, he believed that the underground palace's profound mysteries were concealed within this colossal palm. Should he succeed in deciphering it, there might be a glimmer of hope for their escape.

Yet, the divine inscriptions within the palm were profoundly intricate, harboring limitless permutations. Extracting meaning from them proved to be an arduous task. Both Qin Wentian and Di Tian diligently dissected the enigma, striving to unveil its secrets with haste.

In the depths of the underground palace, Xia Qianhan approached Xiao Lengyue, his inquiry tinged with concern. "Lengyue, the exit remains elusive. Why persist in defending that person?"

Xiao Lengyue's gaze remained fixed on Qin Wentian, ignoring Xia Qianhan as she responded, "Everyone is working tirelessly to devise an escape plan. Such thoughts won't aid us. Besides, what good would it do to vent my anger on Qin Wentian? Would it miraculously reveal an exit?"

"Well said," a voice interjected. Xuan Xing strolled over, his eyes gleaming with a captivating mystique. Much like Qin Wentian, he had perused all the underground palace's runic diagrams. Possessing the Mystic Eyes, no divine inscription could elude his scrutiny. Yet, despite his meticulous dissection, it paled in comparison to comprehending the entire scope of the runic diagrams here.

"However, Xiao Lengyue, can you genuinely be so magnanimous? While the others can claim they followed you in, it was ultimately your choice to heed his persuasion. Do you harbor no resentment whatsoever?" Xuan Xing peered deep into Xiao Lengyue's eyes, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through the very fabric of reality.

Xiao Lengyue was a truly remarkable individual. If he were in her shoes, he couldn't fathom maintaining such composure, devoid of any animosity, and even extending protection to Qin Wentian. It baffled him.

"Lengyue, speak up. I can take care of him for you. What do you say?" Xuan Xing grinned. His opinion of Qin Wentian had been less than favorable from the outset, and their confinement in the underground palace had only intensified his resentment.

Xiao Lengyue's cold reply cut through the air. "My affairs don't concern you. Why don't you focus on finding an exit to lead us all out?"

"Haha! Xiao Lengyue, we're already trapped here, and you remain so indifferent. If we're destined to perish within these walls, why not face it together?" Xuan Xing laughed boisterously. Then, he cast a chilling glare at Qin Wentian, whose seemingly carefree cultivation amid their dire circumstances only fueled his ire.

"If you have the time, why not analyze the runic diagrams? See if they hold any hidden secrets?" Xiao Lengyue's tone grew even colder. She was blind to her surroundings within the underground labyrinth, her sole reliance resting on the divine inscription experts. This was the very reason she continued to shield Qin Wentian.

She was well aware of his profound expertise in the realm of divine inscriptions. If a ninth-level ascendant were to clash with him here, there was a 50% chance the ninth-level ascendant would be defeated. This had already been demonstrated earlier.

Xuan Xing scoffed. Unravel hidden secrets? Did Xiao Lengyue truly believe he hadn't tried? But the absence of any clues left him at a loss. He didn't even know where to begin. As he gazed upon the sea of lifeless bodies around them, his eyes grew colder with each passing moment, particularly when he directed his glare at Qin Wentian.

"Xuan Xing, are you considering...?" Several members of the Twin Stars Alliance approached, their eyes fixed on Qin Wentian as they pantomimed a slashing motion with their hands.

Xuan Xing hesitated, contemplating the idea of ending Qin Wentian's life prematurely. However, he soon reconsidered. "No rush. We're all trapped here, and he can't escape even if he wishes to. Killing him now would merely spare him the prolonged agony of waiting with us." His tone had shifted, reflecting the excruciating impatience that had settled upon them all. Waiting for an uncertain end weighed heavily on their spirits, and Xuan Xing wasn't eager to expedite Qin Wentian's relief.

Days turned into a grueling blur, and frustration reached its zenith among the gathered prodigies. A lack of exit, a dearth of hope, and a futility that rendered cultivation irrelevant left them despondent. Even ascending to the level of Immortal Foundation offered little solace, for even Immortal Kings had perished within these confines. What hope, then, did Immortal Foundation experts hold?

The underground palace had become an insidious curse, ensnaring every soul within. Powerlessness fanned the flames of anger and impatience, making tempers volatile, and control elusive.

Amid this maelstrom of emotions, Qin Wentian remained seated, unwavering as if he'd become one with the very ground beneath him. A radiant aura enveloped him, a testament to the Heavenly Fiendgod Body Refinement Art in action.

This art harnessed divine inscription energy to sculpt the physique. Qin Wentian, having previously cultivated the Spiritual Refinement Method, possessed the requisite foundation. After his extensive study of the colossal palm, he discerned subtle parallels between it and the Fiendgod Body Refinement Art. While the latter primarily honed the physique, the giant palm model seemed dedicated to pure offensive might. His comprehension now felt more effective than ever, an encouraging sign.

Moreover, his grounding in the Spiritual Refinement Method provided a natural advantage. Drawing inspiration from the Ten Thousand Laws Record, he embarked on a journey of deeper understanding. His perception roamed a labyrinth of divine inscriptions that composed the massive palm, and distinctions between various groups of divine inscriptions blurred. The runic light cascading upon him transformed into a singular entity, harboring countless transformations, reflecting an immeasurable depth of divine inscriptions.

"The path of cultivation," Qin Wentian mused silently, "evolves from simplicity to complexity, then circles back from complexity to rediscover simplicity. It's the core principle." He'd long recognized this tenet. To grasp any form of power, one must commence with the fundamental basics, gradually progressing to complexity. Yet, once peak comprehension is achieved, the complexity must be distilled back to its simplest essence. This enables instantaneous mastery, even of intricate techniques, with a mere thought or gesture.

His current endeavor involved the giant palm model, still in the initial stages of simplicity. To fathom its enigmas, he needed to commence with the fundamentals.

"Spiritual Refinement Method," Qin Wentian whispered, inhaling deeply. He made a determined choice to cast aside his prior understanding, opting for a fresh start in comprehending the most basic divine inscriptions within the colossal palm model. He needed to journey from complexity back to simplicity, for there were no shortcuts to mastering this intricate web of power.

Qin Wentian immersed himself in this endeavor, unaware of the passage of time or the surging resentment brewing among his fellow prodigies. His unwavering focus provided him a refuge from the torment that weighed on the others.

The underground palace became a labyrinth of fruitless exploration for the remaining geniuses. Their actions yielded no results, no signs of escape. Frustration mounted with each passing second.

As they walked restlessly to and fro, the venomous glares directed at Qin Wentian intensified. Regardless of their allegiances, whether to the Twin Stars Alliance or the Xiao Sect, they laid their blame squarely on him. Such was human nature—when confronted with helplessness, they sought a scapegoat.

If glares possessed lethal force, Qin Wentian would have perished countless times over.

"Xiao Lengyue, you have incredible patience," Xuan Xing remarked, his gaze shifting from her to Qin Wentian.

Xiao Lengyue's heart trembled slightly at the mention of patience. Her own had eroded with each passing moment.

Five months had elapsed since their descent into the underground palace. They had abstained from cultivation, rendering any progress impossible. Each day brought only agonizing waiting and a desperate search for a glimmer of hope. The fruitless quest had taken a toll, sowing seeds of despair.

"His patience exceeds yours," Xiao Lengyue retorted, her snort filled with frustration.

Xuan Xing's sinister gaze remained fixed on Qin Wentian. He couldn't help but acknowledge that, of all their number, Qin Wentian had displayed the most remarkable patience. While Xuan Xing had hoped to see him tormented, Qin Wentian seemed to revel in his own world, cultivating diligently as though he had chosen this place for self-improvement, not imprisonment. Such unwavering resolve stirred a trace of envy within Xuan Xing.

"Do you think he's waiting for someone else to find the exit for him?" Xuan Xing asked coldly, his attention shifting as a figure advanced toward Qin Wentian.

In that moment, Xuan Xing's frown transformed into a cold smile, for it seemed someone had finally succumbed to their simmering anger.

In the midst of his critical moment, Qin Wentian reached a breakthrough. He had succeeded in categorizing the divine inscriptions, a feat that marked a turning point in his comprehension of the palm model. Standing before the intricate three-dimensional representation, he extended his palms, causing the divine inscriptions to dance around them. A boundless surge of divine energy emanated from his heart, flowing in perfect harmony with the divine inscriptions of the model. Instantly, his palm underwent a myriad of transformations. At his command, the divine inscriptions shifted countless times, adapting to his will.

With his palm withdrawn, Qin Wentian delved deeper into the marvels of the intricate transformations and enigmatic secrets. It was as though he had glimpsed a fragment of enlightenment. He could now perceive the intricate dance of the divine inscriptions within the runic diagrams—the endless cycles of change and transformation. Describing this sensation proved challenging, as it transcended mere words.

However, in the midst of this profound revelation, Qin Wentian abruptly sensed an impending danger. His eyes snapped open to witness a blood-red palm imprint hurtling toward him. This horrifying palm threatened to reduce him to dust, and he had no time to discern the identity of the attacker.

Reacting swiftly, Qin Wentian gathered his energy and defended himself with a hastily extended palm. Radiant runic light enveloped his palm as it clashed head-on with the blood-red imprint. Yet, in an instant, he was flung through the air, crashing into the stone wall behind him. An overwhelming force surged into his body, eliciting a painful groan and causing him to cough up blood, his face turning pallid.

As he raised his gaze, Qin Wentian locked eyes with a crowd that had turned their attention to the commotion. Their cold, baleful stares bore into him, including those of Xiao Lengyue, who chose not to intervene this time.

A cold smile curled on Qin Wentian's lips. Here he was, diligently striving to grasp the secrets of this wretched place, while others idled about, venting their anger and frustrations upon him. Now, they even sought to end his life. How utterly ludicrous!