Final Deadline

Final Deadline . . .

By posing that question, Xiao Lengyue had effectively revealed her deep-seated lack of trust in Qin Wentian from the very beginning. Therefore, instead of offering a direct response, Qin Wentian chose to counter with a question of his own, "If I were to say I didn't acquire anything besides the map, would you believe me?"

He understood that it was evident Xiao Lengyue would not take his word for it. In such a case, no matter how he tried to explain, the outcome was predetermined. As he observed the shift in Xiao Lengyue's expression, Qin Wentian's heart grew cold. These geniuses were undoubtedly brilliant, but sometimes, their cleverness got the better of them. Xiao Lengyue had deduced that his ability to comprehend the chant was tied to the underground palace, and from there, she extrapolated that he must have obtained some kind of treasure or significant gain.

After all, neither she nor Xuan Xing believed that Qin Wentian possessed talents surpassing their own. Based on what qualifications could he comprehend the chant, something that even immortal kings couldn't achieve?

"Qin Wentian, haven't I treated you well?" Xiao Lengyue inquired, her once warm smile now turned cold.

"What specifically are you referring to?" Qin Wentian's tone matched her chilliness as he noticed the change in Xiao Lengyue's attitude.

"When Ji Lanshan of the God Extermination Palace surrounded you, I brought you to the Xiao Sect, compelling Ji Lanshan to retreat and no longer harass you and your companions. You brought me to the forbidden ground, the underground palace. Many harbored resentment and anger towards you, but I never held you accountable. I even protected you on numerous occasions, even when Xuan Xing sought to deal with you, I intervened. Is all of this not enough?" Xiao Lengyue inquired.

"Regarding the matter with Ji Lanshan, you saw it for yourself. He couldn't harm me in the slightest, even if I hadn't joined your Xiao Sect. Your desire for me to join was primarily because of my expertise in divine inscriptions. As for guiding you to the underground palace, wasn't it your request? Even immortal kings perished there, yet I led you out in a mere six months. Not only did I find the exit, but I also guided you all to the actual emperor's palace."

Qin Wentian's eyes turned piercing as he continued, "But now, because you gained nothing in the ancient palace, you utter these words? If you had acquired the ancient inheritance or some treasures, would you still say such things? If someone had told you before entering that place that I could lead you through it in half a year, would you have refused and chosen not to enter? Most likely, you'd be filled with gratitude, eager to seek my assistance."

"If you had reaped benefits in there, it would all be attributed to your wisdom and foresight. But if there were no benefits, you would push the blame onto me, Qin Wentian? Is this the true character of the sect leader of the Xiao Sect?" Qin Wentian's words dripped with icy contempt. He then continued, "As for Xuan Xing's desire to deal with me, I wonder...is there any real difference between him and you?"

Xiao Lengyue gazed at Qin Wentian, her expression unchanged. Eventually, she merely smiled and rose from her seat. "Qin Wentian, very well. I'll give you more time to think it over."

With a graceful flick of her sleeves, she departed the area.

Qin Wentian watched her departure with an unmoved expression. His eyes closed once more as he resumed his cultivation, focusing on comprehending the enigmatic power of the oracular chant. In the City of Ancient Emperors, the rapid increase of one's strength was of paramount importance.

Silence hung over the courtyard until Zi Qingxuan and Jun Mengchen arrived to seek him out.

"Senior brother, we are being closely monitored," Jun Mengchen declared, his voice laden with anger.

"It's quite ordinary," Qin Wentian chuckled. "In the coming days, I plan to seclude myself once more. I'll cultivate right here in this courtyard, and you both should focus on your cultivation as well. Until the Xiao Sect takes definitive action against us, let them observe us without conflict."

Jun Mengchen stiffened, "Are we not considering leaving the Xiao Sect altogether?"

"No, leaving the Xiao Sect is no longer within our control. Xiao Lengyue believes that I've obtained something she desires—an inheritance from the ancient emperors. But in reality, comprehension of the oracular chant depends on the individual. She failed to do so and assumes that I used some other treasure to achieve the effect. I have no way to explain this to her. So, for now, let them monitor us as they wish. Since my movements are restricted, I might as well use this time for seclusion."

Qin Wentian smiled and continued, "As for both of you, I believe the restrictions on your movements won't be as severe. As long as I don't leave this place, they won't go too far. However, I can't predict when they will take real action against us."

"I understand. We'll endure this as long as possible until they make a move. We won't confront them and will try to buy more time to strengthen ourselves," Jun Mengchen declared.

"Indeed. Mengchen, I appreciate your patience. Your temperament is impulsive, but for now, we must endure in the City of Ancient Emperors," Qin Wentian said.

"Don't worry, senior brother. I understand. Our lack of strength is our main issue. If we were at the ninth level of Celestial Phenomenon, would we tolerate this? We'd simply fight them," Jun Mengchen said angrily.

"Alright, let's go and cultivate," Zi Qingxuan said. She understood the pressure on Qin Wentian to improve his strength. She knew Qin Wentian's character very well. When provoked, he could be quite reckless, as demonstrated when he confronted the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor. However, he could also endure what others couldn't. What he needed most at this moment was time.

"Agreed. Senior brother, make sure you also focus on your cultivation," Jun Mengchen and Zi Qingxuan left the area. Qin Wentian took a deep breath and immersed himself in deep concentration.

Half a month later, Xiao Lengyue came to visit Qin Wentian once more. This time, she went straight to the point, asking, "Have you made a decision?"

Qin Wentian looked at Xiao Lengyue and shook his head. "I've already told you. To cultivate the oracular chant passed down by the blood runes, you must first comprehend the divine inscriptions of the underground palace. But that's impossible for you. Even if I wanted to teach you, it would be impossible too. Why do you assume that I acquired a treasure to aid me in cultivating it?"

Xiao Lengyue frowned and spoke coldly, "Qin Wentian, I've given you enough face."

"Thank you," Qin Wentian smiled. Xiao Lengyue didn't say anything and left, leaving behind only a cold, piercing glare.

Over the next few months, Xiao Lengyue visited several times. She became increasingly direct, and her attitude grew colder with each visit.

Xiao Lengyue also discovered that Qin Wentian could be incredibly patient. He didn't express any desire to leave the Xiao Sect and seemed content to cultivate quietly in his courtyard as though nothing had happened at all. As for Qin Wentian's two companions, they either cultivated within the Xiao Sect or honed their skills by exploring the City of Ancient Emperors. Xiao Lengyue's Xiao Sect experts closely monitored them, but there was no sign that they intended to escape.

It seemed as though Qin Wentian had chosen to let the current situation persist indefinitely. He wasn't foolish; he understood that if he forcefully declared his intent to leave the Xiao Sect, it would be a near-impossible task and would only further infuriate Xiao Lengyue.

But eventually, Xiao Lengyue's patience wore thin. On this day, many experts from the Xiao Sect arrived at the courtyard where Qin Wentian resided, boldly entering without her presence. Leading this group was Greedwolf, the second most formidable expert in the Xiao Sect.

Their presence exuded a daunting aura, pressing down on Qin Wentian with immense pressure. Greedwolf, in particular, had icy, murderous eyes.

Qin Wentian opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on Greedwolf. Greedwolf spoke coldly, "Qin Wentian, you led Lengyue into the underground palace and were trapped there for half a year. Despite that, Lengyue did her best to protect you. Without her, you would have succumbed to Xuan Xing long ago. Furthermore, members of the Twin Stars Alliance have repeatedly caused trouble, demanding your extradition, but Lengyue has refused each time."

"Lengyue is too forgiving, she has tolerated you time and time again. But I won't waste any more time on you. Within seven days, if you don't hand over the secret art, you will be expelled from the Xiao Sect. If you cease to be a member of our Xiao Sect, don't blame us for treating you rudely." Greedwolf struck his palm, causing a massive rock in the courtyard to shatter into pieces.

"Let's go." Greedwolf waved his hand, and the other Xiao Sect experts created destructive shockwaves as they departed, leaving Qin Wentian behind.

Once Greedwolf and his group left, Jun Mengchen and Zi Qingxuan approached. Jun Mengchen exclaimed, "Senior brother, they've gone too far."

Qin Wentian remained composed. He smiled at Jun Mengchen and replied, "Seven days? Let's endure a little longer, and then we'll leave the Xiao Sect."

"Alright, senior brother. I'll stay with you here to cultivate," Jun Mengchen agreed. Qin Wentian felt a warm sense of camaraderie in his heart, smiling and nodding at Jun Mengchen. Zi Qingxuan also chose to stay, and the three of them continued their cultivation amidst the shattered ground.

Five days later, a ferocious aura filled the air, reaching a terrifying peak. Qin Wentian and Zi Qingxuan stood by, observing as a torrent of astral light emanated from Jun Mengchen. His constellation appeared, producing thunderous echoes from within his body, exuding an ancient and majestic presence akin to a primordial, desolate beast. The resonating echoes seemed to stretch endlessly through the air.

"It's incredible that Mengchen has caught up with us. I'm genuinely happy for him," a smile graced Qin Wentian's eyes. Amidst the challenging times they faced, this was perhaps the one thing that could bring him true joy.

"Mhm," Zi Qingxuan nodded with a warm smile. However, as she cast a sidelong glance at Qin Wentian, a faint sense of inadequacy crept into her heart. When they first crossed paths, she had the highest cultivation base among them. But now, both Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen had risen to her level, and in terms of combat strength, she found herself lagging behind.

The two men beside her were peak geniuses, and standing alongside them made her own brilliance seem dimmer by comparison.

As Jun Mengchen broke through, the sound of rushing energy filled the air. Several experts from the Xiao Sect turned their gaze towards the trio. Their expressions bore a cold, mocking smile. Jun Mengchen's breakthrough only brought him to the seventh level of Celestial Phenomenon, a relatively low level in the eyes of the Xiao Sect.

"You still have two more days to think it over. Make the right choice," one of the Xiao Sect experts sneered. Among the onlookers, Li Yu, who had been standing quietly, observed the scene. He also noticed Xiao Lengyue some distance away, but there was a hint of waning enthusiasm in his gaze. Without a word, he approached Xiao Lengyue and called out, "Lengyue."

"What's the matter?" Xiao Lengyue asked, looking at Li Yu.

"I've been with you in the Xiao Sect for a long time, and I've enjoyed it. But now, I want to test my luck and venture alone in the City of Ancient Emperors. From this point on, I have no connection with the Xiao Sect. Take care," Li Yu explained, causing a change in Xiao Lengyue's expression. She hastily added, "Li Yu, the Xiao Sect needs you."

"The Xiao Sect is one of the top three powers in the City of Ancient Emperors, and you're ranked #6 on the Immortal Ascension Rankings. With me or without me, it won't make a difference. Farewell," Li Yu replied with a slight bow before he vanished in a flash. Xiao Lengyue watched his departure, her face wearing an uneasy expression.

Did Li Yu's decision to leave the Xiao Sect have something to do with her actions?