Fighting Side By Side

Fighting Side By Side . . .

"Who?" The blinding, radiant golden light burst forth with a brilliance that could rival the sun, sending shockwaves through the hearts of everyone present. In a breathtaking instant, both Xiao Lengyue and Greedwolf sprang into action. It was crystal clear they harbored no intention of allowing Xuan Yang to apprehend Qin Wentian unscathed. Their aim was to inflict harm upon Qin Wentian before spiriting him away.

Yet, at that very moment, as swiftly as a spark ignited in the night, a dazzling cascade of golden radiance illuminated the heavens. It was as though someone from the celestial realm itself had descended with the sole purpose of rescuing Qin Wentian.

Or perhaps, was there another player in this high-stakes drama, one with motives akin to Xiao Lengyue's? Someone who coveted Qin Wentian?

A tempestuous spatial upheaval roiled through the air, and the piercing beams of golden light appeared like a myriad of ethereal swords thrusting in all directions. As the figure within the luminous display grew clearer, the onlookers found themselves narrowing their eyes and their hearts pounding fiercely. Even Xuan Yang, who was hurtling toward the scene, came to an abrupt halt. His brows furrowed deeply, an enigmatic expression contorting his face.

Why was she here? Was it also on account of God's Hand?

This figure was none other than an immaculate paragon of beauty. Her visage exuded an icy aloofness, yet even in anger, her beauty possessed the power to captivate souls. One could not help but yearn to be in her good graces. Her bearing resembled that of a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, radiating purity, holiness, nobility, coldness, and unmatched beauty.

"What a stunning woman! Her features surpass even Xiao Lengyue's. Who could she be?" The spectators began to whisper amongst themselves. "Could she be Nanfeng Yunxi?"

"No, I've seen Nanfeng Yunxi before. Although the two are comparable in beauty, their auras differ." A voice chimed in.

"Then who is she?"

"In the City of Ancient Emperors, there are only three who can lay claim to being supreme beauties. Xiao Lengyue is already here, and we've ruled out the possibility of Nanfeng Yunxi. So who else could she be?" The response hung in the air, causing those nearby to freeze momentarily.

Among the trio of supreme beauties in this realm, the daughter of the Evergreen Immortal Emperor remained the most elusive. She seldom ventured into the public eye, possessing an innate immortal king physique. It was foreseen that she would achieve the status of an immortal king, at the very least, in the future. In the City of Ancient Emperors, she eschewed alliances and interactions with others, opting to chart her own course.

And now, she had chosen to grace this very battleground with her presence?

"Could it be the daughter of the Evergreen Immortal Emperor, Princess Qing'er?" A growing realization spread among the spectators, shock rippling through their hearts. The one least likely to emerge from the shadows had materialized at this pivotal juncture?

"Is she indeed Qing'er, the love of our senior brother?" Jun Mengchen halted his combat, his gaze fixated on the ethereal figure in the sky. A faint smile danced in his eyes. At the moment when his senior brother needed assistance most, Princess Qing'er had arrived. Moreover, her beauty seemed to rival Qin Wentian's. It was no wonder his senior brother had pursued Qing'er so fervently.

"Senior brother and Princess Qing'er are destined to become an immortal couple," Jun Mengchen mused, his smile growing wider. Beside him, Zi Qingxuan had also caught sight of the enchanting silhouette. A trace of disappointment and frustration flashed across her eyes. It was no surprise that Qin Wentian's thoughts constantly gravitated toward Qing'er. A woman of such stature and power had chosen to stand by his side in his hour of need.

In the skies, Qin Wentian, in the form of a majestic roc, fixed his gaze upon the familiar figure that had materialized before him. A profound warmth enveloped his heart. In this moment, the excruciating injuries and torment he had endured seemed inconsequential. After countless years, he had finally reunited with Qing'er. The chasm that separated their origins in the particle world from the immortal realms was vast beyond measure. At times, he had secretly harbored fears that amidst the labyrinthine paths of the immortal realms, they might miss each other entirely. The world was a vast expanse, and he had worried that perhaps...time would have wrought irrevocable changes upon them.

Fortuitously, his apprehensions proved unfounded. She materialized before him, resolute and protective, precisely when he needed her the most. It was reminiscent of their past encounters. Traditionally, as a man, he should have been the one guarding her. Yet, Qing'er was akin to his shining-armored knight, unfailingly emerging during his most challenging trials, standing resolute to aid him. Remarkably, she always opted to stay in the shadows, never once soliciting his repayment.

Their love, their sentiments for one another, had grown even more unshakable over time, deepening with each passing moment.

A potent, golden radiance enveloped both Qing'er and Qin Wentian. Qing'er regarded Xiao Lengyue with an icy, unfeeling countenance that sent shivers down the spines of onlookers.

Xiao Lengyue, in turn, scrutinized the flawless figure before her. In terms of demeanor and beauty, this woman was in no way inferior to herself.

"Are you the daughter of the Evergreen Immortal Emperor, Princess Qing'er?" Though Xiao Lengyue had never met Qing'er in person, she had little difficulty deducing her identity. She had been on a relentless quest to find her, motivated by the Immortal Ascension Rankings that positioned Qing'er at #5, with Xiao Lengyue trailing closely behind at #6. This was a source of unending dissatisfaction and a reason for her eagerness to face Qing'er in battle.

In this moment, Qing'er should not have appeared here.

"Are you also here to seize him and lay claim to the secret art of God's Hand?" Undeterred by Qing'er's silence, Xiao Lengyue pressed on. "I once believed you to be aloof from worldly concerns, but now that God's Hand has resurfaced, it appears you can no longer maintain that facade."

Qing'er remained stoic, her gaze unwavering. Then, as her eyes settled upon Qin Wentian in his beastly form, the chill in her eyes melted, replaced by hints of concern. She hadn't anticipated encountering Qin Wentian here in the City of Ancient Emperors. She never imagined he would arrive in this city so swiftly after their parting at the Royal Sacred Region.

Qing'er had never doubted Qin Wentian. Her surprise lay in the swiftness of his pursuit.

Xiao Lengyue, upon witnessing Qing'er's indifference, seethed with an intense, chilling rage that sent shudders through those nearby. But that moment was swiftly followed by a melodious voice resonating through the air.

"You're injured…" Qing'er's gaze returned to Qin Wentian, now brimming with tenderness, a stark contrast to her earlier ice princess persona. It was as if she were two different people, her voice laced with worry and a touch of pain.

"This...?" The spectators were taken aback. Qin Wentian shared a connection with the Evergreen Immortal Emperor's daughter, Princess Qing'er?

Could it be that Qing'er had not come to seize God's Hand, but rather because she was familiar with Qin Wentian?

Xiao Lengyue's stunning eyes registered shock as she observed the unfolding scene. After a moment, she witnessed a smile flicker in Qin Wentian's eyes as he responded, "After seeing you, how could these injuries matter?"

As his words hung in the air, a profound astonishment rippled through the crowd. Qin Wentian's words hinted at a deep affection for Qing'er. All eyes turned to Qing'er, as if seeking to discern any signs of anger. Yet, her countenance remained as cold as ever. It was a different kind of coldness from Xiao Lengyue's; Qing'er's was innate, concealing traces of gentleness within. Her personality likely mirrored this duality.

To everyone's surprise, Princess Qing'er did not appear angered in the least. Instead, she inquired, "Why have you come to the City of Ancient Emperors?"

"I came to find you," Qin Wentian replied. "I encountered Princess Glaze, and she informed me of your presence here."

"Oh," Qing'er responded, her expression still tranquil, yet a glimmer of warmth now danced in her beautiful eyes. Warmth radiated from her heart as well. It suddenly made sense why he had appeared here; he was searching for her. How many perilous situations must Qin Wentian have faced, traversing from his particle world all the way to this place in pursuit of her?

Their conversation drew curious and intrigued expressions from the onlookers. The depth of their connection was evident in their words. It appeared that Qin Wentian's relationship with Princess Qing'er transcended the ordinary.

"Princess Qing'er," Xuan Yang, who had maintained silence until now, finally spoke with a chill in his tone. "This man is audacious, even plotting the death of my younger brother. I must settle this score with him. It doesn't concern you, so I implore you to step aside and refrain from interfering."

"This is getting more and more intriguing. Xuan Yang holds the #4 rank on the Immortal Ascension Rankings, while Princess Qing'er is at #5, and Xiao Lengyue is at #6. All three have converged here today. Quite the spectacle, isn't it?" The spectators gazed at the airborne prodigies with excitement etched on their faces. Three supreme talents locked in a confrontation with Qin Wentian at the center. Xuan Yang and Xiao Lengyue aimed to capture him and seize the secret art, while Qing'er, familiar with Qin Wentian, was determined to protect him.

Qing'er's countenance remained frosty as she icily regarded Xuan Yang, paying no heed to his words. Her disposition hadn't changed, and she remained sparing with her words. Only Qin Wentian had the ability to coax more than a few sentences from her.

Qin Wentian's colossal eyes fixated squarely on Xuan Yang as he issued a cold inquiry, "Shall I ask once more? Will you depart, or not?"

Coldness flickered in Xuan Yang's eyes as he retorted, "Do you believe that Princess Qing'er can shield you? Are you relying on a woman's strength? Are you even qualified to converse with me?"

"Relying on a woman's strength?" A derisive smile graced Qin Wentian's lips. "Your father acted against me, dismantling the God's Hand I had assembled. Do you even have the audacity to speak to me in such a haughty manner? If it weren't for your father's deliberate actions, do you truly believe you could display such arrogance in front of me?"

"In that case, I'm eager to ascertain whether your father left behind a protective strand of immortal sense on you," Qin Wentian continued with icy resolve.

Qing'er understood Qin Wentian's intentions and swiftly responded, moving to stand beside him.

"I can't always confront you in this great roc form, can I? Qing'er, trust me, everything will be fine. With my current level of strength, although the power boost from certain techniques is diminishing, the injuries I'd sustain will naturally be much less severe," Qin Wentian assured her with a warm smile in his eyes. Xuan Yang ranked #4 on the Immortal Ascension Rankings, and there was also Xiao Lengyue and Greedwolf. How could he be at ease with Qing'er fighting on his behalf?

"Qing'er, allow me to handle this," Qin Wentian chuckled. At this very moment, an overwhelming and transcendent surge of sword power emanated from him, as if an inexhaustible wellspring of energy had been ignited. It was as though his very essence was being consumed, as beams of swordlight soared into the heavens, as if they aimed to rip the firmament asunder. Qin Wentian's colossal figure flickered, and his sword prowess dominated the cardinal directions, coalescing into a formidable tsunami of sword qi.

"That attack again." From a distance, Ji Lanshan and the other God Extermination Palace experts felt their hearts constrict. With Qin Wentian now assuming the form of a colossal roc, how much more formidable would this sword strike become?

"Hmm?" Xuan Yang furrowed his brow suddenly. He pushed his Heavenly Mystical Mirror Art to its limits. In that moment, an overwhelming sense of peril emanated from Qin Wentian. The torrent of sword qi surging forth was simply too terrifying.

Qin Wentian extended his talons. Instantaneously, an immense reservoir of sword power gathered upon his razor-sharp claws as he thrust them in a specific direction. Over yonder, a burst of sword qi, wielding world-shattering might, materialized, capable of annihilating everything beneath the heavens.

"Earlier, your younger brother Xuan Xing bore witness to one of my attacks. It was so potent that it triggered your father's protective strand of immortal sense, prompting him to intervene as an Immortal Emperor, thereby obliterating my God's Hand. Now... I'm curious if there's another protective strand of immortal sense on Xuan Xing..." Qin Wentian's voice dripped with cold intent. As his words lingered, a profound shift in Xuan Yang's expression ensued as he demanded, "What are you insinuating?"