An Unparalleled Character

An Unparalleled Character . . .

Nanfeng Yunxi exuded an aura of bone-chilling coldness, but the blazing divine flames swirling around her were anything but frigid.

The other geniuses abruptly shifted their attention as they detected Nanfeng Yunxi's presence. Fear and apprehension etched across their faces, and their auras surged in response. Yet, Nanfeng Yunxi appeared oblivious to their presence. A radiant light began to emanate from her, crimson flames so vivid they resembled blood, possessing a peculiar and mesmerizing beauty.

Once more, Nanfeng Yunxi pointed her finger forward. The brilliant crimson flames streaked through the air, coalescing into a scorching, razor-sharp wing that sliced through the arm of one unfortunate genius. The remaining geniuses launched simultaneous attacks, desperate to counter her onslaught. Meanwhile, Zi Daoyang advanced unhindered, inching closer to one of the two available positions for the inheritance.

It seemed inevitable that Zi Daoyang, the top-ranked genius of the Immortal Ascension Rankings, would claim one of the nine inheritances. The rest of the contenders were left to struggle and compete fiercely for the final slot.

Nanfeng Yunxi continued her relentless assault, her movements precise and lethal, casting a menacing shadow over all present.

The Immortal Ascension Rankings' top three contenders were now assembled. The second-ranked genius had occupied his spot for an undisclosed duration, poised to complete his inheritance. With Zi Daoyang, the reigning number one, securing his place, who else could challenge Nanfeng Yunxi, the third-ranked contender?

Qin Wentian's brow furrowed. Could that truly be Nanfeng Yunxi?

"Nanfeng!" Qin Wentian's voice pierced through the chaos as he sprinted toward Nanfeng Yunxi, with Qing'er closely tailing him.

Nanfeng Yunxi was in the midst of a ferocious battle against other geniuses, dispatching them relentlessly. She paid no heed to Qin Wentian and Qing'er, who were trailing behind, now at the back of the pack. With Qing'er's mastery over spatial energy, they gradually closed the distance to Nanfeng Yunxi.

Puchi... In a sudden twist, Nanfeng Yunxi redirected her focus toward them, launching another attack. Her icy gaze held no traces of emotion, and when Qin Wentian peered deeper, he glimpsed another pair of eyes, eerily familiar.

—Bang!— The collision of energy from Qing'er and Nanfeng Yunxi shook the air.

"It's you!" A realization struck Qin Wentian. The woman before them was not Nanfeng Yunxi but the enigmatic specter they had previously encountered in the Underworld Mountains. This mysterious entity possessed the ability to inhabit the bodies of others. Qin Wentian now believed she was the one who leaked the information about the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's inheritance.

With Mo Xie preoccupied in his comprehension, he couldn't have spread the news to others. It seemed this specter had masterminded the gathering of all these geniuses in the Underworld Mountains, plotting to seize the inheritance. Qin Wentian had a sinking feeling that she would not stop at possessing Nanfeng Yunxi but intended to permanently inhabit her body to gain access to the inheritance. If she succeeded, Nanfeng Yunxi would be lost forever, and she and Little Rascal would become enemies.

"Qing'er, I must get closer to her," Qin Wentian said urgently. But Qing'er's subsequent attempt to block the specter was met with fierce resistance. Nanfeng Yunxi, under the specter's control, was relentless in her pursuit of the inheritance.

Qin Wentian's hope of receiving help from the other geniuses was dashed. They were all fiercely focused on securing their positions, leaving Nanfeng Yunxi unchallenged in her quest.

Frustration gnawed at Qin Wentian. He couldn't rely on these competitors, but he couldn't let the specter take over Nanfeng Yunxi's body and claim the inheritance.

Shouldering the weight of his decision, Qin Wentian altered his strategy. Expanding his body, he launched a series of attacks with golden suppression figures descending from above, blocking Nanfeng Yunxi's path.

Cold, resentful eyes fixed on Qin Wentian. The specter considered all means to seize the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's inheritance and saw Qin Wentian as a recurring obstacle. Rage and animosity emanated from her as she unleashed her bloodline power, her crimson phoenix wings unfurling with formidable might. A single swipe of her wings attempted to rend space asunder.

Qing'er, her long hair dancing in the wind, calmly confronted the impending assault, her palms creating the Immortal Slaying Diagram that transformed into a vortex, swallowing the specter's attack.

"Qing'er, let's withdraw," Qin Wentian urged as he saw the futility of their efforts. The specter would inevitably return to her true form without Nanfeng Yunxi's body. Such a confrontation was meaningless.

Qing'er unleashed a final attack to stall the specter, then she and Qin Wentian chose to retreat. Nanfeng Yunxi, however, showed no interest in pursuing them. Her focus snapped back to the inheritance position, but her expression turned ashen.

Zi Daoyang had successfully secured one of the positions, and the last remaining spot was claimed by the demonic bird, Zhan Peng, despite his battered state. Xu Ruxue's whip had left him severely wounded, but his unyielding determination pushed him to seize the final opportunity. Though an ordinary species, Zhan Peng exhibited extraordinary strength of character.

"ARGH!" A piercing scream of fury erupted from Nanfeng Yunxi, her wrath palpable, and her chilling gaze sent shivers down the spines of the surrounding geniuses. The Immortal Ascension Rankings' third-ranked genius was exuding a terrifying pressure, and her rage struck fear into the very core of their souls.

Nevertheless, amidst the swirling emotions of dismay, there were those whose hearts burned with a fervent denial, refusing to accept this outcome. They surged forward, aiming to unseat Zhan Peng and claim his position atop the diagram. Yet, the moment Zhan Peng settled onto the diagram, a luminous barrier enveloped him completely. The attacks of these rivals were repelled effortlessly, posing no threat to Zhan Peng.

Wild excitement danced in Zhan Peng's eyes as he reveled in his newfound attainment. Amidst the chaos and conflict, he had finally secured a portion of the inheritance. A meteoric ascent awaited him, soaring above the sovereigns of the skies, transcending the very divinities themselves.

Qin Wentian and Qing'er, on the other hand, chose a path of silent departure. Their hearts brimmed with good wishes for Little Rascal, who had found his own fortuitous opportunity. Yet, the adversaries awaiting Little Rascal were formidable indeed. Among the three currently present—the 7th-ranked Zhan Peng, 2nd-ranked Mo Xie, and 1st-ranked Zi Daoyang—all were formidable opponents. In addition to these three, there were five others who had already obtained the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's inheritance. Their identities and cultivation levels remained shrouded in mystery.

The two of them retraced their steps to the area preceding the cavern's entrance. The eight immortal emperors had reverted to their dormant state, nestled within their wooden coffins. Qin Wentian had no intention of disturbing their slumber. He continued his journey outward, and upon emerging from the cavern, he encountered the enigmatic gray-robed old man, his back turned toward them. The old man's solitary figure seemed inseparable from the pervasive aura of death that blanketed the surroundings, as though he were the supreme sovereign of this realm. Had Qin Wentian not laid eyes on the statue of the Brahma Heavenly Emperor himself, he might have assumed this old man to be the very embodiment of the Brahma Heavenly Emperor.

A sense of perplexity washed over Qin Wentian. Who, precisely, was this mysterious old man?

"All has concluded," murmured the gray-robed old man. "The nine positions of the inheritance now have their successors." His mission, it appeared, had reached its fulfillment.

"I seem to recollect something," the old man continued, as though conversing with himself, his back still turned toward Qin Wentian and Qing'er.

"This place is where the Brahma Heavenly Emperor bequeathed his inheritance. He fragmented it into nine portions, envisioning nine successors to engage in a battle for supremacy. Once all nine segments of the inheritance are comprehended, the chosen nine shall sense it," the old man whispered. He stared straight ahead, extending his arm and pointing forward. "Not only do I recall the Brahma Heavenly Emperor, but I also recollect 'him.' Back then, when the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's name reverberated through the immortal realms, 'he' vanquished eight immortal emperors in a single epic battle, arrogantly asserting dominance over all challengers and bestowing upon them their ultimate fate. Who in this world did not both fear and venerate 'him'?"

The mysterious gray-robed old man grew increasingly agitated. He gestured toward another location, to the right, emanating a pure golden aura befitting kings and emperors, as he continued. "Only 'he'... Only 'he' could contend with the Brahma Heavenly Emperor. A genuine supreme figure, 'he' confronted the Brahma Heavenly Emperor alone and even succeeded in incarcerating him within this very place. Such a figure, the immortal realm has never seen the likes of 'him' again..."