Enraged Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor . . .
The notion that Qin Wentian was the Sect Leader of the Qin Sect seemed utterly preposterous. It was as if the universe itself had performed a cosmic joke, and Que Tianyi could scarcely believe his senses. Qin Wentian, the young man he had once dismissed as a foolish nobody, now loomed above him in the sky with an aura of unparalleled dominance. In the past, Que Tianyi had been accepted as a personal disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, while Qin Wentian had been left behind. According to the natural order of things, their paths should have diverged even further as the years passed. Qin Wentian should have remained forever distant, never capable of catching up to him.
Yet in a single strike, that illusion was shattered. Despite Que Tianyi's higher cultivation base, he had been effortlessly subdued by Qin Wentian. The humiliation was intense, and Qin Wentian's disdain for him was evident from his unwavering gaze. To Qin Wentian, Que Tianyi was inconsequential.
Everything Que Tianyi had prided himself on crumbled in an instant, reduced to insignificance in the face of Qin Wentian's overwhelming presence. Qin Wentian's status as the Qin Sect's leader meant that those aligned with his sect could obliterate the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect with ease. These two groups were simply in different leagues.
The humiliation wasn't reserved for Que Tianyi alone; it was a humiliation that extended to the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor himself. In the past, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had chosen Que Tianyi over Qin Wentian as his disciple. Now, the outcome of this battle would become a notorious tale in the immortal realms.
"You are far too arrogant," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor admonished Qin Wentian. "At your current level of strength, you are still too weak. You should grasp this simple truth—shining too brightly may lead to your own downfall."
A wry, mocking smile curled on Qin Wentian's lips. "Old dog Eastern Sage, are you trying to threaten me? My actions today make it clear that I no longer care. Even if I did nothing today, the lackeys of your sect would still come after me for humiliating you. Remember your son, Dongsheng Ting? He attempted to kill me through various means. Do you think I still care about your opinion of me?"
No matter how composed the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor usually was, he could feel his anger simmering dangerously close to the surface. It was as if he might erupt in a burst of rage at any moment, taking matters into his own hands to end Qin Wentian's life.
—BOOM!— A cataclysmic, destructive force descended from the heavens, shrouding the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor in its malevolent power.
The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor glanced upward, his irritation evident in his eyes. Coldly, he announced, "I shall depart."
"No need for that. You've waited long enough. Since you refuse to leave, I'll 'escort' you out myself." The thunderous voice reverberated through the air. Immediately, the destructive force surged into the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, impeding an immortal emperor's senses from lingering too long within the City of Ancient Emperors.
The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's eyes smoldered with suppressed fury. His image gradually blurred, and he cast one final gaze at Qin Wentian, brimming with intense killing intent. While he was disappointed in Que Tianyi's performance, Qin Wentian's audacity to kill a personal disciple before an immortal emperor was an offense grave enough to warrant his death a thousandfold.
"He actually killed him... Qin Wentian truly killed a personal disciple of an immortal emperor," murmured the geniuses of the City of Ancient Emperors, their minds racing. They had envisioned countless scenarios but never fathomed that Qin Wentian would actually slay Que Tianyi. Although Que Tianyi was arrogant, they believed that even if he lost, his opponent would refrain from going all-out and taking his life. However, this time was different. The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's immortal sense had been activated but failed to prevent Que Tianyi's death. Before an immortal emperor's very eyes, Qin Wentian had fearlessly executed his judgment.
"This man is mad," the onlookers mused, their understanding of Qin Wentian deepening. It was no wonder he had risen to the ranks of Zi Daoyang and Mo Xie, becoming one of the three chosen in the City of Ancient Emperors. Qin Wentian couldn't be judged by common standards.
As the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's immortal sense dissipated, his lingering presence gradually faded from the air. The disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect had witnessed Qin Wentian's slaying of Que Tianyi firsthand. Their hearts raced with dread, and when Qin Wentian directed his gaze toward them, a chill ran down their spines.
Qin Wentian's piercing gaze settled upon the disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, a hint of wry amusement dancing in his eyes. Perhaps, he mused, they had become overly accustomed to their exalted positions back in the Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures. Their transition to the City of Ancient Emperors seemed to have left them with their arrogance intact, a trait that didn't bode well for them in this formidable realm. Unbeknownst to them, countless beings here possessed the power to effortlessly crush their pride.
Many within the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect had witnessed Qin Wentian's meteoric rise. During the once-per-hundred-year banquet, he had seized the battle platform in a manner that defied all expectations, emerging as the unrivaled top ranker. Considering the relentless targeting by Dongsheng Ting, this feat should have been impossible. Yet Qin Wentian had silenced all opposition, leaving no room for dispute. Within a few short years, he had ascended to a position of prominence in the City of Ancient Emperors.
As they gazed upon the imposing figure in the air, the geniuses of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect felt a growing sense of defeat. Could they even claim the title of "genius" in the presence of this extraordinary young man?
Among them, Gusu Tianqi experienced the most tumultuous inner turmoil. He had never envisioned that Qin Wentian would attain such extraordinary power. Que Tianyi had succumbed with a single blow, and Gusu Tianqi couldn't help but wonder if he would have fared any better. After years of rigorous training and self-improvement, was this the extent of his accomplishments?
"What is your intention?" One of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect disciples demanded, his voice carrying a frosty edge.
"Other than Que Tianyi and the blinded man, did anyone else insult or humiliate my Qin Sect?" Qin Wentian inquired as he directed his gaze at Leng Pingchao.
"No, but they were all grinning with self-satisfaction, seemingly delighted by their comrades' 'jokes,'" Leng Pingchao replied icily.
"I see," Qin Wentian acknowledged. "Since they take such pride in themselves, I will ask the members of the Qin Sect to teach them a lesson on my behalf. While you are all part of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, I bear no grudges against any of you. Given the effort required to reach your current levels of cultivation, I won't take your lives today. However, should you ever become my enemies or seek to end my life while representing the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect in the future, I will show no mercy."
Qin Wentian was not a bloodthirsty individual. Even though the people before him belonged to the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, he had no intention of initiating senseless slaughter. This was the principle by which he conducted himself.
The disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect breathed a sigh of relief, relinquishing any notions of risking their lives. The members of the Qin Sect stepped forward, and a battle erupted between the two groups. The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect disciples, already demoralized, lacked the heart to engage in combat. Additionally, they were inherently weaker, leaving them powerless against the might of the Qin Sect. Soon, they found themselves wounded and bereft of their treasures. Onlookers watched in silence, astonished by the ruthlessness of the Qin Sect members. They appeared akin to bandits in their actions.
Before long, Qin Wentian and his companions departed, leaving behind the disheartened disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Despite their injuries, fury and reluctance simmered in their eyes. Yet, they were utterly powerless. Back in the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, they had been revered and lofty figures. In the City of Ancient Emperors, however, they were ill-equipped to withstand the might of the Qin Sect, established by none other than Qin Wentian himself.
...
In the Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures, nestled within a mystical immortal mountain, an expansive and resplendent imperial palace stood proudly. It was adorned with numerous pavilions, and even the common guards possessed cultivation levels of at least the immortal-foundation realm. In front of the most majestic ancient pavilion, an assembly of figures sat cross-legged in profound silence. All of them were at the immortal-king realm or higher, displaying an exceptional degree of respect as they absorbed the wisdom imparted by a distinguished figure at the forefront.
This eminent figure was none other than the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor.
In that fateful moment, as the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's voice resonated through the air, it was abruptly silenced. The very voice of the Great Dao seemed to be interrupted, replaced by an overwhelming and formidable surge of power that radiated from the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor himself. A stifling pressure descended upon the entire assembly, causing the immortal kings present to have an instant and dramatic shift in their expressions. An air of trepidation permeated the atmosphere as all eyes turned toward the supreme figure before them.
What had just transpired?
"Your Majesty!" a voice reverently called out, attempting to address the sudden change. The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's eyes, gleaming with an icy brilliance capable of piercing through the heavens and earth, brought a sense of fear that left the immortal kings bowing in submission. "Your Majesty, please, quell your anger."
Gradually, the fury within the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor began to subside. He drew in a deep breath, regaining his composure, and spoke with a calm that belied the tempest within. "Que Tianyi has met his demise."
As his words hung in the air, a collective shock and astonishment overtook the faces of the immortal kings. Among them was the Scarce Moon Immortal King, whose very aura underwent a tumultuous upheaval, his countenance twisted with a mixture of emotions.
Ever since Que Tianyi had been accepted as a personal disciple by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, his bond with the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect had grown exceptionally strong. He would often visit the emperor's palace to partake in discussions about the Dao with the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor himself. The Scarce Moon Immortal Manor had formed a profound alliance with the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, considering Que Tianyi their greatest hope. But now, to their disbelief, Que Tianyi had met his untimely end at the hands of another.
"In the City of Ancient Emperors, that scoundrel Qin Wentian has dared to take Que Tianyi's life in the presence of my immortal sense," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor stated, his voice steady and composed. It was a remarkable display of how swiftly he could regain control over his emotions. The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's state of mind revealed profound depths.
"Convey my command," he continued, his words sending shivers down everyone's spine. "Summon the most exceptional talents at the ninth level of Celestial Phenomenon from our Eastern Sage Immortal Sect and dispatch them to the City of Ancient Emperors."
This time, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's wrath was undeniably ignited to its fullest extent.