The Ancient City Beneath the Stars

The Ancient City Beneath the Stars . . .

"What in the world is this place?" Qin Wentian cast an incredulous look around. He found himself on an ancient battle platform within this surreal world, facing two colossal greater demons—a situation that radiated sheer terror.

One of these greater demons was the primordial behemoth known as Taowu. It sported a human visage combined with a tiger's body, exuding an aura of vengeance so palpable it felt like death personified. A single glance at it sent shivers down one's spine.

The other creature resembled a ferocious ox with twin draconic horns. Its brawny, upright stance was unmistakably humanoid, yet its violet claws could effortlessly rend humans to shreds. It exuded a formidable presence that dominated the platform.

"Qing'er, stay alert!" Qin Wentian's aura flared with intensity. The sudden appearance of these two formidable demons left him wondering if it had anything to do with their intrusion.

Taowu brandished a menacing trident, an aura of impending doom swirling around it. With an eerie flicker, it materialized on the platform, charging forward with a belligerent thrust. Its attack seemed to emanate from the depths of hell, casting a sinister blood-red hue over the entire battleground.

Around Qing'er, holy lotuses materialized, radiating a kaleidoscope of colors. She directed a finger towards Taowu, converting spatial energy into a barrage of razor-sharp swords that homed in on her target.

—RUMBLE!— The trident's devastating strike obliterated everything in its path, like a harbinger of death.

Qin Wentian summoned his God's Hand, bathing his entire form in a ghastly radiance. He lunged forward to confront the greater demon, celestial constellations shimmering resplendently in this illusory realm. His palm, imbued with the might of the God's Hand, bore down upon Taowu's trident. The collision unleashed a surge of destructive force that consumed the palm imprint, revealing the unfathomable power of the greater demon.

—BOOM!— The draconic-horned ox demon charged, shaking the battlefield relentlessly. Its colossal hand reached out, closing the gap between them with astounding speed as it aimed to seize and rend Qin Wentian apart.

Qin Wentian responded with another furious palm strike, but the monstrous ox's boundless divine strength shattered the God's Hand imprint. It gained the upper hand, closing in to grasp Qin Wentian. Its irresistible might became painfully evident as it attempted to tear him asunder.

—ROAR!— The air quivered with a deafening roar as the ox demon strained to rip Qin Wentian into fragments. Despite the pure-white flames shimmering around him providing some defense, the attack inflicted excruciating agony. The unearthly power of these demons was beyond imagination.

A thick, ominous smoke curled from the ox's nostrils, its malevolent saucer-like eyes fixated on Qin Wentian. It radiated a primordial malevolence that sent shivers down his spine. Qin Wentian, on the other hand, emitted an aura of resplendent runic light, a crushing pressure that surged in relentless waves. Rumbling echoed, and to everyone's astonishment, the greater demon took a step back under the sheer force of Qin Wentian's presence. His God's Hand transformed into talon-like claws, slashing forward and rending through the greater demon's chest.

—ROAR, ROAR!— The greater demon bellowed, its massive palms lashing out to grasp Qin Wentian. Yet, the God's Hand exuded an overwhelming suppression, meeting the demon's assault head-on. Man and demon clashed with ferocious intensity, shaking the very heavens and earth. Qin Wentian soon realized that the greater demon's strength had been restrained to his level, and likewise, Taowu's power matched Qing'er's. It appeared that some mysterious law energy within this realm equalized their strengths.

Just then, a buzzing resonance filled the air, and on the ancient battle platform, Nanfeng Yunxi and the others materialized. Simultaneously, more greater demons emerged within the illusory world. A wave of dread-inducing demonic might swept through the entire realm.

RUMBLE The newly arrived greater demons surged towards Nanfeng Yunxi and her companions. In response, Nanfeng Yunxi ignited her flames, their fiery glow enveloping her as phoenix wings unfurled behind her back. The spectral image of an ancient phoenix descended, clashing valiantly against a greater demon of Celestial Phenomenon peak, a black wild avian steeped in death qi.

The battlefield descended into chaos. Even Little Rascal's presence triggered the appearance of another greater demon. Little Rascal morphed into its battle-ready form, engaging fiercely with its adversary.

"This haphazard fighting won't give us an advantage. Let's unite our forces. Nanfeng and I will be the primary attackers. Qing'er and Hua Taixu will provide support, controlling and restraining their movements. Qingxuan, Mengchen, and Little Rascal, you'll create chaos and distraction by moving around the platform!" Qin Wentian shouted, outlining their strategy. The seven of them swiftly moved to their designated positions. Qin Wentian and Nanfeng Yunxi occupied the center, Qing'er stood by Qin Wentian's side, and Hua Taixu stood beside Nanfeng Yunxi, compensating for each other's weaknesses. Jun Mengchen, Zi Qingxuan, and Little Rascal spread out in a formation to the left and right.

Qing'er's ebony hair danced in the breeze as she channeled spatial energy into runes, creating an imprisoning field that confined their adversaries. Hua Taixu's samsara eyes took on a peculiar gleam, causing several eighth-level ascendant demons to fall into a bewildered trance, roaring in confusion.

Qin Wentian's imposing figure added to his strength, and his God's Hand transformed into a world-shattering spear. Its tip blazed with pure-white flames, a testament to his bloodline power. His spear emitted a crushing suppression that threatened to sweep everything before it.

Jun Mengchen, Zi Qingxuan, and Little Rascal surged forward, unleashing their most potent attacks. These greater demons boasted incredible defensive capabilities; only the most formidable strikes could hope to affect them.

A blazing inferno erupted from Nanfeng Yunxi, immolating the demonic adversaries in her path. Qin Wentian's colossal 100-meter form thrust his spear towards an eighth-level greater demon ascendant. The demon attempted to react, emitting a thunderous roar, but the spear's brilliance outshone its defenses. It pierced through the demon's body, heedless of its resistance.

Destructive energy tore through the demon's insides, shattering everything within, and with a deafening boom, the greater demon exploded, vanishing into nothingness.

"What a devastating attack," Nanfeng Yunxi marveled, her assault unabated. Qin Wentian's God's Hand struck once more, skewering another greater demon through the head. At their level of cultivation, even supreme primordial greater demons couldn't withstand his overwhelming power. Each fell instantly.

These formidable demons, while powerful, failed to coordinate their efforts. Under the united front of Qin Wentian and his companions, they were systematically defeated, until the last one imploded, leaving only void.

"These greater demons are incredibly formidable. Only experts at the pinnacle of immortality would stand a chance fighting them solo," Nanfeng Yunxi observed. Qin Wentian and the others nodded in agreement.

"Fortunately, we entered early. If we had arrived after Senior Brother and Qing'er had finished their battle, it would have been much tougher," Jun Mengchen commented. As he spoke, the platform shone intensely, enveloping them, and then with a resonant sound, the platform disappeared, along with Qin Wentian and his companions.

When they reemerged, they stood on solid ground, awestruck by their surroundings. This was the true Antiquity City, beneath the starry skies. Despite countless years passing, its grandeur remained undiminished. Yet, it bore signs of ancient damage, suggesting that supreme beings—ancient emperors in their prime—had once clashed here.

Nearby, the sounds of bubbling caught their attention. They turned to see a pool of blood, sensing their presence. The blood in the pool churned, revealing intricate blood runes. Qin Wentian's group gazed in astonishment.

"This must be the blood essence of a supreme expert. Despite the eons, it hasn't dried up but transformed into a pool. It appears to retain all its power," Nanfeng Yunxi said. "For those with lower cultivations, it can be used for body refinement. However, whether one can withstand the energy within this blood is uncertain."

Upon reaching the immortal foundation realm, one's body underwent transformation. Immortal kings and emperors' bodies were filled with essence energy, turning their bones into rune bones and their blood into a repository of formidable power. Little Rascal, in a flash, rushed into the blood pool.

As the blood pool roared to life with intense bubbling, Little Rascal couldn't contain its startled roar. The blood runes surged into its form, seemingly intent on refining it. In response, Little Rascal began radiating an intense, blood-red light.

Soon after, a fearsome vortex materialized, and Little Rascal greedily devoured the blood energy, absorbing it incrementally.

"He's utilizing the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's heritage to assimilate the energy from this blood pool," Nanfeng Yunxi observed, her eyes filled with fascination. Little Rascal's once fleshy body took on a terrifying aspect, nearly succumbing to the baptism's agony. Its entire form bore intricate blood runes, creating a menacing visage. Despite the pain, Little Rascal persevered, allowing the surge of blood energy to reshape its body. Over time, it grew more resilient, its exterior evolving into a crystalline appearance, shining with translucence.

"It seems Little Rascal is on the verge of evolving," Qin Wentian remarked joyously. Little Rascal was progressing toward its later stages of growth!