Surround and Kill

Surround and Kill . . .

Qin Wentian's gaze remained locked on the figures descending from the heavens, his eyes ablaze with determination. They had finally arrived.

In Sky Harmony City, a sea of people craned their necks, their eyes fixed on these newcomers. Before they could recover from their initial shock, even more immortals appeared. Who were these arrivals?

Could they be yet another delegation from the formidable Star River Association?

If that were the case, hope seemed to be slipping away from Qin Wentian. His earlier declaration of "They've arrived" could only be interpreted as a harbinger of doom.

But wait, what did Qin Wentian mean by those words? Could these newcomers not be affiliated with the Star River Association? Qin Wentian appeared to be awaiting their arrival with anticipation.

Who were these enigmatic figures?

—BOOM BOOM BOOM!— The sky ignited with immortal light as the group touched down in a precise formation just outside the grand ancient bell. The leader's eyes held a terrifying intensity, their presence immense. The people of Driftsnow City felt their hearts quaking, even beneath the protection of the city.

"It's all over, Qin Wentian will be utterly defeated," murmured the residents of Sky Harmony City. This group of experts surpassed even the previous delegation from the Star River Association. Had the Association dispatched a second wave of experts to deal with Qin Wentian?

If that were the case, Qin Wentian's fate seemed sealed. Hope had faded, and it appeared that his demise was imminent.

Was this the end for a legendary figure?

Yet, at this pivotal moment, the radiant aura of the grand bell suddenly dissipated. The majestic bell split into the Nine Immortality Bells, which returned to their original positions. Driftsnow City reappeared. Everyone's hearts raced at this bewildering turn of events. What was happening? Had Qin Wentian lost his sanity, realizing the futility of their survival? Was he surrendering?

The figures descending from the heavens stared at Qin Wentian, their eyes fixed upon him. Qin Wentian ascended, locking eyes with them, his gaze gleaming with unwavering resolve.

"Young Lord Qin," several immortal foundation experts chorused, their voices harmonizing into a powerful wave that surged through the area. The sheer force of their words sent shivers through those who heard them.

In ancient Driftsnow City, Qin Wentian's close friends and comrades watched in a daze. These figures from the immortal realms clearly exuded respect, addressing him as "Young Lord Qin." It was a stark departure from the Qin Wentian they had known.

Could this truly be the same Qin Wentian they had watched grow up? The one who had shared their journey through life?

Their hearts surged with a bewildering mix of emotions. It was one thing for Qin Wentian to break through to immortal foundation, but seeing a group of immortals from the immortal realms bowing before him was a sight that defied belief.

The people of Sky Harmony City were equally stunned, their eyes locked on the gathering of immortals.

"Is this even real?"

"Am I hallucinating?"

"Dear heavens, these are all immortals! What incredible achievements did Qin Wentian from Sky Harmony City accomplish in the immortal realms?"

Their hearts raced as they rubbed their eyes, as though they needed to confirm that this wasn't an illusion.

"Qin Wentian, please, save Xian'er," a voice pleaded, originating from a member of the Celestial Maiden Sect.

"Qin Wentian, Lin Xian'er has secretly loved you for so long. Your connection with her must mean something. Can't you rescue her?" another person implored.

"Rest assured, the Star River Association will pay for this," Qin Wentian vowed, his eyes gleaming with determination. The immortal king who led the group of immortal foundation experts turned to Qin Wentian, his tone respectful. "Young Lord Qin, please give us your command."

"Very well. Some of you will stay here to guard this place. The rest will proceed to the Star River Association's headquarters to ensure that they don't harm the young lady they kidnapped. She's a dear friend of mine. Move out immediately and await my orders," Qin Wentian commanded.

"We will follow your orders, Lord Qin," the immortals responded, bowing. One of the immortal kings emanated a formidable aura, wrapping the group of immortal foundation experts in a surge of power. In an instant, they vanished from sight.

"I intend to activate the bell's protective barrier once more, just to be safe. You should all return to Driftsnow City," Qin Wentian instructed Mo Qingcheng and the others. He had been waiting for these reinforcements to arrive before emerging from the bell. After all, their adversary was an immortal king. The slightest misstep could have led to the capture or slaughter of everyone. Even the strength of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect would have been useless in such a scenario.

"Understood," they all agreed, recognizing that this was the wisest course of action.

Qin Wentian's immortal sense connected with the nine bells, reaching out to the ancient city's soul dwelling within them. With a brilliant radiance, the ancient city was once again concealed, this time beneath a colossal grand bell.

"Let's proceed," Qin Wentian said to the lead immortal king.

"Understood," the immortal king nodded in agreement. With a burst of immense power, he and Qin Wentian disappeared from their location.

"Kill them all! Wipe out every member of the Star River Association!" The people of Sky Harmony City were filled with fervor. The Star River Association had treated them as insignificant, casually taking their lives. They hoped for retribution and that Qin Wentian would exact vengeance on their behalf.

"It's a shame we can't witness the battle. I was really looking forward to seeing how that immortal king met his end. Addressing him as 'Young Lord,' Qin Wentian must have gained the support of a formidable power in the immortal realms. He can surely defeat that immortal king."

Many in Sky Harmony City shared this sentiment, regretting that they couldn't witness the impending battle.

"Qin Wentian isn't a saint either. When they were taking Lin Xian'er away, he didn't intervene," someone pointed out angrily.

"Are you suggesting you'd act differently? Qin Wentian is human, too. His friends and family are in Driftsnow City. If he had come out, he'd have led them to their deaths. Would you do that if you were in his shoes?" another person scolded. "By showing no concern, he was actually protecting us. If he had shown his emotions, that immortal king would have slaughtered us to force Qin Wentian's hand."

The person nodded in understanding, "You're right. It's the Star River Association's despicable tactics. I hope he annihilates them all."

The women of the Celestial Maiden Sect, however, couldn't help but be anxious. One of them asked, "Xian'er will be safe, won't she?"

"I believe so. Qin Wentian and Xian'er are friends. He was helpless to save her earlier, but now, with so many experts, there's no doubt they'll rescue her," a person replied with conviction. They were just as anxious but had to maintain hope.

In the airspace above the Star River Association's headquarters, several of their experts surrounded Lin Xian'er. Hostility emanated from them as they faced the sudden arrival of the group of immortals, a formidable power blocking their retreat.

Initially despondent, Lin Xian'er's hope was rekindled when she saw the immortals. She didn't fully grasp the situation, but the appearance of this group brought a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, a beam of light streaked toward them, and two figures materialized. One was a middle-aged man exuding overwhelming power, and the other was none other than Qin Wentian.

Lin Xian'er's eyes lit up with a mixture of surprise and relief. Qin Wentian had come.

Below, the Star River Association's experts felt their hearts turn cold at the sight of the immortals in the air. Even observers from the Royal Sacred Region trembled as they watched. What was happening?

Was that young man truly Qin Wentian?

"Order these immortals to leave. If not, I will end her life right now," the immortal king of the Star River Association threatened coldly, pointing at Lin Xian'er. He recognized the dire situation he was in.

"Listen to my command. Kill every member of the Star River Association without mercy!" Qin Wentian's voice boomed with determination.

"WE HEAR AND OBEY!" The immortals from the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect descended swiftly. In an instant, their destructive might surged against the Star River Association's headquarters, filling the air with cries of agony. One of the immortal-foundation experts cried out in terror, "IMMORTAL KING, SAVE US!"

Yet, the immortal king remained unmoved. Qin Wentian, too, paid no attention to the turmoil below. His expression was ice-cold. This immortal king thought he could manipulate Qin Wentian by threatening the lives of Sky Harmony City's residents? Well, it was time for retribution. He would spare no one from the Star River Association. Mercy had no place here.

"It's over. The Star River Association is finished." Onlookers felt their souls tremble. They were still in the dark about the situation. Who were these mysterious experts?

What was Qin Wentian's true status? He commanded a legion of immortals to confront the Star River Association's experts.

"Do you truly not care whether she lives or dies?" The immortal king pointed at Lin Xian'er.

"You are right, I am acquainted with her. But as a high-ranking and supreme immortal king, you dare use an innocent woman to threaten me? Very well, listen carefully, all of you. Unless you have no family, if a single hair on Lin Xian'er's head is harmed, I swear I will investigate and hunt down every person connected to you. Don't doubt my resolve," Qin Wentian declared, his gaze piercing through the immortal foundation experts before settling on the immortal king. "That includes you."

"Release her," Qin Wentian added with icy determination.

"Do you think that's possible?" The immortal king remained emotionless.

"Then allow me to be the hostage instead," Qin Wentian proposed, shocking everyone. Even Lin Xian'er stared at him in disbelief. He was willing to become a hostage to secure her freedom?