Life Tougher Than the Heavens

Life Tougher Than the Heavens . . . 

In the tranquil stillness of the evening, Qin Wentian reclined, his eyes captivated by the breathtaking allure of Qing'er. Her delicate countenance had bloomed into a rosy blush, a sight so enchanting that it tempted anyone to steal another kiss from her.

A pure and innocent goddess she appeared, a snow princess gracing the world with her presence. In this moment, as the sunset's warm embrace painted her face in shades of crimson, her beauty became a masterpiece that stirred the depths of one's soul. Resistance was futile; no heart could withstand such allure.

Qin Wentian's body naturally leaned closer to Qing'er, his arm tenderly encircling her slender waist as he lost himself in the moment. Qing'er, too, yielded to this magnetic pull, her head nestling on his shoulder. Gazing at the flawless beauty mere inches away, Qin Wentian relished a sense of contentment he had never known.

Wrapped in each other's embrace, they silently cherished this fleeting tranquility under the silent night sky. The stars watched over them, and as astral light bathed Qin Wentian, his form seemed to crystallize, radiating an ethereal glow.

Yet, just as tranquility embraced him, a sudden shift disrupted his reverie. The celestial light that once adorned him vanished as his eyes snapped open, detecting a remarkable energy reaching out to him, knitting his brows in curiosity.

It was as if an unknown force beckoned him.

Without hesitation, Qin Wentian soared into the night, departing the boundaries of Princess Changping's residence and embarking into the heart of the imperial palace. The peculiar energy persisted, and Qin Wentian sensed that the source of this summons could not be far.

Before long, he arrived at a luminous, star-kissed lake, its shimmering surface mirroring the vast cosmos above. Amidst the celestial radiance, a tall figure stood, as if time itself had sculpted him into the essence of the night.

This figure emanated a faint silvery sheen, exuding an otherworldly aura. Qin Wentian could discern that the enchanting energy stemmed from this enigmatic presence.

"Senior, Qin Wentian pays his respects," he greeted, offering a respectful nod. The figure slowly turned to meet Qin Wentian's gaze.

Their eyes locked, and in that moment, Qin Wentian felt as if he had plunged into an infinite expanse of stars. Within the depths of the old man's eyes, he existed as a mere speck in a boundless cosmic sea, a fleeting existence.

This profound sensation lasted but an instant, yet it left an enduring imprint. As the old man withdrew his gaze, Qin Wentian felt an unparalleled lightness, as if a colossal burden had lifted from his shoulders.

"What power," he marveled inwardly. The depth of this man's presence defied measure. Qin Wentian had encountered numerous Immortal Kings and even some Immortal Emperors in his journey, yet he remained clueless about the old man's cultivation level. Undoubtedly, this figure surpassed even the Deepflame Immortal King and the Dream Demon King.

Within the Evergreen Immortal Empire's imperial palace, only a select few could boast of such a profound cultivation.

"There is no pressing matter. I simply wished to meet you," the ethereal voice resonated, carrying a sense of unreality. Qin Wentian was taken aback by the revelation. A figure of such immense power sought his presence—what could be the reason?

Perplexed, he began to ponder. Given the old man's cultivation, he could easily scan the entire imperial palace with his immortal senses and perceive Qin Wentian's whereabouts. Yet, he had chosen to meet him in person. Could this enigmatic figure be Qing'er's father, the Evergreen Immortal Emperor, the ruler of the empire?

"Senior…" Qin Wentian began, but the old man waved a dismissive hand and spoke in a gentle tone, "Continue your cultivation, and do not forget your true purpose. Destiny has marked you as one with great potential."

"Please, do share your wisdom," the old man urged with a gentle smile, his eyes exuding an ethereal radiance. Qin Wentian couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise; he hadn't anticipated that their meeting would revolve around just a single sentence. The unexpected simplicity left him momentarily speechless. Yet, the sincerity in the old man's eyes assured him that there were no malicious intentions lurking beneath this encounter. In fact, it was an honor that such a formidable expert had even sought his presence. To beings of this caliber, ordinary individuals often went unnoticed, even if they stood right before them.

With a respectful nod, Qin Wentian replied, "Then, I shall take my leave." He turned and departed, though his mind remained awash with curiosity.

As he walked away, the tranquil starry lake underwent an astonishing transformation, its surface tumultuously churning, creating violent waves that surged and ebbed. Within the heart of the lake, an image of Qin Wentian materialized, a specter ascending a beam of starlight that pierced the night sky.

The enigmatic figure gazed upward, following the path of the starlight with swift elegance. The mirrored image of Qin Wentian, etched on the lake's surface, resonated with the depth of the old man's eyes. It resembled a celestial game of chess, the board becoming increasingly radiant as the starlight representing Qin Wentian ascended to its zenith, then erupted into brilliance.

A sudden cough disrupted the ethereal spectacle. The white-robed old man trembled violently, a drop of blood trickling from his eye, though he appeared unfazed.

"Father!" A figure hurried over, her beauty unparalleled. She peered anxiously at her father. "Are you injured?"

"It is the natural cost of delving into the mysteries of the heavens. Unfortunately, my cultivation is still lacking," the white-robed old man lamented, shaking his head. He seemed disappointed by his own limitations, a sentiment that would surely astound experts beyond their realm.

"Did you gain any insights?" the young woman inquired in hushed tones.

"The path of his cultivation will be strewn with obstacles, yet his life is more resilient than the heavens themselves. His destiny aligns with the ancient emperors of old, a realm I cannot fathom," the old man replied. With hands clasped behind his back, he departed, leaving behind a bewildered young woman.

"Life tougher than the heavens, a destiny akin to the ancient emperors?" Her father's assessment of Qin Wentian far exceeded any accolades she had ever heard.

...

News of the tumultuous events that had unfolded within the imperial palace of the Skymist Immortal Empire, entangling it with the Evergreen Immortal Empire, swiftly permeated the entire royal capital. The revelations left the populace astounded.

The Skymist Immortal Empire, notorious for its arrogance and domineering ways, had sought to undermine the Evergreen Immortal Empire's prestige. Even the mighty Paragon Sword Sect had joined the fray, creating an overwhelming pressure that suffocated the noble descendants. To make matters more intriguing, the long-forgotten adjudication rule, which had lain dormant for tens of thousands of years, had resurfaced.

What truly astonished everyone was the unexpected champion of the Evergreen Immortal Empire's cause—Qin Wentian, a member of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect. He had led a contingent from his sect and utterly dominated the experts of the Skymist Immortal Empire, showing no mercy as he left them crippled. Their adversaries faced defeat at every turn, and, astonishingly, Qin Wentian had boldly declared Princess Qing'er as his own in front of the peak powers, defying the Skymist Immortal Empire's threats.

As the news continued to circulate, additional rumors about Qin Wentian's past began to emerge. It was revealed that he was the personal disciple of the revered Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord and had previously secured the top position in the century-old recruitment event held by the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Astonishingly, he had declined the offer to become the disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, leading to the eventual fracturing of the thirteen prefectures.

Rumors swirled like tempestuous winds through the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, and at their epicenter stood Qin Wentian—a figure whose talent surpassed all comprehension. Within the sect, no one could rival him on an equal footing; he soared above his peers like an unattainable peak.

As the days passed, a burgeoning sea of tales emerged, weaving an intricate tapestry of Qin Wentian's legend. His connection with Princess Qing'er, in particular, thrust him into the spotlight, casting him as a central character in the drama that unfolded within the royal capital of the Evergreen Immortal Empire.

Yet, as the crescendo of his fame reached a deafening pitch, a seismic revelation swept in, shaking the very foundations of the ongoing saga.

The Skymist Immortal Empire, fueled by grievances and wounded pride, extended a bold invitation to the other apex powers of the Eastern Regions for an adjudication. Frustrated by the Evergreen Immortal Empire's refusal to honor a past agreement, the Skymist Immortal Empire beseeched its peers to pass judgment.

In the name of impartiality, the grand theater of judgment was to be erected in the heart of the Evergreen Immortal Empire's royal capital.

News spread like wildfire, and it became evident that the Violet Emperor, the Paragon Sword Sect, and the Sky Demon Palace stood united, siding with the Skymist Immortal Empire. Their collective voice resounded, demanding that the Evergreen Immortal Empire uphold its promise and bestow its princesses in marriage as agreed.

These tidings traveled far and wide, reaching the ears of the Eastern Regions' peak powers. The Taihua Immortal Dynasty and the Beast God Sect, however, maintained a mysterious silence, their stances shrouded in ambiguity. Nevertheless, experts from every corner of the Eastern Regions embarked on a pilgrimage to the royal capital of the Evergreen Immortal Empire, converging upon it like a celestial constellation.

This sudden confluence of events breathed life into the once serene royal capital, injecting it with a newfound vibrancy.

Within the Evergreen Immortal Empire's regal palace, the Skymist Immortal Empire dispatched invitations to its peers, summoning them to gather for the impending adjudication. The gesture bore a brazen quality, akin to a resounding slap across the face of the Evergreen Immortal Empire.

Within the empire's hallowed halls, voices of discontent whispered like shadows, hinting at the turmoil that had gripped the kingdom. In these modern times, the age of ancient emperors had long passed, and in the face of a brewing conflict among the apex powers, no single entity remained invincible.

However the adjudication's outcome might sway, the Evergreen Immortal Empire had already set its course to disregard it.

The two sides' stances couldn't have been clearer. They chose to exist in mutual ignorance, each disregarding the other's claims, and the Skymist Immortal Empire pressed ahead with its own plans.

During those fleeting days, Qin Wentian immersed himself in cultivation within the grandeur of the Evergreen Immortal Empire's imperial palace, accompanied by Qing'er. The Skymist Immortal Empire's audacious move to call for adjudication stirred a whirlwind of emotions within him—a maddening mix of anger and concern. How would the Evergreen Immortal Empire navigate this tempest?

In the heart of the Evergreen Immortal Empire's royal capital, a grand banquet was orchestrated by the Skymist Immortal Empire, a symphony of invitations sent to the preeminent powers of the region. Representatives of the Violet Emperor, esteemed members of the Paragon Sword Sect, and emissaries from the Sky Demon Palace all graced the occasion. It was evident that the gathering had been convened in light of the impending adjudication. These distinguished individuals stood united, and the vacant space set aside for the Evergreen Immortal Empire remained eerily empty, devoid of any presence from their side.

"It appears the Evergreen Immortal Empire anticipates an unfavorable ruling and has opted to abstain from this gathering," remarked one of the attendees.

"With the support we've garnered, even if they decline to participate, they cannot evade the judgment's consequences. As per our agreement, the Skymist Immortal Empire will select an auspicious date to enter their imperial palace, escorting Princess Qing'er and Princess Glaze back to the Skymist Immortal Empire," Skymist Jiang declared confidently, his gaze sweeping across the assembly. "This time, the adjudication will be conducted by the immortal realm's apex powers from the Eastern Regions. If the Evergreen Immortal Empire rejects the judgment's outcome, it signifies a declaration of war against all other powers."

His proclamation resounded like thunder, echoing through the atmosphere and reverberating across the entire royal capital of the Evergreen Immortal Empire, even reaching the inner sanctum of the imperial palace.

Within the palace's hallowed halls, tension hung thick in the air. The Skymist Immortal Empire had brazenly rallied the Eastern Regions' paramount powers, asserting their dominance with such audacity that it eclipsed every other entity within the Evergreen Immortal Empire.