Implicated

Implicated . . . 

As the night unfolded, a celestial dance of moonlight bathed the Sky Connecting Realm in its ethereal glow. In the midst of this serene beauty, a chilling scream, laden with a sense of utter disgrace, resonated across the vast expanse.

Amidst this surreal backdrop, Qin Wentian, seemingly unperturbed by the distant cry, had decided to change his location, all while indulging in the simple pleasure of savoring a sumptuous barbecue. The succulent meat before him was not just a feast for the senses but a veritable treasure trove of nutrition. It was no wonder, he pondered, that countless individuals relished the dangerous pursuit of hunting demon spirits, drawn to their tantalizing flesh.

Qin Wentian had long been privy to the knowledge that the flesh and blood of greater demons surpassed even the most coveted medicinal pills in nutritive value, not to mention their rarity. Indeed, for those with the appropriate physical constitution, the blood of greater demons held the power to purify and strengthen one's own body, making it an irresistible temptation. The idea of consuming the flesh of legendary creatures like sky rocs or white tigers held an allure that few could resist, though the audacity to pursue such a venture remained the province of the daring and the reckless.

Moreover, the prospect of capturing a greater demon carried additional allure; it could serve as a formidable mount, given the pure-blooded potential these creatures possessed. In many ways, it mirrored how white tigers enslaved human males as laborers and used human females as objects of desire. It was a stark reminder that, despite their differences, humans and demons often occupied opposing ends of the moral spectrum.

"Hmm, was that the voice of that woman?" Qin Wentian's eyes flickered with intrigue. While the woman's previous actions had stirred his disgust, it occurred to him that her motives might have led her into perilous territory. She had sought his secret art with deceitful intent, harboring malicious designs against him and even threatening a fate worse than death. Her heart, he realized, was as venomous as a scorpion's sting, and he knew nothing of her true identity. Yet, he couldn't help but ponder the possibility that her malevolent intentions might have exposed her to malevolence of her own.

With lightning swiftness, Qin Wentian ascended into the sky, propelled by a sense of urgency, in pursuit of the agonizing scream that had pierced the night. His third eye, a testament to his heightened senses, emerged on his forehead, its power amplified to the maximum. It bore the imprint of the woman's aura from their prior encounter, and he intended to trace it unerringly.

Meanwhile, in a remote mountain cave, two young men had stripped Chu Qing'er of her dignity, leaving her vulnerable on the cold ground. Their predatory gazes lingered on her flawless form, their sinister intentions growing with each passing moment. The disciples of the Nibblesky Sacred Cult, practitioners of dark and malevolent arts, often bore twisted personalities. And now, presented with the opportunity to humiliate the holy maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall, they couldn't resist the temptation.

Chu Qing'er lay prostrate, tears streaming from her eyes, an unsettling mixture of grief and fury in her gaze. Who was she, after all? She was the esteemed holy maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall, a peerless figure among the younger generation, beyond the reach of ordinary men. Only the supreme heaven-chosen talents, the cream of the crop, could aspire to be her equal.

Many had vied for her affections, including outstanding individuals like a supreme genius from the Thundergod Hall. Yet, here she was, on the precipice of unspeakable degradation. If she still retained any semblance of choice, death seemed a more palatable option.

"How astonishingly beautiful," remarked one of the young men hailing from the Nibblesky Sacred Cult, his lips moistened with a sinister hunger. "Despite this being an ethereal realm, the semblance to reality is uncanny, don't you think, Chu Qing'er? You were perched high on your pedestal, gazing down at us with such haughtiness. Did you ever contemplate that a day like this might dawn upon you?"

As they advanced, both men closed in on Chu Qing'er, their hands exploring and caressing her trembling form. She shuddered under their touch, her strength sapped, powerless to resist.

"Even in the hallowed halls of the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy, rest assured that your demise will be anything but subtle," Chu Qing'er's voice dripped with icy resolve. The two men burst into raucous laughter. "Chu Qing'er, your arrogance knows no bounds. To think you maintain such defiance even in this dire moment."

With a sigh, Chu Qing'er shut her eyes, surrendering herself to the cruel hand fate had dealt her.

Then, a thunderous "BANG!" reverberated as the cave's protective barrier shattered, and a lone figure emerged.

Qin Wentian's eyes gleamed with a mix of emotions as he took in the chilling tableau before him, swiftly piecing together the sordid scene. Chu Qing'er lay there, vulnerable and exposed, her eyes flitting open upon sensing the intrusion, brimming with a cocktail of humiliation and loathing directed at him.

A brilliant surge of light erupted from Qin Wentian as he stepped forth, closing in on the two assailants. Poisonous energy oozed from their forms, an ominous corrosion that threatened to engulf everything.

But Qin Wentian, endowed with a formidable physique and the power of his second bloodline, remained impervious to their toxic onslaught. He bore a natural immunity to such malevolent abilities.

With determined steps, Qin Wentian positioned himself in front of one of the aggressors. Activating God's Hand, he unleashed a cataclysmic blow, obliterating his foe in a thunderous explosion. The victim's body disintegrated under the sheer force of Qin Wentian's might, unable to withstand the single strike.

The other assailant retaliated, striking Qin Wentian's unyielding frame with a palm thrust. Yet, despite their equal cultivation levels, he couldn't so much as budge Qin Wentian an inch. Qin Wentian's eyes shimmered with determination as he retaliated with another palm strike, consigning his adversary to the void of death.

"Did you come here to inflict humiliation? I shall condemn you to a fate far worse than death," Chu Qing'er declared as she watched Qin Wentian draw near. However, Qin Wentian merely waved his hand, conjuring a destructive beam that promptly dispatched Chu Qing'er from the confines of the Sky Connecting Realm. At that moment, it was exactly what Chu Qing'er desired most—a swift, unceremonious end to her torment.

Though Chu Qing'er had threatened him, Qin Wentian never entertained the notion of debasing or humiliating a woman. He had his moral boundaries, and even in the case of Chu Qing'er, a figure mired in evil, he chose the path of swift, honorable demise over the depravity displayed by the two Nibblesky Sacred Cult members.

As for Chu Qing'er's feelings, Qin Wentian no longer concerned himself with them. Even if she harbored hatred, his conscience remained clear. From the outset, Chu Qing'er had been the provocateur, and his act of coming to her aid was already a testament to his unparalleled benevolence.

...

Within the hallowed confines of the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy, atop a particular platform on the Sky Connecting Altar, Chu Qing'er was forcibly ejected, tumbling to the ground below. She coughed, a trickle of blood escaping her lips. Her body felt utterly drained, as though she had endured a grievous injury, although the toll exacted on her spirit far exceeded any physical harm. Her eyes gleamed with a seething, unrelenting hatred, her form trembling ever so slightly. She had suffered profound humiliation within the Sky Connecting Realm, a stain on her once-unblemished dignity.

Her fists clenched with an intensity that could have shattered stone, her heart a turbulent storm of grief and anger. Yet, with a determined will, she held her emotions in check, refusing to let a single word escape her lips.

"Holy Maiden!" A group of figures, their forms silhouetted against the distant horizon, soared towards Chu Qing'er. Their gazes, a mix of concern and curiosity, were fixed upon her.

Summoning her inner strength, Chu Qing'er rose to her feet and reassured them, "I'm alright."

"Qing'er, what happened? I couldn't help but notice your trembling earlier," a figure descended from the heavens, landing before Chu Qing'er. This individual, donned in resplendent purple robes, exuded a robust, imposing aura. His eyes shimmered with a fierce determination, a mark of his extraordinary strength.

This man was none other than Lei Ba, a supreme heaven-chosen from the Thundergod Hall, bestowed with the title "Son of the Thundergod." His inheritance was intricately linked to the Might of Thunder, imbuing his techniques with explosive power that struck fear into the hearts of his adversaries. Only a select few of his peers could hope to rival him. Lei Ba had spent considerable time within the Sky Connecting Realm, even making a name for himself in the Supreme Might Rankings.

Chu Qing'er's pursuer was a formidable match, and his name carried weight within the academy.

"It's nothing significant, just a confrontation in the Sky Connecting Realm. There are a couple of people I wish to eliminate – two members of the Nibblesky Sacred Cult and a young man who, during the admission test, displayed a dark-golden astral soul and possessed a saint-grade immortal foundation. I want them dead," Chu Qing'er's voice, eerily cold, seemed to emanate from the very depths of hell. Those around her could feel the chilling aura she exuded.

"The individuals who accosted you in the Sky Connecting Realm are not present at this altar," Lei Ba pointed out, his voice tinged with an unwavering resolve. "I've suspected for a while that our academy is not the only one. Those who wronged you are likely from a different one. But if you desire their demise, I shall enter the Sky Connecting Realm and exact justice upon them."

The man with the dark-golden astral soul you mentioned," the voice of a woman from the Snowdrift Sage Hall chimed in, "I believe I recently encountered someone matching that description. He, too, possessed a saint-grade immortal foundation, and thus, left a lasting impression on me. I believe he is enrolled in the same academy as us."

"Where did you see him?" Chu Qing'er inquired eagerly. "Take me there."

"I cannot guarantee he will still be there, but we can certainly investigate," the woman replied, her silhouette flashing as she stepped forward, leading the way.

Within the sacred academy, nestled amidst the serene surroundings, lay a mountain range steeped in mysticism, housing an array of profound innate techniques. For Jun Mengchen, the present moment found him engrossed in cultivation, his determination mirroring that of Qin Wentian. Recognizing the disparity in their current cultivation levels, he understood the formidable challenges posed by other geniuses. To stand tall among them, he knew he must devote himself to relentless growth and evolution, all while navigating the sacred academy's labyrinthine trials and tribulations.

At this moment, a group of figures appeared, their tyrannical and powerful auras were all locked onto Jun Mengchen.

"Wake up!" A loud shout startled Jun Mengchen. Jun Mengchen opened his eyes, staring at the group of figures in the air. He didn't have the slightest clue who these people were. But from the cold intents radiating for them, it was likely they had some immeasurably deep grudge with him.

"What do you guys mean by this? I'm sure I have never offended any of you before." Jun Mengchen spoke.

"Let me ask you this. What relationship do you have with the young man who had a saint-grade immortal foundation and that astral soul with a black-gold luster?" Chu Qingyi asked coldly.

"He is my senior apprentice brother. What does this have to do with you?" Jun Mengchen was direct and plainspoken, hiding nothing. His personality had always been like this, he wouldn't purposely hide the relationship between him and Qin Wentian.

"That's enough then." Chu Qingyi coldly spoke. Lei Ba descended, and instantly, a tyrannical aura gushed forth from him. This entire space was filled with lines of thunder, which summoned thunderbolts from the sky. The rumbling sound was extremely fearsome, and instantly, this entire area was covered by a lightning storm. The spectators from afar all looked over from the commotion as their countenances all drastically changed.

Jun Mengchen's countenance turned unsightly. The cultivation base of this person was much higher compared to him. It was basically impossible for him to win.

His silhouette flashed as he retreated. Lei Ba stepped out and blasted out a palm imprint, causing ten thousand dragons to blot out the sky. His palm imprint slammed into Jun Mengchen, the impact causing Jun Mengchen's body to tremble violently as the might of thunder entered his body. His entire being was being electrocuted and an instant later, he was slammed against a mountain wall as he coughed out blood.