Intense Vengeance

Intense Vengeance . . . 

In the heart of this dramatic confrontation, Jun Mengchen's eyes blazed with a furious intensity, like a tempestuous storm brewing within him. His aura soared to dizzying heights, defying the very heavens themselves. Despite his injuries, his presence remained as potent as ever. With a resolute determination, he unsheathed his immortal weapon, a glint of unwavering resolve in his eyes, as he steeled himself for what lay ahead.

On the opposing side, Lei Ba cast a disdainful gaze upon him, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips. He took a step forward, his cultivation reaching the impressive seventh level. The air crackled with anticipation as he unleashed another devastating palm strike, summoning a colossal thunderbolt that descended with cataclysmic force, sending Jun Mengchen hurtling into the unforgiving embrace of the mountain wall. Jun Mengchen, in spite of his valiant efforts, couldn't help but spew forth yet another torrent of crimson, his body wracked with violent tremors, unable to muster the strength to retaliate.

A malevolent thunder dragon coiled itself around Jun Mengchen, a sinister omen of his impending doom. Lei Ba, an embodiment of merciless power, delivered another bone-shattering blow to Jun Mengchen's battered form. At this moment, Jun Mengchen resembled a helpless fish on the butcher's block, utterly powerless against the overwhelming disparity in strength.

"BOOM!" With a thunderous step, Lei Ba advanced further. Behind him, Chu Qingyi and her companions followed suit, their eyes a chilling testament to their unyielding resolve. Chu Qingyi's gaze glittered with an icy determination as Lei Ba turned to her, seeking her guidance. "Qingyi, how do you wish to handle this?"

Her voice dripped with cold arrogance as she recounted their motive, "Back in the Sky Connecting Realm, his senior apprentice brother confessed to possessing the secret art for establishing a saint-grade immortal foundation. Since this individual also possesses such a foundation, we demand that he surrender the coveted secret art to us." Her words resonated with an unrelenting sense of entitlement, as if she were determined to exact vengeance and humiliation upon Jun Mengchen solely because he was Qin Wentian's junior apprentice brother.

Unforgivable memories flooded her mind—almost falling victim to the nefarious designs of the two from the Nibblesky Sacred Cult. She, the revered holy maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall, a paragon of virtue and dignity, had nearly suffered an unimaginable disgrace. The burning desire for revenge consumed her every thought. She yearned for the utter annihilation of anyone who dared to mock her. In her eyes, both Qin Wentian and his associates deserved nothing less than death. Even if they sought refuge within the hallowed walls of the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy, she remained resolute in her quest to locate and obliterate them.

But, to her chagrin, instead of submitting to her demands, Jun Mengchen erupted into a fit of scornful laughter, his gaze fixed disdainfully upon Chu Qingyi. "You despicable wretch! Did my senior brother defeat you, and now, nursing your wounded pride, you dare to seek vengeance against an innocent like me within these sacred academy grounds? Have you no shame left?"

Chu Qingyi's features contorted with a venomous mix of anger and indignation. In response, Lei Ba's palm crackled with lightning once more, striking Jun Mengchen with devastating force, causing fresh rivulets of blood to stain his already battered body.

"If you possess even an ounce of courage, defy the academy's rules and end me here and now. If not, mark my words, a day will come when my senior brother and I will exact a vengeance upon all of you that will make death seem like a blessing." Jun Mengchen's voice quivered with pain, but his spirit remained unbroken. As a man, he could not bow to such humiliation, and today's events would forever be etched into his memory.

Lei Ba, renowned for his merciless application of thunder-based techniques, seized the moment and spoke, "Lei Ba, your Thunderforce is infamous for its cruelty. Force him to surrender the secret art for the saint-grade immortal foundation. Our Thundergod Hall and Snowdrift Sage Hall would both reap immense benefits from this acquisition. Perhaps then, I might consider your pursuit of me." Chu Qingyi's voice held a calculating edge, for the knowledge of this secret art was exceedingly rare and could potentially elevate them to the pinnacle of power in the immortal realms, regardless of the faction they chose to align with.

Lei Ba's triumphant emergence from the shadows was nothing short of spectacular. His very presence crackled with the raw power of thunder, as if the heavens themselves had chosen him as their vessel. With an imposing aura that could make even the bravest of warriors tremble, he descended upon Jun Mengchen, like a deity raining bolts of lightning upon a mortal.

As fearsome as a tempest, Lei Ba's palm bore down upon Jun Mengchen, sending formidable bolts of lightning coursing through the young man's body. With each electric surge, Jun Mengchen's resolve eroded bit by bit. Yet, despite the relentless onslaught, Jun Mengchen remained steadfast, fixing his gaze unwaveringly on Lei Ba.

Summoning a feeble but defiant smile, Jun Mengchen turned his attention to Chu Qingyi. "My senior brother didn't just defeat you," he taunted, his words laden with both humor and biting truth. "He must have humiliated you as well. But for a woman of your standards, even if you were stark naked before him, my senior brother wouldn't have spared you. You, my dear, are nothing more than a dirty—"

Before he could finish his provocation, Chu Qingyi's demeanor turned icy. Her injuries from the Sky Connecting Realm had left a lasting mark on her, and her eyes reflected the coldness of her pain. Jun Mengchen's words pierced her heart like a dagger, and she couldn't deny the truth in them. Qin Wentian had indeed refrained from touching her despite her vulnerability.

Jun Mengchen, undeterred by his own agony, burst into raucous laughter. "Don't tell me I'm right? Is this why you're taking it out on me?" His indomitable will shone through, and despite his fiery temper, his determination remained unshaken.

Lei Ba continued his relentless assault on Jun Mengchen, leaving the young man drenched in his own blood, teetering on the brink of incapacitation. However, crippling Jun Mengchen was forbidden within the sacred academy's rules, preventing Lei Ba from going all out.

Lei Ba's motivations were clear—to bask in Chu Qingyi's approval. The Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect in the Eastern Regions held no significance for him; he saw it as beneath his notice.

"After I've recovered, I'll return to the Sky Connecting Realm and make sure he experiences a fate worse than death," Chu Qingyi vowed. Lei Ba nodded in agreement, his lightning-formed hand firmly grasping Jun Mengchen as they departed.

News of Chu Qingyi's intentions spread quickly, as the Holy Maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall sought retribution against a young man with an eighth-heavenly layer astral soul and a saint-grade immortal foundation. Rumor had it that this vendetta had its origins in an offense Qin Wentian committed within the Sky Connecting Realm, leading to Chu Qingyi venting her frustrations on his junior apprentice brother. Lei Ba had been her instrument of vengeance, and he now prepared to enter the Sky Connecting Realm to eliminate their target.

Meanwhile, a group of individuals was converging on the Sky Connecting Altar within a sacred academy. Alongside the forces from the Thundergod Hall and Snowdrift Sage Hall, an unexpected presence emerged—the Skymist Immortal Empire. Among their ranks was Skymist Mu, a formidable expert affiliated with the Evergreen Immortal Empire's entourage. Possessing an eighth-level cultivation base and a mastery of surrealistic laws, Skymist Mu couldn't resist joining this pursuit. After all, in their previous clash with the Evergreen Immortal Empire, they had suffered defeat at the hands of Qin Wentian and his allies. Not only had he defeated them, but he had also publicly declared Princess Qing'er as his own, an audacious act that still echoed through the annals of history.

After their initial efforts to enforce the agreement and hold the Evergreen Immortal Empire accountable, the Skymist Immortal Empire found themselves facing an unexpected obstacle. The Evergreen Immortal Emperor, in a surprising twist, invoked the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy, throwing a curveball into their meticulously laid plans.

The mere presence of the sacred academy sent ripples of excitement and commotion throughout the immortal realms. Legends spoke of this institution as a harbinger of an era where ancient emperors would rise again, an era that had long been devoid of such titanic figures. This enigmatic appearance hinted at the possibility of an ancient emperor being born from the current era's pool of geniuses.

Consequently, the pending adjudication had to be temporarily set aside as the peak powers of the realm gathered to witness this extraordinary event. It was a momentous occasion that promised to reshape the course of history.

Meanwhile, the news of Qin Wentian's presence within the sacred academy reached Skymist Mu's ears, igniting a burning desire within him. How could he pass up such an opportunity?

Within the sacred academy, Jun Mengchen remained imprisoned, his body bearing the marks of brutal torture. His once-immaculate robes were now tattered, a stark contrast to the unyielding glint in his eyes. Vengeance was etched into his very being. If he survived this ordeal, he swore to exact retribution in full.

To him, seeking revenge was not merely a matter of pride; it was a testament to his masculinity.

Skymist Mu, in a hushed tone, lamented, "Unfortunately, the Evergreen Immortal Emperor's daughter is not in this particular academy. If she were, capturing her to pressure Qin Wentian into revealing the secret art for a saint-grade immortal foundation would be child's play."

Chu Qingyi's eyes turned as icy as her resolve. The memory of the humiliation she suffered in the Sky Connecting Realm still haunted her, despite the passage of many days. How could she forget such an affront? Though the realm they had inhabited during that time may have been an illusion, the humiliation had been all too real.

"Who is this daughter of the Evergreen Immortal Emperor?" she inquired, her voice laced with venom.

Skymist Mu's voice dripped with disdain as he replied, "Princess Qing'er of the Evergreen Immortal Empire. She is Qin Wentian's lover, and it was for her sake that he dared to defy our Skymist Immortal Empire."

Chu Qingyi's desire for revenge was unquenchable. She longed to make Qin Wentian rue the day he had crossed her. Skymist Mu, however, remained blissfully ignorant of the dark intentions brewing within Chu Qingyi's heart. If he had known what she truly harbored, he might have thought twice before revealing the connection between Qin Wentian and Qing'er.

For provoking Qing'er would be a grave mistake. The Evergreen Immortal Emperor cherished her above all else, and the Skymist Immortal Empire, if it wished to confront their rivals, had to proceed with caution. They needed a well-thought-out strategy to avoid provoking the wrath of an enraged immortal emperor, lest their empire face the catastrophic consequences of a bloodbath and mass casualties.

"Let's proceed," Chu Qingyi declared, her determination unwavering as she moved toward the altar.

Lei Ba, meanwhile, reminded her of their agreed-upon meeting point. "Qingyi, remember the gathering point we discussed. We'll meet at the Sky Connecting Immortal Rock." With that, he took charge of Jun Mengchen and led him to the altar, ensuring that they would be transported together into the Sky Connecting Realm. There, they would enact their revenge, and Jun Mengchen would have no means of escape.

As they all took their seats on the platform of the altar, a subtle energy shift in the air heralded their transition to the Sky Connecting Realm. They would soon find themselves scattered throughout this enigmatic realm, each with their own agendas and vendettas to pursue.

As Qin Wentian ventured deeper into the Sky Connecting Realm, he remained blissfully unaware of the tumultuous events unfolding beyond its ethereal boundaries. His own world, at present, consisted of the savage wilderness and his peculiar companionship with the enigmatic monk, Bujie.

Their association had originated from a bitter feud with Chu Qingyi, a woman who had once harbored sinister intentions. In her eyes, no one mattered, and she had even hatched a devious plan to extract Qin Wentian's secret art for crafting a flawless saint-grade immortal foundation. Her ploy had been to employ her beguiling beauty as a weapon, hoping to ensnare him in her web of deceit. Yet, unbeknownst to her, Qin Wentian possessed the art of truth, an ability that granted him insight into the deepest recesses of the human heart. Despite her cunning facade, her true emotions were laid bare before him. Nevertheless, when her cries for help had pierced the air, Qin Wentian had unhesitatingly come to her aid.

Ironically, Chu Qingyi's resentments had multiplied with each passing day, stemming from the humiliation she had endured at Qin Wentian's hands. In her eyes, he was the source of all her suffering, and this grudge extended to Jun Mengchen. Now, her sinister machinations threatened to ensnare yet another innocent soul, the enigmatic Qing'er.

In the heart of the Sky Connecting Realm, Qin Wentian had assumed the role of both hunter and cook, an unusual but practical arrangement. He had become quite proficient in capturing demon spirits and converting their succulent flesh into delectable barbecued meals. In recent days, these malevolent spirits, once predators seeking him as prey, had become the hunted. Their demise nourished him, fueling the growth of his immortal energy with each savory bite.

At this particular moment, Qin Wentian and the unmonk-like monk, Bujie, sat together, indulging in their feast with fervor. They were an odd pair, united by their mutual love for demon spirit barbecue.

"Brother Qin," the monk chuckled between mouthfuls, his face glistening with meat juices. He hardly resembled a clergyman with his unabashed delight in gastronomic pleasures. "Your cultivation must progress swiftly. The more we enhance our strength, the more sumptuous our barbecues will become."

Qin Wentian, however, took a moment to reproach him, his voice tinged with reproach. "Cultivation doesn't yield to mere wishes, my friend. Breaking through is a gradual process, and it can't be rushed. But why, I must ask, are you such an incorrigible glutton? Doesn't Buddhist doctrine preach abstaining from worldly desires?"

The monk, his face smeared with grease, didn't seem the least bit bothered. He continued to devour the meat with gusto before responding, "Ah, my dear Qin, what I'm doing now is akin to immersing myself in the secular world, training my spirit by partaking in earthly pleasures. Consider this: many monks have never tasted the allure of a woman, yet they aspire to abstain from worldly pleasures. They've never savored the delights of sumptuous cuisine, yet they long to renounce their cravings. Do you find such lofty ideals plausible? They're essentially deceiving themselves and others. True spiritual cultivation requires one to fully experience all desires. Ultimately, when one comprehends the emptiness of it all, they can transcend the mundane."

"In other words, you plan to relish fine food and explore the realms of physical pleasure before attempting to 'transcend' these worldly desires?" Qin Wentian quipped, his eyes rolling in jest. This monk, with his unshakable demeanor and lofty sermons, was a master of absurdity. Qin Wentian found himself at a loss for words.

A hearty laugh erupted from the monk Bujie, who playfully pointed at Qin Wentian. "Ah, my dear friend, I never said that—but you certainly did." His laughter reverberated through the wilderness, as if echoing the absurdity of their peculiar companionship in this enigmatic realm.