Convene

Convene . . . 

Qin Wentian regarded Bujie with a bemused smile. "Bujie, no abstinence, huh? What an intriguing name you bear. And I must confess, I find it quite puzzling that I can't quite discern your level of cultivation. Have you perhaps mastered some esoteric technique that conceals your true strength?"

Bujie met Qin Wentian's gaze with a sly twinkle in his eyes. "What do you think, my friend?" he replied with a cryptic grin.

"Buddhist arts are known for their depth and complexity. It's entirely possible you've honed a technique that shrouds your true potential. But I sense, albeit faintly, that you're no weaker than the woman we encountered that day. So, tell me, why are you avoiding her?" Qin Wentian recalled Chu Qingyi's initial pursuit of this peculiar monk.

"Ah, you mean the Holy Maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall, Chu Qingyi?" Bujie shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "As enchanting as she may be, her heart is tainted by malice. This humble monk was simply enjoying a peaceful slumber when, quite coincidentally, I awoke to find her bathing in a nearby lake. She was ready to gouge my eyes out for the intrusion. Sigh... She can be quite ruthless when provoked. Clearly, she's the one who disrupted my meditation."

Qin Wentian couldn't help but scoff, his disdain evident. "You expect me to believe you were unaware of her presence when someone of your skills should have detected her from a mile away? It's more likely that you pretended to be asleep just to sneak a peek, isn't it? Monk, your shamelessness knows no bounds."

Bujie chuckled heartily. "If that's the conclusion you wish to draw, my dear friend, this humble monk has no objections. Remember, even in the realm of monks, there's a method to our 'horniness,' so to speak." He shook his head with a theatrical sigh. "While that lady may be beautiful, my approach aligns with the principles of kindness, a rare quality in this world, wouldn't you agree?"

Qin Wentian was left speechless by the monk's audacious boasts about his moral code. Regardless of his monastic vows, Bujie was unlike anyone Qin Wentian had ever encountered.

"In any case," Bujie continued, his tone turning more serious, "the power of human thoughts is a remarkable thing. The moment you think of someone, there's a strong possibility they might appear."

This cryptic statement left Qin Wentian puzzled. He observed the monk's earlobes trembling ever so slightly before Bujie continued, "Do you happen to have a junior apprentice brother who entered the sacred academy as well? A young man with a cultivation base at the second level?"

Surprised, Qin Wentian asked, "How did you come by this information?"

"He mentioned it earlier," Bujie replied casually. "Right now, he's been captured by someone, and a group is actively searching for you. Chu Qingyi is among them, and it seems she harbors no benevolent intentions. Most likely, she's seeking revenge against you. What did you do to incur her wrath? She has taken out her anger on your junior brother, subjecting him to torment."

Qin Wentian's demeanor suddenly turned frigid, his fists clenched tightly. "Monk, where are they now?" His voice was laced with an icy resolve. According to Bujie, Chu Qingyi had apparently captured Jun Mengchen, and her intentions were far from noble.

"Exercise caution," the monk urged, his earlobes gently swaying with every word. "From their conversation, it appears they confronted your junior apprentice brother beyond the boundaries of the Sky Connecting Realm. Now, they've forcibly transported him into this realm and are on the hunt for you. Charging in recklessly would only invite peril. Chu Qingyi seems intent on subjecting you to agonies worse than death. While they cannot truly extinguish your life within the Sky Connecting Realm, she plans to unleash endless torment, condemning you to an existence devoid of escape."

Determination burned in Qin Wentian's eyes as he declared, "Monk, I must save my junior brother."

"Even your valiant efforts may prove futile," Bujie cautioned. "They seized him in the external world and forcibly brought him into this realm. Even if you manage to liberate him here, they'll maintain a vigilant watch over his physical body in the real world. Moreover, your junior brother appears to be gravely wounded. Even if you were to end his life within this realm to send him back, he'd remain in their clutches." The loquacious monk, for all his eccentricities, now offered a stark analysis. "Furthermore, consider this: Chu Qingyi has brought reinforcements, including an eighth-level immortal foundation cultivator. Not to mention Lei Ba, a seventh-level genius from the Thundergod Hall, aptly known as the Son of the Thundergod. Should you persist in this rescue mission, you'd be walking straight into the trap they've cunningly laid. You and your junior brother would suffer together."

Qin Wentian couldn't deny the monk's sobering assessment. In the Sky Connecting Realm, strength was the ultimate currency, and with his current level, a rash rescue attempt would likely result in his own capture.

His heart ached at the thought of Jun Mengchen's predicament. Chu Qingyi, that conniving woman... Despite their previous animosity, Qin Wentian had once come to her aid, thwarting the advances of two would-be assailants who sought to defile her. He had never anticipated her gratitude, but neither had he expected her to orchestrate such a vindictive scheme, implicating Jun Mengchen in the process.

He pondered the fate of Qing'er and Zi Qingxuan, both of whom attended the same sacred academy as Chu Qingyi. Would they too be ensnared in this web of malice?

Some individuals were set in their ways, their personalities immutable. Chu Qingyi was one such case; Qin Wentian had gained insight into her character during their previous interactions. But even with this knowledge, he couldn't bear to witness her near humiliation. There were limits, even to his tolerance. His principles dictated that he could not stand idly by in the face of such ignominy.

"The Sky Connecting Stone Pillar," Qin Wentian muttered, his eyes ablaze with resolve. "I must reach the central core of the Sky Connecting Realm."

"Do you have allies within this realm?" Bujie inquired, immediately grasping Qin Wentian's intentions. He sought reinforcements.

"Yes," Qin Wentian affirmed, his determination unwavering. "I believe I have several allies here."

"Why don't you allow me to accompany you?" Bujie proposed, his earlobes wobbling as he continued, "I can mask your presence from their immortal senses. Given their higher cultivation levels, they'd detect you long before you sense them." The monk had cultivated a unique technique akin to Jiang Ziyu's innate abilities, granting him extraordinary auditory acuity that surpassed even Qin Wentian's celestial perception.

Qin Wentian accepted the offer with gratitude. "Alright, thank you."

"After dining on the demon spirits you've generously provided, it's only fitting that I offer assistance in return. Well, what can I say? This monk happens to be incredibly benevolent," Bujie boasted with a hint of playfulness. With that, he took the lead, guiding Qin Wentian through a circuitous route to bypass the desolate landscape.

Under the monk's guidance, they encountered no danger, leaving Chu Qingyi and her party far behind. Qin Wentian couldn't help but wonder whether those who followed the Buddhist path might have exceptionally long lifespans. They seemed adept at attracting good fortune and warding off misfortune. But in Bujie's case, he appeared to employ his skills for more self-indulgent purposes.

The central region of the Sky Connecting Realm remained as majestic as ever. Towering stone pillars loomed around them, a testament to the realm's grandeur. Qin Wentian placed his hand on one of the pillars and etched words into it using his immortal energy. A mysterious light emanated from the inscription, shooting up into the heavens. When Qin Wentian gazed upward, he could see his words materialize in the air: "Gather for battle at the Sky Connecting Immortal Rock - Qin!"

Although not coded, he believed that only members of the Battle Saint Tribe would decipher his message. It was an explicit reference to their tribe, and he had even appended his surname "Qin" for added clarity. He doubted there was anyone in the Battle Saint Tribe who wouldn't understand.

"Let's move," Qin Wentian urged, speeding toward the Sky Connecting Immortal Rock, the very site where Huang Wudi and Jia Nantian had once dueled.

"Have they moved beyond your range of perception?" Qin Wentian inquired. He had enlisted Bujie's help to eavesdrop on Chu Qingyi's group, monitoring their words. Once he gathered the Battle Saint Tribe's experts, he planned to confront them head-on.

"No, it seems they're headed to the same location as you," Bujie replied, nonchalantly. "In fact, they're speculating whether you penned that earlier message."

Qin Wentian's eyes flashed, and he increased his pace, closing in on the Sky Connecting Immortal Rock. Along the way, more words appeared in the air: "Chu Qingyi, Lei Ba, Skymist Mu, summoning the forces of the Snowdrift Sage Hall, Thundergod Hall, and Skymist Empire to assemble at the Sky Connecting Immortal Rock."

Qin Wentian scanned the message in the air. Chu Qingyi had also employed the stone pillars to summon allies from three major powers: the Snowdrift Sage Hall, the Thundergod Hall, and the Skymist Immortal Empire.

"Have you also incurred the wrath of the Skymist Immortal Empire?" Bujie inquired, gazing at Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian nodded, a glint of cold determination in his eyes as he responded, "But how do they know it's me?"

"They don't, it's merely conjecture on their part. Chu Qingyi appears to harbor immense resentment against you. Strangely, the Nibblesky Sacred Cult is also implicated in this summons. Even if you weren't the author of that message, they'd still rally these forces to confront members of the Nibblesky Sacred Cult," Bujie explained. Qin Wentian understood the situation well. He posed another question, "Is there a connection between the Thundergod Hall and the Snowdrift Sage Hall?"

"Lei Ba of the Thundergod Hall has a fondness for Chu Qingyi. Moreover, he holds a significant position in his sect. Does that count as a connection?" Bujie chuckled.

"Chu Qingyi, the Holy Maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall? She'll undoubtedly regret her actions," Qin Wentian declared, his voice filled with cold determination. The two of them quickened their pace until they reached the Sky Connecting Immortal Rock. Here, numerous experts had already gathered, drawn by the ancient words that had twice appeared in the air, summoning them to this spot. It was evident that a significant battle was about to take place, piquing the curiosity of experts from far and wide.

Five members of the Battle Saint Tribe had arrived ahead of Qin Wentian and had noticed his summons. They approached him, but in the presence of outsiders, they couldn't speak openly.

"It seems you're at a disadvantage in this battle. As I've said before, this humble monk won't assist you in combat," Bujie remarked.

Qin Wentian nodded appreciatively. He understood that this was his own conflict, and he was already grateful to the monk for guiding him here. It would be unreasonable to request further assistance in dealing with Chu Qingyi and her companions.

Soon after, Chu Qingyi and her group arrived as well. When Qin Wentian witnessed the sorry state of Jun Mengchen, his eyes filled with a chilling resolve. His gaze pierced through Chu Qingyi like a sharp sword, and in return, her eyes bore an icy glare, as if she longed to tear him apart, piece by piece.

"Qingyi, is he the one you seek?" Lei Ba asked, pointing at Qin Wentian.

"I'm quite curious. How did you know we were looking for you?" Skymist Mu inquired.

"That meddlesome monk," Chu Qingyi replied, her eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on Bujie, who was currently blending into the crowd.

Bujie immediately leaped to his feet. "This monk has nothing to do with it."

"Since you're here, there's no need for you to think about leaving," Chu Qingyi coldly stated. However, Qin Wentian's intense stare was solely fixed on her. "Chu Qingyi, I don't care who you are or what position you hold. For our grievances, you can confront me directly in any manner you choose. Yet, you chose to torment my junior brother instead? I'll remember this debt of vengeance. But let me offer you a piece of advice. Release my junior brother. You have to release him in the real world as well."

"Release him? Are you joking?" Chu Qingyi retorted.

"I don't wish to resort to threats, but your reprehensible actions have crossed my threshold. If you persist in this, I'll disregard my own limits as well. Chu Qingyi, do you want your reputation to be utterly ruined?" Qin Wentian coldly questioned. As his words echoed, the temperature around Chu Qingyi plunged dramatically, and a frigid aura emanated from her. She knew precisely what Qin Wentian was alluding to!