A Domineering Strike

A Domineering Strike . . . 

"Despicable," Chu Qingyi spat out in anger. Her eyes radiated icy fury, and she yearned to silence Qin Wentian immediately, preventing any more of his words from escaping.

"Despicable? You dare to utter that word to me?" Qin Wentian's voice dripped with cold sarcasm. He, too, was seething with anger. He hadn't forgotten how Chu Qingyi had attempted to seduce him with her beauty to achieve her goals, only to be defeated in the end. Wasn't he entitled to his anger as well? Even though he had provoked the Holy Maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall, what did it have to do with Jun Mengchen? His junior brother, Jun Mengchen, had been subjected to such abuse, a sight that shook Qin Wentian to his core.

"Enough!" Chu Qingyi's chest heaved, her face turning deathly pale.

"Release him," Qin Wentian demanded in a commanding tone. After what Chu Qingyi had done, why should he be concerned about her reputation?

A thunderous step echoed as Lei Ba advanced, his movements causing the very space to tremble. Thunder and lightning lit up the sky, casting an ominous glow all around. Purple bolts of electricity crackled like the fury of a vengeful thunder god, poised to obliterate everything in its path.

"Even if Qingyi agrees to release him, I won't," Lei Ba declared as he stepped forward. However, Qin Wentian didn't spare him a glance. His unwavering gaze remained locked onto Chu Qingyi as he continued, "Then you'd better consult with the Holy Maiden. Chu Qingyi, I'll give you three breaths' time. If my junior brother isn't released by then, be prepared to face the consequences."

"Qingyi, let me deal with him for you," Lei Ba offered, his eyes fixed on Chu Qingyi, awaiting her decision.

Chu Qingyi's complexion shifted from green to pale. Finally, she relented, "Release him."

Confusion and bewilderment flashed in the eyes of onlookers as they gazed at Chu Qingyi. What secret did Qin Wentian possess that could make Chu Qingyi, who had been so resolute, show restraint and release the hostage?

One of the maidens from the Snowdrift Sage Hall freed Jun Mengchen. He dragged his battered body to Qin Wentian's side. "Senior brother, I've brought shame upon myself."

"What did they do to you in the outside world?" Qin Wentian's eyes blazed with rage as he took in Jun Mengchen's injuries.

"I was cultivating on an ancient mountain when they discovered me and attacked me directly. Lei Ba threatened me, demanding the secret art for establishing a saint-grade immortal foundation, using the power of thunder to torment me continuously. I swear I'll seek vengeance for what they've done," Jun Mengchen vowed, his eyes gleaming with determination.

In the dimly lit realm, a tense showdown was underway. Lei Ba, with an air of icy arrogance, had captured his adversary not solely out of necessity but as a deliberate move to confront his ultimate target. His words carried the weight of impending doom, and as he advanced, the atmosphere grew charged with the energy of crackling thunderclouds that ominously loomed overhead. It felt as if the heavens themselves were poised to unleash a cataclysmic strike upon Qin Wentian.

Unfazed by the impending storm, Qin Wentian spoke with unwavering determination, "Before I depart this realm, I must ensure that woman's demise." The Battle Saint Tribe's experts, recognizing his intent, encircled him. Together, they unleashed their immortal foundations, invoking towering divine apes that exuded an aura of disdainful power. It was a display of overwhelming strength, and the onlookers couldn't help but shudder in awe.

Suddenly, one of the experts reached out, snatching a bolt of thunder from the air with astounding precision. The destructive force of the thunder dissipated harmlessly against the massive palm of the divine ape. It was a jaw-dropping spectacle.

Mockingly, Qin Wentian taunted, "Son of the Thundergod? Do you truly believe yourself invincible? You're nothing more than a frog in a well, grossly overestimating your abilities. Just like Chu Qingyi, who, despite her fifth-level prowess, fell to my might. The holy maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall holds no significance in my eyes."

Lei Ba responded with a surge of power, summoning a thunder dragon that coiled menacingly around the battlefield. Countless bolts of punishing thunder streaked toward the Battle Saint Tribe's experts.

One of their seventh-level warriors stepped forward, his divine ape letting out a mighty roar as it struck with unparalleled force. The clash between the thunder dragon and the divine ape sent shockwaves through the air. Thunderous energy coursed through the divine ape, seemingly tearing it apart from the inside. Yet, the creature stood unyielding, its indestructible physique defying the onslaught of electricity.

Chu Qingyi's voice cut through the tension, "Capture him, but keep him alive. His death holds no more meaning."

Several experts moved in to apprehend Qin Wentian, but to their surprise, he advanced to meet them head-on. Four formidable Battle Saint Tribe members stood ready to defend him, radiating an oppressive aura. Their cultivation levels were far from weak, a testament to the ruthless competition in the core region of the Sky Connecting Realm. Even the weakest among them was at the sixth level of immortal foundation.

As they approached Chu Qingyi, they were resolute in executing Qin Wentian's command before leaving the realm.

Skymist Mu, still nursing the wounds of a past defeat, stepped forward with determination. This time, he intended to face Qin Wentian and his allies head-on. A colossal divine elephant materialized, and Skymist Mu unleashed a barrage of particles that transformed into a stampede of massive elephants, charging at Qin Wentian.

His target was the eighth-level immortal-foundation expert among the Battle Saint Tribe, the strongest of the group. The eighth-level expert responded by summoning countless divine apes to confront the oncoming elephants, shattering them with an awe-inspiring might capable of tearing the sky asunder.

Undeterred, the other experts pressed forward, launching relentless attacks at Qin Wentian. The Battle Saint Tribe's defensive formations held strong, like an impenetrable fortress, allowing them to advance deeper into enemy territory despite the overwhelming odds.

"Stop them!" Lei Ba's command thundered through the battlefield, summoning a deluge of thunderbolts and lightning that painted the sky with writhing serpents and dragons, creating an electrifying spectacle.

The tension in the air was palpable as the confrontation between the Battle Saint Tribe and their adversaries reached its zenith. Amidst the charged atmosphere, an ominous warning sliced through the air, "You best worry for yourself." The words dripped with a chilling certainty, emphasizing the imminent danger that hung in the balance.

Hovering menacingly in the sky, a colossal divine ape, adorned with a regal crown upon its head, materialized before the Battle Saint Tribe's formidable expert. It maintained an unwavering stance, radiating an aura akin to an enraged king kong. With a thunderous, earth-shattering slam, its titanic palm descended, capable of obliterating anything in its path. An astute observer might notice the striking resemblance between this expert's attack and the legendary God's Hand technique—a creation of the first-generation Saint Lord, forged through a profound exploration of the Battle Saint Art. It was only natural that these two secret arts bore undeniable similarities.

As the terrifying assault unfolded, Lei Ba found himself engulfed in a maelstrom of relentless power. He was forced to focus entirely on his own defense, his entire being pulsating with the potent essence of thunder, radiating a brilliant aura capable of effortlessly dismantling any threat.

While Lei Ba engaged in his fierce battle, the other four experts surrounding Qin Wentian matched their counterpart's ferocity. Their bodies transformed into unyielding fortresses of divine iron, impervious to any force. Astonishingly, they pushed forward, defying the barrage of attacks directed at them. Such a display of strength and resilience left spectators in awe, prompting whispered praises and awe-struck murmurs.

"Who are these formidable individuals?" wondered the spectators in hushed tones as they watched the Battle Saint Tribe's experts display their astonishing combat prowess. These individuals appeared as rare and unparalleled geniuses, a spectacle to behold.

In the heart of this intense showdown, Qin Wentian stood protected by this formidable phalanx. His form radiated an aura of both divine light and unyielding might, his truth-woven body manifesting behind him, resembling a deity in every sense.

"Clear a path!" One of the Battle Saint Tribe's experts roared in fury. The very fabric of space quivered violently as their combined forces unleashed a devastating combined attack, momentarily tearing a breach through the chaotic battlefield. On the opposing side, the multitude of adversaries valiantly defended against the onslaught, only to be summarily overwhelmed by the overwhelming force of the Battle Saint Tribe. As the crimson path emerged, Chu Qingyi came into view at the far end.

With an explosive "BOOM!" Qin Wentian surged forward, bridging the gap in the blink of an eye, and stood before Chu Qingyi. In that moment, she could hardly react, her senses temporarily ensnared by shock. In the midst of an overwhelming array of foes, Qin Wentian had astonishingly carved a path to reach her.

"Chu Qingyi, there will be consequences for your actions," Qin Wentian declared with an unwavering resolve. His palm, charged with the immense destructive force, descended with indomitable might, engulfing Chu Qingyi in an instant. Amidst the stunned silence of the crowd, Qin Wentian effortlessly crushed the holy maiden of the Snowdrift Sage Hall with a single, domineering strike. The resounding impact marked the end of this dramatic clash, forever altering the course of their destinies.