Facing Huang Shatian

Facing Huang Shatian . . . 

In the charged atmosphere of the sacred academy, Qin Wentian locked eyes with Huang Shatian through the floating diagram in the air. Their gazes collided, each containing a chilling intent that mirrored the other's resolve.

Huang Shatian, despite his immense power, refrained from advancing further. The vicinity teemed with experts loyal to Qin Wentian, making a solo confrontation a daunting prospect, even for someone of his caliber. Moreover, the Askheart Temple monks and Matriarch Ji's disciples loomed in the background, casting an intimidating shadow. Huang Shatian, confident though he was, knew better than to act recklessly in this situation.

A gathering of White Tiger Alliance experts formed a protective circle around him, positioning Huang Shatian at its core.

Despite the sacred academy's directive to cease hostilities, neither Qin Wentian nor Huang Shatian had any intention of backing down. Both were exceptional geniuses of the immortal realms, and the war had inflicted significant casualties on both sides. A deep-seated enmity had crystallized between their factions, making reconciliation an impossible proposition.

Amidst this tension, a gust of wind swept through the area. Far from the ongoing face-off, the golden-winged roc, Jia Nantian, had descended from the heavens, landing before the enigmatic Beast God Sect disciple. Now at the peak of immortal-foundation, Jia Nantian's status as a pure-blooded, golden-winged roc endowed him with wings as sharp as immortal weapons and talons capable of shattering them. Each of his attacks was imbued with lethal potential.

However, as spectators turned their attention to the aerial diagram, a shocking revelation emerged: the obscure young man, unrecognized by anyone, wielded extraordinary mastery over ten thousand beasts. His piercing gaze exuded a commanding presence that left even Jia Nantian, the sovereign of the skies, feeling compelled to submit. The ensuing battle between these two titans rocked the very foundations of the surrounding space.

Jia Nantian, the ruler of the skies, clashed with the Beast God Sect's master of countless demonic beasts. Their battle raged on for an extended period, neither side yielding an inch. The spectacle sent shockwaves throughout the academy, revealing the mysterious disciple's standing as one of its preeminent figures.

As Nanfeng Yunxi returned to Qin Wentian's side, so did Little Rascal and Purgatory. The reunion of their alliance's experts brought smiles to many faces, yet an underlying sorrow lingered for those who had perished during the conflict. The circumstances of their deaths remained shrouded in uncertainty, with some succumbing in battle and others falling prey to merciless pursuit and torment.

Bitter resentment and fury simmered in the eyes of those who gazed upon the experts encircling Huang Shatian. There was no doubt that those who had gone missing had met their end at the hands of the White Tiger Alliance.

With Huang Shatian at the forefront, the White Tiger Alliance surged forward, departing from one sacred academy toward the one housing Qin Wentian. Despite the academy's proclamation against further bloodshed, the embers of anger burned fiercely within the hearts of both sides, their mutual hatred far from quenched.

Before the war in the Sky Connecting Realms, trepidation had restrained their actions, but once the conflict ignited, that restraint crumbled. As the Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire and the White Tiger Race gained the upper hand, they hunted the members of the Southern Phoenix Alliance without mercy. Their initial apprehension gave way to unchecked brutality, with thoughts of rape and murder running rampant—secure in the belief that their deeds would remain forever concealed.

The Sky Connecting Realm was in turmoil as experts from various powers converged. The Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire, the White Tiger Race, the Violet Emperor Sect, the Thundergod Hall, and the Skymist Immortal Empire had thrown their might into the battle. Faced with such formidable adversaries, one might wonder if the Southern Phoenix Clan and its allies had lost their fear, daring to declare war against these apex factions.

The intoxicating sensation of superiority had eradicated all their doubts and hesitations, emboldening them to new heights of courage. With this newfound confidence, the experts of the Southern Phoenix Clan and Matriarch Ji's disciples unleashed their full might. The death of Nie Yunchang had ignited an uncontrollable fury within Qing'er. Even if her adversary was Huang Youdi himself, she harbored no reservations about ending his life.

As the conflict in the Sky Connecting Realm spiraled out of control, the stage was set for a confrontation between Huang Shatian and Qin Wentian. As Huang Shatian and his entourage approached the academy housing Qin Wentian, a palpable wave of dread washed over the countless geniuses in the vicinity. They could sense the seething bloodlust emanating from Huang Shatian, overriding any concerns about the sacred academy's injunctions. In the eyes of the onlookers, the urge for vengeance seemed paramount.

Huang Shatian's cold, menacing gaze scanned the surroundings, and a growing anticipation filled the air. It was evident that despite the sacred academy's stern admonitions, Huang Shatian remained resolute in his pursuit of vengeance for his brother, Huang Youdi. His chilling eyes bore into Qin Wentian and his allies, their lives appearing inconsequential to him.

Upon closer observation, a group of devil-cultivators from the Myriad Devil Islands emerged nearby, led by the enigmatic priestess of the Judiciary Hall and the four supreme devil-experts. Their presence suggested that they had been monitoring the situation even before Huang Shatian's arrival.

With the sacred academy's diagram suspended overhead, the experts on both sides could see their enemies directly without the need for external aids. Huang Shatian's presence was overpowering, each step exuding the profound power of the laws, and his visage cast a shadow over the hearts of all who beheld him. His formidable abilities were undeniable, unrivaled in their magnificence.

As Huang Shatian came to a halt not far from Qin Wentian's group, he cast a disdainful glance at them. His gaze brushed past Qin Wentian fleetingly, implying that none among his adversaries were worthy of being treated as opponents. It was this very group of individuals, however, who had orchestrated the downfall of his brother.

For Huang Shatian, the death of Huang Youdi was a bitter pill to swallow, an incident that sharpened the character of his younger sibling. He didn't mind subjecting Huang Youdi to suffering or humiliation as long as it contributed to his growth. Yet, Huang Youdi's life had been abruptly extinguished by another, a woman he had once admired—none other than the Evergreen Immortal Emperor's daughter, a disciple of Matriarch Ji.

Huang Shatian's eyes locked onto Qing'er, who stood resolute behind Qin Wentian. He recalled their previous encounter within the academy, recognizing her exceptional potential. His words dripped with cold contempt as he addressed her.

"I met you once within the academy and thought you weren't so bad, that you had an extreme amount of potential. The truth was as such; if not there would be no way for Youdi to die by your hand," Huang Shatian sneered, his gaze piercing Qing'er. He continued, his voice growing icier with each word. "But how did you kill him? And how could you actually dare to kill him?"

Qing'er met Huang Shatian's chilling gaze with a steely resolve in her own eyes. There was no trace of fear, no hesitation. Her hatred for Huang Youdi burned fiercely, a fire that nothing could extinguish. She had been driven to the brink, her fury eclipsing all else, and in that moment, she didn't care about the cost or her injuries. All that mattered was her determination to end Huang Youdi's life.

Why wouldn't she dare? If time could rewind, she'd make the same choice without hesitation.

"You're one stubborn woman. There's no point arguing with you now. My younger brother is dead, and even if I were to kill you, he wouldn't return," Huang Shatian remarked coolly. He cast a glance behind him, where an expert gently lowered a lifeless body to the ground – the body of Huang Youdi, a fallen warrior.

"If you want a less agonizing death, kneel before my brother's corpse and confess your remorse. I might consider showing you some mercy," Huang Shatian declared calmly, his voice dripping with arrogance and icy disdain.

Huang Shatian didn't just want to end Qing'er's life; he craved her humiliation and penance.

"Impudent!" Matriarch Ji's disciples cried out indignantly. "Huang Youdi deserved to die!"

"You must have all had a hand in it too, right? Since you're disciples of Matriarch Ji, I'll give you some face. Kneel, kowtow to his corpse, and willingly cripple your own immortal foundations. I won't kill any of you," Huang Shatian said, his gaze fixed on Mo Ziyan, an adept in spatial energy, who was undeniably powerful. However, Huang Shatian dismissed her as inconsequential. With his might, who could oppose him if he chose to execute someone?

A disciple of Matriarch Ji carried Nie Yunchang's body forward, her gaze cold as it met Huang Shatian's.

"Huang Wudi, White-eye!" Suddenly, Qin Wentian's voice rang out, his focus squarely on Huang Wudi and White-eye. His tone was cold and commanding.

"Both of you, kneel before Nie Yunchang's body and demonstrate your remorse through kowtowing. I might consider sparing you some of the agony of your deaths," Qin Wentian declared, delivering Huang Shatian's own words right back to him.

The onlookers were stunned by this audacious act. They watched in disbelief as Qin Wentian ignored Huang Shatian and addressed Huang Wudi and White-eye directly.

"How insolent! A mere speck of dust daring to speak with such arrogance. Do you even understand the situation you're in?" sneered an expert from the Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire. They believed that Qin Wentian's recklessness had led to his impending doom.

"Back then, Buyu of the Askheart Temple and four other experts shielded you, granting you a chance to escape. You were nothing more than a defeated dog. Yet, you dare to act so arrogantly now? Rest assured, after your woman perishes, she won't be alone. I will ensure you join her in the afterlife," Huang Shatian proclaimed generously.

"Defeated dog?" Qin Wentian chuckled coldly. "Back then, an eighth-level prince from your Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire thought the same of me. But what happened to him? Why do none of you know how he met his end?"

Shock rippled through the crowd. They recollected that Huang Dangtian and several other supremely powerful experts had pursued the fifth-level Qin Wentian. Yet, they had vanished mysteriously. Qin Wentian's words hinted that he had indeed dispatched them.

"But back then, you were only at the fifth level of immortal-foundation. How could you defeat such formidable opponents?" Huang Wudi's killing intent seethed.

"Even under the protection of the sacred academy's rules, didn't I manage to roast some white tigers?" Qin Wentian retorted, prompting understanding to dawn upon the spectators.

However, Huang Shatian merely laughed coldly. His gaze upon Qin Wentian was akin to that of a man sizing up a corpse. He raised his hand and signaled for the impending attack.