You guys can come at me together

You guys can come at me together . . . 

In the hallowed space, an electrifying hush descended like a heavy velvet curtain, silencing even the most renowned experts hailing from the Skymist Immortal Empire and the Paragon Sword Sect. Their faces contorted with unease, their hearts trembling beneath the weight of an undeniable presence.

It was the voice of none other than Qing'er, the Matriarch of the Southern Phoenix, that had cast this profound spell of silence upon the assembly. A voice so potent, it seemed to carry the very authority of the heavens themselves. What stature did she hold in these realms? She reigned as the supreme leader of one of the three ancient clans that had long dominated the southern territories.

In the past, during the fierce war against the Evergreen Immortal Empire, the Southern Phoenix Clan had offered its support. However, it was Nanfeng Guhong, a guardian of the Southern Phoenix Matriarch, who had taken action. Despite her standing as an immortal emperor, Nanfeng Guhong's actions did not necessarily speak for the entire Southern Phoenix Clan. Much like the white tigers had dispatched an immortal emperor to the eastern region to capture and eliminate Qin Wentian, it was again Nanfeng Guhong who had stepped forward to aid him, but her actions did not represent the collective will of their clan.

However, the landscape had shifted dramatically now. With the Southern Phoenix Matriarch herself stepping into the fray, the situation had irrevocably changed. She alone held the true authority to speak on behalf of the entire Southern Phoenix Clan.

The immortal emperor from the Sacred Sun Sect bristled with rage. With the Southern Phoenix Matriarch's intervention, his direct assault on Qin Wentian became an impossibility. The Southern Phoenix Matriarch, a peak-stage immortal emperor, had carved her name into the annals of the immortal realms with her renowned fame and power. Now that she had openly declared her stance, how could he dare to move against Qin Wentian?

Two chosen ones from the Sacred Sun Sect, including a Saint Child, had fallen to Qin Wentian's blade. This was a debt that could not remain unpaid. How could he possibly let Qin Wentian escape unpunished?

"Very well, in deference to the Phoenix Matriarch's request, my Sacred Sun Sect shall exercise restraint. Yet, he declared that he would accept challenges from peers; he must uphold his word," declared the immortal emperor from the Sacred Sun Sect, his eyes locked onto the major powers assembled from the immortal realms.

The White Tiger Race, the Skymist Immortal Empire, and the Paragon Sword Sect, all harbored a burning desire to see Qin Wentian fall. Now that one of the Sacred Sun Sect's experts had met his demise at Qin Wentian's hands, would these powers remain silent, their honor tarnished?

"I shall be the one to end him," a deep, rumbling voice resonated, and a white tiger with a formidable mid-stage cultivation stepped forth. In human form, his baleful aura was unmistakable, and his golden-tinged skin exuded an air of menacing threat.

"Allow me to take his life instead," another voice, sharp and commanding, joined the chorus. All eyes turned to the speaker, Shangguang Jianyi, a formidable expert of the Paragon Sword Sect, also boasting a peak-phase mid-stage cultivation. His reputation was built on incredible combat prowess and unmatched sword techniques. Having witnessed Qin Wentian employ a sword art to slay the Sacred Sun Sect's expert, Shangguang Jianyi now thirsted to test the limits of his own blade against Qin Wentian's.

"You have besmirched the name of my Skymist Immortal Empire. Thus, I shall grant your request," proclaimed a supremely powerful immortal king from the Skymist Immortal Empire. His aura radiated an overwhelming sense of dominance and dread.

"Shatian, was he truly the one who sullied your sharpness to such an extent?" Among the dignitaries of the Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire, an immortal emperor inquired of Huang Shatian.

In the midst of the tension-laden atmosphere, Huang Shatian cast a rueful glance at his perennial adversary. Deep within his heart, a sigh of profound sorrow echoed. His journey in cultivation had been marked by relentless effort, all with a singular aim—to challenge and conquer Qin Wentian. However, the swiftness of Qin Wentian's ascent had caught him by surprise, propelling him farther away with each passing moment. Huang Shatian, considered an exceptional talent, was compelled by an unrelenting desire for victory over Qin Wentian.

But now, as the Demongod Mountain disappeared from view, Qin Wentian had already soared to the mid-stage of the immortal king realm. Such acceleration in power was enough to plunge one into despair.

"I am no match for him," Huang Shatian sighed, his eyes closing in contemplation. He had been unmatched throughout his life, a veritable titan within the Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire. Even among the senior generation, few could rival him. When the sacred academy opened its gates, Huang Shatian believed his moment of invincibility had arrived. He truly felt invincible, until he crossed paths with Qin Wentian.

It seemed written in the stars that Huang Shatian would have a formidable adversary in his lifetime. Though he fought with every ounce of his strength, his opponent consistently outshone him, turning the tide despite Huang Shatian's initial lead. The gap between them only widened, breeding a growing sense of despair within him.

"Shatian, you are one of our empire's most prodigious talents. You mustn't underestimate yourself. At this point, your martial spirit has been damaged, and this man threatens to become your inner demon. His existence cannot be allowed to persist," urged an immortal emperor, a glint of murderous intent in his gaze as he fixed his eyes on Qin Wentian.

This was the same junior from the eastern regions who had bested their most outstanding prodigy within the sacred academy. Three royal clan experts from the Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire had perished, and Huang Shatian's martial spirit had been tarnished. He was no longer the razor-sharp force he once was. Whether for vengeance or to facilitate Huang Shatian's recovery, Qin Wentian had to be eliminated.

"Allow me to dispatch him for you," declared a mid-stage immortal king nearby, a man with a middle-aged visage but an aura that exuded majesty and immense power. He stepped forward, and his intent to kill radiated outward, directed at Qin Wentian.

From various corners of the immortal realms, immortal kings from the White Tiger Race, the Paragon Sword Sect, the Skymist Immortal Empire, and the Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire began to gravitate toward Qin Wentian, seemingly vying to be the one to end his existence. The spectacle seized the attention of countless onlookers, their collective gaze locked onto Qin Wentian. A solitary figure had managed to attract the murderous intentions of so many immortal kings representing the paramount powers of the immortal realms.

Many among the demon clans observed this unfolding drama with great interest. Witnessing a clash between mid-stage immortal kings from the immortal realms was a rare spectacle. In ordinary circumstances, it would have been a grand and awe-inspiring sight, uniting demons of the desolate mountains and immortal cultivators of the immortal realms.

Pei Qing, meanwhile, watched the scene unfold with a curious detachment. It seemed he harbored a morbid curiosity about how Qin Wentian's fate would unfold. Having experienced Qin Wentian's arrogance firsthand, he now beheld the numerous major powers arrayed against him. There was an army of individuals thirsting for Qin Wentian's demise.

Yet, Qin Wentian displayed no fear whatsoever. His eyes scanned the major powers arrayed before him, and he spoke coldly, "So, who will it be?"

As his voice echoed through the air, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Even now, Qin Wentian remained unapologetically audacious.

"Leave him to me," asserted the expert from the Skymist Immortal Empire, radiating an air of tyranny as he stepped forward.

"His life is mine," declared Shangguang Jianyi from the Paragon Sword Sect, exuding a surge of sword energy.

"In the past, he feasted on the flesh of my comrades. Today, he shall pay the price and become my sustenance," a demon king from the White Tiger Race declared, refusing to yield his claim on Qin Wentian's life.

Qin Wentian, undeterred, burst into laughter upon seeing the determination of the four adversaries. He stood proudly in the air, an aura of divinity shrouding him, as he gazed down upon them as though they were mere ants crawling upon the earth. With unyielding arrogance, he taunted, "Why don't you four pieces of trash come at me together and save me the trouble?"

The immortal king from the Skymist Immortal Empire erupted in anger at Qin Wentian's words, viewing them as a direct affront to his dignity.

"You're courting death," seethed the demon king of the White Tiger Race, flames of rage in his eyes. The four adversaries teetered on the precipice of action, but their pride prevented them from colluding against an opponent of equal standing, lest it sully their honor.

In the charged atmosphere, Qin Wentian's taunting words cut through the tension like a gleaming blade. He gazed at the quartet before him, their reluctance to engage apparent, and mockingly addressed them.

"Why hesitate if you don't want to fight? Is sticking around some new fad?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, highlighting their indecision.

Suddenly, a tempest of sword qi surged forth, emanating from Shangguang Jianyi. His blade cleaved through the air beside Qin Wentian, a display of unbridled dominance. Yet, Qin Wentian remained rooted, unmoved by the powerful display.

"Are you even worthy?" Qin Wentian chuckled, his eyes locked onto Shangguang Jianyi, his laughter dripping with disdain.

However, amidst the tension, an unexpected voice pierced the solemnity. "Yiyiyaya..." It was none other than Little Rascal, the adorable companion who stood loyally by Qin Wentian's side. The tiny creature sauntered forward with an utterly comical demeanor, a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation.

"Wentian, you can't just belittle these people like this. They are the chosen ones of the most powerful factions, and they do seem quite formidable. Proposing a one-on-four battle—how could they agree so easily?" Little Rascal's leisurely stroll belied the seriousness of the moment, causing the four experts to snort in disdain.

"Though they may indeed be useless," Little Rascal continued, "it'd be even more humiliating if they were to accept your challenge and still end up defeated. Where would they put their faces? They are illustrious immortal kings from the major powers; they might just die of embarrassment!"

His words sparked spontaneous laughter among the onlookers. This pint-sized furball had an extraordinary way with words.

A demon king from the White Tiger Race growled, "Where did this insufferable creature come from? You think I won't gobble you up in a single bite?"

Little Rascal, seemingly on the verge of terror, quipped, "This little one's almost scared to death. Wentian, fancy teaming up? How about two against four? At least they'll look a bit better when they lose." His voice, in the midst of this tense showdown, came off as endearingly humorous. Qin Wentian chuckled and agreed, "Sure."

"Let's get to it, then. You go ahead, I'll cover your back," Little Rascal declared, waving his tiny paw.

"Mhm," Qin Wentian nodded. An explosive force surged within him, his blood roiling like a tempest on the brink of eruption. In an instant, an overwhelming kingly aura radiated from him, bending all lifeforms beneath its weight.

This was his bloodline ability: Burning Rebellion.

In the blink of an eye, an awe-inspiring luminous screen enveloped Qin Wentian, as his aura erupted with uncontrollable intensity.

Little Rascal flashed a mischievous grin, revealing gleaming white teeth. His small, snowy-white form seemed almost comical amidst the gravitas of the moment.

"Since they're so eager for oblivion, let's oblige them," Shangguang Jianyi muttered.

"Mhm, if he's craving death so badly, we can't be accused of bullying him. Let's take him on together," the others concurred.

And thus, Shangguang Jianyi unleashed a lightning-fast strike, his sword cleaving the very fabric of reality as it sped toward Qin Wentian.

"RUMBLE!" The sword strike struck home, colliding with the blood-red protective barrier emanating from Qin Wentian's bloodline ability. This crimson shield morphed into the silhouette of a Xuanwu Turtle, effortlessly withstanding Shangguang Jianyi's attack.

The onlookers were stunned. This had been an offhand blow from none other than Shangguang Jianyi, a pinnacle genius of the Paragon Sword Sect. And yet, it hadn't so much as elicited a flinch from Qin Wentian. Just how impervious was his defense?

Qin Wentian couldn't help but laugh. The protective barrier underwent another transformation, shifting from a Xuanwu to a divine elephant, all while Little Rascal observed with keen interest.

"BOOM!" Qin Wentian advanced, the entire space quivering under his step. With the activation of his Divine Elephant Domain, a crushing, overwhelming pressure descended upon the surroundings, impossibly weighty and indomitable.