Bandit Qin Wentian

Bandit Qin Wentian . . . 

Qin Wentian's gaze lingered on that mesmerizing figure. "Palace mistress, I'm willing to join the bandits. However, I won't reveal my true face."

Ye Qianyu was taken aback for a moment, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "Such a golden opportunity to fulfill your desires, yet you choose to forgo it? Don't regret this decision in the future, alright? As for being a bandit, I won't force you into it. Do as you wish, but don't be swayed by beauty."

Qin Wentian glanced at her in speechless amusement. "I've had conflicts with the Jialan Monarch before. I might as well take this chance to settle some scores. This is my choice. Farewell, palace mistress."

Watching Qin Wentian's retreating figure, Ye Qianyu's beautiful eyes sparkled with intrigue. She then returned her gaze to the city.

Soon, the soft sound of footsteps reached her ears. Ye Qianyu didn't turn around. In this place, besides Qin Wentian, only the Evil Emperor could come and go as he pleased.

"Miss, why do you insist on this?" The Evil Emperor asked, his voice gentle.

Ye Qianyu turned and glanced at the little lion, a smile playing on her lips. "Don't you find him interesting? I didn't plan for him to join us as a bandit; I wanted him to focus solely on cultivation. But he took the initiative. It's not just because of my beauty; he wanted to repay the kindness of my constructing the cultivation platform for him."

"Miss, you are of immeasurable worth. You will surely have a supreme dao companion in the future. Why make things so complicated?" The Evil Emperor shook his head.

"Complicated?" Ye Qianyu smiled as she looked at the Evil Emperor. "Little lion, you might be underestimating him. If he had agreed earlier, I might not have rejected his advances."

With that, her smile grew even more enticing and seductive.

The Evil Emperor stared at Ye Qianyu in astonishment.

"Oh, by the way, little lion, don't you think he's handsome?" Ye Qianyu suddenly asked. The Evil Emperor was momentarily stupefied, black lines forming on his face. His little miss was an immortal emperor, yet she still noticed such things?

"Little lion, there are many things you won't understand," Ye Qianyu sighed softly. She treated Qin Wentian kindly without ulterior motives. She didn't ask him to do anything; she just wanted him to remember her when he grew stronger in the future. For some people, it would be too late to build a good relationship with them after they became powerful. It was better to provide warmth during the harshest of winters than to add petals to an already perfect bouquet.

"I truly don't understand, Miss, as long as you're happy," the lion replied gently.

"It was quite dull in the past. Now that he's here, things should become more interesting, and I can even tease him from time to time," Ye Qianyu mused with a smile.

However, her pleasant thoughts were interrupted as she suddenly frowned. Her figure flickered as she stepped out of her palace.

Outside, in Qin Wentian's residence, a figure appeared. His aura was explosively strong, and his gaze bore into Qin Wentian with intense sharpness.

It could only be the Barbarian Emperor. The Evil Emperor was deeply displeased. The Barbarian Emperor had been causing trouble repeatedly, overstepping his bounds. Regardless of how Ye Qianyu treated Qin Wentian, it was her private affair.

"Senior Evil Emperor, today, I want to challenge him," the Barbarian Emperor declared angrily. Qin Wentian had spent over two years in Ye Qianyu's personal palace, and the Barbarian Emperor was completely unaware of what had transpired during that time. These two years had been marked by constant distractions, making it impossible for him to focus on his cultivation. Now that Qin Wentian had finally emerged, the Barbarian Emperor could no longer contain his pent-up resentment and had come directly to challenge him.

"Senior, you've reached the immortal emperor realm. Qin Wentian understands that I'm no match for you," Qin Wentian maintained his reluctance to engage in battle. Outside, three peak-stage immortal kings were discreetly observing the situation, and the Barbarian Emperor appeared to be genuinely incensed this time.

It was no secret that the Barbarian Emperor had long harbored feelings for the palace mistress. But in truth, who in the Heavenly City didn't admire the palace mistress?

In the entire Heavenly City, how many exceptional beauties and geniuses could be found? 

But the palace mistress was in a league of her own. Not only was she powerful, but she also possessed all the treasures within the Thousand Feathers Palace. Moreover, she was undeniably the most beautiful woman in all of Heavenly City. In this realm, there was not a single man she favored.

The Barbarian Emperor enjoyed a close relationship with the palace mistress, yet she had never allowed him access to her personal palace. On the other hand, an immortal king, who was technically a servant, had somehow won the palace mistress's favor and was lavished with her attention. It was even rumored that the palace mistress might have been captivated by Qin Wentian's good looks.

It was no wonder the Barbarian Emperor was seething with anger. It appeared that this time, Qin Wentian was in for a reckoning.

"What a spineless coward, always dodging battles. What use do you have in remaining here? If you're afraid to fight, just leave Heavenly City," the Barbarian Emperor bellowed.

"A'mun," at this moment, Ye Qianyu's expression turned ice-cold. "An emperor trying to force an immortal king into a fight with such self-righteousness. You're becoming increasingly insolent."

"Qianyu," the Barbarian Emperor uttered, staring at Ye Qianyu.

"Qin Wentian, did you not hear my orders?" Ye Qianyu demanded. Qin Wentian nodded, signaling that he had heard.

"Very well, let's go to the arena," the Barbarian Emperor declared.

"No need for that. We'll fight here," Ye Qianyu stepped forward. A formidable surge of law energy emanated from her, creating a barrier that enclosed the two combatants within.

"A'mun, unleash your most powerful attack directly. Qin Wentian, don't hold back for his sake," Ye Qianyu seemed determined to teach the Barbarian Emperor a lesson.

The Barbarian Emperor's rage surged even higher upon hearing her words. Brilliant light enveloped him as he resonated with the astral light descending from his constellation in the heavenly realms. A supremely potent energy emanated from him, capable of shattering the very heavens. A brutal, gigantic palm imprint blotted out the sky, casting its shadow over everything.

The Barbarian Emperor was truly livid.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but sigh inwardly. To the members of the Thousand Feathers Palace, he was still an outsider. He had always kept a low profile, although Ye Qianyu had treated him exceptionally well. Now, as she was the one instructing him to fight, he had no choice but to comply.

A blinding radiance enveloped his body, and his light-affinity law energy transformed into a fearsome storm that raged through the surroundings.

"KILL!" The Barbarian Emperor's furious roar shook the heavens, casting an eerie pallor over the sky. The five colossal fingers of the giant palm surged forth with immense power, hurtling relentlessly toward Qin Wentian.

"Bring it on," Qin Wentian retorted. In this moment, the radiance emanating from him intensified to the point where anyone who looked upon him involuntarily shut their eyes. Even Ye Qianyu had to shield her eyes. This radiance was like a majestic aura capable of enshrouding and annihilating everything in its path.

Anything that touched this radiance was instantly reduced to nothingness. The Barbarian Emperor winced in excruciating pain as his eyes were seared by the brilliance. Nevertheless, as an emperor, his connection with his constellation grew even stronger, but no matter the method he employed, his defenses crumbled bit by bit.

"ARGH!" A piercing cry filled with agony echoed as the radiance transformed into beams of light that penetrated his body. These beams were akin to colossal swords of devastation, wreaking havoc within him. At that moment, Qin Wentian moved forward, closing the distance between them, and delivered a single, uncomplicated palm strike. The impact sent the Barbarian Emperor hurtling backward, crashing into the protective barrier erected by Ye Qianyu, before collapsing onto the ground with a pallid face.

The Barbarian Emperor struggled to stand, his gaze brimming with trepidation as he stared at Qin Wentian. His complexion shifted between shades of green and white, and his body quivered, but not due to his injuries.

A cough escaped his lips as he expelled a mouthful of blood. Suddenly, the Barbarian Emperor appeared utterly despondent, drowning in deep despair. The three peak-stage immortal kings exchanged astonished glances upon witnessing this shocking turn of events.

The immortal emperor-ranked Barbarian Emperor had been defeated. Not only that, he had been soundly beaten in a single strike, utterly defenseless and incapable of retaliation. 

A mighty immortal emperor had been vanquished in such a domineering manner.

How ironic.

Previously, Qin Wentian had repeatedly declined to fight, claiming inferiority. But was this the truth? Wasn't it all a mockery?

"A'mun, do you understand now?" Ye Qianyu retracted the barrier, her voice filled with a soft sigh.

The Barbarian Emperor raised his head to gaze at Ye Qianyu. A bitter smile crept across his face, making him appear even more pitiful than if he were crying. "So this is the reason you don't love me."

"A'mun, you've been with me the longest, and you should understand me the best. You know my goals. I hope you can cultivate diligently and reach the realm my father achieved. That's my wish for you. Love isn't my priority for now," Ye Qianyu's tone had lost its previous coldness.

"I understand. I'll focus on my cultivation," the Barbarian Emperor affirmed.

"Very well. Prepare for our next mission. This time, Qin Wentian will also be joining," Ye Qianyu declared. The Barbarian Emperor nodded, casting a deep, contemplative glance at Qin Wentian before departing.

Several months later, Ye Qianyu, Qin Wentian, and a group of individuals silently left the Thousand Feathers Palace. They arrived at a particular mountain where a massive lion hovered in the skies. The peak of the mountain was concealed by clouds. The bandits had all donned armor, and more people were gradually arriving to join them. They leaped onto the back of the giant lion without exchanging a single word, united in unspoken agreement.

Before this moment, all the preparations had been meticulously arranged through their messaging crystals. It was a matter of following orders and playing their respective roles.

At long last, the assembly was complete. Every member of the group had now gathered.

Ye Qianyu cast her discerning eyes over the assembled band. A solemn tone cut through the air as she addressed them, "Earlier, we seized one of Jialan Monarch's mines, and he's certain to be on high alert. This time, our mission won't be as straightforward. The spatial exits for his mines are now staggered, and the number of guards has multiplied. Moreover, there's even a chance that Jialan Monarch himself may personally oversee the patrols from time to time."

There was no trace of her usual charm in Ye Qianyu's voice. Although more than two years had passed since they raided the mine, it was no trifling matter. Jialan Monarch wouldn't be careless, and he might be lying in wait for their return. Everyone was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

This was the harsh reality of the life of a bandit. Sometimes, after a successful heist, bandits were forced into retirement out of fear that the risks would be too great if they attempted a second time.

Qin Wentian's countenance bore the weight of these considerations. He hadn't anticipated that his inaugural undertaking in the Supreme Ancient Immortal Realms would involve a foray into banditry. Truly, in the vast expanse of the world, anything was possible, and every possibility could become a reality.