Give and Take

Give and Take . . .

In the heart of a fierce confrontation, a palpable terror-inducing blood-red radiance enshrouded Qin Wentian. His eyes, once serene, now flickered with a menacing gleam, a hint of the demonic forces that had fueled the most supreme demon lords across generations. The very air around him pulsed with an eerie aura, signaling a showdown of epic proportions.

With an effortless flourish, he brandished his lengthy spear, thrusting it forward with an explosive surge of energy. The countless flood dragons, fierce and relentless in their charge, roared with a thirst to engulf the heavens and the earth. At the forefront of this deadly dance, Qin Wentian's spear grappled with a formidable violet-gold flood dragon, locked in a fierce struggle. The entwined dragon emitted a thunderous bellow, its unrivaled might and ferocity challenging Qin Wentian's every move, while the remaining flood dragons surged forward in a relentless wave.

In response, Qin Wentian's formidable power came surging forth, causing an even more brilliant violet-gold light to burst forth. His celestial constellation materialized above, and a legion of astral warbeasts materialized in a cacophonous rush, unleashing their rage as they collided head-on with the approaching flood dragons.

"Hmph," Gu Zhantian disdainfully huffed at the sight. An enormous flood dragon, coiled around his body like a massive living shroud, abruptly ascended into the skies. With astonishing strength, the dragon's claw raised him to a lofty perch upon its head, where Gu Zhantian now stood, a true spectacle to behold. His robes fluttered majestically in the wind, exuding an unmatched aura that seemed to defy the very laws of this world.

With deliberate poise, Gu Zhantian took a measured step forward. More of these nightmarish violet-gold flood dragons, shimmering with a sinister luster, wound themselves around him, forming a formidable protective cocoon.

"How do you plan to oppose me?" Gu Zhantian sneered coldly, his voice echoing with contempt. His grasp extended, and the mighty arm of one of the flood dragons shot forth with irresistible force, capable of shattering all defenses in its path as it reached for Qin Wentian.

A deep sense of gravity settled upon Qin Wentian as he prepared to face the impending onslaught. His battle fervor surged to its zenith, eclipsing everything around him. The astral constellation above him radiated an overwhelming aura of annihilation, an irresistible force poised to obliterate any obstacle standing in his way. Yet, even this formidable power proved insufficient to thwart Gu Zhantian's impending strike.

With a vice-like grip on his lengthy spear, Qin Wentian let out a deafening roar of fury. His colossal 1,500-meter frame thrust forward with the spear, a thunderous momentum that seemed to warp time itself. The very fabric of space appeared on the brink of dissolution under the sheer might of his attack. As the flood dragon arm of Gu Zhantian transformed into a resplendent gold, it harbored a terrifying, destructive force.

For demon-level combatants like Gu Zhantian, their innate techniques harnessed the might of their celestial constellations, infused with the essence of their true intents. These deceptively simple maneuvers concealed a plethora of profound mysteries. In the same vein, Qin Wentian's spear strike, though seemingly straightforward, bore the concentrated power of his fused true intents, a force capable of suppressing and annihilating all in its path. The stage was set, and the clash of titans was poised to reach cataclysmic proportions.

In the intense crucible of combat, Qin Wentian's martial prowess had evolved, mirroring the ascent of his own strength and his deepening understanding of the martial path. Whether it was his palm strikes or his mastery of spear arts, every offensive technique had blossomed in potency. He had achieved a remarkable feat—infusing his profound insights into his strikes, thereby unleashing a raw power that would astonish even the heavens themselves. For instance, his Star-Seizing Palm not only wielded the might to seize the very stars but also harbored a potent force of annihilation, capable of quelling all opposition.

In the climactic moment when his long spear collided with the formidable golden flood dragon arm, a resounding shatter echoed through the air. The devastating attack appeared on the brink of striking Qin Wentian, a menace that threatened to overwhelm him. But just before the cataclysmic impact, Qin Wentian's palm ignited with a radiant runic glow, initiating a torrential barrage of nine consecutive palm strikes. These ferocious blows crashed into the flood dragon arm, and the resultant explosive force pushed Qin Wentian perilously close to the edge of the battle platform. A groan of anguish escaped his lips, his palm bearing visible traces of the toll.

Yet, Qin Wentian stood resolute, an unyielding colossus that refused to crumble. His eyes blazed with determination, and a formidable battle intent radiated from every fiber of his being. In this pivotal moment, he relinquished the use of his spear, opting instead to engage with his body. He unleashed a torrent of palm strikes, the astral light coalescing into a miniature replica of his celestial constellation at the core of his palms. This earth-shaking display of power sent shivers down the spines of every onlooker in the Cloudheaven Arena.

"Do you truly believe this will make a difference?" Gu Zhantian's robe billowed in the wind as he taunted Qin Wentian. His entire form was entwined with numerous violet-gold flood dragons, to the extent that he now resembled a veritable flood dragon himself. With a swift and forceful palm strike, an immense flood dragon surged forward, once again colliding headlong with Qin Wentian's assault. This time, Qin Wentian's body quivered violently, yet he was only compelled to take a single step backward before launching another retaliatory assault.

The brilliance emanating from their celestial constellations bathed the entire arena in an otherworldly light. Gu Zhantian's laughter rang out, cold and unrelenting, as he continued to meet Qin Wentian's attacks head-on.

For those watching below, the spectacle was awe-inspiring. A colossal 1,000-meter flood dragon lunged forth, and Qin Wentian did everything within his power to defend against the ferocious onslaught. The titanic clash between man and monstrous dragon was nothing short of brutal. Qin Wentian, the towering giant, was repeatedly pushed back, blood trickling from his lips with each grueling exchange. The enraged flood dragon ramped up its aggression, unleashing devastating blows with relentless fury. Gu Zhantian watched with a chilling smile, remarking, "Stubborn to the end, it seems. If you seek death so ardently, I shall oblige."

As his words faded, the very space around them convulsed violently. A resplendent violet-gold flood dragon king emerged, a sight of unparalleled grandeur. With a commanding roar from their sovereign, the surrounding flood dragons ignited with radiant power, moving in unison to assail Qin Wentian, their intent to rend him asunder unmistakable.

In response, Qin Wentian's own battle cry pierced the heavens. His demonic energy surged to unimaginable heights as he ascended into the sky. The astral light radiating from his constellation imbued him with unprecedented strength, priming him for a ferocious counterattack.

"SLAY!" A thunderous, rage-filled command reverberated through the air. From Qin Wentian's center, an array of suppression figures erupted in all directions, colliding with the oncoming flood dragons. The ensuing explosions rocked the very fabric of space, enveloping Qin Wentian in a maelstrom of chaotic energy.

In that pivotal moment, Gu Zhantian stepped forward. He was no longer cocooned by flood dragons; it was just him now. Raising his palms, a boundless divine radiance surged outward, an icy glint gleaming in his eyes. His Wargod Fist shot forth, plunging the sky into chaos, penetrating the very void itself, all aimed at the engulfed figure of Qin Wentian amidst the aftermath of devastation.

A thunderous "BANG!" reverberated through the arena, a sound that seemed to resonate in the very hearts of the spectators, causing their pulses to quicken. The moment was electric, charged with an undeniable intensity that gripped their collective consciousness.

But wait, what's this? An unwelcome interloper had attempted to invade the sanctity of this epic showdown. The intrusive link, in the form of a mysterious web address, was promptly vanquished from our narrative. The battle that raged on demanded our full attention.

A deafening "RUMBLE~" followed, an echo that mirrored the preceding eruption. The spectators watched in awe as Gu Zhantian's formidable battle halo surged forth, a radiant force that sought to plunder Qin Wentian's own reservoir of battle qi. And then, in a scene that defied belief, the immense figure of Qin Wentian was propelled through the air, vanishing into the distant horizon. A collective gasp escaped the onlookers; had he survived this brutal onslaught?

"Senior!" Jun Mengchen's face contorted with worry, his gaze locked onto the vanishing silhouette of his friend. Even Zi Qingxuan, ever the composed figure, could not hide the glimmer of concern in her eyes as she followed Qin Wentian's trajectory.

Meanwhile, all eyes turned toward Gu Zhantian. He was poised to achieve the unimaginable—a 380,000-meter battle halo—an achievement that seemed to elevate him to the status of an unparalleled legend. It was as if he had fused the top and second battle halos into a singular, awe-inspiring entity, an unparalleled spectacle that left the audience awestruck.

In this moment, Gu Zhantian was a celestial beacon of light, an indomitable war king, a force to be reckoned with. It was as if the very heavens themselves had ordained him as the invincible champion of this selection test.

"Overestimating your own capabilities," Gu Zhantian scoffed, his battle fervor gradually waning. He stood there, a resplendent and formidable presence that seemed to radiate brilliance and confidence, illuminating the entire arena.

"Though Qin Wentian is undeniably powerful, the chasm in their cultivation bases is simply insurmountable. A three-level difference, with Gu Zhantian being a figure of magnificence across the ages—how could Qin Wentian hope to prevail?" whispered many among the crowd, their hearts heavy with sympathy for the valiant underdog.

But then, a voice, calm and unyielding, cut through the murmurs. It was Zi Qingxuan, who stared unwaveringly at Gu Zhantian as she challenged, "If you were in his shoes, would you possess the same courage?"

A hint of disquiet flitted across Gu Zhantian's face. He glanced at Zi Qingxuan, his retort swift, "This isn't courage; it's recklessness."

Zi Qingxuan's lips curled into a faint smile. "Hehe, if you were to trade places with him, you'd find it hard to muster such unwavering self-belief. Imagine yourself in his shoes, facing a three-level cultivation disparity. Would you still have the audacity to challenge?"

Gu Zhantian remained stoic, but the expressions of the spectators shifted. Interest and curiosity danced across their faces as they considered this intriguing debate.

"You're speaking in hypotheticals," Gu Zhantian retorted coldly.

Beside the Idlecloud Immortal King, Zhou Zhan from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor spoke up, his brow furrowing. "Gu Zhantian has secured a 180,000-meter battle halo as his reward. With this, he's undoubtedly the victor of the Cloud Prefecture's selection test."

The Idlecloud Immortal King smiled mysteriously. "It all depends on one's perspective. In my eyes, Gu Zhantian isn't the true victor here, and Qin Wentian isn't the loser. At the very least, Qin Wentian has achieved his objectives. To me, that's of greater significance than merely plundering battle qi."

Zhou Zhan looked puzzled, but then he sensed something amiss. The countenance of the other experts also underwent a profound change. Unease and uncertainty washed over their expressions, their gazes now fixated on Qin Wentian.

As the tension mounted, it became evident that an unusual occurrence was unfolding with Qin Wentian at its center. The audience couldn't help but display disconcerted expressions.

"He first challenged Li Yu and now Gu Zhantian. It's not merely about plundering battle qi; it's about seeking external stimuli to break through his own limitations. Qin Wentian hasn't reached the immortal-foundation realm, and advancing through the Celestial Phenomenon Realm isn't a straightforward endeavor. He's using battles to gain insights, willingly sacrificing accumulated battle qi as a price for a deeper understanding. He understands that an impressive battle halo is secondary to enhancing one's own strength," the Idlecloud Immortal King remarked, his admiration evident in his eyes as they remained fixed on Qin Wentian.

In the blink of an eye, the spectators' collective gaze fell upon Qin Wentian, who, against all odds, had risen to his feet. His expression was a portrait of stoic resolve as he observed the 180,000-meter battle halo being absorbed by Gu Zhantian. The arena seemed to hold its breath, anticipation hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

With chilling arrogance, Gu Zhantian couldn't resist uttering, "Thanks for your battle qi."

A fleeting, enigmatic smile danced in the depths of Qin Wentian's eyes, a glimmer of something the crowd couldn't quite fathom. Without further ado, he ascended into the heavens and landed gracefully on another battle platform. This particular platform was currently occupied by Zhuge Yue, a demon-level character whose own battle halo stretched tens of thousands of meters, a shimmering testament to her formidable power.

In a breathtaking display of sheer power, Qin Wentian summoned a 300-meter spear of light that radiated an overwhelming aura of suppression. An immediate transformation overtook Zhuge Yue's countenance as she found herself ensnared by an inexplicable force—a pressure so immense that it shattered her defenses into oblivion.

"BANG!"

The earth-shattering sound echoed through the arena as Zhuge Yue, a fellow demon-level character boasting an equivalent level of cultivation to Qin Wentian, was unceremoniously expelled from the platform by a single, overwhelming strike. In a mere instant, a formidable 50,000-meter battle halo materialized and began to orbit around Qin Wentian.

Spectators, their expressions frozen in shock, bore witness to a perplexing truth. Here were two demon-level characters, evenly matched in terms of cultivation, yet one had been utterly dominated by the other. Qin Wentian, it seemed, was not just a force to be reckoned with; he was a relentless juggernaut, even in the face of his earlier defeat at the hands of Gu Zhantian.

"Yearning for battle qi plundering? That can be arranged at any time," Qin Wentian's voice drifted across the arena, his tone brimming with unapologetic arrogance. His words reverberated like a clarion call, underscoring his unshakable self-assurance. And indeed, he was not merely boasting; his capabilities spoke volumes.

"But for now, let me express my gratitude for your inadvertent assistance. In the Eastern Prefecture, perhaps fate will grant us another opportunity to cross swords," Qin Wentian mused, his gaze unwavering as he regarded Gu Zhantian. With that, he gracefully descended from the battle platform and settled into a cross-legged position on the ground. The aura surrounding him began to shift and undulate, a palpable indication of his impending breakthrough.

The realization slowly dawned on Gu Zhantian. Despite the dazzling display of his 380,000-meter battle halo, could he truly be considered the victor? In the grand tapestry of martial cultivation, where individuals sacrificed everything to reach ever loftier summits, a resplendent battle halo paled in comparison to the relentless pursuit of higher peaks. Qin Wentian's challenge to Gu Zhantian wasn't merely a contest for battle qi but a deliberate choice to seek a breakthrough at any cost, willingly sacrificing his hard-earned 180,000 meters of battle qi as a stepping stone toward greater enlightenment.