I Can’t Die Here.
Qin Wentian found a moment's respite, sitting on the ground despite the tumultuous energy surging within him. With practiced precision, he withdrew a set of silver needles and deftly inserted them into various acupoints all over his body.
In an instant, his blood surged and boiled as he employed the 12 Connecting Styles of Life Needles Art, unlocking the shackles of his Bloodline Limit. Simultaneously, he adorned his Divine Gloves, etched with an imprint fueled by Divine Energy.
"Rumble!" A rapid kick shot forth. The shadows trailing behind it seemed to wail in protest due to its incredible speed, aiming to annihilate Qin Wentian, who was seated on the ground. This individual had survived the deluge of swords summoned by the Goldem Sword, indicating his formidable abilities. The force behind his leg was terrifying, and the speed of his strike was exceptionally swift. It was no wonder he was one of the few to escape the previous attack's range.
"Boom!" Qin Wentian thrust out his palm, catching the attacker's leg, which could easily demolish massive boulders. The assailant lost his balance, his face contorting in alarm. His bloodshot eyes bore into Qin Wentian, resembling a ferocious beast's glare.
In Qin Wentian's left hand, a Heavenly Astral Hammer materialized, and he swung it toward the attacker with a blood-curdling screech echoing through the air.
Simultaneously, Qin Wentian rose to his feet, radiating a dominating aura as he executed the Perfect level of the Garuda Movement Technique. He sprinted toward the two pursuers who were hot on Qin Yao's trail. The ground quaked beneath his powerful strides. In the blink of an eye, he had caught up, unleashing two Diamond Imprints brimming with overwhelming might, effortlessly dispatching the duo.
Luo Qianqiu maintained his perch atop his warhorse, personally observing the unfolding spectacle. A subtle flicker of astonishment played across his countenance. He had never anticipated that Qin Wentian would resort to a clandestine technique to forcibly manipulate his Bloodline Limit. Coupled with the augmentation from his glove-type Divine Weapon, Qin Wentian's martial prowess had reached impressive heights. Nonetheless, in Luo Qianqiu's eyes, this was nothing more than an ant's futile struggle for survival.
"Hmm?" At that moment, Luo Qianqiu raised his head, sensing a surge of dreadful demonic Qi advancing from the distant horizon. A murky haze seemed to obscure the skies in that direction.
"It appears that today's significant turmoil has even attracted waves of demonic beasts," Luo Qianqiu mused, eyeing the thick shroud of demonic Qi shrouding the sun and sky. With a contemplative expression, he continued, "There's no need to continue pursuing Qin Yao."
His henchmen also took notice of the approaching demonic Qi. They nodded in agreement, diverting their collective gaze toward Qin Wentian. Now, their top priority was to eliminate him.
Luo Qianqiu dismounted and then burst into swift motion. In an instant, Qin Wentian sensed an overwhelming wave of danger closing in.
Luo Qianqiu's footwork appeared deceptively slow, yet each step carried him an astonishing distance. He crackled with the energy of lightning, assuming the demeanor of a Lightning God.
"Boom." The earth quaked as Luo Qianqiu landed before Qin Wentian. Enveloped in an expansive aura of lightning, his fists ignited with blinding brilliance. The radiance was so intense that spectators had to avert their eyes.
Steadfast as a mountain, Qin Wentian unleashed the torrents of energy within his body, capable of upending mountains and seas. The heavens and earth seemed to resonate with his power.
Luo Qianqiu's advance remained unwavering, his feet firmly planted. His fists trembled thrice, releasing three beams of lightning-infused strikes that found their mark on Qin Wentian's form. Qin Wentian could only sense fresh wounds manifesting on his body, as the force of the lightning surged through him, threatening to shatter his very being.
"How formidable." Spectators shuddered with awe. This was the might of Luo Qianqiu, a chip off the old block, the son of a man who once ruled over Chu Country, reshaping the very heavens and earth.
Qin Wentian bore the full force of Luo Qianqiu's innate technique, his fury manifesting as a burst of Divine Energy channeled through his Divine Gloves. In an instant, he unleashed a palm strike of cataclysmic proportions, akin to a torrential wave poised to engulf the heavens and earth. Luo Qianqiu, caught off guard, quickly released his Lightning Revenant Astral Soul to defend against the impending attack.
A numbness coursed through Qin Wentian's entire body despite his best efforts to brace for the impact. The sheer power behind Luo Qianqiu's counterattack sent him hurtling backward.
Simultaneously, Luo Qianqiu staggered several steps back, his expression tinged with disbelief as he glanced at the Divine Glove adorning Qin Wentian's hand.
Dense waves of demonic Qi continued to gather, and the approaching horde of demonic beasts became increasingly visible. Despite his reluctance, Luo Qianqiu issued a stern command: "Retreat!"
His pursuers reluctantly obeyed and withdrew, except for Luo Qianqiu himself, who was determined to finish Qin Wentian before retreating.
Aware of Luo Qianqiu's intent, Qin Wentian mustered every ounce of his strength, swallowing back a mouthful of nearly spilled blood. He forced the Divine Energy in his body to circulate frenetically. Luo Qianqiu's strength vastly overshadowed his own, and the chasm in their cultivation levels was insurmountable. Furthermore, Luo Qianqiu stood at the pinnacle of the 7th level of Arterial Circulation.
While Qin Wentian had been able to contend with individuals like Yanaro, facing Luo Qianqiu was an entirely different proposition.
"Rest in peace," Luo Qianqiu declared as he descended upon Qin Wentian. As Qin Wentian retaliated with a palm strike, he felt a deluge of lightning energy surging toward him, leaving him with no means of defense.
With his last reserves of energy, Qin Wentian thrust forward with his palm. But even then, he sensed his palm imprints disintegrating under the relentless assault of the lightning energy. The remnants of the energy infiltrated his body, and the resulting impact sent him sprawling backward, crashing heavily to the ground, utterly drained.
As the initial waves of demonic beasts charged by, one beast approached Qin Wentian but soon lost interest, ambling past his fallen form. Strangely, none of the creatures trampled over him.
Faintly, Qin Wentian was aware of this occurrence. He felt himself teetering on the precipice of death as his consciousness flickered, like a candle's flame on the verge of being extinguished.
"Death follows swiftly after the loss of consciousness. I must survive," he vowed inwardly.
Suddenly, an overwhelming determination surged within Qin Wentian's heart. He couldn't allow himself to die here.
His quest for revenge remained unfulfilled. How could he meet his end now?
His father, Qin Chuan, languished in captivity. How could he die now?
Qin Yao's safety was still uncertain. How could he die now?
If he perished, how could he live up to Teacher Mustang's expectations? How could he repay Luo Huan for her kindness and assistance? How could he protect Fatty from the Knight's Association's bullies?
Qin Wentian couldn't die here. His consciousness refused to fade away.
Beside him, a formidable demonic beast materialized at this crucial moment: a Blackwind Condor. Its feathers were as sharp as swords.
The Blackwind Condor lowered its head to observe Qin Wentian, its keen eyes flickering as if contemplating something.
Qin Wentian sensed the presence of the Blackwind Condor. It was as though he had acquired a new perspective, allowing him to perceive everything clearly without relying on sight. With a mere thought from the Blackwind Condor, it could easily end his life, extinguishing him right here.
"I can't die here."
Qin Wentian's will to survive grew fiercer. Suddenly, a surge of dreamlike energy manifested, transporting both him and the Blackwind Condor into an unknown dimension.
The Blackwind Condor froze, astonishment evident in its eyes.
"Dreamscape," the Blackwind Condor murmured, its gaze fixed on Qin Wentian. Although he was nearly unconscious, Qin Wentian somehow heard the condor's words. He refused to meet his end in the Dark Forest. Driven by an impending sense of doom and an unyielding survival instinct, Qin Wentian achieved a breakthrough to the 2nd level of the Dreamcast Art—the Creation Dream State.
This was Qin Wentian's dream, a dreamscape of his own making. He had brought the Blackwind Condor into this realm with him.
The Blackwind Condor possessed the strength to break free from the dreamscape if it wished, but it chose not to.
"Whose bloodline runs through your veins?" The Blackwind Condor inquired, able to communicate with Qin Wentian because this was a dreamscape of his creation.
"I don't know," Qin Wentian replied with a shake of his head.
"Then who are you? And why do you possess knowledge of creating dreamscapes?" The Blackwind Condor continued to probe. In the Chu Country, techniques for crafting dreamscapes were exceedingly rare.
It was only now that Qin Wentian realized the incredible intelligence of the Dark Forest's demonic beasts, far surpassing his previous expectations.
"I am Qin Wentian, hailing from the Qin Clan in the Chu Country. As for the art of creating dreams, it was passed down to me by an elder of my clan," Qin Wentian answered cautiously. The Blackwind Condor paused for a moment before speaking again.
"You didn't succumb despite your injuries. Furthermore, you possess such a bloodline. I can offer you a twist of fate. But whether you live or die, it will ultimately depend on your luck."
With that, the Blackwind Condor shattered the dreamscape. Clutching Qin Wentian in its talons, it soared toward the depths of the Dark Forest.
As the Blackwind Condor departed, the crowd of demonic beasts also retreated, almost as though the Blackwind Condor was their leader.
Soon, the Dark Forest reverted to its former state of silence.
In the midst of the sky, a cultivator descended, riding a colossal demonic beast.
"Qingcheng, where is he?" An elderly man mounted on a griffon questioned, his gaze locked onto Mo Qingcheng. Mo Qingcheng's beautiful eyes shimmered as she responded, "I'm not certain. Chu Tianjiao blocked me, and then Luo Qianqiu chased after Qin Wentian, determined to end his life."
"Luo Qianqiu, once more," muttered the old man, his eyes glinting with cold intensity. Beside him stood another formidable cultivator, none other than Ren Qianxing.
"This Chu Tianjiao, his actions are nothing short of audacious. Moreover, his connection with that man is far too close. If he ascends to the throne, the future of our Emperor Star Academy could be in peril," Ren Qianxing remarked in a hushed tone, his gaze fixed on the Dark Forest.
"Qianxing, considering what Qingcheng just revealed, Qin Wentian's potential matches, if not surpasses, that of Luo Qianqiu. Furthermore, he possesses empathy and is willing to tread the path of peril to save his father. If he survives this ordeal, the Emperor Star Academy will spare no expense to nurture him," the old man stated. Ren Qianxing nodded. "I've been keen to involve him in our plans. If he makes it through, the Emperor Star Academy will secure his future."
As their words fell into a determined silence, they surged into action, scouring the Dark Forest. However, there was no trace of Qin Wentian to be found—not even a hint of his presence. His fate remained a mystery, leaving them uncertain whether he had perished or somehow managed to survive.