Ice Spirit Sect and Skythunder Country

Ice Spirit Sect and Sky Thunder Country...

In the ancient kingdom, the great roc soared in the skies. A few days passed. It was unknown how much distance has been travelled. Comment by Kunal Basu-Dutta: should we use the present perfect instead of the past perfect? based on the rejection, that's what i am leaning towards for the future, but want to confirm.

The primordial great roc flying in the skies, the true sovereign of the skies. How scary was his speed? Even the Winged-Dragon of the Nine Heavens had no way to compare in speed to the sky sovereign roc. After the meeting with the White Deer Institute, Di Tian went to the place where the Zong Clan was located and brought along Zong Yi and two of their strongest members along with him.

Naturally, Di Tian was Qin Wentian. It was only because the great roc and Qin Wentian himself couldn't appear in the same location at the same time. Hence he made use of the art of disguise he found in Di Feng's interspatial ring to disguise himself completely, and adopted the name of Di Tian. Firstly, this was to symbolise the Azure Emperor whose surname was Di, and secondly, Tian was from Qin Wentian's original name. When put together, it meant the Emperor of Heavens. It was also an omen of what was going to come in the future.

As for Di Tian, he was exactly the same as the past Qin Wentian. This was a true-self, that shares the memories, perspectives and soul of the original Qin Wentian.

This was by virtue of the Great Nirvana Immortal Art. Regardless of Astral Souls, bloodlines and even character, he was completely the same as the original body, with no differences.

The true-body Di Tian was replicated from Qin Wentian's essence before he transformed into a great roc. Hence, the cultivation level of Di Tian, when he was formed, was only at the first level of Heavenly Dipper. But after that long period of seclusion, his cultivation base had already climbed to the second level of Heavenly Dipper.

After cultivating the Great Nirvana Art, only then did Qin Wentian truly appreciate how terrifying this art was. Heaven-defying was the only way to describe this art; no wonder Qinger warned him never to expose this.<br/>Right now he was thinking, what exactly had Qinger paid to acquire such a heaven-defying immortal art?

Sadly, the nirvana rebirth process of the Great Nirvana Art could only be used once. If one wanted a third true-body after that, he would have to undergo the process of a true nirvana rebirth.

Standing atop of his great roc body, Qin Wentian stared downwards, his gaze encompassing a few ancient mountain peak so high that they touched the clouds. He then turned his gaze onto the map engraved on the command token, and with an intention of his will, the great roc descended downwards. The great roc and Di Tian were essentially one and the same; they could share thoughts and intentions. They were a single entity, not two.

The raging wind whistled as the great roc landed on one of the mountains. Qin Wentian stared at the path ahead as he commanded, "The rest of you just wait here. The great roc will go up with me."

Once the others had disembarked, Qin Wentian and the great roc commenced their ascent up the mountainside. Rather than taking to the skies, they opted for a more grounded approach, navigating the rugged terrain step by step.

The mountain trails were rugged and perilous, but to a Stellar Martial Cultivator, the rocky paths posed no challenge. Although Qin Wentian was making a gradual ascent on foot, his pace remained unwavering. Eventually, a lone human and an imposing demon reached the summit. Here, a humble and weathered abode awaited them. Outside the dwelling, an elderly man clad in ragged attire sat cross-legged, deep in meditation.

Without a word, Qin Wentian and the great roc stood before the old man. The elderly figure continued his tranquil meditation as though nothing extraordinary was occurring.

Several moments passed before the old man's lips stirred. "Since you're here, why not speak up?"

"I am Di Tian," Qin Wentian announced, producing the Azure Emperor Token. The old man's eyes snapped open, fixing first on Qin Wentian and the great roc, then resting on the Azure Emperor Token. After a prolonged silence, the old man finally rose, disappearing into the house for an extended period. When he reemerged, a burdened bag was strapped to his back.

"I've heard that the Punishment Branch has undergone significant changes over the millennia. At present, only one descendant remains. He has waited here in seclusion, away from the world, anticipating the arrival of his successor," Qin Wentian remarked with reverence as he stepped closer.

"Though I stand alone, I represent my entire lineage. Throughout the ages, and for generations to come, the staff of punishment is meant to be wielded by my clan's descendants. Now, I am willing to follow the young master of the Di Clan to reclaim what was once lost." The old man bowed to Qin Wentian, who nodded in response and mounted the great roc. "Let's go."

With the old man now aboard the roc, they descended back to their original spot.

Those from the White Deer Institute and the Zong Clan gazed at the old man in astonishment. Neither faction had been aware of his existence, and at this moment, they couldn't help but regard him with newfound respect. A staff, reminiscent of the Azure Emperor's era, was strapped behind the old man, making the crowd realize the profound significance of his heritage.

"Let's move," Qin Wentian's voice resonated calmly. They all clambered onto the great roc, which once more took to the skies. Those on the creature's back were still grappling with their astonishment. Di Tian seemed to be operating at breakneck speed. Following Qin Wentian's transfer of authority, he had acted swiftly, intent on gathering and unifying the remnants of the 'hidden' Azure Faction.

Earlier, Qin Wentian had implored Fairy Qingmei to conduct investigations on each of the hidden factions. If not for her efforts, he too would have been ignorant of the profound changes that had befallen the Punishment Branch. With the Azure Emperor Token now in his possession, he had taken the mantle of leadership.

...

In the remote reaches of Grand Xia, nestled within the Spirit Continent, lay a land inhospitable to most forms of life. Dangerous zones encircled the Spirit Continent, yet its inhabitants reveled in adversity. They were all intrepid souls at heart, thriving in the midst of perilous environments.

In the northern expanse of the Spirit Continent stretched a vast realm of ice and snow, known as the Arctic Ice Region. Here, cultivators with an affinity for ice and snow roamed freely. This place was their haven for cultivation, offering ideal conditions to grasp the nuances of ice-attributed arts.

The Ice Spirit Sect had a storied history that spanned a millennium within the Arctic Ice Region. It began as a modest gathering of maidens and had since burgeoned into a sect with tens of thousands of disciples. Despite their formidable strength, the Ice Spirit Sect consistently maintained a low profile, avoiding conflicts with other powers. They lived in seclusion, focusing solely on their growth. Thus, though many sects held them in awe, none dared to provoke them, respecting their isolationist ethos.

Amidst this realm of ice and snow, amidst the backdrop of ancient structures, several maidens strolled about. Despite their scant attire, the cold seemed unable to touch them.

"Senior sister, look over there!" one of the maidens exclaimed, her gaze fixated on the sky where eight figures descended.

The young man leading the group exuded an air of extraordinary presence, while the seven following him emitted formidable auras, making it clear that antagonizing them would be unwise.

"Quick, inform the sect leader," some of the maidens vanished with a flicker of their silhouettes. The disciples of the Ice Spirit Sect were exclusively female, as their arts were tailored for women.

"Who are all of you?" A middle-aged woman appeared, her gaze scrutinizing Qin Wentian and the others.

"Where is the sect leader of the Ice Spirit Sect?" Zong Yi's voice was composed, but beneath its calm exterior, it carried a sharp edge, emanating a surge of sword energy that filled the surrounding area.

"Do you have business with me, sir?" A voice drifted over, capturing the attention of Qin Wentian and his companions. They turned their gazes to the approaching woman. She appeared young, around thirty years old, with skin as pale as snow, exuding an aura of icy detachment.

"The Azure Emperor," Qin Wentian whispered, sending a voice message to the woman. Bing Yuchan's countenance instantly shifted, and she responded, "Follow me."

Without further ado, she turned and walked away, with Qin Wentian and the others trailing behind. They arrived before a grand ice statue, its features remarkably lifelike, as if a beauty had been frozen in time.

"Is this the ice soul of the Ice Spirit Sect's ancestor?" Qin Wentian inquired, studying the statue.

"Yes, the ancestor fell into a deep stupor upon learning of the Azure Emperor's death. She ordered her soul to be sealed within this ice statue as a symbol of the grudge. If the Azure Emperor's successor were to come, he would need to personally destroy this statue. The disciples of the Ice Spirit Hall do not follow her, but instead, they follow the successor." Bing Yuchan explained. Qin Wentian produced the Azure Emperor Token. Bing Yuchan involuntarily trembled upon seeing it but soon bowed respectfully. "Bing Yuchan pays her respects to the young master."

"The Ice Spirit Sect's ancestor held deep affection for the Azure Emperor," Qin Wentian remarked softly. "Hereby, I decree that this ice statue shall remain untouched for all eternity. No one is permitted to destroy it. Select the three strongest disciples of the Ice Spirit Sect to accompany me. Then, initiate the dissolution of the Ice Spirit Sect and make your way to the Celestial Lake Palace in Demon Mountain City within the Demon Continent. Fairy Qingmei will receive the rest of your sect members there."

Upon hearing Fairy Qingmei's name, Bing Yuchan's expression shifted slightly. However, she nodded in agreement. "Allow me to arrange it."

Moments later, Bing Yuchan and two other maidens from the Ice Spirit Sect stood before Qin Wentian. The gazes of the Ice Spirit Sect members narrowed upon spotting the great roc, but they refrained from inquiring further as they climbed onto its back.

Qin Wentian continued, "I am known as Di Tian. You may have heard rumors circulating throughout Grand Xia. There is no mistake; this great roc is Qin Wentian. He is the true successor of the Azure Emperor. However, as he is in the form of a great roc, all matters will be managed by me. We share equal authority. But I must emphasize, this information is not to be divulged. Only members of the 'hidden' Azure Factions are entitled to this knowledge."

"I hear and comply," Bing Yuchan acknowledged. Qin Wentian didn't press further. Their visit to the Ice Spirit Sect had been remarkably successful. Despite the passage of time, their loyalty to the Azure Emperor remained unwavering. However, it was undeniable that the presence of so many powerful cultivators accompanying Qin Wentian had influenced their decision. Had he arrived alone, as he once did when entering the White Deer Institute in the Moon Continent, things might not have gone so smoothly.

...

In the realm of Grand Xia, there existed a nation known as Skythunder Country. This nation did not fall under the jurisdiction of any transcendent power and possessed considerable strength of its own.

Once, it bore a different name. Approximately eight centuries ago, the Skythunder Clan overpowered the reigning royal clan, seizing control of the Emperor's Authority. Through violent conflict, they usurped the right to rule and rechristened the nation as Skythunder Country. Over the course of these eight centuries, Skythunder Country continually expanded its territories, annexing three smaller nations and steadily growing in power.

The Skythunder Country's royal clan displayed exceptional cunning, offering generous incentives to attract powerful cultivators from all corners of the land, even recruiting Heavenly Dipper experts in significant numbers.

Today, Qin Wentian and his party arrived on the border of Skythunder Country. Upon disembarking, they didn't head straight for the Royal Palace. Instead, they visited the ruins left behind by the Skythunder Aristocrat Clan from the war eight centuries ago. This site had once been the clan's residence, but now, it lay abandoned and desolate. As they surveyed the scars on the land, a chilling determination ignited in Qin Wentian's eyes.

It was understandable that some of the 'hidden' branches of the Azure Faction had faded into obscurity over the years. Among the remnants he had already gathered, the Skythunder Aristocrat Clan represented the last surviving branch.

Yet, it appeared that the descendants of the Skythunder Clan had long forsaken their ancestral teachings. Instead of maintaining a low profile and awaiting the arrival of the successor, they had chosen a path of ambition, transforming the Skythunder Aristocrat Clan into the formidable Skythunder Country of today.

Observing the ruins where the Skythunder Aristocrat Clan once thrived, a formidable pressure surged within Qin Wentian. It was clear that the clan had forsaken their roots and aspired to soar to greater heights independently.