Meeting Her Again

Meeting Her Again

The onlookers hastily retreated, some even fleeing the inn in haste.

The Great Solar Chen Clan's ultimate art was a brutally potent force. Those whose cultivation bases fell short were reduced to ashes, corroded by the energy it exuded—the very energy of the Great Solar Universe Art. This technique ranked among the top ten most fearsome abilities within the entire Grand Xia, an unparalleled might.

"Shall we continue this outside?" Qin Wentian responded coolly. Chen Ran's lips curled into a frigid grin. He couldn't help but find this audacious—Qin Wentian, possessing a seventh-level Yuanfu cultivation, actually dared challenge him? It had been a while since someone as intriguing had crossed his path.

As a core member of the Chen Clan, he possessed the capability to battle those even above his level, much less someone a tier below him.

"Agreed." Chen Ran nodded, a radiant orb of flame—akin to the sun—exploded through the inn's roof. He ascended into the sky and made his way to an unoccupied piece of land nearby.

Swoosh. Qin Wentian's figure flickered as he pursued Chen Ran. The crowd followed suit, maintaining a safe distance—they were determined not to miss this impending clash.

Ouyang Kuangsheng, Luo Huan, and the rest swiftly exited the inn, tailing behind Qin Wentian and Chen Ran.

Elevated in the skies, Qin Wentian's aura transformed into a demonic force. Meanwhile, behind Chen Ran, an immense ball of fire resembling a blazing sun harnessed the very sunlight itself.

The spectators gazed heavenward, their expressions awestruck.

"Great Solar Universe Cultivation Art—a Chen Clan practitioner!"

"Chen Ran of the Chen Clan! Among the disciples of the Chen Clan, he's regarded as one of the most exceptional. Who would dare challenge him with a seventh-level Yuanfu cultivation? This is bound to be quite a spectacle."

A semblance of amusement twinkled within Chen Ran's eyes. Energetic currents enveloped him while his hands radiated intense heat. A clear hint of mockery danced across his features; whether or not Qin Wentian hailed from the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, Chen Ran's Great Solar Chen Clan harbored no apprehensions.

Bzz! A potent gust of wind surged through the atmosphere, the searing warmth it carried spoke volumes. Chen Ran charged at Qin Wentian, a massive fireball trailing behind him. With a mere casual strike, Qin Wentian could already perceive the cataclysmic might of the Great Solar Energy.

Qin Wentian strode forward, his arms enveloped in layers of demonic qi. Responding to the attack, he unleashed his own palm strike. The two combatants displayed no intention of evasion, opting for a direct contest of strength.

The silhouettes collided with explosive force. The combined power of their palms generated a deafening resonance as the interplay of demonic qi and scorching heat forged a tempestuous vortex, ravaging everything in their proximity.

Chen Ran experienced a formidable surge bearing down on him. His internal organs quivered, his arm threatened to fracture, and he grunted under the strain. Abruptly, his countenance transformed, and with a pained groan, he hastily retreated ten feet.

Meanwhile, a darkened qi cloaked Qin Wentian's palm. Heat energy coursed through his arms, melding into embers that grew in size—an embryonic sun, poised to consume his arm in incandescent flames.

"Great Solar Energy." Qin Wentian's expression shifted. Few individuals at the eighth level of Yuanfu could pose a substantial threat to him. Yet, this trace of Chen Ran's Great Solar Energy warranted vigilance, illustrating the sheer tyranny of the art.

Qin Wentian held his ground after the exchange, his gaze icy as he turned to Chen Ran. An unsightly expression adorned Chen Ran's face as he listened to Qin Wentian's sardonic remark, "Is the eighth level of Yuanfu all you have?"

The onlookers felt perplexed. Their confusion mounted as they saw Chen Ran retreat instead of Qin Wentian. After all, Chen Ran possessed the higher cultivation base and hailed from the formidable Great Solar Chen Clan, a practitioner of the Great Solar Universe Art. Jing Yu's expression morphed into one of incredulity—the young man he once viewed with disdain now possessed the power to effortlessly dominate him.

"Your strength is above average, but if brute force is your sole advantage, you're still far from being my equal," Chen Ran retorted with a snort. He wasn't one to concede defeat easily. His Astral Souls flared, releasing a cascade of sun-like brilliance. His Astral Soul manifested as a blazing sun, exponentially enhancing his assault's explosiveness. A corona of sun-flames enveloped him, so blinding that it seared the eyes of those who dared to gaze upon it.

"Incredible, that's the Great Solar Illumination of the Great Solar Universe Art. It complements his blazing sun Astral Soul, creating a synergistic amplification of his attack potency. I wonder by how much this augments his strength. Members of the Chen Clan are truly awe-inspiring."

For the crowd, observing a Chen Clan member engage in combat was a rare spectacle. Enthusiasm and fascination flickered across their faces. Aided by the Great Solar Illumination and his Astral Soul's enhancement, Chen Ran's ability to incinerate foes of equal standing surged. Qin Wentian would struggle to approach him with such ease.

"Would you dare to meet my palms once more?" Chen Ran's laughter dripped with cold disdain, the radiance of the Great Solar light he emitted intensifying.

"A challenge from a loser? There's nothing to fear," Qin Wentian retorted as he donned a scaly, demonic armor that cloaked his entire body, transforming into his fearsome demonic form. The scorching blaze emanating from Chen Ran proved too overwhelming. Qin Wentian realized he could not withstand it in his normal state.

Chen Ran snorted with arrogance and propelled himself toward Qin Wentian.

As his palm struck, a miniature sun erupted ferociously, threatening to incinerate Qin Wentian.

With an added layer of demonic qi enshrouding his arms, the synergy of both his Mandate of Force and his Demonic Mandate surged forth. In this instant, Qin Wentian's strength was awe-inspiring.

"Ruptured Void!" Qin Wentian's palms crashed down majestically. Upon collision, the demonic, scaly armor on his arms ignited into flames. The sun flames from the Great Solar Illumination surged into his body, wreaking havoc.

Simultaneously, Chen Ran was flung through the air with a force that drained the color from his face. Clutching his chest, he expelled a mouthful of fresh blood. The impact continued to reverberate through his internal organs. A tad more force from Qin Wentian, and his organs would have been pulverized.

Qin Wentian's overwhelming strength had directly struck Chen Ran, bypassing defenses through his technique, Ruptured Void.

The demonic qi was vaporized by the intense heat, and in a matter of breaths, Qin Wentian extinguished the sun flames ravaging his body. Swift as the wind, he closed in on Chen Ran, opting not to wait as he initiated the attack.

Chen Ran's expression stiffened; he gritted his teeth and counterattacked. The Great Solar Energy transmuted into torrents of light, capable of piercing through anything, let alone flesh and blood.

In response, Qin Wentian released his Ancient Draconic Imprint, shattering the void with roaring fury. Astral Energy-sculpted dragons burned and disintegrated, morphing into raindrops that cascaded from the heavens. The battle's destructiveness swept away the surroundings, yielding one unnerving explosion after another.

Amidst a flurry of continuous blood spatters, Chen Ran staggered and stumbled, yet Qin Wentian offered no respite. As moments passed and blows were traded, Chen Ran was brutally slammed into a structure, the metallic surface giving way beneath the impact. Blood sprayed unchecked, leaving him in a wretched state.

Coughing fitfully, blood gushed from Chen Ran's mouth, his aura significantly diminished, matched by the waning brilliance of the sun flames that had enveloped him. Perched high in the air, Qin Wentian peered down at him. "Quite disappointing."

As his words lingered, Qin Wentian brushed his sleeves and departed, leaving behind a pale-faced Chen Ran, stripped of all dignity. This was Chen Ran, a scion of the illustrious Great Solar Chen Clan. Yet, even with the might of the Great Solar Universe Art at his disposal, he had been reduced to such a state by someone with a lower cultivation base. The phrase 'too weak' echoed in the air, its resonance akin to the sound of dripping blood, a harsh reminder of his humiliation.

Speculation rippled through the crowd, each whisper wondering from which transcendent power Qin Wentian hailed. How could his assault be so fierce and terrifying? It was evident that Qin Wentian held the potential to contend for a spot in the Heavenly Fate Rankings.

Jing Yu's expression was a mélange of emotions, while Yang Xia and company chose silence, their hearts still racing. Who could have foreseen the formidable might of Luo Huan's junior brother? They considered themselves fortunate for not offending Luo Huan. Otherwise, they might have faced the same fate.

Throughout the encounter, Qin Wentian had not spared a single glance for Jing Yu and his entourage. Returning to Luo Huan and his companions, he found her gazing at him with a flirtatious smile. Her eyes glimmered with a mix of fascination and pride. Her junior brother had grown impressively strong.

"If we were to return to Chu now, I wonder who could stand against you? You're not even twenty yet," Luo Huan mused.

Qin Wentian chuckled. "Well, if I neglected my training, who would safeguard my lovely senior sister?"

"You're becoming quite skilled at flattering speech," Luo Huan teased. Just like old times, she linked her arm through Qin Wentian's, evoking an envious snort from Fan Le.

In this moment, Qin Wentian's brows twitched, his attention zeroing in on Ouyang Kuangsheng. "Ouyang, can you take them with you for now? I have something I need to attend to."

"You plan to tail Jing Yu?" Ouyang Kuangsheng murmured discreetly. Given that Qin Wentian's girlfriend, Mo Qingcheng, was in the Pill Emperor Hall and Jing Yu had surfaced here, Ouyang Kuangsheng could easily discern Qin Wentian's intent.

"Yes, just a quick observation. Don't worry, I won't act impulsively," Qin Wentian assured.

"Xiaolu, escort them back. I'll accompany you as well. My presence will deter any rash actions from the Pill Emperor Hall's members," Ouyang Kuangsheng suggested. After a brief contemplation, Qin Wentian agreed with a nod.

......

Jing Yu's emotions were swathed in a heavy gloom as he found the inn increasingly stifling. Swiftly, he withdrew to his accommodations where fellow cultivators from the Pill Emperor Hall were lodging.

Within the Chen Clan of Ginkou Continent, their Estate sprawled in grandeur akin to royal palaces. Amidst this expanse, a magnificent villa stood with solitary elegance amid an enchanting landscape. Here was where Jing Yu was bound, yet, with his prowess, he was oblivious to the fact that he was being shadowed.

Just outside the Chen Clan, Qin Wentian settled into a hidden nook, shutting his eyes. A resplendent golden light flickered at his brow's center, akin to a third eye's gleam.

With his formidable heart sense, he locked onto Jing Yu—wherever Jing Yu ventured, Qin Wentian's perception would effortlessly trail him.

Upon reaching the sumptuous villa, Jing Yu's gaze instinctively fixed upon a distant pavilion, releasing an involuntary sigh. His eyes held a glimmer of hope mingled with frustration.

Following Jing Yu's line of sight, Qin Wentian's unparalleled perception delved in the same direction, delving into the elegant room. A moment later, his heart sense infiltrated a chamber.

Within that chamber, a maiden sat cross-legged, draped in pristine white attire. Her celestial visage was matched by beads of sweat adorning her forehead, her focus locked on an alchemy cauldron hovering before her. Beneath the cauldron, a seven-colored flame danced, while the aroma of medicinal herbs permeated the air.

"Qingcheng..." Qin Wentian's heart raced, awash with sentiment. After countless years, he was finally in her proximity again.

However, in an instant, Mo Qingcheng's expression shifted, a peculiar gleam flashing in her eyes. Her gaze zeroed in on the invisible observer as she posed a cold query, "Who are you?"