Pressure

Qin Wentian's heart was heavy as he left the Star River Association. He had initially hoped to test whether the divine imprint he'd inscribed was capable of forging a divine weapon. But before he could even try, he had been unceremoniously expelled. Nevertheless, he took solace in the fact that he had learned a great deal about the process of weapon crafting, which could aid him on his path to becoming a skilled weaponsmith. In the future, with the right materials and conditions, he believed he could forge a weapon of his own.

As he returned to the vicinity of the Qin Residence, evening had already descended. Qin Wentian decided to enter through the main gate to assess the current situation outside his family's estate.

He stopped a distance away from the Qin Residence's entrance and was surprised to find it surrounded by a group of heavily armed soldiers.

"Do they dare to take action against our Qin Clan?" Qin Wentian's expression darkened. He tightened his grip on his horse's reins and spurred the steed forward, galloping toward the area guarded by the Qin Clan's troops.

The Qin Clan's soldiers recognized him and made no attempt to impede his progress, allowing him to reunite with Qin Chuan and others.

"Wentian, come inside," Qin Chuan urged upon seeing his son approach.

"Do they really think they can hide forever? The scions of the Qin Clan, including Qin Wentian, have already been selected in the first batch. Besides, Marshal Wu will arrive soon," remarked Icehawk, the leader of the Silver Feather Legion, with a cold laugh. He awaited the arrival of the person he had been sent for and had no reason to rush.

Qin Wentian approached Qin Yao with a questioning look on his face.

"Do you remember the words spoken by the old master of the Ye Clan after the academy examination? He mentioned forcefully taking away you, me, Qin Shang, and Qin Zhi," Qin Yao said with a deeply troubled expression. Qin Wentian recalled the old master of the Ye Clan's words, suggesting that the Emperor had "kindly" bestowed the opportunity for the talented youths of the Qin Clan to cultivate at the Godly General Military Palace. In reality, this meant being forcibly placed under strict control.

It appeared that they were now resorting to force to achieve their goals.

"Marshal Wu, also known as Asura Wu, is known for his ruthless methods and incredible strength," Qin Yao added. Asura Wu from the Godly General Military Palace was infamous throughout the Royal Capital.

"The Ye Clan must be aware of our Qin Clan's intentions. They know we won't willingly comply with the imperial edict. With Asura Wu coming, it won't be as simple as taking the four of us away," Qin Wentian mused, prompting sighs of disappointment from the others. The reason the Ye Clan and the Silver Feather Legion hadn't acted yet was likely their fear of the consequences and their recognition of the hidden strength possessed by the Qin Clan's Wu King.

In the distant horizon, the fading sun cast long shadows, gradually revealing silhouettes that approached the onlooking crowd. Leading the way were two figures. One, a middle-aged man with a deeply tanned complexion, emanated a sinister and ruthless aura. Beside him, a youth of about 16 or 17 years old possessed sharp, almost beast-like eyes that exuded a palpable sense of danger.

"That's Asura Wu and his disciple, Ye Lang from the Ye Clan," Qin Yao remarked, her gaze fixed on the approaching pair. "Ye Lang changed his name after condensing an Astral Soul from the Demonic Wolf Constellation. He's the younger cousin of Ye WuQue and practices cultivation in the Godly General Military Palace. Despite his youth, don't underestimate him. He's at the peak of the Body Refinement Realm and has a reputation for mercilessness. I heard he once killed a newcomer to the Arterial Circulation Realm due to his explosive power."

"Qin Chuan," Asura Wu's icy voice cut through the air as his gaze locked onto the members of the Qin Clan. "His Majesty has shown great kindness to the Qin Clan, particularly Qin Yao, Qin Wentian, Qin Shang, and Qin Zhi. They are to return with me to the Godly General Military Palace to further their cultivation."

"Qin Chuan thanks His Majesty for his generosity. However, the Qin Clan has already made plans for the cultivation of our younger generation. Marshal Wu need not concern himself with this matter," Qin Chuan replied calmly.

Asura Wu's lips curled into an unpleasant smile. Beside him, Ye Lang rode forward, pointed a finger at Qin Chuan, and declared, "Old man, we extended you a courtesy, but it seems you're blind to it. You should know your Qin Clan and your so-called younger generation have a chance to enter the Godly General Military Palace. You should be on your knees thanking us."

"Outrageous!" Fury surged through the Qin Clan members. This younger generation member of the Ye Clan had the audacity to point at Qin Chuan and make such remarks.

"Doesn't the younger generation of the Ye Clan have any manners?" Qin Chuan shot a stern look at Ye Lang.

"Manners?" Ye Lang glanced at the Qin Clan members, his eyes filled with disdain and bloodlust, resembling a wild beast. He pointed at the younger Qin Clan members behind Qin Chuan and roared, "This bunch of trash raised by the Qin Clan, do you think I can't crush you with a single hand?"

"What an arrogant brat! I'd love to see you try!" One of the younger Qin Clan members couldn't bear Ye Lang's insults any longer. He charged toward Ye Lang, seething with anger.

"Qin Mu, come back!" Qin Chuan shouted, but a cruel smile played on Ye Lang's face. His body contorted, assuming the posture of a wild beast poised to pounce on its prey. His icy aura reached its peak, causing even his warhorse to tremble and collapse, frothing at the mouth.

"Buzz!" In an instant, Ye Lang's figure blurred and vanished from sight.

"Look at that speed!"

Suddenly, a scream filled with agony and suffering echoed through the air. It was accompanied by the sickening sound of bones breaking as Qin Mu's body was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the ground. It appeared that every bone in his body had been shattered by an overwhelming force.

"Crack!" Ye Lang stamped his foot into the earth, creating deep fissures. It was evident that his strength was truly overwhelming. With beast-like eyes locked on Qin Mu's fallen form, Ye Lang lunged forward once more. His hands contorted into sharp claw shapes, aimed straight for Qin Mu's defenseless head. If that merciless strike landed, Qin Mu's head would surely explode.

The faces of the Qin Clan members twisted in horror, and some couldn't bear to watch, closing their eyes. Qin Mu had been considered one of the Qin Clan's promising talents, with his cultivation reaching the 9th level of the Body Refinement Realm. Yet, he couldn't withstand a single blow from Ye Lang. What was even more terrifying was that Ye Lang had the intention to kill.

"Impudent!" In an instant, Qin Chuan's firm hands seized Ye Lang's clawed hand, preventing it from reaching Qin Mu's head. Immovable as a mountain, Ye Lang couldn't budge an inch. Meanwhile, Qin Mu, lying on the ground, had cold sweat forming on his forehead. He gazed directly into Ye Lang's eyes, terror-stricken beyond imagination.

Ye Lang tilted his head, locking eyes with Qin Chuan in front of him. His beast-like eyes dripped with contempt as he sneered, "Can't handle it, so the old man has to step in?"

With that, Ye Lang withdrew his arm and took a few steps closer to the younger members of the Qin Clan. He taunted, "Do you want me to teach these weaklings how to fight? If one isn't enough, feel free to attack me all at once."

While infuriated, Qin Chuan couldn't help but sigh quietly. Despite his lengthy stay in Sky Harmony City, he was well aware of the dynamics in the Royal Capital. Even aside from Ye WuQue, he knew that the other youths of the Ye Clan were generally stronger than the younger generation of the Qin Clan. It wasn't a matter of talent but the disparity in wealth and, consequently, access to cultivation resources.

"Arrogant, far too arrogant!" The Qin Clan members' faces turned ashen. Unable to bear it any longer, Qin Yao exclaimed, "Ye Lang, you're utterly shameless!"

Ye Lang's gaze fixed on Qin Yao, his eyes shamelessly roaming her body, lingering on the curves of her chest. A lecherous grin crept onto his face, causing Qin Yao's expression to turn from anger to pure disgust.

"Qin Yao, your talent may be average, but your beauty has stirred my heart. How about becoming my concubine?" Ye Lang leered at Qin Yao, licking his lips, sending the youth of the Qin Clan into a furious rage. Qin Yao was the precious gem of the Qin Clan, one of the four great beauties of Sky Harmony City. She possessed stunning looks, an exceptional figure, and extraordinary talent. To think that this Ye Lang would behave so crudely towards her and even suggest her as a concubine?

Qin Yao began to step forward, but Qin Wentian held her back. She turned her head to see him gazing coldly at Ye Lang. Since embarking on the path of cultivation, he hadn't had the opportunity to fully demonstrate his strength. Qin Wentian wanted to use Ye Lang as his first test.

"Sis, let me handle this." Qin Wentian flashed a gentle smile at Qin Yao.

"Wentian, this Ye Lang is incredibly powerful, dangerously so," Qin Yao warned. Although Qin Wentian had illustrious talent, he had just started on his cultivation journey. He wouldn't stand a chance against the ruthless Ye Lang.

"To deal with scum like this, I'm afraid Sister Qin Yao's hands would be soiled," Qin Wentian replied, maintaining his smile as he playfully pinched Qin Yao's cheek. This fellow, even in the midst of crisis, still had the audacity to crack jokes. However, Qin Yao understood that Qin Wentian, no matter how urgent the situation, always handled it with calmness, like a carefree soul. Even though he was a bit of an oddball, his presence was comforting.

"Be careful," Qin Yao whispered softly.

"Got it," Qin Wentian replied and walked forward with a smile. His gaze locked onto Ye Lang's cruel, beast-like eyes. Though similar in age, Ye Lang was undeniably malicious. He was arrogant, disdainful, and looked down on everyone.

"Qin Wentian," Ye Lang said, exuding a menacing aura and a cold glint in his eyes as he addressed Qin Wentian, "I will crush the hand you used to touch Qin Yao."

"I heard you're at the peak of the 6th level of the Body Refinement Realm. Although I'm only at the 6th level myself, I'd love to see how you plan to disable my hand," Qin Wentian replied with indifference.

"I'll suppress my strength to the 6th level. I want you to witness how feeble the so-called genius of the Qin Clan truly is," Ye Lang retorted, his eyes flashing. His body flickered, and he charged forward like a wolf unleashed in the wilderness, causing the wind to howl loudly.

Ye Lang's sharp claws aimed directly at Qin Wentian's head, accompanied by cracking sounds. His Heavenly Wolf Claw seemed to emit a faint glow. Indeed, Ye Lang had suppressed his strength; otherwise, the clash would have been far more devastating.

Qin Wentian's eyes filled with a trace of cold laughter as he noticed Ye Lang's suppressed strength. This was completely different from Ye Lang's earlier demeanor. Under the pressure of impending danger and the aura of imminent death, the astral energy within Qin Wentian's body spiraled frenetically, surging toward his arms.

"Dong!" Qin Wentian stepped forward, and a deafening roar echoed as his palms clashed with Ye Lang's Heavenly Wolf Claw. It was as if a dragon had soared into the heavens, defying everything in its path.

The icy Heavenly Wolf Claw met the Dragon Subduing Fist, creating a terrifying sound. Ye Lang involuntarily let out a low roar as he felt his sharp claws cracking and shattering. An overwhelming sense of danger loomed in front of him.

"You dare to deceive me?" Ye Lang's body trembled violently from the aftermath of their clash. His blood surged wildly through his veins, and he snarled. There was no way such power could exist at the 6th level of the Body Refinement Realm. Ye Lang visibly trembled, and all his energy erupted, making him appear even more dangerous as if he were storing power.

Like a tempest, sweeping aside everything in its path, Ye Lang lunged forward once more. The chilling aura seemed to freeze the very air, and Qin Wentian felt the entire area around him being dominated by that frigid aura, as though countless demonic wolves were converging to devour him.

"What an overwhelming aura," Qin Wentian silently mused. This surge of energy was enough to overwhelm him, but his astral energy felt even more formidable now. Like a hurricane, it gathered rapidly in his stellar meridians before being explosively unleashed. It coursed through the pathways of his stellar meridians and surged into his arms. In this moment, Qin Wentian felt no fear—only an overwhelming sense of power.