Release

Release...

At this crucial moment, the controller of the Seven Slaughters Puppet was none other than Qin Wentian's original body. Multiple Mandates flared to life within him, while the astral energies of the other six cultivators flowed into him.

High above in the sky, an awe-inspiring sword melody suddenly reverberated. A brilliant and surreal dream-like constellation took shape, radiating an overwhelming power.

"Do you truly believe you can thwart me with this?" Jun Yu's voice dripped with icy disdain. He calmly advanced, unleashing his own constellation. In an instant, a dreadfully potent sealing energy enveloped the entire area.

"Seize her," Jun Yu commanded. The two Ascendants by his side sprang into action simultaneously. With a pointed finger, the entire space seemed to vibrate, forcibly enclosed by an oppressive energy.

"Shatter!" The Seven Slaughters Puppet swung its sword, unleashing a devastating strike that appeared capable of cleaving the very world apart. Simultaneously, a captivating figure, untouched by the dust of the mortal world, materialized beside Little Rascal. She swiftly secured the unconscious Qin Wentian, surrounded by a surge of spatial energy as she retreated.

"Where do you think you can run?" Jun Yu sneered, conjuring confinement imprints in mid-air that latched onto the maiden from both sides. Space itself was trapped, rendering Qing'er immobile. Her eyes blazed with an icy chill as they locked onto Jun Yu, causing even him to hesitate for a moment, his brows furrowing.

Such beauty, yet as cold as a snow lotus.

The other two Ascendants from the Pill Emperor Hall arrived, swiftly surrounding Qing'er and the unconscious Qin Wentian. Escape seemed impossible.

Meanwhile, the other battle had already reached its conclusion. Fairy Qingmei, alongside the leader and the elderly member of the Mystic Moon Sect, easily subdued the Chen Clan's clan lord, a mere Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant. There was no suspense to this battle.

Shortly after, the remaining Ascendant from the Great Solar Chen Clan was ensnared by Fairy Qingmei. The spear of darkness from the Mystic Moon Sect ruthlessly pierced through his brain, ending his life.

The death of the Chen Clan's clan lord symbolized the fall of another transcendent power. The once-mighty Great Solar Chen Clan, one of the nine grand clans of ancient Grand Xia and a top-five member among the thirty-six transcendent powers, was now a mere shadow of its former self.

All three Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants of the Great Solar Chen Clan had met their end today.

If this incident were recounted in the future, it would undoubtedly serve as a cruel punchline.

The world's clouds were ever-changing, a symbol of unpredictability. Doomsday had dawned for the once-proud Great Solar Chen Clan.

The other members of the Chen Clan stared blankly. When they finally regained their wits and sought to escape, a group of masked figures abruptly appeared, blocking every avenue of retreat. Whether they fled to the skies or the earth, these masked figures had systematically covered every escape route.

These mysterious figures had secretly infiltrated the ranks of the Heavenly Fate Rankings spectators, their origins and motives unknown to all.

However, Fairy Qingmei and the leader of the Mystic Moon Sect had no time to concern themselves with the Chen Clan members. They swiftly closed in on Qin Wentian, only to find him and Qing'er trapped between the two Ascendants from the Pill Emperor Hall.

"Dare you lay a finger on them?" Fairy Qingmei's voice turned as frigid as the depths of winter, her Shadow Glamor Constellation manifesting. Simultaneously, the two Ascendants from the Mystic Moon Sect unleashed their constellations. All the Ascendant powerhouses had converged here for the climactic showdown.

Pill Emperor cast a languid glance in Fairy Qingmei's direction. He ambled over to Qin Wentian's side, saying, "Today, everything can finally come to an end."

The downfall of the Great Solar Chen Clan had unfolded, and strangely, it boded well for the Pill Emperor Hall. With a formidable transcendent power removed from their path, the hall saw smoother prospects for its resurgence to glory.

Now, Qin Wentian was securely within their grasp.

This day's battle had culminated with an impeccable resolution.

However, the Pill Emperor Hall's victory felt incomplete as they watched Qing`er gently place Qin Wentian back onto Little Rascal's back. She then boldly stepped forward, positioning herself between the two Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants.

"Hmm?" The Pill Emperor's brows knitted as a surge of killing intent emanated from him. This woman had crossed their path before at the Pill Emperor Hall. Back then, she was the one who spirited Qin Wentian away.

"If you dare to lay a finger on her, I can assure you that not even the Royal Sacred Sect of Grand Shang could save your Pill Emperor Hall," Fairy Qingmei's voice pierced the air with frigidity. Her words deepened the Pill Emperor's frown. He glanced at Fairy Qingmei and said, "Are you trying to intimidate me?"

What kind of power did the Royal Sacred Sect wield? Was Fairy Qingmei implying that this celestial maiden had such a formidable backing that even the Royal Sacred Sect would hesitate to oppose it?

"That's right, I'm trying to intimidate you. Why don't you test it and find out?" Fairy Qingmei's icy words resonated, narrowing the Pill Emperor's pupils as he stared at Qing`er. Yet she didn't even acknowledge him; her indifference seemed to strike a chord of fear in the Pill Emperor's heart. He recollected the sight of her carrying Qin Wentian away that day, her back radiating an air of authority.

This woman was undeniably exceptional; did she possess a tremendous background?

In truth, Qing`er wasn't being arrogant. Her demeanor had always been as cold as ice, unintentionally projecting an air of aloofness. This unconsciously conveyed sense of loftiness was what made the Pill Emperor slightly cautious about her origins.

Shifting his gaze back to Qin Wentian, the Pill Emperor made a decision. As long as Qin Wentian remained in their custody, he could afford to allow this woman to depart. Her current strength wouldn't tip the scales in today's confrontation.

However, he didn't anticipate Qing`er's next move. She walked toward the Seven Slaughter Puppets, and one of them opened up to reveal a young man—none other than Qin Wentian's second true body, Di Tian.

The spectators were left stunned. Were these puppets being controlled by humans? If so, were there cultivators within the other six puppets?

Qing`er entered the puppet, seizing control of Di Tian's form.

"Parlor tricks, nothing more. Step aside. Today, my Pill Emperor Hall will take Qin Wentian with us, no matter what," the Pill Emperor declared, striding toward Qin Wentian. Little Rascal barked and howled fiercely, but the Pill Emperor merely sneered. A glint flickered in his eyes as his palm extended, abruptly immobilizing Qin Wentian's body and moving him away.

Fairy Qingmei and the two other Ascendants maintained their positions. They couldn't allow the Pill Emperor to abscond with Qin Wentian.

"You three, even with the puppets' power, you only have four Ascendant-level cultivators. Without that Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay from earlier, do you genuinely believe you can thwart the three of us? Foolish. If we engage in battle here, you might delay us for a while, but we will still withdraw unscathed. However, if Qin Wentian happens to die amidst our conflict, it won't be our responsibility," the Pill Emperor coldly threatened.

Yet, at this moment, a profound spatial pressure descended. Above the puppet that Qing`er had entered, a space-oriented constellation materialized, unleashing formidable spatial fluctuations that sealed the surrounding area. In conjunction with Fairy Qingmei's illusionary Shadow Glamor Constellation, breaking free from this encirclement wouldn't be as straightforward as the Pill Emperor anticipated.

"I am Di Tian."

The ground shook as Di Tian's thunderous voice resounded. Jun Yu and his two companions furrowed their brows, their gazes fixed on Di Tian, who stood at the center of the Seven Slaughter Puppets.

The three Ascendants were taken aback. The one who had spoken was none other than this man.

"The 'Di' of Di Cang, the Azure Emperor. The Di Clan now answers not only to Qin Wentian but also to me. The innate techniques I know, Qin Wentian knows as well," Di Tian calmly asserted. "Naturally, the innate techniques that Qin Wentian knows, I, Di Tian, also know."

"Jun Yu, do you wish to die?" Di Tian inclined his head, locking eyes with Jun Yu, his demeanor akin to an unsheathed sword, able to pierce through anything.

Jun Yu's face darkened, and his evident killing intent filled the air. These were the same words Qin Wentian had used to him before. And now, this man dared to threaten him again?

"With the chant of the demonic divinities, the ancient will stretching across the skies, gathering the demonic qi from the eight directions, and devouring the astral energy from the starry skies..." Di Tian muttered, his words accompanied by a strange melody that echoed throughout the world. A terrifying energy rippled through the void, coalescing around Di Tian.

"Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation."

The Pill Emperor's expression froze. He was all too familiar with this secret art; he had witnessed Qin Wentian employ it himself. 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡.𝑐𝑜𝑚

And now, Di Tian was utilizing the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation!

He had claimed that he knew all the techniques that Qin Wentian knew.

And he had proven it by employing the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation.

Did that not imply that he was also capable of wielding the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay?

At this realization, the three Ascendants from the Pill Emperor Hall felt their hearts quaking. Their gaze remained fixed on Di Tian, with an aura of fierce determination in their eyes.

"If I employ the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation and transform into a demonic divinity, I will undoubtedly unleash the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay. And at that point, Qin Wentian may perish, but Jun Yu, you shall certainly accompany him in death!" Di Tian's eyes gleamed with cold determination, his words causing Jun Yu's heart to tremble as his expression turned incredibly grim.

"I don't believe that you know that sword art," Jun Yu retorted, spitting out the words with skepticism.

"After I kill you, I will flee Grand Xia. The world is vast, and your claims of being a direct disciple or the backing of the Royal Sacred Sect of Grand Shang won't matter to me. Do you wish to wager on this?" Di Tian's tone remained icy. At this moment, a profound ancient will enveloped the surroundings, extending across the skies. The power of the demonic divinities' constellations from the eight directions, as though unimpeded by spatial restrictions, descended as starlight upon Di Tian. The demonic aura emanating from him grew increasingly formidable.

"If I transform into a demon, I won't rest until I've killed you. You have five breaths of time left," Di Tian proclaimed, locking eyes with Jun Yu. Each word he uttered intensified the ugly expression on Jun Yu's face.

The demonic aura in the atmosphere continued to thicken. The ancient will merged with the demonic divinities, their power growing ever more potent. Once the essence of humanity was sacrificed and the divinities' essence flooded Di Tian's body, only the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay could counteract it. If he were forced to employ it again, he would undoubtedly direct the lethal strike at Jun Yu.

"Release Qin Wentian," Jun Yu commanded, his face ashen.

The other two Ascendants wore equally grim expressions. With a wave of their hands, they flung Qin Wentian aside. Fairy Qingmei materialized next to him, catching him in her arms.

Whether Di Tian underwent the demonic transformation and slew Jun Yu or not, both sides possessed equal combat strength. Either way, they couldn't prevent the Ascendants from the Pill Emperor Hall from departing.

But the cost would be too high.

Qin Wentian was severely injured, and Di Tian was put in an impossible position.

"This isn't over," Jun Yu snarled as he departed, the dispersal of spatial energy allowing his exit.

Today's perilous situation had finally concluded with the deaths of the three Ascendants from the Great Solar Chen Clan. Although Qin Wentian had suffered grievous injuries, this outcome was more than worth it!