The Curtain Falls

The Curtain Falls . . .

"The Realmlord of the Heavenly Talisman Realm," Qin Wentian repeated silently, committing the name to memory. From this day forward, he would be bound to this sect, unable to affiliate with any other power in the immortal realms. He was now a disciple of the Heavenly Talisman Realm.

"Senior," Qin Wentian began but was quickly interrupted by Bai Wuya.

"When we're in private, just call me senior brother Bai," Bai Wuya suggested with a warm tone.

"Alright," Qin Wentian agreed. "Senior brother Bai, when can I meet our master? And how many disciples does he have?"

Bai Wuya provided a candid response, not shying away from the truth. "I gained the authority to invite disciples only after ascending to the Immortal King Realm. That's how I invited you to be a part of our sect. However, you're considered a newly recruited disciple and haven't received our master's approval yet. Meeting him is a privilege reserved for those who gain his approval."

He continued, "Remember the two rules I mentioned earlier, they must never be violated. Any transgressions will result in death. As for the exact number of our master's disciples, I can't say for certain. What I do know is that there are several who surpass my strength. When I once killed a descendant of an immortal emperor and was pursued, it was thanks to the intervention of a more formidable immortal emperor who saved me. The pursuer believed the immortal emperor appeared out of fondness for me, but that wasn't the case. The one who came to my aid was another disciple of the Heavenly Talisman Realm, my senior apprentice brother."

Qin Wentian was taken aback. An Immortal Emperor was Bai Wuya's senior apprentice brother? The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor was also an Immortal Emperor. How formidable was the Realmlord to have Immortal Emperors as disciples?

Bai Wuya's account remained a closely guarded secret. If others in the immortal realms learned that the immortal emperor who aided him was from the same sect, it would send shockwaves through the realms. The true might of the Heavenly Talisman Realm was shrouded in obscurity, unknown to anyone beyond its boundaries.

"Understood. Thank you, senior brother, for your guidance," Qin Wentian acknowledged gratefully.

"I can't transport you away from here in plain view of everyone," Bai Wuya explained. "You'll have to make your own way to the immortal realms. I'll leave a trace of my immortal sense with you. The moment you enter the immortal realms, I'll sense it and find you, bringing you to the Heavenly Talisman Realm. Once you arrive, you can select an entry-level treasure and meet your fellow sect members. Although we may not recognize each other, as members of the Heavenly Talisman Realm, we can sense each other's presence in the outside world. This allows us to support one another while traversing the immortal realms."

He continued, "In my youth, my senior apprentices looked out for me, and this camaraderie is a hallmark of our sect. As unaffiliated cultivators, we share a strong bond and kinship."

Qin Wentian carefully absorbed this information, his curiosity about the Heavenly Talisman Realm deepening. This enigmatic power remained potent yet chose to dwell in the shadows, maintaining a low profile and cloaked in mystery.

"Enough talk," Bai Wuya said, "It's time for me to depart. The immortal sense I've left with you is exceedingly weak. It won't activate automatically, serving only as a beacon to inform me of your whereabouts. Be cautious, and don't meet your end before we can reunite in the immortal realms."

With a final laugh, Bai Wuya's powerful will retracted, disappearing from Qin Wentian's sea of consciousness. He could sense a faint strand of Bai Wuya's immortal sense within him, as weak as it had been described. It offered no protective capabilities but would serve as a subtle beacon to guide their eventual reunion.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but let out a deep breath as he reflected on the whirlwind of events in the past few days. It was almost unbelievable how he had joined the prestigious Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, only to be expelled shortly after. Those revered and aloof supreme existences had shown him nothing but indifference. Now, Bai Wuya was inviting him to join a sect that might even surpass the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's domain in strength.

As his heart gradually settled, Qin Wentian realized that regardless of his choice of master, his journey on the martial path ultimately depended on his own efforts. A master could provide guidance, but true strength and respect could only be earned through personal growth and achievement.

Currently, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor and the other immortal kings were engaged in idle chatter at the banquet, no longer paying any attention to Qin Wentian. After a while, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's voice rang out, signaling the end of the banquet. "Enough, today I've spent a considerable amount of time gathering with all of you and have accepted a wonderful disciple. Let's consider this banquet successfully concluded."

"Indeed, we shall raise our cups one last time to toast to Your Majesty and respectfully bid you farewell," the Undying Immortal King raised his wine cup, indicating that they had no intention of detaining the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor any longer. While they would have liked him to stay longer, their differing statuses prevented them from making such a request. These ancient beings of the immortal realms were acutely aware of their hierarchical differences and chose not to press the matter further.

"Very well, let's share one last toast," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor agreed with a smile, lifting his cup. The other immortal kings stood up, leaving him as the sole seated figure.

"We respectfully bid Your Majesty farewell," the immortal kings spoke in unison, downing the contents of their cups in one gulp.

"Mhm," the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor also drank from his cup. His gaze swept over the assembled immortal kings before settling on Qin Wentian. Fixing his gaze on the lone figure standing at the sidelines, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor spoke emotionlessly, "If you repent and acknowledge your mistake, I can recommend one of my immortal kings to be your master."

Qin Wentian bowed respectfully and met the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's gaze. The immortal emperor's tone carried a cold but seemingly benevolent note, as if offering him a chance at redemption. The other immortal kings also regarded him with a similar air of pity. Deepflame chimed in, "Your Majesty's benevolence is boundless, and even now, you extend your kindness to this young man."

Yet in Qin Wentian's eyes, there was no trace of emotion. He remained composed, bowing deeply to the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor as he replied, "I value my freedom, Your Majesty, and regretfully, I cannot reciprocate your graciousness. I can only apologize for my inability to accept your kind offer."

The room fell into a stunned silence as those present processed Qin Wentian's response. They had expected him to express gratitude for the immortal emperor's benevolence, but instead, he had politely declined the offer, saying that he could only disappoint the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's kindness.

"Clearly, he doesn't know what's good for him. Your Majesty, this young man is not fit to be a disciple," Deepflame interjected coldly. The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor shifted his attention away from Qin Wentian, addressing Dongsheng Ting by his side. "Send the participants back to the particle world."

With a swift motion, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor and his disciple, Que Tianyi, vanished from the scene.

"Let's depart," the Undying Immortal King said to the other experts. "Farewell, everyone."

With courteous nods and farewells, the immortal kings dispersed, leaving behind a bewildered crowd.

"Beauty Myriad Incarnations, if you have a moment, would you care to join us?" A voice rang out, directed towards the Myriad Incarnations Immortal King.

With a warm smile, the Myriad Incarnations Immortal King replied, "I'm afraid I must decline, as I need to accompany my disciple on our journey back." The person who had extended the invitation couldn't help but glance enviously at Hua Taixu before chuckling, "This young man is truly fortunate to have such a beautiful teacher. Hahaha."

After exchanging pleasantries, the other expert bid farewell and departed as well.

"Shall we be on our way?" The Myriad Incarnations Immortal King turned to Hua Taixu, and the two of them began to leave.

"Bai Wuya, why don't you take him as your disciple?" Deepflame looked at Qin Wentian, a mocking glint in his eyes. With that, he left alongside his disciple, Blackpeak.

Bai Wuya merely cast a fleeting glance at Deepflame but didn't offer a response. Instead, he sent a message to Qin Wentian, "We'll meet in the immortal realms."

With that, he disappeared into the distance in a blur, leaving only a few individuals behind.

In the blink of an eye, everyone else had departed, leaving only Qin Wentian and a handful of others lingering.

The pathways of light reappeared, connecting the immortal palace to the Royal Sacred Region. Dongsheng Ting ascended the war drum and glanced at Qin Wentian, his voice reverberating in Qin Wentian's mind. "A frog in the well, ignorant of the vast heavens. Did you really believe you could ascend to the heavens simply because of your connection with Princess Qing'er? Dream on."

His words were meant for Qin Wentian alone. Qin Wentian furrowed his brow and looked up at Dongsheng Ting on the war drum. Did he ever stand a chance of being accepted as a disciple by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor from the beginning? Would the immortal emperor truly look after him because of his promise to Qing'er's father, the Evergreen Great Emperor? Perhaps this was an impossible dream from the start.

A hint of self-deprecating irony crossed his face. He wondered whether he was mocking himself or Dongsheng Ting. Ascending through connections, reaching for the heavens?

"My royal father's disciple recruitment event has concluded. The immortal kings have chosen their disciples, and for those not selected, it's time for you to return," Dongsheng Ting's voice echoed across the Royal Sacred Region. The remaining participants on the nine peaks sighed and made their way towards the connecting passage. Initially, the passage had led them upward, mirroring the excitement in their hearts. Now, it led them back down, like stones sinking in their stomachs.

Qin Wentian and the others entered the various connecting passages, feeling a surge of spatial fluctuations enveloping them. In the next moment, they found themselves back on the ground of the Royal Sacred Region.

As they gazed upward at the immortal palace and the nine peaks, the people began to disperse, and the nine peaks disappeared.

The immortal palace shimmered, becoming ethereal before vanishing from the skies of this world.

This marked the conclusion of the disciple recruitment event hosted by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor.

Qin Wentian stood on the ground, lost in thought. Despite missing the opportunity to enter the immortal realms, he felt no regrets in his heart.

"The immortal realms..." Qin Wentian muttered before his figure flickered, heading in a particular direction.

Zai Xuan, too, had returned to the Royal Sacred Region. He watched the vanished immortal palace and didn't seem too disappointed. Ultimately, Qin Wentian had been abandoned by everyone. Standing alone at the side, none of the immortal kings had chosen him as their disciple despite his talent.

The external visitors from the immortal realms could only sigh inwardly. This event had caused a significant stir, attracting numerous geniuses from the immortal realms. Although they were not weak, entering the tutelage of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor was an incredibly challenging feat. In the end, only one person had succeeded. Now, these external visitors could only shake their heads and return to their respective realms.