A Storm Descends

A Storm Descends . . .

This moment marked not just the doomsday for Jiang Yan but also for the countless geniuses from the major powers. They found themselves ensnared by unending chains, forcibly separated from the experts who had shielded them. Before they knew it, these chains had delivered them to the imposing presence of Qin Wentian.

Among the captured were Nion from the Seven Sword Sect, Shu Luyao from the Myriad Sage Academy, Zurius from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor, Han Dongjiang from the Ninepeak Immortal Court, and Pei Xiao from the Jiangling King Manor. Bound by chains, their once-assertive demeanors had crumbled into fear and despair as they faced the towering figure before them.

These individuals, extraordinary among the younger generation in the Cloud Prefecture, had displayed disdain for Qin Wentian at the banquet. Yet, today, their very lives were under his control.

"Are you daring to kill all of us?" Nion struggled against her chains, a cold mask of arrogance barely concealing the fear in her eyes.

"Qin Wentian, if you kill us, there will be no place for you in the entire Cloud Prefecture. Your death is certain," Shu Luyao threatened coldly.

"You... you'll never leave Jiangling Country alive," Pei Xiao's expression contorted in anguish.

Qin Wentian regarded these individuals with a placid gaze, listening to their threats. His towering figure exuded an air of loftiness, and his lips curled into a mocking smile in response.

"Even now, you cling to your pride to mask the fear in your hearts?" Qin Wentian's voice rang out, his eyes brimming with pity. "A pitiful bunch of individuals who dub themselves geniuses, reveling in a false sense of superiority. You sought my life simply because I wasn't deemed worthy to compete with you? Now that a death feud exists between us, do you truly believe I would attempt to mend our relationship or spare a bunch of trash like you? What a jest."

His words struck like thunder, intensifying the fear that gripped their hearts, rendering them ashen-faced.

Qin Wentian's message was crystal clear. With a death feud already established, their fate was sealed. Whether he spared them or not, it would have no bearing on the outcome. Under these circumstances, how could he possibly spare them?

"What do you want? I can offer you anything," Nion suddenly interjected, her mesmerizing eyes flashing with allure. This abrupt transformation even took Qin Wentian aback. He shifted his mocking gaze toward her. "How pitiable, offering your meager beauty? You're nothing more than an empty vessel, utterly unworthy."

Nion's expression twisted in dismay. In response, a barrage of chains erupted, targeting her. Qin Wentian's voice resounded once more, "I've given you all ample opportunities, but time and again, you've proven to be obstinate, relentlessly pursuing my life. In that case, farewell."

With the pronouncement of their doom, a cacophony of piercing sounds filled the air. These geniuses from the major powers met their end on the spot.

They had come here in pursuit of deciphering the secret hidden within the Nine Immortality Bells, but never in their wildest dreams did they imagine that this place would become their final resting ground.

In the skies, immortal-foundation experts continued to fend off the ceaseless chains. For those of lesser strength among them, death had already claimed several. The countless chains crisscrossed the heavens and earth, mercilessly slaughtering all in their path. The weaponized city below appeared to produce an inexhaustible supply of chains, making it a relentless and horrifying adversary.

In the midst of this tumultuous battle, a chilling voice sliced through the chaos. Qin Wentian turned to see a figure carving a path through the chains, and it was none other than the formidable Jiangling King, Pei Tianyuan.

Pei Tianyuan's eyes gleamed with sharpness, and his intent to kill was palpable. In the Driftsnow City, within his Jiangling Country, a third-level ascendant had audaciously taken the life of a member of his clan, Pei Xiao.

Qin Wentian's expression remained unchanged despite Pei Tianyuan's arrival. While Pei Tianyuan's strength was truly remarkable, the countless chains proved powerless to halt his advance. But what did it matter? Qin Wentian had grown intimately acquainted with the ways of the weaponized city. Crafted and refined by the Driftsnow Master and Immortal Jade, this ancient city possessed a plethora of offensive techniques.

With a resounding flap of his colossal wings, Qin Wentian propelled himself through the air, aiming a devastating attack directly at Pei Tianyuan. The pressure from his movement was so intense that it seemed to fracture the space through which he passed.

Pei Tianyuan deftly evaded, moving with lightning speed. He surged toward Qin Wentian, determined to end his life and halt the city's relentless assault.

"In this ancient city, I am a god," Qin Wentian declared with brazen arrogance. Then, in a flash, he disappeared into the earth, leaving Pei Tianyuan staring at the empty space above. Nearby, a fearsome whirlpool emerged. Pei Tianyuan remained airborne, his pursuit unrelenting. However, he hesitated to dive into the ominous vortex, unsure of what horrors it concealed.

"CURSE YOU!" Pei Tianyuan's enraged bellow echoed through the air. He unleashed a powerful stomp, generating a devastating surge of energy. The earth quaked, but the city remained undamaged. This ancient city was undoubtedly an immortal-ranked divine weapon, boasting incredible durability and impenetrable defenses.

Then, from the depths of the whirlpool, an ominous surge of destructive energy began to manifest, causing Pei Tianyuan's face to contort in dread. He gazed downward with trepidation as a terrifying spectacle unfolded.

A golden, web-like lattice of lightning extended upwards, radiating a cataclysmic power that sent shivers down even Pei Tianyuan's spine.

"Retreat!" he roared, rocketing into the sky. The web of lightning quivered and then erupted outward, expanding at a blinding pace. Wherever it passed, life was obliterated, leaving only death in its wake.

Numerous experts managed to soar to safety, but one immortal-foundation expert lagged behind, ensnared by the expanding web. His body went numb as torrents of golden, destructive energy surged relentlessly through him. Tremors wracked his body, and within moments, all signs of life vanished. He had perished.

The golden web of lightning continued its inexorable expansion, claiming the lives of several immortal-foundation experts. Those who remained hovered at a precarious height in the sky, their hearts trembling. Could they possibly breach the city's defenses? The notion seemed futile. And they had no inkling of the city's full range of devastating capabilities; perhaps what they had witnessed so far was only the tip of the iceberg.

Qin Wentian's form reappeared atop the Driftsnow City, standing resolute. His icy gaze bore no trace of fear as he stared at the experts hovering above.

Qin Wentian's voice cut through the tense air, his words filled with icy resolve. The brutal battle had taken a heavy toll on the major powers, and he was far from an easy target they had initially presumed.

"Am I really so easy to bully?" he asked, his tone laced with cold disdain. This unexpected twist had shattered their confidence, leaving them in utter disarray.

Pei Tianyuan's fury soared, his eyes ablaze with an unrelenting desire for vengeance. He stared down at Qin Wentian, his voice carrying a warning that seemed to pierce the heavens themselves. "Qin Wentian, even if you can hide behind the city's defenses for now, do you intend to remain there forever?"

Qin Wentian's response was swift and unwavering. "You need not concern yourself with that. If you wish to end my life, come and face me. But if you lack the courage, flee as far from this place as you can. As of this moment, I am the City Lord of the Driftsnow City."

As his words echoed, several points on the city's surface shimmered with radiant energy. The energy transformed into lightning-like arrows that streaked into the sky.

"Be cautious!" Pei Tianyuan's expression tightened. He took to the air and conjured a colossal mountain that descended upon the arrows. The arrows penetrated the mountain but could advance no further.

The other experts deployed their own defenses to fend off the relentless barrage of arrows. Fear gripped them as they gazed upon the awe-inspiring power of the ancient city below.

The might of this weaponized city was overwhelming. Should Qin Wentian choose to remain within, they would be powerless to harm him. Approaching the city was equally perilous, with the high likelihood of succumbing to the relentless assault of the weaponized city's myriad deadly mechanisms.

"We must possess this weaponized city at all costs," murmured the experts of the Jiang Clan, their hatred and greed now fully ignited. The more they witnessed the city's incredible power, the more they coveted it.

"My King, what is our next move?" an expert from the Jiang Clan inquired through mental transmission, addressing Pei Tianyuan.

"The news of the weaponized city's unveiling will soon spread. We won't be the only ones seeking to eliminate him. That boy's life is forfeit, but it remains uncertain who will ultimately control the city," Pei Tianyuan responded tersely.

"May we request the aid of the Jiangling King in this endeavor?" the Jiang Clan expert implored. The Driftsnow City was within the domain of the Jiangling King, and Pei Tianyuan's influence was not to be underestimated. His involvement could significantly enhance their chances of seizing the city.

"What can I do to assist you? The repercussions of this event are unpredictable," Pei Tianyuan mused.

"Simply mobilize the Jiangling Troops to secure the area and collaborate with our Jiang Clan's experts to seize the city. We will ensure success, and once the task is accomplished, the Jiang Clan will not forget your invaluable assistance," the Jiang Clan expert proposed.

"Let me consider your suggestion. Regardless, alert your Jiang Clan's experts to gather here immediately to prevent any unforeseen circumstances," Pei Tianyuan advised.

"Very well. I will utilize my immortal sense to communicate with them without delay. Our Jiang Clan will dispatch a significant contingent of experts to converge on this location."

"Understood," Pei Tianyuan replied with a nod. He surveyed the other experts, noting their deep contemplation. Their thoughts stirred his suspicions, and he turned his gaze back to Qin Wentian. While the young man possessed extraordinary talent and was a rare genius, he had acquired something that did not rightfully belong to him, sealing his inevitable demise.

The storm of turmoil continued to swell, sweeping across the Jiangling Country and the entire Cloud Prefecture. Immortal-foundation experts from each major power had transmitted the news to their sects and clans through their immortal senses, and it was likely that a formidable force from each major power was already converging on the scene. The imminent clash promised a tempestuous confrontation of epic proportions.