Most Dazzling . . .
The heart-wrenching cry echoed through the Cloudheaven Arena, as the experts from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor watched in horror. Zurian, their valiant champion, had been defeated, and his life extinguished in the heat of battle.
The crowd's initial underestimation of Qin Wentian had given way to a newfound respect. He had displayed a level of strength that was nothing short of extraordinary. With measured steps, Qin Wentian approached the edge of his battle platform, casting an imperious gaze upon the spectators below. It was clear that he harbored no intentions of leaving the arena; he hungered for more challenges.
The icy voice of the immortal king Zhou Zhan cut through the tension. "Who can go and put an end to this arrogance?" he demanded, his disdain palpable.
Among the assembly of experts from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor, an elder stepped forward. He explained, "We have few exceptional talents at the fourth level of Celestial Phenomenon. Apart from Zurian, there is one more with remarkable combat prowess. Unfortunately, he is currently engaged in another battle and has already amassed enough battle qi to form a 100-meter battle halo." The elder pointed to another battle platform where a young man exuded an aura of invincibility, his battle qi a roaring tempest.
"His name is Wanfu Hou," the elder continued, admiration coloring his voice. "With the augmentation provided by his battle halo, his attacks are nothing short of devastating. He is our best hope to secure a place among the top 1,000 participants from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor."
Zhou Zhan wasted no time. "Send Wanfu Hou to deal with him," he ordered, determination glinting in his eyes. The elder nodded, accepting the command. He turned towards the victorious Wanfu Hou and bellowed, "Wanfu Hou, go and vanquish Qin Wentian on that battle platform!"
All eyes were fixed on Wanfu Hou, whose 100-meter battle halo radiated power and supremacy. He effortlessly dominated his current opponent, his attacks brutal and relentless. With a resplendent glow, he delivered a crushing punch, ending his adversary's life in a ruthless display of force.
Acknowledging the command, Wanfu Hou's gaze locked onto Qin Wentian. In a blur of motion, he soared through the air, landing squarely on the battle platform where Qin Wentian awaited.
"Wanfu Hou, of the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor," the spectators whispered amongst themselves, anticipation and uncertainty filling the air. Compared to Zurian, Wanfu Hou's fame and strength were unmatched. With a 100-meter battle halo augmenting his combat prowess, he promised to be a formidable opponent. The Idlecloud Immortal King, among the onlookers, remained silently observant, his interest piqued.
In his heart, the Idlecloud Immortal King harbored a fervent hope—that the demon-level talents emerging from his Cloud Prefecture would continue to rise in power. Only then could they compete on equal footing with the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, the ultimate goal being to establish dominance over the twelve prefectures. With a hint of pride, he yearned for the disciples from his Cloud Prefecture to outshine all others, potentially earning a place under the tutelage of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, a triumph that would elevate his prestige to unprecedented heights.
The air within the Cloudheaven Arena crackled with palpable tension as Wanfu Hou's approach sent tremors of anticipation and trepidation through the gathered spectators. His presence exuded an aura of overwhelming power that far surpassed his predecessors, leaving no doubt that he was a force to be reckoned with. With a battle halo spanning an impressive 100 meters, his body resonated with the fierce energy of a coiled dragon, an imposing sight to behold.
As if heralding his arrival, a resounding boom echoed through the arena, announcing the emergence of Wanfu Hou's celestial constellation. Glistening with golden radiance, the celestial diagrams spiraled gracefully in the heavens before descending to intertwine with him. The transformation was awe-inspiring, the golden light infusing him with newfound strength, causing his battle qi to surge at an astonishing rate.
The ground quaked beneath his formidable steps as Wanfu Hou advanced, his battle halo pulsating with vibrant intensity. A brilliant golden light bathed the sky, obscuring all else in its radiant glory. Amidst this celestial illumination, Wanfu Hou thrust his fist forward with unparalleled force, the very air quivering in response. His punch cleaved through the fabric of space itself, hurtling relentlessly toward Qin Wentian.
The immortal king of the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor watched with a knowing smile, his appreciation evident. His discerning eyes were quick to gauge the potency of Wanfu Hou's attack. Such prodigious power was not the realm of ordinary fourth-level ascendants. Even fifth-level ascendants would meet their end if struck by this awe-inspiring blow.
The experts from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor joined in the chorus of admiration. Wanfu Hou's mastery of the Battle Heavens Divine Fist was nothing short of astonishing, a testament to his unparalleled comprehension and innate talent. It was clear that when he advanced to the immortal-foundation realm, he would be capable of slaying first-level immortals with a single punch—a feat that inspired awe and excitement among the spectators.
However, Qin Wentian was no ordinary adversary. Runic light shimmered across his body, forming a protective barrier that crackled with energy. His physical form underwent a profound transformation, resembling a fiendish god poised for battle. His palms radiated with astral energy, and a demonic glint danced in his eyes. A violet-gold corona swirled around him, emitting a crushing, suppressive force that radiated outward.
With a thunderous roar, Qin Wentian unleashed a mighty force that seemed to bend the very laws of reality. Within the palm imprints he projected, towering figures of terrifying strength loomed large.
The Battle Heavens Divine Fist collided head-on with the Heaven Suppression Palm Strike, sending shockwaves rippling through the surrounding space. Wanfu Hou attempted to mount a counterattack, but Qin Wentian was quicker than he anticipated. With a lightning-fast dash, Qin Wentian closed the distance between them, fearlessly opting for close combat.
"DIE!" Qin Wentian's palms exuded a force capable of seizing the moon and plucking the stars from the firmament, as if he sought to claim Wanfu Hou's life as his own. The atmosphere trembled with the intensity of their confrontation, and the arena resonated with the collective gasp of the mesmerized audience.
"GET LOST!" The roar of Wanfu Hou shook the heavens, his fury manifesting in an onslaught of fist shadows that blotted out the sky. The intensity of his radiance grew, casting him as a beacon of wrath. But in that very moment, he encountered the true depth of Qin Wentian's formidable suppression force.
Qin Wentian's eyes blazed with an even more fearsome light, the Suppressive Annihilation Constellation materializing behind him in a brilliant display of cosmic power. Wanfu Hou launched a relentless barrage, his fists seeking to parry Qin Wentian's unstoppable attacks.
The spectators below watched in awe. Heaven Suppression Palm Imprints and Star-Seizing Palm Imprints rained down upon Wanfu Hou with unrelenting force, stifling him to the point where every breath became a struggle. Desperately, he employed his battle halo as a defensive measure, but it was clear that he couldn't withstand this relentless onslaught. The relentless palm imprints threatened to engulf him entirely.
In this crucial moment, Wanfu Hou teetered on the brink of defeat, his fate hanging in the balance. A frenzied exchange of blows unfolded in the blink of an eye. Then, it became apparent that Wanfu Hou had sustained injuries, unable to endure the relentless barrage. A colossal palm imprint shattered his defensive efforts, crashing into his head with a deafening explosion. The devastating strike claimed Wanfu Hou's life, and his lifeless body was flung from the battle platform, marking another fallen heaven-chosen at the hands of Qin Wentian.
The once-100-meter battle qi halo surrounding Wanfu Hou was devoured by Qin Wentian's insatiable power. In its place, Qin Wentian's own halo emitted a resounding roar as it grew more brilliant and imposing. Standing at the edge of his battle platform, he cast a commanding gaze upon the crowd, radiating an unparalleled presence.
"He's utterly powerless, hardly a threat at all," Qin Wentian declared with chilling arrogance. His voice reverberated like surging waves, causing the expressions of the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor's experts to darken. Zhou Zhan, in particular, trembled with fury.
Yet, among the spectators, excitement swelled. It was evident that a demon-level character, a figure of unparalleled magnificence, had emerged. This young man, a central figure in the Driftsnow City saga, had captivated their attention.
The fourth-level participants contemplated their options. What would it mean to challenge Qin Wentian?
"My Battle Heavens Immortal Manor—do we have no more fourth-level ascendants capable of defeating him?" Zhou Zhan's icy inquiry hung heavy in the air. The surrounding members of his sect wore ashen expressions, unsure of how to respond.
Wanfu Hou had been regarded as the pinnacle of their sect among fourth-level ascendants. For other levels of cultivation, the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor boasted additional elite disciples. But regrettably, among fourth-level ascendants, they were bereft of options.
"USELESS!" Zhou Zhan's bitter accusation left his compatriots speechless, cowed by his anger.
Qin Wentian, seeing no further challengers step forth, sought to ease the tension. "Rest assured, for those who challenge me without intending to take my life, I won't go all out to destroy them. Please, have no worries." His words provided comfort to the spectators. Indeed, those who had previously confronted him had harbored lethal intent, a crucial distinction that made all the difference.
The name Qin Wentian had echoed throughout the Cloudheaven Arena long before the throngs of spectators witnessed his astounding battles. And now, as if summoned by destiny, a daring young challenger rose to the occasion. With an air of bravado, he ascended the battle platform, determined to test his mettle against the famed Qin Wentian.
The ensuing battle unfolded with a sense of anticipation, but the outcome was no different from those that had come before it. Qin Wentian emerged victorious once more, his opponent defeated but unharmed. In a surprising display of restraint, Qin Wentian chose to absorb only the challenger's battle qi, sparing him grievous injuries. This merciful approach drew the admiration of onlookers, as it signaled that one could challenge Qin Wentian without facing life-threatening consequences.
The arena soon teemed with aspiring geniuses, each hoping to measure their strength against the enigmatic Qin Wentian. Yet, despite their valiant efforts, none could best him. One by one, they fell before him, their skills no match for his unwavering prowess.
Within a span of just a few hours, Qin Wentian had engaged in over a hundred battles. His battle halo had expanded to a staggering 500 meters, shrouding him in a formidable aura that left spectators in awe.
Jun Mengchen, his excitement palpable, could no longer contain himself. He soared onto the battle platform beside Qin Wentian, his third-level Celestial Phenomenon cultivation allowing him to amass a battle halo of several hundred meters in record time.
Likewise, Zi Qingxuan took to the adjacent battle platform, achieving multiple victories and accumulating power with each triumph. Mu Yan, the final member of their group, observed with a knowing smile, contemplating the mystery of their collective strength. The three disciples, seemingly brought together by fate, were an enigma. Their formidable abilities and unwavering confidence piqued his curiosity.
"Senior brother, this is incredible!" Jun Mengchen beamed at Qin Wentian before turning to Zi Qingxuan. "Senior sister, let's strive together to become the most dazzling figures in this selection!"
Such audacious proclamations did not go unnoticed by the crowd below. Cold, disdainful voices rose in response. These three were fellow disciples, their shared arrogance evident in their demeanor. To claim they would outshine countless geniuses in the Cloud Prefecture was a display of hubris that left many onlookers unimpressed.
However, those with a vested interest in Qin Wentian's downfall found themselves torn between puzzlement and trepidation. Could it be that this audacious trio truly possessed the backing of a supreme power? The seeds of doubt took root, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their once-confident opposition.