Conclusion of Battle

Conclusion of Battle . . .

In the heart of the tumultuous battlefield, Qin Wentian and his companions gazed around, their hearts heavy with the chilling reality of the immortal realms. This 100-year immortal banquet, orchestrated by the Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures, was nothing short of a high-stakes gamble where the most gifted geniuses from the thirteen prefectures had to wager their very lives.

It was a stark, unrelenting test of survival, devoid of mercy or sentimentality. These were individuals who, given their exceptional talents, could have comfortably lived out their days. Yet, driven by ambitions and dreams, they willingly embraced this harsh crucible. They sought to forge themselves anew through the baptism of blood and tears, growing relentlessly until they became formidable figures akin to the supreme beings - immortal kings who observed their struggles from the sidelines with detached amusement.

These same immortal kings had once walked the perilous path of life-threatening gambles, amassing countless experiences and wisdom to reach their current heights. Along the way, how many genius lives had they trampled upon? Only they knew the answer. The journey toward the pinnacle of the immortal realms demanded an unending cycle of gambling and accumulating experience, even for those who had already achieved greatness.

"This 'grand' disciple selection is built upon the sacrifices of countless geniuses," mused Qin Wentian. Fatigue weighed upon him, but he stood tall like a thousand-year-old pine tree, unwavering in the face of the fiercest storms.

He had his own narrative, dreams, and a profound sense of duty.

His desire was to stand shoulder to shoulder with the pure maiden who had silently done so much for him. He yearned for a strength that would allow him to gaze unwaveringly at the heavens without disdainful looks from others. He sought to unravel the mystery of his origins and uncover the legendary tale of his parents.

Thus, he would straighten his back and march forward, no matter how many obstacles blocked his path.

"Yes, the thirteen prefectures. From the preliminaries to now, every trial has been marked by bloodshed, and this will continue until the top three rankers are decided. But from the outset until then, none of us can predict how many will fall," remarked one of those standing with Qin Wentian. They understood that they were far from qualified to compete for those top three spots. Only individuals of demon-level caliber like Gusu Tianqi and Qin Wentian had a genuine chance. The gap between them and these extraordinary figures was palpable and insurmountable.

There was no bridging the chasm.

"But for those who emerge as the top three rankers, their destinies will soar to celestial heights. Their innate talents, coupled with the rigorous cultivation and guidance provided by the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, will only magnify their brilliance. Some might even be granted the privilege of becoming the personal disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor. Brother Qin, among us, you possess the greatest potential. You must seize this opportunity," declared their fellow participants, their eyes filled with hope.

"I will indeed secure a place among the top three," Qin Wentian affirmed, his conviction unwavering. Yet, he deliberately left the prospect of taking the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor as his master unspoken. Becoming one of the top three rankers was his sole aim.

"We all have faith in you," his companions chorused in agreement. They may not have been privy to Qin Wentian's true intentions, but they ardently wished for him to claim a spot among the top three rankers and assume the mantle of a Sage Child in the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Only Zi Qingxuan bore a cryptic glint in her eyes, for she alone comprehended the genuine purpose behind her presence, along with Qin Wentian and Jun Mengcheng.

To secure a top three rank, yet never to pledge allegiance to the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect!

Amidst this monumental struggle, only Qin Wentian and his group found a moment of respite. In contrast, other battles continued to rage fiercely, each one a tempestuous whirlwind of power and destiny.

Among the group of thirty-plus fifth-level ascendants who had once shared their journey with Qin Wentian, fortune had not smiled upon them. Many lay dead or severely wounded, their hopes resting upon Su Feng's formidable strength to increase their chances of survival. But Su Feng was far from eager to stake his all for strangers. He dispatched a few disciples with ease and continued on his solitary path. With his immense strength, leaving on his own was a simple matter. The disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect didn't pursue him either, opting to persistently encircle and assault the remaining group members, resulting in their present predicament.

Left with no alternative, the participants scattered in different directions, their fate now hanging in the balance. Hindsight made it clear that following Qin Wentian's advice to disband the group earlier would have been the wiser choice.

Amid this chaotic scramble, two participants, battered and bruised, were frantically fleeing in a particular direction. Behind them, six or seven disciples exuded murderous intent, closing in rapidly. The gap between pursuers and the pursued continued to shrink, and the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect disciples wore sinister smiles, as if this were a mere game. "You won't escape us."

The two fugitives roared in madness and despair, pushing their constellations to their limits. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't shake off their relentless pursuers.

However, a surprising sight lay ahead. A group of people seemed inexplicably relaxed, untouched by combat and idle. When the two fleeing participants recognized these individuals, their hearts jolted in disbelief. How was this possible? Where were the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect disciples who had been tailing them?

Qin Wentian and his group also noticed the two approaching fugitives. Among them was the individual who had once ridiculed Qin Wentian, mocking him and his companions as a mere flock of crows and deriding their decision to split up.

Numerous eyes turned toward the duo. Qin Wentian's group remained composed, their demeanor unusually tranquil. After enduring a harrowing battle, many had flirted with the edge of death. If not for Qin Wentian's frenzied protection, they might all have perished. As for the two participants, their choice to follow Su Feng had sealed their fate. They had made their decision, and now they must face the consequences.

A barrage of attacks crackled through the air as disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect hastened their approach, targeting the two fleeing participants. The pair shuddered violently, coughing up blood but gritting their teeth to press onward. As they neared Qin Wentian's group, one of them couldn't help but ask, "How did you manage to escape?"

His bloodshot eyes and weakened aura betrayed the toll of their desperate flight, yet he still yearned to understand how this other group had emerged nearly unscathed from the chaos.

"Qin Wentian wielded his tremendous strength to shield us, eliminating the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect disciples who threatened us because we chose to follow him," a member of Qin Wentian's group explained. The two fleeing participants reacted with astonishment, their expressions oscillating between madness and laughter as they recalled their past choices. Indeed, they had initially elected to accompany Qin Wentian. Little had they anticipated that he would defend them.

As for their own decision to follow Su Feng, it had backfired when he abandoned them at the first sign of trouble. Lu Longcloud had also opted for a solo escape. They cursed themselves for their ill-fated choices.

"BOOM!" A destructive beam descended, and the two fugitives could only scream in despair before being consumed by the attack.

The disciples pursuing them frowned upon reaching Qin Wentian's group. Where had their comrades, who had separated earlier, vanished to? Was it true, as the participant had claimed, that Qin Wentian had wiped them out?

The gaze of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's disciples bore into Qin Wentian, a mix of fear and trepidation dancing in their eyes. This enigmatic figure had been a constant thorn in their sides throughout the trials, a force they wanted to eliminate but couldn't. Qin Wentian's unparalleled combat prowess had left a trail of death in his wake, cutting down both core and elite disciples. In terms of cultivation level, he seemed invincible, an insurmountable mountain.

"Scram," spat Qin Wentian with disdain. The disciples' faces contorted with unspeakable frustration, but they dared not retaliate. Their expressions betrayed their inner turmoil as they turned and left, defeated and humiliated.

These disciples, members of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, the apex power in the thirteen prefectures, had been mercilessly dispatched by a single individual. Qin Wentian didn't hide his contempt, and yet they couldn't muster the courage to respond. It was an absurd situation. They refrained from retaliation for fear that Qin Wentian might obliterate them in a fit of rage.

Perhaps it was fatigue or a newfound aversion to bloodshed that led Qin Wentian to spare them, allowing them to depart unscathed.

With the number of brilliant talents lost in this brutal competition, it was reasonable to assume that the selection test would soon conclude.

"Cease all battles."

A thunderous voice echoed through the skies, putting an abrupt halt to the ongoing combat. Even those who had unleashed attacks hastily retracted them. When the immortal kings of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect issued a command, none dared to defy.

"Head to the mini spatial formations and exit the gorge," the commanding voice ordered, tinged with a hint of irritation.

Xia Hou, too, ceased his combat. His heart raced as he listened to the resounding voice. Earlier, he had also participated in the fierce battles. When the voice reverberated, he couldn't help but tremble inwardly. He scanned the surroundings as though searching for something.

In the midst of the chaos, Qin Wentian should have met his end, right?

However, as Xia Hou's gaze fixed upon a particular direction, his complexion shifted between ashen and pale. How could this be possible? That man wasn't dead yet!

Furthermore, it appeared as though his target had sensed something, locking eyes with Xia Hou. Qin Wentian's cold, challenging gaze seemed to taunt Xia Hou, proclaiming that no matter what he tried, Qin Wentian would endure and emerge as one of the most brilliant figures in this selection test.

With this battle behind him, Qin Wentian would have effectively passed the test, potentially becoming a core disciple if he wished. For the elite disciples, eliminating Qin Wentian seemed a task more challenging than scaling the heavens. The prime opportunity had slipped through their fingers, and the selection test in this location had come to a close.

Outside the Sage Devil Gorge, numerous figures materialized one after another. Those who had fled the gorge earlier and those 160 participants who had emerged victorious stood in three distinct groups. The first group comprised those who could become external disciples, and they were led by a black-robed figure. The second group consisted of current disciples, while the third group included the 160 successful participants.

An immortal king pointed toward the black-robed man, addressing the prospective external disciples. "Those of you who wish to become external disciples can follow this man. If you're unwilling, you may leave this area." The black-robed figure nodded, ushering the prospective external disciples away.

The announcement resonated through the air, delivered by the immortal king with an air of authority. His words were a double-edged sword, carrying both relief and trepidation for the disciples.

"For current disciples who participated in the hunt, you all can leave now," he declared. The words were like a soothing balm to the current disciples who had endured the trials. They had weathered the storm and could finally rest. Relief washed over them, their tense shoulders sagging as they prepared to depart.

However, the next part of the announcement struck like a thunderbolt. "All elite disciples are to report to the Immortal Punishment Hall to await orders."

The elite disciples, including Xia Hou, felt their hearts skip a beat. The mere mention of the Immortal Punishment Hall sent shivers down their spines. Fear etched across Xia Hou's face, and he hurriedly made his exit, anxiety gnawing at his core.

But amidst the anxiety and uncertainty, a glimmer of hope emerged. The immortal king's voice shifted to a warmer tone as he continued, "Congratulations to all of you. You guys all possess the qualifications to become a core disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect."

The words were like a burst of sunlight breaking through the clouds. Hope surged within the 160 participants. They were no longer mere external disciples but had ascended to the coveted status of core disciples. It was a remarkable achievement.

"Next, you will participate in the immortal banquet with many supreme characters of the thirteen prefectures." The immortal king's smile was genuine now, his stern demeanor softening. These 160 individuals had proven their mettle by surviving the grueling tests. Their journey as core disciples had just begun, a path paved with opportunities and challenges. It was a privilege reserved for those with exceptional potential, and they were about to step onto this exciting new stage.