Chaotic Battle

Chaotic Battle . . .

Qin Wentian and the Qin Sect members were locked in a grim struggle. Exhaustion hung heavy in the air, their energy reserves drained by the relentless battle against the Violet Sect. Casualties had already taken their toll, and Qin Wentian, in particular, had expended a monumental amount of energy unleashing the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay. While he wasn't completely drained, achieving his peak combat state seemed impossible at this point.

Their situation had turned from bad to worse with the arrival of the Evil Palace and now an army of experts from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect.

A voice gently whispered in Qin Wentian's mind, carrying the soft assurance of Qing'er. "I can take you away from here."

He considered her offer for a moment, the weight of responsibility for the Qin Sect members heavy on his shoulders. Fleeing now would leave his sect vulnerable to the wrath of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Though they might not go as far as killing, the humiliation and abuse they'd face were certain. In the City of Ancient Emperors, when it came to clashes between the younger generation, anything was permitted as long as it didn't lead to fatalities. The elders didn't intervene in such matters.

"We can't run," Qin Wentian replied through their mental connection. "The Qin Sect members are here. If we escape, the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect will take their frustration out on them. They might not kill them outright, but they'll certainly subject the Qin Sect to humiliation and abuse."

At this moment, the lead disciple from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect spoke once more, his eyes locked on Little Rascal—the demonic beast that had caught Mo Xie's attention. Mo Xie seemed willing to defer any personal vendetta with Qin Wentian for another day. Today, his sole objective was to seize a portion of the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's inheritance. Acquiring a second portion of this inheritance would significantly boost his strength.

The Eastern Sage Immortal Army sprang into action. Three additional groups formed distinct battle formations, their auras overwhelming the surroundings and casting a surreal hue upon the sky. One formation materialized as a fierce devil ape, its gaze unleashing torrents of boundless power that blanketed the area.

Another formation took the shape of grandmist ancient cauldrons, each etched with runes brimming with cataclysmic potential. These cauldrons, ancient relics from a primordial era, radiated an unimaginable force.

Amidst the chaos, the eighty-one experts from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect split into nine smaller teams, increasing their mobility and adaptability on the battlefield. Their collective might remained as fearsome as ever.

These four distinct groups, each comprising eighty-one individuals, were organized to perfection. Some focused on sealing off the battlefield, others launched relentless attacks, while smaller teams handled unforeseen developments. Their battle formation was flawless, capable of posing a significant threat to the Qin Sect even without the interference of the Evil Palace or the Violet Sect.

The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's decision to send this formidable force to deal with Qin Wentian was no impulsive choice. Immortal emperor figures like them calculated every factor meticulously, leaving no room for error.

A colossal boom echoed as the primordial devil ape unleashed its devastating attack, a monstrous devilish palm descending like a doomsday omen aimed directly at Qin Wentian.

In an instant, Qing'er appeared before him, a ripple of spatial energy emanating from her as she deployed the Green-Lotus Sacred Compendium. The Immortal Slaying Diagram surged towards the incoming palm, but the sheer force shattered it with ease. The palm radiated an immense power, underlined by the shimmering runic patterns that hinted at its overwhelming energy.

The Qin Sect members rallied, launching a barrage of attacks at the palm from various angles. Colored beams of light clashed with the gigantic imprint, culminating in a thunderous explosion as the palm shattered. However, this brief respite was short-lived as the second group manifested ancient cauldrons, descending upon the Qin Sect like impending doom.

Nanfeng Yunxi, her face determined, channeled her inner strength, and her ancient phoenixes surged toward one of the cauldrons. It took considerable effort, but she eventually shattered it. Yet, other cauldrons swiftly appeared, and Nanfeng Yunxi's strength alone was insufficient.

Nanfeng Yunxi's words resonated in the tense air. "With their battle formation, we'll struggle to make a difference. Our attacks are scattered. To stand a chance, we need to concentrate our strength and work as one."

Qin Wentian acknowledged her wisdom. A battle formation would optimize their combined power, multiplying their effectiveness tenfold or even a hundredfold compared to their current scattered approach. Even if each of them could hold their own against five or six adversaries individually, they would still be hopelessly outmatched by a formation-enhanced opponent.

Stepping forward, Qin Wentian aimed a palm strike at an ancient cauldron, but the impact forced him back, blood spilling from his lips. He was no longer at his peak, the Immortal Vanquishing Swordplay's tremendous energy cost had taken its toll.

Numerous ancient cauldrons converged on Qin Wentian, threatening to crush him. His fellow sect members gathered to shield him from the relentless assault, but the despair in their hearts was palpable.

Mo Xie had bided his time, content to watch from the sidelines as the other factions clashed, waiting for a prime opportunity. But before he could make his move, the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's reinforcements had descended. An intrigued expression danced across Mo Xie's face. If this continued, he might not need to expend too much effort to claim the demonic beast. The Qin Sect was teetering on the brink of collapse.

"BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE QIN SECT!" Qin Wentian's resounding roar cut through the tumult, his voice like thunder. "We are facing three formidable foes in this battle, and our defeat is all but certain. Our strength isn't the issue here. However, continuing this fight will lead to your abuse and humiliation. Are you all willing to accept this fate, or do you choose to fight valiantly in one last grand battle?"

Qin Wentian's words hung heavily in the air. Defeat was an inevitability if they persevered, with the Evil Palace still waiting for them. Although these foes might not dare to kill them, severe injuries and the plundering of their treasures were guaranteed.

Now, the members of the Qin Sect had a choice to make.

In the crucible of this momentous decision, the members of the Qin Sect stood at a crossroads. They could either persist, enduring the indignity of defeat, or they could opt to unleash the formidable might of their immortal weapons, potentially shifting the tides of battle. However, the use of such powerful artifacts came at a perilous cost. Immortal weapons were double-edged swords; while they could propel them to victory, their deployment risked uncontrollable carnage. It was a choice between pride and life.

"FIGHT!" Their resounding answer thundered across the battlefield, a collective resolve to meet their adversaries head-on.

"Let's give it our all. We won't bow to the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's tyranny."

These determined voices echoed through their ranks. Qin Wentian remained silent, but he sensed the surge of immortal might as each sect member unveiled their immortal weapons. The atmosphere grew charged with a palpable aura of power.

Among them, Qin Wentian harbored the fewest reservations. A deep-seated enmity had long festered between him and the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. He had no qualms about exacting vengeance. It was his connection to the Qin Sect that weighed on his conscience.

"To my fellow Qin Sect members, clear a path and withdraw from this battlefield. Sacrificing this battle is an option; we can seek retribution another day."

"What about you?" questioned a comrade.

"Don't worry, I have a score to settle with the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. I can't meet my end here," declared Qin Wentian with unwavering resolve, a hint of arrogance in his tone. In one hand, he gripped the Runebone of the Sky Roc; in the other, he brandished his demon sword. With a deft slice, he drew blood from his palm, igniting the demon sword with a surging torrent of sword qi.

—BOOM!— The demon sword surged with terrifying power, expanding in size, its form resembling that of a majestic roc poised to take flight. The Sky Roc Rune Bone began to resonate, initiating a shocking transformation. Runes covered the demon sword, imbuing it with an insatiable absorption force that voraciously consumed the Sky Roc Rune Bone.

The members of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect retrieved their own immortal weapons, their expressions clouded with unease. This was a scenario they had hoped to avoid. The introduction of immortal weapons into the fray muddled the once-clear battlefield. Uncertainty loomed, their formidable battle formations at risk of being eroded by the might of these artifacts. The potential for casualties, even among their own ranks, was daunting.

Mo Xie furrowed his brow. This confrontation had exceeded his expectations. Immortal weapons introduced an element of life and death, a perilous gamble. The City of Ancient Emperors had not witnessed such a dire situation in ages.

The demon sword hummed with ferocity, emanating powerful sword qi. Qin Wentian gripped its hilt, his voice low and determined. "You once lamented that the sky was too low. Now, in the realm of immortality, I am poised to transcend, soon reaching the immortal-foundation stage. Don't disappoint me."

With a resounding declaration, Qin Wentian's blade swept through the air, leaving behind a trail of ethereal swordlight. The very fabric of the battlefield quivered as his attack cleaved through the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's defenses. Swiftly, the sect's experts retrieved their prized immortal-ranked weapons and treasures, erecting a makeshift defense against the impending calamity. But it was futile. Qin Wentian's strike carried an irrefutable force of rending devastation that sundered their fragile protective formations.

A master from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect brandished a colossal yellow bell, radiating a blinding radiance. The bell ascended into the heavens, its sonorous chime ringing out like thunderclaps. In an instant, formidable soundwaves surged, sweeping across the firmament and shuddering Qin Wentian to his core. The sensation mirrored the electrifying shock of a lightning strike coursing through his being.

This was the formidable might of immortal weapons, transcendent artifacts that bridged the chasm between ascendance and full-fledged immortality. An attack from an immortal-ranked weapon posed an existential threat to beings like them, straddling the precipice of immortality. Engaging in a battle where both sides wielded such artifacts was akin to a perilous dance on the precipice of life and death. The volatile nature of immortal energy made it a double-edged sword, its uncontrollable power capable of snuffing out lives in an instant.

Fortuitously, their incomplete mastery over these celestial arms still hindered their ability to unleash their full potential. Otherwise, the outcome of this battle would have been an unmitigated catastrophe, with neither side emerging unscathed from the ensuing cataclysm.