Clearing Misunderstandings

Qin Chuan's expression underwent a rapid transformation as he spotted Qin Yao sprinting toward him. He shouted loudly, "Qin Yao, don't worry about me!"

Qin Yao's face turned bloodless, her countenance frozen. Tears welled up in her eyes as she replied, "Father, how can I ever ignore you?"

She turned to face Yanaro and the others from the Chu Country. "Where is Chu Tianjiao? Why is he doing this?"

But Chu Tianjiao didn't appear, and instead, Yanaro stepped forward. "Qin Yao, this man is a grave criminal from our Chu Country. This matter has nothing to do with you, so you are not allowed to interfere."

"Despicable," Qin Yao muttered, her expression icy. She turned to her guards from the Snowcloud Country. "I want to save that man."

One of her guards stepped forward and replied, "This is the Chu Country, and that man is a felon of the Chu Country. Furthermore, our country's stronger cultivators aren't even present here."

Qin Yao finally understood. They had used the banquet and subsequent beast hunt as a ruse to lead her here. It was all part of Chu Tianjiao's plan.

"This is none of your concern," Qin Yao retorted coldly before continuing her dash toward Qin Chuan.

"Qin Yao, you must understand this clearly: they have the authority to kill anyone who tries to breach the Black Stronghold, regardless of their background," Qin Chuan yelled in frustration. "Qin Yao, LEAVE NOW."

But how could Qin Yao heed these words when her father was in such peril? She charged directly into the drill ground of the Black Stronghold, prompting a cold laugh from Yanaro. "Qin Yao, you are courting death."

As his voice echoed, several figures materialized and encircled the drill ground, poised to annihilate everyone within.

Meanwhile, Ye Zhan, Liu Yue, and the other banquet attendees had also arrived. Shock was the prevailing emotion in their hearts. So, this was the 3rd Prince's scheme. The Black Stronghold was located in a forbidden area, and without guidance, it was nearly impossible to find. Yet Qin Yao had boldly charged into the heart of the trap. Despite Qin Chuan's injuries, he still exhibited the martial prowess of someone at the 5th or 6th level of Arterial Circulation, surpassing Qin Yao. Yanaro and the others watched with predatory glee, as if they were witnessing an entertaining spectacle.

They didn't appear rushed to deal with Qin Chuan and Qin Yao. Instead, they seemed to be waiting for something.

Qin Wentian took a step forward, his resolve unwavering, but Mu Rou held him back with a firm grip. She whispered urgently, "Qin Yao has already fallen into their trap. You mustn't follow suit."

Qin Wentian was torn. Intervening now could give Yanaro and the others a reason to target him. His dark eyes shifted from the two figures standing in the center of the drill ground to Mu Rou. He spoke in a low but resolute voice, "I'm not worthy of being called human if I stand idly by while my father is in such a state."

Without another word, Qin Wentian surged forward, entering the drill ground. His actions left Mu Rou stunned. The men of the Qin Clan possessed ironclad wills.

The crowd, too, was dumbfounded by Qin Wentian's unexpected involvement. Even Qin Chuan and Qin Yao were puzzled.

Moments later, a cold smirk appeared in Yanaro's eyes. This kirin-masked figure had willingly walked into his own demise.

"Friend, this matter has nothing to do with you. Leave immediately," Qin Chuan urged Qin Wentian as he fought off another ferocious demonic beast. However, Qin Wentian didn't respond verbally. He executed his footwork and swiftly dispatched another demonic beast with a powerful blow, the shockwaves causing the creature's demise.

Outside the drill ground, soldiers stood ready with bows in hand, facing the scene before them.

"Now, do you think you can escape?" Yanaro laughed icily as he and his group of cohorts advanced toward the three members of the Qin Clan.

He had clashed with this kirin-masked figure twice, and neither encounter had ended decisively. To Yanaro, this was a profound humiliation.

Yanaro unleashed a fiercely keen Sword Qi, dashing forward while extending a finger that cut through the air like a lethal blade aimed at Qin Wentian. His innate technique surged with power.

Qin Wentian abandoned all pretense of hiding his technique. Stepping out forcefully, he unleashed a wild surge of energy as the Revolving Imprint exploded into action.

"Die!" Yanaro roared in a frenzy of rage, his astral soul ablaze with power. The finger technique he employed was one of his deadliest moves. However, Qin Wentian's Revolving Sea Imprint was like a tsunami, overwhelming everything in its path. The shockwaves from their clash shredded their clothing.

Cracks resounded in the air. The mask concealing Qin Wentian's face was torn apart by the residual Sword Qi, revealing his true features.

His handsome face bore a hint of a sinister allure, and his eyes gleamed with a ruthless, bloodthirsty glint.

"Qin Wentian," Yanaro spat his name with venom, his voice dripping with murderous intent. He would have never guessed that the man he had fought to a draw was the same Qin Wentian he had once humiliated months ago.

The aristocratic clan members wore frozen expressions on their faces. The one they had mocked earlier was revealed to be none other than the infamous, enigmatic kirin-masked figure from Emperor Star Academy—Qin Wentian!

Chu Ling's visage contorted into an ugly expression. She had previously looked down on Qin Wentian, but now, witnessing his overwhelming power, she felt a gnawing discomfort in her chest.

"He's gotten so strong," Liu Yan murmured, her heart weighed down by a melancholic emotion.

"Wentian," Qin Chuan's heart swelled with a mix of concern and joy as he realized that the masked figure was indeed Qin Wentian. Joy because Qin Wentian had achieved such formidable martial prowess in just a year of cultivation.

"Wentian, why are you here?" Qin Yao's face turned deathly pale. She had never expected to see Qin Wentian in this perilous situation.

Qin Wentian turned and smiled at both of them, the cold, murderous intent from before replaced by warmth and laughter. "Father, Sister."

"What the hell are you doing here? Leave immediately!" Qin Chuan roared angrily, causing Qin Wentian to freeze in response.

"There's no need to leave. Kill!" Yanaro commanded, and immediately, a row of powerful cultivators lunged at them. Qin Wentian clashed with Yanaro once more, their terrifying Sword Qi against his tyrannical Palm Imprints, creating a storm of strikes and parries.

"Liu Yue, go kill him. Consider it a way to earn credit for a brighter future," Ye Zhan declared. Liu Yue hesitated, glancing at Ye Zhan before reluctantly nodding. Wielding a Sword-type Divine Weapon, he charged forward.

Seeing this, Liu Yan was shocked, her appearance transforming into one of gentle weakness. She cast a deep, meaningful glance at Qin Wentian, but words failed her.

Qin Chuan was embroiled in his own battle, aware that those within the Black Stronghold could easily take their lives but had chosen not to. The situation was laughable.

"Wentian, your strength has reached such heights," Qin Chuan muttered, his body covered in dirt. His eyes, filled with a hint of moisture, were fixed on Qin Wentian's back.

He had a son and a daughter like them. What more could he ask for? In his heart, he silently lamented the cruel reality of imperial power.

Amid the intense duel between Yanaro and Qin Wentian, they were surrounded by other waiting cultivators, biding their time for an opportunity to strike.

The two clashed again, sharp sword against palm imprint, their rapid exchange of blows consuming vast amounts of their strength.

"An opportunity," Liu Yue and the others whispered among themselves. Qin Wentian had practically walked into their trap; they couldn't afford to let him leave alive.

As the surrounding cultivators launched their attacks, Qin Wentian bellowed in rage, "Get lost!"

He expelled a formidable surge of Divine Energy from his mouth, shaping it into a palm imprint that violently repelled one of the approaching cultivators.

Simultaneously, his acute senses alerted him to Liu Yue's impending ambush. Qin Wentian's hand transformed into a draconic claw, swiftly intercepting Liu Yue's sharp sword. However, in that same instant, Yanaro's Sword Qi managed to penetrate the palm imprint, leaving a gash on Qin Wentian's body. While the strike drew blood, the residual energy from the palm imprint sent Yanaro hurtling away, his internal Qi and blood in turmoil. The might of Qin Wentian's palm strike was not to be underestimated.

Despite the bleeding wound, Qin Wentian paid it no mind, fixing his gaze on Liu Yue. His draconic claw still gripped Liu Yue's sword.

Liu Yue, panicking, scanned his surroundings and realized that the others had all retreated, causing his expression to stiffen. He looked at Qin Wentian and said, "Qin Wentian, I was compelled to do this for my sister's future. Since you're going to die here anyway, why not help me one last time and let me be the one to end you?"

Qin Wentian's icy gaze locked onto Liu Yue's eyes. He flexed his muscles, wrenching the Sword-type Divine Weapon from Liu Yue's grasp. "In consideration of Liu Yan's past help, I won't kill you today. Get lost."

Liu Yue slowly backed away, but a lingering desire to confront Qin Wentian still gleamed in his eyes.

"You foolish idiot!" In the distance, two graceful figures dashed over. They were none other than Mo Qingcheng and Nolan.

"Qin Wentian, didn't Mo Qingcheng already tell you that you don't owe Liu Yan anything? Why are you such a fool?" Nolan erupted in frustration. "Back in the forest outside Sky Harmony City, it was Qingcheng who saved you. She fed you a medicinal pill, tended to you, and even carried you on her back. When we saw Liu Yan and her friends arriving, we decided to leave. They didn't save you; they were just passersby who showed up after you woke up! You're an idiot."

Nolan seethed with anger. How could Qin Wentian be so dense? Even when someone like Liu Yue wanted to kill him, he clung to this sense of 'gratitude' toward Liu Yan. It was beyond foolish.

Qin Wentian's heart shook as he gazed at Mo Qingcheng's beautiful face.

Mo Qingcheng stood gracefully, her enchanting features undiminished as she nodded. "It was the snowy puppy that led me to find you. That's why it recognized me."

Qin Wentian recalled the day he first arrived in the Royal Capital. It was true; Little Rascal had darted into the carriage where Mo Qingcheng was seated.

His eyes then turned to Liu Yan. "So, you didn't save me in the forest."

Liu Yan's face turned blank. Her brother had always told her that Qin Wentian had a crush on her, but she had no idea it was based on a misunderstanding. That day, she hadn't saved Qin Wentian; she had just been a passerby.

Listening to the conversation between Mo Qingcheng and Qin Wentian, Liu Yan finally understood the truth of the situation.

Qin Wentian grasped the situation, a trace of laughter flickering on his face, but it carried a hint of something eerie.

"So, our connection was just a chance encounter," Qin Wentian remarked. He then looked at Liu Yue, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I once saved both of your lives in the Dark Forest. I don't have the authority to dictate your choices or your social circle. After all, we're strangers. But I truly can't comprehend your shamelessness. You actually wanted me to allow you to kill me? How absurd."

As his words trailed off, Qin Wentian's killing intent soared. He advanced, and Liu Yue's face contorted with dread.