Country Bumpkin

Country Bumpkin . . .

Li Mo's lifeless body lay sprawled on the Sacred Battle Platform, a silent testament to the fierce battle that had just unfolded. Qin Wentian raised his hand and unleashed a powerful palm strike, reducing Li Mo's remains to nothing but a cloud of drifting dust.

Li Mo, a formidable second-level Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant of the Royal Sacred Sect, had met his end in this epic clash.

As the radiant curtain of light that had concealed the platform slowly opened, Qin Wentian gazed upward, his eyes locking onto the countless experts from the Royal Sacred Sect who stood in the airspace above. Their numbers were staggering, and this marked the first time Qin Wentian had ever witnessed such a gathering of Ascendants. The Royal Sacred Sect's claim to hegemony was undoubtedly justified. With a mere summons, they could command awe from the entire world.

"Sending so many of you just to take me down? How utterly embarrassing," Qin Wentian jeered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The entire arena fell deathly silent, an eerie hush that sent shivers down the spines of onlookers. Countless figures surrounding the Sacred Battle Platform stood frozen, stunned by the Royal Sacred Sect's response.

How great was the Royal Sacred Sect's determination to eliminate Qin Wentian? But they were about to discover that Qin Wentian was not alone; several experts from the Medicine Sovereign Valley had joined him. Killing him was not going to be a straightforward task for the Royal Sacred Sect.

No matter how formidable Qin Wentian was, the Royal Sacred Sect's overwhelming response seemed excessive.

Li Mo's demise had undoubtedly dealt a blow to the Royal Sacred Sect's pride, and if they now decided to gang up on Qin Wentian, it would only further tarnish their reputation. People would begin to doubt if the sect possessed any experts capable of defeating Qin Wentian in a fair battle.

"Who should we send next?" one of the Royal Sacred Sect experts inquired through a silent transmission.

"This young man's combat abilities are truly astounding. His constellation is likely a fusion of four true intents. We may have no choice but to dispatch third-level Ascendants. What about Dong Yu?" another proposed. Dong Yu was one of the most powerful third-level Ascendants in the Royal Sacred Sect, excelling in both offense and defense.

"Has Dong Yu arrived?" someone asked.

These exchanges occurred in mere moments.

"Dong Yu is already here. But not only him, 'that person' has also arrived. Qin Wentian is as good as dead now," Elder Li conveyed through a voice transmission, startling the members of the Royal Sacred Sect. Simultaneously, a group of figures approached from the distance.

These individuals soared through the air, parting the sea of Royal Sacred Sect experts to clear a path. The eyes of the sect members were fixed on the lead figure—a young man dressed in an opulent blue robe. His long hair was crowned by a violet headpiece, and his chiseled features resembled the sharp edge of a blade. His eyes sparkled like the coldest of stars, containing a light that seemed to penetrate the souls of those who gazed upon him.

Beside him stood other extraordinary figures, including elder-level members from the Core Faction and Heaven Chosen disciples of the Royal Sacred Sect. Dong Yu was among this select group.

However, several individuals who stood closest to the young man in blue clearly held higher status than Dong Yu.

"Zai Xuan, you've returned!" Elder Li beamed, a warmth in his eyes that he had never shown when addressing Zai Qiu.

"Uncle Li," Zai Xuan responded with a nod, his demeanor calm and composed.

"Brother Xuan!" Zai Qiu respectfully greeted him as well. Zai Xuan shared the same surname as Zai Qiu, both being descendants of the Sacred Emperor. However, there was no question about Zai Xuan's elevated status within the Royal Sacred Sect, a fact underscored by his current position.

"Mhm." Zai Xuan glanced at Zai Qiu and remarked, "I've heard about your recent experiences. No wonder the Sacred Emperor didn't select you to accompany me on my journey outside the sect. It appears that you still have much to learn if you can't handle matters even on home ground. Focus on your cultivation in the future."

"Yes, Brother Xuan," Zai Qiu responded humbly, devoid of any arrogance, and pledged to heed his advice.

The Royal Sacred Sect had reigned supreme over this world for countless generations. The Sacred Emperor who ruled today was but a link in a long chain of monarchs.

In each era, the reigning Sacred Emperor would personally select the most promising among their descendants within the sect, nurturing them for a greater destiny. These chosen individuals were then sent beyond the borders of the Royal Sacred Region to embark on adventures and explore the vast outside world, a crucible of trials that would forge them into true leaders. These select few were granted the title of Sacred Princes, bearing the potential to one day break into the legendary realm of immortality. Should they achieve this incredible feat, they would ascend to the throne of Sacred Emperor, taking on the sacred duty of grooming the next generation. It was this carefully orchestrated process that ensured the Royal Sacred Sect maintained its unchallenged position as the hegemon of the Royal Sacred Region.

For those who weren't chosen for this illustrious path, they would remain within the Royal Sacred Sect, diligently cultivating their skills. They too played a crucial role in ensuring the sect's enduring prosperity, forming the bedrock upon which the Royal Sacred Sect stood for generations.

Among Zai Qiu's generation, there existed an exceptional individual named Zai Xuan, a Sacred Prince selected for great things. He bore the potential to become the next Sacred Emperor, and even if that destiny eluded him, he would return to the Royal Sacred Sect as a high-ranking figure.

"Why have you returned, Zai Xuan?" an elder inquired, puzzled by his unexpected reappearance.

"It's hard to put into words," Zai Xuan replied cryptically, his gaze distant. "The news I bear may be nothing more than rumors, but if it's true, our entire Royal Sacred Region will be shaken to its core. Countless external experts may soon descend upon our world."

His words sent shockwaves through the gathered crowd. The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, emphasizing the colossal impact this news could have.

Zai Xuan continued, "But for now, let us focus on the task at hand." He directed his gaze toward the Sacred Battle Platform, and specifically at Qin Wentian. Being a native of the Royal Sacred Region, he was intimately familiar with the significance of the platform.

"Is this the person who nearly killed you?" Zai Xuan asked his companion, Zai Qiu, gesturing toward Qin Wentian.

"Yes," Zai Qiu replied, his expression cold as he fixed a piercing glare on Qin Wentian, his simmering anger evident to all.

"You struggled to handle this rustic fellow?" Zai Xuan's voice remained composed, and his words carried an air of indifference. Having ventured into the broader world, he had encountered experts of a caliber that would render these Royal Sacred Region inhabitants as mere novices.

Truly, the experts of the Royal Sacred Region were like ordinary mortals when they stepped outside their cocoon. Even the most powerful among them would be dwarfed by the titans he had encountered in distant realms. With his broader perspective, it was only natural that he no longer held these "experts" in high regard.

Indeed, the experts from the Royal Sacred Region were akin to children playing in a sandbox when compared to the giants of the wider world. In this generation, the Sacred Emperor of the Royal Sacred Sect had chosen him, Zai Xuan, out of all possible candidates. Several other supremely talented individuals existed, yet they had not received the honor. This alone should explain why Zai Xuan viewed these "experts" from the Royal Sacred Region with a measure of disdain.

As the crowd watched Zai Qiu receive his reprimand, and noted the deferential respect shown to Zai Xuan, their faces registered a mix of confusion and curiosity. Who was this young man radiating an extraordinary aura? How had he asserted himself as the central figure around whom the entire Royal Sacred Sect now revolved?

It wasn't just him; the other youthful figures accompanying Zai Xuan exuded an aura of unparalleled excellence as well.

Qin Wentian, who had been largely ignored, couldn't contain his impatience any longer. These Royal Sacred Sect members were busy chatting amongst themselves, leaving him out of the conversation.

"Do the members of the Royal Sacred Sect intend to fight or not?" he demanded, his voice dripping with disdain.

Zai Xuan, in particular, drew his ire. Here was a third-level Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant who dared to dismiss him as a mere country bumpkin.

"Qualified? You think you're qualified to challenge my Royal Sacred Sect?" Zai Xuan's eyes narrowed, and his voice turned icy.

"Qualified?" Qin Wentian raised an eyebrow, his expression piqued with interest. "I've challenged Ascendants from the first to third levels of the Royal Sacred Sect, defeating each one. Even Zai Qiu, standing at your side, would have perished if not for the Royal Sacred Sect's bias and protection. I'm genuinely impressed that you have the audacity to speak such words."

Zai Xuan's brows knitted together, his eyes radiating a mixture of disdain and frostiness as he let out a derisive snort. "A frog in a well, gazing at the sky; how can you comprehend the vastness of the heavens?"

A melodious laugh echoed beside Zai Xuan, originating from a captivating young woman. She was dressed in a form-fitting gown that accentuated her alluring figure, stirring desire within the hearts of those who beheld her. Her skin possessed a flawless quality, with a hint of rosy undertones beneath its alabaster surface. Her eyes, too, held an enchanting allure.

"Zai Xuan, didn't you claim that your sect rules this world? It seems like you're quite the braggart. Even a country bumpkin dares to show you no regard," the young woman playfully chided. Her name was Lu Ziyan, and she and Zai Xuan had crossed paths during their travels in the wider world. Despite Zai Xuan's interest in her, she had opted neither to accept nor reject his advances, opting instead to maintain a friendship between them.

The reason she hadn't accepted his proposal was clear in her eyes; she found Zai Xuan unremarkable, a sentiment she had yet to overcome. Nevertheless, she hadn't entirely closed the door on the possibility. In her eyes, the hegemons of individual worlds held a unique status, even though her own clan wielded power comparable to that of a Sacred Emperor.

Lu Ziyan's clan boasted a presence on par with the Sacred Emperor, yet there remained a distinction in their status compared to the hegemons of particle worlds. A world's hegemon held unrivaled access to nearly limitless resources, amassing vast wealth and reigning supreme over their realm.

Zai Qiu, grinning at Lu Ziyan's comment, chimed in, "Indeed, Ziyan. Country bumpkins often harbor grand delusions of their genius, their veins coursing with hot blood, unmarred by fear of death. In the end, they're nothing more than a comical lot."

"Absolutely," Lu Ziyan concurred, her gaze fixed on the Ascendants from the Royal Sacred Sect hovering above. Each of them exuded a palpable intent to kill, all directed at the young man standing on the stage. They could easily dispose of him should they unleash their full might.

Yet this young man exhibited remarkable courage. Fearlessness permeated his being, and his aura radiated an undeniable magnificence. His handsome visage bore a hint of arrogance and wildness, endowing him with a captivating, almost demonic aura.

However, even with such an exceptional presence, Lu Ziyan couldn't bring herself to regard him highly. To her, he was still just a country bumpkin from a particle world. Unless he ventured beyond the confines of his world and underwent a profound transformation, she would never view him as anything more than that. Such transformations were exceedingly rare, with odds of success hovering around a mere one in ten million.

Zai Xuan, his eyes still fixed on the young man, couldn't help but chuckle at the notion. He found the young man's gaze and demeanor amusing, dripping with insolence and mockery.

In Qin Wentian's perspective, however, it was Zai Xuan who appeared utterly ludicrous!