Descent

Descent

With Qin Wentian's departure, the Divine Weapon Academy's year-end examination resumed, but an air of anticipation and tension lingered, overshadowing the proceedings. Minds had already shifted to the impending drama set to unfold on the morrow.

Meanwhile, beyond the academy's confines, the Sacred Royal City bustled with activity. Its denizens flocked to the Sacred Battle Platform, eager to witness a spectacle that had stirred conversations and fueled imaginations.

While the turnout during the opening of the Immortal Martial Realm had been immense, it was but a fraction of the Sacred Royal City's population. To most residents, Qin Wentian was not a familiar face, merely a name associated with the rumors surrounding the Immortal Martial Realm.

He was known as the Immortal Martial Realm's reigning champion, the slayer of Grand Shang's Prince Shang Tong, a figure whose actions had resulted in the death of a Royal Sacred Sect elder. He was the Holy Maiden from the Medicine Sovereign Valley's confidant, the Medicine Sovereign's son-in-law, a Battle Sword Sect disciple who had shattered sword-comprehension records, and the individual with the highest latent potential among all Heavenly Dipper Realm members of the Battle Sword Sect. The accolades were endless, and his reputation was shrouded in a multitude of glories.

Moreover, he wasn't about to face just any adversary. His opponent was Di Shi, one of the eight supreme era-defining geniuses and a member of the revered Di Clan.

Within a hundred-mile radius surrounding the Sacred Battle Platform, tens of thousands soared through the skies, countless experts converging on the battleground. Inns and hotels found themselves at full capacity as everyone eagerly awaited the clash of these prodigious talents.

This night, sleep eluded the city's residents. Countless discussions reverberated through the night as people contemplated the authenticity of the Royal Sacred Region's younger generation.

Rumors swirled that Gu Liufeng might have already left the Royal Sacred Region, while Hua Taixu had joined the Royal Sacred Sect. Of the remaining six era-defining geniuses, four had already arrived for this momentous occasion.

The Celestial Maiden Sect, with its iconic figure Lin Xian'er, garnered its share of attention, as did the delegates from the supreme Di Clan and Grand Shang Empire. The Battle Sword Sect also made a significant presence, drawing numerous Sword Sovereigns to the event.

In any case, the vicinity of the Sacred Battle Platform teemed with people. The night had been marked by skirmishes within a hundred-mile radius of the platform. Speculation and fervent debates raged on, as all wondered about the ultimate victor between Di Shi and Qin Wentian.

That sleepless night culminated in a dawn that bathed the Sacred Battle Platform in a golden radiance, casting a warm glow across its imposing structure. Eight grandstands encircled the platform, each accommodating tens of thousands of spectators. While the stage remained vacant for now, the vast majority of seats were already claimed, awaiting the titanic clash that loomed on the horizon.

As the sun climbed high in the azure sky, a sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air. The melodious sound of whistling winds sliced through the atmosphere, causing the hearts of onlookers to flutter with a mixture of awe and trepidation. Only those of the utmost prestige in the Royal Sacred Region dared to soar above the heads of the crowd, a display that subtly chastised those below.

Amid the resounding whistles, a commanding figure led the vanguard, and a collective gasp rippled through the gathering. Di Shi, with his piercing gaze, exuded an aura of primal ferocity akin to a raptor poised for the kill. His eyes betrayed a hidden reservoir of energy, a barely restrained power that stirred primal fears.

"Is that Di Shi?" murmured a bystander in astonishment, their voice barely above a whisper. Di Shi's arrival had sent ripples of anticipation through the crowd.

Di Shi, unrivaled in his preparation for this battle, strode confidently onto the Sacred Battle Platform. His entourage consisted of formidable figures from the esteemed Di Clan, their presence commanding reverence and dread. They chose a grandstand and took their seats, exuding an air of nonchalance as they awaited the impending showdown.

Di Shi, an enigma of immeasurable power, settled into his seat. His eyes fluttered closed, and his aura withdrew, all in anticipation of his adversary.

It wasn't long before a second group of figures sliced through the sky, prompting another surge of excitement among the spectators. This contingent hailed from the Grand Shang Empire, led by a princely figure whose regal bearing spoke of dominion over all he surveyed.

"Behold, Prince Shang Yin of the Grand Shang Empire!" A whispered murmur raced through the crowd. Shang Yin, a crown upon his head, exuded an aura of command that suggested dominion over the world. His reputation as the fourth-ranked combatant in the Immortal Martial Realm from two decades ago, coupled with his remarkable talent and status as a Royal Sacred Sect disciple, was the stuff of legends. Now, with Shang Tong's demise, rumors swirled that the emperor intended to name him as crown prince, paving the way for his ascent to the throne.

"The Violet Thunder Sect has arrived!" Thunderous roars filled the skies as disciples from the esteemed Violet Thunder Sect descended. As one of the Nine Great Sects, their arrival sent ripples of acknowledgment through the gathering.

Following suit, representatives of the remaining Eight Great Sects joined the throng. The Chi Clan from the Western Domain and the Tianfan Sect, along with several other influential factions, made their presence known. Amid the sea of attendees, the illustrious Chi Lian and Fan Mengyu, both of the era-defining genius elite, captured the attention of the masses.

However, as quickly as the crowd's focus shifted, another, more captivating sight materialized. The Celestial Maiden Sect graced the gathering, their ethereal beauty transcending mortal comprehension. Lin Xian'er, hailed as the "number one beauty under the heavens," left male spectators entranced in her wake.

Prior to Lin Xian'er's arrival, Fan Mengyu and Princess Jiao Yang of Grand Zhou had captivated attention with their own beauty. However, the emergence of Lin Xian'er eclipsed their allure.

"Representatives of the Radiant Gold ancient country have arrived."

"The War Country has sent its delegation."

"Li Tian, one of the era-defining geniuses, is present."

The crowd buzzed with excitement, as the Sacred Battle Platform's spectacle promised to be unparalleled. With each new arrival, the ranks of superlative experts swelled.

Amid this impressive assembly, a group of individuals strode purposefully forward. The leader, garbed in unassuming attire, radiated an air of commanding majesty that rivaled Shang Yin's imperial bearing.

"It's Ye Qingyun, the Human Emperor of Ye!" The recognition of his identity sparked a murmur of surprise. Even the revered Human Emperor had made a personal appearance.

"Ye Qingyun is Qin Wentian's foster father. He missed the momentous occasion when Qin Wentian was crowned the Immortal Martial Realm's top ranker. Today, he comes in fervent support of Qin Wentian, hoping his foster son will overcome an era-defining genius."

"Father," a voice called out, and Ye Qingyun's face lit up with joy as he turned toward the source. Ye Lingshuang and fellow disciples from the Battle Sword Sect had arrived.

"Members of the Battle Sword Sect have joined the fray."

"Why hasn't Qin Wentian appeared yet?"

Despite the illustrious figures assembled, the crowd's collective gaze seemed to search for one absent figure: Qin Wentian.

In the heart of anticipation-soaked moments, Di Shi's eyes abruptly snapped open, ablaze with a chilling intensity as they fixated on the representatives of the Battle Sword Sect. His voice sliced through the charged air like a dagger, resonating with a steely resolve, "Is it possible that Qin Wentian intends to evade this battle, afraid to face me?"

A voice from the crowd answered, the speaker none other than Lin Shuai, his words drawing the collective gaze of the onlookers along with Ji Feixue, another of the era-defining geniuses. Lin Shuai's proclamation added another layer of intrigue to an already suspenseful scene.

Di Shi responded with a disdainful snort before, with a sense of finality, he sealed his eyes once more.

The spectator stands swelled with an ever-increasing throng of spectators, a multitude of renowned figures converging upon this singular arena.

In one secluded section of the spectator stands, a group of experts from the Divine Weapon Academy awaited. Among them, Wang Yunfei stood at the forefront, flanked by Rong Yan, Shen Jing, and Moon.

"Esteemed elder, this stage is yours alone," Shen Jing said, a warm smile on her face. Despite her beauty and grace, she paled in comparison to some of the other women in the spectator stands. However, she maintained her poise and grace with ease.

Wang Yunfei nodded in response. His anticipation was palpable; the Sacred Battle Platform promised to be his stage for greatness. He harbored a desire to establish his name throughout the Royal Sacred Region, and the impending battle was the perfect opportunity.

"Perhaps someone has already fled and won't dare to show up," Rong Yan taunted, fixing a mocking gaze on Moon. If Qin Wentian didn't appear, Moon would become Wang Yunfei's slave, a fate Rong Yan could only imagine with a devious smirk.

Moon, however, refused to be shaken. She had faith in Qin Wentian's unwavering resolve.

"Do you have such faith in him?" Shen Jing chimed in, her laughter tinged with malice. "Or could it be that you two have already shared some secret tryst? Have your emotions been toyed with?"

Moon's eyes glittered with frosty resolve as she shot a withering glance at Shen Jing. Undaunted, Shen Jing continued her taunting, "Look around at all these experts descending upon us. Faced with such grandeur, will he even dare to show his face? Or will he choose to cower?"

Moon's response was unwavering, "Perhaps he will arrive just as he did yesterday, forging fourth-ranked divine inscriptions with each step, making a spectacular entrance. As for you, you could only admire him in silence yesterday, incapable of uttering a word."

Shen Jing faltered, her gaze locked on Moon in disbelief. In a low voice, she muttered, "You're truly insane."

Without another word, she turned away, refusing to engage with Moon any further.

And at that very moment, jubilant cheers filled the air, growing steadily louder. An earth-shaking roar of excitement reverberated through the skies, announcing the arrival of a young man whose presence captivated every eye in the arena.

"Qin Wentian has made his entrance!"

The question reverberated through the air like an echo, a whispered wonder carried by the crowd as they craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the legendary figure. The young man in question stood there, the embodiment of elegance, swathed in a pristine white robe that billowed gently in the breeze. His long hair danced like silken tendrils, framing his visage with an air of timeless grandeur.

"Is that Qin Wentian, the reigning champion of the Immortal Martial Realm?" The inquiry hung heavy in the air, on the lips of those who had heard the tales of his exploits.

A warm smile broke across his countenance as Qin Wentian found himself in the midst of admirers. The Human Emperor himself stood before him, his laughter a hearty proclamation of their connection.

"Foster Father," Qin Wentian acknowledged the Human Emperor with a respectful nod.

"Junior brother Qin," chimed in Lin Shuai, the camaraderie of the Battle Sword Sect palpable in their greetings.

"Sir Qin, a pleasure to see you again," offered Lin Xian`er of the Celestial Maiden Sect, her sweet smile like a ray of sunshine.

"Wentian," a voice called out from the distance. A group of maidens, as if summoned by his presence, glided over. The leader among them possessed an aura that rivaled Lin Xian`er's in regality, if not surpassing it.

"Qingcheng," Qin Wentian's heart swelled with warmth as he took Mo Qingcheng's hand. Together, they stood, a pair that seemed heaven-sent, their connection evident in their every glance and gesture.

"Is this Qin Wentian?" Wang Yunfei couldn't tear his gaze from the young man before him, his features contorted in disbelief.

Shen Jing, once haughty and assured, found herself momentarily humbled by the presence of Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng. Her once radiant confidence dimmed, replaced by a sense of awe. Murmuring softly to herself, she conceded, "These are the true Heaven Chosen of the Royal Sacred Region."

Qin Wentian's arrival had a magnetic pull, drawing the attention of everyone present. Rong Yan couldn't help but sigh in admiration, realizing the vast chasm that separated them in terms of talent.

Moon's gaze fixated on Qin Wentian, an inexplicable feeling of déjà vu washing over her as she regarded his countenance.

"Seems like the person you were waiting for won't be showing up. Moon, you might as well accept your fate," Shen Jing taunted, her tone dripping with skepticism. Moon's belief that her apprentice would arrive in a blaze of glory seemed absurd in the face of this reality.

However, as Shen Jing's words hung in the air, Qin Wentian's gaze landed squarely on their group. His footsteps carried him forward, leaving Shen Jing utterly stunned. His intent was clear – he was approaching them.

Moon's captivating eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as her heart raced. There was something undeniably familiar about his gaze, a connection that transcended the moment.

"Moon!" Qin Wentian's voice shattered the spell, his utterance rendering her motionless. She recognized that voice, felt its resonance deep within her. The shock that coursed through her now far surpassed any she had experienced when he conjured fourth-ranked inscriptions with every step.

Wentian, Tianwen. Qin Wentian had returned in a manner even more magnificent than his previous feats, akin to the arrival of a celestial being.