Diyi

Diyi...

Qin Wentian hung silently in the sky, his expression unchanged, as if Sikong Mingyue's death were an inconsequential event.

The gap between them was insurmountable. Even back when they were at the Arterial Circulation Realm, during their five-on-five group battle between academies, Sikong Mingyue couldn't withstand a single blow from Qin Wentian. The outcome remained the same now.

What's more, Qin Wentian hadn't even unleashed his Astral Souls. Many silently speculated about the levels of his Astral Souls. If Sikong Mingyue's were from the 3rd, 3rd, and 4th Heavenly Layers, what about Qin Wentian's third? It was a well-kept secret that Qin Wentian had condensed his first two Astral Souls from the 5th Heavenly Layer.

Breaking through to the Yuanfu Realm marked Qin Wentian's ascent to the ranks of true experts. From this point forward, no one would dare to underestimate the once-disdained wayward youth.

In the airspace above the Emperor Star Academy, Headmaster Diyi observed the situation on Sake Street. He witnessed Qin Wentian's effortless victory over Sikong Mingyue. Yet, Diyi's heart was filled with complex emotions.

He turned his gaze to the young woman standing behind him. She was draped in a pure feathered coat, her features concealed by a veil. Her long hair swayed gently in the breeze, her figure alone enough to drive men to madness. She exuded an air of casual elegance that suggested mere conversation with her would be sacrilege.

Diyi had long been aware of her existence. She had secretly followed Qin Wentian upon his return. Seeing her, Diyi understood that after 3,000 years of waiting, tasked with the mission by each successive generation of headmasters, the time had finally come to an end.

"In the future, I entrust him to your care," Diyi said to the young woman.

Qing'er remained expressionless, cool, aloof, and indifferent, as if her appearance and demeanor were eternal.

"Okay," she replied with a nod, her words as scarce as gold but equally reassuring. Her simple responses conveyed a sense of unwavering determination.

"As if she would accomplish it once she says it," Diyi thought.

"Foster father," Ren Qianxing called out from below with red eyes, gazing at Diyi. "Does it really have to be this way?"

Diyi lowered his gaze, his eyes carrying a gentle smile as he looked at Ren Qianxing. Memories from the past flooded back—the younger him, wild, arrogant, unrestrained, and frivolous. He had reluctantly come to the Emperor Star Academy under the instructions of his elders, only later understanding the weight of his mission when he became the headmaster.

The Azure Faction's reserves had always operated discreetly within the Azure Emperor Palace, known to only a select few. Their mission, handed down through generations, was clear: obtain the Azure Emperor's inheritance or become its guardian, waiting for the rightful successor.

Finally, after a long wait, their mission had come to fruition.

"Qianxing, the Emperor Star Academy has always been one of Chu's supreme institutions. It has nurtured countless talents throughout the ages, leading to this moment today," Diyi said with a smile, his gaze fixed on Ren Qianxing. "This can be considered one of the more perfect outcomes."

"Is it really perfect?" Ren Qianxing sighed, his reluctance evident.

"Enough of that. Let's watch our students' final battle," Diyi said, turning his gaze toward the horizon.

On the battlefield, the clashes were just as intense. Even Xiao Lan hadn't anticipated the rapid escalation and magnitude of this battle.

"Deal with the black-robed man behind him," Xiao Lan instructed the old man at his side. With a nod, the old man moved toward Qin Wentian.

The black-robed figure realized their intentions and moved as well, choosing a different location. They knew that engaging in their current spot would harm fighters from both sides with their shockwaves.

Xiao Lan grinned; no one was guarding Qin Wentian now.

He dashed towards Qin Wentian, but Xanxus intercepted him. The two collided, and the force of their impact pushed them backward. Although their cultivation bases were equal, Xanxus found himself outmatched by Xiao Lan.

Qin Wentian stood still, observing the battle between Mustang and Ye Wuque. Mustang was in complete control, relentlessly attacking Ye Wuque, who could only defend himself, unable to retaliate. Mustang's strikes were ruthless, even at the cost of injuring himself to kill Ye Wuque.

Suddenly, a cold glint appeared in Mustang's eyes, and his killing intent surged. His palm strikes were sharper than swords, aiming directly for Ye Wuque's heart.

Yet, Ye Wuque didn't attempt to dodge. He let Mustang's palm strike land on his body with a resounding boom. The robes covering Ye Wuque disintegrated into dust, and the palm strike hit near his heart. But the terrifying force didn't quite reach his body. He was wearing divine armor, a third-grade one, which significantly reduced the impact of the blow. The Ye Clan had spared no expense to forge this protective gear for him.

"Die!" Ye Wuque bellowed in anger, slashing his sword toward Mustang's head.

Mustang, an experienced warrior, reacted instantly. He conjured a series of palm shadows that created a miniature hurricane between them, altering the angle of Ye Wuque's attack. Ye Wuque's sword strike managed to wound Mustang slightly, sending him back. Meanwhile, Ye Ran, who had been observing the battle, seized the moment. He flew toward Mustang, surrounded by fireballs of intense heat.

Mustang's face darkened as he sent out a palm to defend himself. However, the fireballs still struck him, causing him to groan in pain.

"Go to hell." Ye Wuque thrust his sword finger forward, releasing a five-colored sword light aimed at Mustang's head.

Simultaneously, an incredibly powerful palm imprint shot out, the Kuji Imprint, devouring the five-colored sword light before exploding toward Ye Wuque. Reacting quickly, Ye Wuque retreated, narrowly avoiding the Kuji Imprint.

"Qin Wentian." An icy anger flashed in Ye Wuque's eyes as he realized who had intervened.

"You are truly persistent," Xiao Lan remarked with a faint smile as he approached Qin Wentian. An intense sense of danger washed over Qin Wentian, causing him to instinctively close his eyes when he turned to face Xiao Lan. He felt a surge of lightning-like energy rushing into his mind.

"Be careful!" Mustang shouted. An impending sense of doom gripped Qin Wentian as he gathered his energy. The blood seal within him stirred, emanating a demonic aura. He unleashed a barrage of palm strikes in Xiao Lan's direction, each carrying enough pressure to overcome anything.

Xiao Lan's attack struck Qin Wentian, feeling like a torrent of a billion lightning currents crashing into his body. Qin Wentian groaned in agony, sensing the destructive energy coursing through him. With a roar of frustration, he activated his bloodline's power to protect himself and forcefully retreated, increasing the distance between him and Xiao Lan.

When Qin Wentian finally opened his eyes, he found himself staring into Xiao Lan's cold, arrogantly composed face. Xiao Lan, an absolute genius of the Nine Mystical Palace, stood at the 3rd level of Yuanfu in terms of cultivation. His combat prowess was evident in how effortlessly he subdued Xanxus, an equally powerful 3rd level Yuanfu cultivator. It was clear that he wasn't your typical 3rd level Yuanfu expert. Given Xiao Lan's swift attack, Qin Wentian, caught off guard, had been naturally overpowered. Yet, despite this, his injuries were only minor, a fact that seemed to baffle Xiao Lan.

"I thought you had vanished without a trace. To think you'd return willingly. Do you believe I wouldn't dare to kill you?" Xiao Lan's voice dripped with arrogance and contempt. Several figures closed in on Qin Wentian, joining Xiao Lan, showing that they were also formidable experts.

"You want to kill him?" A voice interrupted, causing everyone to look in the direction of the approaching figures. Leading them was none other than Diyi, the headmaster of the Emperor Star Academy.

Diyi met Xiao Lan's gaze, asking calmly, "Since when did you have the ability to kill him?"

Xiao Lan's brows furrowed, and he regarded Diyi with a glint of coldness in his eyes. When did someone from the Emperor Star Academy ever dare to speak to him like this?

"I can kill him anytime I want. Based on his strength, he wouldn't even be able to oppose me," Xiao Lan retorted arrogantly.

"You're saying that with your 3rd level of Yuanfu cultivation, you want a one-on-one battle with someone at the 1st level of Yuanfu? And that nobody from the Emperor Star Academy should interfere?" Diyi chuckled coldly.

"Regardless of how you want to resolve this, if I want his head, do you think the Emperor Star Academy can stop me?" Xiao Lan spat out. In Chu, he was the ultimate authority. With his background, he had the power to crush the Emperor Star Academy under his feet, not to mention a mere Qin Wentian.

"Is that so?" Diyi's expression remained unchanged. No one could fathom what he was thinking, especially given that few knew his true identity.

"Let me make it clear: if you take another step forward, Xiao Lan of the Nine Mystical Palace will cease to exist," Diyi declared calmly. His words reverberated across the battlefield, plunging it into an eerie silence.

All eyes turned to Diyi, then back to Xiao Lan.

Diyi's declaration hung heavy in the air - one step forward from Xiao Lan would mean his death.

Xiao Lan couldn't believe his ears. Despite his lofty status, Diyi had just threatened him?

The illustrious Xiao Lan, threatened in this humble corner of Chu? Did he dare take another step?

What if Diyi turned out to be a Heavenly Dipper Realm expert?

As Diyi's words echoed, Xiao Lan's arrogance and pride began to waver. This wasn't the Nine Mystical Palace. If he died here, what did it matter if the Nine Mystical Palace sought vengeance on the Emperor Star Academy afterward? He would still be dead.

"Why so silent now? Don't you have anything else to say?" Diyi's voice remained serene. In this moment, all clashes and battles had ceased, and everyone's attention was fixed on this enigmatic figure they had never encountered before.

Perhaps, Luo Tianya had glimpsed Diyi when attempting the test on the 7th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion.

Behind Diyi stood a veiled young maiden, her presence as ethereal as an immortal. Onlookers exchanged glances, baffled by her identity. Who was she?