Imminent Peril

Imminent Peril . . .

As Di Tian diligently unraveled the seals that had bound the imprisoned immortals for what felt like an eternity, a shadow cast its ominous pallor within the Royal Sacred Sect. A formidable presence had arrived, heralding the undeniable truth of Li Mubai's foresight—the War Immortal Palace had opted to intercede in the battle for this celestial domain.

In the hallowed halls of the Royal Sacred Sect, a gathering of esteemed individuals, including the venerable Immortal Han and the aged Sacred Emperor, assembled to extend their welcome to these new arrivals. This group, numbering over ten, bore the telltale corona of immortal light—an ethereal halo that danced on the cusp of existence.

Upon ascending to the immortal foundation realm, one's essence metamorphosed, marking the transition into true immortality. This transformation birthed a distinct corona of immortal light, a manifestation of one's innermost self. Though this celestial illumination was intrinsic, some immortals chose to obscure it, concealing their extraordinary nature beneath an unassuming facade.

"Immortal Han," a youthful figure among the newcomers called out, his vibrant appearance belying his immortal status. The corona of light that enveloped him hinted at his relatively recent ascension, rendering him a youthful anomaly within their ranks. However, certain mystical arts could defy the relentless march of time, preserving a visage untouched by its ravages.

"I am here," Immortal Han replied, acknowledging the call of his senior.

"Tell me, Immortal Han," the young immortal inquired, "is it true that a sentient sword has manifested in this particle world?"

"Indeed, senior," Immortal Han affirmed with earnestness. "This sword bears an uncanny semblance to a sentient being, and it remains under the dominion of a mere Celestial Phenomenon Realm practitioner. Regrettably, this young individual has yet to unleash the sword's full potential. However, when he loaned the weapon to a second-level immortal foundation expert, the unleashed power was nothing short of astonishing. I am convinced that this sword possesses a degree of sentience."

The young immortal's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he absorbed this information. Doubts had initially plagued his mind when Immortal Han's fragment of immortal sense reached the War Immortal Palace, prompting him to embark on this personal expedition to witness the phenomenon firsthand.

"I have heard that this particle world, presided over by Zai Jiang, is rather unremarkable, devoid of any distinctive features. It is a realm where the extraordinary is rarely found," the young immortal remarked, a smile of intrigue playing upon his lips. "Yet, within this unassuming sphere, a sentient weapon emerges—a most unexpected development."

Around each immortal realm, an array of particle worlds orbited, each home to its own unique culture and cultivation practices. These realms served as reservoirs of talent, with many denizens eventually being recruited by immortal realm powers. Notably, not all particle worlds remained in blissful ignorance of the immortal realms' existence; some possessed knowledge of their celestial neighbors.

Among these renowned particle worlds, several stood out for their singular attributes. There was one where the populace exhibited unparalleled talent in cultivation, a world filled with exceptional prodigies. Another realm harbored individuals with an innate affinity for spatial-attribute energy, and yet another was a hotbed for experts in the intricate art of divine inscription forging.

The Royal Sacred Region, however, existed as a relatively ordinary world, ignorant of the greater cosmos. Consequently, it received minimal attention from its celestial peers.

"I, too, find it to be a remarkable anomaly," the young immortal concurred, his tone laced with intrigue. The fates had conspired to bring him to this humble domain, where the resonance of a sentient sword had ignited his curiosity.

Immortal Han, recalling his recent confrontation with Li Mubai, added a sardonic note. "My personal encounter with the sword proved... hazardous. Were it not for my swift reflexes, this particle world might have become my final resting place."

"Let us not dwell on the past," the young immortal cautioned, his words a reminder of their paramount mission. "Where is this sentient sword? We shall retrieve it forthwith."

Immortal Han nodded in agreement, his duty clear. "Allow me to escort you to its location. We shall depart without delay."

With a resolute nod, the group received their charge, launching into the heavens as luminous streaks of celestial light. Their forms dissolved into the ether, a blur of motion that defied the mortal eye, leaving only a lingering whisper of their passage through the atmosphere. The world bore witness to their extraordinary swiftness.

In the Sacred Royal City, gazes tilted skyward, necks craned as they marveled at the spectacle unfolding above. The immortals' velocity summoned a maelstrom of wind that tore through the very fabric of space, causing clouds to spiral into a hypnotic vortex. Yet, despite the whirlwind they conjured, their figures remained elusive, shrouded in mystery.

"Such speed... Who could they be?" murmured the incredulous crowd, their eyes straining to discern more than mere shadows.

"I suspect they're the old Sacred Emperor and his disciples," ventured another, grasping at the threads of reason amidst the bewildering spectacle. "It seems their hour of action has arrived."

In the hallowed realms of the Sacred Royal Sect, the escalating conflict between the Royal Sacred Sect and the Medicine Sovereign Valley had strained credulity. Many were now spectators, unable to partake in the celestial clash due to their modest cultivation levels. To avoid the unwarranted loss of life, the Medicine Sovereign had, for the time being, dispersed his forces.

Meanwhile, deep within the ancient peaks of the Medicine Sovereign Valley, Li Mubai and his companions remained on alert. Their vigilant watch over the situation was abruptly disrupted as Li Mubai's countenance contorted in alarm. Swiftly, he summoned a celestial conveyance—a flying boat—that appeared with a brilliant shimmer of light. In a heartbeat, Qin Wentian, Mo Qingcheng, and the rest found themselves on board as the craft ascended into the heavens.

Danger loomed on the horizon, and Li Mubai's voice quivered with urgency. "We must leave, and swiftly," he declared, his steely determination propelling them into action. The Medicine Sovereign himself boarded the vessel, conjuring an immortal rune that suffused the boat with radiant energy. A cascade of spatial particles enveloped them, rendering them invisible as they vanished from view, reemerging thousands of miles distant.

Their respite was short-lived, however, as they had no intention of lingering. Once more, the celestial craft pulsed with an ethereal light, hurtling through the vast expanse of space.

"Our pursuers are relentless," Li Mubai remarked, his voice tinged with grim resignation. The sight of the approaching immortals did not come as a surprise; their actions had been anticipated. As the signs unfolded, Li Mubai had swiftly led his companions in a desperate flight.

"They possess a similar spatial treasure," he explained, his experiences in the immortal realms granting him a profound understanding of their current plight. "They've traced the fluctuations in spatial energy, allowing them to track our movements."

Qin Wentian, his expression strained, scanned the horizon, witnessing the luminous figures in hot pursuit. Their astonishing speed defied his attempts to discern their identities, and he felt the chilling proximity of their pursuers.

"I have a plan," he declared, his voice resolute. "I can lead us on a different course. Given time, we can shake them off."

Li Mubai met his gaze, assessing the determination etched into Qin Wentian's features. "Very well," he acceded, recognizing the urgency of the situation. "You take the lead."

"Swiftly, swiftly!" urged the Medicine Sovereign, anxiety evident in his demeanor. The flying boat, a spatial-speed treasure, had already achieved remarkable velocity. Yet, their relentless pursuers possessed a comparable means of travel, rendering their escape elusive.

"KILL!" A voice rent the air, cold and merciless. Immortal Han unleashed a horrifying crimson radiance that stained the heavens a dark red. Onlookers below could only watch in horror as a crimson deluge painted the skies, innocents reduced to nothingness, their essence absorbed by Immortal Han.

Mo Qingcheng paled, recoiling from the malevolence on display. Immortal Han's ruthless actions sent shivers down her spine, the darkness within him too profound to ignore.

"Let's ascend further into the heavens," declared the Medicine Sovereign. Following his command, Li Mubai steered the flying boat higher into the sky. Immortal Han's face twisted into a grimace as he delivered his menacing ultimatum, "Did you really believe there was any hope of escape? Young one, that sword of yours is impressive, and my senior brother fancies it. As for the woman beside you, she's caught my interest. Surrender them willingly, and I might grant you a swift, painless death."

The sinister words of Immortal Han rang in Qin Wentian's ears, sparking a furious blaze in his eyes. These immortal realm experts showed no regard for the lives of those in particle worlds, their arrogance and cruelty on full display.

"You'll meet your end today," Qin Wentian vowed, his anger bubbling over. It was clear that these immortals from the immortal realms were ruthless and domineering.

"Help is on the way. We just need to stall a bit longer," he thought, his senses attuned to the location of his other self, Di Tian. He knew it wouldn't be long before Di Tian arrived.

"Me? Die?" Immortal Han chuckled coldly. "You overestimate yourself."

"Qin Wentian, you've deluded yourself into thinking that with the Medicine Sovereign backing you, you could challenge the Royal Sacred Sect. Everything that's happening now is a result of your actions," the reigning Sacred Emperor, Zai Xing, declared coldly. "Your friend has already been taken away by her clan. Even if she has ties to the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, do you think she would still remember you? Your death is the only way I can rest easy."

The friend mentioned by the Sacred Emperor was none other than Qing'er, the young woman who had once threatened their Royal Sacred Sect. Fortunately, she had already been taken to the immortal realms, and for some reason, she hadn't brought Qin Wentian with her when she left. Perhaps she was disappointed by the results of the disciple recruitment event. Regardless, only Qin Wentian's death could ensure that he would have no further contact with her. That was the Sacred Emperor's ultimate goal.

"Furthermore, you nearly had the chance to be mentored by a supreme existence," the Sacred Emperor continued. "You shocked me greatly, but ultimately, you were abandoned by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor."

The Sacred Emperor's words resonated in Qin Wentian's mind. This unheralded genius had truly taken the Sacred Emperor by surprise. It was the reason behind his candid comments now.

"We're getting dangerously close to their attack range," warned the Medicine Sovereign as he observed their pursuers drawing nearer. "I must stay behind to delay them while the rest of you continue fleeing."

"No," protested Qin Wentian. "Just a little longer, help will come."

"Little one, focus on your cultivation in the future. Your destiny lies among the boundless stars," the Medicine Sovereign told him, his voice warm. For the first time, he hinted at a connection between himself and Qin Wentian's clan. "My background is also quite remarkable. In truth, I should have died long ago. Being able to fight for you now is a way for me to settle my debts."

"Medicine Sovereign, please wait a bit longer. Trust me," Qin Wentian implored. He knew the Medicine Sovereign didn't believe him, given their current situation. What power did he have to resist the experts from the War Immortal Palace?

"It's too late," the Medicine Sovereign lamented. He saw their pursuers testing attacks, closing the gap between them rapidly.

"Your fate is sealed," Immortal Han's chilling message rang out as the blood-red radiance extended toward their flying boat. The Medicine Sovereign, with Qin Wentian shielded behind him, stepped forward, wreathed in boundless immortal fire.