Innate Supremacy

Innate Supremacy . . .

The procession of silhouettes gradually faded from view, slipping beyond the sight of those in the Sacred Royal City. They had been visible while in the air, but their presence diminished as they descended, their apparitions growing fainter with every passing moment.

Qin Wentian found himself equally blind to their whereabouts now. He knew that they had touched down somewhere within the Royal Sacred City, yet the precise location eluded him.

"Who might those individuals be? Are they the Eastern Sage Great Emperor's bodyguards?" Lin Xian'er, standing beside Qin Wentian, voiced her thoughts in a hushed tone.

Qin Wentian shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. It seems that our current standing only grants us limited access. Supreme beings of the immortal realm, as we are, inhabit a realm beyond our comprehension." He couldn't help but feel a tremor of awe at the overwhelming impact that scene had left on him.

Lin Xian'er flashed a gentle smile, her beautiful eyes fixed on Qin Wentian. "Perhaps, one day, you'll reach that level too. And when you return to the Royal Sacred Region, you might just be capable of replacing the sky, radiating that apocalyptic might."

"I'm afraid it will take quite some time for me to reach such heights," Qin Wentian replied, a hint of wistfulness in his voice. Becoming a supreme being was a goal that required a lifetime—or perhaps multiple lifetimes—of effort.

"True," Lin Xian'er agreed with a nod. "But at least you now have the opportunity to become a disciple of one of these supreme beings."

Qin Wentian nodded in acknowledgment. The chance to be mentored by a supreme being was not one to be taken lightly. While one's martial path ultimately depended on their own efforts, having a supreme being as a guide was a precious privilege. With their guidance, one could achieve profound insights and elevate their skills to new heights.

From Qin Wentian's perspective, regardless of one's background, self-improvement on the martial path required individual effort. Relying too heavily on the protection of experts could hinder personal growth. Only by facing real challenges and dangers could one truly strengthen their resolve and hone their combat skills. Becoming a disciple of a supreme being meant having a mentor to offer guidance along the journey, which was a remarkable opportunity.

In another part of the Royal Sacred City, the figures that had descended from the sky had gathered. Among them was a young man named Dongsheng Ting, who had stood at the center of the group during their descent. He now fixed his gaze on Qing'er with a gentle yet magnetic tone in his voice.

"My name is Dongsheng Ting. Is Princess Qing'er in good health?" His words held a touch of pride, an innate aura that came with his status. Though he spoke with a warm demeanor, a subtle air of aloofness lingered beneath the surface—an aspect of his character that was difficult to conceal.

Qing'er's countenance remained as cold as ever, and she made no immediate reply. Instead, she glanced at the elderly man beside her, who offered a smile and began to speak. "Princess, Dongsheng Ting is the youngest son of the Eastern Sage Great Emperor. He is exceptionally gifted and renowned throughout an entire region of the immortal realms. He even achieved the immortal foundation realm before reaching the age of one hundred."

"It took me only eighty-seven years," Dongsheng Ting chimed in, his pride evident in his voice.

The old man chuckled warmly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Such a degree of talent, even in the immortal realms, it's also extremely rarely seen."

"Oh," Qing'er replied, her demeanor as cool as a frosty breeze. It was as if the conversation hadn't even registered with her. Her expression remained serene, showing no signs of emotional fluctuation.

Dongsheng Ting had been captivated by Qing'er from the moment he laid eyes on her. As he observed her calm countenance, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It appeared that the youngest daughter of the Evergreen Great Emperor was every bit as enigmatic as the rumors had suggested.

The Evergreen Emperor had turned the tide in a challenging situation, ultimately gaining control over an immortal empire in the realms. He was one of the most recent Immortal Emperors whose reputation resonated across realms.

According to rumors, during his fierce battle for the emperor's throne, he had sent his youngest daughter to a remote particle world. The vastness of particle worlds made locating someone within them an arduous task, even for a powerful Immortal Emperor. By doing so, he ensured that even if he were defeated, his beloved Qing'er would live a peaceful life, untouched by the turmoil.

Throughout the war, which saw the Evergreen Emperor pitted against another supreme existence, he lost two of his sons. The brutality of the conflict was evident. Despite being exceptionally gifted, even his heirs couldn't evade the clutches of death in a battle between two supreme beings.

The reason he had sent only his youngest daughter away was her tender age; she had not yet begun her cultivation journey. Her presence would have made her vulnerable, and her safety could have been compromised. However, this was merely speculation among the masses, as none of the Evergreen Emperor's wives or concubines were similarly dispatched. Some among them lacked combat abilities, yet Princess Qing'er stood as the sole exception.

Consequently, another rumor circulated through the immortal realms, suggesting that the youngest daughter of the Evergreen Great Emperor possessed an innate Immortal King physique, a gift she'd possessed from birth. This gossip stirred significant attention, especially when it became known that the Evergreen Immortal Emperor, upon ascending, was eager to retrieve his daughter. All eyes turned to the enigmatic Princess Qing'er.

Dongsheng Ting was well-informed about Qing'er's situation due to the close friendship between the Evergreen Great Emperor and the Eastern Sage Great Emperor. Now, seeing her demeanor firsthand, he couldn't help but believe that the rumors might hold some truth.

"Qing'er, my royal father has summoned me to bring you back," Dongsheng Ting addressed her. "The Evergreen Great Emperor longs to see you again. However, he is aware that you have an unfulfilled wish. In light of this, my royal father has agreed to grant his request, and he will do his utmost to accommodate the Evergreen Great Emperor's desires. If there is someone you favor, my royal father is willing to accept that individual as his disciple and mentor them diligently. Even if the chosen individual does not meet the mark, my royal father has committed to arranging for one of his experts to take them under their wing. Rest assured, this would not tarnish my royal father's honor."

The old man beside Qing'er chimed in to clarify further. "Princess, his Majesty Eastern Sage is an Immortal Emperor in the immortal realms. He does not casually accept disciples. Each of his disciples has left an indelible mark on the immortal realms, possessing extraordinary talents. If his Majesty were to accept a disciple who failed to meet expectations, it would be a stain on his honor."

"Therefore," the old man continued, "the Eastern Sage Great Emperor is truly going to great lengths to accommodate your royal father's request. The outcome now depends largely on Qin Wentian himself. If he fails to meet the criteria, the Eastern Sage Great Emperor will still arrange for one of his disciples to mentor him and facilitate his journey to the immortal realms. There is no need for the princess to worry excessively."

For beings of supreme stature like the Eastern Sage Great Emperor, an Immortal Emperor of a specific realm, their choice of disciples was a matter of great significance. The old man's words held undeniable truth. The mentor-disciple relationship between a great master like the Eastern Sage Great Emperor and their disciple carried immense weight. Should a figure of such eminence nurture a disciple who proved useless or inferior, it could undoubtedly tarnish the master's prestige. Many supreme beings were acutely aware of this, and they wouldn't waste their time cultivating a worthless pupil.

Qing'er nodded in acknowledgment, her response curt and concise. Her single-word reply elicited a wry smile from the old man. Even in the presence of Dongsheng Ting, the son of the Eastern Sage Great Emperor, Princess Qing'er remained reticent, causing a hint of speechlessness to wash over those present.

"The Princess has always been like this," the old man explained to Dongsheng Ting.

Dongsheng Ting reassured him, "No worries. I understand that Princess Qing'er has likely faced numerous challenges during her time in this realm. It's only natural that she prefers to speak less. I've long heard of your esteemed name, and it would be a great honor for me if I could engage in a discussion on the Dao under your guidance today."

"You are too kind. With the personal guidance of his Majesty, the Eastern Sage Great Emperor, when would it ever be my turn to offer guidance to Prince Dongsheng?" The old man replied with calm confidence, neither excessively deferential nor overbearing. Although Dongsheng Ting was the son of a close friend of the Evergreen Great Emperor, the old man held an esteemed position as a high-ranking general in the service of Qing'er's father. He couldn't afford to disgrace his Emperor by being overly subservient. As for Princess Qing'er, he had little choice in the matter, considering her status as his Emperor's youngest daughter. However, toward Dongsheng Ting, demonstrating a modicum of respect was entirely appropriate; there was no need for exaggerated deference.

"Princess, it's time for us to depart," the old man informed Qing'er.

A faint trace of reluctance flickered in Qing'er's beautiful eyes as she spoke softly, "Before I leave... I wish to bid him farewell one last time."

"Of course," the old man replied, relieved that Qing'er had consented to his request.

"Let's go," their group took to the skies and soared into the air.

Meanwhile, Qin Wentian remained perched atop the inn, oblivious to the approaching figures. However, as a sudden surge of spatial energy enveloped him, he looked up and was immediately overcome with emotion.

Standing among the group that had descended from the immortal palace was a familiar figure—Qing'er.

"The Medicine Sovereign's speculations were correct," Qin Wentian muttered to himself, his heart heavy with complex emotions. The snow lotus-like beauty had never truly left his side. Moreover, she had gone to great lengths, inviting an Immortal Emperor from the immortal realms to come and accept disciples. Had it all been for the sake of affording him this opportunity?

Excitement coursed through the onlookers as they beheld the group that had descended from the immortal palace, the subordinates of the Eastern Sage Great Emperor.

As for Lin Xian'er, she stood stunned, her gaze flitting between the newcomers and Qing'er, her heart stirred by intense emotions.

Lin Xian'er couldn't help but ponder in silence as she gazed upon the maiden who always seemed to be in close proximity to Qin Wentian. Her thoughts swirled with curiosity, and she wondered about the true identity of this enigmatic figure.

Amidst the crowd's anticipation and hushed whispers, Qing'er made her way forward, taking the initiative to approach Qin Wentian. Her cool, resolute gaze fixed upon him as she lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper as she confessed, "I must leave now. I can no longer remain by your side."

Qin Wentian, caught off guard by her declaration, struggled to find words in response. He could only muster a bewildered question, "Is there no way for you to stay?"

Qing'er tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes locking onto Qin Wentian's, and she gently shook her head, her reluctance palpable.

"In the days to come, you must live well..." Qing'er continued to speak, her voice retaining its serene and melodious quality. Yet, an overwhelming surge of emotion welled up within Qin Wentian. He felt tears threatening to spill, moved by the solemnity of her parting words. This maiden, known for her economy of speech, had chosen to visit him here and encourage him to lead a fulfilling life in her absence.

With a forced smile, Qin Wentian replied, "Yes, you too. Live well." He fixed his gaze upon Qing'er, his heart heavy with the weight of their impending separation.