Law Energy of the Nine Immortality Bells . . .
Cheron's eyes bore a knowing twinkle as he regarded Qin Wentian. How could he not recognize the remarkable proficiency Qin Wentian possessed in inscriptions? The craft of forging a weapon was not beyond his skill set, that much was certain.
"Then, let's proceed. You shall be the craftsman, and I shall be your assistant," Cheron declared, his laughter ringing out warmly. Qin Wentian acknowledged the arrangement with a nod and a touch of gratitude. "Many thanks to you, Brother Cheron."
With these words exchanged, Qin Wentian moved gracefully to stand opposite Cheron, their roles now established.
"Come, I shall place my trust in you. If you have any requests or specifications, do not hesitate to voice them, and I shall do my utmost to support you," Cheron pledged candidly. He harbored no illusions that his finished divine weapon could surpass the might of Jiang Yan's treasured pagoda. At this point, all he could do was place his faith in Qin Wentian, hoping that he might craft an extraordinary long spear.
Ghost Saber Mu Yan, an intrigued observer, couldn't help but smile as he witnessed this unique collaboration. The prospect of two geniuses coming together to forge a weapon piqued his curiosity. He wondered what kind of creation would emerge from their combined talents.
As for the crowd, they listened attentively, having already witnessed the completion of numerous peak-tier fifth-ranked divine weapons. It would be an arduous task for Qin Wentian to surpass these masterpieces unless he could imbue his creation with an unprecedented and awe-inspiring property. Such a feat, however, was exceedingly rare and challenging.
Yet, a collective sense of anticipation hung in the air, mingling with a glimmer of hope. Everyone hoped for a miracle, yearning for Qin Wentian's divine weapon to possess an exceptional quality that would set it apart from the rest.
The onlookers high above were equally intrigued, their interest piqued by Qin Wentian's unexpected decision to embark on this challenge. Pei Tianyuan, who had seemingly downplayed Qin Wentian's abilities earlier, watched with keen interest. Was Qin Wentian deliberately positioning himself to outshine his detractors?
Pei Tianyuan couldn't help but wonder what kind of divine weapon Qin Wentian would craft and whether it could surpass those created by the other prodigies.
In the realm of immortal-ranked weapons, Pei Tianyuan didn't entertain such notions. The thought of a third-level ascendant forging an immortal-ranked divine weapon was simply preposterous. Immortals were immortals precisely because they occupied a tier distinct from mortals. The gap between the two was a chasm that could not be bridged.
Even without considering Qin Wentian, the entire Cloud Prefecture boasted a scarcity of individuals capable of crafting immortal-ranked weapons. The few who could be counted on one hand had, at the very least, reached the pinnacle of Celestial Phenomenon in terms of cultivation. These extraordinary craftsmen possessed a trace of immortal energy within their Yuanfu, allowing them to accomplish such an astonishing feat.
For Qin Wentian, a third-level ascendant, such aspirations were nothing short of fantastical. Even with the power borrowed from the Nine Immortality Bells, the notion of forging an immortal-ranked weapon remained an unattainable dream.
"It appears we are in for a remarkable spectacle," Pei Tianyuan remarked with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity, eager to witness the divine weapon Qin Wentian would create, and perhaps even to witness a retraction of his earlier words.
"Haha, indeed, it promises to be quite entertaining," Ji Kong chimed in, a sly smile gracing his countenance. His gaze fixed upon Cheron and Qin Wentian, eager to see what marvel they would conjure together.
The anticipation in the air was palpable, every eye in the vicinity trained on Qin Wentian and Cheron. The crowd had gathered to witness the forging of a divine weapon by a young man whose mastery of runic inscriptions was renowned.
As the moments ticked by, Qin Wentian and Cheron embarked on their task. Qin Wentian took the reins, controlling the rhythm of the endeavor, while Cheron, true to his word, provided unwavering support.
Amid this collaborative effort, Qin Wentian's perception surged forth, saturating the atmosphere and seeping into the Nine Immortality Bells. Simultaneously, he initiated a profound connection with the ancient bells themselves.
In his heart, Qin Wentian echoed the words of the Driftsnow Master, who had left behind a cryptic message: "Connecting immortality through weaponsmithing. If we don't create an immortal-ranked divine weapon, how can we claim to connect with immortality?" The message seemed to suggest that those who formed a profound connection with all nine bells would have a genuine chance at forging immortal-ranked weapons. The key lay in discovering the true law energy that resonated with each bell.
The nine bells harmonized in a synchronous chime, radiating a resplendent runic light. Qin Wentian's perception delved deep, deciphering the subtle nuances of law energy concealed within each bell.
"Gaze, palm imprint, undying body..." Qin Wentian whispered, his contemplation guiding his understanding. At that moment, nine beams of light converged upon him, enveloping him in their luminescence.
"I may not possess the inherent connection to immortality, but the Nine Immortality Bells can bridge that gap. By unlocking the law energy hidden within these bells, I can create a bridge to immortality," Qin Wentian postulated silently, his relentless comprehension ongoing.
To onlookers, he appeared statuesque, eyes closed in contemplation. The radiant runic patterns that enveloped him conveyed a sense of mystery and profundity. Yet, no visible steps were taken toward the actual forging process, fueling skepticism among the observers.
"He's putting on a show, pretending to be mysterious," Jiang Yan sneered from above, his eyes gleaming with disdain. It was evident that he hoped Qin Wentian would fail to surpass his own divine weapon.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forging ground, another prodigious talent completed the creation of a divine weapon. Yet, Qin Wentian remained rooted in place, his earlier declaration seemingly empty.
Time flowed steadily, and Cheron continued to lend his expertise in managing the fiery forging process. He kept a keen eye on the boundless runic light enveloping Qin Wentian, convinced that Qin Wentian was accumulating energy to reach its zenith. Only with such an effort could they hope to exceed the accomplishments of others.
Cheron harbored the fervent wish that Qin Wentian would craft a peak-tier fifth-ranked divine weapon unlike any other, one that would defy imitation and leave a lasting legacy.
As minutes stretched into hours, the spectators began to doubt whether the young man before them truly possessed the capability to surpass the creations of his peers.
The number of divine weapon creations steadily multiplied, filling the skies with a dazzling display of flashing lights that elicited gasps of awe from the onlookers. Qin Wentian, once the focal point of attention, now seemed to have faded into obscurity.
"It's incredible! Almost everyone has finished," someone marveled, their eyes scanning the impressive array of completed weapons. "Over ten geniuses have forged peak-tier fifth-ranked divine weapons, and they all hail from the major powers of the Cloud Prefecture. And there are even more who've succeeded in crafting top-tier fifth-ranked weapons—over a hundred, I'd say. This time, it's safe to say that everyone has reaped bountiful rewards from the manifestation of the ancient bell's spirit."
The spectators exchanged hushed conversations, their voices filled with admiration and camaraderie. The accomplished geniuses, too, mingled with smiles on their faces, exchanging knowledge and information about their creations, their laughter echoing through the air.
Yet, amidst this atmosphere of jubilation, there remained a lingering sense of disappointment. Once again, no one had managed to unlock the elusive secret hidden within the Nine Immortality Bells.
Such a feat was nothing short of Herculean. Throughout generations, no one had ever accomplished it, leading some to question whether the bells harbored any secret at all. Perhaps, they speculated, it was nothing more than an enduring myth.
"My King, these participants have truly impressed," the Driftsnow City Lord remarked, turning to Pei Tianyuan with a knowing smile.
"Yes, indeed. Your Driftsnow City holds a remarkable advantage. Each time the Nine Immortality Bells chime, countless geniuses are drawn to this location," Pei Tianyuan replied with a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha, absolutely. The sight of so many prodigies warms the heart," the City Lord concurred, his laughter echoing in harmony.
"Dear guests, after this event concludes, I would be honored if you could join me for a banquet at my manor," the City Lord graciously extended an invitation to the gathered experts.
"Of course, since we are already here, let us savor the enchanting atmosphere of the Driftsnow Inn," one of them readily agreed.
"Naturally," chimed in another. The major powers readily acquiesced, their exterior unity concealing the subtle rivalries that simmered beneath the surface.
"The achievements of the young talents from various powers have indeed broadened our horizons," the City Lord acknowledged with a nod, his words met with humble nods of agreement.
Suddenly, amidst their conversations, a thunderous tolling of the bell shattered the tranquility. The Nine Immortality Bells resounded with a resonant boom, casting a hush over the assembly as all eyes were drawn to the ancient artifacts.
"BOOOM!"
Another deafening chime followed, and the Nine Immortality Bells bathed in radiant light, their beams converging in a breathtaking display.
The atmosphere crackled with intrigue and wonder as the resounding chimes of the ancient Nine Immortality Bells pierced the air. Pei Tianyuan's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, his curiosity piqued by the sudden commotion.
"BOOM!"
The third chime thundered through the air, its resonance drowning out Pei Tianyuan's voice.
"BOOM!"
"BOOM!"
The fourth and fifth tolls followed swiftly, and before anyone could grasp the situation, the ancient bells had chimed a total of eight times. It was impossible to discern which of the Nine Immortality Bells had triggered this cacophony; it felt as though they were all chiming in unison.
With the ninth chime, a tempest materialized, suffused with radiant runic light.
"What in the world is happening?" Countless heads tilted upward, gazes fixated on the enigmatic bells. Yet, there appeared to be no visible change. In Qin Wentian's perception, however, the nine bells had merged into a singular entity. Above this amalgamation, a surge of awe-inspiring law energy transformed into a towering giant radiating dazzling brilliance.
"Could this be the concealed law energy within the bells?" Qin Wentian's heart trembled, the giant's brilliance possessing an unfathomable depth that surpassed his understanding. This manifestation seemed to be born from a supreme innate technique.
"The one who successfully connects the Nine Immortality Bells should have the key to linking immortality through weapon crafting," Qin Wentian mused. He waved his hands, guiding the divine weapon he was forging into the luminous energy field generated by the convergence of light from the nine bells.
The crowd watched in astonishment as Qin Wentian soared above, standing atop the entity formed by the Nine Immortality Bells. He exuded an unparalleled presence, his palms orchestrating the flight of the divine long spear into the heart of the runic light tempest.
"What's he attempting?" The onlookers' expressions froze as they witnessed this strange spectacle. Qin Wentian seemed to have ascended to an extraordinary height. His gestures directed the course of the divine long spear, propelling it directly into the midst of the runic light tempest.
"To connect with immortality... I shall infuse this divine weapon with the law energy," Qin Wentian declared. His aura surged, and he skillfully guided the law energy. In an instant, the tempest transformed into a flowing river, surging directly into the divine long spear.
"ENTER!" Qin Wentian's voice boomed, and the towering giant seemed to disintegrate into ethereal motes of energy that merged with the divine long spear. Suddenly, the tempest calmed, and the divine long spear radiated an overwhelming brilliance, vibrating with intensity. A beam of immortal light burst forth, soaring skyward!
"Could he have caused the chimes of the Nine Immortality Bells?" The crowd shivered with awe, their collective gaze locked onto Qin Wentian and the divine long spear he had forged.