She's Lying
Outside the grand gates of the Battle Sword Sect, the atmosphere was filled with the sound of whistling sword qi. People from the sect gathered, their gazes drawn to the sky where a row of silhouettes on sword beams approached. These were the individuals who had recently returned from the Immortal Martial Realm.
As the figures neared, Qin Wentian zoomed through the air, coming to a halt in the space above the Battle Sword Sect. In an instant, a white blur shot towards him, resembling a streak of lightning. It plunged straight into Qin Wentian's chest, a tiny white puppy filled with enthusiasm, rubbing its head against his chest affectionately.
"Little Rascal, it's been a while," Fan Le exclaimed with a smile, reaching out to pat the pup's head.
Little Rascal tilted its head and fixed a glare on Fan Le before opening its mouth, uttering words that left everyone stunned, "Dam...nable Fatty."
Fan Le's face contorted with disbelief, black lines forming on his forehead. Little Rascal had somehow learned to speak, and its voice was filled with such adorable cuteness that even Qin Wentian struggled to suppress his laughter.
"Boss, did you teach him to say that?" Fan Le asked, thoroughly bewildered, as he rapped Little Rascal on the head. The puppy responded with a menacing snarl, "Fatty, you...are courting death."
Qin Wentian chuckled, embracing Little Rascal before moving forward. Standing before him, like a breathtaking work of art, was an exquisite silhouette. Her slender figure exuded elegance, and her striking beauty captivated the attention of everyone nearby, even when she simply stood there.
"Qing'er," Qin Wentian said softly as he approached the woman, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He admired her like one would a rare and precious flower.
Qing'er met his gaze, her voice as melodious as ever as she spoke, "I decided to take a walk today."
"Indeed, it's less dull when you wander about," Qin Wentian replied, his eyes locked on her. Qing'er's words were like gems—rare and valuable, shared sparingly.
"She...is lying," Little Rascal suddenly piped up, poking its head out from Qin Wentian's chest. It turned its gaze toward Qing'er and continued, "She comes here...every...day."
Fan Le slapped his forehead in disbelief. The revelation was nothing short of scandalous.
Qin Wentian blinked, regarding Qing'er with curiosity. She remained unfazed, casting a cold glance at the cheeky pup before attempting to give it a light slap. However, Little Rascal swiftly nestled deeper into Qin Wentian's chest, causing her hand to strike empty air. Qin Wentian, observing the situation, noted a rare glimpse of a different expression in her otherwise calm eyes. She added, "It enjoys spouting nonsense."
"Mhm..." Qin Wentian nodded slowly, still gazing into Qing'er's eyes.
"I'll head back first," Qing'er declared, her cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment. With that, she swiftly departed at lightning speed, leaving Qin Wentian behind.
Watching her graceful figure recede into the distance, Qin Wentian lowered his head to gaze at the little puppy in his arms. He asked it gently, "Do you know anything else?"
"Umm... There's someone trying to woo her... but they all got beat up and ran away," Little Rascal mumbled, its words somewhat incoherent. Qin Wentian couldn't help but sweat at the audacity of anyone daring to court Qing'er. Were they oblivious to her icy demeanor?
"And there's one more person she can't defeat. That person pesters her every day... Can you chase them away?" Little Rascal fixed its gaze on Qin Wentian, who couldn't help but smile.
"This is the first time I've found you so adorable. Later, I'll give you some nourishment," Qin Wentian replied.
"Okay, I want to evolve," Little Rascal said in a baby-like tone. Its reference to "nourishment" meant the power in Qin Wentian's bloodline. Qin Wentian's blood essence played a significant role in Little Rascal's rapid growth.
"Wentian, I'll visit Senior Ling Tian first. Get some rest," the Flame Mountain Sword Sovereign said from the air. He needed to report the events in the Immortal Martial City to Sword Sovereign Ling Tian. The upper echelons of the Battle Sword Sect would need to convene and discuss how to handle the situation with the Royal Sacred Sect.
"Of course. Thank you, Sword Sovereign," Qin Wentian replied gratefully.
With a nod, the Flame Mountain Sword Sovereign soared away. Ji Feixue also went to report to his master, Sword Sovereign Ling Tian. As they arrived back at the sect, many members broke off into small groups to go their separate ways.
Ye Lingshuang and Duan Han helped arrange accommodations for Fan Le and the others, ensuring they were situated near Qin Wentian. They all gathered and chatted for hours until the sky grew dark. Qin Wentian then returned to his lodgings to consolidate the gains he had made in the Immortal Martial Realm.
Among those who had entered the Immortal Martial Realm this time, he had gained the most. It would take time to consolidate his progress and stabilize his foundation.
The immortal art, the Fiendgod Heaven-Suppression Art, was a potent technique that required step-by-step cultivation. In Qin Wentian's view, it would complement the Fiendgod Body Refinement Art perfectly. Using them in conjunction would unleash even greater power. However, cultivating the Fiendgod Body Refinement Art would require numerous heavenly materials and earthly treasures, a common challenge for mastering unique arts. Often, they relied on valuable treasures to advance.
In addition to these powerful innate techniques he had acquired from the stone monuments, like the Golden Roc Art, Star-Seizing Palm Art, and Incarnation Burst Technique, he needed to slowly comprehend them to become more proficient. When used in combat, these techniques demanded an insane amount of astral energy to sustain. While their power was formidable, they could deplete an entire Yuanfu's worth of energy in just a few attacks. Using them continuously in a prolonged fight was challenging, but Qin Wentian had an advantage most people couldn't compare to—he possessed a total of four Yuanfu.
During the night, the astral light was exceptionally radiant, cascading down and bathing Qin Wentian's surroundings in its brilliance. The starlight created a breathtaking spectacle around his lodging.
Qin Wentian's seclusion lasted for seven days. When he finally opened his eyes, the air had a hint of moisture, and the morning sun emerged from fluffy white clouds, casting a beautiful scene.
A melodious flute echoed in the air, and Qin Wentian listened attentively, sensing the emotions embedded in the music—a plea for understanding.
"Yiyiya... that man again. How annoying," Little Rascal remarked as it playfully scratched Qin Wentian's arm. Qin Wentian instantly recognized the musician as the one who had been bothering Qing'er.
"Let's go take a look," Qin Wentian said. He swiftly moved and soon found the flute player—a man in white standing on a massive rock. He played the flute towards Qing'er, exuding a carefree aura. Qing'er, in her lodging, appeared cold and displeased.
The white-robed figure was highly skilled, at the ninth level of Heavenly Dipper, and a member of the Battle Sword Sect—an extraordinary individual. It was no surprise that Qing'er couldn't defeat him with her current strength, especially since she had only recently broken through to the seventh level.
"Qing'er," Qin Wentian called as he landed beside her. She turned her gaze from the white-robed figure, her expression growing even colder.
"Sir, do you not realize how ill-mannered it is to disturb others?" Qin Wentian addressed the white-robed figure, his voice carrying a melodic sword intent that sliced through the air, disrupting the musical notes from the flute. The figure finally glanced in Qin Wentian's direction.
"With determination, one can achieve the impossible. Who are you to interfere in my affairs?" the white-robed figure responded, a hint of arrogance in his tone.
"She's a friend of mine, and her business is my business. Please refrain from bothering her again," Qin Wentian asserted.
"Only friends? Well, in that case, you don't have the qualifications to stop me from wooing junior sister Qing'er." The person spoke unabashedly, making his intentions crystal clear. Laughter from a few others echoed as several more figures appeared on the gigantic rock.
A female voice giggled, "Senior brother Han, junior sister Qing'er is so beautiful, but every suitor who tried to win her over left in despair after being beaten up. I'm afraid your chances aren't high, but don't worry; I'll continue to support you."
"Junior sister Qing'er's beauty is as enchanting as a celestial maiden's. How could men resist her charms? I actually hope Senior Han can succeed and bring her to the side of our Lone Mountain," another person chimed in. This speaker glanced at Qin Wentian, clearly aware of the stories circulating about the top ranker of the Immortal Martial Realm, Qin Wentian. They were eager to see what he was capable of.
"Wentian, these people are disciples of the Lone Mountain Sword Sovereign," Ye Lingshuang appeared beside Qin Wentian, transmitting her voice to him.
"Does the sect forbid disciples from engaging in conflicts?" Qin Wentian inquired. He knew that Qing'er valued her solitude, choosing this remote place for her lodging precisely to avoid disturbances. However, these people were being extremely impolite, disrupting her peace. While Qing'er didn't express it outright, her icy demeanor made it clear she was uncomfortable with their actions.
"They don't, as long as it doesn't go too far. The elders won't interfere in disputes between members," Ye Lingshuang replied with a nod.
"In that case, excellent," Qin Wentian smiled. He turned to Qing'er, asking, "Shall I help you chase them away?"
Qing'er hesitated for a moment, her eyes revealing a hint of fluctuation as she nodded slightly. "Okay..."
With a flick of his sleeve, Qin Wentian walked forward and stood in front of the white-clad figure. "Scram."
Senior Han, clutching his flute, stared emotionlessly at Qin Wentian. In the Battle Sword Sect, Qin Wentian's name was known to everyone. His triumphant return as the top ranker of the Immortal Martial Realm had caused a stir within the sect. There was no way Senior Han didn't recognize him.
This man had not only defeated Shang Tong but also challenged Di Shi himself. His actions had even led to the death of an elder-level member of the Royal Sacred Sect.
"Senior brother Han, it seems that he intends to use you to establish dominance within the sect," the same female from earlier giggled, her eyes fixed on Qin Wentian.
"Senior brother Han, although your cultivation surpasses his, this man's reputation has shaken the entire Royal Sacred Region. Our sect members won't accuse you of bullying if you choose to fight him," another voice chimed in.
Qin Wentian shifted his gaze to the others standing on the gigantic rock. There were a total of five figures, including Senior Han. Out of the remaining four, three had cultivation bases at the eighth level of Heavenly Dipper, and one was at the seventh level.
Golden light burst forth as astral energy enveloped Qin Wentian in a resplendent aura. He transformed into a golden roc, large wings unfurling majestically from his back. His eyes gleamed with determination as he surveyed the five figures before him. "Come at me all together."
With those words, Qin Wentian's wings flapped, lifting him into the air. The radiance surrounding him intensified, and the pressure he exuded surged. The five figures on the rock narrowed their eyes, releasing a torrent of battle-intent that filled the air.
From a distance, the perception of several disciples was drawn to the impending battle.
In her quiet lodging, Qing'er stood, her gaze fixed on the confident figure of Qin Wentian. In her eyes, there was only serenity and tranquility.