Snobbish

Snobbish . . .

The atmosphere in the crowd grew palpably tense as all eyes fixated on Jiang Yan's mysterious actions. His purpose remained shrouded in enigma as he soared through the skies, clutching a newly-crafted treasured pagoda, hurtling toward a Nine Immortality Bell as though guided by an unseen force.

In response to Jiang Yan's approach, a young man named Tianwen, with a gaze unclouded by fear, lifted his head and directed his attention towards the approaching figure.

The hushed murmurs of the spectators provided some context to this confrontation. "That's Tianwen," one voice chimed in. "A few days ago, all the bright young talents from various powers attempted to challenge him. Yet, they were all soundly defeated when he harnessed the power of the ancient bells for combat. He possesses an extraordinary understanding of the Nine Immortality Bells. Jiang Yan, on the other hand, suffered a humiliating defeat at his hands not too long ago. It seems that he's here today to test his newly-forged divine weapon or perhaps to redeem his tarnished honor."

The gathered onlookers were well-acquainted with this piece of recent history, but those who arrived later were only now piecing together the puzzle. As their gaze shifted from Jiang Yan to Qin Wentian, a wave of interest swept through the crowd. Could it be that this young man had single-handedly thwarted the collective might of numerous prodigies?

Meanwhile, Jiang Yan had already arrived in front of Qin Wentian, his treasured pagoda suspended in the air. His eyes gleamed with an icy resolve, and the pagoda emanated a peculiar blend of scorching heat and biting cold, thanks to the unique flame that had birthed it. A ring of ethereal light encircled it in a menacing formation, as though it possessed the power to snuff out its target in an instant, without hesitation.

Jiang Yan couldn't resist taunting Qin Wentian, arrogance dripping from his words. "Aren't you known for your exceptional skill in inscriptions?" he sneered. "Why aren't you busy crafting a weapon? Or is it that you lack the ability?"

Qin Wentian, however, responded with nothing more than a casual glance at Jiang Yan before delivering a single, potent word. "Scram!"

As the word hung in the air, it reverberated like a melodious chime, echoing through the surroundings. All eyes were drawn to the confrontation unfolding before them. Jiang Yan's countenance twisted with an intense humiliation as the implications of Qin Wentian's word sank in.

Here he stood, armed with a peak-tier fifth-ranked weapon, oozing with arrogance and intent on subduing Qin Wentian. Yet, the young man had dismissed him with a single, audacious command—'Scram!'—a declaration of arrogance that dwarfed Jiang Yan's own, rendering the latter utterly insignificant in his eyes.

A tempestuous roar erupted from the depths of Jiang Yan's anger, reverberating through the very core of his being. With a fervent, unwavering determination, he bellowed, "DIE!" The treasured pagoda he wielded surged forward, emanating a torrent of chakrams composed of ominous, dazzling light. These ethereal blades grew in size with each passing moment, converging upon Qin Wentian with an intent to consume him entirely. The radiance exuded by this spectacle bathed the surroundings in an eerie, destructive aura, capable of eradicating everything in its path.

In response, Qin Wentian raised his hands, setting the stage for a symphony of tolling bells that resonated within Jiang Yan's mind. An overwhelming sea of runic inscriptions gathered, adorning his fist with a resplendent coat of golden light. With a single, earth-shattering punch, Qin Wentian sent shockwaves through the very heavens, causing the air itself to tremble. A deafening cascade of sound accompanied this mighty strike, as the chakrams of light were systematically obliterated beneath the relentless, all-consuming tide of golden radiance.

Nevertheless, Jiang Yan was undeterred. He executed a powerful stomp mid-air, his aura surging to greater heights. The treasured pagoda in his possession expanded exponentially, conjuring an inexhaustible horde of Icy Underworld Flames. This devastating conflagration rained down upon the battlefield, an onslaught of fiery destruction poised to consume all in its path. Qin Wentian, with his gaze as cold as ice, calmly observed the fiery deluge. The heavens themselves seemed to groan beneath the weight of Jiang Yan's flames, with the very atmosphere evaporating into mist.

Yet, Qin Wentian remained steadfast and resolute, his demeanor unwavering. With a contemptuous snort, he commanded the power of the Nine Immortality Bells once more. Nine radiant streams of light converged upon him, transforming into an impervious golden armor that adorned his form, rendering him an indomitable force of nature. His fist, aglow with a gleaming golden light, pulsated with unfathomable might and an unparalleled terror.

"SCRAM!" The word echoed forth from Qin Wentian's lips once more, a declaration of dominance that seemed to ripple through the very fabric of reality. His punch unleashed a torrent of runic inscriptions, coalescing into a golden river that surged skyward, quashing the Icy Underworld Flames emanating from the treasured pagoda. The intense collision generated a thunderous roar, cracks fissuring across the pagoda's surface. Forced back by the titanic impact, Jiang Yan was propelled into the air, as if catapulted to the very heavens by the sheer force of Qin Wentian's singular punch.

"Is he truly this formidable?" Murmurs of awe rippled through the crowd of spectators. The might that Qin Wentian wielded, augmented by the Nine Immortality Bells, was nothing short of astonishing. He commanded the boundless runic inscriptions with such finesse, transforming them into devastating instruments of destruction.

The experts of the Jiang Clan, however, remained unfazed. Their collective aura descended upon Qin Wentian, an oppressive weight that bore down upon him. Immortal-foundation experts were among their ranks, and even from a distance, their presence exerted an overwhelming pressure that threatened to crush Qin Wentian. Their eyes, sharp as blades, seemed capable of piercing through his very soul.

Immortal-foundation experts existed on an entirely different plane of power. Should they decide to eliminate him, not even the power of the Nine Immortality Bells could guarantee his safety.

As the situation continued to unfold, Qin Wentian quietly contemplated his next steps. "It appears that I must craft a divine weapon before the ancient bells, becoming a disciple-in-training under the Driftsnow Master. Only then can I access the secrets concealed within and potentially acquire the strength to withstand these adversaries." This silent vow resonated within him, for he understood that relying on others was a folly he could ill afford. In a world fraught with danger, self-reliance remained his most dependable ally.

Jiang Yan's body underwent a rapid transformation, morphing into a streak of luminous energy that propelled him backward through the vast expanse of space. Clutching the treasured pagoda with a pallid countenance, he found himself stunned by the unexpected retaliation from Qin Wentian. The simmering wrath within his eyes now burned brighter than ever before.

The members of the Jiang Clan, experts in their own right, couldn't conceal their dissatisfaction. However, the burden of their immortal status weighed heavily upon their actions. Engaging with someone of a lower cultivation level, who had already bested Jiang Yan, would only subject them to the mockery of their peers.

"This affront must be avenged with bloodshed," declared an immortal expert, his gaze fixed upon Jiang Yan.

"Of course," Jiang Yan responded with unwavering resolve. The life of the man who had humiliated him was forfeit; he alone must be the one to end it. To restore his honor within the Jiang Clan, he had no choice but to emerge victorious in this deadly confrontation.

"I'd like to see if you can hide behind the Nine Immortality Bells forever," Jiang Yan roared defiantly.

"At the very least, I can ensure that you'll never again approach the Nine Immortality Bells' boundaries," Qin Wentian proclaimed. He soared into the heavens, manipulating the runic inscriptions to converge into a star-seizing palm imprint, which he unleashed upon Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan retreated explosively, his speed akin to lightning. But Qin Wentian was relentless in his pursuit, showing no mercy.

"You...!" Jiang Yan bellowed in impotent rage, the formidable palm imprint nipping at his heels as he fled in a pitiful state. It was only upon exiting the Nine Immortality Bells' perimeter that he found respite. Gritting his teeth, his visage contorted in an ugly display of anger, and he let out a futile roar of frustration.

"Remarkable," Qin Wentian mocked with a wry smile. "To persist in the face of repeated setbacks and still have the audacity to spew arrogance. I've never encountered someone so shameless."

His gaze no longer fixed on Jiang Yan, Qin Wentian instead scanned the surroundings. Many experts continued their weapon-forging endeavors, and a fair number had reached the crucial phase.

Then, a resounding boom shook the air as the Nine Immortality Bells chimed once more. Another brilliant genius successfully completed the forging of a powerful weapon, similar to Jiang Yan's—a peak-tier fifth-ranked masterpiece, dazzling in its magnificence. This particular craftsman hailed from the Myriad Sage Academy.

"Senior, you're incredible," Shu Luyao admired, stepping forward with praise. The accomplished craftsman chuckled, his eyes, however, remaining fixed upon the Nine Immortality Bell. Earlier, he had glimpsed a hint of revelation, though alas, he couldn't fully unlock the secret within. There was an unmistakable sense of profundity, a world-altering mystery waiting to be unveiled. Though he could harness the ancient bells' energy to create divine weapons, the power he'd tapped into was but a fraction of the whole.

"As expected of the Myriad Sage Academy, a supreme-tier power within the Cloud Prefecture. It nurtures an impressive array of geniuses," Pei Tianyuan chimed in, his words earning nods and appreciative smiles from the immortal-foundation experts of the academy.

The atmosphere within the gathering of geniuses was charged with a unique fervor, a palpable sense of accomplishment and awe that had settled over the Driftsnow City. The City Lord, a discerning figure, couldn't help but acknowledge the extraordinary talent displayed before him.

"Today has truly broadened my horizons," he declared, his gaze sweeping across the assembly. "All these geniuses have succeeded, at the very least, in forging top-tier, fifth-ranked divine weapons." Diplomatically, he chose not to single out Jiang Yan or Qin Wentian, preferring to pivot the discussion back to the art of weapon forging.

The sentiment was echoed throughout the crowd, with many nodding in agreement. Divine weapons had been completed in abundance, their quality nothing short of remarkable.

In the midst of the celebration, Ji Kong chimed in, pointing to a distant figure. "Over there, someone has forged an exceptionally potent divine weapon."

Indeed, the procession of divine weapons was unceasing, and the sheer number of high-quality creations left onlookers astounded.

Pei Tianyuan, however, couldn't resist a subtle dig. "Though that young man boasts extraordinary skill in inscriptions, it's a pity he lacks the knowledge of weapon forging. Consequently, he won't have the opportunity to unlock the secrets within the ancient bells. His contributions pale in comparison to the other geniuses." With a glance at Qin Wentian, Pei Tianyuan managed to lift the spirits of the other major powers. Qin Wentian's recent dominance in suppressing Jiang Yan through the power of the Nine Immortality Bells had left a sour taste in their mouths, and this provided a welcome salve for their pride.

Undoubtedly, the one who suffered the most loss of face was Jiang Yan himself. However, even the other major powers couldn't fully shake off the unease that had settled upon them. Yet Pei Tianyuan's words deftly alleviated the tension, a testament to his craftiness honed over many years.

"My King speaks the truth," concurred many in the crowd, nodding and exchanging knowing smiles.

"Look there, another expert is completing a divine weapon. Our younger generation truly shines, wouldn't you agree? This one appears to hail from the Ninepeak Immortal Court, doesn't he?" Exclamations of awe filled the air, and the major powers indulged in mutual praise.

"Haha, your disciples from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor are no less impressive." Compliments flowed freely, a spirited exchange of accolades among the various factions.

Unperturbed by the commentary of the onlookers, Qin Wentian directed his attention to Cheron. His friend was still diligently forging his weapon. Qin Wentian proposed a plan, "Brother Cheron, the form of your weapon has already taken shape. It seems your standards for this weapon are exceptionally high. How about this: I may not be skilled in controlling flames, but I can take over the refining process while you guide me. What do you say?"

Cheron's eyes sparkled with excitement as he considered Qin Wentian's offer. He had overheard the earlier comments and felt a twinge of reluctance. He knew that Qin Wentian's expertise in runic inscriptions was unparalleled, capable of surpassing even the combined efforts of the other geniuses. In light of the jealousy Qin Wentian's talent had stirred, Cheron was intrigued by the idea of witnessing Qin Wentian's craftsmanship firsthand.

If Qin Wentian managed to forge a peak-tier fifth-ranked weapon, it would be akin to a resounding slap across the smug faces of their detractors!