Twin Stars

Twin Stars . . .

The Xiao Sect, a formidable force ranking third among the powers in the City of Ancient Emperors, sprawled across a vast expanse of land. Their domain resembled a thriving city in its own right, complete with towering buildings, a backdrop of majestic mountains, and tranquil lakes that stretched into the horizon. It was a place where mountains met waters, a testament to the beauty of nature harnessed by human hands.

Within the Xiao Sect, a sense of serenity pervaded the air, and the atmosphere was as fresh as the morning dew. Qin Wentian had spent several days here, yet he remained unacquainted with most of the residents, and no formal introductions had been extended. Nevertheless, he bore no ill will toward this lack of social engagement.

Xiao Lengyue had embarked on a relentless quest to locate Qing'er, and with the formidable might of the Xiao Sect at her disposal, her mission had a significantly higher chance of success compared to Qin Wentian's solitary pursuit. As a new member of the Xiao Sect, he would undoubtedly gain access to invaluable information once Qing'er was found. In essence, his cultivation environment mattered little to him.

In a quiet courtyard designated for their stay, nestled beneath evergreen mountains, an unusual phenomenon unfolded. The very air seemed to ripple with strange energies, and a celestial tapestry of constellations shimmered overhead. The space occupied by Qin Wentian felt oddly familiar, akin to a dreamscape.

He held a rune bone in his hand, its surface bathed in a radiant glow. The intricate runes etched upon it exuded an aura of profound mystery, and within this mystical space, the image of a colossal wind roc flickered in and out of existence. When the image enveloped Qin Wentian, he could sense the powerful gusts of wind caressing him, despite the absence of any physical breeze.

With his eyes closed in deep concentration, Qin Wentian activated the Ten Thousand Laws Record, a mystical cultivation technique of great significance. This process gave rise to a unique space, one perfectly suited for the practice of various martial arts and techniques. The higher one's comprehension, the more vividly this space could be perceived.

The starry expanse he now inhabited seemed boundless, adorned with innumerable runes that glistened in the celestial firmament. Qin Wentian, clutching the Sky Roc Rune Bone, ascended gently. The runes adorning the bone came to life, coalescing into the form of a wind roc. In an instant, a supreme movement technique inspired by the wind roc's grace danced across the starry canvas, imprinting itself directly into Qin Wentian's consciousness.

But it didn't end there. The essence energy within the rune bone surged, morphing into an overwhelming force of attack, imbued with boundless might. The rune bone appeared to bear countless enigmatic symbols, each harboring immeasurable power. It was as though the Paragon Sky Roc's strength had been distilled into these symbols.

Qin Wentian delved deeper into the experience, harnessing the aid of the Ten Thousand Laws Record to comprehend the enigmatic energy, allowing it to meld seamlessly with his own essence, becoming an integral part of his power.

After a profound period of immersion, the tranquil courtyard was stirred by approaching footsteps. Zi Qingxuan stood her ground, watching as Xiao Lengyue, the sect leader of the Xiao Sect, accompanied by a contingent of experts who had extended the initial invitation, made their entrance.

"Is Qin Wentian present?" Xia Qianhan, one of the experts by Xiao Lengyue's side, inquired of Zi Qingxuan.

Zi Qingxuan furrowed her brow. "He's currently engrossed in cultivation."

"Tell him to come out. Lengyue requires his assistance," Xia Qianhan declared, his words ringing with a tone that grated on Zi Qingxuan's nerves. Did this Xia Qianhan truly view them as his subordinates? There was a glaring lack of respect in his demeanor.

"As I mentioned earlier, he's engrossed in cultivation," Zi Qingxuan reiterated. Xia Qianhan's brows furrowed as he fixed his gaze on her, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Since you've joined us and are now under the protection of the Xiao Sect, it would be wise for all of you to recognize your place."

Zi Qingxuan's frown deepened. Their association with the Xiao Sect had come about because of Xiao Lengyue's invitation, not because they had begged to be taken in. Furthermore, even without the Xiao Sect's protection, Qin Wentian would have been more than capable of defeating Ji Lanshan. This Xia Qianhan, ranked among the Immortal Ascension Rankings, was proving to be insufferably arrogant.

"Xia Qianhan, there's no need to intimidate the lady. Remember, they are members of our Xiao Sect, regardless of the circumstances," Li Yu interjected with a smile. Li Yu was also a ranked cultivator on the Immortal Ascension Rankings, but his demeanor was considerably more affable and mild-mannered.

"What's going on?" Just as tension hung in the air, Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen emerged together. Xiao Lengyue greeted Qin Wentian with a smile. "I have a matter to discuss with you. Would it be possible for us to have a private conversation inside?"

"Of course," Qin Wentian replied.

"Please wait for me here," Xiao Lengyue instructed the others before proceeding with Qin Wentian into the courtyard. Xia Qianhan's brows furrowed, his eyes betraying his displeasure.

Inside the secluded cultivation ground, Xiao Lengyue produced a scroll of images and handed it to Qin Wentian. "Take a look at these pictures."

Qin Wentian accepted the scroll, his gaze falling upon images of a resplendent palace of unparalleled grandeur. A path lined with thorny obstacles led to the palace, and intricate divine inscriptions crisscrossed the pathway, forming a complex network of runes.

"What is this?" Qin Wentian inquired. The inscriptions were unique, possessing formidable power and intricate transformations. A single misstep in deciphering them could lead to catastrophic consequences.

"Many relics in the City of Ancient Emperors are remnants from ancient times, not mere legends but concrete reality," Xiao Lengyue explained. "This emperor's palace you see could well be the residence of an ancient immortal emperor. It was initially shrouded in darkness, but after generations of arduous exploration, the path has been unveiled. Countless lives have been sacrificed in the process, and today, the palace is visible to the naked eye. However, even now, no one has succeeded in gaining entry. These divine inscriptions represent the greatest barrier."

Qin Wentian smiled, no fool to the underlying motive behind Xiao Lengyue's earlier invitation to join the Xiao Sect. But aligning himself with the Xiao Sect served his interests as well, so he had no qualms about it. Moreover, if he were utterly useless, why would Xiao Lengyue have extended the invitation in the first place?

"From these pictures, the divine inscriptions appear incredibly intricate. Without seeing them in person, I can't assess whether I can decipher them," Qin Wentian replied candidly.

"No problem. Let's set out to the location itself," Xiao Lengyue proposed, her beautiful eyes gleaming with determination, a glint of sharpness enhancing her formidable presence. Charisma emanated from her, a testament to her accomplishments beyond her beauty alone. Earning the sixth spot on the Immortal Ascension Rankings was no small feat.

"Alright," Qin Wentian nodded, his attention captured by Xiao Lengyue's radiant smile. "Your expertise in the art of divine inscriptions is truly remarkable. Rest assured, if I can decipher them, I won't let you down."

As Xiao Lengyue drew nearer, their faces were mere inches apart, and Qin Wentian felt a stirring in his heart. Xiao Lengyue's smile intensified before she continued, "Let's go. But be prepared, that place is teeming with experts, including those ranked on the Immortal Ascension Rankings. Our main challengers will likely come from the Twin Stars Alliance. The leaders of the alliance are two brothers, both highly ranked. The elder brother holds the #4 spot, while the younger one excels in the art of divine inscriptions."

With that, Xiao Lengyue moved away, leaving behind a trace of her captivating fragrance. Qin Wentian couldn't help but smile; Xiao Lengyue's charisma was truly unparalleled. Her subtle charms and closeness were enough to ensnare most men, rendering them willing to do anything for her.

Following Xiao Lengyue, they exited the courtyard. Qin Wentian sensed the unfriendly gazes of many experts, but he paid them no mind. He turned to Jun Mengchen and Zi Qingxuan. "Take care of Little Rascal for me."

"Should I accompany you?" Jun Mengchen offered.

"No need," Qin Wentian replied, shaking his head. Even Xiao Lengyue herself was personally going to the ruins of the emperor's palace. However, given Jun Mengchen and Zi Qingxuan's current strength, it would be more prudent for them to stay behind. That place would undoubtedly be filled with supreme experts.

"Let's go," Xiao Lengyue commanded, taking to the air with a group of followers in tow.

Xiao Lengyue was resplendent in luxurious red robes, her elegance turning heads as she soared through the sky.

Their group's speed was astounding as they raced toward their destination.

In the western region of the City of Ancient Emperors, an expansive glacial expanse stretched out like an endless world of ice. Above this ice, an extraordinary energy blanketed the atmosphere, rendering flight impossible.

Deep within this frozen world lay a pristine, snow-white imperial palace, emanating an aura of purity and enigma. A wide, ancient pathway led to the palace, appearing as though it had been painstakingly crafted by generations of seekers, for without it, the path to the imperial palace would remain hidden.

Here, supreme experts were as numerous as the clouds.

In the distance, the sound of rushing wind signaled the approach of another group. Those already present turned their attention to the newcomers. Soon, a vision of supreme beauty emerged, leading a contingent from the Xiao Sect. It was clear that Xiao Lengyue held a strong interest in the imperial palace.

"Xiao Lengyue," many recognized her with just a single glance. She had brought the experts of her Xiao Sect, indicating her profound interest in the imperial palace.

"Xiao Lengyue," a young man greeted, inclining his head and smiling. "Why persist in this quest? As I've said before, marry me or my elder brother, and we will grant you access to the imperial palace, no effort required."

"Xuan Xing, how dare you," Xia Qianhan scolded coldly.

"Xia Qianhan, you lack the qualification to address me," the young man retorted with a smile, turning his gaze toward Xiao Lengyue. "Xiao Lengyue, as the daughter of the Xiao Emperor, you and I are a natural match. The Twin Stars Alliance, established by my elder brother, can easily outshine your Xiao Sect. If you don't fancy me, you can always consider marrying my elder brother."

In the grand City of Ancient Emperors, there were few who dared to challenge the authority of Xiao Lengyue, the formidable figure holding the #6 spot on the Immortal Ascension Rankings. However, among those audacious enough to do so were the twin leaders of the Twin Stars Alliance.

These twin leaders, aptly named the twin stars, were the sons of the powerful Xuan Emperor. Xuan Yang, the elder sibling, wielded immense power and held the prestigious #4 rank in the Immortal Ascension Rankings. His younger brother, Xuan Xing, possessed exceptional expertise in the art of divine inscriptions, and his combat prowess was not to be underestimated either, as he claimed the #27 rank in the rankings. The two brothers were considered extraordinary, akin to dragons among mortals.

In the City of Ancient Emperors, the Twin Stars Alliance rivaled the Xiao Sect in strength, leading to frequent clashes between the two factions. Xuan Xing, in particular, enjoyed teasing and jesting with Xiao Lengyue about marrying her and becoming the daughter-in-law of his father, the Xuan Emperor.

Xia Qianhan's complexion turned ashen as he witnessed this exchange, but Xiao Lengyue simply waved it off with a casual gesture. She then addressed Xuan Xing with a wry smile, "Xuan Xing, you can't even defeat me. What makes you think you have the qualifications to marry me?"

Xuan Xing laughed heartily. "This is only a temporary state of affairs. I may not be able to defeat you now, but my elder brother, Xuan Yang, surely can. I'd have no objections if you choose to marry him."

Xiao Lengyue snorted disdainfully. "Hmph, Xuan Xing, why don't you try entering the emperor palace before boasting?"

Her attention then turned to Qin Wentian, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Qin Wentian, take a look at the runic inscription network diagram. Can you decipher it?"

Even before Xiao Lengyue issued the command, Qin Wentian was already engrossed in studying the intricate diagram of the ancient pathway. The runic inscriptions were incredibly intricate and complex, posing a formidable challenge. His brows furrowed as he delved deep into concentration.

Xuan Xing, however, couldn't resist a boastful comment. "Haha, so you've brought a helper, but are you certain that his meager skills will suffice? In the City of Ancient Emperors, if there are divine inscriptions I can't decipher, it means no one else can. If anyone can gain access to the emperor palace, that person will undoubtedly be me." His arrogance knew no bounds!