AGM 185 - Vying Over
Qin Wentian frowned upon hearing the words spoken from the female cultivator of the Greencloud Pavilion. In any case, he wasn’t that familiar with their group, he was merely acquainted with Qian Mengyu.
“What do you think?” Qin Wentian asked, as he directed his gaze at Qian Mengyu.
“Miss Mengyu, this man here received our care earlier, and based on logic, by right we should decide how to split the Stellar Fruits. Not only that…” The female cultivator cast a glance at Mu Baifei and his party members. The way these new arrivals looked at the Stellar Fruits were akin to a tiger looking at its prey.
With sufficient Stellar Fruits in their hands, even if they didn’t have the advantage in numbers, those from the Greencloud Pavilion would be able to go all out in utilising their Yuanfu-level innate technique, regardless of the consumption rate. They had no need to fear Mu Baifei and his party at all.
Qian Mengyu’s brows were knitted, and as she locked eyes with Qin Wentian, she intoned in a low voice, “Forget it, since we are acquaintances, let’s split the fruits equally.”
Qian Mengyu didn’t wish to haggle so much, after all they had four people, and Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng were only two. Even if they split the Stellar Fruits equally, the Greencloud Pavilion group would still get more.
Maybe, in Qian Mengyu’s heart, she did indeed think that Greencloud Pavilion should decide the split. After all, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng were at a disadvantage in comparison. If it were any other cultivator instead of Qin Wentian, she would have definitely gone all out to kill them and then plundered the Stellar Fruits.
Qin Wentian was no longer as naive as he used to be. Upon hearing Qian Mengyu’s words, he could already guess her thoughts. However at that moment, the female cultivator beside Qian Mengyu interjected, “No way, Miss, now that there are external enemies, if we still split the fruits equally with them, wouldn’t that mean we are just giving the Stellar Fruits away? Don’t tell me that you’re hoping for them to clash against Mu Baifei and his party.”
The female cultivator could also be considered a beauty; her looks were delicate and exquisitely formed but seeing her current expression, Qin Wentian felt nothing but disgust.
With a few Stellar Fruits in his hands, Qin Wentian walked forwards to hand them over to Qian Mengyu. “Don’t worry, we won’t implicate your Greencloud Pavilion. As for these fruits, consider them my gift to you.”
After speaking, he turned his gaze towards the other three cultivators from the Greencloud Pavilion, coldly remarking, “Since you are all so adamant about splitting the Stellar Fruits, on what grounds do you have that I must split them with you? I was the one to obtain these fruits, if you wish to try and snatch them, bring it on.”
Qin Wentian pulled Mo Qingcheng away, his anger was obvious to all.
“You ungrateful bastard, forgetting our earlier help the moment you find treasure. If not for us, would you even still be alive?” Killing intent flashed in the eyes of the female cultivator as she pointed her finger straight at Qin Wentian, her rage boiling to the max. Qin Wentian was too impudent.
“Shut your mouth,” Qin Wentian coldly replied, “Earlier, when we were surrounded , the two of us drew away five cultivators. In the end, we finished them off ourselves, when did your Greencloud Pavilion ever protect us?”
“Hehe, Brother Qin hold on. First off, why don’t you temporarily put aside your underlying issues with the Greencloud Pavilion? Back then you entered into our alliance based on my introduction, and now that you have the Stellar Fruits, shouldn’t you pass them to us?” Yi Xiang was smiling coldly. The moment these cultivators saw a treasure, they could no longer hold back their greed. After all, no one knew what else might happen in future in the Refinement Grounds. It would always be better to have the Stellar Fruits at hand to replenish their energy.
Qin Wentian saw Ouyang Kuangsheng leisurely standing to the side, as though watching a show. Despite the fact that Ouyang Kuangsheng had a large amount of the Stellar Fruits on him, no one tried to bother him. The other cultivators all chose to target Qin Wentian instead, apparently thinking he was easier to bully.
“You think too much, I applaud your imagination.” Qin Wentian cast a glance at Yi Xiang, as he continued walking away with Mo Qingcheng.
“Hehe, hand over all the Stellar Fruits on you right now,” a Swallow Swordsman spoke calmly. He walked away from Mu Baifei’s side, directing his stare at Qin Wentian, Mo Qingcheng, as well as those from the Greencloud Pavilion. There was an inherent arrogance in his eyes, considering everyone else to be beneath him.
“Let’s go.” Qin Wentian held onto Mo Qingcheng’s hands as they sprinted forwards, not wanting to waste their time with these people.
“Let us leave, as well,” Qian Mengyu spoke, as her party members similarly sprinted forwards. The Swallow Swordsman laughed coldly as he directed his alliance to run after them.
Ouyang Kuangsheng had an expression of interest reflected on his countenance. It was said that every time the Stellar Fruits appeared, a dispute would surely take place. In the eyes of everyone, the Stellar Fruits were a treasure, but was its existence not a disaster, instead? Or maybe, the Stellar Fruits themselves were also another kind of test.
At this moment, turning his head back, Ouyang Kuangsheng saw several silhouettes sprinting towards his direction. He saw cultivators from the Beast King Hall and Skydemon Sect, and even Wang Clan cultivators from the War Continent. It seemed like this time round the dispute would be extremely exciting to watch.
“Ouyang Kuangsheng.” The few cultivators from the Wang Clan halted their steps, as Wang Xiao, who was in the lead, swept his gaze over to Ouyang Kuangsheng. Taking note of the tree’s appearance, a sharp glint of light flashed in his eyes. “You obtained the Stellar Fruits?”
Ouyang Kuangsheng glanced at Wang Xiao. He knew that if this fellow were to truly attack in a frenzy, everyone would definitely fear him to some degree. Not bothering to reply, Ouyang Kuangsheng’s lips curled up into a cold smile as he too, sprinted ahead.
On the spacious pathway, cultivator after cultivator dashed madly ahead. Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng were currently leading, but their countenances soon became worried.
A gigantic, towering mountain rampart came into view, its peak so tall that it seemed to touch the clouds. There was only a single pathway through its middle. At the moment, that pathway seemed to release a powerful force of suction, as hurricanes howled, lacerating the space within. It seemed extremely terrifying.
Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng halted their steps, their countenances extremely unsightly as they stared at the towering mountain rampart in front of them.
“Qingcheng, take these. Be careful.” Qin Wentian retrieved a few Stellar Fruits, passing them over to Mo Qingcheng. She lightly nodded, as they both turned only to see the clouds of dust kicked up by the cultivators approaching in a rush. The Greencloud Pavilion cultivators were one of the first few to arrive, and as they saw the towering mountain ahead of them, the expression on their faces became exceedingly ugly to behold.
Since there was actually a mountain rampart blocking their path, they wouldn’t be able to avoid the dispute. And as for those who possessed the Stellar Fruits, they would surely be the target for others.
Mu Baifei and his alliance also arrived, however they weren’t in a hurry to make their move. They also realised that there were still many others behind them.
Several moments later, the rest of the cultivators all arrived at the mountain rampart. Each cultivator stood about randomly, their ulterior motives apparent on their faces.
Ouyang Kuangsheng cast a glance at the crowd, before shifting his gaze back onto Qin Wentian. This matter had become so troublesome, and was all because of Qin Wentian. If it weren’t for him subduing the Yellow Springs Monument, the vast majority of the current crowd would never have made it this far.
“Qian Mengyu from the Greencloud Pavilion. Turn the fruits over, with your strength, there’s no way you could hold onto them.” Mu Baifei took a step forwards, staring at Qian Mengyu. A condescending tone could be heard in his voice as he and the two other Swallow Swordsmen drew their swords. At that instant, a monstrously sharp sword Qi could be felt tearing apart space, gushing towards the four cultivators from the Greencloud Pavilion.
“Try it.” Qian Mengyu’s countenance was exceedingly unpleasant to behold.
Mu Baifei and the two swordsmen advanced as the monstrous sword Qi increased in strength. A suffocating sword intent permeated the air as their Astral Souls were released, inundating the area with a dazzling light.
The Swallow Swordsmen naturally condensed Sword-type Astral Souls. The three of them stood shoulder to shoulder, pointing their fingers forward. An instant later, tens of millions of sharp swords materialized into a roiling tempest of flying blades. The tempest howled furiously, seeking to decimate all that blocked their path.
“What a powerful sword Qi.” The crowd gasped in awe.
At this moment, a long sword could also be seen in Qian Mengyu’s hands; she was proficient with the Sword-type innate technique, Sword of Nine Lives. Wielding the sword in an intricate dance, it contained overflowing vitality and an undying will. At that instant, the female cultivators beside her also unleashed their attacks, all of them combining their powers together, seeking to clash directly with the oncoming sword tempest.
Swish, swish, swish. The terrifying sword Qi emanated by both sides was exceptionally ear-piercing, as the combatants were engulfed in a storm of swords. The Swallow Swordsmen continued their advances, as boundless amounts of sword Qi gushed forth with every step they took. They flicked their sword fingers out unceasingly, layering their terrifying sword intent, stacking over each other, becoming increasingly stronger.
Qin Wentian stood witnessing their battle, silently musing that they were indeed Swordsmen that hailed from transcendent powers. Any one of the three was sufficient to dominate anyone who had participated in the Jun Lin Banquet, including himself from back then. However as of now, Qin Wentian didn’t feel that he was weaker compared to them.
The current Qin Wentian versus the previous Qin Wentian; who knew how many times stronger he was now in comparison to back then.
“Brother Qin, you can witness for yourself exactly how strong the Swallow Swordsmen are. A wise man submits to his circumstances, we won’t hold it against you if you hand over the fruits now.” Yi Xiang walked forwards, standing in front of Qin Wentian as he spoke in a low voice, with a vile smile painted on his face.
Qin Wentian cast a glance at Yi Xiang, his reply was only a single word, “Scram.”
Yi Xiang’s countenance sank, as his demeanor became sinister. Glaring at Qin Wentian before glancing at Mo Qingcheng, he stated, “Brother Qin, it’s okay if you wish to die, but why must you drag down such a beautiful girl with you?”
Qin Wentian stared at Yi Xiang, an icy cold glint of light could be seen flickering in his eyes, causing Yi Xiang to be filled with a sense of danger. That harmonious looking youth was actually capable of bringing forth such pressure when angered.
“We will hand the fruits over.” At this very moment, on the battlefield some distance away, Qian Mengyu and her party members were forced all the way to the mountain rampart by the three Swallow Swordsmen. With their backs to the mountain wall, with no further paths of retreat, and in addition to the ever strengthening sword Qi, those from the Greencloud Pavilion could only obediently submit and hand over the Stellar Fruits in their possession.
“Puchi~ Fresh blood spurted out, as a female cultivator behind Qian Mengyu was run through by a sword, dying on the spot. Qian Mengyu stiffened, as her countenance became incomparably unsightly.
And at the same time, the monstrous sword intent dissipated as Mu Baifei calmly stated, “Since you already knew the result would turn out like this, why did you still resist in the first place?”
His voice was heavily tinged with arrogance as he stretched out his hands towards Qian Mengyu.
Qian Mengyu turned ashen as she handed the Stellar Fruits over. Only now did the crowd know the dispute was over vying of the Stellar Fruits.
“That’s all? The amount of Stellar Fruits can’t be so few, right?” Mu Baifei serenely spoke. After which, one of the female cultivators raised her hands, pointing her finger towards Qin Wentian, “The remaining fruits are all in his hands, while the entire hoard of Stellar Fruits of the other tree is in Ouyang Kuangsheng’s possession. Go snatch them if you have the ability to.”
Qin Wentian furrowed his brows as he saw Mu Baifei walking towards him. Just as serenely as before, Mu Baifei asked, “Where are the Stellar Fruits?”
His eyes were filled with disdain, staring condescendingly down at Qin Wentian. How could the amount of Stellar Fruits he obtained be sufficient to split with those in his alliance.
“Hehe, Brother Qin, if you infuriate Brother Mu, I’m afraid that you won’t be able to keep your little life.” Yi Xiang snickered, with a hint of intimidation.
“My life? Do you believe I won’t take your life first?” The demonic look in Qin Wentian’s eyes got more and more pronounced, his incomparably calm voice caused Yi Xiang’s countenance to freeze, and his expression became increasingly unsightly.
“He should have several Stellar Fruits in his possession, you guys go ahead and split them amongst yourselves,” Mu Baifei spoke to those in his alliance, causing their eyes to glimmer with greed.
It was very obvious Mu Baifei fully understood the current situation. He was not the only one that wanted the Stellar Fruits; there were still many others from the various transcendent powers eyeing the fruits akin to tigers watching their prey. The strength of his alliance was still insufficient to possess this entire batch of treasures alone.
Not only that, with his pride and arrogance, he felt that it was beneath his dignity to act against a nameless someone with no backing whatsoever.