AGM 374 - Rejection
Old Man Tianji and those experts from the transcendent powers turned their gazes onto the new group of people, yet they showed no hints of surprise on their features. It was as though they had long known of the existence of this group of people, and not only that, there were even some among them who had furrowed their brows with unhappiness.
“Resting for a while would be good.” Old Man Tianji calmly replied.
“It seems like you can survive for some time longer,” Chen Wang coldly spoke as his gaze turned to Qin Wentian.
Qin Wentian’s countenance looked extremely demonic as a glacial light flickered in his eyes, yet no one could tell what he was thinking about.
Everyone rose as they proceeded to enter the Ancient Kingdom. Ouyang Kuangsheng came to Qin Wentian’s side as he asked, “How was it?”
“Seems like your improvement isn’t bad at all.” A hint of a smile finally appeared in Qin Wentian’s eyes.
“You’re one to talk. Why is it that your demonic qi seems to have evolved qualitatively? Is it because of the ancient luck?” Ouyang Kuangsheng laughed. As his eyes turned ahead, he added in a low voice, “By the way, be wary of the ones who just arrived.”
“Mhm.” Qin Wentian nodded. The middle-aged man led everyone to a place where a banquet was already set up, with beautiful female maids standing around. That middle-aged man stood near the table meant for the host, laughing as he addressed the crowd, “Please, enjoy yourself.”
The crowd all respectively took their seats and enjoyed the banquet; Qin Wentian sat at the host table in a position far out to the back, with Ouyang Kuangsheng sitting on the right of him and Mo Qingcheng on the left. This scene caused Zhan Chen’s eyes to flash with a glint of cold light. The sharpness in his gaze was more pronounced than before, he too had acquired a legacy that belonged solely to himself.
“Si Qiong, how are you feeling?” Beside the middle-aged man, sat the dark horse character Si Qiong, causing those sitting to be extremely surprised. So it turned out that Si Qiong was someone from the ‘Ancient Kingdom’.
“The Ancient Luck of Grand Xia, it’s a secret art aside from the nine ultimate arts,” Si Qiong softly spoke.
Secret arts would naturally be extremely powerful, especially a secret art left behind from Ancient Grand Xia. The might of this secret art would absolutely not be eclipsed by the nine ultimate arts. Thus, it was vastly understood that the ten secret arts were all absolute treasures of Ancient Grand Xia. Who would have thought that it was hidden in the Vermilion Bird Formation, controlled by the divinity of the Vermilion Bird? Luckily, the nine grand clans hadn’t forcefully destroyed the formation back then. If not, today would never have arrived.
Qin Wentian’s heart trembled when he thought of the Fiend Transformation Art, as well as the Demonic Divinity Sacrificial Transformation Art. Despite the plethora of powerful innate techniques and cultivation arts in Ancient Grand Xia, it was difficult to find one that could match up to their power.
“Honestly speaking, our identities should already be known to the upper echelons of those from the transcendent powers. After the ranking battle concludes, you may inquire it from your elders, and might even have a chance to join us as a member.” The middle aged man smiled as he continued, “Other than that, for the ancient luck in your hands, we are willing to exchange any one of the nine ultimate arts of Grand Xia for it.”
The contenders turned sharply/gaze turned sharp as a strange glow of light flashed in their eyes. It was as though these people were here only for the secret art which consisted of their ancient luck.
“What do you think?”
The middle-aged man’s gaze roamed about, then landed on Chen Wang.
Chen Wang contemplated the offer for a moment, he was here today to compete for the first rank. And because of how highly regarded he was by the Great Solar Chen Clan, he naturally knew certain stories kept behind the scenes, and understood who these people are.
“Fine,” Chen Wang agreed, using his ancient luck in exchange for one of the nine ultimate arts of Grand Xia wasn’t disadvantageous for him. Based on their strength, if these people wanted to forcibly snatch it away, he could do nothing to prevent them as well.
Despite the nine ultimate arts being extremely valuable treasures, they had all mastered it long ago. They didn’t mind if the arts were imparted elsewhere.
The Great Solar Chen Clan wasn’t on the same level compared to them.
“I concur.” Shi Potian lightly nodded his head.
Si Qiong of course had no objections, Zhan Chen and Emperor Azure all agreed as well. Their hearts were all filled with anticipation at the mention of learning one of the nine ultimate arts. To them, this was a deal that held zero disadvantages and boundless benefits.
“I need to consider it,” Qin Zheng calmly stated, his words causing an unhappy glint of sharpness to gleam in the eyes of the middle-aged man.
“I need to consider it as well,” Yun Mengyi serenely added, Qin Wentian’s gaze turned to her.
Yun Mengyi had always exuded an air of mystery about her, she definitely had a relationship with the ancient dynasty of Grand Xia, but as to what that relationship was exactly, Qin Wentian had no idea. At this moment, Yun Mengyi’s beautiful eyes were also staring in his direction, and was filled with a look of anticipation.
“Myself, as well,” Mo Qingcheng added in a low voice. The three of them all needed to reconsider the deal further. Upon noting this outcome, the eyes of the middle-aged man gradually turned cold.
“You guys better think this through carefully.” Si Qiong frowned, with a threatening look flashing in his eyes.
Qin Wentian furrowed his brows as he faintly added,” I too, need to consider this further.”
As the sound of his voice faded, Si Qiong’s cold eyes swept over him. Refuting him straight after he made his comment, wasn’t this a smack right in his face?
“The Heavenly Fate ranking battle has yet to be concluded.” Si Qiong warned.
“I stand with Qin Wentian,” Mu Feng added. The last remaining five all said they needed more time to consider the offer, causing the previously genial atmosphere to be instantly filled with tension.
“You all truly don’t know how high the Heavens are.” A voice of extreme coldness echoed in the air, originating from a young woman that stood behind the middle-aged man. She then continued proudly, “It’s already your good fortune that we are putting up the nine ultimate arts to trade for it.”
“Trading? Where’s our free will? Is this still considered a trade where we can’t even consider the conditions offered?” Qin Zheng shot back. “This banquet sucks, I think it’s better if we take our leave first.”
“Why don’t we start the ranking battle right away?” Qin Wentian calmly added. The five of them stood up, and as they turned to depart, Si Qiong slammed his palms down on the table, a cold smile hung upon his lips. “Wait a moment.”
Qin Wentian and the others turned their heads to look at Si Qiong, only to see him grinning malevolently. “If the ranking battle really starts now, I won’t be polite to any of you guys.”
“Stop your bullshit.” Mu Feng’s voice was filled with sinister venom as he continued walking forwards. Si Qiong’s smile froze when he saw how Mu Feng brushed him off, he then continued, “Very well, I’ll see you in the ranking battle then.”
Qin Wentian and the others left the banquet, leaving behind Chen Wang, Shi Potian and the rest of those who agreed.
“Descendent of the Chen and Shi Clan, both of you are excellent seedlings. When you return back to your clans, ask your elders if they would permit you to join us. Maybe one day in the future, you might have the chance to enjoy the same level of glory as your ancestors.” The middle-aged man glanced at them, laughing in delight. “The ranking battle shall be temporarily delayed. Go on ahead and cultivate the ultimate art you want to choose.”
Chen Wang and the rest were visibly excited—if they could really cultivate another ultimate art, their combat prowess would definitely skyrocket. When the time came, how could the other five stand against them?
Currently, the person whom Chen Wang and the others feared the most, was Si Qiong. Si Qiong had actually originated from this place.
Zhan Chen and Emperor Azure had also chosen to remain behind. The middle-aged man smiled at them as he calmly stated, “For this ranking battle, the four of you in addition to Si Qiong, will definitely be ranked within the top five.”
After which, he continued, “Follow me.”
Chen Wang and the others left with the middle-aged man. As for Qin Wentian and the rest, they returned back to the Vermilion Bird Arena Platform as they cultivated in their respective corners.
“Chen Wang and Shi Potian didn’t return with them, what’s going on?” Many of the spectators were confused. Old Man Tianji and the other leaders naturally knew what was going on, but they weren’t in a position to interfere.
“Upon the conclusion of the ranking battle, this shall mark the true start of Grand Xia’s changing destiny.”
Old Man Tianji could only sigh when he witnessed what was happening. The implications of fate were simply impossible to change, as evidenced by the fall of the ancient dynasty—no one had the power to reverse their destiny.
Old Man Tianji had no way to predict future events at all. The demonic star was the origin of all changes. He couldn’t see where Grand Xia would eventually end up.
For the ranking battle this time around, how many among the contenders would be able to lead and control Grand Xia’s destiny? Becoming characters who played a critical role in the future.
Not even Old Man Tianji knew… He could only monitor the movements of the constellations, trying to make an educated guess. He couldn’t peer through the murky clouds of fate that obscured his vision to see the future. Yet at this moment, he could already guess who the demonic star represented.
As time flew by, Chen Wang and the other four still didn’t make an appearance, increasing the audience’s suspicions. Yet seeing how calm Old Man Tianji was, the rest of them had no choice but to wait.
Qin Wentian and the others were exceedingly calm as well. They sat cross-legged and immersed in their own cultivation. They didn’t seek for power to change anything, they only wanted to follow their hearts and live a life of no regrets.
Chen Wang and the rest still didn’t return, and their conspicuous disappearance made Qin Wentian and the others feel an invisible pressure boring down on them. They must be currently cultivating the nine ultimate arts.
Chen Wang, Shi Potian, Si Qiong, Zhan Cheng, Emperor Azure. These five were originally already extremely powerful. How much stronger would they become now that they acquired one of the nine ultimate arts?
A few more days passed and finally, the sound of a whistling wind could be heard as the middle-aged man appeared again. Behind him, Chen Wang and the others wore superior-looking smiles on their faces, and the unexcelled arrogance they exuded was evidently many times more intense compared to before.
Si Qiong’s eyes shifted over in the direction of Old Man Tianji as he spoke, “The Heavenly Fate of Grand Xia shall be determined by the battle today. The ambition of the contenders have reached as high as the clouds, but none of us fear death. We will all determine our heavenly fate with this one battle today.”
“Are you meaning that whether the contenders live or die shall be determined by their own capabilities?” Old Man Tianji calmly replied as he stared at Si Qiong.
“Indeed. The losers will not even be worthy enough to be a part of the Heavenly Fate Ranking.” Si Qiong’s sharp gaze turned to Qin Wentian and the others.
“What do you guys think?” Old Man Tianji asked.
For the previous ranking battles, if one couldn’t achieve victory, they could still admit defeat. In that case, the talented geniuses of Grand Xia wouldn’t be reduced in their numbers.
But today, Si Qiong was actually putting forth such an arrogant proposition.
The spectators present all glanced at the contenders upon the arena platform, as countless shock waves rocked their hearts. They could clearly feel the overwhelming confidence exuding from Chen Wang. As long as Old Man Tianji agreed, today’s ranking battle would become one of the cruelest of battles, unprecedented in the history of Grand Xia!
Yet, although such a change was beyond the expectations of the spectators, it actually made things even more interesting and filled their hearts with more anticipation.
Who among these contenders would the Heavenly Fate of Grand Xia belong to?
Qin Wentian’s fiend-like eyes landed on Chen Wang, as a resplendent demonic light flickered within.
“The weak do not deserve to be ranked on the Heavenly Fate Rankings—keep in mind what you’ve just proposed and remember it well. To decide our heavenly fate with just a single battle? To determine who among us will control the destiny of Grand Xia? I don’t believe in nonsense like this, why would I fear to battle?” Qin Wentian’s voice was ice cold, incomparably demonic.