AGM – 0008: Brother & Sister
Qin Wentian had yet to reveal the fact to Qin Chuan that he’d already condensed his Astral Soul. He believed that the appropriate time to reveal that, would be two days later — during the time when he was seeking redress for the humiliation suffered earlier. Qin Chuan would be much happier then.
“Brother Qin, I wish to closely monitor your son’s unique condition. I wonder if Brother Qin is willing?” During this moment, Mustang moved forward, as a strange light flashed through his eyes when he looked at Qin Wentian.
“If Brother Mustang is willing, there is nothing I could wish for more.” Qin Chuan quickly agreed. One must know that the level of power wielded by the Emperor Star Academy was so great, to the extent that they could disregard the authority of the imperial royal clan.
Many years ago, the reigning powers in the Country of Chu, were jealous and worried of the immense power wielded by the Emperor Star Academy, and as such, the Royal Academy was formed, with the intention of suppressing the Emperor Star Academy.
“Qin Wentian, follow me please.” Mustang beckoned Qin Wentian to follow him to the side. Qin Chuan too, motioned to Qin Yao, who was standing beside him, ”Yao`er, you go too.”
Qin Yao silently agreed, as she turned to follow behind the two of them.
Qin Wentian, noticing the way Mustang stared at him, could barely suppress his shock. “This person… His Astral Soul might be that of the Heavenly Vision Constellation.” Astral light could be seen flickering from the pupils of Mustang’s eyes as his pupils took on the shape of constellations orbiting.
“One with broken meridians, yet able to cultivate.” Mustang lightly said, causing Qin Wentian to be thunderstruck. As he expected, the Heavenly Vision Astral Soul was able to see through the pressure and fluctuations of the Astral Energy in his body.
“Never would I have expected that today, I would meet someone who was able to condense an Astral Soul with a set of broken meridians.” Mustang felt an unexpected joy in his heart. After he inspected Qin Wentian previously, he could confirm that Qin Wentian’s meridians were crippled indeed, but at the same time, with the aid of the Heavenly Vision Constellation, he could also tell that, without a doubt, Qin Wentian had already successfully evolved into a Stellar Martial Cultivator. This left only one possibility — breaking the old before re-establishing the new. In order to recast a perfect set of energy channels and meridians, one had no choice but to first destroy their previously flawed foundation, before they could even attempt to recast this unique set of meridians from the legends – the Stellar Meridians! Although this was only the embryonic form of the legendary Stellar Meridians, it’s ability to accommodate and adjust the Astral Energy within one’s body was already far beyond that of cultivators with normal meridians.
This person, regardless of the cost… he must recruit him to the Emperor Star Academy!
“Elder, do you have any instructions for me?” Qin Wentian asked as he looked at Mustang.
“Based on the strength of the Astral Pressure fluctuations from your body, your cultivation level should’ve already broken through to the 5th level of the Body Refinement Realm, right?”
“What a terrifying vision, although my actual cultivation level is only at the 4th level of the Body Refinement Realm, because of the Astral Soul from the 5th Heavenly Layer I condensed, the Astral Energy within me is tyrannical beyond compare, and thus, there’s a lapse in his judgement.” Qin Wentian kept silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
“Two days later, when representatives of all the powers are gathered at the Bai Residence, there are bound to be many academies seeking for disciples to enroll and undoubtedly, there will be many tests and examinations. Although your talent is unsurpassed and of the highest degree, your current strength is still insufficient. Here, I have something for you. Two days later, I hope to see you there at the Bai Residence.” After ending the conversation, Mustang took out a manual and a Yuan Meteor Stone and passed it to Qin Wentian. After which, he lept through the air, flying through the skies as he bid goodbye.
Qin Wentian’s vision focused on Mustang, as he stared in awe. His body movement technique had actually reached the realm of being as light as a swallow, soaring through the skies. This was an obvious indicator that Mustang was a cultivator at the terrifying Yuanfu Realm. “One day, I swear, I too will soar through the heavens.”
Looking at the items in his hand, his pupils contracted, as his heart slightly shivered with excitement. This stone he held, had an immense amount of Astral Energy stored within it — it was an extremely valuable cultivation resource, the Yuan Meteor Stone. And as for the manual, there were only three big words written there – Subduing Dragon Fist
“Emperor Star Academy.” Qin Wentian silently murmured in his heart. At this moment, footsteps could be heard as the shadow of a body appeared next to him, along with a fragrance that drifted with the wind.
“I’ve told you long ago, Bai Qingsong is a sly old fox. That’s why I was opposed to the marriage engagement earlier, but you proceeded on anyway, lusting for ravishing women, captivated by a lovely vision, losing yourself in the beauty of ‘Autumn Snow.” a gentle voice rang out teasingly.
Traces of a smile could be seen from Qin Wentian face. As his gaze shifted to the side, an incomparably beautiful face appeared before him. Her brows were comparable to the splendor of a crescent moon, with laughter in her eyes… that fair jade-like face with exquisite features, her skin that was so silky smooth and tender that it seemed that it would be damaged by the slightest touch, capable of invoking uncontrollable lust in men as they involuntary wished to kiss her… Qin Yao had the same status as Autumn Snow. She was one of the four great beauties in the Sky Harmony City, someone at the epitome of beauty.
“If I was what you said, lusting for beautiful woman, I would just cling to Sister Qin Yao everyday.” Qin Wentian laughed in reply.
“Stop your nonsense.” Qin Yao slightly berated, as she continued on saying, ”You drove a wedge between father and my esteemed teacher, how will I continue to survive when I return back to the Royal Academy? How are you going to compensate me for that.”
Qin Wentian, withdrew the Yuan Meteor Stone which he had kept in his robes earlier, and passed it over to Qin Yao, laughingly stating, ”The Astral Energy contained within this Yuan Meteor Stone is exceedingly strong, the fluctuations seem to indicate that it originated from the 2nd Layer of Heavens — you can have it.”
Qin Yao gazed at Qin Wentian and sighed, ”Every time Father gifted you with Yuan Meteor stones, you would always stealthily pass them to me. Now that I have already broken through to the Arterial Circulation Realm, how could I still bear to receive the stones from you.”
As she thought of the past, the gaze of Qin Yao visibly softened. Although Qin Wentian had indeed caused a wedge to be driven between her esteemed teacher and Qin Chuan, there was no way she would have blamed him. Ever since young, this little brother of hers had always assisted her with her cultivation. Whenever their father gifted Yuan Meteor Stones to him, Qin Wentian would always unconditionally passed them to her, forbidding her from revealing so. If it wasn’t for her little brother, how would she even have the cultivation level she had today.
“The Arterial Circulation Realm!” Qin Wentian joyfully exclaimed. “Okay then, this time around, I shall keep this Yuan Meteor Stone instead.”
After all, there was only two days remaining. It was imperative that he raise his current level of strength quickly, through the aid of the Yuan Meteor Stone.
“Wentian, don’t bother so much about people like the Bai Clan. I am well acquainted with plenty of beautiful girls in the Royal Capital. In the future when there is a chance, let me introduce some of them to you.” Qin Yao consoled him.
Only now did Qin Wentian know the actual reason why Qin Yao had followed behind him and Mustang. It was to offer consolation, as she was worried that this matter of the marriage engagement would heavily affect him.
Qin Wentian stopped his steps as he squatted down, causing Qin Yao to be bewildered. Looking at Qin Wentian, she couldn’t help but ask, ”What are you doing?”
“Come up.” Qin Wentian laughed, gesturing to his back.
“Come up your head!” Qin Yao hastily replied, as tinge of redness could be seen blushing on her cheeks. Rolling her eyes at Qin Wentian, she ignored him.
“What’s the matter pretty girl? Everyday when we were young, you would climb up on my back, ordering me to piggy back you. Now that we’re both adults, it seems like you no longer want me as your brother.” Qin Wentian continued to tease her laughingly, causing Qin Yao to stamp her foot on the ground. This fellow, here he was dragging up embarrassing things from the past again.
Qin Yao was slightly older than Qin Wentian, and she was almost 17 this year. Now that she had grown up, slender and elegant, and as pure as a jade, how could she not be embarrassed when Qin Wentian wanted to piggyback her around just like the times when they were both kids. But even so, she still hopped up onto his back, with her hands clasping securely on Qin Wentian’s shoulders as she gazed around, shyness apparent in her eyes.
“Okay, let’s go.” Qin Wentian’s hands were supporting the back of Qin Yao’s thighs — it felt like a soft bundle of cotton was resting behind his back — causing him to laugh as he stated, ”Sister Qin Yao has really grown up.”
Rolling her eyes as she bit her lips, Qin Yao extended her hands and twisted the ear of Qin Wentian. “How dare you continue teasing me.” Although they weren’t real blood siblings, the relationship between both of them had been extremely close.
“Seems like I was worried for nothing.” Qin Yao lightly said, realizing that this little brat didn’t even seem to be the slightest bit affected by the annulling of the marriage engagement between him and Autumn Snow.
As the two of them joked about, they soon arrived at one of the courtyards of Qin Chuan’s residence. Qin Chuan’s residence could be split into two courtyards, the eastern courtyard and the western courtyard. Qin Chuan, his wife, as well as Qin Yao, were residing in the eastern courtyard, while Qin Wentian and his Uncle Black, were residing in the western one.
At this moment, in the courtyard, there was a woman whose features greatly resembled Qin Yao, so well maintained that it looked like she was only in her late twenties. Upon seeing Qin Wentian piggybacking Qin Yao, a warm smile blossomed on her face.
“Yao er, you are already all grown up, yet you still like to stick to Wentian.” Mother Qin knew that Qin Yao was older than Qin Wentian, but the scene of Wentian piggybacking Qin Yao made it seem as though Qin Wentian was her older brother instead.
“Mother, no, this fellow is taking advantage of me!” Qin Yao pouted as she got off the back of Qin Wentian.
“Taking advantage? What advantages do you have left that was not already taken by Wentian?” Mother Qin gently smiled, causing Qin Wentian to bashfully turn his head as he got back up from his half-squatting position.
“Mother!” Qin Yao speechlessly stomped her foot on the ground.
“Mother, I shall go and visit Uncle Black now.” From the way Qin Yao was glaring at him, Qin Wentian could tell that Qin Yao was embarrassed and thus, he took the hint to leave.
After he arrived at the Western Courtyard, he saw an feeble and decrepit figure sweeping the courtyard. This decrepit figure was missing an arm and a leg, with a bent body posture, appearing to be of extreme old age.
“Uncle Black, let me take over from you.” Qin Wentian walked forward, and at this moment, as the old man turned his head, as he gazed at Qin Wentian before asking, ”You condensed your Astral Soul?”
Qin Wentian calmly nodded his head, he was not surprised that Uncle Black would be able to tell.
“Which Heavenly Layer? What type of Constellation?” Uncle Black continued asking.
“5th Heavenly Layer, the Heavenly Hammer Constellation.”
The decrepit frame of Uncle Black’s body slightly shuddered, before swiftly recovering. After that, he turned his back and continued walking to the backyard, not saying anything.
Qin Wentian silently followed Uncle Black to the training grounds located in the backyard, only to see that Uncle Black sitting on a stone bench, looking at him. “Throughout all these years, I was the one that forced you to shatter your meridians, causing you to endure unimaginable pain, even disallowing you from absorbing the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth, and refusing to let you condense your Astral Soul back then. Do you hate me?”
“Uncle Black, ever since I was young, I had already understood your kind intentions. If I absorbed the Yuan Qi from Heaven and Earth, it would cause my sensory abilities to diminish, and if I formed an innate link with a Constellation early, when my sensory abilities had not yet been heightened through practice of meditation, How could the current me be able to condense an Astral Soul from the 5th Heavenly Layer?” Qin Wentian replied, smiling as he continued, “only by accumulating sufficient strength from meditation, was I able to appropriately raise my sensory strength. Self-destruction of my meridians was not a disaster, but a blessing instead.”
“Humans are all greedy by nature, seeking rapid advancement in a moment, absorbing the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth, concurrently cultivating while attempting to sense the Astral Energies from the Astral Rivers in the Nine Heavenly Layers to condense their Astral Souls. What they didn’t realise was that the absorption of Yuan Qi from the Heaven and Earth would bury their talent in sensing of the Astral Energies. After many years of meditation, results have already been shown, since you’ve already condensed your Astral Soul. From today onwards, I will not bother about your cultivation methods, but you have to remember one thing. That is, never, ever, to absorb the Yuan Qi from Heaven and Earth. Only then, will the Astral Qi in your body be pure enough to enable you to open the Astral Gates and condense your Astral Souls in the future.”
Qin Wentian acquiesced his head in agreement as he stated, ”Wentian will remember it well.”
After all, this world was a world that was dictated by the mightiest of Stellar Martial Cultivators