AGM 198 - Life-and-Death Contract
News of the dissolution of the Emperor Star Academy quickly spread out to the entire Royal Capital, and caused an immense wave of commotion.
Today, the academy that stood at the peak of Chu for 3,000 years, had actually been dissolved. This caused many to lament silently in their hearts.
Everyone actually understood that the Emperor Star Academy had no choice but to do what they did. Facing the relentless suppression from the Royal Clan, together with the backing from the Nine Mystical Palace, including Headmaster Diyi’s tyrannical stance of killing their experts, in the end there was no way the Nine Mystical Palace would let this go. Thus, the best solution left was to dissolve the Emperor Star Academy.
At this moment within the academy, a heavy sense of grief could be felt in the air. Countless students bid their farewells to each other as they departed.
Qin Wentian stood atop a faraway pavilion as he gazed at the students of the academy, and an indescribable feeling erupted in his heart.
“Why are you sad?” Luo Huan walked to the side of Qin Wentian, her beautiful eyes also staring at the departing students. A bitter smile tugged the corners of her lips, as a sense of helplessness could be felt emanating from her.
“Sister Luo Huan, what are your plans now?” Qin Wentian turned, gazing at that beautiful countenance, as he squeezed out a smile.
“Sigh, I plan to visit the Azure Continent. The Nine Mystical Palace is said to be situated there and I want to see how exactly powerful it really is,” Luo Huan replied, “How about you? Where do you plan to go? Do you want to go together with me?”
“No, I still have some things yet to complete,” Qin Wentian replied in a low voice. Luo Huan contemplated Qin Wentian, only to see his clear eyes looking back at her. She couldn’t tell what her junior brother was thinking. This fellow had really matured.
Luo Huan walked forward, extending her arms to embrace Qin Wentian into a hug. Her actions caused Qin Wentian to be stunned. Luo Huan’s beautiful eyes were only an inch away from his, and as her busty chest pressed against his, Qin Wentian blushed, feeling a burning sensation upon his face.
“Seems like you are still a little boy after all, come on don’t be shy.” Luo Huan laughed, as her sexy and lustrous lips kissed Qin Wentian on his forehead.
“Sister, don’t you know how great your charm is?” Qin Wentian bitterly smiled.
Luo Huan giggled as she broke the embrace. “Junior Brother, thank you for everything. You must hurry and grow up to be someone dependable.”
“I definitely will.” Qin Wentian nodded heavily in agreement. Losing such an important place, he never wanted to repeat the experience ever again.
“Enough, Luo Huan, stop flirting with your Junior Brother. Wentian, Elder Ren is looking for you.” Mustang approached them from the back as he smiled.
“Teacher, I’m trying to build up a better relationship with Junior Brother Qin, I don’t wish for him to forget all about me in the future.” Luo Huan laughed.
“You and your dastardly ideas.” Mustang glared at Luo Huan, but he was feeling exceptionally happy in his heart. After the death of Mountain, the students that became closest to him were none other than Luo Huan, Qin Wentian, Yu Fei and Fan Le. He naturally hoped that they would have a good future.
However, there was still a knot in his heart. Ye Wuque, Wu Chong, Wang Teng weren’t dead yet.
The death of Mountain had yet to be avenged.
.…..
Qin Wentian followed Ren Qianxing and arrived at a temporary residence in the mountains. Over there, he met Diyi.
Diyi smiled, gesturing for Qin Wentian to take a seat.
Qin Wentian nodded, as he sat down beside him. Diyi cast a glance at Ren Qianxing, who understood his silent request, and thus departed the area. Over here at this mountain peak, so tall that it could overlook the entire Emperor Star Academy, only Qin Wentian and Diyi remained.
“I’ve asked the teachers and elders to copy the cultivation arts and innate techniques from the Heavenly Star Pavilion and pass it on to our departing students. In addition, I’ve chosen and prepared the original version of these innate techniques for you to cultivate. As for cultivation arts, I didn’t select any. In any case you should know best which are the ones most suitable for you, so go ahead and choose them for yourself. ” Diyi took out a few innate technique manuals and passed them over to Qin Wentian.
“Thank you, Headmaster.” Qin Wentian didn’t fake being courteous, as he accepted the manuals. Indeed, he didn’t have the time to go to the 6th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion to select top-tier Earth-Grade innate techniques.
“How many Yuanfus do you currently have?” Diyi glanced at Qin Wentian inquiringly, as an expression of admiration flickered on his face.
Qin Wentian’s countenance froze, as the words sank in. So, Diyi already knew.
“Three Yuanfus,” Qin Wentian replied. Momentarily, Diyi drew in a long breath, as he patted Qin Wentian heavily on his shoulders. “Good, good, the Azure Emperor finally has a successor.”
“Headmaster, have you always acted as the guardian for the academy?” Qin Wentian curiously asked.
“Yes.” Diyi nodded, as he replied, “You should already know of the Azure Emperor Palace. That year, after the death of the Azure Emperor, the palace was infiltrated by external powers. They wanted to obtain the inheritance of the Azure Emperor. The Azure Faction had no choice, so as a last resort, several babies were sent away, raising them apart from the chaos and the influence of the disintegrating Azure Emperor Palace. Now a few thousand years have passed, and those external powers that infiltrated the Azure Emperor Palace have already become the main faction while the Azure Faction, those of Dicang’s bloodline, were firmly suppressed.”
“But luckily, the decision to send away the babies proved to be great foresight. After they grew up, they became the 'hidden' Azure Faction, and no one knew of their existence. However, news of the 'hidden' faction was gradually exposed over the years. This was all due to Luo Tianya, who incited the conflict between the Emperor Star Academy and the Nine Mystical Palace.”
“Headmaster, are you saying that the ones that lent the Emperor Star Academy a helping hand was someone from the 'hidden' Azure Faction?” Qin Wentian asked in surprise.
“Yes, back then I was still guarding the Heavenly Star Pavilion. I didn’t wish to expose myself before the Azure Emperor’s final secret of the Azure Emperor was obtained by a successor. However, this matter was partly discovered by the ‘outsider’ Faction of the Azure Emperor Palace. Luckily, they only knew bits and pieces of it.” Diyi laughed as he continued, “In reality, the 'hidden' Azure Faction would always send some of their members to cultivate within the Emperor Star Academy. I’m a very good example, and there are also others, but no one knew of our true background. However, none of us succeeded in the tests the Azure Emperor set and eventually, the inheritance fell into your hands.”
An expression of astonishment flashed through Qin Wentian’s face. Only now did he understand more clearly the crux of the story.
Diyi then retrieved a token, with the word ‘Azure’ engraved onto it. He passed the token over to Qin Wentian as he stated, “I’m the keeper for this token, but I don’t have the authority to use it. From this moment onwards, as the successor, this shall belong to you.”
Diyi spoke, passing the token over, and as their hands came into contact, his fingers lightly sliced past, and a drop of blood fell from Qin Wentian’s finger onto the token. Instantly, it shone with a radiant glow, and to Qin Wentian’s surprise, a map appeared in the space above the token.
“From this moment onwards, this belongs to you. The map shows the location of where the 'hidden' Azure Faction is located. I hope that in future, when your power is enough, you will lead them back to the Azure Emperor Palace to reclaim their rightful place, able to live without fear of the threat posed by those transcendent powers of the nine continents,” Diyi solemnly spoke, causing great waves to billow in Qin Wentian’s heart.
“How strong are they?” Qin Wentian asked.
Diyi smiled, “I’m not clear of their actual strength but at the very least, they should be more powerful when compared to the Xiao Faction of the Nine Mystical Palace. However, you have to remember that members of the ‘hidden’ Azure Palace place great emphasis on keeping a low profile. Back then, many transcendent powers banded together to kill the Azure Emperor, and they would definitely not allow the Azure Emperor Palace to rise up in power once again.”
“Mhm.” Qin Wentian earnestly took note.
“And one more thing, you are not a descendant of the direct bloodline, so it will not be so easy for you to completely control the power of the ‘hidden’ Azure Faction,” Diyi explained, and comprehension dawned on Qin Wentian’s face. Oh yeah, with his current power, how would those Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns of the ‘hidden’ Azure Faction even acknowledge his commands? It truly wouldn't be easy.
“However you don’t need to worry. Even if you can’t control them, at the very least, they wouldn’t act against you. They would wait for you to grow, until you obtained their recognition.”
“I will definitely work hard.” Qin Wentian calmed the waves in his heart as he gave a carefree laugh. Upon learning such a huge secret, there shouldn’t be anyone that would be able to remain calm, right?
Although the ‘hidden’ Azure Faction would be under his control, it went without saying that as of now, the burden and responsibility of reviving the Azure Emperor Palace back to its former glory now fell onto his shoulders.
“I also heard that you and that lass of the Mo Clan are mutually fond of each other. She has extraordinary talent in the field of herbs and alchemy. It’s just that it’s hard for her talent to blossom when stuck in such a small place as Chu. Before I depart, do you want me to act as your matchmaker?” Diyi laughed, causing an expression of embarrassment to appear on Qin Wentian’s face.
“It’s still too early for that.” Qin Wentian gulped, as nervousness flickered in his eyes.
“Haha, you’re right. In that case, I shan’t interfere in the matters of you youngsters any longer.” Diyi laughed, as he shifted his glance to the ephemeral silhouette poised not far away from him. She stood there silently, as though she didn’t exist. Due to her presence, Diyi refrained from reminding Qin Wentian to be wary of dangers and to take care of himself. He knew that Fairy Qingmei had already made preparations to ensure the safety of Qin Wentian.
Naturally, Qin Wentian had already noticed the ephemeral beauty standing near him. He felt it was somewhat strange, however, she didn’t say anything to him, and just stood there silently.
…………
Regarding the news of Emperor Star Academy’s dissolution, the Royal Clan of Chu was secretly delighted. Although they were intimidated by Diyi’s actions, nevertheless from this moment onwards, the Emperor Star Academy would no longer exist. This meant that the power that had been opposing the Royal Clan for over 3,000 years was no more. Naturally, they would feel relaxed.
For these past months, because of Qin Wentian, the Emperor Star Academy remained in direct opposition against the Royal Clan.
Now that the students of the Emperor Star Academy dispersed, some even leaving Chu, the Royal Clan didn’t interfere. They were more than willing to see such a situation.
However today, outside the residence of one of the powers supporting the Royal Clan, the Ye Clan, a Life-and-Death Contract was deposited, challenging Ye Wuque. The location was none other the towering platforms of the Chu Emperor District, where the Jun Lin Banquet was hosted. The sender of the letter, was naturally Qin Wentian.
This piece of news was quickly publicized, as it soon engulfed the entire Royal Capital. Diyi’s appearance drew so much attention that many had already forgotten the champion of the Jun Lin Banquet, Qin Wentian, had already stepped into Yuanfu. And what’s more, he had tyrannically disposed of the second-ranked Sikong Minyue with such ease, it bordered on the absurd.
The most dazzling genius in the Jun Lin Banquet, ignoring the difference in their cultivation levels, had issued a challenge of his own accord to Ye Wuque, who had only just stepped into the 2nd level of Yuanfu himself. Undoubtedly, this piece of news was capable of stirring up the hearts of the people.
How strong was Qin Wentian now that he had broken through to Yuanfu?
A Life-and-Death Contract, these four words allowed everyone to know how strong Qin Wentian’s self confidence was.
Not only that, more news followed. Similarly, both Wang Teng and Wu Chong also received Life-and-Death Contracts issued by Qin Wentian.
Ye Wuque, Wu Chong, Wang Teng, were all at the 2nd level of Yuanfu. Back when they accompanied Xiao Lan to challenge the Emperor Star Academy, all three had obtained victory over the geniuses of the Emperor Star Academy who had the same level of cultivation base as them.
The Chu Emperor District, after the Jun Lin Banquet, once again started to attract the attention of the entire Royal Capital.
Qin Wentian, would he still be able to replicate his feats from back then? Shining with as much splendor as before, ignoring the differences between cultivation bases and wasting away those so called ‘geniuses’?