AGM 0056 – Orchon’s Plan

The two of them chatted as if there were no one else around, causing the expression on Gretchen’s face to sink even further. She had never thought that Immortal Drunken Wine would actually help Qin Wentian.

Third ranked among all the ten prodigies in the royal capital, he wasn’t someone she could afford to antagonise.

“To think that you found yourself a backing so quickly.” Gretchen snorted. “But do you really think that I require external help to deal with the likes of you?”

Murin and Gretchen, back when they were in the Sky Harmony City, had already investigated Qin Wentian’s background. That time, Qin Wentian revealed an above average talent by condensing an Astral Soul from the 3rd Heavenly Layer. They speculated that he used a special technique to kill Ye Lang. Now, three months had passed. Even if Qin Wentian had made some improvement, how much could he have improved by?

As for the demonic ape that appeared before, Murin told her that it should be an Astral Beast summoned with the aid of a life-protecting treasure left by the Qin Clan’s Ancestor.

“A clan that’s declining, what genius can it possibly produce?” Gretchen laughed coldly as she turned to leave, “Let’s step outside.”

Although Gretchen was wildly arrogant, she wasn’t stupid enough to start a fight inside the Divine Weapon Pavilion.

Gretchen’s companions all had a mocking expression on their faces as they let out a laugh. Qin Wentian truly did not know the difference between life and death.

“Interesting.” The crowd watched the spectacle unfolding. Qin Wentian and his companions started to leave as well when he suddenly looked towards Francis, who was beside him, as he asked, “Are all weaponsmiths this wild and unbridled?”

“For high ranking weaponsmiths, even their bones stink of arrogance.” Francis smiled. “Back then, I was only a 1st-level weaponsmith but I already had an air of arrogance. You’ve witnessed my character before......”

After saying this, Francis seemed slightly embarrassed as he looked at Qin Wentian

Qin Wentian laughed. in the past, when he just met Francis, Francis had indeed been overwhelmingly arrogant.

As they exited the Divine Weapon Pavilion, Gretchen trained her gaze on Qin Wentian. A cold light flickered in her eyes. Earlier, Qin Wentian had purposely competed with her in order to cause the bidding price to shoot up, which made her suffer huge losses. Just this point alone was sufficient for Qin Wentian to compensate her with his life.

“She wants to kill you.” Fan Le narrowed his eyes. This woman was not simply arrogant; her heart was also akin to a poisonous viper. To think that she had thoughts of killing Qin Wentian just for what had happened earlier.

“Buzz.” Abruptly, Gretchen’s body flickered. Her body was like a feather floating in the wind, light and nimble, with a movement as fast as lightning. A sword light filled with an icy chill flashed as it shot forth, heading straight towards Qin Wentian’s body.

“What a swift sword.” The spectators’ expressions froze. Gretchen truly intended to kill Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian’s palms began emanating a surge of terrifying pressure. After practicing the Thousand Hands Imprint for so long, it was now time to test its might in actual combat.

The ground trembled as Qin Wentian took a step forth. With an explosive energy surging through his body, he struck out with one of his palms. That terrifying palm print exuded a tyrannical, domineering strength and flickered with a golden light. This was the first palm imprint of the Thousand Hand Imprint—the Diamond Imprint.

Gretchen’s sword, which had been coalesced from Astral Energy, immediately shattered. Even before the might of her swordplay could be brought out fully into play, it had already been completely suppressed by the strength of the Diamond Imprint.

The Thousand Hand Imprint was originally an innate technique that was famed for its domineering attacks. Not only that, the Astral Energy in Qin Wentian’s body originated from the 5th Heavenly Layer, and in addition to the boosting effects granted to him via his Heavenly Hammer Astral Soul, the strength of his normal attacks were already at a monstrous level even without utilizing Divine Energy.

“Boom. boom!” Qin Wentian stepped forth,dashing towards Gretchen. Simultaneously, both of his palms struck out with mighty pressure. Gretchen’s countenance instantly turned pale white, and she immediately swung out with the Origin Sword while releasing a sword-type Astral Soul at the same moment.

The sword light she released formed into the shape of the character “chop” as it forcefully chopped against one of the Diamond Palm Imprints, smashing it into smithereens. As for the other palm imprint, Gretchen had no other alternatives but to hurriedly extend her palms to meet the attack head on.

A thunderous sound echoed out as Gretchen felt the bones in her arms shattered. Fresh blood seeped out of the corners of her mouth.

Qin Wentian had no intentions of giving Gretchen the chance to fight back. Draconic roars rang out in succession as the claw of a azure dragon materialized, knocking the Origin Sword out from Gretchen’s hands. Meanwhile, Qin Wentian’s other fist explosively punched into Gretchen’s body, causing her to be flung into the air before brutally landing on the ground.

The battle ended in an instant. The nearby spectators were all stunned by the brutal display. This fellow gave no quarters whatsoever. After he had seized an advantage, like a raging storm of wind and rain, he immediately went all out, destroying Gretchen.

Wang Chong and the rest rushed forwards, only to see Immortal Drunken Wine stepping out. A monstrously sharp sword Qi permeated the air and caused Wang Chong and the rest to halt in their steps.

As all of this was happening, Qin Wentian had already arrived at Gretchen’s side. Standing there with his gaze riveted on her, the corners of his mouth broke into a slight smile. In his hands, he wielded the Origin Sword that Gretchen had dropped. As long as he lightly pierced downward, Gretchen would definitely die.

“I truly don’t understand the qualities you possess that enable you to be this arrogant.” Qin Wentian calmly stated. The questioning gaze pierced directly into Gretchen’s heart. She had never suffered such humiliation before.

However, since she lost to her opponent, Gretchen had nothing to say.

The pain of defeat, as well as this humiliation, was extremely intense indeed.

“Immortal Drunken Wine, if something really happened to Gretchen, I’m afraid that even you would not be able to withstand the backlash.” Wang Chong coldly looked the figure blocking him before shifting his gaze at Qin Wentian. “And you, remove your sword.”

With a smile, Immortal Drunken Wine said, “If I were you, I would shut up right now. If he really killed Gretchen, it wouldn’t be too good, would it?”

“Gretchen is a member of the Royal Academy, as well as a 2nd-level weaponsmith belonging to the Star River Association.” Wang Chong icily stated.

“A month ago, he killed Orfon in front of several elders of the Emperor Star Academy as well as in front of Orchon himself. If he kills her, don’t say that I didn’t tell you.” Immortal Drunken Wine nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.

“He’s Qin Wentian from the Emperor Star Academy.” The expression of one of Wang Chong’s companion froze. Naturally, the news of Qin Wentian killing Orfon had already been spread around the Royal Capital, so it wasn’t strange for the Royal Academy to know about it. It was only because Gretchen had only recently returned from her “close-door seclusion” that no one brought the matter up.

“He killed Orfon?” Gretchen sat up, looking towards her companions.

“Yes. In the Emperor Star Academy’s arena, right in front of everyone.” That person nodded his head, shooting a glance at Qin Wentian as he continued, “Not only that, both of the Astral Souls he condensed came from the 3rd and the 4th Heavenly Layer, respectively. As a result, the punishment for his offense of killing Orfon was a mere one month imprisonment.”

“Scram! Also, please inform Murin that I still remember quite clearly the way he treated my Qin Clan, I will certainly look for him in the future.” Qin Wentian flung the Origin Sword on the ground. Gretchen pitifully picked herself up and walked away.

The fact that Qin Wentian entered the Emperor Star Academy and possessed such shocking talent was a huge bruise on her ego.

Qin Wentian chose not to kill Gretchen because he was very clear about his current situation. The situation with the Ye Clan and the Ou Clan had already reached an irreversible situation. Although he managed to enter the Emperor Star Academy, he was not free of worries. On the contrary, even more people wanted his death.

Regardless of whether it was help from the Emperor Star Academy, the Divine Weapon Pavilion, or Immortal Drunken Wine, all this was not his own strength. Only when his own strength was capable of subduing everyone would he have the qualifications to be arrogant. To be able to do as he wish with no repercussions.

Qin Wentian shifted his gaze onto Immortal Drunken Wine, only to see Immortal Drunken Wine smiling at him, “Shall we get drunk?”

“Let’s get drunk.” Qin Wentian smiled as he nodded his head. “Where?”

“Anywhere, as long as you’re the one footing the bill.” Immortal Drunken Wine laughed, to which Qin Wentian merely shrugged. After doing so, he glanced at Fatty and Sheena before asking. “What about the both of you?”

“Hehe.” Fatty blinked as he smiled. “How about this? Sheena, go choose a Divine Weapon and put it on the tab of my dear boss. As for myself, I will go drinking with my boss.”

“This......” Sheena stuttered as she looked to Qin Wentian.

“Francis, accompany Sheena and put whatever she chooses on my tab.” Qin Wentian instructed Francis while glaring at Fatty. This damn fatty kept calling him his boss. He would definitely make Fatty pay the price one day.

“Sheena, there’s no need to stand on ceremony with my boss.” Fatty shamelessly continued. He had already seen how rich a weaponsmith would be. In the future, he would certainly make sure that he would obtain a few perks from Qin Wentian.

Francis led Sheena away, and the two of them departed. Fatty cast a glance at Immortal Drunken Wine and asked, “Ranked third among the Royal Capital’s ten prodigies. You should be very powerful, no?”

“Hmm, I guess I’m not too bad.” Immortal Drunken Wine replied, feeling that Fatty was an interesting fellow.

“After drinking, we would all be brothers. Can we seek your help if we ever get into a fight with others?” Fatty’s eyes shone with a sneaky light, causing Qin Wentian to roll his eyes. This fellow actually planned so far ahead. As long as they could enlist Immortal Drunken Sword’s help when fighting, dealing with Orchon was going to be a piece of cake.

“As long as there’s wine, fighting is no problem for me. Just don’t make me foot the bill.” Immortal Drunken Wine burst out laughing, causing the light in fatty’s eyes to shine even brighter.

“Qin Wentian, when you forge a 2nd-level top-grade Divine Origin Sword, remember to give one to me.” Immortal Drunken Wine laughed as he regarded Qin Wentian.

“No problem.” Qin Wentian straightforwardly agreed. Immortal Drunken Wine had a free and easy personality, and he didn’t mind directly asking Qin Wentian for a Divine Weapon. If he were asking someone else, this type of request would probably be regarded as taboo.

..............

In the Emperor Star Academy, home of the Knight’s Association.

Orchon, Murong Feng and the rest all gathered together. Orchon looked towards Murong Feng as he stated, “An incident occurred near the Divine Weapon Pavilion earlier this afternoon. Qin Wentian has already stepped into the 2nd level of Arterial Circulation, and not only that, Mustang passed the earth-grade Thousand Hand Imprint innate technique over to him. He should have already mastered the first imprint.”

“Do you think that he is capable of threatening me merely with that technique?” Murong Feng glanced at Orchon.

“At the very least, we can’t be careless. Previously, we thought that he already died in the Dark Forest, but in the end, my brother was the one who died in his place. This time around, we must fully seize this opportunity. I will give you an earth-grade innate technique for you to cultivate. Work hard in comprehending the insights behind it. Also, do you want to raise your Emperor Star Jade Medallion to the 5th grade?”

Murong Feng’s pupils contracted. A 5th grade Jade Medallion. Without a doubt, this was extremely tempting for him. However, the vast amount of Yuan Meteor Stones needed to upgrade it made him unable to afford it.

“Naturally.” Murong Feng stated.

“During moments of heated combat in the arena, accidents will often occur. If Qin Wentian were to somehow be crippled as a result of the battle, I can guarantee that I will increase the level of your Jade Medallion to the 5th grade.” A cold light radiated from Orchon’s eyes. As long as they crippled Qin Wentian, Qin Wentian would lose the protection granted to him by the Emperor Star Academy. In that case, the only path remaining for him was death.

The Ye Clan and the Ou Clan would most certainly be willing to provide the 300 Yuan Meteor Stones required to upgrade the Jade Medallion.

Murong Feng’s eyes narrowed. To him, this meant that they required him to take a risk. If he really crippled Qin Wentian, he didn’t know what reactions the Emperor Star Academy would have.

“This is a fair battle. With us here, the Emperor Star Academy would not go to such lengths to seek revenge for the sake of a crippled person.” The coldness in Orchon’s eyes intensified. As he heard those words, Murong Feng’s eyes similarly flickered with a cold glint of light.