AGM 251 - Grandmaster Ghaus
When Qin Wentian saw Bailu Yi unceremoniously ‘tossing him aside’ as she walked away, he couldn’t help but smile wryly in his heart. That man should be Bailu Yi’s father.
There was another young man standing beside Bailu Yi. This young man was robed in white, dotingly tousling Bailu Yi’s hair, like what a senior would do to an adorable junior. Bailu Yi glared fiercely at that young man before breaking into a smile. Evidently, they had a very close relationship between them.
And in that moment, the young man’s gaze abruptly shifted, riveting onto Qin Wentian. Just a look from the young man caused Qin Wentian to feel a sensation of extreme sharpness pressing down onto him, indicating that the combat prowess of this young man was extraordinary. At the very least, the young man was several times stronger when compared to himself at present.
“This person should be the elder brother of Bailu Yi.” Qin Wentian mused. If this guy was her boyfriend, how would he even have the chance to peacefully spend his days studying Divine Inscriptions at such close range with her? Moreover, the natural interactions between them reminded Qin Wentian of him and his sister, Qin Yao. He often liked to pinch Qin Yao’s cheek or tousle her hair, causing Qin Yao to glare irritably at him.
“Qin Wentian, Chu Mang, Fan Le of the junior generations pay their respects to the Elders of the Institute.” Qin Wentian and his two brothers bowed slightly to show deference.
There was no response. The only reaction that Qin Wentian could feel were waves of pressure boring down on him. However, his countenance remained calm and composed, and he quietly stood there with an attitude that was neither servile nor overbearing. Qin Wentian had weathered so many storms, how could he not have the slightest bit of strength of character.
“What have you come here for?” An elder looked towards Qin Wentian as he spoke. This elder had large eyes that seemed to contained great power within them. Usually, the target of his stares would feel immensely pressured.
“Junior has recently studied the Dao of Divine inscriptions in the White Deer Institute and thus encountered Miss Bailu’s grace and good favor, leading to an exchange of discourse in Divine Inscriptions with her, thereby allowing my attainment in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions to soar rapidly. This Junior is confident enough in my own abilities and am willing to represent the Institute to participate in the exchange for Divine Inscriptionist in the Eastern City of the Moon Continent,” Qin Wentian stated.
“Ridiculous, do you think my Institute is lacking in talent? How could you, as an outsider, represent the Institute?” berated an old man. This person stood nearer to the side, indicating his status was somewhat lower and wasn’t one of the four Supreme Elders that had the authority to make decisions. But of course, he was still more than qualified enough to berate a junior out in public.
“The White Deer Institute is considered a ‘major clan’ that specialises in Divine Inscriptions. Their expertise and attainment in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions far surpasses others. During the course of exchange with Miss Bailu, Junior has truly learnt a lot and broadened my horizons. However, similar to cultivation, the Dao of Divine Inscriptions is boundless. I, Qin Wentian, have absolute confidence when I say that I’m willing to represent the Institute for the exchange but if the White Deer Institute chooses not to allow it because it feels that I’m not a member, just treat it as though this Junior has said nothing.”
“What a good word, ‘absolute confidence’. You mean no one in my White Deer Institute is more suitable than you?” The tone of the elder with the large eyes seemed to be filled with the buzzing of a predatory bird, containing a hint of a threat within his voice.
Qin Wentian locked eyes with the Elder, with no hints of fear in him at all. “That’s right.”
“Hmm?” The old man’s eyebrows twitched as an aura of sharpness gushed towards Qin Wentian. The elder laughed menacingly, “’That’s right? How impudent.”
Qin Wentian felt the pressure. His body tightened as his heart clenched from it, but he still remained standing upright, straight-back and proud. If he couldn’t even resolve this matter here, how could he eventually control the White Deer Institute?
That old man was evidently a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign, but it wasn’t only him, all elders of the White Deer Institute were Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns as well. Qin Wentian could feel how tiny and inconsequential he was in front of a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign, but so what about it? He would never forget the reason why he came here.
Bailu Yi’s father, Bailu Shan held a hint of admiration in his eyes as he saw how unyielding Qin Wentian was.
However at this moment, Qin Wentian’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Impudent? Senior, you have yet to understand my abilities, but termed me as impudent. Doesn’t that make you impudent as well?”
After speaking, Qin Wentian inclined his head slightly, that perfectly composed countenance radiated an innate self-confidence that could clearly be felt when people gazed at him.
The elder with the large eyes involuntarily felt his heart tremble as he saw how calm Qin Wentian was. Such an extraordinary demeanor and confidence reminded him of his interactions with the few Heaven’s Chosen he had met in the past. And now, Qin Wentian was projecting a similar presence.
“Hmph I want to see if you are an ignorant fool or truly a Heaven’s Chosen. I’m truly curious to see what capabilities you possess.” A light shone in the elder’s eyes as he continued, “Bailu Yan, go test out his level of attainment in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions.”
“Right.” A middle-aged man stepped out, standing before Qin Wentian. This person was one of the three chosen to represent the White Deer Institute for the exchange this time around, being one of the two supporting Bailu Yi.
“What do you want to compete in? Combat-oriented Divine Inscriptions? Formations? Or Puppets?” Bailu Yan stared at Qin Wentian with contempt. Truly the ignorant were fearless, Qin Wentian was too arrogant.
“Up to you,” Qin Wentian nonchalantly replied, his manner as casual as the drifting winds.
“Hehe, let’s just directly inscribe Divine Inscriptions then.” Bailu Yan coldly laughed as his palm slammed down towards the ground’s surface. Light rumbling sounds rang out as a brilliant glow emanated from a set of runic outlines, which appeared engraved on the ground.
“There’s no need to compete any further,” Qin Wentian lightly commented causing looks of puzzlement to be exchanged around the crowd, as they stared at Qin Wentian.
Bailu Yan halted his movements as he coldly laughed. “You’re admitting defeat just like that?”
“No, but you are not good enough,” Qin Wentian casually replied, causing the smile on Bailu Yan to freeze on his face. His countenance turned to rage. This fellow was truly impudent.
Not only Bailu Yan, many shared his sentiments within the crowd. Even Bailu Shan was frowning.
Bailu Jing who was standing at the side of Bailu Yi, had an expression of interest on his face.
However at that moment, the crowd only saw Qin Wentian lifting his hand and blasting out with his palm. A moment later, a dazzling light erupted as runic outlines formed instantaneously in midair. Nay, not runic outlines, but rather, a complete picture.
The hearts of the crowd trembled, especially that elder with large eyes. He was staring dumbfoundedly with an expression of fascination.
“Is this sufficient?” Qin Wentian clasped his hands together, causing that dazzling light from before to fade away. He directed his serene gaze onto Bailu Yan as he asked.
“Impossible, not even a third-ranked Divine Inscriptionist could inscribe Divine Inscriptions in midair without drawing support from a medium.” Bailu Yan felt as though a giant sledgehammer had smashed his heart. He couldn’t believe what he just saw.
“What you are unable to do, doesn’t mean it cannot be accomplished by others,” Qin Wentian unperturbedly replied, as he continued walking forwards. Every step he took birthed a Sword-type Divine Inscription beneath his feet. The sword intent caused a cacophony of sword keening to fill the air as they accompanied Qin Wentian with each step.
It was as though Qin Wentian took each step with a controlled rhythm. The sword keen grew louder and louder, the sword intent growing increasingly stronger along with it.
At this moment, Qin Wentian had already arrived at the stairs leading up to the platform. Stepping upwards, the cacophony of sword keens intensified as boundless sword intent swirled together, forming a sword filled with an overwhelming might. The weapons then transformed into a beam of light, tearing apart space, zooming explosively towards Bailu Yan.
Bailu Yan’s countenance became increasingly unsightly, he retreated without pause as his arms waved about frantically, inscribing Divine Inscriptions to block the attack. Yet his attempts were futile, the beam of sword light effortlessly enveloped Bailu Yan within. With a howl of rage, Bailu Yan’s Astral Souls exploded forth. The sounds of a terrifying impact rang out, as Bailu Yan’s attacks caused the dome of light to finally break apart. In spite of this, the sword intent still lingered in the air, leaving behind Bailu Yan who looked to be extremely battered and exhausted, in an exceedingly pathetic state.
The crowd’s stares shifted back to Qin Wentian, only to see him acting as though nothing out of the ordinary happened, standing to the side and dipping into a slight bow towards Bailu Yan, “Pardon me.”
“Hmph.” Bailu Yan flicked his sleeves and departed. He naturally felt unhappy in his heart for having lost to a junior, even though he now knew that Qin Wentian’s attainment in the Dao of Divine Inscriptions was higher than his own.
“Indeed, you’re not bad at all,” spoke the large-eyed elder. “To be able to inscribe Divine Inscriptions in the middle of the air, I will give you a chance. You and Bailu Yi will act as support during the exchange.”
“Acting as support?” Bailu Yi’s expression faltered, wasn’t the initial plan for her to be the main lead while two others supported her? With the appearance of Qin Wentian, she would naturally be willing to relinquish the lead position to him, but today the elder actually said that both of them were to act as support? Who would take the main position then?
“Yup, Little Yi, Grandmaster Ghaus will represent our White Deer Institute in the exchange this time round, we would have to trouble you to act as support for him instead.” The large-eyed elder smiled at her, as Bailu Yi’s expressions froze for a moment before she added, “Is Grandmaster Ghaus back?”
“The Institute had specially invited him for this event.” The words of the elder caused Bailu Yi to tremble slightly, to think that they would actually go so far as to invite Grandmaster Ghaus. It appeared that the Institute placed extremely high importance on the exchange this time around.
“Grandmaster Ghaus, how about coming out.” The large-eyed elder laughed. A few moments later, an old man clad in black slowly made his way forward. Upon arriving at the platform, he laughed, “Ghaus greets all the elders, I hope all of you are as well as before.”
“Back then, Grandmaster Ghaus had cultivated for a period of time in our Institute, resulting in our reputation growing even brighter. And now that Grandmaster Ghaus’s inscriptions have already reached the Transformation Boundary of the third-level, we have to count on you for the exchange then,” the large-eyed elder courteously replied.
“It is my honor to represent the Institute.” Ghaus amicably laughed.
It was as though Qin Wentian was shunted to the side. The large-eyed elder then glanced at Qin Wentian, “According to our info, there will be several major clans and sects sending out powerful people to participate in this exchange. With the presence of Grandmaster Ghaus, our chances of victory would certainly be boosted immensely.”
“Do you have any objection?” the large-eyed elder asked.
Qin Wentian muttered to himself irresolutely for a moment, before smiling and replying, “No problem.”
After all, his objective today was to allow the members of the White Deer Institute to know of his name. Although he had displayed some of his capabilities, maybe it was because of his age that the Institute felt more inclined to place their trust in an older and more experienced Divine Inscriptionist. But this was fine as well, he had already achieved his objective and furthermore, if he could showcase even more of his true skill in this exchange, what did it matter who the positions of the lead and support were? The supporter may very well end up being the one carrying the team to victory.
Also, the White Deer Institute had evidently already made their decision. If he were to object, wouldn’t that make it seem as though he had no sense of propriety.
The large-eyed elder rested his gaze upon Qin Wentian for a moment. After which, he smiled and nodded his head. Today, the members of the White Deer Institute had acquainted themselves with Qin Wentian. And by all accounts, it appeared their first impression of him was quite favourable!