novelIdentity of the Black-Robed Figure
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AGM 384 - Identity of the Black-Robed Figure
Truly, Qin Wentian never failed to amaze the crowd.
Initially, they had all thought that with Shi Potian's strength, even if he couldn't completely suppress Qin Wentian, his victory would be a certainty.
But at this moment, their confidence was already wavering. Shi Potian had actually entered into a state of illusion.
But was it truly an illusion?
"No, that's definitely not an illusion." Emperor Azure had once experienced this type of attack from Qin Wentian. Not only that, he himself excelled in the usage of illusions, so how could he be mistaken about something like this? When he slashed at the wrong location, it didn't feel as though he was in a state of illusion at all. In fact, it felt like reality.
With Emperor Azure's expertise in illusions, he definitely wouldn't fall into an illusive state. Furthermore, one could break out of it by using the powerful wills of their Mandates. And leaving that aside, with Shi Potian's overwhelming power, he would definitely not fall into an illusion trap.
Back then, Emperor Azure had strongly felt that it was a reality, which was why he targeted that spot. Yet in the end, he was evidently mistaken. Now that he observed from the sidelines, he understood that that was no mere illusionist trick; it must have been powered by a specific type of will from a Mandate.
And as for that terrifying gigantic roc that was currently taking form. Was that a fourth-ranked combat-type Divine Inscription?
Along with Qin Wentian, the terrifying roc sped towards Shi Potian at the speed of light. That fearsome strength annihilated everything, and his Purgatory Vermilion Bird was also at an absolute advantage when facing against that of Shi Potian's, almost to the point of already devouring it. As Qin Wentian grew stronger, his Purgatory Vermilion Bird also seemed to gain in strength.
Finally, Shi Potian appeared to sense something. And currently, what his senses were telling him were fake. This wasn't an illusion, but rather a reality he created from his imagination.
"BOOOM!" The powerful great roc slammed into Shi Potian's body, instantly flinging him into the air. The armor on his body shattered into pieces as he was ruthlessly slammed into the ground, with his blood spraying in the air like a fountain. His Vermilion Bird met the same fate—it was already fully devoured by Qin Wentian's Purgatory Vermilion Bird.
The Qin Wentian-Roc gradually transformed back into a human. His aura fluctuated as his long hair and robes fluttered in the wind.
Upon seeing his imposing figure on stage, the spectators all understood that this dark horse had the ability to continue all the way down to the very end.
Qin Wentian had defeated Shi Potian, the Shi Potian that was regarded as an equal to Chen Wang.
Although Qin Wentian won only because he had an advantage in the speed attribute, which was a perfect counter to Shi Potian's weakness—his slowness—a victory was still a victory.
The overall combat strength of Qin Wentian was extremely well balanced and more than a little intimidating. It was as though he had no apparent weaknesses. For those stronger than him, they were no match for his speed. Not only that, he could also enter into a demonic form to boost his strength, alongside with a control ability that was more terrifying than any illusion.
He also had an unfathomable attack that could directly target the hearts of his opponents.
He could also inscribe powerful combat-type Divine Inscriptions instantly during combat.
The three battles had all been concluded.
Chen Wang defeated Zhan Chen.
Si Qiong defeated the black-robed figure.
Qin Wentian defeated Shi Potian.
The last battle out of these three brought the most shock to the hearts of the spectators. It wasn't the process but rather, the ending.
"Next, Chen Wang vs Shi Potian, Si Qiong vs Zhan Chen, Qin Wentian vs the black-robed figure, " Old Man Tianji stated. The three victors would fight against the three losers in a different battle order to better determine the rankings.
For example, although Shi Potian lost to Qin Wentian, what if he was stronger than Si Qiong? It was only fair to have multiple battles before finalizing the rankings.
But naturally, before the next battle, everyone would have a chance to rest and recover from their injuries.
When the next round finally commenced, the gazes of the spectators landed onto Chen Wang and Shi Potian who stood on the arena platform. This time around, the Vermilion Bird hovering behind Shi Potian had already disappeared, yet the crowd was still full of anticipation regarding this battle.
However, because Shi Potian had suffered defeat earlier, the crowd's perspective of him had already changed. They all felt that Chen Wang would definitely be the winner of this match. The aura of invincibility he used to possess had disappeared completely.
But if Shi Potian were to somehow defeat Chen Wang, didn't that mean that Qin Wentian would be able to defeat Chen Wang as well?
This battle was extremely critical to Shi Potian. He couldn't allow himself to be defeated again. Yet, the opponent he was facing this time around was none other than Chen Wang.
Right from the start of the battle, Shi Potian immediately unleashed the power of his bloodline, causing his physique to be visibly strengthened akin to an ancient primordial beast. His strength, attack and defense, they were all enhanced to an incredible degree.
Similarly, Chen Wang chose not to underestimate his opponent. With a blast, his Astral Souls were released, bathing the entire platform in brilliant sunlight. Both opponents had chosen the most direct method to square off—frontal collision.
On the platform, a flame giant was fighting against another gigantic ancient demonic beast. Even the mere shock waves ricocheting off their collision made those spectating it feel fear in their hearts. Chen Wang's flame giant form was about to shatter while Shi Potian's gigantic demonic frame was burning from the agonizing flames.
"Shi Potian, you aren't enough."
Abruptly, a voice echoed forth. Moments later, the spectators saw a huge flaming ball of resplendent sun flames above Chen Wang with his Astral Soul fused into it. An overwhelming palm strike slammed downwards, resembling the sun itself smashing onto the Earth. Shi Potian howled, yet he didn't evade the strike with his Stellar Transposition. Instead, he chose to face it head on, intending to use the most direct method to settle everything. How could he retreat when it came to a competition in strength?
"PENG!"
As the strike slammed down, Shi Potian's frame transformed into one of burning flames, his bones, flesh and even blood started to turn into lava, forcibly transformed by Chen Wang. Shi Potian wore an expression of struggling intensity on his face.
"Get down." Chen Wang blasted him off the stage.
Chen Wang was the victor for their battle, Shi Potian had lost once again.
If Qin Wentian defeated the black-robed figure, then Shi Potian would have one last chance to fight against Si Qiong. If he defeated Si Qiong, it would indicate that he would be stronger than the black-robed figure or Zhan Chen, who would have a higher probability of losing to Si Qiong in their upcoming battle. By then, he would at least be ranked third. But if Qin Wentian lost to the black-robed figure, all his hopes would go up in smoke.
Because the black-robed figure had lost to Si Qiong before. If he defeated Qin Wentian, this meant that he would have also defeated Shi Potian. In that case, there was no longer a need to continue battling.
And when that time came, Shi Potian would lose all chance of being ranked in the top three, losing the recognition of the entire Grand Xia.
Indeed, in the next battle, Si Qiong defeated Zhan Chen, but still no one believed that Shi Potian would be able to win against Si Qiong.
Both Shi Potian and Zhan Chen lost two in a row, causing the spectators to sigh in their hearts.
On one of the world's most dazzling stages, even the powerful Shi Potian and Zhan Chen suffered consecutive defeats.
Reality was that cruel. Zhan Chen had prepared so much just for this day, yet he still lost to Chen Wang and Si Qiong. But he told himself he wouldn't allow for another defeat to occur. No more, definitely.
Shi Potian was even worse off in comparison. Not only did he lose to Chen Wang, he even lost to Qin Wentian. As the person ranked #3 in the previous ranking, his performance was sorely disappointing this time around.
"Next is the battle between the black-robed figure and Qin Wentian, and we'll have to see how that will go. By right, their power levels should be roughly similar. Qin Wentian is exceedingly strong, but the black-robed figure can even injure Si Qiong, he's definitely not a simple character." The spectators mused as they started to engage in their fervent discussions.
What would the end result of the next battle be?
The tyrannical devil art of the black-robed figure, that strange disappearing technique, would it be able to counter Qin Wentian?
Qin Wentian's own attacks were also becoming increasingly unfathomable. Would that illusion-like technique be effective against the black-robed figure?
When both of them stood atop the platform, the heartbeats of the spectators quickened yet again as they eagerly watched on.
Both Qin Wentian and the black-robed figure were the dark horses of this tournament, gaining victory after victory all the way till here.
Qin Wentian didn't belong to any major power, whereas the black-robed figure's identity was a complete mystery. And now, the two strongest dark horses were finally in a direct confrontation.
"Who exactly are you?" Qin Wentian stared at his opponent. Contrary to the expectations of the spectators, Qin Wentian didn't immediately initiate the battle. Instead, he chose to question the black-robed figure.
The black-robed figure had helped him twice, Qin Wentian was always filled with curiosity over the identity of this person. Yet, this person had also injured Mo Qingcheng on this platform before.
Initially, Qin Wentian was filled with gratitude towards the black-robed figure. But after this person's battle with Mo Qingcheng, that feeling of curiosity intensified. He had to know for sure who this person was exactly.
The black-robed figure only stared coldly at him, choosing to remain in silence.
"It's fine if you don't want to tell me. I will just personally tear your veil off then." Qin Wentian indifferently replied, as his aura gushed forth.
"Kill me, or injure me heavily, and you may have a chance to see who I am. But if I'm the one that defeats you instead, I won't be the slightest bit courteous to you, " the black-robed figure hoarsely replied. In the memories of the spectators, this was the first time this person actually spoke. He had always been maintaining his silence.
A devilish qi started to emanate from the black-robed figure, as a terrifying devilish black cloud appeared in the sky.
"As you wish." Qin Wentian advanced step by step towards the black-robed figure, as his aura climbed up rapidly with no signs of stopping. Gathering demonic energy in his hands, a pair of wings appeared on his back, and Qin Wentian gave it his all right from the start. He didn't have the notion of underestimating his opponent the slightest.
With a flap of his wings, Qin Wentian's silhouette vanished, instantly appearing in front of the black-robed figure. The black-robed figure immediately reacted with a devil palm imprint—Qin Wentian coldly smiled as he too, blasted forwards with a dragon imprint, fully confident in his own strength. The power of their attacks was inexorably terrifying.
Instantly, as they clashed, the fearsome will of Qin Wentian's Mandate shot from his eyes into his opponent's mind. But at that very moment, the devil might exuding from his opponent's devil palm imprint abruptly disappeared in its entirety as the black-robed figure shifted away his palm, allowing Qin Wentian to freely unleash his attack.
Qin Wentian's countenance drastically fell, it was too late to pause his attack. The draconic roars echoed in the void as the overwhelming dragon imprint blasted with full force into his opponent's body.
"BOOOOM!"
The black-robed figure instantly flew through the air, like a kite with its string cut, and was ruthlessly slammed into the ground as fresh blood unceasingly seeped out.
At this moment, the entire crowd was dumbstruck. Why would the black-robed figure give up on his attack right at the last moment?
What was going on?
A lack of comprehension could also be seen etched on Qin Wentian's features. He didn't understand why his opponent chose to do this.
After an instant of stupefaction, Qin Wentian flickered then appeared next to the black-robed figure. The black cowl around the figure's head had already disintegrated, yet the veil still remained. Qin Wentian saw a head full of long, raven-black hair, and a pair of extremely beautiful eyes looking right back at him.
Somehow, they looked exceedingly familiar.
"Who are you?"
Qin Wentian felt his heart pounding with an indescribable emotion. He squatted down and lifted away the veil obscuring the black-robed figure's features.
An extremely delicate and exquisite countenance was revealed, full of youth and beauty.
The majority of the crowd felt as though a bolt of thunder had gone off in their hearts as they observed the features of the black-robed figure before them.
How can this be? That person who cultivated such a tyrannical art was actually such a young and beautiful maiden?
Not only that, although blood was still seeping unceasingly from the corner of her mouth, a smile could be seen in her sparkling eyes, unshed tears shimmering as she gazed at Qin Wentian.
Qin Wentian finally recognized her. Although her transformation was great, he could still recognize who she was. His heart shuddered violently as he felt an intense pain pierce through him, causing him to convulse involuntarily.
"WHY? WHY DID YOU DO THIS?"
Qin Wentian let out a low-sounding roar, filled with raw pain and agony. His hands gently caressed the face of the beautiful young woman lying on the ground, as he wiped away the traces of blood from her mouth.
"To atone for the crimes of my sister and father, to apologize to you on their behalf." A voice of incredible gentleness sounded out.
In her eyes, that warm smile could still be seen.
Her lips gently quivered, she stared intently at Qin Wentian, then smiled happily as she called out, "Wentian gege!"
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