Volume Two: A Bandit's Life, Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Dramatic Turn of Events

Everyone stared blankly at Lu Qingtian, who was radiating an increasingly fierce aura. Although they were unsure of the extent of the damage inflicted by Wan Peng’s sneak attack, they could infer that since Wan Peng was also a God King—albeit perhaps not as strong as Lu Qingtian—Lu Qingtian would not have fared well after being struck while completely caught off guard.

The God King of the Remote Region, standing to Lu Qingtian’s left, had shifted from feelings of gratitude and respect to confusion and anger after being wounded by Lu Qingtian. He could not fathom why this had happened; why, when he had gone to help block Wan Peng’s assault, he had instead been severely wounded by the very person he intended to assist.

Watching Lu Qingtian, a mocking smirk played on Qin Shuang’s lips. Not everyone could resist the allure of a Primordial Spiritual Treasure. In all honesty, even he and his elder brother, Qin Si, had felt an intense desire the first time they saw one, wishing they could claim it for themselves immediately.

The vast majority of the Heavenly Gods wore expressions of greed, tightening their grips on their weapons and itching to strike. Fang Tao, Gu Tai, and Shui Ruoyun were equally unsettled. Fang Tao, who had shifted into his true form, had murderous intent swirling in his purple eyes as he kept his gaze fixed on the Primordial Spiritual Treasure floating before Qin Shuang, clearly coveting the treasure himself.

Soon, the four were surrounded by the remaining Heavenly Gods. Those who had attempted to come to their aid were blocked by the Heavenly Gods of the Zixuan Alliance brought by Qin Si. The gods still loyal to the four looked on helplessly as they were encircled by enemies wielding Heavenly Artifacts. A wave of despair washed over them; they knew that with the opponent’s incomparably powerful Heavenly Artifacts, they stood no chance. They realized that while the battle had not yet begun, it was already nearing its end.

"Kill!" Someone roared. The Heavenly Gods surrounding the four trembled, and nearly a hundred beams of light slammed toward Lu Qingtian and his companions.

Lu Qingtian had by then suppressed the injuries within his body. He glared at the incoming gods with a sinister expression, his body suddenly transforming into a gust of wind. In the blink of an eye, to the shock of Qin Si and Qin Shuang, he had returned to his original position.

Thud, thud, thud... Nearly a hundred Heavenly Gods fell to the ground simultaneously. A fist-sized hole in each of their chests still emitted thin wisps of black smoke. "Time Acceleration?" Qin Shuang said in surprise. "To have comprehended Time Acceleration to such a level—I doubt there are many in the entire Primordial God Realm who have mastered it more deeply than you."

Qin Si was equally astonished. Lu Qingtian’s move just now was quite shocking; he had used Time Acceleration almost to its absolute limit. Most who reached the level of a God King could grasp Time Acceleration; in the Primordial Space, it was considered an innate skill for God Kings. However, just as the most basic martial arts can yield different results depending on the user, so too did Time Acceleration differ based on one's personal insights.

Most God Kings used Time Acceleration merely as an auxiliary tool for combat rather than a direct means of attack. If one spoke of offensive skills, Time Stasis was the true standard. Qin Yu had struggled immensely when he first encountered Time Stasis in the God Realm, which showed that a God King who could not master it could only be considered a novice.

What surprised the brothers was that Lu Qingtian had clearly blazed a new trail. He had somehow activated Time Acceleration on six illusions simultaneously while manifesting them. That was not all; what truly shocked them was that he had not only stacked Time Acceleration upon himself but also controlled the intensity with incredible precision.

Intensity! Most God Kings used Time Acceleration at a fixed rate—a hundredfold, thousandfold, or even ten-thousandfold. What they did not realize, or perhaps disdained, was that the tides of battle changed in an instant, and a static application of Time Acceleration did not always unleash its maximum potential.

Lu Qingtian, however, could exert his maximum offensive power through this meticulous control, choosing the exact level of acceleration based on the reality of the fight. This was not just the result of hard work; it was a testament to his innate talent.

"A pity," Qin Si said, a look of regret appearing on his face as he glanced at the Heavenly Gods whose souls had been scattered by Lu Qingtian’s strike. "Had you been as pragmatic as Zhao Yongkui, our Zixuan Alliance would have gained another powerful God King. It is a shame you are so stubborn."

Zhao Yongkui, standing behind Qin Si, hung his head upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "What do they mean by pragmatic? It was they who forced my hand. Still, since joining the Zixuan Alliance, this new faction seems quite decent; life is actually quite comfortable."

Lu Qingtian snorted coldly, ignoring Qin Si’s words. He turned his head to cast a look of disdain at the still-confused God King of the Remote Region, then said coldly to Shui Ruoyun and the others, "We are all in the same boat now. Under the temptation of the Primordial Spiritual Treasure, none of us can escape this greed. We must work together."

Shui Ruoyun looked at Gu Tai and Fang Tao beside her with a complex expression. Seeing their calm faces and deep, unfathomable eyes, and then looking at her subordinates surrounded by the Zixuan Alliance, a trace of sorrow appeared in her eyes.

"Qingliu Pavilion, stand down!" Shui Ruoyun took two steps back, her beautiful eyes filled with growing grief. She bit her lip and looked toward Qin Si. "Alliance Master Qin, could you have your men release the members of the Qingliu Pavilion? I have words for them. I swear, they will pose no threat to you."

Qin Si and Qin Shuang exchanged a look. Seeing them nod, Zhao Yongkui immediately ordered the Zixuan Alliance disciples to let the Qingliu Pavilion members go.

"For so long, we have fought together. To have a peaceful and harmonious home in this chaotic place, we have shed blood and tears, and too many brothers have paid a heavy price, even their lives." Nearly a hundred people stood before Shui Ruoyun; though they looked disheveled, there was no fear on their faces.

Shui Ruoyun took a deep breath, her expression settling. If not for the inexplicable grief lingering in her beautiful eyes, this woman of God King level would have been truly peerless in her beauty.

Stealing a glance at Qin Si and Qin Shuang, she sighed inwardly, "We have repelled countless forces that sought to lay hands on us. The Qingliu Pavilion has endured through it all. But as you can see, the Zixuan Alliance is too powerful; we simply cannot resist them."

"Pavilion Master, even if we lose our lives, we won't let their schemes succeed!" a Heavenly God shouted with fervor. Following his lead, everyone in the Qingliu Pavilion began to shout, a tragic and heroic atmosphere spreading among them.

Shui Ruoyun waved her hand to silence them, saying softly, "Long ago, I often thought how wonderful it would be if there were no conflict..."

"However..." A trace of sorrow crossed her face. "That was merely a fantasy. Now, I can no longer lead you, no longer lead the Qingliu Pavilion forward. I wish to give you one final order, and I hope you will obey."

The members of the Qingliu Pavilion lowered their heads. Despite their shouts of fighting to the death, everyone knew that against the powerful forces and artifacts of the Zixuan Alliance, they stood no chance.

Shui Ruoyun looked at the people she had personally raised with a bitter smile. "From today on, you shall serve under the Zixuan Alliance. As for your positions, that will be for Alliance Master Qin to arrange. Alliance Master Qin, may my people join you?"

Qin Si was silent for a moment before nodding. "Of course. In recognition of your character as a leader, everyone in the Qingliu Pavilion, yourself included, shall become members of the Zixuan Alliance, with status equal to that of Zhao Yongkui’s Profound Mystery Valley."

A commotion broke out. The members of the Qingliu Pavilion were stunned by the exchange between Shui Ruoyun and Qin Si, and the other factions were equally shocked.

"...That will not be necessary. I, Shui Ruoyun, have walked the path from a humble mortal to a God King as a woman, and I have never surrendered, nor have I ever lost heart. I wish to experience Alliance Master Qin’s ultimate arts firsthand."

Shui Ruoyun’s words stirred the crowd again. As they looked on, the woman who usually appeared so majestic now displayed a pitiful, heartbreaking demeanor that moved the hearts of many.

Qin Si stared at Shui Ruoyun for a long time before suddenly smiling. "Pavilion Master Shui, your spirit rivals any man’s; I admire you. Xiaoshuang, put your Primordial Spiritual Treasure away."

Qin Shuang smiled slightly. With a flash of light, the 'Thousand-Face Cloak' returned into his body. He chuckled, "The bounty remains in effect. However, Shui Ruoyun is now the Hall Master of our Zixuan Alliance’s Qingliu Hall. Whoever intends to kill her should consider how our Zixuan Alliance will retaliate."

...It was dramatic, absolutely dramatic. Everyone could not help but feel a strange sensation. To defect on the battlefield, to accept the enemy on the battlefield—why were these two brothers always so different from others? Besides, it seemed... Shui Ruoyun hadn't actually agreed.

Shui Ruoyun was stunned. After a long moment, she shook her head and said, "I do not agree with the two Alliance Masters. I, Shui Ruoyun, will never join the Zixuan Alliance, which has killed so many of my brothers."

"Why waste so much breath? Qin Si, prepare to die!" Lu Qingtian’s brow furrowed, murderous intent etched on his face. With a flash, he appeared beside Qin Si.