Chapter 22

Qin Wentian felt deeply distressed. He had witnessed Qin Xiao being brutally killed by Ye Lang, who had crushed his head with a savage laugh. The image of Ye Lang's cruel expression seemed to be branded into his mind.

"Ye Lang!" Clenching his fists, Qin Wentian sat in the training ground, took a deep breath, and tried to remain calm. Blood debts must be repaid with blood.

The sky had already darkened. At this moment, Qin Wentian seemed to enter his own world, where the outside noise could no longer affect him. Above his head, a brilliant light shone, and the Heavenly Hammer Star Soul appeared. Instantly, from the distant fifth heaven, the light of his Martial Destiny Star, the Heavenly Hammer Star, shone down, intertwining with the Star Soul, creating a dazzling light in the night sky.

He placed two star meteorites on top of the Star Soul, which were then suspended in the brilliant starlight, drawn by the star power. The star power contained in the meteorites also merged with the starlight, entering Qin Wentian's Star Soul, where it was refined and transformed into the power of the Heavenly Hammer Star, flowing into his body, strengthening his limbs and bones.

Martial Destiny cultivators communicate with their Martial Destiny Stars to condense Star Souls and absorb the unique star power from their Martial Destiny Stars. Ye Lang's Star Soul was a demonic wolf, and the star power he absorbed had a wild nature. Qin Wentian's Star Soul was the Heavenly Hammer Star, so the star power he absorbed was endowed with a domineering attack and forging attribute.

The last time Qin Wentian directly absorbed the star power from the meteorites, it was far inferior to the star power from the Heavenly Hammer Star. Therefore, he first absorbed the star power from the meteorites into his Star Soul, then refined the impure star power through the Star Soul, even though he knew this would cause a significant loss of star power.

Before long, Qin Wentian felt that his entire body was filled with star power. He then practiced the Thousand Hammers and Hundred Refinements technique, causing a loud rumbling sound to resonate within his body. His blood and qi surged like a roaring river, making his facial muscles twist. The violent star power hammered his body in a self-torturing manner, causing immense pain, but his flesh and bones also grew stronger and more perfect.

The next day, the news of the Qin Family being besieged spread throughout Tianyong City. Many people who came to the Qin Family's gate were moved, as the once powerful Qin Family seemed destined to become a part of history.

Outside the Qin Family, the Tianyong City's Chu Long Guard, Leng Ying's Silver Feather Knights, and Wu Xiuluo's Knights surrounded the Qin Family, making it impossible for anyone to enter or leave. They occasionally launched cold arrows to test the defenses, while the Qin Family's martial cultivators and guards fought back tenaciously, defending the key points.

Seeing this scene, people outside believed that the Qin Family could not hold out for many more days and might be destroyed at any moment.

"There are only two days left until the annual sacrifice. I wonder if the Qin Family can last until next year," many people thought. The annual sacrifice was the last day of the year and the day to honor the ancestors.

Inside the Qin Family, a suffocating pressure hung over everyone. Qin Chuan and other important figures gathered to discuss a strategy.

"The three knight orders, if they give the order, we must face them head-on. With the strength of the Qin Family, there is no hope in this battle," Qin Chuan said, looking at the people present.

"How strong are the guards?" someone asked Qin Chuan. Even the people inside the Qin Family knew little about the strength of the guards.

"The guards are all elite, and in terms of the number of strong individuals, we can barely resist, but overall, the gap is quite large."

"What about the people who were once loyal to the Martial King? Won't they come to our aid?"

"The old man must have made arrangements, but distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. The people outside do not seem eager to launch a full-scale attack, and they seem very confident. This is what worries me," Qin Chuan sighed. In the vast hall, only his voice echoed, with no one offering a solution.

After a moment of silence, Qin Wentian spoke, "Once they launch a full-scale attack, I will dispatch a force, to be led by Qin He and Qin Ye. Take Qin Yao, Wentian, Qin Shang, and the younger generation and leave. Do not engage in battle, only escape."

"Brother, I will not be a coward," Qin Ye shouted.

"Our martial achievements are limited, and the younger generation is the future of the Qin Family. I entrust the future of the Qin Family to you, not to make you cowards. Do you understand?" Qin Chuan slammed the table and roared, making Qin Ye's expression stiffen.

"This matter does not need discussion. Those who disobey are not worthy of being Qin Family men."

Qin Chuan's words left everyone speechless. Qin Yao and the younger generation, including Qin Wentian, all felt a surge of anger, wanting to rush out and fight.

"Family Head," someone came in and said to Qin Chuan, "Family Head, Master Feng Ping of the Star River Guild requests an audience."

"Star River Guild?" Qin Chuan looked surprised and said, "Please him in."

A moment later, Feng Ping entered the hall. Seeing him, Qin Wentian couldn't help but show a strange expression.

"Feng Ping greets Lord Qin Chuan."

"Master Feng Ping, what brings you to the Qin Family?" Qin Chuan was quite polite, as the status of a weapon master was extraordinary.

"I have come to seek Young Master Wentian's help." Feng Ping gave a bitter smile and glanced at Qin Wentian. That day, Mu Qing said he would take him to the imperial city, and out of greed, he admitted that the divine weapon was his creation. However, he didn't expect Mu Qing to ask him to forge it again, which made him very frustrated. He had to go to Lin Yue for advice, learning that the apprentice was Qin Wentian of the Qin Family, and that the Qin Family was besieged. He had no choice but to come, but fortunately, as a member of the Star River Guild, the people outside gave him some respect, and he made up a reason to enter.

Everyone showed a strange expression. Why was Feng Ping looking for Qin Wentian?

"Is there something you need?" Qin Wentian asked coolly.

"I want to cooperate with Young Master Wentian to forge a divine weapon. Is that possible?" Feng Ping felt Qin Wentian's coldness and smiled nervously.

Qin Wentian's heart stirred. Feng Ping was seeking his help to forge a divine weapon. Could it be that the divine weapon he forged casually had already surpassed Feng Ping's level? Otherwise, Feng Ping wouldn't need to seek his help.

"The divine patterns in my memory must be extraordinary," Qin Wentian thought. This was the only possibility. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sneer, "At this critical moment for the Qin Family, I have no time to accompany Master in forging. If I damage Master's weapon, I can't afford to compensate. Please leave."

Feng Ping looked at Qin Wentian with a bitter smile and said humbly, "Young Master Wentian, if you have any requests, please speak."

"Tell me why you want to forge with me," Qin Wentian stared at Feng Ping. The divine weapon he forged that day was a first-rank divine weapon, and the best he could forge was a high-grade first-rank divine weapon. Feng Ping should also be able to do this, so even if his divine patterns were inferior to Qin Wentian's, it didn't seem necessary for him to seek help.

Feng Ping showed a difficult expression.

"If Master doesn't want to say, there's nothing to discuss."

Feng Ping looked at Qin Chuan, who nodded and gestured for the others to leave. Soon, only a few people remained.

"Master can speak now," Qin Wentian said, making Feng Ping's expression stiffen. He seemed to have no choice, so he told the story. After hearing the reason, Qin Chuan and the others were very surprised. Qin Wentian could actually engrave divine patterns.

"Wentian, I can send you to the Star River Guild. Mu Qing can ensure your safety," Qin Chuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. Qin Wentian also had some thoughts. Mu Qing was once the head of the forging hall in Tianyong City's Star River Guild, and his forging skills were now even stronger, indicating his high status. If he were willing to help, perhaps he could lend a hand to the Qin Family.

Feng Ping, on the other hand, showed a look of urgency, as he was now in a difficult situation.

"Master Feng Ping," Qin Wentian looked at Feng Ping and said, "I won't forge a divine weapon with you, but if you want to follow Mu Qing to improve your forging skills, I can give you some divine patterns, and you can explain to Master Mu Qing."

Feng Ping's expression stiffened. It seemed impossible to get Qin Wentian's help, but if he could get the divine patterns, it would be a good trade. He could admit his mistake and turn in the patterns.

"Thank you, Young Master Wentian," Feng Ping said politely.

"Wait a moment," Qin Wentian left the hall, making Qin Chuan and the others show strange expressions.

"Brother, did you teach Wentian to engrave divine patterns?" Qin He asked curiously.

"Divine patterns are extremely complex, and I am not proficient in them. How could I teach Wentian?" Qin Chuan shook his head and said softly, "Strange, Yao, do you know anything about this?"

"That bastard has many things I don't know," Qin Yao pouted, but she hoped that Qin Wentian could connect with the Star River Guild, so they could protect him from the Qin Family's disaster.

After a while, Qin Wentian returned with many pieces of iron, making Feng Ping and the others show even stranger expressions. When Feng Ping took the pieces of iron and examined them, his heart trembled. They were divine patterns, very intricate and exquisite. Moreover, how could Qin Wentian engrave them so perfectly on the iron?

"Forging Star Soul," Feng Ping's heart trembled as he stared at Qin Wentian.

"Yes, my Star Soul is the Forging Star Soul, condensed by communicating with the third heaven's Martial Destiny Star. These pieces of iron are for you. Additionally, if Master Feng Ping can bring me a batch of divine weapons, I am willing to exchange them for divine patterns," Qin Wentian's words made Feng Ping's heart surge. Qin Wentian's divine patterns were extremely exquisite, and if he could understand one, forging a peak-level first-rank divine weapon would be easy.

"Alright, I will take my leave," Feng Ping nodded heavily. He decided to return and honestly confess, believing that with these divine patterns, Master Mu Qing would not blame him too much.

Qin Wentian watched Feng Ping leave, his expression flickering. He deliberately showed his forging talent to use Feng Ping to let Mu Qing know. He wondered if Mu Qing's influence could help the Qin Family out of the crisis.

"Father, I will take my leave," Qin Wentian said, preparing to study more advanced second-rank divine patterns.