Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 996 - 996 0593 Cutting Off Hope_2

Chapter 996: Chapter 0593: Cutting Off Hope_2 Chapter 996: Chapter 0593: Cutting Off Hope_2 Although Qi Tian was not equipped with an artifact of Half-step Nascent Soul level, this deprived Emperor Jianwu of the chance to counteract Qi Tian. Nevertheless, Emperor Jianwu never dared to underestimate Qi Tian—after all, Qi Tian had effortlessly killed Su Jinghan, and perhaps there were other tactics at Qi Tian’s disposal. Thus, Emperor Jianwu grew even more cautious with his remaining one-shot kill opportunity, unwilling to use it rashly. He repeatedly engaged in skirmishes with Qi Tian, merely waiting for a moment like this, when Qi Tian had let down his guard, believing he had control of the overall situation and allowed some slack in his vigilance—this moment was exactly the one Emperor Jianwu had been desperately waiting for to deliver a fatal blow to Qi Tian.

Emperor Jianwu was unwilling to wait any longer, nor did he dare to, for if he continued to wait, Qi Tian would implant the Servant Pact on him—once their status as master and servant was established, any thought of striking at Qi Tian would become impossible.

This opportunity was the fatal blow he had been waiting for and could also be said to be Emperor Jianwu’s last, only chance before he lost his freedom. If he failed to seize it, he would never get such a chance again.

Just as Qi Tian’s finger was about to touch Emperor Jianwu’s forehead, with less than an inch separating them, Emperor Jianwu’s retracted Divine Sense suddenly surged. In an instant, it connected with that artifact, launching a swift attack on Qi Tian.

“Qi Tian, go to hell,” Emperor Jianwu roared hysterically.

A trace of cold laughter emerged at the corner of Qi Tian’s mouth. He had never dared to underestimate Emperor Jianwu. Although he did not know whether Emperor Jianwu possessed an artifact controlled by Divine Sense, Emperor Jianwu’s recent behavior had demonstrated one thing to Qi Tian: among the restrictions and formations that had been set up in this small space, some could be directly controlled by Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense. From this, it was possible to boldly speculate that Emperor Jianwu might possess a similar artifact on his person. Even if Emperor Jianwu did not use his True Essence and was unable to move his hands or feet, he could still operate such an artifact.

With this thought, Qi Tian had to guard against this possibility. He certainly did not want to capsize in the gutter by becoming complacent with victory within his grasp, leading to a loss of everything due to a moment of negligence.

Just now, after Qi Tian had transported the part of Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense that he had discarded to the storage room, he had released the Transporting Whirlwind once more. He had these Transporting Whirlwinds deployed around Emperor Jianwu, almost sticking to his body to keep him under surveillance, constantly on guard against any possible Divine Sense manipulation by Emperor Jianwu.

Now, Qi Tian’s caution had paid off, and his greatest concern had come to pass—Emperor Jianwu was indeed able to control a Half-step Nascent Soul level artifact with only his Divine Sense, launching an attack against him.

Qi Tian had to admit that a Half-step Nascent Soul level artifact was extremely powerful. For Qi Tian at the time, it wielded an overwhelming force that could not be shaken. As soon as the artifact activated, the pressure it emitted firmly suppressed Qi Tian, making even the slight movement of a fingertip incredibly difficult. Qi Tian felt the utmost pressure on both his spirit and body.

Qi Tian could almost be certain that should the Half-step Nascent Soul level artifact launch an attack on him, without any doubt, he would instantly become a lump of flesh, with both his body and soul annihilated.

How could Qi Tian let that Half-step Nascent Soul level artifact truly activate? He quickly commanded the Transporting Whirlwinds that had been waiting for a long time to spring into action. Upon receiving Qi Tian’s order, the Transporting Whirlwinds, once again like ferocious wolves, pounced on Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense.

Emperor Jianwu needed to use his Divine Sense to communicate with and control the magic artifact at the Half-step Nascent Soul level. Whether he liked it or not, a part of his Divine Sense would have to attach itself to the magic artifact, leaving his Sea of Consciousness.

The Transporting Whirlwind rushed over like a hungry wolf, completely enveloping the Half-step Nascent Soul level artifact inside and out. In almost an instant, the Transporting Whirlwind located the part of Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense that was attached to the artifact. Then, without delay, the Transporting Whirlwind pounced on Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense, tightly coiling around it, pulling furiously without a trace of politeness, brutally extreme.

Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense tried to desperately cling to the artifact, but in the recent struggle, Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense had already been defeated once. It had not been a match for the Transporting Whirlwind then, and now, with his Divine Sense already damaged and much weaker than before, how could it possibly stand a chance against the Transporting Whirlwind?

In an instant, Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense was forcefully yanked from the artifact, with no room for negotiation, without the slightest chance to struggle free.

Without Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense to control it, the Half-step Nascent Soul level artifact immediately calmed down and returned to Emperor Jianwu’s side, limp as a dead dog, showing no further reaction.

The Transporting Whirlwind, dragging Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense, flew towards Qi Tian’s palm. This part of the Divine Sense was connected to Emperor Jianwu’s other Divine Senses. In order to save the majority of his Divine Sense, Emperor Jianwu was forced again to make a quick decision, severing this part of his Divine Sense off. He once again experienced the pain as sharp as a needle to the heart, unbearable agony.

While Emperor Jianwu was in such pain that he felt like he could scream for three days and nights, Qi Tian’s fingertips had already firmly touched his forehead. The Servant Pact that Qi Tian had prepared in advance entered Emperor Jianwu’s body, straight into his Sea of Consciousness, seeking out Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense to take root and sprout.

Emperor Jianwu panicked completely. He had not anticipated that his meticulously prepared, deadly strike would be so easily countered by Qi Tian, who had not suffered the slightest injury. This was something Emperor Jianwu could not accept no matter what.

Faced with the Servant Pact Qi Tian had prepared for him, Emperor Jianwu struggled fiercely, refusing to let the Servant Pact take root and sprout within him. He knew this was his last chance—if he did not put up a final struggle, he would never again maintain any semblance of freedom.

As a Mid-stage Gold Core Realm cultivator, and a venerable anomaly who had lived over five hundred years, Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense, although forced to sever parts twice, remained overall very robust and powerful, with a formidable resistance to external forces. This was his Sea of Consciousness, giving him the home ground advantage. It would not be easy for Qi Tian to plant the Servant Pact smoothly upon his Divine Sense.

Qi Tian tried several times without success. He knew that continuing in this manner would be of no benefit to him; a single mishap could potentially destroy Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense. Even if it didn’t destroy it, it might still severely injure Emperor Jianwu’s Divine Sense. There was a very real chance that Emperor Jianwu could become dull-witted, and such a state would be far less useful to him. Moreover, Emperor Jianwu’s becoming dull-witted would surely draw the attention of the other princes. If the other five princes were to investigate, they would certainly trace it back to him. If they united against him, he would not have the slightest chance to fight back.

Qi Tian pondered for a moment and then spoke, “Prince, for me to plant the Servant Pact in your Sea of Consciousness and establish a master-servant relationship between us… this is an irresistible, overwhelming trend. You have no choice but to accept it; there is no room for resistance. Of course, I know it’s not easy for you to just accept such an outcome. So, if you’re willing to accept the Servant Pact and acknowledge our new relationship, I’m willing to offer you some additional terms, give you some extra benefits to ensure that you don’t feel too wronged.”