Chapter 371: The Stirring of the Demonic Spirit Mark
"A demon seal?" Lin Langtian was stunned at Aunt Ling's words and said in surprise, "So this is the essence of a fallen demon expert condensed into a seal?"
While he wasn't entirely familiar with demon seals, he quickly grasped the concept by comparing them to spirit seals. No wonder the seal had felt both eerie and strangely familiar; it wasn't infused with human energy at all, but with that of a demon.
"That's right, it's a demon seal. And the reason Ren Yuanzi didn't tamper with it is that the seal itself is already a poison," Aunt Ling explained, handing it back to Lin Langtian.
Taking it in his hands, Lin Langtian observed the strange, black rune, sensing an immense amount of pure demonic energy bound within it. This energy would integrate into its bearer's body, accelerating cultivation speed and boosting strength in critical moments to ward off danger. But the price was high—once fully merged, the bearer would become a demon's servant.
No wonder Ren Yuanzi had said the seal was a good fit for him. It wasn't because he knew Lin Langtian could wield demonic energy, but because he'd seen that Lin Langtian had tamed the chaotic Demonic Flame, making him more compatible with demonic power.
"That old scoundrel," Lin Langtian cursed inwardly. The demons were sworn enemies of the living, and not only had Ren Yuanzi sided with them, he even sought to pull him down the same path. It was despicable! A demon seal like this could only be created by the life force of a fallen demon general or higher—proof that the sect leaders' attention was fixed on him.
"Aunt Ling, should I just get rid of this seal?" Lin Langtian asked. His Golden Spirit Mirror already provided him with abundant demonic energy, so he didn't need this risky relic.
Aunt Ling considered his question. "The seal is indeed expendable for you, but throwing it away isn't necessary. Since it's a concentrated remnant of a powerful demon's energy, it's valuable enough to serve another purpose. All you need to do is find a suitable host for it."
"A suitable host?" Lin Langtian echoed, his mind racing. No one on the continent would risk harboring demonic energy—except perhaps for these maniacs in Yuan Gate. But then his face brightened. "Of course! I can give it to Mo Ying!"
Mo Ying was no ordinary puppet—it was sentient and capable of perfectly absorbing demonic energy. Having Mo Ying integrate with the demon seal was the best possible option, and with this upgrade, its potential would soar.
"Yes, Mo Ying is an excellent choice," Aunt Ling replied, smiling. "With the seal's help, it can become a significant asset to you. It's a win-win."
"Looks like Ren Yuanzi sent me quite the gift after all." Lin Langtian chuckled as he toyed with the seal. "But what if Ren Yuanzi realizes I haven't absorbed the seal?"
The demon seal was valuable, and if Ren Yuanzi discovered he hadn't used it, he'd undoubtedly be suspicious, or even hostile, since he wouldn't want his alliance with the demons to leak.
"Don't worry," Aunt Ling replied reassuringly. "Although you haven't truly merged with the seal, I can craft a false mark on your forehead. Combined with your natural demonic aura, it'll be easy to fool him. Moreover, once the seal is fully absorbed, it's supposed to create a demon seed within the user. You already have a demon seed within you, so simply reveal that, and it'll dispel his suspicions."
She hesitated for a moment before adding with a slight smile, "Still, it seems like you've had a deep understanding of Yuan Gate all along, as if you knew its secrets before joining. Are you hiding something from me?"
Lin Langtian was momentarily taken aback. His ability to avoid pitfalls and anticipate moves was, of course, due to his past life knowledge. Though he'd tried to keep it subtle, it was only natural that Aunt Ling, who was so closely connected to him, had picked up on it.
"Forgive me, Aunt Ling, but some secrets I cannot reveal, even to you. I promise, though, that I will not fail you and will do all I can to help you regain your full power," he vowed sincerely.
After a thoughtful pause, Aunt Ling sighed. "Very well. Everyone has the right to keep their secrets. I won't press the matter further. We've faced too many trials together since the Great Yan Empire for me to doubt you now. Perhaps you truly will be able to fulfill your promise one day." She gave him a gentle smile before her form vanished, returning to his core.
Lin Langtian sighed in relief. Aunt Ling's unwavering trust was a rare support, and the sense of responsibility weighed heavily on him. He clenched his fist, determination surging through him. He owed her no less than his best efforts to revive her.
As the night deepened, a cool silver moon hung over the mountains, casting its light down over Dao Sect's peaks. Lin Langtian sat alone in his room, his shadow sharp against the dim walls. He was perfectly still, but his spirit had already ventured into the Golden Spirit Mirror, ready to harness all it offered.
Inside the small world within the mirror, Lin Langtian surveyed the vast, endless sea of demonic energy filling the landscape. Despite the power of his Chaos Demon Flame, it felt like a small stream against an ocean when compared to this endless expanse of demonic energy. He could only imagine the level of power wielded by the demonic entity who had originally created this world within the mirror.
Shaking his head to dismiss the thought, Lin Langtian called out, "Mo Ying!"
Almost instantly, the sound of something tearing through the air echoed nearby, followed by a heavy rumbling. The ground shook, as if some massive creature were approaching. Soon, a towering shadow surged forward, charging over the horizon. It was Mo Ying, with his entire form radiating fierce, dark energy and cold, blood-red eyes. At his side was an intimidating beast puppet—a massive skeletal creature exuding a wild, malevolent aura that carried a weight like that of a charging tank. This beast puppet was none other than the Celestial Desolation Bull.
Looking at the pair, Lin Langtian paused, even feeling a hint of pressure from their combined presence. It seemed unlikely that even Ling Zhen and Lei Qian, two of the sect's elite, would stand a chance against Mo Ying and the Celestial Desolation Bull together.
"Almost at the Half-Step Life Profound Realm, I see. Excellent progress," Lin Langtian remarked with satisfaction, sensing Mo Ying's strength.
"Master!" Mo Ying reined in the beast and immediately dismounted, dropping to one knee in a respectful bow.
"Rise," Lin Langtian replied with a slight nod, tossing the demon seal to Mo Ying. "Fuse with this."
"Yes, Master!" Mo Ying responded without hesitation, catching the demon seal and tightly clenching his hand around it to integrate it into his body.
Lin Langtian watched closely, eyes narrowing in focus as he observed Mo Ying's transformation. The moment the demon seal entered Mo Ying's body, Lin Langtian could feel a sudden surge in the puppet's demonic energy, as pure demonic energy from a long-deceased demon continued to flow into Mo Ying.
Soon, an eerie rune, dark and foreboding, emerged on Mo Ying's forehead, faintly glowing with a sinister light. "A demon seal…" Lin Langtian murmured, lips pressed in a line. Aside from a difference in energy type, the demon seal was similar to a spirit seal, and with the symbol now visible on Mo Ying's forehead, it was clear the seal had fully integrated.
As Lin Langtian noted this, Mo Ying's eyes snapped open. A cold glint of dark energy flickered within his crimson gaze.
"How does it feel?" Lin Langtian asked.
"Master," Mo Ying answered respectfully, "I feel a vast surge of dark energy from the seal flowing into my body. With this, I'm confident I can reach the Life Profound Realm within a month."
"Oh? Break through in a month?" Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow, impressed. Reaching the Life Profound Realm, a rank only rivaled by division heads, was rare. The demon seal seemed to be a perfect match for Mo Ying.
Lin Langtian smiled slightly. With Mo Ying's growing power, his influence would only strengthen, and even if Yuan Cang retained command over the disciples during the Sect Competition, Lin Langtian would have the resources to rival him.
"Very well, continue your training here in the mirror's world," Lin Langtian ordered, leaving Mo Ying to his cultivation and the power of the demon seal.
As soon as his spiritual energy returned to his body, Lin Langtian was about to resume meditating when a faint ripple of energy stirred within him. To his surprise, a golden light burst forth, coalescing in the air before him into the form of a golden silhouette.
"A Golden Crow?"
Lin Langtian's eyes widened, recognizing the projection as the Golden Crow—a spirit impression left by his old friend. Though it had remained dormant for so long, he had almost forgotten it.
"My friend," came the familiar, somewhat apologetic voice of Jin Wu. "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to contact you. I've been busy cultivating."
Lin Langtian chuckled, feigning a look of annoyance. "Took you long enough. I haven't heard a peep from you since you left!"
Jin Wu rubbed his head sheepishly in the flickering light, his features still somewhat blurred. "I'm sorry, but I've been focused on training, and the elder overseeing me limited my connections. But I've kept tabs on you, and I hear that within Yuan Gate's younger generation, you're the one stealing the show. You're truly living up to your name, my friend."
"Not bad, I suppose." Lin Langtian smiled, then raised a brow, noting Jin Wu's cautious tone. "So, what's the reason for the message?"
"You always get right to it, huh?" Jin Wu replied with a slight grin. "You're right; there is something I need your help with. I know you've been gathering the remaining fragments of the ancient map connected to the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, and I've found another piece."
"Then why not take it?" Lin Langtian asked, suspecting something unusual. "With your strength, I'm sure you would've handled it already if it were possible."
"Yes, but my strength has only reached the Half-Step Life Profound Realm," Jin Wu admitted. "And the clan elder had to return to our homeland temporarily, so… I figured I'd reach out to you."
Lin Langtian nodded, understanding the situation without needing further explanation. With their shared history, he trusted Jin Wu's judgment. "Tell me where."
"The Crimson Horn Domain," Jin Wu replied.
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