Chapter 417: Crisis Averted
The thousand-foot black-and-white arc of energy, charged with the aura of reincarnation, struck Lin Langtian's water shield under countless watching eyes, creating a clash so intense it seemed to swallow up the sky.
Hiss!
Surprisingly, the expected earth-shattering blast never came. Instead, light from the two energies interlocked in an intense but silent struggle, each force fiercely eroding the other in a deadly, soundless exchange.
Every pair of eyes remained fixed on the two immense forces, each occupying its share of the sky. Lin Langtian had done the impossible: he had held off the attack of a Revolving Wheel Realm powerhouse.
"Lin Langtian, how can this be?" muttered Ren Yuanzi, his expression—usually calm as still water—changing for the first time.
"There's something unusual about that water shield," Tian Yuanzi remarked, his eyes narrowing as they focused on the immense, blue-glowing shield. He couldn't tell exactly where this shield originated, but intuition told him it was no ordinary item.
"Do you really think that Lin Langtian's shield could block Huang Wuzi's full-force attack?" asked Ren Yuanzi, his brow furrowing.
Tian Yuanzi said nothing, his eyes dark.
"Unbelievable…" murmured Ren Yuanzi, his eyes narrowing further as he processed the scene.
"Look closer—Huang Wuzi's attack is weakening," Tian Yuanzi pointed out.
Ren Yuanzi quickly looked up, his face shifting as he noticed it as well. The previously ferocious black-and-white energy was indeed losing its momentum, whereas Lin Langtian's shield held firm, radiating an unshakable stability that belied its seemingly calm surface.
"Huh, this boy seems to be hiding more secrets than we thought… If that shield can withstand even a Revolving Wheel master's full strike, he may be worth keeping around," Ren Yuanzi mused.
"What now? Lin Langtian has survived Huang Wuzi's attack and thus won the bet. If Huang Wuzi refuses to concede, we can't exactly let him off so easily, can we?" asked Di Yuanzi, his expression darkening.
The three elders of the Yuan Gate had tried to dispose of Lin Langtian twice already, but now even they couldn't overlook the suspicions raised among some careful observers. Letting Huang Wuzi act without limits would damage their reputation.
After a brief silence, Tian Yuanzi replied, "Then we'll protect Lin Langtian. There may be untapped value to him, especially in that water shield. With the deaths of Yuan Cang and the others, our younger generation needs a new standard-bearer, and among the youth of Yuan Gate, none is more qualified than Lin Langtian. As for Huang Wuzi, let him try if he wants to refuse the terms. We won't tolerate his defiance in the face of our rules."
Di Yuanzi and Ren Yuanzi exchanged glances, then nodded, turning their attention back to the battle.
Meanwhile, Huang Wuzi's face twisted in disbelief as his attack lost force, and he felt the impenetrable barrier of the water shield. His expression grew more sinister.
"No… This is impossible!"
The shock only held for a moment before it turned into a furious snarl. How could his mighty Revolving Wheel Realm strike be blocked by a mere Shengxuan cultivator?
Boom!
Huang Wuzi's power surged, pouring all of his might into the thousand-foot arc of black-and-white energy to break Lin Langtian's resistance. Yet, no matter how much he pushed, the water shield projected from Lin Langtian's Luo Water Bead stood immovably firm.
Lin Langtian remained composed, his face showing no surprise, as if he had expected this outcome all along. Still, as the confrontation stretched on, a hint of pallor appeared on his face.
As Luo Liu had told him, the Luo Water Shield's defensive power was exceptional—even able to withstand a strike from a Revolving Wheel Realm master. However, the cost in spiritual energy was draining.
Crack!
Finally, as Lin Langtian's strength began to wane, the water shield erupted with sudden force, transforming from a calm defensive barrier into a raging wave. The black-and-white energy weakened before shattering completely, its remnants fading away like snow in sunlight.
"Lin Langtian won…"
Ling Qingzhu, who had been closely observing, let out a quiet sigh of relief. Her normally calm demeanor showed the tension she had felt, though she quickly regained her composure.
Su Rou smiled brightly. "I knew Brother Langtian wouldn't lose."
"Astonishing," murmured Frost Crow, her clear, icy eyes shifting from Lin Langtian to Golden Crow, her expression a mix of awe and intrigue.
"Big brother, he did it!" Golden Crow exclaimed, his joy unrestrained.
"Impressive," remarked Wu Xuan with a rare flicker of surprise. "Your brother is certainly an exceptional choice."
"Big brother always succeeds at whatever he sets his mind to," replied Golden Crow, his unwavering faith evident in his tone.
"Oh?" Wu Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly at the depth of Golden Crow's trust in Lin Langtian. He spoke thoughtfully, "Have you told him yet? We will soon return to the clan, and once the elders recognize you as a Nine Ghost Black Golden Crow, the family will no longer bar you despite their grudge against your parents. After all, aside from our founding patriarch, you're the only one with this bloodline."
The thousand-foot, black-and-white energy beam, laced with the aura of reincarnation, collided fiercely with Lin Langtian's water shield, drawing everyone's eyes to the clash.
Sss!
Instead of an explosive roar, the impact brought a silent but intense standoff as each energy forced itself against the other. In the hushed tension, it became clear that Lin Langtian had managed to withstand the full-force attack of a Revolving Wheel master—a feat that defied all expectations.
"Lin Langtian… how can this be?" muttered Ren Yuanzi, usually stoic, now visibly shaken.
Tian Yuanzi watched with suspicion, his gaze fixed on the shimmering blue shield that Lin Langtian had summoned. "There's something special about that water shield…" he murmured.
"Are you suggesting it can block Huang Wuzi's full power?" Ren Yuanzi asked, his voice betraying his surprise. It was inconceivable that a powerhouse of Huang Wuzi's caliber could be held back by someone of Lin Langtian's cultivation.
Above them, Huang Wuzi scowled, refusing to believe that his lethal strike could be countered by a Shengxuan cultivator. Seeing Lin Langtian's water shield still intact, he shouted in anger, "What is that shield? This can't be your power—this attempt doesn't count!"
Lin Langtian laughed, his disdain barely masked. "Is this how a sect leader of the Tianxuan Sect behaves? 'One attack,' you said—no one mentioned restrictions on outside forces. Or are you suggesting I simply stand still and await your mercy?"
Huang Wuzi's face twisted with rage, his cold, furious gaze fixated on Lin Langtian, who continued confidently. If he had another chance, he wouldn't hesitate to stand up against Huang Wuzi again.
"Today, you'll die for what you've done!" Huang Wuzi growled, his eyes glowing red with malice. With a sweep of his hand, he summoned a colossal black-and-white seal infused with the power of life and death, its dark energy pulsing through the sky.
The Seal of Life and Death charged forward, shattering the air as it bore down toward Lin Langtian. Lin Langtian's eyes darkened as he prepared to summon the water shield once more, but before he could act, a cold voice interrupted him.
"Is this the honor of the Tianxuan Sect's leader? Truly shameless," mocked Wu Xuan as he appeared in front of Lin Langtian, his aura shadowed by the fearsome energy he wielded.
Crack!
Wu Xuan's shadowed energy spread over the massive seal, and in an instant, it disintegrated beneath his power, allowing him to pull Lin Langtian out of Huang Wuzi's attack range. Furious, Huang Wuzi prepared to strike again, but at that moment, the three Yuan Gate elders finally appeared.
"Huang Wuzi, Yuan Gate has given the Tianxuan Sect enough respect. This single-attack agreement has concluded. If you insist on continuing, then we're ready for a war of sects," Tian Yuanzi announced coldly.
Lin Langtian, though grateful for the help, hid his irritation with the elders' belated interference; he knew well that his luck had almost run out. Had they delayed any longer, he would have considered leaving Yuan Gate permanently to confront them all one day.
Above, Huang Wuzi hesitated, taking in the three Yuan Gate leaders. Indeed, they had offered concessions to the Tianxuan Sect, but he could hardly have anticipated how difficult this Shengxuan youth would be to defeat. Now, with his one-shot challenge complete, he had no further pretense to pursue Lin Langtian.
"Fine. For now, we'll leave it be," Huang Wuzi spat, his tone laced with malice. He glanced menacingly at Lin Langtian. "But know this, boy—if our paths cross again, I'll show you no mercy."
With a sneer, Huang Wuzi turned and disappeared into the void, his sect's remaining three elites following suit. Lin Langtian began to breathe easier, but before he could fully relax, he noticed the Yuan Gate elders' attention turning toward Lin Dong and his companions.
"Now that things with Tianxuan Sect are settled," Tian Yuanzi's gaze turned shrewd as he looked at Lin Dong and the Celestial Marten, "perhaps it's time to address some other matters."
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