Chapter 422: The Demon Emperor's Lock
"Oh, lending me the Ancestral Space Symbol?" Lin Langtian was taken aback, glancing at Tian Yuanzi with a hint of confusion. "Head Master, are you suggesting that Zhou Tong's Ancestral Space Symbol will be removed and temporarily given to me?"
Tian Yuanzi smiled faintly. "Exactly. While the Ancestral Space Symbol already has a master and cannot choose another, I can command Zhou Tong to expel it from his body. Then, using a powerful sealing technique, I'll bind the Ancestral Space Symbol within you. This will allow you to freely wield its power for about a month. If you fail to assassinate Lin Qingtan within that time, the Ancestral Space Symbol will automatically return to Zhou Tong, signaling the mission's failure."
As Tian Yuanzi finished, Lin Langtian clasped his hands respectfully. "Rest assured, Head Master. With the Ancestral Space Symbol, I'll make every effort to eliminate Lin Qingtan!"
The imminent chance to possess the Ancestral Space Symbol was too valuable to let slip. Lin Langtian's heart raced with excitement. Once he had the Ancestral Space Symbol, he could replicate it with the Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror—a copy that would be identical to the original but entirely his own. With that, even if he defected from Yuan Gate, he would have no regrets.
Hearing his promise, Tian Yuanzi's eyes narrowed as he studied Lin Langtian. After a long, silent appraisal, he finally smiled.
"Indeed, you're the finest disciple Yuan Gate has produced in a century. If you succeed in killing Lin Qingtan, the position of head of the Enforcement Hall will be yours."
Lin Langtian's expression shifted to one of deep gratitude. "Thank you, Head Master, for your generous favor. I am willing to do whatever it takes for Yuan Gate and for you."
Tian Yuanzi smiled coolly, then waved a hand towards Zhou Tong. "Now, let's extract the Ancestral Space Symbol and seal it in your body."
Lin Langtian's breath quickened as he focused intently on Zhou Tong, anticipation brimming in his heart.
With a sharp huff, Tian Yuanzi waved his sleeve, and Zhou Tong's pale, hollow face twisted with a surge of agony. The black robes covering him exploded away, revealing a sight that made Lin Langtian's heart jolt in horror. Beneath the robes, Zhou Tong's body was not flesh and blood but a skeleton shrouded in black. This skeletal form was covered in intricate, sinister black runes, as if they were leeching into his bones, and within his chest cavity, darkened organs still pulsed faintly—clearly ravaged by sinister energy.
The most horrifying sight, though, was a black heart, beating slowly and ominously, radiating an aura of evil. Underneath Zhou Tong's intact head was this nightmarish frame, a twisted form utterly corrupted by dark magic.
In his intricate skeletal structure, a network of complex meridians shimmered with silver light—the power of the Ancestral Space Symbol. Only this network remained untouched by the dark miasma consuming the rest of Zhou Tong's form, likely the reason he could retain a sliver of consciousness.
The black symbols encircling his bones seemed to form an evil web—a binding called the Demon Emperor's Lock.
"Is that… the Demon Emperor's Lock?" Lin Langtian thought, heart pounding.
The Demon Emperor's Lock was a cruel invention of the Ancient Demon Emperor. Once placed on a person, it corrupted their mind and bound their spirit to their body for eternity, forever barred from reincarnation. It was used in ancient battles to trap Reincarnation Realm experts, stripping them of any hope for freedom.
Seeing the Demon Emperor's Lock filled Lin Langtian with a faint sense of dread. Was this borrowed "Ancestral Space Symbol" a poisoned gift?
As he watched Zhou Tong, another change unfolded: a dense black mist billowed from Zhou Tong's body. Floating in the air, the black mist showed no movement until, just as Lin Langtian's patience waned, he caught a flash of silver light within the darkness.
"The Ancestral Space Symbol!" Lin Langtian thought.
"Trying to escape, are you?"
The instant the silver light appeared, Tian Yuanzi's eyes flashed coldly as he made a series of rapid hand signs. "Demon Emperor's Lock!"
The swirling black mist erupted, splitting into countless black tendrils that twisted together to form a devilish lock, chaining the silver light once more.
"Lin Langtian, I've subdued the Ancestral Space Symbol. Prepare to receive it!" Tian Yuanzi's voice rang out.
Externally calm, Lin Langtian's mind seethed with curses. Tian Yuanzi had indeed tried to deceive him, handing him not only the Ancestral Space Symbol but the insidious Demon Emperor's Lock along with it.
Though Tian Yuanzi couldn't know, Lin Langtian was well aware of the Demon Emperor's Lock. Once ensnared, not even a Reincarnation Realm expert could escape its control. Lin Langtian's loyalty was still in doubt, it seemed. Tian Yuanzi was prepared to use this vile method to secure his obedience fully.
"Well played, Head Master," Lin Langtian thought grimly, hiding his fury and suspicion. He had underestimated Yuan Gate's cunning, as well as Tian Yuanzi's extreme caution.
"Oh, are you having second thoughts?" Tian Yuanzi's voice turned unnaturally sharp as he noticed Lin Langtian's hesitation, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
Faced with Tian Yuanzi's intense gaze, Lin Langtian clenched his teeth and thought, Fortune favors the bold. For the Ancestral Space Symbol, I'll risk it all.
"I am willing," Lin Langtian replied resolutely.
"Good. Extend your arm." Tian Yuanzi's faint smile carried an edge of satisfaction.
Lin Langtian did as he was told. In the next moment, the Ancestral Space Symbol, along with the sinister Demon Emperor's Lock, detached from Zhou Tong's body and moved rapidly toward Lin Langtian's arm.
The instant the Demon Emperor's Lock entered his body, Lin Langtian felt a dense, malevolent mist flood his system, threading through his bones and veins, even pushing toward his mind to subdue his will. Alarmed, Lin Langtian began to consider ways to resist, but then his Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror released a dark gold light from within him.
Bathed in this light, the dense mist of the Demon Emperor's Lock began to dissolve, fading away within mere moments. As the dark-gold light prepared to eliminate the Demon Emperor's Lock completely, Lin Langtian stopped it. Destroying the lock outright would undoubtedly alert Tian Yuanzi and expose him as the cause.
"The Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror really is a lifesaver," he thought, relieved as he sensed the subdued and trembling remnants of the Demon Emperor's Lock within him.
Seeing that Lin Langtian seemed unscathed, Tian Yuanzi's brow furrowed slightly. Without a word, he placed his hand on Lin Langtian's shoulder, and Lin Langtian immediately felt a probing energy begin to sweep through his body. His mind raced as he hurriedly concealed his spirit, Ling Yi, and the Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror deep within himself. However, he deliberately allowed the demonic seed to be detected.
Sure enough, as Tian Yuanzi's probe picked up the demonic seed, he paused, muttering, "Oh, it's transformed into a demonic seed. Could the demonic seed offer some natural resistance to the Demon Emperor's Lock?"
Tian Yuanzi knew that the Demon Emperor's Lock had been designed to target human experts specifically. The demonic seed within Lin Langtian's body had likely confused the lock, mistaking him for a demon. Satisfied, Tian Yuanzi withdrew his hand, dismissing any lingering doubts.
"Is something the matter, Head Master?" Lin Langtian feigned confusion, his expression innocent.
"Nothing, I simply wanted to verify that the Ancestral Space Symbol is properly sealed within you," Tian Yuanzi replied with a guarded smile.
Raising his arm, Lin Langtian watched as the dark aura surrounding his arm faded, and his skin returned to normal. Then he opened his hand, revealing a silver light that pulsed with an ancient, mystical power—the Ancestral Space Symbol.
"So, this is the Ancestral Space Symbol…" Lin Langtian murmured, unable to hide his excitement. Of the eight Ancestral Symbols, the one that fascinated him most was the Ancestral Space Symbol. The power to manipulate space was valuable for both battle and escape.
"The Ancestral Space Symbol grants you mastery over space itself. You can move between spaces, and even unleash deadly, invisible spatial blades. With your strength and talent, I believe the symbol will serve you well," Tian Yuanzi advised. "However, remember that you only have a month. Whether you succeed in assassinating Lin Qingtan or not, you must return to Yuan Gate at the end of that month. Be cautious—do not reveal your connection to Yuan Gate under any circumstances."
Hearing Tian Yuanzi's caution, Lin Langtian felt a surge of disdain, though he hid it well. Outwardly, he nodded obediently. "Understood, Head Master. I won't let you down."
Tian Yuanzi nodded, gesturing dismissively. "Good. Go, and prepare to depart for Beixuan Domain immediately. The Ancestral Space Symbol will ease your journey."
"Yes, Head Master," Lin Langtian replied, bowing before backing out of the hall with careful steps.
As Lin Langtian's figure disappeared, Tian Yuanzi's expression darkened, a calculating glint flashing in his eyes.
"Senior Brother, was it really necessary to go through all of this for someone like Lin Langtian?" said a voice behind him.
Two figures emerged from a shifting portal in the shadows. They were Diyuanzi and Renyuanzi, the other two Head Masters of Yuan Gate. It was Renyuanzi who had spoken.
Tian Yuanzi smirked. "You, too, left a hidden mark on him. The demonic mark, I believe. That very mark has already transformed into a demonic seed within him."
"A demonic seed?" Diyuanzi and Renyuanzi were both stunned. Renyuanzi's impassive face finally showed surprise. "Only the most exceptional bodies can withstand such corruptive power. Lin Langtian's resilience is remarkable."
A demonic seed was rare. Over Yuan Gate's history, only a handful of young disciples had been able to develop one. Lin Langtian's potential, already demonstrated by his complete annihilation of the Heavenly Profound Sect's disciples, now seemed far greater than they had anticipated.
"The boy has vast potential, reminding me of Zhou Tong. I used the Demon Emperor's Lock to ensure that potential isn't wasted. With the demonic seed and the additional restraints of the Demon Emperor's Lock, Lin Langtian will one day be as devoted to the Ancient Demon Emperor as any of us," Tian Yuanzi mused.
Diyuanzi and Renyuanzi both smiled faintly. Their allegiance had turned toward the demons after witnessing their overwhelming strength long ago. They believed that Lin Langtian, too, would soon fall under the sway of that same dark power.
"Hmm. The power of the demonic seed, that mysterious water shield, and now the Ancestral Space Symbol… I'm counting on Lin Langtian to surprise me," Tian Yuanzi murmured as his voice echoed ominously through the hall.
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