Chapter 423: The Idea of Establishing His Own Sect
In a hidden corner of the Eastern Xuan Region, Lin Langtian sat on a massive rock, both hands extended. Two silver lights shimmered in his palms, both radiating an ancient and identical aura.
Seeing this, a faint smile of satisfaction curved at the corners of Lin Langtian's mouth. The Ancestral Space Symbol, successfully duplicated!
After obtaining the Ancestral Space Symbol from Tian Yuanzi, Lin Langtian had swiftly left Yuan Gate. Instead of heading directly to the Northern Xuan Region, he found a secluded spot to duplicate the Ancestral Space Symbol. Following the success he'd had with the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, duplicating the Space Symbol was no different. Thus, the second Space Ancestral Symbol on Tian Xuan Continent had been flawlessly copied!
Even with both Symbols in his hands, even Lin Langtian himself couldn't easily distinguish the original from the replica.
"Well, well, look at you—seems luck just fell into your lap! Tian Yuanzi actually handed you the Ancestral Space Symbol himself," Aunt Ling's laughter echoed in his mind.
Lin Langtian's expression shifted to a sneer. "Tian Yuanzi certainly didn't have good intentions. He used the Demon Emperor's Lock to shackle the Symbol—and he tried to shackle me with it, too. If it weren't for the Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror holding back the Lock's invasion, I'd already be another pawn for Yuan Gate."
The thought of it brought a flash of cold intent to Lin Langtian's gaze. Tian Yuanzi and his two allies had schemed against him more than once, truly embodying deceitfulness.
"Since you've obtained the Chaotic Demon Flame and the Ancestral Space Symbol, what next? Are you planning to leave Yuan Gate?" Aunt Ling asked. She knew that these two treasures were Lin Langtian's main goals within Yuan Gate.
Lin Langtian fell silent, contemplating. Just as he was about to speak, a faint vibration pulsed through his left hand, the one holding the original Space Symbol. The silver light wavered, and a faint golden light surfaced from within, like a lingering remnant of consciousness.
"Could this be Zhou Tong's remaining spirit?" Lin Langtian raised his brows, surprised.
In the original story, Zhou Tong's consciousness had resisted the Demon Emperor's Lock due to the protection of the Ancestral Space Symbol. As one of the eight symbols created by the Ancestral Symbol Master himself, each was innately resistant to demonic energy. However, Zhou Tong's consciousness appeared to be severely damaged, the golden light within dim and weak.
Seeing Zhou Tong, the Ancestral Symbol's original owner, Lin Langtian felt slightly awkward and quickly stowed away the replicated Space Symbol.
"You…Yuan Gate lackey!" A faint, hoarse voice filled with anger sounded from the dim golden light.
"Oh, still able to speak?" Lin Langtian was more intrigued than offended. Back in Yuan Gate's main hall, Zhou Tong must have mistaken him as an ally of Tian Yuanzi, hence the bitter accusation. Amused, Lin Langtian explained, "Senior Zhou Tong, there's been a misunderstanding. If I were Tian Yuanzi's pawn, why would he use the Demon Emperor's Lock on me as well?"
Hearing this, Zhou Tong fell silent, processing this. Having suffered under the Demon Emperor's Lock for a century, he understood its sinister nature well. Surely if Lin Langtian were one of Tian Yuanzi's trusted, he wouldn't be subjected to such a cruel restraint.
After a while, Zhou Tong's voice broke through the silence, weaker than before. "If you're not a servant of Yuan Gate, who are you? And why are you there?"
After a moment of consideration, Lin Langtian relayed his background to Zhou Tong, detailing his origins from the Great Yan Dynasty, his entry to Yuan Gate through the Hundred Dynasties War, and the events in the Demon Domain that led to his entanglements with Yuan Gate's leaders.
"So, you are a disciple of Yuan Gate. However, it's clear your allegiance doesn't lie with Tian Yuanzi and his lot," Zhou Tong murmured, his tone cautious. "Regardless of what's true, let me warn you: stay away from Yuan Gate. Avoid Tian Yuanzi and his allies because Yuan Gate is embroiled in something far beyond what it appears…"
Zhou Tong trailed off, hesitant to mention the Demon Race, uncertain if Lin Langtian knew of them. But Lin Langtian understood his implication and took up the thread of conversation.
"You mean the Demon Race, don't you?"
"You…you're aware of the Demons?" Zhou Tong was taken aback. In his mind, someone at Lin Langtian's level shouldn't even know of such things.
Lin Langtian gave a faint smile. "Not only do I know about the Demons, I understand them well. Otherwise, I'd never have resisted the Demon Emperor's Lock."
To ease Zhou Tong's lingering doubts, Lin Langtian released a mental command. In front of him, a dark, ancient void appeared, emanating a powerful devouring force.
Upon sensing this energy, Zhou Tong gasped in shock. "The Devouring Ancestral Symbol!"
As the owner of the Ancestral Space Symbol, Zhou Tong had a keen understanding of ancestral powers, immediately recognizing the distinct aura of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol. Seeing this, he let go of his last remaining doubts.
"Who would've thought, you possess the Devouring Ancestral Symbol at such a young age," Zhou Tong's voice trembled slightly. "I now believe entirely that you're no ally of Yuan Gate."
Lin Langtian made no mention of the fact that his Devouring Ancestral Symbol was a copy.
In a hidden part of the Eastern Xuan Region, Lin Langtian sat cross-legged atop a massive boulder, hands outstretched. Two silver lights shimmered in each hand, emitting an identical, ancient energy.
Seeing this, Lin Langtian's lips curled into a satisfied smile. The Ancestral Space Symbol had been successfully duplicated.
Since receiving the Ancestral Space Symbol from Tian Yuanzi, Lin Langtian hadn't headed straight for the Northern Xuan Region. Instead, he had immediately found a secret place to attempt duplicating the symbol. Following his successful duplication of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, he encountered no issues here either. Now, the second Ancestral Space Symbol on Tian Xuan Continent had been flawlessly replicated. Even Lin Langtian himself could hardly distinguish between the two symbols.
"Seems you've had luck on your side, with Tian Yuanzi delivering the Ancestral Space Symbol right to you!" Aunt Ling's laughter echoed in his mind.
Lin Langtian let out a low laugh. "Luck, maybe, but Tian Yuanzi didn't have good intentions. The symbol's locked by the Demon Emperor's Shackles, which he used to try to control me. If it weren't for the Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror stopping the shackle's invasion, I'd already be Yuan Gate's pawn."
Recalling his clashes with Tian Yuanzi and the other two elders, Lin Langtian's eyes flashed with cold determination. If given the chance, he would make sure they paid dearly.
"Now that you've obtained the Chaotic Demon Flame and the Ancestral Space Symbol, are you ready to leave Yuan Gate?" Aunt Ling asked, sensing that his original goals within Yuan Gate were fulfilled.
Lin Langtian fell silent, then noticed a faint shimmer from his left hand, where he held the original Ancestral Space Symbol. The silver light shifted, and a weak gold light emerged, a flicker of consciousness clinging to life.
"Is this…Zhou Tong's spirit?" Lin Langtian murmured. In the original story, Zhou Tong's consciousness had survived the Demon Emperor's Shackles thanks to the protective power of the Ancestral Space Symbol.
To his surprise, a faint and bitter voice sounded from the golden light: "You…Yuan Gate traitor!"
"Oh, he can still speak?" Lin Langtian said calmly. Zhou Tong, evidently mistaking him as an ally of Yuan Gate, seemed unaware of the truth.
"I'm not a pawn of Yuan Gate, Senior Zhou Tong," Lin Langtian explained. "If I were, why would they use the Demon Emperor's Shackles on me?"
This caught Zhou Tong off guard. Lin Langtian quickly explained his background, including his origins in the Great Yan Dynasty, his entry into Yuan Gate through the Hundred Dynasties War, and how Tian Yuanzi and the others had exploited him as a pawn despite his growing reputation.
"Ah, so you're one of Yuan Gate's disciples—but it's clear you're not on good terms with Tian Yuanzi and the others," Zhou Tong responded, finally trusting Lin Langtian a bit more.
"No matter who you truly are," Zhou Tong continued, his voice faint, "I warn you to distance yourself from Yuan Gate and its leaders. They are tied to powers darker than you know…"
By Zhou Tong's tone, Lin Langtian guessed he meant the Demon Race. "You mean the Demon Race, don't you?" he asked directly.
"You…you know of the Demons?" Zhou Tong was shocked. He wouldn't have expected a cultivator like Lin Langtian to be aware of such things.
"Yes, and if it weren't for my understanding of them, I'd never have survived the shackles," Lin Langtian replied, releasing his Devouring Ancestral Symbol to demonstrate his sincerity. Seeing this, Zhou Tong felt his last suspicions fall away.
"A disciple with the Devouring Ancestral Symbol—I'm convinced you're no ally of Yuan Gate," Zhou Tong said, his voice easing.
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