Chapter 427: The Grand Festival
The City of Darkness was located at the heart of the Northern Profound Region, a place widely regarded as its most renowned area. This fame was not unfounded, as it was home to the headquarters of the Dark Hall, the dominant force of the region.
If the branches of the Dark Hall could be compared to regional governors, then the City of Darkness was undoubtedly the central royal city of the Northern Profound Region, serving as the command hub for the entire area.
Even under normal circumstances, the City of Darkness was bustling with life, its streets packed with carriages and crowds. Now, as the triennial festival of the Dark Hall approached, the city was livelier than ever, with a cacophony of voices filling the air and festivities in full swing.
Perhaps due to the festival, security at the city gates had grown especially tight in recent days. Even the gate captain boasted the formidable strength of the Life Profound Realm.
Fortunately, Lin Langtian managed to slip into the city by blending in with the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group. Thanks to Calon's assistance, he entered under the guise of a mercenary, bypassing the rigorous inspections.
Once inside, Lin Langtian was once again struck by the city's grandeur. The wide streets were lined with shops showcasing an array of dazzling goods, including high-grade spiritual treasures and beast crystals, which seemed as common as ordinary trinkets.
Strolling down a single street no more than a few hundred meters long, Lin Langtian sensed over a dozen powerful auras.
Each of these presences was at least at the Life Profound Realm, with some even reaching the formidable Death Profound Realm.
"No wonder they call this the City of Darkness, the headquarters of the Dark Hall…" Lin Langtian murmured, his voice tinged with awe.
In the Eastern Profound Region, a Life Profound Realm expert could easily hold a high-ranking position in one of the eight great sects. Yet here in the City of Darkness, such experts were as common as the dust on the streets, an everyday occurrence.
"Hehe, is this your first time in the City of Darkness, Young Master Langtian? Surprised, aren't you? I remember my first visit—I was even more shocked than you, like a complete country bumpkin," Calon said with a self-deprecating laugh upon noticing Lin Langtian's amazement.
Lin Langtian smiled faintly. "I didn't expect the City of Darkness to be this magnificent. From what I've seen, it could rank among the finest cities on the entire continent."
"I haven't seen the rest of the continent, but here in the Northern Profound Region, there's no question—this is the number one city," Calon replied confidently as they walked.
As they strolled and chatted, Calon eventually slowed his pace, his gaze falling on a luxurious inn named Rinso Flower Garden. He turned to Lin Langtian and suggested, "The festival begins in two days. Shall we rest here for a while?"
"Sure," Lin Langtian nodded in agreement.
The group entered the opulent inn, glancing around its interior. They were mildly surprised to find the lobby bustling with people.
Eavesdropping on the conversations around him, Lin Langtian learned that many of the guests had traveled from distant regions to participate in the Dark Hall's festival.
Observing them, Lin Langtian noted that their strength was relatively modest. The strongest among them barely reached the pinnacle of the Life Profound Realm. It seemed they represented minor factions, much like the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group, who had come to join the festival's outer proceedings.
Of course, the truly powerful factions wouldn't stay in such a mixed and crowded inn. The Dark Hall likely reserved exclusive accommodations for them. Minor groups like the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group simply didn't qualify.
Shaking his head, Lin Langtian informed Calon of his intentions and retired to his room.
After days of relentless travel, Lin Langtian decided to take this opportunity to meditate and rest. The journey from the Eastern Profound Region to the Northern Profound Region had been long and arduous. Though his body could endure it, his spirit needed respite.
As soon as he settled on the bed, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Langtian, are you sure you'll be able to obtain the Life-and-Death Reincarnation Pill from the Dark Hall?" asked Ling Yi.
Lin Langtian shook his head. "I'm not certain, but the Dark Hall is one of the most ancient and powerful forces on the continent. Even the combined might of the Eastern Profound Region's eight great sects probably doesn't compare. If anyone possesses the pill, it's them.
"And if I can acquire the Life-and-Death Reincarnation Pill, I'll have the chance to resurrect Zhou Tong—a Reincarnation Realm expert with the Space Ancestral Symbol. I'm looking forward to having such a formidable ally."
In the Heavenly Profound Continent, experts like Mo Luo, who wielded the Flame Ancestral Symbol, or Bo Xuan, with the Darkness Ancestral Symbol, were in the Reincarnation Realm, yet their combat prowess rivaled the pinnacle of the Samsara Realm. With Zhou Tong's talent and his mastery over the Space Ancestral Symbol, he would undoubtedly stand on par with them.
Ling Yi agreed. "Zhou Tong's soul suffered severe damage, but if his body is restored, his strength will indeed be remarkable. Still, Langtian, reviving Zhou Tong, recruiting Du Guqi, and building your own faction—surely this isn't just about opposing Yuan Gate?"
Lin Langtian smiled knowingly. "You see through everything, Ling Yi. Opposing Yuan Gate is only one part of my plan. The bigger goal is to wield enough power to stand at the pinnacle.
"Before parting ways with Jinwu, I could sense that he was facing a significant threat involving powerful adversaries. As his elder brother, I can't stand by helplessly if he seeks my help.
"That's why I aim to create a faction stronger than Yuan Gate. If the Seven Fiend Black Golden Crow Clan dares to oppose him, I'll have the strength to crush them entirely!"
Touched by his determination, Ling Yi smiled. "Jinwu is fortunate to have you as his brother."
For the next two days, Lin Langtian remained in his room, meditating and resting. Though Ling Zhi shyly invited him to explore the city, he politely declined.
At dawn on the third day, Calon knocked on Lin Langtian's door. "Young Master Langtian, it's time. The festival is about to begin."
Stretching, Lin Langtian followed Calon and the rest of the group to the heart of the city—the Dark Square, where the grand festival awaited.
Even beyond the Heavenly Profound Continent, Lin Langtian harbored ambitions of creating a top-tier faction that would command awe across the vast Great Thousand World.
"Then I wish you good fortune..." Ling Yi murmured softly, momentarily stunned by the burning ambition in Lin Langtian's eyes before she smiled in encouragement.
She, too, was eager to see what kind of formidable power this young man—who had risen from a remote dynasty in the lower planes—would establish.
For the next two days, Lin Langtian stayed in his room, resting. Although the shy Ling Zhi tried to invite him out to explore the City of Darkness, he politely declined.
Lin Langtian seemed to understand her bashful intentions, but he simply smiled and shook his head.
It wasn't that Ling Zhi wasn't beautiful. However, after meeting Ling Qingzhu, most women in the world seemed dull in comparison to him.
Perhaps this was what they meant by "a single glimpse of Ling Qingzhu ruins a lifetime."
In truth, Lin Langtian's drive to establish a powerful faction was also fueled by Ling Qingzhu. If the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace opposed their union, he would simply use his power to force them to relent.
Two days passed quietly. On the morning of the third day, a knock came at Lin Langtian's door.
"Young Master Langtian, the festival at the Dark Hall is about to begin. Let's get ready to leave," Calon said with a smile as Lin Langtian opened the door.
"I don't have much to prepare. Let's go." Lin Langtian stretched lazily, glancing briefly at Ling Zhi, whose mood seemed slightly dampened after his earlier rejections. He chuckled softly.
"Alright, Blazing Fire Mercenary Group, gather up! We're moving out!" Calon nodded and turned to issue the order, waving his hand.
Once the group was assembled, they set off toward the center of the City of Darkness, where the festival's main venue, the Dark Square, was located.
At the very heart of the massive City of Darkness lay a sprawling black stone square, so vast that its edges disappeared into the horizon. On this square stood countless towering black stone pillars.
These pillars were inscribed with ancient runes, bearing the names of those who had made great contributions to the Dark Hall—individuals who had once been its brightest stars.
This square, known as the Dark Square, was the city's most sacred ground. It was only opened during the festival, and entry was reserved for the most influential figures in the Northern Profound Region. Of course, their so-called "influence" was bestowed by none other than the Dark Hall itself.
Using an invitation from the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group, Lin Langtian and the others managed to gain access to the square. The security here was impenetrable, and even a Reincarnation Realm expert would find it nearly impossible to force their way in.
However, given the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group's current standing, they were relegated to one of the most inconspicuous corners of the Dark Square. Though Calon seemed a little embarrassed by this, Lin Langtian was unbothered.
As long as he could meet Qing Tan here, nothing else mattered.
Scanning the surroundings, Lin Langtian's gaze fell on the central area of the square, where he sensed numerous powerful auras.
Some of these presences were as strong as the likes of Tian Yuanzi, clearly experts at the Samsara Realm.
"So this is the foundation of the Dark Hall," Lin Langtian muttered, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "If it weren't for the support of the Yimo in secret, Yuan Gate would be nothing compared to the Dark Hall—a complete joke."
Shaking his head, he thought of the two hidden Reincarnation Realm elders of the Dark Hall and Bo Xuan, the wielder of the Darkness Ancestral Symbol. Together, they were as powerful as three Reincarnation Realm experts. In contrast, Yuan Gate's three Samsara Realm members seemed laughably weak. And yet, they dared to provoke the Celestial Demon Marten Clan.
"Where did Tian Yuanzi and the others find the courage? The Yimo?" Lin Langtian muttered mockingly.
Just as Lin Langtian ended his musings and closed his eyes to meditate, a resonant chime echoed across the Dark Square.
The sound carried a strange energy, making Lin Langtian feel as though his entire being was being scrutinized.
"A Pure Yuan Treasure…" Lin Langtian muttered gravely as he sensed the unique power in the chime.
The Dark Hall, it seemed, was eager to flaunt its treasures right from the start.
As the chime reverberated, the previously boisterous square fell into an eerie silence. As though in unison, everyone present ceased their chatter. Even Calon and the others beside Lin Langtian adopted expressions of reverence and awe.
Seeing this, Lin Langtian's eyes gleamed with curiosity. He understood that the Dark Hall's festival was about to commence, and its key figures were about to make their appearance.
His heart surged with anticipation. If his guess was correct, he was about to see Qing Tan.
Back in the Yimo Domain, Qing Tan had always been by Lin Dong's side, leaving Lin Langtian with little opportunity to speak with her. Now, after journeying all the way to the Northern Profound Region, he finally had a chance to reunite with this younger sister.
During their time at the Lin Clan's main family, Lin Langtian and Qing Tan had developed a bond that, while not as deep as her relationship with Lin Dong, was nonetheless genuine.
Now, the two were about to meet in a distant land, far from the Great Yan Empire. It was bound to be a poignant reunion.
As Lin Langtian reminisced about their time together, his gaze swept across the Dark Square. The vast sea of people stretched endlessly, yet an oppressive silence reigned.
Every individual stood still, their expressions filled with fear and reverence as they stared toward the square's center.
There, a black altar towered above, its steps numbering in the thousands. At the very top sat a black throne, a position that overlooked the entire square—a seat befitting the ruler of the Northern Profound Region.
As space rippled atop the altar, a thin, elderly man clad in black robes and wearing a dark crown slowly emerged.
At the sight of him, countless individuals across the square, including even Samsara Realm experts, bowed deeply in respect.
This man was none other than Bo Xuan, the Hall Master of the Dark Hall, the ruler of the Northern Profound Region, and its undisputed king.
While most in the crowd gazed at Bo Xuan with reverence and fear, Lin Langtian's eyes remained fixed on the slender figure standing beside him.
Softly, he murmured, "Qing Tan…"
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