Chapter 433: Borrowing the Life and Death Reincarnation Pill
"You won this match," Mo Ming muttered begrudgingly, his expression dark as he looked at Lin Langtian. He could hardly believe that as a Sheng Xuan Realm powerhouse, with strength on par with some of the most seasoned experts, he would lose to Lin Langtian, who was only in the early stages of the Sheng Xuan Realm. The outcome was completely unexpected, yet with so many watching, he had no choice but to accept reality.
The elders in the council looked visibly displeased, some wanting to speak up, but upon seeing Bo Xuan's indifferent expression, they held back, instead fixing Lin Langtian with a murderous glare as if they wished to tear him apart. All the council's meticulous planning had been undone by Lin Langtian, a true disruptor to their schemes, causing them endless frustration.
Lin Langtian, however, remained calm in the face of their hostile looks. With Bo Xuan still holding authority, the power of the Dark Hall ultimately resided with him rather than the council.
As Lin Langtian had anticipated, Bo Xuan, seated upon his throne, let his aged, authoritative gaze sweep the room before finally resting on the council elders. In a calm tone, he declared, "Since Mo Ming has admitted defeat, the outcome of the match is clear. From today forward, Lin Langtian will take up the role of Qing Tan's Shadow Guardian. Elders, do you have any objections?"
The elders exchanged glances, clearly reluctant but unable to refute Lin Langtian's appointment. With Lin Langtian's intervention, the council had suffered a complete loss.
With the competition over and Qing Tan's Shadow Guardian position formally confirmed, the grand festival of the Dark Hall finally drew to a close. Afterward, Lin Langtian and Qing Tan became the subjects of widespread discussion across the Dark City and throughout the Northern Xuan Domain.
As the Dark Hall Master's prized disciple, Qing Tan's initiation into the Dark Tribunal and the start of her trial as Bo Xuan's successor sparked a wave of interest. Many saw Qing Tan as the next Hall Master of the Dark Hall, with a high likelihood of becoming the sixth Hall Master if she passed the Tribunal's trials. Leaders of various factions were already gathering information about her, hoping to win favor with the future ruler of the Northern Xuan Domain.
From now on, Qing Tan would attract both open and covert attention from many influential forces. She would have to show strength and resilience, essential qualities for a future Dark Hall Master.
Lin Langtian, too, made waves in the Dark City and the Northern Xuan Domain. Due to the mountains dividing the Xuan Domains, Lin Langtian's reputation was mostly limited to the Eastern and Western Domains, leaving him relatively unknown in the North. But after this battle, his name spread rapidly. He was now known across the North as a peerless talent and perhaps the most powerful prodigy across the Four Great Domains. To defeat a Sheng Xuan Realm master at its peak while being only in the early stages of the same realm was an extraordinary feat, practically unprecedented in the Dark Hall's millennia-long history.
Thus, after the festival, Lin Langtian and Qing Tan, the exceptional siblings, quickly became the hottest topic in the Northern Xuan Domain. People were curious to see what future accomplishments this gifted pair might achieve.
…
A quiet bamboo grove nestled in a secluded area, where a few simple huts stood, exuding a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere.
Lin Langtian sat beside Qing Tan, a young woman with a delicate appearance and a gentle smile. Though he enjoyed her company, Lin Langtian was tense, for across from him sat a dignified, elderly man in a dark robe. This elder was not only a mighty Reincarnation Realm expert but also the Dark Hall Master and undisputed ruler of the Northern Xuan Domain—none other than Bo Xuan, Qing Tan's master.
"Honored Hall Master, my respects," Lin Langtian said, bowing politely.
Since the end of the festival, Bo Xuan had summoned both him and Qing Tan to this secluded grove, which Lin Langtian suspected was one of the Dark Hall's most private areas, accessible only to core members of the Hall Master's lineage.
"Brother Langtian, Master is very kind. No need to be so formal," Qing Tan said with a soft smile, handing him a cup of tea.
Lin Langtian smiled in response. Even so, he remained respectful toward Bo Xuan, who was not only a Reincarnation Realm expert but the Dark Hall Master.
"Qing Tan is right. You're her brother, and since she's my disciple, there's no need for so much formality between us," Bo Xuan remarked with a slight smile. His gaze then shifted to Lin Langtian, and for a moment, Lin felt as if he were being completely exposed under Bo Xuan's scrutinizing gaze.
Whoosh!
Sensing the scan, Lin Langtian instinctively hid his inner treasures. Yet, just as he did, a faint trace of spatial energy flickered from the Space Ancestral Symbol hidden within him.
Boom!
The air around them seemed to shatter momentarily. Bo Xuan's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he sensed the spatial energy.
"That aura… It's the Space Ancestral Symbol. Who would have thought the long-lost Space Ancestral Symbol would find its way to you, young Lin Langtian," Bo Xuan said, an intrigued smile forming on his face.
"The Space Ancestral Symbol?" Qing Tan's expression shifted with surprise. Due to her bond with the Dark Ancestral Symbol, she was familiar with its counterpart, the Space Ancestral Symbol.
Lin Langtian gave a slight nod, seeing that Bo Xuan had noticed the faint fluctuations from the Space Ancestral Symbol. Although he knew the truth of the symbol's origin, he chose to acknowledge it to avoid complications.
"If it weren't for my connection with the Dark Ancestral Symbol, I might not have detected it," Bo Xuan remarked. Knowing that Lin Langtian possessed the Space Ancestral Symbol seemed to lift Bo Xuan's opinion of him, recognizing that Lin's potential had just reached an even higher level.
What Bo Xuan didn't know, however, was that the Space Ancestral Symbol was only one of the symbols in Lin Langtian's possession.
"Having the Dark Ancestral Symbol really is an advantage…" Lin Langtian murmured to himself, relieved that his secret remained mostly concealed. For now, he preferred not to reveal his possession of multiple ancestral symbols until he was stronger.
"Tell me, young friend, are you a disciple of Yuan Gate? What brings you to the Northern Xuan Domain?" Bo Xuan asked, an unexpected question lingering in his tone.
Caught slightly off guard, Lin Langtian paused before responding openly, "To be honest, I'm here under the orders of Tian Yuanzi to assassinate my sister, Qing Tan."
Crack!
Bo Xuan's teacup shattered in his hand, scalding tea spilling over his hand, though he didn't seem to feel it. His ancient eyes blazed with fury.
"Tian Yuanzi ordered you to kill Qing Tan?"
With a wave of his hand, an intense pressure surged from Bo Xuan's body like a storm. Lin Langtian felt the space around him warp, immobilizing him under the overwhelming force.
Boom!
At that moment, Qing Tan stepped in front of Lin Langtian. "Master, you're mistaken! Brother Langtian would never harm me!"
Bo Xuan frowned. "He admitted it himself. You vowed to destroy Yuan Gate, and he's the assassin sent by Tian Yuanzi. With the Space Ancestral Symbol, he could assassinate you even under my watch. Are you truly willing to trust him?"
"Yuan Gate is Yuan Gate; Brother Langtian is Brother Langtian. Even if I vowed to crush Yuan Gate, that would never include him. There must be a misunderstanding," Qing Tan replied with fierce conviction.
Seeing her unwavering trust, Bo Xuan hesitated. With a sigh, he said, "Since you believe him, I'll give him a chance to explain himself."
The overwhelming pressure faded, allowing Lin Langtian to move again. He felt a sense of relief, knowing Bo Xuan's strength could easily surpass his defenses.
Bo Xuan remained wary, aware of the mysterious powers of the Space Ancestral Symbol, and Lin Langtian didn't mind his caution, recognizing it as a sign of care for Qing Tan.
"Rest assured, Bo Elder," Lin Langtian said with a calm smile. "Qing Tan is my sister, and I would never harm her."
Lin Langtian continued, "What my sister said is true. Yuan Gate is simply a place where I trained to gain strength. Tian Yuanzi and the others have repeatedly tried to kill my cousin Lin Dong and me. Why would I align myself with them?"
Bo Xuan, recalling Tian Yuanzi's past betrayals, nodded thoughtfully. "Those three are indeed ruthless and self-serving. But if you're not carrying out their order, how will you answer to them?"
Qing Tan looked at Lin Langtian, her trust unshaken. She didn't believe he would harm her for Yuan Gate's sake, yet she was curious about how he intended to handle the situation.
Lin Langtian replied without hesitation, "I intend to leave Yuan Gate and establish my own path."
Bo Xuan looked surprised. "Leaving Yuan Gate and going independent?"
Lin Langtian's decision to leave the powerful Yuan Gate was no small matter. Given Yuan Gate's influence as a dominant force in the Eastern Xuan Domain, they were unlikely to let a prodigy simply walk away.
Seeing Bo Xuan's doubt and Qing Tan's concern, Lin Langtian chuckled, "Don't worry. I have my plans, and Yuan Gate will be unable to stop me."
To Lin Langtian, once he revived Zhou Tong and gained the support of Master Poison, Du Guqi, he would have the power to stand on his own, as a force in his own right, unbound by the Dark Hall.
Qing Tan, reassured by Lin Langtian's confidence, nodded in support.
"In that case, I support you, Brother Langtian. And if you ever need help, the Dark Hall will always be open to you," Qing Tan said with a warm smile.
Lin Langtian felt a surge of warmth at her sincerity. After a moment, he spoke thoughtfully, "Actually, there is something I could use your help with."
"Oh? What is it?" Bo Xuan's tone softened, showing that he, too, trusted Lin Langtian's intentions.
Lin Langtian smiled and replied, bowing respectfully, "If possible, I would like to borrow a Life and Death Reincarnation Pill…"
(Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1