Chapter 461: Purging and Returning
"Mansion Master?"
When they saw the young figure appearing at the top of the hall, everyone's hearts shook. Many felt uneasy, knowing Liu Kun's earlier proposal to appoint an acting Mansion Master was an obvious offense against Lin Langtian's authority.
Moreover, they felt an inexplicable sense of oppression from Lin Langtian and the mysterious man beside him.
Liu Kun lowered his arms, his expression uncertain as he forced a dry laugh, "Mansion Master, you're back."
Though slightly embarrassed, his voice held little reverence. Having recently broken through to the Death Profound Realm, Liu Kun had become somewhat famous in the South River Region. In his eyes, Lin Langtian was previously just a peak Life Profound Realm cultivator, far beneath him now, so he had the confidence to remain proud.
Even if Lin Langtian was aware of his earlier words, Liu Kun believed that as a Death Profound Realm expert, he was indispensable to Heaven Mansion. Lin Langtian would surely overlook past grievances and continue to rely heavily on him.
Lin Langtian glanced at him calmly. Feeling the Death Profound Realm aura emanating from Liu Kun, his eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "Former master of the Asura Gate, Liu Kun?"
Though Lin Langtian had unified over twenty factions in the South River Region to form Heaven Mansion, he still felt unfamiliar with some elders under his command. After a moment, he finally recalled Liu Kun's background. He had been one of the rare peak Life Profound Realm experts; unexpectedly, after a few months, Liu Kun had broken into the Death Profound Realm and grown ambitious.
Facing Lin Langtian's indifferent gaze, Liu Kun felt an inexplicable anxiety and involuntarily answered, "Reporting to Mansion Master, this subordinate is indeed Liu Kun. Several months ago, I was recruited by Mansion Master and now humbly serve as a Heaven Mansion Elder."
Lin Langtian nodded slightly, then scanned the hall. Those who met his gaze hurriedly stood up and respectfully saluted. Only after everyone had paid their respects did Lin Langtian withdraw his gaze, causing the pressure enveloping everyone to dissipate. They felt relieved yet puzzled, unable to comprehend how, in just a few months, Lin Langtian—once merely a peak Life Profound Realm cultivator—had acquired such imposing power.
"This old man, Yan Qing, pays respect to the Mansion Master," Elder Yan sighed with relief upon seeing Lin Langtian appear, bowing respectfully. Yet a trace of guilt appeared on his face as he added, "Mansion Master, this old man has failed your expectations and managed poorly. Please punish me."
Elder Yan wasn't exceptionally powerful, but his vision was incredibly sharp. He clearly perceived Lin Langtian's return as a king ready to claim dominance. Both Lin Langtian and the mysterious man beside him emanated extreme danger. In this situation, Elder Yan decisively admitted fault to protect himself.
Hearing Elder Yan's words, Lin Langtian's eyes narrowed briefly. After a pause, he nodded slightly, saying, "I'm aware of the situation. Your punishment will be decided later."
Then, Lin Langtian turned his gaze to Liu Kun, whose face held a trace of arrogance. He calmly remarked, "Elder Liu, I heard you had certain ideas about becoming acting Mansion Master. Or perhaps you intended to drop the 'acting' altogether?"
Liu Kun's expression instantly shifted, shocked that Lin Langtian directly exposed his ambition. Was Lin Langtian not afraid of causing internal conflict within Heaven Mansion?
Meanwhile, beside Lin Langtian, Zhou Tong watched with interest, impressed by how decisively Lin Langtian handled internal strife. Originally, Zhou Tong had assumed Heaven Mansion was just a hastily assembled group with few powerful experts. Yet, seeing over twenty Life Profound Realm experts and even one Death Profound Realm cultivator, Zhou Tong realized Heaven Mansion was far stronger than he anticipated.
Even the Four Hall Masters of Dao Sect had only reached the peak Life Profound Realm, with Death Profound Realm elders rarely appearing publicly. If Lin Langtian could unify these powerful individuals, Heaven Mansion might soon rival the Eight Great Super Sects of the Eastern Xuan Region.
Liu Kun hesitated before finally biting his teeth and responding, "Mansion Master, our Heaven Mansion has been ordered to leave the Northern Xuan Region by the Hall of Darkness. Everyone is unsettled and urgently needs leadership. You have been missing for months, your whereabouts uncertain, which led me to suggest this measure. Of course, since you have personally returned, this suggestion is void. I shall loyally serve you and expand Heaven Mansion's territory in the Eastern Xuan Region."
By the end of his speech, Liu Kun stared defiantly at Lin Langtian, confident his Death Profound Realm strength made him indispensable. Lin Langtian should clearly see his value outweighed his transgressions. Were it not for Lin Langtian's talent and the Hall of Darkness's backing, Liu Kun might even covet the position of Mansion Master himself.
At Liu Kun's words, several voices of support emerged from the hall, bolstering his confidence. His originally bowed body slowly straightened.
However, when Liu Kun turned his gaze toward Lin Langtian, the young face remained utterly calm, those indifferent black eyes watching coolly. This indifference began to make Liu Kun uneasy.
Amid Liu Kun's rising anxiety, Lin Langtian stood up slowly and remarked indifferently, "It seems many still don't fully recognize me as Mansion Master."
His tone was flat, yet the chilling intent contained within caused the hall to instantly fall silent. Liu Kun was momentarily stunned, and as he opened his mouth to reply, a tremendous pressure suddenly crashed down upon him.
Before Liu Kun could react, an overwhelming Yuan Power forcefully slammed him to the ground, forcing him into a humiliating kneeling position. It felt as if Zhou Tong could crush him to pulp with a single thought.
Everyone in the hall stared wide-eyed as Zhou Tong's terrifying power erupted like a volcano, engulfing the entire space. All present immediately understood—this mysterious man beside Lin Langtian was a Wheel Turning Realm expert!
The hall instantly fell into chaos. One by one, Liu Kun's supporters collapsed to their knees, losing all arrogance. Lin Langtian's cold gaze swept over them, and he asked indifferently, "Does anyone else have objections to my position?"
Shivering with cold sweat, no one dared respond. Facing a Wheel Turning Realm expert, even peak Death Profound Realm cultivators would be helpless.
Lin Langtian finally declared coldly, "Liu Kun, as punishment, you and your followers are demoted from Elder to Deacon positions. Serve well, and you may regain your ranks."
Liu Kun and his group's expressions shifted, humiliated yet unable to protest. They bowed respectfully, accepting their fate.
Lin Langtian then turned to Elder Yan and announced, "Elder Yan, due to your mismanagement during my absence, you're demoted to a regular Elder. Zhou Tong shall serve as Grand Elder from now on."
Though shocked, Elder Yan didn't dare complain, especially upon learning Zhou Tong's true strength. Having a Wheel Turning Realm Grand Elder solidified Heaven Mansion's power and secured their future.
Respect and awe grew within the hall, everyone finally wholeheartedly recognizing Lin Langtian as Mansion Master.
Lin Langtian calmly concluded, "Though Heaven Mansion was founded through an alliance, now we must strictly enforce our rules. Anyone who violates this will be removed."
Everyone quickly pledged absolute loyalty, leaving behind all previous thoughts of rebellion. Heaven Mansion had been fully consolidated under Lin Langtian's formidable presence.
Heaven Mansion now stood strong, united under a capable, iron-fisted young leader, prepared to challenge any power in the Eastern Xuan Region.
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