Chapter 423: The Nine-Tails Clan's Allegiance — Setting Out for Thunder Abyss Mountain!
The entire ruin-filled land erupted into a low hum as all the Nine-Tails clanspeople lifted their heads, gazes locked nervously on the rippling portal.
Within the swirling blood-red light, two youthful figures finally stepped out, emerging into view.
"It's Lord Lin Fan and Lord Lin Dong!"
The two stood atop the altar, overlooking the vast gathering of Nine-Tails clanspeople, each pair of eyes filled with hope and anticipation.
"Aunt Xin," Lin Fan looked toward the beautiful woman standing tensely in front of the altar and smiled. "Congratulations. The Nine-Tails Clan's revival is now within reach."
His voice was not loud, yet it rang clear across the land, cutting through the heavy air like a divine bell tolling across the sea.
Still, not a single cheer broke out.
Instead, the members of the Nine-Tails Clan covered their mouths as tears welled up in their eyes. Suppressed sobs slowly filled the air.
Lin Fan and Lin Dong exchanged a glance and simply watched in silence.
Only after a long while did Aunt Xin, eyes red with emotion, come forward.
Lin Fan then recounted everything that had happened within the Ancestral Soul Hall in detail.
"Lord Lin Fan, Lord Lin Dong… you are the great benefactors of the Nine-Tails Clan. If we ever rise again, we vow to follow at your side and repay this kindness!"
As soon as Lin Fan finished, Aunt Xin knelt before him, her voice filled with gratitude.
Behind her, the vast crowd of Nine-Tails clanspeople also knelt, their eyes shining with heartfelt reverence.
"Aunt Xin, please have everyone rise," Lin Fan said, shaking his head gently. "Start activating the formation your ancestor mentioned. The Nine-Tails Clan must begin a new chapter."
Aunt Xin stood, wiping away her tears, and nodded solemnly.
"All clan members! From today, the village is to be sealed—begin preparations for the formation!"
"Yes!"
The response rang loud and full of life, a sense of confidence slowly returning to their voices.
From there, the Nine-Tails clanspeople got to work.
Lin Fan, who had extensive knowledge of formations, also offered guidance.
Thanks to his help, the Nine-Tails Clan completed the setup of the sealing formation two days faster than in the original timeline—making up for the two days he had spent leisurely accompanying Xinqing.
"Lord Lin Fan, the Nine-Tails Heaven-Sealing Array is complete. Once activated, this entire mountain will vanish from the world. No one will be able to enter, and we won't be able to leave," Aunt Xin reported with a relieved smile.
Ever since Lin Fan and Lin Dong emerged from the Ancestral Soul Hall, the clan had insisted on calling them "Lord." Lin Fan had tried to stop it a few times, but eventually gave up.
"Then we can leave in peace," Lin Fan said, nodding and smiling to the crowd.
He pointed into the distance, where dust billowed into the sky. A massive black wave surged toward them.
It was the Tiger Devouring Army, led by Xiao Yan.
At the sight, sorrow surfaced in Aunt Xin and the others' eyes.
"Everyone, farewell. When you return to the world again, I hope to see you standing proud as in the ancient days. I look forward to our reunion at the peak."
Lin Fan cupped his fists in farewell and, with a flicker of his figure, shot off into the sky.
Lin Dong followed without hesitation.
"Farewell, Lords!"
Behind them, the entire Nine-Tails Clan knelt once more under Aunt Xin's lead. Their respectful voices echoed through the mountains long after Lin Fan and Lin Dong were gone.
Outside the Nine-Tails Village, Lin Fan stood and gazed into the distance, where the earth trembled and the black tide surged toward them like a monstrous ancient beast.
The Tiger Devouring Army quickly arrived and came to a halt before them.
From midair, a tower-like figure descended like a mountain, landing heavily before Lin Fan and Lin Dong.
"Big Bro, Second Bro," Xiao Yan grinned, his rugged face lit up with a smile.
Lin Fan nodded back. "Let's move."
And with that, he turned and led the way.
Xiao Yan nodded, glanced back one last time—and saw the space around the Nine-Tails Village beginning to distort. The entire mountain and village slowly disappeared in a strange and mysterious manner.
A flash of surprise passed through his eyes before he withdrew his gaze. With a wave of his hand, he led the Tiger Devouring Army in pursuit of Lin Fan and Lin Dong, heading toward Thunder Abyss Mountain.
…
"Big Bro, Second Bro, the Thunder Abyss Mountain Assembly begins tomorrow. Everything's set. The other five generals are ready to act with us."
As the army charged forward, Xiao Yan walked beside his brothers, clenched his fist with a fierce grin on his face.
"I've waited over a year for this moment."
"Knowing how to endure isn't a bad thing," Lin Dong said with a smile.
The three of them chatted and laughed along the way, making the journey feel far less tedious.
Of course, in between jokes, Xiao Yan also briefed them on Thunder Abyss Mountain's internal power structure.
Besides Beast Marshal Xu Zhong, there were originally nine generals. Meng Shan had already been killed by Lin Fan. Five others were now ready to join their side.
Another, Huo Miao of the Nine-Life Celestial Cat Clan, was only there to repay a favor to Xu Zhong.
The only one truly loyal to Xu Zhong was the Sky Crocodile General.
"However, I've also heard something from my informants…" Xiao Yan said after a pause, his tone turning serious. "Xu Zhong has a Shadow Guard."
"That Shadow Guard is his true confidant. His strength is not far behind Xu Zhong's. He once defeated a Major Completion Death Profound Realm expert in a single blow. I suspect he's already reached Full Completion."
Lin Dong's expression tightened. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Lin Fan, however, remained calm. "No matter. Even with the Shadow Guard, they're just two Full Completion Death Profound Realm enemies. We'll win."
"Heh, I used to be worried about the Shadow Guard teaming up with Xu Zhong. But with you two here, there's nothing to fear," Xiao Yan laughed.
Lin Fan nodded. "Tomorrow, the three of us will finally settle the score with Xu Zhong."
"Right," Xiao Yan agreed, then added, "Big Bro, Second Bro, let's head to the outskirts of Thunder Abyss Mountain to meet up with the other five generals first."
"Second Bro, once we're there, see if you can remove the Dark Abyss Ghost Runes from them. As long as those runes remain, they won't dare move against Xu Zhong."
"Leave it to me," Lin Dong replied confidently.
Lin Fan smiled. "Even if they didn't help, we could still do it ourselves. But if they can be used, all the better."
"Yeah," Xiao Yan nodded slightly. He hadn't stayed in Thunder Abyss Mountain all this time just for Xu Zhong's bloodline—he also had his eye on the faction itself…
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