Chapter 318: Sect Punishment
"Lin Langtian, attacking and nearly killing a fellow disciple—are you rebelling against the sect!?"
The one who spoke crushed Lin Langtian's massive flame sword with a single hand. He had a head of blazing red hair, like fire itself, and was none other than Yan Ba, the Deputy Head of the Fire Division.
Yan Ba looked around, frowning at the destruction in the plaza. He scolded in a harsh tone, "And you—did you forget that fighting is strictly forbidden in non-combat areas of the Fire Division?"
Hearing Yan Ba's reprimand, Lin Langtian's face turned somber. He hadn't expected that their duel would attract the attention of the Fire Division's higher-ups. Moreover, Yan Ba was at the early stage of the Sage Profound Realm, a level far beyond Lin Langtian's current strength, and he had been able to shatter Lin Langtian's flame sword effortlessly.
Realizing he had no choice, Lin Langtian gave up on the idea of killing Zhang Hao. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Respected Uncle Yan, I was only forced to fight here because Brother Zhang Hao provoked me first. As for nearly killing him, that was an accident on my part. I had just learned The Emperor Flame Manual and was not yet able to control its full strength. I ask for punishment for my carelessness."
"You!" Zhang Hao's expression twisted with anger. To hear Lin Langtian downplay the attack that nearly ended his life as a mere miscalculation was infuriating.
"Uncle Yan," Zhang Hao seethed, "Lin Langtian was trying to kill me! This man has no respect for our sect's rules, attacking his own brethren without restraint. He's a danger to keep within Yuan Gate! I say we cripple his cultivation and banish him!"
With Yan Ba present, Zhang Hao spoke with unrestrained malice, a trace of vindictiveness flashing in his eyes. Lin Langtian had already surpassed him in strength in only a month since joining Yuan Gate. If given more time to grow, Zhang Hao feared he'd soon have to look up to Lin Langtian.
This was the perfect opportunity to remove Lin Langtian from the sect and prevent any future retribution.
Lin Langtian's eyes grew icy as he heard Zhang Hao's words. Zhang Hao truly deserved punishment.
"If you're citing sect rules, then let's be thorough," Lin Langtian replied with a cold smile. "Zhang Hao and his followers have been harassing us newcomers since the beginning, which is against the very principles set forth by the elders for training new disciples. His actions are a disgrace to Yuan Gate and a clear violation of those principles."
Since Zhang Hao was appealing to sect rules, Lin Langtian saw no reason to hold back. Yuan Gate emphasized competition and survival of the fittest, but it also regarded new disciples as valuable assets, making efforts to recruit the best champions from the annual Hundred Dynasties Battle.
Hearing this, Zhang Hao's face went pale. He knew better than anyone what he'd done these past few weeks. Even as a chief disciple, he wouldn't escape unscathed if this were to go public.
He was about to argue back when an angry shout interrupted him.
"Enough!" Yan Ba's voice thundered. "You are both chief disciples, yet here you are, openly fighting and making a disgrace of the Fire Division!"
With a stern expression, Yan Ba continued, "Both of you are to return to your respective quarters. Do not leave without my permission. Once I've discussed the matter with the Division Head and the other leaders, we will notify you of your punishment! Remember, should anything like this happen again, the penalty will be crippling your cultivation and expulsion from the sect."
With that, Yan Ba waved his hand, signaling several enforcers to approach. The enforcers positioned themselves by Lin Langtian and Zhang Hao to ensure they'd both comply.
Lin Langtian narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched. It seemed he'd indeed created a considerable mess this time, one severe enough to require the Fire Division's top leaders to deliberate over their punishment.
Still, he wasn't overly concerned. After all, Zhang Hao was still alive, meaning it was technically an uncompleted offense. More importantly, Yuan Gate prized strength above all else. As long as he continued to demonstrate his talent and power, he would earn the leaders' respect and attention. This was precisely why he had been so bold in his clash with Zhang Hao.
"Senior Brother…" Mo Tie and the others rushed over, their faces filled with worry.
Lin Langtian's punishment weighed heavily on their consciences. He had fought for them, and he was their only support in the Fire Division. Without him, they would feel lost and vulnerable.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine," Lin Langtian said with a faint smile. Even if the leaders decided to impose some punishment, it likely wouldn't be severe enough to hinder him. After all, he was the Hundred Dynasties Battle champion and a chief disciple—privileges that afforded him some leniency.
After reassuring Mo Tie and the others, Lin Langtian shot a cold glance at Zhang Hao before following the enforcers back to his quarters.
Though technically confined, Lin Langtian was free to roam his personal mountain, which made for an unexpectedly peaceful period of rest.
During this time, he was able to fully master The Emperor Flame Manual, reaching a level of seamless control and complete understanding. As a top-tier martial art, The Emperor Flame Manual required merging one's energy with fire, unleashing immense power that seemed capable of destroying anything in its path. This fusion technique was what made Lin Langtian's use of the manual far superior to Zhang Hao's.
Zhang Hao's version of The Emperor Flame Manual used only ordinary flames, whereas Lin Langtian's included the Vermillion Bird's sacred fire, making their power incomparable.
This was the key factor in Lin Langtian's victory over Zhang Hao, despite their differences in strength. With The Emperor Flame Manual, the stronger the flame source, the greater its destructive power—an advantage that was not mere exaggeration.
While his mastery of The Emperor Flame Manual was a gratifying accomplishment, one matter continued to trouble Lin Langtian—he had still not located Zhou Tong's prison.
Despite the tireless efforts of his Golden Crow clone, Zhou Tong, as one of Yuan Gate's deepest secrets, was proving impossible to find.
Though disappointed, Lin Langtian set aside his concerns. Even if he were to discover Zhou Tong's location, his current strength would likely be insufficient to mount a successful rescue.
Days passed quietly. On the fifth day of his confinement, the long-awaited decision regarding his punishment arrived.
(End of Chapter)
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