Chapter 353: Emotions and Resolution
As Lin Langtian watched the elegant figure emerge from the shadows of the forest, he froze momentarily. Then he raised an eyebrow and spoke, "Ying Xiaoxiao, from Dao Sect…"
Across from him, Ying Xiaoxiao stared back, her calm expression mixed with a trace of something complex. After a moment, she spoke softly, "I didn't expect we'd meet again so soon."
In response, Lin Langtian's expression was indifferent. Sensing her intent, he commented, "You're here to protect Wang Yan, aren't you? But you know that, with your strength, you won't be able to stop me."
Hearing this, Ying Xiaoxiao, who was Dao Sect's senior disciple and admired by her peers, surprisingly did not deny it. She knew well the extent of Lin Langtian's formidable strength from their previous encounter in Bloodstone Territory. And now, as the newly appointed Fire Division commander, he'd defeated none other than Wang Yan, second on the wanted list of renegade sect members. Lin Langtian's name would soon be known across the Eastern Profound Domain.
Even so, Ying Xiaoxiao gripped her sword firmly, her gaze resolute. She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling before she replied in a determined voice, "Whether I am your match or not, Wang Yan is still my sect brother, and I cannot simply stand by and let you kill him."
Seeing her fierce resolve, Lin Langtian paused and shook his head, feeling a hint of reluctant admiration. Dao Sect might not be as powerful as Yuan Gate, but their unity and loyalty among members were strong enough to earn respect.
Though he had already decided against pursuing Wang Yan to his death, Lin Langtian kept this to himself, only replying, "Yes, Wang Yan is your sect brother. But am I not also your life-saver? Would you really go against the one who saved you just for a fellow disciple?"
Ying Xiaoxiao hesitated, her clear eyes meeting his as she let out a gentle sigh. "I haven't forgotten your help. But protecting Senior Brother Wang Yan is also my duty, so I can't fulfill both. One day, even if it costs me my life, I will repay you for saving me."
"Repay?" Lin Langtian responded, shaking his head indifferently. "I am a Yuan Gate disciple, and you are from Dao Sect. Our sects have been rivals for generations. Forget about repaying me."
In truth, Lin Langtian had saved Ying Xiaoxiao more for Lin Dong's sake, as she was the sister of Lin Dong's future wife. So the idea of repayment held no real interest for him.
However, Ying Xiaoxiao bit her lip, meeting his gaze with a hint of frustrated pride. "Are you looking down on me, then, Commander Lin?"
As Dao Sect's senior sister, admired by tens of thousands of disciples, she had just pledged her life as repayment—only to be immediately dismissed by Lin Langtian. Her pride stung, she felt slighted and indignant.
This sudden flash of anger puzzled Lin Langtian. Was she really this offended? With a detached tone, he replied, "If I wanted to, neither Wang Yan nor you would leave this place alive. So, what do you think?"
A soft gasp escaped her lips as she took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling. She closed her eyes and whispered, "If you want to reclaim the life you saved, then go ahead."
After a long, serious look at Lin Langtian, she closed her eyes, waiting with calm resignation.
Lin Langtian's expression sharpened as he murmured, "Is that so? Then don't blame me for taking what's mine."
His hand lifted, energy gathering at his fingertips, forming a sharp, concentrated burst. Then, with a flick, he released the attack, sending a blazing aura whistling past her ear, slicing off a lock of hair.
Ying Xiaoxiao remained motionless, eyes still closed.
At this, Lin Langtian hesitated, a slight shift in his gaze as he regarded her still figure. The fire in his eyes softened, and with a deft movement, he seized her sword. In a flash, he pressed the blade toward her throat, only to pull it back in a single fluid motion, returning it to its sheath.
Finished, Lin Langtian had no further desire to linger. As he turned to leave, his crimson wings of fire burst into view, carrying him high above. "Cherish your life more carefully in the future," he called as he left. "It's a gift, so don't waste it."
As his figure faded into the distance, Ying Xiaoxiao finally opened her eyes, her hand closing around her sword hilt where it still held his warmth.
"He saved my life once more," she murmured, her cheeks flushing softly as she ran her hand over the cool metal of her sword, still carrying his trace.
As the revered senior disciple of Dao Sect, Ying Xiaoxiao had long since dedicated herself to her sect and her fellow disciples. Even for someone like Wang Yan, who had repeatedly defied sect rules, she was willing to risk everything to protect him.
Yet for reasons she couldn't explain, she felt an instinctive trust toward Lin Langtian, believing he would not harm her. Though this confidence seemed unfounded, she had felt certain of it—and when he had held his strike, her heart fluttered in an unfamiliar way, a quiet warmth filling her as the first spark of an unexpected feeling took root in her heart.
After a long, thoughtful silence, she glanced in the direction he had vanished, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "If only he were not from Yuan Gate…"
Upon seeing the elegant figure of the young woman emerging from the shadows of the forest, Lin Langtian froze for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "Ying Xiaoxiao from Dao Sect…"
Meanwhile, Ying Xiaoxiao locked eyes with him, her calm face showing a hint of complexity. After a moment, she spoke softly, "I didn't expect us to meet again so soon."
Lin Langtian's expression remained unreadable, but he seemed to understand her intention. "You're here to save Wang Yan, aren't you? But you must know that your strength alone won't be enough to stop me."
At this, Ying Xiaoxiao—one of the Dao Sect's finest and most respected disciples—surprisingly didn't protest. Since the first time she saw Lin Langtian's strength back in the Bloodstone Territory, she knew he was incredibly powerful. And now, having just witnessed him defeat Wang Yan, a fellow sect member who was second on the list of wanted disciples, she was even more aware of the gap between them.
Nevertheless, Ying Xiaoxiao's grip tightened on her sword as she looked at Lin Langtian, drawing a deep breath. Her chest rose and fell as she steeled herself, gazing at him with a mix of emotions. "I may not be a match for you, but Senior Brother Wang Yan is a fellow disciple. I cannot just stand by and watch you take his life."
Seeing her fierce resolve, Lin Langtian couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and pity. Dao Sect might lack the sheer power of Yuan Gate, but the loyalty and unity among its disciples were unparalleled. This quality was the very reason Lin Dong, another disciple of Dao Sect, felt so much loyalty toward it.
When Ying Xiaoxiao had appeared, Lin Langtian had already decided not to chase after Wang Yan. However, he didn't reveal this to her. Instead, he looked her straight in the eyes and said, "So Wang Yan is your senior, but I am also the one who saved your life. Do you really intend to fight your savior for him?"
Ying Xiaoxiao paused, surprise flickering across her face, before a sigh escaped her. Her clear gaze held steady on him. "I haven't forgotten your kindness. But protecting Senior Brother Wang Yan is my duty, and I can't neglect it. One day, even if it costs me my life, I will repay the debt I owe you."
"Repay the debt?" Lin Langtian responded, shaking his head. "I'm a disciple of Yuan Gate, and you're from Dao Sect. The two sects have been enemies for generations. Let's just forget about this 'debt' altogether."
In truth, Lin Langtian hadn't saved Ying Xiaoxiao with any expectation of repayment. He had only done so because she was Lin Dong's future sister-in-law. But Ying Xiaoxiao took his response differently, her expression shifting slightly as she bit her lip, her gaze filled with a hint of frustration.
"So, what? Are you saying that Yuan Gate's Commander Lin looks down on me?" she asked, her voice laced with anger.
As Dao Sect's senior disciple and someone respected by tens of thousands, she had just expressed her willingness to repay him with her life. Yet here he was, casually dismissing her gesture. For the proud Ying Xiaoxiao, this disregard was both humiliating and infuriating.
Her sudden reaction caught Lin Langtian off guard. After a pause, he replied coldly, "If I wanted to, neither you nor Wang Yan would leave this place alive. So, what do you think?"
Ying Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling as she closed her eyes. "You saved my life. If you want to take it back, then so be it."
Then she fell silent, standing in front of him with closed eyes, as if she were prepared for the worst.
Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow, not expecting such a response from her. With a low chuckle, he tightened his grip, focusing his energy into his fingers until a fierce, cutting aura crackled at his fingertips. He brought his hand forward, releasing a blinding flash of light that whipped past her ear, cutting a strand of her hair.
But Ying Xiaoxiao kept her eyes closed, unmoving.
Lin Langtian watched her for a moment, then, with a swift motion, seized the sword from her hand. He raised it, angling the blade toward her throat—only to twist it away at the last moment, returning it carefully to its sheath.
Without another word, Lin Langtian turned and activated his fiery wings, lifting off the ground. Before disappearing into the distance, he called back, "Take care of your life. It's worth more than you think."
When Ying Xiaoxiao finally opened her eyes, he was already gone. Only the residual warmth on her sword's hilt remained, marking his presence.
"He saved my life… again," she murmured, her gaze lingering on the faint warmth left on the sword. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
As Dao Sect's leader's daughter and the senior disciple, Ying Xiaoxiao had long since dedicated her life to her sect. She was willing to protect any disciple, even one like Wang Yan, who had violated sect rules multiple times.
But something about Lin Langtian was different. She had felt certain that he would spare her, even though there was no reason to trust him. Now, that confidence had proven true, and as she held her sword, a strange warmth flowed through her—a feeling she hadn't known before, quietly taking root in her heart.
After a long silence, she glanced toward the direction where he had vanished and sighed softly. "If only he weren't a disciple of Yuan Gate…"
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