Chapter 354: Promotion and Elder Yingxuan
Yuan Domain, Yuan Gate.
In the Fire Division, a long and broad pathway stretched out as a group of disciples marched steadily forward. Each bore a white insignia on their chest, with a black sun symbol that rotated in a yin-yang pattern, marking them as part of Yuan Gate, one of the most powerful sects in the Eastern Yuan Region.
The aura of this group was powerful and unified, all composed of strong cultivators at or above the Sixth Nirvana Stage. Yet, every single one of them looked toward the figure leading the way with a deep respect and reverence.
This figure, wearing a blue robe, also bore the white insignia, but his had a distinct golden border, giving it a regal presence. Anyone familiar with the Yuan Gate would know this marking—reserved only for the elite disciples among the Eight Divisions, the "Eight Spirit Generals."
The man in the blue robe was none other than Lin Langtian, the newly appointed Spirit General of the Fire Division.
This group was the same one that had journeyed to the Bloodstone Territory. After a long half-month journey, they had finally returned to Yuan Gate. During this mission, Lin Langtian's commanding power and generous rewards had won over every single disciple in his group, including senior disciples like Song Yun and Pang Lie. Unlike the previous Spirit General, Ling Chi, whose cold cruelty earned only fear, Lin Langtian's prowess and leadership had won their genuine admiration.
As Lin Langtian and his team moved closer to the core region of the Fire Division, more and more disciples began to notice their return, with their glances shifting to the young man at the forefront. Each of them felt a surge of excitement and respect as they recognized him.
"Senior Brother!"
In the weeks following their journey, news of Lin Langtian's victory over Wang Yan had spread through Yuan Gate like wildfire, creating a sensation. Wang Yan had earned a notorious reputation for taking the lives of many Yuan Gate disciples over the years, giving him the ominous title "King of Death" among Yuan Gate members. The elders had even deployed a team of three enforcers to bring him to justice, only to have one of their own killed in the attempt—a bitter humiliation for Yuan Gate.
But Lin Langtian's decisive defeat of Wang Yan had changed everything. His actions had brought new honor to Yuan Gate and especially to the Fire Division. Though Lin Langtian was relatively new to the Spirit General position, his deeds had quickly gained him the recognition of all within Yuan Gate. Some even whispered that he might be considered the foremost of the Eight Spirit Generals.
Seeing the enthusiasm of his fellow disciples as they gathered around him, Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow and gave a slight shake of his head, inwardly reflecting that it was true—only strength could earn this level of regard.
His attention was drawn to Mo Tie and his group in the crowd, who were rushing toward him with obvious delight on their faces.
"Did anything happen while I was away?" Lin Langtian asked with a faint smile.
"Not at all, Senior Brother! Ever since you became the Spirit General, none of Zhang Hao's lackeys have dared to bother us!" Mo Tie replied with a grin.
"Yes, Senior Brother Lin, you're a true force to be reckoned with now," chimed in Liu Yuan with admiration in his eyes. "Everyone has been talking about how you almost killed Wang Yan—a Nirvana Nine Master and the top-ranked menace on the wanted list! Even the elders couldn't handle him, yet you achieved it effortlessly…"
Even Ling Zhi smiled, adding, "The Spirit Generals of the Metal and Earth Divisions, who were close to Ling Chi, were critical of you at first. But after hearing about your accomplishments, they immediately fell silent."
The enthusiasm was palpable among Lin Langtian's supporters. Their respect and admiration for him grew as he realized his name had indeed spread across Yuan Gate. This mission, though yielding no tangible gains, had brought him immense prestige.
While Lin Langtian mused over his thoughts, an elderly man in gray robes quietly approached and appeared before him.
"Elder Ye… it's you," Lin Langtian said, slightly surprised.
The man was an elder in the Fire Division with half-step mastery in the Profound Life Stage. Though Lin Langtian had seen him before, the elder usually accompanied their Division Head, so Lin Langtian had rarely interacted with him directly.
Elder Ye gazed at Lin Langtian with a hint of intrigue in his old eyes, impressed by the news that this newcomer had taken down Wang Yan. Lin Langtian had joined Yuan Gate less than half a year earlier, advancing swiftly from an inner disciple to a senior disciple before taking over Ling Chi's role as Spirit General. Following the mission, his reputation among Yuan Gate's younger generation had soared, rivaling that of the famed Three Young Princes.
After gathering his thoughts, Elder Ye addressed him, "Nephew Lin, your mission at the Bloodstone Territory may not have ended with Wang Yan's capture, but your success in injuring him has dealt a severe blow to Dao Sect's morale. The three Sect Masters and Senior Brother Fen are quite pleased. I have come on their behalf to present you with the mission reward."
"Oh, a reward? Where is Elder Fen?" Lin Langtian asked, slightly puzzled. Since Elder Fen was the Division Head, he should have been the one present to issue the reward.
"Ah, what unfortunate timing—Elder Fen just entered seclusion a few days ago," Elder Ye explained with a slight smile.
"I see…" Lin Langtian nodded, setting aside his doubts. He looked to Elder Ye with interest, wondering aloud, "What reward have the leaders prepared for me?"
Elder Ye smiled, not holding back. "After deliberation, the high council has decided to appoint you, Nephew Lin, as Deputy Head of the Yuan Gate Enforcement Division."
While Lin Langtian was absorbing this unexpected promotion, far to the southwest of the Yuan Domain lay an immense mountain range, shrouded in dense fog throughout the year—a mysterious land known as Dao Domain.
Deep within this vast expanse, obscured by clouds and mist, lay Dao Sect, one of the eight great sects of the Eastern Yuan Region. Here, hidden in the heart of the Dao Domain mountains, the unending clouds and fog split apart, as if sliced by an invisible blade, revealing a clear path within.
Countless towering peaks rose skyward, cloaked in dense clouds, their heights touching the sky, and atop these mountains, one could just barely glimpse vast, magnificent buildings stretching endlessly into the horizon. Below these mighty mountains lay numerous cities nestled under the mist, bustling with life and energy, resembling a true kingdom from afar.
This was Dao Sect.
In a richly decorated, ancient room deep within Dao Sect, a young man in a gray robe lay quietly on a bed. His face was pale, and his breath weak; he remained unconscious. This was Wang Yan, who had suffered grave injuries at the hands of Lin Langtian.
Beside him stood a middle-aged man with a calm and dignified air and a tall woman in a dark robe.
The middle-aged man wore simple cloth shoes and a plain yet well-fitted white robe. He looked to be in his thirties or forties, with a face as gentle as jade, showing that he must have been quite handsome in his youth. His expression was serene, his presence calming as though no matter how unsettled a heart was, it would find peace under his gaze.
This man was one of the most powerful figures in the Eastern Yuan Region, the Sect Master of Dao Sect, Yingxuan Zi. The woman beside him, clad in dark robes, was his eldest daughter, Dao Sect's Senior Sister, Ying Xiaoxiao.
"Xiaoxiao, it's fortunate you intervened in time, or Wang Yan might not have survived the Bloodstone Territory," Yingxuan Zi said softly, glancing from the unconscious Wang Yan to Ying Xiaoxiao.
Ying Xiaoxiao, taken aback by her father's words, hesitated, then shook her head with a wry smile. "Wang Yan only escaped because he was lucky; it had nothing to do with me. If it hadn't been for Lin Langtian…"
"Lin Langtian…" Yingxuan Zi murmured, the name triggering a faint recollection. "That name sounds familiar… I feel like I've heard it before."
Ying Xiaoxiao's face clouded slightly. "He was the champion of the last Hundred Empire War."
"The Hundred Empire War champion?" Yingxuan Zi echoed, recalling, "Yes, now I remember. He was that young man from a low-ranked empire."
At this, Yingxuan Zi sighed. "Yuan Gate certainly is fortunate—several consecutive champions of the Hundred Empire War have joined their ranks. Without this, they wouldn't have become so powerful. But the last war only ended about six months ago, didn't it? Lin Langtian has only been in Yuan Gate for half a year, yet he's already risen to become a Spirit General and even defeated Wang Yan, whose strength is close to yours?"
Even Yingxuan Zi, typically calm and reserved, couldn't hide a trace of surprise. As Dao Sect's leader, he knew Wang Yan's abilities well. Even his talented daughter Ying Xiaoxiao might struggle to defeat him. For Wang Yan, one of Dao Sect's finest young talents, to lose to a newcomer from Yuan Gate was a severe blow to Dao Sect's pride.
"Lin Langtian must possess extraordinary talent to rise from a low-level empire and attain such power. Given time, I believe he could rival even Yuan Gate's Three Princes," Ying Xiaoxiao said softly, a hint of admiration flickering in her eyes.
Seeing the look in his daughter's eyes, Yingxuan Zi frowned slightly. "Xiaoxiao, do you… harbor feelings for Lin Langtian?"
Although he hadn't finished his sentence, Ying Xiaoxiao understood her father's meaning. A slight flush colored her cool, reserved face, and she quickly replied, "Father, you're overthinking things."
But Yingxuan Zi wasn't convinced, and a heavier look crossed his face. After a brief silence, he shook his head and spoke gently. "Xiaoxiao, your mother passed early, and I raised you and Huanhuan on my own. You both know you never have to hide anything from me.
"If you have a connection with Lin Langtian, I'd like you to share it with me. And even if there's something between you, I wouldn't stop you—even if he is a disciple of Yuan Gate."
Yingxuan Zi's wise, perceptive gaze seemed to see through her inner thoughts. Ying Xiaoxiao hesitated, biting her lip before looking up at her father's kind, understanding face. She nodded slightly, grateful for the chance to share her mixed emotions with him.
In a quiet voice, Ying Xiaoxiao told her father how Lin Langtian had saved her life and chosen to spare Wang Yan rather than continue his pursuit.
"Lin Langtian saved you?" Yingxuan Zi asked, surprised.
He hadn't expected Lin Langtian, a disciple of Yuan Gate, to go out of his way to save Dao Sect's Senior Sister. After all, Yuan Gate and Dao Sect had a deep-seated enmity.
"It seems Lin Langtian hasn't fully bound himself to Yuan Gate's rules, or he wouldn't have risked angering his superiors by saving you. An interesting man indeed."
"But… even though he hasn't yet become fully enmeshed in Yuan Gate's deep-seated hatred for Dao Sect, the more he's drawn into Yuan Gate, the higher his position will rise, and soon he'll naturally prioritize Yuan Gate's interests. For instance, his victory over Wang Yan was likely prompted by Yuan Gate's elders."
"Lin Langtian's journey from a low-level empire to this point is remarkable. Not only did he defeat Wang Yan, but his talents remind me of Zhou Tong. It's understandable that you might feel drawn to him after all he's done."
"But, Xiaoxiao, even if you do harbor feelings for Lin Langtian, you are my daughter, and his potential is just as exceptional. He may one day attain high rank in Yuan Gate, maybe even lead it."
Yingxuan Zi paused, his voice somber as he continued, "Which brings me to the harsh reality…"
"You and he… can never truly be together."
At these final words, Ying Xiaoxiao's shoulders trembled, and her face showed a mixture of shifting emotions. She clenched her hands, her eyes filling with a deep sorrow. Ying Xiaoxiao had barely acknowledged the feeling in her heart, but now it was either to be erased or buried forever.
Perhaps, one day, this feeling might see the light of day again, or perhaps, it would remain hidden and silent… forever.
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