Chapter 355: The Flame Demon Realm
Upon returning to the Fire Division, Lin Langtian's life returned to a peaceful routine. However, talk of his accomplishments quickly spread among the Fire Division disciples. Their conversations centered around Lin Langtian's victory over Wang Yan and the considerable boost it gave to Yuan Gate's reputation.
Wang Yan, as the second most wanted figure on the Bloodstone Territory's sect blacklist and a member of the rival Dao Sect, had taken the lives of many Yuan Gate disciples over the years. Lin Langtian's defeat of Wang Yan spread rapidly, leaving many at Yuan Gate awestruck by his talent.
This victory not only solidified Lin Langtian's position at Yuan Gate but also elevated his influence within the Fire Division, where his role as Spirit General had already earned him respect. Now, his appointment as Deputy Head of the Enforcement Division made him a powerful figure in the sect.
The Enforcement Division was an elite unit within Yuan Gate, respected even beyond the Eight Divisions and reporting directly to the three Sect Leaders. Lin Langtian's promotion to Deputy Head as a disciple was an unprecedented rise in rank. While there were initially some voices of doubt, his achievements and the insistence of the Sect Leaders soon silenced them. These days, when Fire Division disciples saw him, even senior members respectfully bowed and called him "Senior Brother."
Despite his new title, Lin Langtian didn't let it consume him. Apart from occasional appearances at the Enforcement Division, he kept his involvement to a minimum, focusing more on his growth and ambitions. He realized he was now under the watchful eye of Yuan Gate's upper echelons. This victory could even open a path to power within Yuan Gate, and he could potentially one day rival or even replace the three Sect Leaders themselves. This, however, remained only a dream for now, as he knew the journey was still long and treacherous.
Not only did Lin Langtian's victory impact him personally, but it also brought fortune to Mo Tie and the other disciples who had joined the Fire Division alongside him. As new disciples with no strong allies, they would typically be at a disadvantage compared to more established disciples, especially regarding access to resources. However, with Lin Langtian's rise, they now had a solid backing. Many older disciples, rather than giving them a hard time, now treated them with respect, even attempting to build connections with them.
With Lin Langtian's faction gradually growing in strength, a subtle rift emerged in the Fire Division. There were three factions now: Lin Langtian's growing faction, the old guard loyal to Ling Chi—the former Spirit General who had been defeated by Lin Langtian—and a neutral faction uninterested in sect politics.
Ling Chi, despite losing his title, still had a following in the Fire Division. Using his long-standing influence, he tried to hinder Lin Langtian's rise, pulling together loyalists to covertly challenge him. Yet, Lin Langtian hardly took notice of Ling Chi's attempts. With capable subordinates like Song Yun and Su Qi, he delegated any responses, and soon enough, Ling Chi's followers began to lose heart. Within half a month, most had deserted Ling Chi, and the remnants were on the verge of collapse.
In the month following his return, Lin Langtian spent most of his time cultivating in his secluded mountain residence. In his quiet room, he sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his form still and steady.
Time passed, and finally, powerful spiritual energy began to flow from his Niwan Palace. Thunderous clouds started gathering outside his room. Any Symbol Master witnessing this would recognize it as the Wind-Thunder Calamity, a phenomenon that brought dread to their ranks.
"Boom!"
A loud rumble erupted, and a lightning bolt nearly as thick as a grown man's arm tore through the sky, descending directly toward Lin Langtian below. The flash quickly shot into the room, aiming for Lin Langtian's crown.
In that crucial moment, an unassuming black void appeared above Lin Langtian's head and swallowed the fierce lightning strike whole, as though it were an endless abyss. Under the careful guidance of Ling Yi, Lin Langtian had learned to harness the power of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol discreetly within Yuan Gate, free from the Sect Leaders' detection.
Sparks arced across Lin Langtian's skin as his body trembled violently, his face tensing with pain as he absorbed the terrifying energy of the lightning strike. Yet, he managed to maintain his focus, refusing to yield.
"Boom! Boom!"
One strike was followed by another as the black storm clouds above churned furiously. Lightning surged from the sky with relentless force, flooding toward him like a downpour.
After returning to the Fire Division, Lin Langtian's life settled back into a peaceful routine. However, behind the scenes, disciples across the division kept murmuring about Lin Langtian's impressive feat of defeating Wang Yan, boosting Yuan Gate's reputation.
Wang Yan, as the second most wanted in the Bloodstone Territory and an infamous disciple of the rival Dao Sect, had claimed the lives of many Yuan Gate disciples over the years. Thus, news of Lin Langtian's victory spread quickly, igniting admiration for his remarkable talents.
Thanks to this victory, Lin Langtian not only secured his position as Spirit General of the Fire Division, but his recent appointment as Deputy Head of Yuan Gate's Enforcement Division had also elevated him into a position of authority. The Enforcement Division, while not one of the Eight Divisions, was a powerful department answering only to the three Sect Leaders. This new rank came with real influence within the sect, bringing Lin Langtian the respect of even senior disciples within the Fire Division, while older names like Ling Chi began fading from memory.
Lin Langtian remained focused on cultivation, but he knew that his ascent within Yuan Gate was now unstoppable. Step by step, his rise could eventually lead him to seize real power within the sect, possibly even challenging the leadership of the Sect Leaders one day. For now, though, he was content with the strength he had gained.
The past mission to Bloodstone had also greatly benefited Mo Tie and other recently joined disciples. Normally, new disciples without alliances or senior backing would face competition and fewer cultivation resources compared to seasoned disciples. But Lin Langtian's rise as Spirit General provided them with a powerful ally. The seasoned disciples in the Fire Division not only refrained from bullying them but even tried to win favor with them. This resulted in a shift in allegiance among the disciples within the Fire Division, as many began forming a new faction in loyalty to Lin Langtian.
In time, the Fire Division split into three camps: Lin Langtian's rising faction, Ling Chi's loyalists who refused to give up his legacy, and a neutral faction. Ling Chi, bitter over his defeat, schemed to undermine Lin Langtian's authority. However, Lin Langtian hardly acknowledged him, delegating these matters to his subordinates like Song Yun, Su Qi, and others. This delegation of power weakened Ling Chi's faction as even his loyal followers grew disheartened and gradually left him.
After his return to Yuan Gate, Lin Langtian mostly spent his time in seclusion, focusing on cultivation. In a quiet chamber on his mountain peak, he sat in meditation, slowly channeling his spiritual energy.
Finally, after a long period, a powerful surge of mental energy surged from Lin Langtian's Niwan Palace, forming dark clouds overhead. Any experienced Symbol Master would recognize this as the dreaded Wind-Thunder Calamity.
Boom!
A deafening crack resounded as a massive bolt of lightning split the heavens, hurtling down toward Lin Langtian. As it neared him, an invisible black void appeared above his head, swallowing the furious bolt of lightning completely. With the careful guidance of Ling Yi, Lin Langtian could now use the Devouring Ancestral Symbol discreetly within Yuan Gate.
Electric arcs danced across Lin Langtian's body as he absorbed the immense energy from the lightning strike. Although his face contorted in pain, he maintained his focus.
Boom! Boom!
Strike after strike, the lightning continued to pour down on him like a deluge. Finally, after over ten minutes, the storm began to subside. With the last lightning bolt, the dark clouds slowly dissipated, and the calamity was over.
Shh!
In that instant, Lin Langtian's closed eyes snapped open, flashing with intense light. A surge of powerful spiritual energy burst forth from him.
"Eight-Seal Heavenly Symbol Master!" he murmured, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
Ever since the Heavenly Symbol Tree had matured, his spiritual cultivation had surged, allowing him to reach the level of an Eight-Seal Heavenly Symbol Master. In terms of spiritual power, this level would place him among the core disciples of even specialized spiritual sects like the Symbol Valley and the Divine Sect. With his current strength, Lin Langtian felt confident that he could take on Life Spirit Realm experts like Mu Ku without even activating his demon seed.
He was still marveling at his progress when a strange energy ripple from the Fire Division's direction caught his attention. At the same time, hurried footsteps echoed outside his door, followed by Mo Tie's breathless shout.
"Senior Brother! The Inferno Demon Space… it's opened!"
Deep within the Fire Division lay a massive mountain, over which a river of fire roared overhead. Today, though, the flow of fire had slowed, and molten energy poured down from it like floodwaters from a ruptured dam.
Underneath the fiery river, the mountain trembled as cracks appeared at its peak. From the surrounding skies, countless figures flew in, filling the air and covering every tree and mountaintop.
The calm mountain range became a lively scene, voices merging into a chaotic hum that dispersed even the clouds.
In addition to Fire Division disciples, disciples from the other seven divisions were also present, curious to see the unfolding phenomenon. Such a gathering of all eight divisions was rare, only occurring during important events.
Whoosh!
Several beams of light shot across the sky, coming to a stop near the shifting mountain peak. The figures at the front were none other than Fen Cang and Yan Ba. Seven others stood beside them—each the head of one of the remaining divisions.
"It looks like all the big shots are here," remarked Song Yun, one of the senior disciples of the Fire Division, watching the approaching figures with a smirk.
"This is no surprise. It wouldn't be shocking if some elders were also watching from the shadows. Given Senior Brother's talents, no one doubts his ability to control the Chaotic Demon Flame," added Pang Lie.
"If Senior Brother does manage to tame the flame, the Fire Division might rise to become the leader of the Eight Divisions," said Su Qi eagerly. "He might even become a match for the Three Princes."
Hearing this, Song Yun and Pang Lie fell silent, understanding the challenges involved. As seasoned disciples, they knew just how difficult it was to control the Chaotic Demon Flame. For centuries, each time the Inferno Demon Space opened, it ended in failure. Yet if Lin Langtian succeeded, his fame would undoubtedly reach the level of the Three Princes.
"Where is Senior Brother? He hasn't arrived yet?" asked Su Qi, scanning the crowd.
"Mo Tie and the others went to fetch him; they should be here soon," Pang Lie replied.
"I can't believe that just a few months ago, we were following a disciple who had been with the Fire Division for less than half a year. Yet look at us now! After refining that Vermilion Bird Flame Seed he gave me, my Flame Emperor Technique feels thirty percent stronger!" Song Yun remarked.
Pang Lie nodded. "Yes, Senior Brother has indeed been generous. His ascension to Spirit General has been a blessing for both the Fire Division and for us."
Su Qi chimed in with a smile. "It's clear that Senior Brother isn't an ordinary person. Let's do our best and support him. He won't disappoint us."
They continued to discuss the matter until another group of figures approached from a distance. As they drew closer, the surrounding disciples' eyes filled with awe, whispering among themselves.
Song Yun was surprised and said, "It's the Three Princes and the Spirit Generals from the other divisions. They're here too…"
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