Lin Dong, however, felt a cold knot tighten in his gut. After all these years, the man who had crippled his father and who represented the arrogant oppression of the main family was finally before him. The hatred he had suppressed for years flared, sharp and instantaneous.
"The eagle beneath his feet..." Lin Dong's gaze remained fixed on the figure in blue robes for a long moment before slowly shifting to the crimson giant eagle beneath his feet, his pupils shrank
"It is formed from his Yuan power, not a real object. However, this giant eagle not only resembles one in appearance but also possesses some genuine eagle aura. If I'm not mistaken, this kid has probably already entered the Qi Creation Realm of the third stage of Creation!"
"Hehe, at such a young age, he's already entered the Qi Creation Realm. Lin Dong, your opponent is no ordinary opponent." Little Marten's voice rang in Lin Dong's mind at this moment.
Lin Dong felt a chill that had nothing to do with the mountain air. 'Qi Creation Realm. To have such control, such depth of power to manifest a complex, living construct like that eagle… his mastery of Yuan Power is terrifying. Anyway, I am not afraid, I will definitely restore my father's dignity, no matter how strong my opponent is.'
Lin Dong's thoughts flickered decisively, he was currently a Yuan Dan Expert, which itself was two major realms below Lin Langtian's level. The power gap was monumental, but he is confident to cross it..
Almost immediately, another powerful fluctuation appeared. A young man, handsome and arrogant, appeared riding not on a beast, but on a massive, two-meter-long golden spear that hummed with formidable energy. The spear sliced through the air, the wind screaming around its golden tip.
Lin Ke'er gasped lightly, recognizing the newcomer. "That's Wang Yan! The second young master of the Wang Family! And that Golden Luo Spear is a top-grade Spirit Treasure!"
Wang Yan, radiating the aggressive power of the Form Creation Realm, landed with an arrogant smirk, clearly challenging the presence of Lin Langtian.
Right on his heels, a third figure arrived, riding a blue phoenix that slithered through the air. This was Qin Shi with a noble-like aura, the representative of the Qin Family, also a master of the Form Creation Realm, his expression more restrained like a scholar but equally competitive.
Lin Ke'er quickly finished her assessment for Lin Dong's benefit. "Both Wang Yan and Qin Shi are Form Creation masters, a level below Brother Langtian, but they are both extremely formidable. And Wang Yan… he has an elder brother, Wang Zhong. Wang Zhong is the only younger generation of other capital clan that even Brother Langtian tries not to offend."
"Another creation realm guy, and his phoenix actually possesses creation realm strength too. Tsk tsk, kid, It will be hard for you today."
Lin Dong fell speechless, but he didn't really care. Although these people were all from the top clans, they were several years older than him. He was confident that he would surpass all these prodigies in the future!
Wang Yan, resting a hand on the magnificent golden spear that pulsed with Form Creation power, surveyed the colossal, shimmering barrier. His voice was laced with impatience.
"So, Lin Langtian," Wang Yan called out, his tone casual but carrying a clear challenge. "Do we stand around and observe this ancient seal all day, or should the three of us combine our efforts and see if we can break it?"
Lin Langtian, flying a few meters away with a sublime, unhurried composure, merely glanced over. The sheer, silent arrogance of the gesture was enough to stifle Wang Yan's momentum.
"Wait," Lin Langtian replied, his voice calm and utterly authoritative, a subtle command that brokered no argument.
Wang Yan raised a sharp, questioning eyebrow, while Qin Shi, resting on his blue phoenix, tilted his head in confusion. "Wait for whom?" Wang Yan pressed, his voice edged with curiosity. "The Huangpu family won't be sending anyone."
Lin Langtian's red lips curved into a slight, knowing smile… a look of profound superiority. "You are correct that the Huangpu family has not sent one of their own to explore this tomb," he stated, his gaze sweeping across the two competitors, making them feel like minor details. "But they did extend an invitation to someone far more powerful."
Wang Yan and Qin Shi exchanged quick, significant glances, their previous arrogance momentarily dimmed by the surprise in Lin Langtian's words. The Huangpu Family was the most secretive among the four great clans; for them to invite an outside power was a surprise for other clans.
Just as Wang Yan's lips parted to demand further explanation, a sound… light, melodious, and impossibly ethereal… suddenly rang out, filling the entire, silent plain.
It was a voice of unparalleled beauty, sounding like a chime of pure crystal that resonated not in the ears, but deep within the soul. It possessed an intoxicating, inexplicable magic. Immediately, the eyes of dozens of cultivators… from the lowest Heavenly Yuan masters to the formidable Form Creation powerhouses… showed a look of bewilderment, quickly dissolving into dazed intoxication. Their focus fractured, utterly captivated by the unseen speaker.
"What a powerful person!"
Lin Dong's mind, protected by the potent anchor of his newly solidified Third Seal Symbol Master consciousness, still experienced a brief, profound moment of dizziness as the sonic wave washed over him. The mental defense mechanism of his Destiny Symbol instantly kicked in, stabilizing his sea of consciousness.
He quickly came back to his senses, an unmistakable look of absolute horror surging in his dark eyes. That mental energy, that soul-shaking melody, was the most pure and terrifying spiritual power he had ever encountered.
He hurriedly looked up, his gaze following the line of energy and sound. In the distant sky, a radiant streak of azure light was sweeping in with impossible speed, finally slowing as it neared the barrier. The light resolved itself into a breathtaking, perfectly formed blue lotus flower.
Above the blue lotus, a single figure of peerless grace stood. She was clad in robes of deep, glacial blue, their fabric flowing as if woven from moonlight and ice. Though a thin, translucent veil covered her face, obscuring the features that were likely too beautiful for the mortal eye to bear, her crystal-clear, unnervingly calm eyes instantly dimmed the surrounding world.
Lin Dong stared, utterly transfixed. The spiritual melody had subsided, but the ethereal figure above the blue lotus remained the singular focus of the plain. She was breathtaking, a vision of untouchable purity, and her presence alone was more intimidating than the combined might of Lin Langtian and Wang Yan.
He turned his head slightly, the sense of shock still lingering. "Who is that?" he whispered to Lin Ke'er, his voice barely audible above the renewed, hushed clamor. "Is she… from the Huangpu Clan?"
...