Chapter 593: Battling the Two Branch Leaders!
"You've lost, Fire Branch—return that seat."
As Lin Langtian's calm voice resonated clearly throughout the surrounding mountains, absolute silence descended upon the entire region. Every single person stared blankly, momentarily unable to comprehend the unbelievable scene unfolding before them.
It took several long moments before the realization finally struck them: Lin Langtian had actually won.
Singlehandedly, he had consecutively defeated two Samsara stage Elders from the Fire Branch, forcibly reclaiming the seat in the Elders' Council that originally belonged to the Wind Branch.
"How frighteningly fierce…"
This stunned silence lasted only briefly before it shattered into a chorus of astonished exclamations. Leaders and experts from various powerful factions exchanged meaningful looks, each filled with shock and wariness toward Lin Langtian's displayed strength.
What truly terrified them was that Lin Langtian had achieved this at merely half-step Samsara. He hadn't even fully stepped into the Samsara realm yet he had decisively defeated actual Samsara stage masters. Once he truly entered the Samsara realm, would anyone below the Reincarnation stage be his match?
"The Wind Branch is really fortunate to have found such an incredible external helper. Now, they've not only avoided losing their status entirely but even reclaimed another seat. They have a genuine chance at regaining their former glory."
"Yes, the Fire Branch really shot itself in the foot this time. With this loss, they now share the same number of seats as the Wind Branch," whispered some experts, their tones tinged with barely concealed amusement at the Fire Branch's misfortune.
Hearing these mocking murmurs, the faces of the Fire Branch's members grew exceedingly ugly. Yet, none could voice a complaint because, according to the rules established publicly before the Great Elder himself, the Fire Branch was indeed obligated to relinquish one seat to the Wind Branch.
Wu Yan, the Fire Branch Leader, clenched his fists tightly beneath his sleeves, his expression turning increasingly grim. Today, his branch had been utterly humiliated by Lin Langtian.
"Damned brat! Ruining our carefully planned scheme!"
Rage boiled within Wu Yan. They'd spent years orchestrating their plans, all of which had been shattered to pieces by this unexpectedly fierce outsider.
Yet no matter how angry he was, Wu Yan had no choice but to admit defeat. After all, the earlier wager had been declared in the presence of the Great Elder himself. Since Lin Langtian had defeated Wu Lie, they naturally had to honor their promise and surrender the seat.
Wu Yan's eyes flickered sharply. After a brief hesitation, he raised his head and turned to Great Elder Wu Qian, respectfully stating, "Our Fire Branch admits defeat and will yield the seat as promised. However, according to my knowledge, the criminal's son, Lin Jinwu, has openly established influence within our Crow Territory and even brazenly entered our ancestral grounds. This is clearly against our rules. Thus, I propose we immediately convene an Elders' Council meeting to permanently banish him from the Crow Territory, forbidding him from ever setting foot here again."
Currently, the Wind Branch had reclaimed a third seat. Should they manage to ally with additional Elders, they could easily convene their own meeting, formally reinstate Lin Jinwu's identity, and—with his potent Nine Nether Black Golden Crow bloodline along with subtle support from the Great Elder—potentially establish him as a candidate for Clan Leader.
If Lin Jinwu became a candidate for Clan Leader, it would be a devastating blow to both the Fire and Forest Branches.
"The Wind Branch opposes!" Wu Xuan immediately shouted in alarm, his expression darkening instantly upon recognizing Wu Yan's intentions.
"The Forest Branch supports," Wu Xiu, the Forest Branch Leader, declared calmly after a brief pause. Both Forest and Fire Branches had previously cooperated to suppress the Wind Branch. Naturally, they weren't willing to allow the Wind Branch to rise again.
Additionally, Lin Jinwu's displayed bloodline potential made them wary, thus they preferred to expel him promptly.
Wu Yan and Wu Xiu's eyes shifted toward the other two minor branches. Facing such pressure, these minor branch Elders hesitated briefly before nodding reluctantly.
Observing this, Great Elder Wu Qian frowned slightly but ultimately nodded. "Since more than seventy percent of the Elders have agreed, according to our rules, you may immediately convene the Elders' Council."
Hearing the Great Elder's words, a cold, sinister smile appeared on Wu Yan's lips.
"Cough, cough…"
However, just as Wu Yan was about to succeed, a subtle cough suddenly echoed from nearby, causing Wu Yan to pause. Turning his head slightly, his eyes met Lin Langtian's calm, steady gaze.
"Branch Leader Wu Yan, Jinwu is my brother. If you want to harm him, you'll have to get past me first," Lin Langtian declared quietly but firmly.
"Preposterous!" Wu Yan's expression instantly chilled. Sneering disdainfully, he replied, "This is an internal affair of our clan. Who are you, an outsider, to interfere?"
In Wu Yan's eyes, Lin Langtian was merely a temporary external helper invited by the Wind Branch to participate in the battle. He had no authority whatsoever regarding internal matters.
Lin Langtian, however, remained perfectly calm. "If that's your stance, then perhaps you'd be interested in another wager?"
"A wager?" Wu Yan's expression turned ugly as memories of his earlier humiliation resurfaced. Coldly, he scoffed, "Fine. I'm curious to see what nonsense you'll come up with now."
Lin Langtian smiled slightly and spoke directly, "I propose a duel between us. If I lose, the seat I just won for the Wind Branch will return to your Fire Branch. But if I win, you must support Jinwu's reinstatement into the Seven Nether Black Golden Crow Clan. How about it?"
The crowd erupted into shock.
"What?! Lin Langtian wants to challenge the Fire Branch Leader directly?!"
"No way! Wu Yan is one of the two strongest individuals beneath the Great Elder himself!"
Even the Wind Branch fell into a state of shocked murmurs. Wu Xuan hesitated but upon seeing Jinwu's resolute gaze, held back his objections. Facing the combined pressure from Fire and Forest Branches, perhaps Lin Langtian was their only hope to break through this impasse.
In the arena, Lin Langtian stared calmly at Wu Yan's shifting expression and deliberately mocked, "What's the matter? Could it be that the illustrious Fire Branch Leader fears accepting my challenge?"
Wu Yan's face twisted angrily, humiliation and anger competing for dominance. But just as Wu Yan hesitated, Wu Xiu—the Forest Branch Leader—stepped forward suddenly, smiling faintly.
"Since this young friend is so confident, why not challenge both myself and Branch Leader Wu Yan together? If you can defeat both of us, then my Forest Branch will also support the criminal's son returning to the clan."
Wu Yan briefly paused before understanding that Wu Xiu was cleverly providing him with a way out. Abandoning dignity, Wu Yan quickly agreed. "Exactly! If you're so confident, accept our combined challenge. Defeat us, and both our branches will support Lin Jinwu's reinstatement!"
Gasps filled the crowd once more. Simultaneously challenging both Branch Leaders? Not even the Great Elder himself would easily claim absolute confidence!
Yet, as everyone anticipated Lin Langtian's refusal, he merely smiled enigmatically and calmly agreed, "Very well—I accept."
Another wave of disbelief swept across the audience.
"How arrogant! Challenging both Branch Leaders at once—does he truly think they're ordinary Elders?"
Even Wu Yan and Wu Xiu exchanged stunned glances. Quickly, however, fury surged within their eyes, enraged at Lin Langtian's blatant disregard.
"Big words, brat. Let's see if your skills match your mouth!" Wu Yan's cold threat dripped with murderous intent.
Lin Langtian merely met his gaze, smiling lightly. "You certainly waste a lot of breath."
Some spectators couldn't help laughing aloud at Lin Langtian's audacity. Even the silver-haired woman beside Kun Jian felt amused.
Wu Yan seethed inwardly but swiftly calmed himself—this calm state clearly indicated his intent to kill.
He slowly raised his hands, flames dancing dangerously at his fingertips. "You'll regret this choice."
Boom!
Instantly, a magnificent yet terrifying inferno erupted from Wu Yan's body, enveloping the sky in a sea of flames that emitted waves of deathly aura.
Lin Langtian took a deep breath, his expression becoming serious. Within him, his flesh grew intensely hot, as though aflame. Tremendous power surged from his core, his Black Flame Tyrant Body fully awakening.
"Let's see if you have what it takes to defeat me!"
Boom!
Fiery brilliance exploded outward as Lin Langtian stepped forward without hesitation, unleashing a single punch containing the pure, devastating might to shatter mountains.
A roaring dragon of flames surged forth, violently colliding with Wu Yan's lethal flame-feather attack.
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