Chapter 448: A New Mission
Boom! Boom! Boom!
When Lin Langtian quietly diverted countless strikes of Wind and Thunder Tribulation a hundred miles away using the Spatial Ancestral Symbol, the disturbance it caused still didn't go unnoticed.
"Langtian, what are you doing?"
Qingtan was the first to arrive. She looked up at the lingering remnants of the tribulation, then back at Lin Langtian, surprised.
"Heh, it's nothing, just a small breakthrough in my spiritual power," Lin Langtian replied with a faint smile, waving it off.
"Spiritual power breakthrough?" Qingtan blinked, studying Lin Langtian with curiosity. Somehow, even after only a few days, his aura had grown significantly more powerful.
"Congratulations, Langtian," Qingtan said with a soft smile, impressed. "Your mastery of spiritual power must be second to none, even in the Dark Hall."
Compared to yuan energy, spiritual power was more complex to cultivate. Though she was Bo Xuan's prized disciple, she had never ventured into spiritual power herself. Even within the Dark Hall, talisman masters were incredibly rare, and strong ones were almost unheard of. Lin Langtian's strength in both yuan energy and spiritual power marked him as an unparalleled prodigy.
"Thank you, Qingtan, you're too kind." Lin Langtian replied humbly, his gaze moving over the crowd of busy Enforcer Guards passing by. Curious, he asked, "Are we returning to the Enforcers' headquarters?"
Qingtan shook her head and answered seriously, "I actually came here to inform you. Head Commander Zhong received a new mission from headquarters just now, and it involves our Seventh Regiment, Third Battalion."
"Oh? What mission?" Lin Langtian asked.
"There's been an uprising in the East. Our Seventh Regiment has been ordered to subdue it, and the Regiment Commander has instructed us to mobilize immediately and without delay," Qingtan replied.
"So the entire Seventh Regiment is being deployed?" Lin Langtian's eyebrows arched, his expression turning serious.
The Enforcer Corps was structured so that each regiment was comprised of five battalions, totaling two thousand soldiers. Every soldier was at least at the Eight-Yuan Nirvana Stage, while the Regiment Commander was a full-fledged Death Profound expert, one step from the Reincarnation Stage. This kind of force would be formidable even in the Eastern Region, placing it just below the eight great super sects and some well-established powers. For the Dark Hall to mobilize an entire regiment meant that this rebellion was indeed serious, surpassing even the recent troubles with the Huoyun Sect.
"Oh, one more thing…" Qingtan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Langtian, I also have some bad news. My master had intended to use this victory to request a Life-Death Reincarnation Pill for you from the Council of Elders, but…"
"Was it rejected?" Lin Langtian's face fell as he guessed the outcome.
Qingtan nodded slightly, her expression apologetic. "Originally, with your accomplishments and my master's support, the Elder Council wouldn't have opposed it, even if they were reluctant. But then one of the Elders—the oldest, and in a sense, higher in rank than my master—intervened. He claimed your achievements weren't significant enough to warrant the pill, so the Council refused."
"Why would that ancient elder even care about me?" Lin Langtian asked, frowning. "With someone of his standing, it seems odd for him to interfere in internal affairs."
Qingtan's apologetic look deepened as she replied quietly, "It's exactly as you suspect. That elder hasn't meddled in Dark Hall affairs for years, as my master is now in charge. It would seem unseemly if he did. But as it happens, Mo Ming—the man you defeated at the festival—was his grand-disciple. Perhaps that's why he's holding a grudge against you. It's my fault, really."
"Oh, so that's what it is…" Lin Langtian understood. He had wondered why a mere Essence Soul expert like himself had garnered the attention of a Reincarnation Stage master. So it was due to Mo Ming.
Sighing, he gave Qingtan a comforting look. "It's not your fault, Qingtan."
Given another chance, Lin Langtian would have acted the same way. Teaching Mo Ming a lesson on Qingtan's behalf was something he wouldn't hesitate to do again. However, with the Life-Death Reincarnation Pill currently out of reach from the Dark Hall, he needed a new plan.
The matter of reviving Zhou Tong was urgent; with a Reincarnation Stage expert by his side, Lin Langtian could sever ties with the Yuan Gate and finally establish his own faction. Otherwise, he'd have to keep up the facade even longer.
As Lin Langtian frowned in thought, Qingtan continued, "Actually, there may still be a way to get the Life-Death Reincarnation Pill."
"Oh? And what way might that be?" Lin Langtian's eyes lit up with interest.
Qingtan nodded. "Langtian, you know about the uprising in the East and the deployment of our regiment, but do you know why it started?"
"No, I don't," he admitted, shaking his head.
"The rebel faction is the Yuwen Family," Qingtan said. "Apparently, they are older than even our Dark Hall, and they're one of the most powerful forces in the East. Their leader, Yuwen Hao, is at the peak of the Death Profound Stage. His reputation extends throughout the Northern Region. In fact, he was at the forefront during the recent festival."
Lin Langtian raised his eyebrows. "If he participated in the festival, he must have great respect for the Dark Hall. Why start a rebellion?"
The Dark Hall had ruled the Northern Region for thousands of years. Inevitably, some powers would try to resist, hence the Enforcer Corps' continual suppression efforts. But the Yuwen Family, being so long-established, would know how to survive under the Dark Hall's rule. Why would they rebel now?
"It's because of the Stillness God Tablet," Qingtan answered gravely.
"The Stillness God Tablet?" Lin Langtian's eyes narrowed as he recalled the mysterious map he had found in the Flame Kingdom's Talisman Tower, which showed that the Stillness God Tablet was in the Eastern Region.
"Could it be that the Yuwen Family found the Stillness God Tablet?" he asked.
"Yes. The Yuwen Family managed to acquire the Stillness God Tablet without the Dark Hall knowing. Although it's not as powerful as the Dark Scythe, our sacred artifact, it ranks thirteenth among ancient relics. The Stillness God Tablet has immense power. Once activated, it can freeze time and space. Anyone caught within its range becomes powerless, completely at the mercy of the user," Qingtan explained.
The Dark Hall had been searching for the Stillness God Tablet for centuries, and it had unexpectedly ended up in the hands of the Yuwen Family. Of course, if they had offered it willingly, the Dark Hall would have rewarded them generously. But the Yuwen Family had foolishly tried to keep it for themselves. If it weren't for Yuwen Hao's youngest son letting it slip, the Dark Hall might still be in the dark. Such a betrayal triggered the Dark Hall's fury, so my master ordered the entire Seventh Regiment to annihilate the Yuwen Family."
"What a brutal response..." Hearing Qingtan's explanation, Lin Langtian once again recognized the ruthlessness of the Dark Hall. No wonder it was so powerful, constantly spawning rebellious forces. The Dark Hall essentially monopolized the benefits of the entire Northern Region.
Still, Lin Langtian shook his head. The rule of survival of the fittest defined the continent; the Dark Hall's power was its justification. And since the Yuwen Family had disregarded the principle of "the crime of bearing jade," their destruction was inevitable.
"Qingtan, you mentioned an opportunity—are you suggesting I should seize the Stillness God Tablet from the Yuwen Family?" Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, exactly. Ranked thirteenth among ancient artifacts, the Stillness God Tablet is incredibly valuable. If you contribute to this operation, even that old codger in the Dark Hall would have no grounds to deny you the Life-Death Reincarnation Pill," Qingtan replied with a smile.
"Hmm… that's a pretty good idea." Lin Langtian pondered it for a moment, his expression thoughtful.
"Then let's head to the East," he said firmly. One way or another, he had to get his hands on the Life-Death Reincarnation Pill.
In the Southern River Region, within the Dark Hall's branch, a massive, leveled mountaintop served as a spacious courtyard where gigantic warships stood. The surface of each warship was covered with black runes that pulsed, absorbing the surrounding energy. At the front of each ship was a carved tiger head, fierce and imposing, its mouth slightly opening and closing, radiating a faint yet intense energy.
These were the Dark Hall's "Black Battle Tiger Ships," specifically designed for large-scale military transport.
Since there was no direct portal from the Southern River Region to the East, the Seventh Regiment's Third Battalion, consisting of four hundred soldiers, would travel by warship to avoid drawing too much attention and to expedite the journey.
The Black Battle Tiger Ships were swift and steady, prized by the Dark Hall as their preferred means of transport. Zhong Kui stood at the bow of one ship, nodding in satisfaction at the vessel while thanking the branch commander beside him, "Thank you for preparing these."
"It's no trouble, no trouble at all—this is our duty," replied the branch commander, bowing with utmost respect.
The branch had been awestruck by the Dark Hall's might, especially after seeing the First Battalion of the Southern River Region's once-powerful Huoyun Sect fall overnight.
"I heard Commander Zhong is setting off for the East to subdue the rebellion; may you achieve swift victory," said the branch commander with a congratulatory bow.
"Thank you," Zhong Kui replied with a curt nod. Glancing at the sky, he said with a smile, "It's about time. Let's set off."
As his command fell, he signaled to the soldiers behind him. At once, the four hundred troops ignited their yuan power, and their figures leapt forward like a swarm of locusts, filling the Black Battle Tiger Ship in no time.
Zhong Kui, Lan Yan, Lin Langtian, and Qingtan also leapt aboard, taking their places.
A resounding horn echoed through the air as the runes on the Black Battle Tiger Ship's surface flared to life, releasing waves of boundless energy. The ship then ascended, becoming a streak of light that broke through the clouds and rapidly disappeared into the distance.
The Southern River Region lay far from the East, and while the Seventh Regiment's battalions were usually spread out, the Third Battalion only needed to arrive within the scheduled time. With the warship's speed, Lin Langtian and Qingtan's group could reach the East in about six or seven days.
Lin Langtian and Qingtan were assigned a section of the ship along with their subordinates. Since Qingtan had been promoted to Squad Leader, Lin Langtian effectively commanded a squad of Enforcer Guards himself, all of whom were high-level Nirvana Stage practitioners—a rank comparable to the core disciples of the super-sects in the Eastern Region.
Over the course of the journey, Lin Langtian grew acquainted with these Enforcer Guards, who were impressed by him and Qingtan. Anyone who had witnessed the battle with the Huoyun Sect couldn't doubt their strength.
With the resources gained from the Huoyun Sect, Qingtan spent her days training, and Lin Langtian was astonished to see her advancing towards Greater Nirvana Stage. Even Lin Langtian couldn't help but marvel at the terrifying speed of her Asura Body's cultivation. It was no wonder that within three years, Qingtan would be able to inherit the position of Dark Hall Leader.
Time passed quickly, and on the sixth day, the warship reached the Eastern Division's main fortress, Dongling City.
Standing on the warship deck, Lin Langtian looked down and saw a massive fortress rising from the plains, resembling a colossal ancient beast emitting an intense killing aura, standing guard over the East.
Hovering above the fortress was an immense shield, its faint energy fluctuations revealing a vast protective formation.
As the Black Battle Tiger Ship approached, four light beams shot forth from the tiger's mouth on the bow, forming a bridge of interwoven runes. The formation in the sky rippled, creating a passage through which the warship slowly sailed.
Once the warship entered the fortress's airspace, several powerful figures soared up from below. Each radiated strong energy fluctuations, all of them unmistakably at the Death Profound Stage.
Noticing the blood-red long swords on their masks, Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow and murmured, "So, these are the other Battalion Leaders of the Seventh Regiment… Their strength is truly formidable…"
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