Chapter 413: Heaven Yuanzi's Scheme
High above, four powerful figures with fierce, intense expressions tore through the sky, stepping out with visible anger. Their arrival cast an overwhelming pressure over the entire Demon City.
"It's the four Great Heads of the Tianxuan Sect, the strongest sect in the Western Mystic Domain!"
Countless eyes in the city locked on the figures in awe. These were four Transcendent Realm experts, leaders of Tianxuan Sect. Adding in Yuan Gate's three Headmasters, Dao Sect's Ying Xuanzi, and their Grand Elder Qian, Demon City now housed nine Transcendent Realm figures—a scene of overwhelming power rarely witnessed in a lifetime.
"Oh, the four Great Heads of Tianxuan Sect… What a surprise you've all shown up," said Heaven Yuanzi, his gaze narrowing as he looked upon the newcomers. Behind him, Earth Yuanzi and Ren Yuanzi exchanged looks of slight unease. They hadn't expected Tianxuan Sect's sudden intervention, especially at this crucial moment, when they were pressing Dao Sect to force Lin Dong out. Now, their interrogation of Dao Sect had morphed into Tianxuan Sect's demand for justice from Yuan Gate.
Nearby, Ying Xuanzi observed the turn of events, stroking his beard thoughtfully with a hint of satisfaction. "Interesting. It seems Yuan Gate's little plan to push Lin Dong out of Dao Sect has backfired. Heaven Yuanzi wanted to use the bond between Lin Dong and his companion to corner us, but he's only ended up trapping himself."
Beside him, Dao Sect's Grand Elder, Qian, chuckled, "Indeed. Heaven Yuanzi's scheme was flawless, even giving us no excuse to intervene. But they didn't foresee Tianxuan Sect's arrival. The tables have turned rather quickly."
"Quite," Ying Xuanzi agreed, glancing toward the calm Lin Langtian. After a pause, he mused aloud, "Grand Elder, do you think Lin Langtian may have intentionally provoked Tianxuan Sect as a way of easing Yuan Gate's pressure on Lin Dong?"
The Grand Elder hesitated for a moment. "Lin Langtian and Lin Dong…both from the Lin Clan of the Great Yan Empire. Though Lin Langtian is from the main family and Lin Dong from a branch, they once shared a deep conflict. There's a chance they've reconciled, but we can't be sure if it's genuine or mere formality. Nonetheless, by wiping out Tianxuan Sect's disciples, Lin Langtian has undeniably diverted Yuan Gate's attention away from Lin Dong. It's possible there is some bond left between them."
Ying Xuanzi nodded thoughtfully, "If so, Lin Langtian's actions may have eased Lin Dong's situation with Yuan Gate, while Lin Dong has inadvertently helped Lin Langtian eliminate rival forces within Yuan Gate. They've both benefited, it seems. This Lin Clan must be something remarkable to produce two talents like these."
"Whether intentional or not, Lin Langtian's actions have aided Dao Sect and shown no malice toward us," added the Grand Elder with a hint of relief. "Given his terrifying power in erasing Tianxuan Sect's elites, not even the legendary Zhou Tong could've managed that so easily."
The Grand Elder recalled hearing that Xuan Tian had reached the Transcendent Realm and possessed the mighty Heavenly Seal Array, making him a formidable opponent for even Dao Sect's leaders. Yet, Lin Langtian had slaughtered him and nearly six hundred of his disciples in one battle. The sheer audacity was beyond anything anyone expected.
"Heaven Yuanzi," one of the Great Heads of Tianxuan Sect growled, his luxurious robe adorned with a black serpent pattern. "Your disciple Lin Langtian slaughtered our sect members in cold blood. Don't you think that's going too far?"
At his bold accusation, Heaven Yuanzi's gaze darkened. Beside him, Ren Yuanzi replied coldly, "Huang Wuzi, don't jump to conclusions. We'll investigate the situation fairly and provide justice. However, if you're just here to make baseless accusations, let me remind you that though you lead in the Western Mystic Domain, Yuan Gate reigns supreme in the Eastern Mystic Domain."
Ren Yuanzi's gaze turned to Lin Langtian. "Lin Langtian, explain why you killed the disciples of Tianxuan Sect."
All eyes shifted toward Lin Langtian, who stood impassively amidst the pressure. Nearby, his fellow Fire Division disciples, led by Song Yun, looked tense. Many appeared pale under the intense scrutiny, particularly of the nine Transcendent Realm figures present. Yet Lin Langtian remained calm as he respectfully bowed toward Yuan Gate's three Headmasters and replied in a firm voice.
"Sect Masters, the roots of this matter stretch back over a year to the Battle of the Hundred Empires. I disrupted the Western Mystic Domain's plans to seize an ancient battleground. Ever since, Tianxuan Sect has resented me deeply. In the Demon Realm, Xuan Tian and his men ambushed our Fire Division in revenge, killing nearly half of my brothers."
Lin Langtian paused, his expression still calm. "In retaliation, I fought back with everything I had. Xuan Tian and his followers relied on their Heavenly Seal Array, but it turned out their defenses were no match for me. The resulting annihilation of their disciples was purely accidental."
With that, Lin Langtian's expression remained indifferent, as if he truly had not intended to eliminate nearly six hundred disciples of Tianxuan Sect.
At his words, the three Yuan Gate Headmasters glanced at Lin Langtian with slightly shifted expressions. The depth of his power had become undeniable; Xuan Tian's strength exceeded even that of Yuan Cang, and the notion of any Yuan Gate disciple outside of the Three Princes achieving such a feat was unprecedented. The entire Demon City seemed frozen in awe. To avenge his brothers by exterminating Tianxuan Sect's disciples in a single move was a display of overwhelming resolve and power.
The four Great Heads of Tianxuan Sect looked enraged, but before they could speak, Lin Langtian bowed to the Yuan Gate Headmasters and said, "May I ask, Sect Masters, was I wrong to seek revenge on behalf of my fallen comrades?"
"Wrong?" Heaven Yuanzi's black-and-white eyes narrowed slightly as he pondered Lin Langtian's words.
Inwardly, Heaven Yuanzi disapproved of Lin Langtian's actions. Disciplinary measures or a skirmish would've sufficed to uphold Yuan Gate's honor. There was no need to incite Tianxuan Sect's wrath by going so far as to exterminate their disciples. Although Tianxuan Sect didn't match Yuan Gate's might, they were a force to be reckoned with.
High in the sky, four powerful figures stepped out, their expressions dark and angry as they tore through the air. The whole of Demon City seemed to be blanketed under their intense pressure.
"It's the Four Great Heads of Tianxuan Sect, the strongest sect in the Western Mystic Domain!"
As countless eyes turned upward to the scene, awe spread through the city. These were no ordinary figures—four Transcendent Realm experts, Tianxuan Sect's highest-ranked leaders. With the three Headmasters of Yuan Gate, Dao Sect's Master Ying Xuanzi, and Elder Qian also present, Demon City now hosted a staggering nine Transcendent Realm powerhouses. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime sight.
"Oh, the Four Great Heads from Tianxuan Sect. Quite a surprise to see all of you here," remarked Heaven Yuanzi, eyes narrowing as he registered the intent in their arrival. Behind him, Earth Yuanzi and Ren Yuanzi exchanged wary glances, realizing that the sudden involvement of Tianxuan Sect might complicate their carefully laid plans. Originally, they had pressured Dao Sect into surrendering Lin Dong, but now, with Tianxuan Sect demanding justice, Yuan Gate was forced onto the defensive.
Not far away, Dao Sect's Master Ying Xuanzi looked pleased with the turn of events. He chuckled softly. "How quickly things change. It seems Yuan Gate's scheme to push Lin Dong out of Dao Sect has completely backfired. Heaven Yuanzi meant to use Lin Dong's friendship with Xiaodiao as leverage against us, but now it's Yuan Gate itself being put on the spot."
By his side, the elderly Elder Qian laughed, nodding. "Indeed. Heaven Yuanzi intended to use clever tactics to entrap us, but the unexpected interference from Tianxuan Sect has left Yuan Gate struggling to respond."
Ying Xuanzi watched Lin Langtian thoughtfully. "Grand Elder, do you think that Lin Langtian might have deliberately provoked Tianxuan Sect as a way of diverting Yuan Gate's attention from Lin Dong?"
Elder Qian's eyes widened as he considered the question. "Lin Langtian and Lin Dong both come from the Lin Clan of the Great Yan Empire. Lin Langtian is from the main family, and Lin Dong from a branch, and although they had deep-seated conflicts in their youth, there was a supposed reconciliation. Whether that reconciliation was genuine or just a façade remains unclear. But intentional or not, Lin Langtian's actions have clearly helped ease the pressure on Lin Dong."
Ying Xuanzi nodded, adding, "It would seem Lin Langtian's actions inadvertently helped Lin Dong by shifting Yuan Gate's focus, while Lin Dong's recent actions also served to eliminate threats to Lin Langtian's power within Yuan Gate. These two certainly have some kind of bond left between them."
"Enough formalities, Heaven Yuanzi!" thundered Huang Wuzi, the oldest of Tianxuan Sect's Four Great Heads, dressed in a robe adorned with a black serpent pattern. "Your disciple Lin Langtian has slaughtered our sect members mercilessly. Surely this is too much, even by your standards!"
At Huang Wuzi's blunt accusation, Heaven Yuanzi's eyes darkened, and beside him, Ren Yuanzi spoke coldly. "Huang Wuzi, you make accusations without understanding the full story. If your disciples suffered losses in the Demon Realm, it was because they provoked Lin Langtian first. Any battles in the Demon Realm fall under its own rules. If every sect sought retribution, we'd all be at war already. If Tianxuan Sect failed in strength, that's your own responsibility."
Jeers rose from the crowd at the words. Yuan Gate's invocation of "rules" rang hollow to many, considering their blatant disregard of them moments ago when punishing Lin Dong for wiping out Yuan Cang's team.
Huang Wuzi's eyes glinted with anger as he continued coldly, "Lin Langtian must answer to Tianxuan Sect. If Yuan Gate's three Headmasters try to shield him, we will not let this matter rest!"
Huang Wuzi knew well that the three Yuan Gate Headmasters were ultimately self-serving. Lin Langtian, though extraordinarily talented, was not a direct disciple of theirs. As such, they might even see his talents as a threat rather than an asset. Huang Wuzi sensed Heaven Yuanzi's hesitation and smiled faintly, extending a giant hand toward Lin Langtian to take him by force.
"Enough!" Heaven Yuanzi's voice rang out as he raised his sleeve, shattering the giant hand in an instant.
"Lin Langtian is a disciple of Yuan Gate. If Tianxuan Sect wants him, you'll have to get past the three of us first." Heaven Yuanzi's deep voice, as resounding as thunder, shook the heavens.
But as he spoke, Heaven Yuanzi subtly gave Huang Wuzi a hidden signal. Seeing this, Huang Wuzi's expression shifted to one of sly understanding.
Heaven Yuanzi clearly intended to put on a show of defending Lin Langtian publicly while covertly giving Tianxuan Sect the go-ahead to capture him. Realizing this, Huang Wuzi replied, feigning anger. "Very well! If Yuan Gate insists on standing in our way, then the Four Great Heads of Tianxuan Sect will show you the strength of our resolve!"
With that, Huang Wuzi gestured, and the Four Heads of Tianxuan Sect leaped into a formation, surrounding the three Yuan Gate Headmasters. Concentrated flows of black and white energy converged at the tips of their fingers, merging with a deadly aura of life and death as four sinister black-and-white blades took shape. The energy they emanated was razor-sharp, potent enough to sever even space itself.
"Let's see how Yuan Gate's esteemed Headmasters handle this," sneered Huang Wuzi. "Death's Edge!"
The four black-and-white blades shot out at breakneck speed, streaking across the sky like meteors toward the three Headmasters, each razor edge tearing space as it went. The combined might of four Transcendent Realm experts in the Death's Edge attack was truly terrifying.
Seeing this, the three Headmasters exchanged glances, a flicker of calculation passing between them before they unleashed their own powerful defenses. "Hah! It's about time we tested the might of the Four Heads of Tianxuan Sect!" Heaven Yuanzi's voice rang coldly as a towering crystal-like finger formed from their combined energies, coiling with devastating force.
The sky trembled as the Death's Edge blades collided with the three massive crystal fingers, and the resulting shockwave rippled across Demon City like an earthquake, turning nearby structures into rubble. The onlookers, faces pale with terror, fled hundreds of miles away to avoid the aftermath of the Transcendent clash.
But in the fray, something unexpected happened. Three of the deadly blades were obliterated by the Headmasters, but a fourth blade slipped through their defenses. Whether through miscalculation or intent, it had been allowed to escape.
Seeing this, Huang Wuzi's lips curled into a sinister smile. "How treacherous the Yuan Gate Headmasters are… Lin Langtian, I doubt even you could have foreseen this betrayal."
With a flick of his wrist, Huang Wuzi redirected the remaining blade, now hurtling toward Lin Langtian with terrifying speed.
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