Chapter 522: Ambiguity and the Top of the Rookie List
Flame Sea Region.
If there was one region that currently attracted the most attention within the entire Chaotic Demon Sea, it would undoubtedly be the Flame Sea Region. The reason was simple: the Thunder Competition organized by the Flame Divine Hall.
The Thunder Competition hosted by the Flame Divine Hall was conducted with extraordinary grandeur, clearly demonstrating the powerful influence the Flame Divine Hall wielded in the Chaotic Demon Sea.
Of course, the allure of the Thunderbolt Ancestral Symbol played an indispensable part. Although many people felt perplexed that the Flame Divine Hall would offer something as precious and rare as the Thunderbolt Ancestral Symbol as a prize, it didn't stop countless individuals from being utterly captivated.
For such a legendary item, regardless of how complicated things might become, everyone had to join in.
"Third Grandpa, Brother Langtian, Sister Xinlian's Flame Divine Hall is making quite a scene with this competition," Mu Lingshan commented excitedly, sitting cross-legged atop the speeding whale, eyes curiously observing the ships and sea beasts traveling rapidly toward the Flame Sea Region.
Lin Langtian smiled and nodded, looking thoughtful. "Indeed, the Flame Sea Region is probably the center of attention in the entire Chaotic Demon Sea right now. The Thunderbolt Ancestral Symbol truly has an incredible allure."
"Brother Langtian, with your current strength, you'd definitely take first place if you joined!" Mu Lingshan giggled confidently.
Lin Langtian stretched lazily, replying casually, "I'll consider it. I'm not particularly interested in the championship."
He was aware that the supposed Thunderbolt Ancestral Symbol offered was merely a fragment of its original source power extracted by Mo Luo. Such a fragment wasn't enticing enough for Lin Langtian to contend for.
Tang Xinlian, standing nearby, frowned slightly. For reasons unknown even to herself, she genuinely wished the Thunderbolt Ancestral Symbol would end up with Lin Langtian. Yet, recalling that Lin Langtian already possessed two Ancestral Symbols, she felt somewhat relieved. After all, each Ancestral Symbol was extremely rare and powerful. Mo Luo dominated the Chaotic Demon Sea with just one, while Lin Langtian already had two—Devouring and Space. Holding a third would simply be unimaginable.
Mu Lan chuckled, watching Lin Langtian's calm demeanor. "Hehe, you're quite laid-back about this."
Even he, an experienced elder of the Immortal Sage Whale Clan, was somewhat tempted by the Ancestral Symbol. Yet Lin Langtian, at his youthful age, could remain unaffected. Mu Lan silently admired Lin Langtian's composure.
"Brother Langtian, you've made quite an impression on the Chaotic Demon Sea's Rookie List!" Mu Lingshan said cheerfully, revealing a golden scroll in her small hands. On its surface shimmered the words "Rookie List."
This list was produced by an organization called Tianji Pavilion, renowned throughout the Chaotic Demon Sea for its accurate and extensive intelligence network. Anyone who made it onto this list was considered an outstanding talent among the younger generation.
Intrigued, Lin Langtian reached for the scroll, curious about his ranking. Just as Tang Xinlian leaned closer to see, the whale beneath them suddenly swerved to avoid a large reef, causing her to lose her balance and fall toward Lin Langtian.
Instinctively, Lin Langtian reached out and caught her. The softness of her body pressing against his chest momentarily sent his mind into disarray.
Mu Lingshan blinked her large eyes, observing the scene with obvious amusement.
Mu Lan, noticing this ambiguous scene, promptly covered Mu Lingshan's eyes, coughing lightly to break the awkward moment.
"Ahem…"
Hearing Mu Lan's cough, Tang Xinlian quickly regained her footing, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "S-Sorry," she stammered softly, averting her gaze shyly. Other than her late father and her master Mo Luo, Lin Langtian was the first man she'd ever been this close to. This stirred unexpected feelings in her previously calm heart.
Lin Langtian swiftly recovered his composure. "No problem. There are many reefs around here; be careful," he said, maintaining a calm exterior despite feeling a subtle warmth lingering from their brief embrace.
After their time together on this journey, Lin Langtian had naturally grown closer to Tang Xinlian and had noticed the subtle affection she had developed toward him. Given their shared experiences in the Devouring Realm, he understood how these feelings emerged. After all, in the original storyline, Tang Xinlian developed feelings for Lin Dong because of his timely assistance. In this timeline, Lin Langtian had replaced Lin Dong's role in helping her, so her growing affection was understandable.
Though somewhat surprised, Lin Langtian didn't feel troubled by it. Tang Xinlian was exceptionally talented and beautiful, matching any other top-tier woman like Ying Xiaoxiao or Ling Qingzhu. In a world where strength was paramount and polygamy was commonplace, Lin Langtian, as a man from Earth, wasn't overly concerned with those traditional moral burdens.
However, he realized this wasn't the time for romance, and quickly refocused on the golden scroll in his hands. Tang Xinlian, seeing Lin Langtian's calmness, felt relief and stood quietly beside him, also looking at the scroll.
Mu Lingshan pouted upon missing the amusing scene but quickly came up with another playful idea, eyes glinting mischievously.
Lin Langtian's eyes landed directly at the top of the Rookie List:
"First place: Lin Langtian. Initial Death Profound Realm, Initial Great Master Symbolist. Master of Tianfu from the Eastern Xuan Region. Defeated three Death Profound Realm Great Completion experts single-handedly in the Devouring Realm incident. Combat prowess: Extremely formidable."
"What impressive intelligence gathering," Lin Langtian remarked. It had been mere days since those events, yet Tianji Pavilion had already captured detailed information about his origins, powers, and feats.
Tang Xinlian nodded, smiling gently. "You being ranked first makes sense. Defeating three Death Profound Realm Great Completion experts is a rare feat, even looking back a hundred years."
Mu Lingshan proudly added, "Of course! Brother Langtian's strength is obviously worthy of first place!"
Lin Langtian chuckled lightly, already expecting this outcome. His strength would indeed rank highly anywhere in the Eastern Xuan Region, surpassing nearly everyone except perhaps the leaders of the eight super sects.
"Third place: Flame Divine Hall's Fire Fairy, Tang Xinlian. Personal disciple of Mo Luo, wielder of the Flame Ancestral Symbol, and heir apparent of the Flame Divine Hall," Lin Langtian read aloud.
Tang Xinlian's cheeks slightly flushed, softly explaining, "I was originally ranked first, but you and another newcomer appeared suddenly, so I dropped to third…"
For some reason, she wanted to justify herself to Lin Langtian, hoping he wouldn't underestimate her. Lin Langtian, oblivious to her thoughts, smiled and praised her gently before moving to the second-ranked name.
"Second place: Xu Xiu, the Faceless. Unaffiliated expert, has defeated a Death Profound Realm Great Completion expert."
"The Faceless Xu Xiu..." Lin Langtian murmured, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Xu Xiu is a very mysterious person," Tang Xinlian explained. "Even Tianji Pavilion only knows limited information about him."
Mu Lingshan interjected, "If not for Brother Langtian defeating three Death Profound Realm experts at once, this Xu Xiu might've been first!"
Lin Langtian nodded silently, guessing that Xu Xiu was probably a hidden agent from Yuan Gate. He wondered if Yuan Gate, realizing he was stronger than Lin Dong from the original timeline, would send someone even stronger to target him.
He smiled faintly. Unless they sent a genuine Samsara Realm expert, he had nothing to fear.
"Let's go," Lin Langtian finally said, handing the scroll back to Mu Lingshan. "It's time we head to Flame Sea Region. The Thunder Competition should be starting soon."
Five days later, the group finally reached the Flame Sea Region. Approaching Flame City, they saw a vast crimson continent emerging from the sea. An enormous city sprawled there, enveloped by a massive red barrier emanating powerful fluctuations that even distorted space slightly.
"So, this is Flame City…" Lin Langtian muttered, awe evident in his voice. The Flame Divine Hall's headquarters was indeed fittingly majestic for one of the Chaotic Demon Sea's greatest forces.
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