NOVEL NEXT Chapter 124: Chapter 124: The Elder with Black Eyes
Chapter 124: The Elder with Black Eyes
Just as the ancient, distant voice faded, Lin Langtian snapped to attention, his gaze sweeping across his surroundings. He called out, "Who's there?"
The empty echo reverberated within the black altar, but no figure emerged in response.
Suddenly, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol in Lin Langtian's hands radiated a brilliant black light, as if it were a dark laser. The beam shot toward the center of the altar, landing squarely on a massive black pillar positioned at the core of a mystical array.
The black beam touched the stone pillar, which began to tremble, sending out waves of ripples that quickly spread, covering the entire pillar with radiating energy.
"What is this…" Lin Langtian muttered, narrowing his eyes as he tried to decipher the scene. The rippling light became more intense until it morphed into a dark vortex, emanating a gentle pull that seemed to draw in the Devouring Ancestral Symbol. Stunned, Lin Langtian tightened his grip on the symbol. He had worked too hard to let it slip away now. Resisting the vortex's force, he clutched the symbol and stepped forward, merging with the black vortex as he plunged into its depths.
A momentary darkness enveloped him before fading away to reveal a vast, desolate plain under an ancient sky. And not far off, towering over the barren landscape, stood a massive black stone pillar. Atop the pillar, Lin Langtian could barely make out a lone figure sitting cross-legged.
"Could it be…?"
Gazing at the figure, Lin Langtian approached cautiously. As he drew nearer, he could discern an elderly man, his face framed by long white hair that contrasted with his dark robes, giving him an aura of mystery. A light breeze swept across the plain, lifting the elder's hair, and, as if sensing Lin Langtian's presence, he slowly opened his eyes.
In that instant, the entire space fell silent. The elder's eyes held no whites, only deep black pupils that resembled bottomless voids, devouring any light that tried to penetrate them.
"How many years has it been? Finally, someone has arrived here…" The elder's ancient voice echoed across the wasteland as his dark eyes settled on Lin Langtian.
"Greetings, elder. I am Lin Langtian," Lin Langtian responded, clasping his hands in a respectful salute. He had a suspicion as to the identity of this figure.
The elder with the black eyes gave a faint sigh. "So, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol has found its way into your hands. Yet… what a shame."
With another sigh, he continued, "I sense a familiar resonance in your essence. That life symbol of yours, I presume, is a replica of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol."
"Yes, my Black Vortex Symbol is modeled after it," Lin Langtian confirmed. Then, recalling the ancient voice he had heard upon entering the altar, he added, "Elder, were you once the master of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol? If so, why did you say I am unworthy of inheriting it?"
The elder with the black eyes fell silent, then spoke slowly, "Indeed, you share a connection with the Devouring Ancestral Symbol through the Black Vortex Symbol. In other circumstances, you might even have been an ideal candidate to inherit it. But, as fate would have it, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol has already sensed its destined master. And…"
The elder's gaze seemed to deepen, piercing through Lin Langtian, as if peeling back layers to expose his very soul. Just as the elder's gaze neared Lin Langtian's core, a subtle black glow emerged from within Lin Langtian, blocking the elder's probing sight.
The elder frowned and said, "And your essence carries a force that makes the Devouring Ancestral Symbol uncomfortable. Because of that, neither I nor the symbol itself can acknowledge you as its master."
Lin Langtian stiffened, his expression darkening. He realized that the destined master the elder mentioned was likely Lin Dong. And the disruptive energy in his own body must have been from the golden mirror and its internal magic energy, both of which opposed the Devouring Ancestral Symbol.
Despite having anticipated this outcome, Lin Langtian felt a pang of disappointment. "Elder," he argued, "with enough willpower, even fate can be altered. The Devouring Ancestral Symbol may be a powerful artifact, but it isn't absolute. If it won't submit to me willingly, then I'll find a way to force it. In a world this vast, there must be a way to command its loyalty!"
The elder's black eyes glinted in surprise, then softened into a knowing smile. "You have great ambition, lad. Are you really determined to take the Devouring Ancestral Symbol by force?"
Lin Langtian's face remained resolute. "Why shouldn't I?"
Seeing the unyielding resolve in his expression, the elder hesitated, then fell into thoughtful silence. Normally, he would dismiss such an audacious claim, believing it mere bravado. After all, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol was one of the eight divine symbols; not just anyone could master it.
But something about the young man before him gave him pause. Within Lin Langtian's core, he sensed a chilling power unlike anything he'd encountered, even in the presence of dragon clan elites. This young man held many secrets, and if he survived the trials of fate, he was destined for greatness.
The elder's gaze softened. After a moment, he said, "Well then, young friend, let me offer you a deal."
"A deal?" Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow.
The elder waved his sleeve, and a crystal orb the size of a human head appeared in his hand. Inside the orb, a cluster of ice-white liquid seemed to pulse with life, emitting a wave of extreme cold so powerful that even with the orb's barrier, Lin Langtian could feel its chilling intensity.
"This," said the elder, "is the blood essence of my sect's guardian beast, the Nine Nether Frost Sparrow, a rare creature from beyond the heavens. I offer it to you in exchange for your pledge not to forcefully subdue the Devouring Ancestral Symbol."