Chapter 685: Opening the Ancestral Palace
"Our Flame God Temple, under the commission of the five Ancient Masters, hereby invites all of you to form an alliance and fight the Yimo together!"
As Tang Xinlian's words fell, a low hum spread through the vast arena. Many experts exchanged looks.
They had more or less guessed something along these lines before coming, but hearing it stated so plainly still left them somewhat shaken.
After all, an alliance that encompassed the entire Chaotic Demon Sea was truly unprecedented.
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Many experts were clearly moved, but their eyes flickered and none spoke up just yet.
Even now, when the Yimo had pushed most factions to the brink, every power present had been built with endless effort. If such an alliance really formed, would they still be able to retain control over their own domains?
"Everyone, the purpose of this alliance will be single-minded: to fight the Yimo."
"Once it is formed, we will advance and retreat together. To prevent any single party from monopolizing authority, we can elect well-respected experts to form a Council of Decision.
"All major alliance matters will require the council's approval. Above the council, there will also be an Elder Seat, held by the five Ancient Masters and Lin Langtian, to exercise oversight."
"In addition, each faction will dispatch their elite forces to form a joint Demon-Slaying Army. The Master of Space will link the sea regions through interspatial formations.
"When any sea region is attacked, the army will be able to rush to its aid immediately. When one side is in trouble, aid will come from all directions!"
Standing proudly at the center, Tang Xinlian's clear voice echoed out.
The seemingly massive and unwieldy machinery of the alliance ran in neat, logical lines as she laid it out, turning chaos into order and fully unleashing its potential.
The Council of Decision and the Elder Seat would also dispel the suspicion that the Flame God Temple sought to rule alone and put everyone at ease.
The huge venue fell so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping. Countless eyes flickered as hearts slowly began to stir.
If this was what the alliance looked like… then it might actually work.
No one objected to the idea of an Elder Seat made up of the Flame Master and the other Ancient Masters. Their status and reputation made them more than qualified.
However, when it came to Lin Langtian, most gazes turned very complicated.
Even Moro and Mu Tian, who stood at the very peak of the Chaotic Demon Sea, were unqualified to enter the Elder Seat, yet Lin Langtian could with his current age. It was difficult not to be astonished.
Listening to Tang Xinlian's plan, Lin Langtian could not help but nod inwardly. To calm these factions, she had even implemented a kind of three-branch division of powers. Impressive indeed.
The Thunder Master and the others also looked on with quiet approval. Tang Xinlian's leadership ability was clearly exceptional.
With someone like her at the helm, once the alliance was formed, the previously chaotic Chaotic Demon Sea would likely erupt with a terrifying, unified might.
"Everyone, we are all in favor of this alliance. What do you think?" the Flame Master finally asked slowly.
"In addition, to further strengthen our resistance against the Demonic Prison, we will jointly open the 'Ancestral Palace' left behind by our teacher."
"At that time, all experts who have reached the Reincarnation precursor stage may enter. If you are fortunate, you may use this chance to break through to the Reincarnation Stage."
The moment his words fell, the arena erupted.
All of the many super experts who had been stuck at the Reincarnation precursor stage bolted to their feet, their eyes blazing as they stared at the Flame Master.
The atmosphere soared to its peak. The temptation dangling before them was simply too great.
"The Flame Master speaks truly. My Myriad Sea Sky Palace is willing to join the alliance," the blue-robed leader of the palace declared, seizing the moment to stand and bow.
"Hehe, my Undying Saint Whale Clan is also willing to join and fight the Yimo together!" Mu Tian said with a laugh as he rose.
"The Sea Horizon Pavilion agrees to the alliance!" another of the Chaotic Demon Sea's peak experts declared.
"The Heavenly Sea Gate is willing!"
"We too are willing to join!"
"…!"
All across the arena, figures shot to their feet as one declaration after another boomed out.
In the end, their combined voices rose like a tidal wave to the sky, a solemn battle will quietly coalescing.
Seeing this, Lin Langtian finally let out a soft breath.
With the Ancient Masters presiding and the Yimo threat pressing from outside, the alliance had taken shape far more smoothly than he had dared hope.
The true test, though, would be whether this alliance could fully display its strength. That would depend on Tang Xinlian, the chief helmswoman.
Fortunately, during the following days, she did not disappoint.
Within a mere five days, the vast alliance already had a clear framework.
In that time, Lin Langtian, Lin Dong, and the Master of Space all took action together, traveling from sea region to sea region to build a relay of interspatial formations.
Once the Demon-Slaying Army was formed, they would finally be able to start easing the rampant Yimo assaults.
With Lin Langtian, Lin Dong, the Master of Space, and Zhou Tong from the East Xuan Region all contributing their spatial mastery, the entire Chaotic Demon Sea was webbed with formations in less than half a month.
The next step would be what all the top experts of the Chaotic Demon Sea had been longing for: the opening of the Ancestral Palace.
…
Under a bright sun, several figures hovered in the air above the Flame God Temple.
Countless experts watched from afar, their eyes filled with irrepressible heat.
It was clear that today, the six Ancient Masters would finally open the Ancestral Palace left behind by the Symbol Ancestor.
In the sky, Ying Huanhuan and the Flame Master stood quietly alongside the others, their calm auras masking a storm of power.
Lin Langtian and Lin Dong stood not far away. Behind them, Qing Zhi, Ling Qingzhu, Qing Tan, Moro, and Tang Xinlian all watched intently.
"Let's begin," Ying Huanhuan said softly after glancing at the five.
The Flame Master and the others exchanged a long look. A trace of complex emotion flickered in their eyes before they nodded.
"Rock."
Ying Huanhuan raised her hand, and a gentle radiance suddenly shot out from Lin Dong's body, solidifying into an ancient Ancestral Stone.
She turned the warm, ancient stone over in her palm, a distant look passing through her ice-blue eyes. Then she glanced aside and smiled faintly at Lin Dong.
He saw this and, sensing what was coming, moved as if to speak.
Lin Langtian could only sigh and shake his head. Once the Ancestral Palace opened, the true Ice Master would likely return.
That was a matter of the whole war against the Yimo, something no private feelings between Lin Dong and Ying Huanhuan could hope to change.
Even Lin Langtian's greatest effort would be to prevent Ying Huanhuan's death—not to stop the Ice Master's return.
It was her fate.
In the end, Ying Huanhuan had little trouble persuading Lin Dong. She stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around him in a brief embrace, then flung the Ancestral Stone out with a flick of her jade hand.
"Begin."
As her voice fell, blinding radiance burst from the stone.
Those ancient, mysterious lights weaved across the sky, crossing and recrossing until they formed a gigantic array.
"Your turn," Rock's voice drifted from within the stone.
"Flame!"
The Flame Master stepped forward, his expression solemn as his hands formed seals. Flames erupted from him like a volcano, the power of the Flame Ancestral Symbol unleashed.
Under a thought, that terrifying fire-attribute Yuan Power surged forward into the array, making it far more solid in an instant.
"Space!"
The Master of Space shouted, unleashing silver, mysterious Yuan Power.
"Desolation!"
"Thunder!"
"Darkness!"
Three more torrents of power crashed out, intertwining like vines as they merged into the array.
"Ice!"
The five Masters turned to Ying Huanhuan, and her voice rang out, cold enough to freeze the very air.
With a flick of her hand, endless icy-white frost poured forth, condensing into a giant ice phoenix. It beat its wings once and soared straight into the array.
Boom!
As that terrifying cold surged in, the massive array began to shake violently.
Brilliant light blazed from it as the once-vague outlines of an ancient palace grew clearer and clearer.
Buzz, buzz!
The array quaked repeatedly, and as the light slowly receded, a colossal, ancient palace seemed to manifest out of nothing above the array.
It was imposing and understated, with none of the gaudy luxury of mortal palaces.
Ancient, intricate runes covered its walls, while an indescribable, strange fluctuation pulsed outward, as if faint celestial music were drifting through the air.
"So this… is the legendary Ancestral Palace?"
Countless eyes burned with fervor as they stared at the palace. Their voices trembled.
Outside the palace, a glowing barrier sealed it off, naturally barring anyone from entering.
Clearly, this was not a place just anyone could walk into. At minimum, one had to be at the Reincarnation precursor stage.
"The Ancestral Palace," Lin Dong murmured beside Lin Langtian, raising his head to stare at the structure before looking nervously toward Ying Huanhuan.
He hurried forward to ask, "Are you all right?"
Her face was a little pale, but she smiled and shook her head before glancing at Lin Langtian. "You two are coming in with me."
She turned away and glided toward the palace, with Lin Langtian and Lin Dong following closely behind.
As she neared the Ancestral Palace, she swept her sleeve, and the barrier parted slowly. She slipped inside.
The two men followed.
The moment their feet touched the palace floor, they felt as if their bodies had suddenly grown much heavier.
Looking up in surprise, they saw countless tiny droplets of rain falling all around them.
They never touched the ground. Instead, each droplet hung suspended, brimming with the fluctuations of Reincarnation.
"What an incredible feat."
Lin Langtian and Lin Dong exchanged a shocked look. It was no wonder training here could greatly increase one's chances of breaking through to Reincarnation. There was no end to the mysteries within.
"This is only the outer ring," Ying Huanhuan said softly without slowing. She continued straight toward the depths of the palace, and the two followed.
They passed through courtyard after courtyard until they reached the rear of the Ancestral Palace, where a wide stone square stretched before them.
Lush trees ringed the square, and even they emanated a powerful Reincarnation aura.
It was as if every blade of grass, every stone and tree in this place contained the power of Reincarnation. It was a truly astonishing sight.
Their gazes swept the surroundings and came to a stop at the center of the square, where an ancient statue stood.
Strangely, no matter how they looked at it, they could not see its face clearly. Mysterious light flowed across it, blocking all inquiry.
"This must be the Symbol Ancestor," Lin Langtian said after a moment's thought.
Ying Huanhuan nodded lightly, then approached the statue and knelt.
Lin Langtian and Lin Dong followed her lead. The Symbol Ancestor's determination to protect this world deserved their deepest respect.
"Teacher."
Ying Huanhuan's voice quavered with grief and longing, and a flicker of sorrow shone in her ice-blue eyes. Only after a long time did she bow three times and rise again.
"Inside the statue is a training ground Teacher opened personally," she said. "In a moment, I'll send you both in. You will not be allowed to leave until you have successfully condensed your Divine Palaces."
"Oh?" Lin Langtian said thoughtfully. Lin Dong blinked. "Isn't that a bit too harsh?"
Forming a Divine Palace was no small matter. Even among the Eight Ancient Masters, only the Ice Master had succeeded.
"Is your confidence really that low?" Ying Huanhuan asked, her gaze flitting briefly across Lin Langtian's calm face before settling on Lin Dong.
He took a deep breath and pulled her into his arms, ignoring Lin Langtian's presence. "Don't worry. I told you—I'll definitely surpass her."
She rested her head lightly on his shoulder. "Time moves ten times faster in the training ground than outside.
"Your strength has advanced far too quickly compared to others. You can use this chance to stabilize your foundations."
Lin Dong nodded, shaken. It was truly worthy of the Symbol Ancestor, to have the power to twist time itself.
Lin Langtian's eyes narrowed. This ability was reminiscent of the Heaven Tomb on the Dou Qi Continent.
"Go on in, then."
Ying Huanhuan raised her jade hand, and the stone statue began to ripple. A glowing ring slowly appeared.
Within that ring lay only endless void.
Lin Langtian and Lin Dong gave each other a brief, wry smile, then turned and stepped into the light…
(END CHAPTER)
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