Chapter 725: News of the Supreme Holy Water
"Chose the weakest King-Level faction, did I…"
Hearing Mu Honglian's words, Lin Langtian murmured softly, though he didn't care much in his heart.
To him, the Qiankun Sect was just a platform to raise his strength, not a permanent home.
Whether Silver Mist Palace was strong or weak mattered little.
In some ways, a weaker palace actually suited him better.
As an outsider, even with the Qiankun Gold Token, if he were dropped into one of the stronger King-Level factions, the seat beneath him would likely never be stable.
But a palace ranked last among the Nine? It was perfect. As long as he proved his worth, he could plant his feet there with ease.
"Hehe, it's fine. I come from a lower plane. Being able to join the Qiankun Sect at all is already a blessing, and becoming a commander on top of that is more than he ever dared hope for. From now on, the affairs of Silver Mist Palace are my affairs," Lin Langtian said with a light smile.
Mu Honglian exhaled in relief at his easy acceptance, her lips curving into a sweet smile.
Beside her, Jiang Yinlan's cool gaze shifted slightly. Sensing the sincerity in his words, a sliver of warmth softened the ice in her eyes.
"By the way, Commander Mu, what exactly is this Qiankun Spirit Pool you mentioned?" Lin Langtian asked, his lips pressing slightly together.
"The Qiankun Spirit Pool is one of our sect's sacred grounds," Mu Honglian explained. "Within it lies an immense store of power that greatly benefits the cultivation of anyone below the Fifth Rank Supreme.
"Many of the sect's experts saw notable breakthroughs after soaking in the Spirit Pool.
"More importantly, the pool can condense Supreme Holy Water—the key to perfecting a Supreme Dharmic Body."
"Supreme Holy Water?"
Lin Langtian's composure finally cracked for a moment, surprise flickering across his face.
He had not expected the last crucial material for his Supreme Demonic Body to appear so suddenly before him.
Joy sparked in his eyes.
"What does it take to compete for access to the Qiankun Spirit Pool?" he asked at once.
"Commander Lin is interested in the Pool?" Mu Honglian asked in mild surprise.
Jiang Yinlan's gaze flicked toward him as well. Her eyes, so often cold and distant, took on a subtle, shifting light that made them suddenly far more vivid—and faintly alluring.
Yet underneath that glow lay clear doubt.
In her view, Lin Langtian's current strength was not enough to contend for a place. Given a few years, maybe. But now?
Still, whatever her misgivings, he was her man now.
"Competing for the Spirit Pool is simple enough," she said after a short pause. "You only need to hold the rank of commander.
"As of now, counting you, there are several dozen commanders in the Nine Palaces. Most of them are veterans, with very deep foundations.
"Among them, five are known above all others—the Five Great Commanders."
"The leader of the five is Dong Kui, under Calamity King. He's already stepped into the Third Rank Supreme Realm and is quite famous throughout the Northern Region.
"Second is Luo Lin, both disciple and commander under Spear King.
"Third is Kuangsha, the son of Fierce Tiger King. He became one of the five while still very young, rising with shocking speed.
"Fourth and fifth are Wushuang of Taiji Palace and Dongfang Yu of Eastern Palace. The top two have both reached Third Rank Supreme.
"The last three are all at the very peak of Second Rank Supreme and could break through at any time. Within the Second Rank, they're almost unmatched."
She looked straight at him.
"And there are only five slots for the Spirit Pool.
"If you want one, you'll have to defeat at least one of the Five Great Commanders."
Lin Langtian nodded slightly.
The law of the jungle. If he lacked the strength, forcing his way into the fight would only bring humiliation.
"Do you have confidence?" Mu Honglian tilted her head and gave him a small, encouraging smile. "If not, we can sit this round out. There will be another chance next time. I'm sure you'll be more than ready by then."
The sect was full of dragons and tigers. Many of the commanders were terrifying in their own right. With her strength at First Rank Supreme, Mu Honglian's own standing was near the bottom, and she held little hope that Lin Langtian could seize a place so soon.
Yet for reasons she couldn't name, watching him now, she felt a strange swell of expectation.
Lin Langtian looked into her eyes.
Beneath their outward calm, he clearly saw a quiet, flickering hope.
If he shrugged and said no, she would smile and tell him it was all right—but there would still be a trace of disappointment, however faint.
"I don't know yet exactly how strong these so‑called Five Great Commanders really are," he said, a faint smile lifting his lips. "But I do have confidence."
"Please be at ease, Palace Master, Commander Honglian. Silver Mist Palace will not be left out of the Qiankun Spirit Pool."
Mu Honglian stared at him in surprise.
She hadn't expected such bold words from him so quickly.
Jiang Yinlan, for her part, watched him in silence.
Courage was admirable—but the Spirit Pool's quotas were not won with courage alone.
Her eyes locked onto his, searching — and then her expression shifted.
In the depths of his dark gaze, she found no wild emotion, no restless ambition. Only stillness. She almost lost herself in it.
What a strange man, she thought, brows knitting.
She turned without another word and strode toward the main hall.
Just before she passed through its doors, her steps faltered.
Without looking back, she said, her voice light but firm, "Since you've said as much, no matter how difficult the path… as Palace Master, I will make sure you have your place."
Lin Langtian watched her slender figure disappear into the hall and shook his head slightly.
His silver‑haired Palace Master, it seemed, took responsibility very seriously.
"By the way," he said, turning back to Mu Honglian, "will it cause trouble for Palace Master to reclaim that commander's slot?"
"The Qiankun Sect has Nine Kings," Mu Honglian said, her brows creasing. "And each King has only one Spirit Pool quota.
"Some time ago, Calamity King used some underhanded tricks to seize Silver Mist Palace's slot. He gained a lot from it, and he won't want to give it back.
"Even with the Grand Elder's support, Palace Master can't simply order it returned. The sect doesn't revolve around him alone. If it did, we wouldn't be where we are now."
She sighed softly.
"So tomorrow's Nine Kings Assembly… will be anything but peaceful."
Lin Langtian nodded.
Where there were people, there was struggle. Silver Mist Palace's place in the sect was clearly anything but comfortable.
"All the more reason to push forward," he said with a small smile. "Don't worry, Commander Honglian. Since I've joined Silver Mist, I'll help Palace Master raise it up.
"The stronger the palace, the better it is for all of us."
For Jiang Yinlan. For Mu Honglian.
And for himself. His fate was now tied to theirs.
Mu Honglian blinked at him, hesitated, then smiled.
"It's enough that you think that way. Just remember—a fat man isn't eaten in one bite. We'll take it step by step, together."
"Agreed."
Lin Langtian chuckled softly and glanced around. "Now then, Commander Honglian, show me around. If I'm going to live here, I should at least know the grounds."
"Hehe, come on then," she said, her face brightening as she turned to lead the way.
He followed at her side.
…
Dawn, the next day.
Before the great hall of Silver Mist Palace, a large crowd stood in silence, waiting.
With a slow, grinding sound, the doors opened.
A tall, silver‑haired figure stepped out.
She wore close‑fitting silver battle armor that hugged every curve of her graceful body, tracing her lines in gleaming metal. Silvery lotus patterns flowed across the breastplate, flashing like light on water.
Jiang Yinlan.
Today, she had set aside some of her cold reserve. Silver hair flowing, sharp eyes bright with quiet authority, she radiated a fierce, martial beauty.
"Bow to our King!"
Nearly a thousand members of Silver Mist Palace dropped to one knee as one, their voices thundering across the mountain.
Jiang Yinlan swept her gaze across them and gave only the slightest nod.
Behind her, Lin Langtian and Mu Honglian stood in silent support.
"Move out," Jiang Yinlan ordered, voice clear and cool.
She became a streak of silver light and shot into the sky.
Lin Langtian and Mu Honglian rose after her without hesitation, their figures trailing just behind as Silver Mist Palace surged toward the Nine Kings Assembly.
(END CHAPTER)
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