Chapter 257: The Power of Jinwu
Though the Fifth Nirvana Tribulation was formidable, Lin Langtian—fortified with his resilient body and arsenal of abilities—ultimately emerged unscathed. Successfully enduring the tribulation marked his official entry into the Fifth Nirvana Stage.
As he stretched, his bones emitted crisp, snapping sounds, a powerful new strength coursing through his limbs and body, like a surging tide. He could feel the raw energy of the Fifth Nirvana Stage invigorating every cell.
With a satisfied smile, Lin Langtian noted how the Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror had propelled his power transformation in just three days. Having overcome the Fifth Nirvana Tribulation, he now joined the elite ranks within the entire ancient battlefield, where few could claim this level of mastery.
Not only did he now command the formidable strength of the Fifth Nirvana Stage, but his mastery of the "Three Layers of the Wood Emperor" could amplify him further, pushing him close to the Sixth Nirvana Stage. Given his talents and resources, Lin Langtian was confident that he could face even peak Nirvana-level warriors; at the very least, he would be able to escape unscathed.
Reflecting on his rapid progress since entering the ancient battlefield a year prior, Lin Langtian felt pride welling within him. Deciding to leave his secluded training, he leaped forward, emerging atop a mountain overlooking the seemingly endless sea of dark energy. Though he had drawn from its vast power to achieve his breakthrough, it remained virtually untouched.
As Lin Langtian looked out over the mysterious expanse, he sensed something hidden in the depths of the energy sea, just beyond his current strength to explore. Shaking his head, he told himself, "More isn't always better. I'm at the Fifth Nirvana Stage; that's more than enough. Time to leave."
Reminding himself of the importance of honing his skills alongside his cultivation, Lin Langtian left the dark energy ocean, returning from the mirror world to his quiet room.
But as he reappeared, he immediately sensed a fierce battle nearby—one of the presences unmistakably Jinwu's. With a frown, Lin Langtian swiftly stowed away the Golden Spirit Wheel Mirror and rushed towards the source of the conflict.
The night had settled heavily over Myriad City, bringing with it an intense chill in the air. Just above the quiet courtyard, two powerful presences clashed in a whirlwind of energy. One of these fighters wielded a terrifying ice energy in every move; it was none other than Lin Jinwu, the current number one on Myriad City's Earth Ranking. The other was an unfamiliar, gray-robed figure, an ordinary-looking young man whose hands appeared unusually pale and sharp, faintly glowing with a menacing gleam.
Crash!
A piercing sound split the darkness as the gray-robed fighter's gleaming golden sword was shattered midair by Jinwu's giant shadowy ice-clad jaws. Golden shards of the weapon scattered, tearing through the air as if even the atmosphere itself were being ripped apart. Those observing from the shadows were clearly shocked, recognizing the gray figure as a well-known figure in Myriad City.
Jinwu, with the powerful heritage of the Nine-Hell Black Golden Crow, fought with savage precision, his movements fierce and unyielding. Yet the gray-robed fighter was clearly a formidable opponent, matching Jinwu's onslaught with equal intensity.
Watching the scene, Su Kui was wide-eyed in astonishment. Just then, he felt a figure approach him from the side. About to cry out in alarm, he heard a familiar voice.
"It's me," Lin Langtian said as he observed the intense battle above.
"Master Lin, you… you've returned!" Su Kui blurted, a look of relief and excitement on his face.
"Yes," Lin Langtian nodded before turning his gaze towards the gray-robed figure. "Who is that, and why is he fighting Jinwu?"
A dark look crossed Su Kui's face as he explained, "That's Luo Tong, once the top-ranked fighter on the Earth Ranking before Jinwu took his place. He's famous in Myriad City. He likely came to challenge Jinwu out of pride and… to pursue my sister Su Rou. Luo Tong is from the same dynasty as the Fengyun Kingdom."
"So, Luo Tong from the Fengyun Kingdom…" Lin Langtian mused as he observed the battle. "He's nothing but a former number one. Jinwu is the true top fighter now."
As Lin Langtian spoke, the battle above took a dramatic turn.
Jinwu leaped forward, shadows blurring as he streaked through the air. A glint of black-gold light ripped through the sky, surging towards Luo Tong with alarming speed.
"Black Crow Finger!"
An overwhelming wave of ice energy poured from Jinwu, converging at the tip of his right forefinger. As the energy condensed, Jinwu's finger swelled and transformed into a sharpened black-gold crow's talon, emanating an intense, frigid aura. The tip shone coldly, as if capable of piercing the very fabric of space.
In an instant, Jinwu's Black Crow Finger collided with Luo Tong's defensive energy shield. The clash sent powerful ripples of energy through the air as the shield cracked and then shattered under the immense force.
Crack!
Luo Tong's sword shield splintered, and Jinwu's Black Crow Finger struck his chest, shattering his protective spirit armor. Although the armor had saved him from a fatal blow, the force left him reeling, blood spraying from his mouth.
"Curse you! You'll regret this! The Fengyun Kingdom, even the Great Qian and Great Zhao Kingdoms, will never let you off!" Luo Tong's rage-filled voice echoed through the night as he fled, blood trailing behind him.
As Luo Tong disappeared into the distance, his words lingered ominously in the air. Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow, understanding the implications of his threat, and a smirk played at the corner of his mouth.
"Interesting… Three great kingdoms, is it?"
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