svetikya Page 91
Page 91
"This is the Heaven-Burning Flame Talisman." The final one! A blinding crimson flame suddenly erupted from his fingertips!
A violent talisman, seemingly drawn from magma and fire, suddenly appeared!
The boundless heat distorted the air, and the raging flames, with their domineering will to incinerate the entire area, swept across the entire field! If Lu Jin hadn't intentionally controlled it, the heat emanating from the talisman itself would have been enough to ignite the surroundings!
The intense heat contrasted sharply with the previous icy coldness, the interplay of ice and fire showcasing the ultimate opposition and unity of the Way of Talismans!
Four primordial runes, each representing a different power of heaven and earth and possessing distinct attributes yet perfectly integrated, revolved around Lin Shen like four dazzling stars, slowly rotating.
The massive flow of information contained the most fundamental and profound meaning of the Tongtian Talisman: "using Qi as ink to form symbols in the void," as well as the exquisite methods of the four primordial true symbols in their composition, transformation, and manipulation of the primordial Qi of heaven and earth. It transformed into an invisible torrent, which, under the guidance of Lu Jin's vast divine sense, surged into Lin Shen's sea of consciousness without reservation, as if enlightened by a sudden awakening!
Lu Jin shouted, "The Tongtian Talisman can condense countless talismans. I don't know what special meaning these four talismans have. They were entrusted to me by my good friend Zheng Zibu before he died."
.......
Lin Shen's body jolted violently! His eyes closed tightly, his forehead instantly covered with fine beads of sweat, and his face turned slightly pale.
A colossal wave surged within his sea of consciousness, as countless profound and unfathomable runes poured in like a galaxy, frantically impacting and imprinting themselves upon him! He had to mobilize all his mental energy and cultivation to understand, digest, and inscribe this vast and boundless supreme inheritance!
On the surface of the body, a faint glow and the flowing light of runes shimmered alternately, as if undergoing the deepest transformation.
The entire plaza was deathly silent! Everyone held their breath, watching this moment of inheritance with awe. The passing of one of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques was enough to shake the entire world of supernatural beings!
After a long while, the light of the four primordial true runes surrounding Lin Shen gradually receded, transforming into four miniature talisman phantoms, which finally disappeared in a flash, completely merging into Lin Shen's body.
Lin Shen slowly opened his eyes, his pupils seemingly filled with countless tiny runes that appeared and disappeared before finally settling into a deep calm.
He bowed deeply to Lu Jin with utmost solemnity, performing an unprecedentedly grand gesture: "I will never forget Senior Lu's kindness in imparting his knowledge! I will certainly live up to this divine skill!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Lu Jin clapped his hands and laughed, saying "good" three times in a row. He was obviously very satisfied with Lin Shen's ability to stabilize his mind and initially accept the inheritance so quickly. The admiration in his eyes was even stronger, and there was even a hint of intimacy and "calculation" that he could not hide.
He stroked his long, snow-white beard, his laughter hearty, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Shen as if he were looking at a rare gem. His words were earth-shattering: "Lin Shen! The Heavenly Scroll has already been passed on to you. Your connection with me and with my Lu family is quite profound! How about it? Are you interested... in formally joining my Lu family?"
Before Lin Shen could answer, Lu Jin seemed to feel that the bargaining chips were not enough. She turned her gaze and glanced at Lu Linglong, who was watching them nervously from a distance with her cheeks slightly flushed!
His smile carried a mischievous, old man's air, and his voice suddenly rose, echoing throughout the hall: "What do you think of my great-granddaughter, Linglong? Excellent genes and outstanding looks! I can arrange for her to marry you today! A marriage between relatives, wouldn't that be wonderful? Hahahaha!"
"Great-Grandpa!!" Lu Linglong blushed instantly, her hair almost standing on end. She stomped her feet and cried out in embarrassment and anxiety, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
A chorus of suppressed gasps and gasps of shock immediately erupted around them!
Countless gazes, filled with shock, envy, or jealousy, were focused on Lin Shen and Lu Linglong like searchlights!
Lu Ci stood in the shadows of the crowd not far away, his face already as gloomy as the sky before a storm. When he heard Lu Jin so blatantly extend an olive branch of "marrying into the Lu family" and even "arranging a marriage with Lu Linglong," the last vestige of feigned calm in his deep-set eyes shattered completely!
His cloudy eyes churned with a venomous malice and a violent ferocity!
Faced with Lu Jin's almost coercive invitation and the focused gaze of the entire crowd, Lin Shen remained calm, his eyes clear, showing no sign of panic. He once again clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lu Jin, bowed slightly, and spoke in a clear, neither humble nor arrogant, voice that resonated distinctly in the silent square:
"Senior Lu's kindness is beyond my comprehension. The grace of the Tongtian Talisman is heavier than mountains and I will remember it forever. If the Lu family ever needs anything in the future, Lin Shen will definitely do his best to help."
He paused slightly, his tone still respectful, yet with an undeniable firmness, "However, I currently hold two positions. First, I am a guest elder under the chairman of the Tianxia Huifeng Association, and I am deeply grateful for the chairman's favor, so how could I dare to betray him? Second, I am favored by the Celestial Master and temporarily serve as the successor of the Celestial Master's Mansion, bearing the responsibility of upholding the righteous path and revitalizing Longhu, so I dare not slack off or be distracted."
Lin Shen raised his head, his gaze meeting Lu Jin's intense, scrutinizing eyes with a hint of apprehension: "The World Society has treated me with sincerity, and Longhu Mountain has entrusted me with great responsibility. My body and mind are already burdened with many ties. If I were to rashly agree to join the Lu family, I fear I would be overwhelmed and would betray the trust of all three parties. I beg Senior Lu... for your understanding."
He clearly blocked the words "join the Lu family".
"Hahaha! Good! What a wonderful way to hold two positions! What a way to live up to expectations!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Jin not only showed no anger at being offended, but instead burst into an even louder and more hearty laugh!
He patted Lin Shen's shoulder heavily, his eyes practically overflowing with admiration. "Humble yet composed, grateful and righteous, clear about responsibilities! Good! Good lad! I admire you even more now! I was just too impatient! Haha! Only with such character can one be worthy of this Heavenly Talisman! As for Linglong's matter... no rush! Young man, there's plenty of time! I'll be waiting to see the day you stir up the storm!"
Lu Jin's magnanimity and lack of concern instantly dispelled the subtle tension brought about by the recruitment and marriage proposals, eliciting a sigh of relief and heartfelt admiration.
This old man was truly upright, had clear likes and dislikes, and possessed extraordinary magnanimity!
He truly lived a flawless life.
However, no one noticed the icy, piercing gaze, like a poisoned dagger, lurking in the shadows.
Lu Ci slowly loosened his clenched fist, and fine powder fell from between his fingers—it was a priceless mutton-fat jade pendant from his sleeve, which had been silently crushed into dust.
His face was expressionless, as if he were wearing a stiff mask.
But the resentment and murderous intent churning in those deep-set eyes were so thick they almost seemed to materialize and flow out.
Lin Shen's dual prestigious identities as "Guest Elder of the World Society" and "Successor of the Celestial Master" were like two red-hot steel needles, piercing his most sensitive nerves.
Lin Shen killed Lü Ci's great-grandson!
Even if Lü Liang is something else...
We cannot let outsiders kill them!
Lu Jin's hearty laughter still echoed.
Lu Linglong's cheeks were still flushed, and she glanced at the calm figure in the arena with complicated emotions.
Lu Ci had silently retreated into the deeper darkness, leaving behind only a small wisp of jade powder drifting in the wind, and a chilling stillness.
.........
The Luo Tian Grand Ritual has ended.
Lin Shen followed Feng Zhenghao back to Tianjin.
On a private jet.
The Gulfstream G650's engines emitted a deep, steady hum at an altitude of 10,000 meters.
Outside the porthole, the leaden-gray sea of clouds churned like raging waves, with occasional glimpses of the city below, like sparks of light, peeking through gaps torn open by the fuselage, only to be swallowed up by the even deeper darkness in an instant.
Inside the cabin, however, was a tranquil and luxurious space, isolated from the wind, rain, and noise. Expensive walnut wood trim gleamed with a warm luster, and the leather seats were so spacious that one could easily sink into them. The Bordeaux red wine in the crystal glasses shimmered with a deep, jewel-like red under the warm yellow spotlights.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of top-quality cigars and the crisp scent of champagne.
Feng Zhenghao put down the wine glass that he had hardly touched, leaned forward slightly, and fixed his deep, abyss-like eyes, which seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, on the opposite side of the exquisite small table, where Lin Shen was meditating with his eyes closed.
His demeanor remained composed, with even a familiar, gentle smile playing on his lips, but the light gleaming deep within his eyes was sharper and more intimidating than the lightning flashing past the porthole.
“Lin Shen,” Feng Zhenghao’s voice was not loud, but it carried a peculiar penetrating power, “You did a great job in this round of the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony…”
He paused, as if to add even more weight to the praise, and unconsciously tapped his fingers lightly twice on the smooth tabletop.
"The Heavenly Talisman, Thunder Technique... the foundation and talent you displayed before Longhu Mountain have already caught the attention of the Ten Elders and made the younger generation look up to you." His gaze swept over Lin Shen's calm face, as if admiring a rare treasure. "What's even more remarkable is this temperament! When Elder Tian Jinzhong's rear hall was attacked, you were the first to notice something amiss, and disregarding the danger, you rushed straight to the perilous place! This sense of responsibility and keen insight is something many people cannot cultivate in a lifetime!"
He leaned back in the soft chair, his posture relaxed, but his eyes became even sharper, like a hawk circling in the sky, finally locking onto its target.
“And to kill Wang Ai…” He slowly uttered the name, as if chewing on a piece of hard bone with a bloody taste. “Well done!”
"That old scoundrel! Relying on his status as one of the Ten Elders and the Wang family's insidious and despicable lineage, he's been obstructing our World Society at every turn! His attacks, both open and covert, have never stopped!"
A cold glint flashed in Feng Zhenghao's eyes, like a sharp blade being drawn from its sheath. "Spirit Binding and Commanding... Hmph! It's no secret that the Wang family has coveted this method of our Feng family! If it weren't for your thunderous strike that completely nailed them to Longhu Mountain... they would surely become a major threat to our Feng family in the future, and who knows how much bloodshed they would have caused!"
"You severed more than just the head of a malignant tumor, Lin Shen. You removed a mountain that had been weighing on our Feng family and the Tianxia Society for decades! You eliminated the most deadly and insidious enemy! This achievement..." Feng Zhenghao's gaze refocused on Lin Shen's face, "...cannot be measured by mere empty fame and worldly matters?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Zhenghao did not wait for Lin Shen's response. He turned to the side and made a very casual gesture to his assistant, who stood silently like a shadow at the cabin connection.
The assistant immediately bowed, holding a seemingly thin but ultra-thin tablet computer made of top-grade bulletproof materials and titanium alloy in both hands. He walked silently and swiftly to Lin Shen, respectfully placed it down, and the screen lit up, revealing an electronic document with a simple design but exuding a heavy sense of power.
The document was titled: "Confirmation Letter of Salary Adjustment for Special Guest Secretary Lin Shen".
Key terms are clearly bolded and highlighted:
Annual base salary: RMB 300,000,000 (Three Hundred Million Yuan)
Payment methods: Bearer promissory notes from top global banks (redeemable at any time) or equivalent value in encrypted digital assets (BTC/ETH).
Lin Shen was completely dumbfounded.
“A small token of my appreciation, or rather, your deserved ‘return on investment’.” Feng Zhenghao’s voice returned to its usual warm and mellow tone.
He raised his glass again, gesturing towards Lin Shen. The deep red liquid rippled within, like surging waves of blood, reflecting the unfathomable light in his eyes. "I believe this 'investment' will bring the World Society a hundredfold, a thousandfold return in the future."
"The World Society will always welcome you, Lin Shen."
.........
Chapter 98 Expelled from Wudang
After Lin Shen returned to Tianjin.
Meanwhile, things weren't peaceful on Wudang Mountain either.
Wang Ye returned to Wudang Mountain.
The seventy-two peaks of Wudang Mountain stood silent as ink in the twilight. The last few rays of the setting sun, like molten gold, struggled to pierce through the thick leaden clouds and sparingly painted the ancient glazed tiles of Zixiao Palace.
Before the Frost's Descent solar term, the mountain wind already carries a biting chill, sweeping over the thousand stone steps and rustling the sparse yellow leaves on the branches of the ancient pines beside the steps, making a dry and desolate rustling sound, as if late autumn had arrived early.
Wang Ye stepped onto the familiar stone steps, smoothed and warmed by the footsteps of countless generations of Taoists, and ascended step by step.
The clamor of the Luotian Grand Ceremony, the bloodshed and fire of Longhu Mountain, and the towering waves stirred up by the deep forest have all been swept away by this cold and lonely mountain wind, leaving only a heavy sense of fatigue settling in every part of the body.
He subconsciously tightened the plain, faded, and slightly thin Taoist robe he was wearing—this blue cloth shirt, symbolizing the outer disciples of Wudang, had become the only proof he could grasp of his connection to this world.
With the mountain gate in sight, the familiar "First Immortal Mountain" stone archway outlines a cold, hard silhouette in the twilight, like a silent elder.
Wang Ye's steps involuntarily slowed down. He took a deep breath of the unique, crisp air of this mountain wilderness, a mixture of pine needles, moss, and the ancient charm of Taoism. The turbid air churning in his chest seemed to be cleansed away, and a lazy smile habitually appeared on his lips, like a weary bird finally returning to its forest.
However, before this sense of relief from returning home could even reach their eyes, it was suddenly frozen.
In front of Zixiao Palace, on the smooth, mirror-like bluestone plaza polished by time, a figure stood as imposing as a mountain. It was neither a young Taoist boy sweeping nor a senior brother on duty.
It is Daoist Yunlong.
He was also Wang Ye's mentor.
Master Yunlong was still wearing that worn-out indigo Taoist robe, his posture as upright as a lone pine tree on a cliff. The mountain wind blew up his graying temples, revealing deep wrinkles on his forehead.
With his hands behind his back, he did not look at his disciple climbing the steps, but calmly gazed at the distant peaks swallowed by the twilight, as if he were staring at the heavy destiny that had flowed through Wudang Mountain since ancient times.
That stillness, almost frozen in place, carried an absolute sense of oppression, like the calm before a storm. The warmth of "coming home" that Wang Ye felt was instantly swept away by the cold mountain wind.
Wang Ye stepped onto the last stone step, stood at the edge of the plaza, and bowed respectfully, about ten feet away from Yunlong. His voice remained as languid as ever, but the last syllable tightened imperceptibly for a moment.
Master Yunlong slowly turned around. His face, which was always as firm as iron and rarely showed his emotions, was now completely expressionless, but his eyes were like two bottomless ancient wells, so deep that they made one's heart tremble.
He didn't exchange pleasantries or ask about the thrilling events at Longhu Mountain. His gaze fell on Wang Ye, like a cold searchlight, carefully scanning him from head to toe.
"came back."
Yunlong's voice was deep and hoarse, like gravel rubbing against a stone slab, each word carrying immense weight.
"Well, I'm back."