Chapter 188: Lin Dong Requests to Leave

Chapter 188: Lin Dong Requests to Leave

In the now ravaged hall, everyone looked at the battered Shi Xuan. Though their faces remained calm, inside they were undoubtedly shaken. They all knew that once word of this got out, Lin Langtian's name would spread across the entire northwest region, and possibly beyond. After all, he was the first to drive Shi Xuan of the Magma Rock Dynasty to such a pitiful state.

With a steady stance, Lin Langtian stood tall in the hall. His imposing presence alone was enough to make even the powerful Magma Rock Dynasty hesitate. At this point, no one dared look down on him, especially those who had been planning to snatch the Ancient Key from his grasp—they were now slowly backing away. After all, if even Shi Xuan couldn't stand against him, who would risk challenging him?

"Magma Rock Dynasty isn't much after all." Lin Langtian sneered, sweeping a cold gaze over Shi Xuan and his group. His calm yet piercing tone sent a shiver through everyone present. For many, it was the first time they'd seen anyone speak so dismissively about the Magma Rock Dynasty, but no one dared to challenge him.

"Lin Langtian, don't think you can escape unscathed!" Shi Xuan barked, his eyes dark and venomous.

"Oh? Feel free to try," Lin Langtian replied with a smirk, his words laced with a deadly calm that sent a collective chill through the hall. A few could even sense the intense killing intent rising around him, and it dawned on them that Lin Langtian might actually intend to eliminate the Magma Rock Dynasty's squad right here and now.

If such a rumor spread, it would certainly shock everyone—it was unheard of for a lowly alliance of mid- and low-level dynasties to even consider challenging one of the northwest's most dominant dynasties, much less succeed in doing so. Yet, after witnessing the previous battle, it was clear that Shi Xuan and his team stood no chance against the strength of the Flame Alliance.

Realizing this, Shi Xuan's face changed as he felt Lin Langtian's killing intent. He understood now that his opponent indeed had both the strength and the audacity to kill him right there.

"Shi Xuan," muttered a voice beside him, one of his men who had previously encountered Lin Langtian in the hall. Eyeing Lin Langtian warily, he whispered, "Retreat for now. After Master is done with his business, he can settle things with this man personally. With his strength, the Flame Alliance would stand no chance."

Shi Xuan's gaze flickered, and after a tense moment of consideration, he gritted his teeth and ordered, "Retreat!"

Lin Langtian's power and unconventional techniques had taken Shi Xuan by surprise, and he knew he couldn't push any further. The Ancient Key could remain in Lin Langtian's hands for now; they could reclaim it later.

With that resolve, Shi Xuan cast one last hateful look at Lin Langtian, his eyes burning with malice. "Lin Langtian, the Magma Rock Dynasty will return for revenge!" he threatened before turning away and leading his group out of the hall.

Watching their retreat, Lin Langtian narrowed his eyes, considering briefly whether to finish them off. However, the thought of exposing his trump card, the Demon Puppet, held him back. This wasn't the time to reveal his full hand.

"The Ancient Key is ours. Let's go," he instructed his allies after the Magma Rock team had left. With the Key in their possession, they held the upper hand. The Ancient Vault would require all four keys to open, and they had one. Now it was only a matter of waiting until the Vault opened.

Lin Dong, Mo Ling, and the rest of the Flame Alliance didn't object to his decision. With nods of agreement, they began retracing their path back to the city. As Lin Langtian and his team departed, others in the hall could only watch in frustration, eventually resigning themselves to the loss. Shi Xuan himself had been overwhelmed, so any attempt to seize the Key now was as good as suicide.

Back in Sun City, nothing seemed to have changed; it was as lively and bustling as ever. The crowded streets were a testament to the city's popularity. But unlike before, the Flame Alliance's return attracted respectful stares. Many who understood Sun City's power structure knew that after the events in Thunder Rock Valley, the Flame Alliance, led by Lin Langtian, had effectively risen above both the Lingyun and Dayuan Dynasties, the city's former rulers. Now, Sun City had a new, far more formidable leader—Flame Alliance.

This mid-level dynasty alliance, with Lin Langtian of the Great Flame Dynasty at its core, had taken on a powerful momentum, standing tall and commanding respect. It was a remarkable feat, one that had never been seen in the history of the Hundred Dynasty Battles. In the past, mid- and low-level dynasties barely scraped by, most simply enduring until the battle concluded, while high-level dynasties reigned supreme.

But Lin Langtian had changed that narrative, proving to the world that even the high-ranking dynasties could be challenged. Now, even newcomers felt inclined to show courtesy and respect when speaking of the Flame Alliance.

Yet, despite this newfound fame, Lin Langtian took little notice. After returning to their station in Sun City, however, he was surprised to receive a request for leave from Lin Dong.

"Oh, Lin Dong, you're planning to head out?" Lin Langtian asked with raised eyebrows, noticing the maturity in the young man's demeanor that had grown with their time in the Ancient Battlefield.

"Yes, brother Langtian," Lin Dong replied with a smile, petting the small tiger nestled in his arms. "Little Flame has mutated bloodlines, and I want to seek out some powerful tiger-like beast bloodlines for it to absorb. Mo Ling's intel mentioned that, about a thousand miles north, there's a valley rumored to contain the bones of a Sky Demon Tiger, so I'd like to go check it out."

(End of Chapter)

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