Chapter 68: The Rising Threat

Lin Tian stood in the clearing, his heart pounding as the newly manifested Guardian spoke to him. The weight of the responsibility that came with the Hidden Realm pressed down on his shoulders, but his resolve remained unshaken. He could feel the surge of power that had flooded his body from the orb, and the connection to his beasts had grown even deeper. It was as though the realm itself was becoming a part of him, and he could sense the vast, untapped potential it held.

The Guardian, now in her humanoid form, continued to gaze at him with golden eyes, her presence both overwhelming and calming. "The Hidden Realm is not just a sanctuary, Lin Tian. It is a weapon—a powerful force that can reshape the world. But you must be careful. There are those who will stop at nothing to seize it."

Lin Tian nodded. "I'm prepared. I won't let anyone take what is mine."

The Guardian's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. You will need all your strength for what is to come. The Hidden Realm will change you in ways you cannot yet understand. But it will also grant you power beyond your wildest dreams."

Before Lin Tian could respond, the ground trembled again, this time more violently than before. The trees around them began to bend and sway, and the air grew thick with an ominous energy. Lin Tian's instincts flared, and he immediately called upon his beasts, summoning them to his side.

Xinya, Baihu, and the others materialized beside him, their eyes scanning the area for threats. The Guardian stepped forward, her golden eyes narrowing. "They have arrived."

Lin Tian's grip tightened around the sword at his waist. The air was thick with tension, and his senses were on high alert. He could feel the power of the Hidden Realm coursing through him, but something was off. There was a dark energy lingering in the air, and it was closing in fast.

Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed overhead, blocking out the sun. Lin Tian looked up, his eyes narrowing as he saw the silhouette of a giant airship descending from the sky. It was unlike any ship he had ever seen—sleek, dark, and adorned with ancient symbols that radiated an ominous aura.

The ship landed with a loud crash, and from it emerged a group of figures clad in dark armor, their faces obscured by helmets. They were powerful, Lin Tian could feel it. These were no ordinary cultivators; they were elite warriors, and their presence sent a chill down his spine.

"Master, be careful," Xinya whispered, her voice tense. "These are no ordinary foes."

Lin Tian stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the leader of the group. The man wore a long, flowing cloak that billowed in the wind, and his eyes gleamed with a cold, calculating light. His aura was suffocating, and Lin Tian could tell that he was the source of the dark energy that had been building in the air.

"Who are you?" Lin Tian called out, his voice steady, despite the threat before him.

The man's lips twisted into a smirk. "I am Lord Xian, leader of the Black Star Alliance. We have come for the Hidden Realm."

Lin Tian's heart skipped a beat. The Black Star Alliance. They were one of the most powerful sects in the world, known for their ruthless tactics and unyielding pursuit of power. If they had come for the Hidden Realm, it meant that the stakes had just been raised.

"You won't have it," Lin Tian said, his voice cold and resolute.

Lord Xian's eyes flickered with amusement. "You think you can stop us? You are but a single man, surrounded by women and beasts. You are outmatched."

The air around them crackled with energy as Lord Xian raised his hand, and the ground trembled once more. Lin Tian could feel the pressure building, and before he could react, a surge of dark energy shot toward him, tearing through the air.

His instincts kicked in, and he summoned his beasts to defend him. Baihu lunged forward with a ferocious roar, her claws slashing through the dark energy, but it was clear that Lord Xian's power was overwhelming.

Lin Tian gritted his teeth. This wasn't going to be easy.

"You underestimate me," Lin Tian muttered under his breath. He stepped forward, calling upon the power of the Hidden Realm. The energy within him surged, and his connection to his beasts deepened. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he could see the entire realm—its boundless potential, its infinite power. He reached out, tapping into that power as he had never done before.

The air around him rippled with energy as the Hidden Realm responded to his call. A brilliant light erupted from his body, enveloping him in a cocoon of energy. The power within him grew, his strength reaching new heights as the realm itself seemed to bend to his will.

The dark energy that Lord Xian had unleashed faltered as Lin Tian unleashed his own attack. The two forces collided with a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves through the clearing. The ground cracked, and the trees around them were torn from their roots.

Lin Tian stood at the center of the chaos, his aura blazing with power. His eyes were alight with determination, and his beasts were by his side, ready for battle.

"Is this the power of the Hidden Realm?" Lord Xian's voice rang out, tinged with disbelief. "You are indeed stronger than I thought."

Lin Tian's lips curled into a grim smile. "And this is just the beginning."

With a wave of his hand, Lin Tian summoned the full force of the Hidden Realm. The ground beneath them cracked open as massive tendrils of energy erupted, binding Lord Xian's forces in place. The Black Star Alliance warriors struggled, their power faltering in the face of Lin Tian's overwhelming strength.

"You cannot stop me," Lin Tian said, his voice like a thunderclap. "The Hidden Realm is mine, and no one will take it from me."

As the battle raged on, Lin Tian's power continued to grow, his connection to the Hidden Realm strengthening with each passing moment. His beasts fought alongside him, their power enhanced by the realm's energy. The Black Star Alliance was no match for them, and one by one, their forces were defeated.

But Lord Xian was not so easily defeated. With a roar, he unleashed his full power, summoning a massive beast of shadow to fight Lin Tian. The beast roared, its form shifting and changing as it attacked, but Lin Tian was ready.

He called upon the full might of the Hidden Realm, and the two forces clashed in a cataclysmic explosion of energy. The battle raged on, but Lin Tian was determined to emerge victorious. He had no choice but to win—his family, his beasts, and the Hidden Realm itself were at stake.

End of Chapter 68