NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 148: Chapter 148: The Clan Competition Begins
Chapter 148: The Clan Competition Begins
Great Yan County, Lin City.
Time passed like flowing water, and the intense summer heat had finally given way to a cooler season, filling the air with a refreshing chill. Though the scorching weather had subsided, the hearts of many in the Lin clan grew even more fervent because the long-anticipated clan competition was about to begin.
In the dense woods behind the Lin clan estate, a slender figure flitted through the trees with incredible speed. A faint white mist drifted over the marshy terrain, stirred by a light breeze and clearing up the otherwise murky view of the marshland.
"Hiss…"
The silence was suddenly broken by a soft hissing sound. A blurred black shadow darted forward across the marsh, almost like an elusive spirit. Every time his foot touched the marshy ground, a surge of energy boiled the mud beneath, creating ripples as if the ground were bubbling water.
Trailing him, a dense swarm of black venomous snakes emerged from the water, their jaws gaping open and launching jets of foul-smelling water at his back. But they were far too slow to reach him; each shot missed, never so much as grazing his clothing.
"Bang!"
The moving figure suddenly halted. His legs bent slightly, and his body leaned forward at an odd angle before he shot straight into the air, seeming to hover as though defying gravity. To anyone watching, it would've been astounding: remaining airborne without the support of elemental force or any other tool was something only achieved at the Nirvana stage or beyond, yet this figure clearly hadn't reached that level.
After pausing midair for a few moments, he twisted his body and reappeared on a tree branch about ten meters away in the blink of an eye. A faint dark trail lingered in the air where he'd traveled, making it seem as if he had bypassed space itself in a flash of speed.
"Haha! Amazing! This is indeed a top-grade movement technique!" The shadowed figure landed gracefully on the tree branch and laughed with delight. Sunlight fell on his handsome face, revealing none other than Lin Langtian himself.
As for the movement technique he had just displayed, it was naturally the Taiqing Skywalking Step he had acquired from the elder in the hemp robe.
"The Taiqing Skywalking Step has four levels: Ascend, Hover, Wind Walker, and Divine Traveler. Once mastered to the fourth level, Divine Traveler, the user's spirit will glide through space as if teleporting," Lin Langtian murmured to himself, his excitement settling into calm as he studied his progress. "At that level, even high Nirvana stage experts would have trouble keeping up. For now, though, I'm still at the Ascend level, which is only the entry stage."
Since breaking through to the half-step Nirvana stage, Lin Langtian had focused on honing his techniques, aware that, while cultivation was essential, true combat strength lay in one's command of martial techniques. Besides refining his spirit-based martial arts, he had dedicated himself to mastering Taiqing Skywalking Step. Through persistent practice, he had come to understand just how profound the skill was.
It turned out that what he had acquired from the hemp-robed elder was only the first part of Taiqing Skywalking Step, given to outer sect elders and general disciples. The remaining levels—Wind Walker and Divine Traveler—were recorded in the second volume, reserved exclusively for core disciples and senior elders of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace. These levels elevated the technique to the realm of spirit martial arts and beyond.
"Amazing," he thought, momentarily admiring the immense resources of a super-sect. "With my current strength, I'm certain I could handle even Mo Jingtian, who's passed the First Nirvana Tribulation."
When he'd first entered the half-step Nirvana stage, Lin Langtian hadn't been confident in defeating Mo Jingtian, a true First Nirvana stage powerhouse. But after months of intense training, his battle strength had grown by at least fifty percent. Now, he believed he could stand against formidable foes without relying on external help, even if he had to face the hemp-robed elder again.
Glancing toward the darkening sky, Lin Langtian recalled that tomorrow would be the start of the clan competition. He gave a low whistle, and soon enough, a black-gold bird flew down and landed firmly on his shoulder. Together, Lin Langtian and Jinwu strolled off toward the horizon, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun.
The next morning, as the first rays of dawn broke through the clouds and spilled over the land, the Lin clan residence buzzed with activity. A lively atmosphere filled Lin City as excitement rippled through the entire clan.
At the center of Lin City stood an enormous arena, vast and imposing. It was a stadium capable of holding a million spectators, a true marvel of size and grandeur. This arena was the venue for the Lin clan's most important event—the clan competition.
As one of the premier powers in Great Yan County and the Dayan Kingdom, the Lin clan drew many distinguished guests to witness this event. For some, it was a chance to form connections; for others, an opportunity to observe the young talents of the Lin clan—particularly one extraordinary talent who had stirred up quite a bit of concern among rival factions.
In the grandstands, rows of esteemed guests took their seats, exchanging light-hearted conversation. The arena was packed, a dense crowd filling the vast space, and their voices combined into a massive roar that seemed to pierce the sky, even stirring the clouds above.
Suddenly, the deafening noise faded to silence, as if a hand had closed around the crowd's collective throat. A single ray of sunlight shone through the clouds, illuminating the sky just enough to reveal a figure in a blue robe, standing in midair with a black-gold bird perched on his shoulder.
All eyes turned to him, and a wave of quiet reverence swept through the arena. Many in the crowd stared up at him with an expression of awe and respect.
Guests who had come from afar looked around in surprise at the sudden hush. They could not fathom what sort of person commanded such admiration within the Lin clan.
The murmurs quickly reached their ears: Lin Langtian of the Lin clan.
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