NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Battle with Luo Jiu
Chapter 39: Battle with Luo Jiu
After sending Jiang Xue out of the room, Lin Langtian decided against acting on her offer. It wasn't that Jiang Xue's beauty lacked appeal, but rather that, at Lin Langtian's current level, he had moved beyond simply judging a woman by her appearance alone.
Jiang Xue was certainly beautiful, on par with Lin Ke'er from the Lin clan, but her talent was limited. In the Great Flame Dynasty, she was already considered average, and on the broader Tianxuan Continent, she would be considered even more so. Lin Langtian wasn't the kind to abandon responsibility either; even if they did end up together, Jiang Xue's potential meant that over time, the gap between them would only widen, making it unlikely they would stay together.
Currently, Lin Langtian only had eyes for the truly extraordinary women of the Tianxuan Continent. Still, after some thought, he couldn't bring himself to refuse Jiang Xue's request entirely. For one, her sincere plea touched him. Lin Langtian was careful and reserved, yet he wasn't completely heartless. He couldn't ignore the potential ruin awaiting the Eagle Martial Hall. Secondly, he was interested in a particular martial art rumored to be within the Blood Vulture Martial Hall. And finally, he recalled that Jiang Yinyin, the young girl in their midst, was linked to the Master of Life and Death, known to wield incredible power over reincarnation.
Although Lin Langtian wasn't looking to curry favor with the Master of Life and Death, establishing a positive connection might still prove valuable.
"Oh well," he murmured, "it'll be good practice."
Three days later, sunlight filtered through the window, casting spots of warmth across the room. Lin Langtian opened his eyes, stretching lazily as he rose from bed. As he moved, faint sounds of mental energy echoed from within him—a sign that his spiritual power had grown. Over the past few days, with the continued absorption of sealed spiritual energy from the Golden Wheel Mirror, Lin Langtian felt he was drawing nearer to the level of a Four-Seal Sigil Master.
After practicing a basic form to warm up, he turned to the door, which creaked open just as he finished. Jiang Xue entered, carefully carrying a basin of warm water. Her clear eyes met his, and her delicate face took on a light blush.
"Awake already?" Jiang Xue's soft voice carried a hint of shyness as she placed the basin on a table. She soaked a towel, wrung it out gently, and handed it to Lin Langtian, as attentively as a dutiful young wife.
"Thank you," he said, smiling as he took the towel, still warm and faintly scented. Jiang Xue had been quietly assisting him for the past few days. Lin Langtian had suggested that this wasn't necessary, but she'd insisted, so he'd allowed it.
Jiang Xue's gentle smile grew as she took back the used towel, her face radiant. This was her first time caring for a man so directly, and her heart pounded nervously.
"Senior Sister!"
A hurried voice from outside interrupted the tranquil moment. Jiang Xue spun around and rushed out, leaving Lin Langtian to hear snippets of the urgent conversation:
"Senior Sister, it's bad! The Blood Vulture Martial Hall has surrounded us!"
Lin Langtian's expression shifted slightly as he followed Jiang Xue outside, smiling as he approached her pale face. "Shall we go see what's happening?" he said, his tone calm as he led the way outside.
A large crowd was amassed outside the Eagle Martial Hall, tightly encircling the building. Most of the people in the group wore the same emblem on their chests—the mark of the Blood Vulture Martial Hall.
Across from them, members of the Eagle Hall watched with fierce, resentful eyes.
At the entrance, Jiang Lei's face was hard as he addressed Luo Jiu, the leader of the Blood Vulture Hall, who stood at the forefront of the enemy group. "Luo Jiu, are you so eager to drive us out of Great Eagle City?"
"No need for empty words," Luo Jiu scoffed. "Three days have passed. What's your decision, Jiang Lei?"
"Eagle Hall is my life's work—I will not abandon it!" Jiang Lei's grip tightened around his heavy sword as he spoke with determination.
"Then don't blame me for being ruthless. Today, I'll settle this for good!" Luo Jiu roared, hefting his hammer and charging forward with deadly intent.
Their weapons clashed with a series of deafening sounds, sending bursts of power rippling across the ground, cracking it in places. Each clash forced Jiang Lei back, his sword growing heavier with each strike as blood began to trickle from his hands.
"Haha, Jiang Lei, you can't measure up. The gap between basic and advanced levels of the Form Creation Stage is far greater than you think!"
The two combatants clashed fiercely, but each time they met, Luo Jiu's hammer steadily overpowered Jiang Lei's sword. Finally, with a resounding blow, Luo Jiu sent the sword flying from Jiang Lei's hands.
Eyes filled with fury, Luo Jiu swung his hammer toward Jiang Lei's chest. The impact was sure to shatter bones and end Jiang Lei's life.
"Die!" Luo Jiu sneered, hammer swinging.
Just then, a sharp gust tore through the air, splitting the silence with a whistling noise.
"Who's there?" Luo Jiu snapped, swinging his hammer defensively toward the incoming force.
The hammer and the approaching energy clashed with a loud clang, forcing Luo Jiu's hammer backward. Stunned by the power behind the impact, Luo Jiu steadied himself and scanned the scene.
In front of Jiang Lei, a young figure had appeared—a tall, composed young man with a refined bearing. Luo Jiu stared at Lin Langtian, surprised by his steady, unruffled demeanor. There was no visible aura emanating from him; he seemed as tranquil as a still lake.
Luo Jiu considered this, then dismissed Lin Langtian as a non-threat, his expression darkening.
"Who are you, boy?" he spat. "And why are you interfering in Blood Vulture Hall's business with the Eagle Hall?"
(End of Chapter)
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