NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Departure
Chapter 41: Departure
"Qi Creation Stage?" Hearing Luo Jiu's dying cry, everyone turned to stare in shock at the young man's calm expression. No one had anticipated that this seemingly twenty-something youth could actually be a Qi Creation expert.
No matter how unbelievable it seemed, seeing Luo Jiu's lifeless body on the ground forced the onlookers to accept reality, their gazes locking on the young figure with a mixture of awe and respect. They understood that in the clash between the Eagle Martial Hall and the Blood Eagle Hall, the former had come out on top, without a doubt.
Luo Jiu's death cast a stunned silence over the crowd, which was finally broken by a wave of applause. Despite the youthfulness of the victor, the strength he had displayed had left an indelible impression on everyone. In the Great Yan Dynasty, after all, strength was king.
As the applause spread, the Blood Eagle Hall members began to retreat quietly, slipping away like a defeated pack of stray dogs. Lin Langtian, however, paid them no attention. With a casual wave, he summoned a storage bag from Luo Jiu's waist, tucking it away in his robes without expression. If he stepped in to fight, he would certainly collect his due.
For Eagle Martial Hall, today's victory was monumental. Ever since Blood Eagle Hall had come to Great Eagle City, their arrogant behavior had sparked endless clashes with Eagle Martial Hall. More often than not, the Eagle Martial Hall had been forced to yield, which left its members feeling stifled. But today, they were finally able to vent that long-held frustration.
Uninterested in the boisterous victory celebration, Lin Langtian lingered for a while, then quietly left the noisy hall. Back in his room, he sat cross-legged on the bed, summoning the storage bag he had taken from Luo Jiu. A curious smirk played at his lips as his spiritual energy scanned its contents. After a moment, he drew out a peculiar-looking bone fragment. Strange characters were carved into it, and Lin Langtian's smirk deepened.
Demon Ape Transformation!
Three odd-looking words glowed under the lamplight, exuding a faint aura of menace, almost as if the inscribed letters themselves were leering like a fearsome demon ape. Lin Langtian's interest only grew. The battle with Luo Jiu hadn't required his full strength, yet the power of the Demon Ape Transformation had impressed him.
Through using it, Luo Jiu had gained not only a surge in strength but also enhanced speed and endurance. This martial technique allowed him to mimic the primal power of beasts, briefly acquiring some of their physical capabilities. Even an ordinary Qi Creation practitioner would struggle to defeat him easily under its effects.
"Interesting… it appears to tap into a beast's power, allowing one to imitate its abilities for a short time," Lin Langtian mused as he examined the cold bone fragment. "Though it does seem to cause a lapse in self-control."
Recalling Luo Jiu's behavior earlier, Lin Langtian rubbed his chin thoughtfully. In the throes of Demon Ape Transformation, Luo Jiu had acted like a wild beast. Shaking his head, Lin Langtian infused the bone fragment with his energy, causing the fragment to emit a radiant glow. A series of small characters floated before him.
"Fuse with the beast's blood, mimic its form, inherit its power, and master its spirit," Lin Langtian read aloud, each character imprinting in his mind as he absorbed the technique. The light from the fragment eventually faded, and the bone returned to its dull, ordinary appearance.
"It seems Luo Jiu only partially mastered this technique. At its peak, Demon Ape Transformation allows for complete control over the enhanced power, making it much more effective. Quite valuable indeed… I wonder how it ended up in the hands of a mere Shape Transformation Stage practitioner."
Satisfied with this unexpected acquisition, Lin Langtian stretched his muscles and murmured to himself, "And to practice it, I'll need the life essence of a powerful ape-like beast. The Ancient Dragon Ape should be perfect for the task and aligns perfectly with my goals here."
His preparations complete, Lin Langtian knew it was time to depart. His purpose in coming to Great Wilderness County was to gain experience and to capture the Nirvana-level spirit he sought, not to remain in Great Eagle City for long. Thus, three days after the Blood Eagle Hall had been banished, Lin Langtian informed Jiang Lei of his intention to leave.
Jiang Lei was reluctant to see him go but understood that someone of Lin Langtian's talent wouldn't remain unknown for long in the Great Yan Dynasty, nor would he stay with a small martial hall like theirs. The person who took the news hardest, however, was Jiang Xue.
Even though nothing had happened that night, Lin Langtian had clearly left a deep impression on her heart. Standing at the city gates, Lin Langtian looked at Jiang Xue's misty eyes and bitten lips, as she tried to hold back her tears. He shook his head gently.
"Take care, Young Master," Jiang Xue whispered softly, her voice quivering slightly.
Lin Langtian nodded silently, then turned to Jiang Lei and the others, saying, "Farewell to all of you. Until we meet again."
Without further hesitation, he summoned his energy and transformed it into a giant falcon. Leaping onto its back, he shot off into the distance. Jiang Xue, watching him disappear into the sky, finally let her tears fall, tracing delicate lines down her cheeks.
"Sigh… Young Master Lin is so young yet already a Qi Creation expert. In all of Great Wilderness County, even in the Great Yan Dynasty, his name will not remain unknown," Jiang Lei murmured, seeing Jiang Xue's sorrow.
Then he paused, realization dawning on him. "Wait… 'Lin Tian'? Could he actually be the renowned genius of the Lin Clan, Lin Langtian?"
(End of Chapter)