Wu Dong: I, Lin Langtian, will not play a supporting role

The three of them sped deeper into the ruins, with Helian Tieshan leading the way, his steps steady and firm.

Although his body had just recovered from the erosion of demonic energy over ten thousand years, the aura belonging to a Great Perfection Earthly Sovereign had begun to slowly return, like a sharp sword that had been reforged, its edge gradually revealed.

"The second passage ends just ahead." Helian Tieshan stopped and pointed to an ancient stone gate in front of him.

"After passing through this gate, you will reach the core area of ​​the ruins, the Dark Temple. Lord Black Emperor cultivated here, and it was also where he stored his most important treasures."

Lin Langtian examined the stone gate, which was ten zhang tall, pitch black, and covered with countless intricate runes that faintly emitted a dim light.

The runes were exactly the same as those he had seen on the light screen before, but they were more complex and more mysterious, as if they contained some kind of ultimate truth.

"Is there a restriction on this door?" Lin Langtian asked.

Helian Tieshan nodded and placed his palm on the stone door: "Yes, but I am familiar with it. I was involved in setting up some of the restrictions on this ruin back then."

A dark red light shone from his palm; it was the light of his own spiritual power.

The light spread along the runes on the stone gate, as if igniting sleeping fire dragons.

The runes began to flicker and emit a low hum, as if recognizing Helian Tieshan's identity.

A moment later, the sound of the restriction resounded.

"Click-click-click..."

The stone door slowly opened, and a dim light shone through the crack, carrying an ancient and vast aura.

Helian Tieshan withdrew his hand, turned to look at Lin Langtian, and grinned: "Let's go, but be careful. Not all the people behind the door are as easy to talk to as I am."

Lin Langtian nodded slightly and stepped through the stone gate.

……

Behind the door was a vast space.

Dark Temple.

The temple's dome was hundreds of feet high, inlaid with countless fist-sized dark crystals that emitted a dim light, like stars in the night sky, illuminating the entire hall in a dim and intermittent manner.

Four enormous stone pillars stand at the four corners of the main hall. Each pillar requires dozens of people to encircle it. The pillars are carved with lifelike reliefs of ancient mythical beasts, baring their fangs and claws, as if they might burst out of the pillars at any moment.

In the very center of the main hall is a high platform.

The platform is square, with each side measuring a hundred feet in length. Its surface is paved with black jade, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the starlight from the dome.

Above the high platform, a dark ball of light floated, within which a fist-sized black bead could be vaguely seen, emitting a chilling aura that drew everyone's attention.

Meanwhile, dozens of figures had gathered around the high platform.

Hei Tianjue stood with his hands behind his back at the very front. His long, ink-black hair shone brightly in the dim light of the hall, and his jet-black robe was spotless, like the brightest star in the night sky.

His expression remained indifferent, as if nothing in the world was worth his attention, but his gaze was fixed on the dark ball of light on the high platform, a determined look flashing in his eyes.

Behind him stood several powerful members of the Black Sky Ancient Clan, each with a profound aura; even the weakest among them was a High Earth Sovereign.

They stood in neat rows, like a well-trained army, a stark contrast to the people of the other factions around them.

On the other side, An Cang, the second elder of the Dark Spirit Clan, stood with his hands behind his back, his hunched figure appearing somewhat sinister in the dim light.

His pupils were as black as ink, with no whites, like two deep black holes that could devour all light.

Behind him followed a dozen elite guards, the weakest of whom were lower-level Earthly Sovereigns, and several of them were upper-level Earthly Sovereigns.

An Cang's gaze swept over the ball of light on the high platform, his eyes filled with greed and fervor, but when he swept over the other forces, his gaze turned cold and wary.

Especially when he looked at Hei Tianjue, a deep sense of apprehension flashed in his eyes.

People from Blackwater Pavilion, Shadow Tower, Deep Sea Black Dragon Clan, and Xuanbing Turtle Clan were also present.

They gathered in small groups, each occupying their own territory, maintaining a delicate distance from one another, both wary of each other and subtly showing signs of forming a united front.

In addition, there were some independent cultivators scattered around the edge of the main hall. Although their strength was not as great as those of the major powers, they were no ordinary people who were able to get here through the previous restrictions.

Everyone is waiting.

They waited for the restrictions on the high platform to dissipate, and for that dark ball of light to truly appear before them.

The arrival of Lin Langtian and his two companions disrupted the delicate balance within the temple.

"Another new person has arrived," someone whispered.

"Huh? That young man in the green robe... isn't he the one who clashed with the Dark Spirit Clan before? I heard that even the Second Elder of Dark Cang couldn't do anything to him."

"The woman next to him, I heard, has some connection with the Black Sky Ancient Clan."

"Who is that burly man in tattered armor? I've never seen him before. His aura is so strong..."

Amidst whispers, countless gazes fell upon Lin Langtian and his two companions.

Lin Langtian stood calmly with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the main hall, taking in the distribution of those forces.

His gaze lingered on Hei Tianjue for a moment, then fell on An Cang, before turning back to the dark ball of light on the high platform.

He had a vague feeling that the most precious treasures of this great hall were probably hidden within this dark ball of light.

It might even be the Dark Source Pearl!
He could sense that the ball of light contained extremely terrifying dark energy, which was more than a hundred times stronger than the Dark Spirit Crystal!
If we can obtain it, the Dark Magic Rune will undergo a qualitative leap, and may even break through to an unprecedented level!
"Good stuff," Yin Ruoshui whispered behind him, her eyes also filled with longing.

Her purpose in coming here was to inherit the legacy of the ancient Black Emperor and to prove that she, an illegitimate child not recognized by her family, could also forge her own path.

Helian Tieshan stood beside Lin Langtian, his gaze sweeping across the hall, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

He had visited this temple countless times, but that was thousands of years ago. Now, revisiting this place, everything has changed; how could he not feel a pang of emotion?
However, just as the three were about to find a place to stand, a cold voice suddenly rang out.

"Hmph, I didn't expect that you, a fish that slipped through the net, would actually dare to come here."

Dark Spirit Clan's Second Elder, Dark Cang!

His gaze was like two cold daggers, piercing straight at Lin Langtian.

Those dark eyes were filled with murderous intent and resentment.

Previously at the entrance of the ruins, he intended to kill Lin Langtian to avenge the Dark Spirit Clan, but was interrupted when the ruins suddenly opened.

Now that Lin Langtian has actually delivered himself to his doorstep, how could he let this opportunity pass by?

Lin Langtian's expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, "The ruins are open; those with the right fate will obtain them. Why can't I come?"

"The one destined?" An Cang sneered, stepped forward, and the dark spiritual power around him began to surge, a terrifying pressure crushing down like a mountain.

"You, a mere high-ranking Earthly Sovereign, dare to talk about fate?"

The elite Dark Spirit Clan behind him also stepped forward, subtly surrounding Lin Langtian and his companions.

Seeing this, the powerful figures from other factions retreated, making way for an open space, looking on with amusement.

Hei Yuan of the Blackwater Pavilion, Ying Mei of the Shadow Pavilion, and Jiao Tu of the Deep Sea Black Dragon Clan also recognized Lin Langtian, and their expressions turned rather unpleasant.

They were defeated by Lin Langtian in the treasure hall and had their Dark Spirit Crystal stolen, a fact they still resent.

"It's that kid!" Jiao Tu snorted coldly, but dared not step forward.

He was someone who had suffered hardship and knew how formidable Lin Langtian was.

Hei Yuan's face was gloomy. He stared intently at Lin Langtian, his eyes filled with apprehension.

He still vividly remembers that axe blow from that day; its earth-shattering power fills him with fear.

Yingmei touched her fair wrist... Although the wrist that Lin Langtian had crushed that day had been healed, she would never forget that pain.

People from other factions whispered amongst themselves.

"This young man has offended the Dark Spirit Clan? And he still dares to put himself in danger. He's really got some nerve."

“An Cang is a Great Perfection Earthly Sovereign. How can he, a mere Upper Earthly Sovereign, possibly contend with him?”

"What a pity, to die so young."

……

Yin Ruoshui's face paled slightly. Although she knew Lin Langtian was very strong, An Cang was, after all, a Great Perfection Earthly Sovereign, and he had so many powerful Dark Spirit Clan members behind him. If a real fight broke out...

Helian Tieshan, standing beside Lin Langtian, remained calm, though a meaningful smile played on his lips.

An Cang approached step by step, the dark spiritual power around him growing increasingly dense, like black flames burning on his body.

His eyes were filled with murderous intent, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Boy, I'll give you a chance. Kneel down, kowtow three times, and hand over all your treasures, and I might spare your life. Otherwise..."

He raised his right hand, and in his palm, a ball of pitch-black energy began to condense, radiating a terrifying aura that sent chills down one's spine.

That was the Dark Spirit Clan's great divine power, the Dark Spirit Annihilation Palm. With a single strike, it was enough to reduce an entire city to dust!
Lin Langtian remained calm as he looked at the black energy in An Cang's palm, his eyes showing no emotion.

He didn't even raise his hand to defend himself; he just stood there quietly, as if An Cang's attack had nothing to do with him.

"You're courting death!" An Cang snorted coldly, said no more, and struck out with his palm!
"Dark Spirit Annihilation Palm!"

A gigantic black palm print blotted out the sky, carrying a world-destroying power, and slammed down towards Lin Langtian!
Wherever the palm print passed, space was torn open with dark cracks, and chaotic void currents surged out wildly!

Even before the palm print arrived, the oppressive feeling made Yin Ruoshui have difficulty breathing and her face turned pale!
The other powerful figures in the hall retreated one after another, fearing that they would be caught in the crossfire.

Hei Tianjue remained standing with his hands behind his back, his brows slightly raised, before his expression turned blank, as if the impending massacre had nothing to do with him.

However, just as the black palm print was about to land on Lin Langtian...

A burly figure suddenly blocked Lin Langtian's path!
Helian Tieshan!

He raised his right hand, spread his five fingers, and a dark red light suddenly burst forth from his palm!
"boom!"

A single palm strike collided, unleashing a deafening roar!

The violent energy surge spread outwards, lifting the black jade bricks on the ground layer by layer, sending fragments of stone flying everywhere!

Those powerful individuals who were nearby were forced to retreat repeatedly, their faces turning pale!
Amidst the billowing smoke and dust, the two figures retreated simultaneously!

An Cang retreated five steps, each step leaving a deep footprint on the ground, the edges of which were covered with fine cracks!
His face was slightly pale, and his eyes were filled with disbelief!
Helian Tieshan only took one step back!
"what?!"

An Cang gasped in shock, staring intently at the imposing figure, his eyes filled with horror and apprehension.

"Who goes there?! How dare you obstruct my Dark Spirit Clan from carrying out its duties?!"

Helian Tieshan slowly withdrew his hand, stood with his hands behind his back, his burly body like a mountain, firmly protecting Lin Langtian behind him.

He looked down at An Cang with a disdainful expression and a domineering smile.

"Me?" He said calmly, "Helian Tieshan, commander of the Black Abyss Army under the Black Emperor."

As soon as he finished speaking, a terrifying aura erupted from his body!

That aura was like a giant dragon awakening after slumbering for eternity, like a collapsing mountain crushing down, like a world-destroying hurricane sweeping across the heavens and earth... the peak of the Great Perfection of the Earthly Sovereign!
The entire Dark Temple trembled violently at that moment!
Everyone's expression turned to shock at that moment! (End of Chapter)