Chapter 16: Ling Qingzhu's Surprise
Chapter 16: Ling Qingzhu's Surprise
"So, this is Emperor Mo Jingtian of the Great Flame Empire?" Lin Langtian thought to himself, feeling a slight tension. "His aura is even stronger than Lin Fan's."
From Mo Jingtian, Lin sensed an immense, oppressive energy, more overwhelming than anything he had felt from Lin Fan. It was clear that Mo Jingtian had likely undergone the first Nirvana Tribulation and had entered the One-Yuan Nirvana Realm.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" the gathered talents all respectfully called out in unison.
"Haha, no need for formalities," Mo Jingtian laughed heartily, his voice like thunder, exuding an aura of undeniable power. With a wave of his hand, a gentle force lifted everyone to their feet. The strength of a Nirvana Realm practitioner was indeed awe-inspiring.
As Lin Langtian marveled, his gaze shifted to the young man following closely behind Mo Jingtian. This youth, dressed in a green robe, was exceptionally handsome—even Qin Shi beside him paled in comparison. Such features, finely chiseled, would even inspire envy in women.
However, Lin Langtian didn't dwell on the man's appearance for long. As the youth drew closer, Lin could sense a powerful, pulsating energy within him.
"This guy… he's already reached the half-step Condensed Qi Realm," Lin Langtian murmured to himself. He quickly recognized the youth: Mo Ling, the strongest of the imperial family's younger generation, known as the Third Prince.
"Not surprising—the imperial family's strength runs deep," Lin Langtian acknowledged. Even with his own rebirth and fortuitous encounters, he found that he held only a slight edge over Mo Ling.
But Lin was confident. Over time, he believed his advantage would only grow more evident, widening the gap between him and the other geniuses of the Great Flame Empire.
"Brother Langtian, it's been a while. I hear your strength has advanced again," Mo Ling greeted him with a warm smile.
As two of the empire's top talents, the two had crossed paths before. However, this time, Mo Ling felt something unfamiliar—an almost imperceptible sense of threat from Lin Langtian, a feeling he had never encountered among his peers.
Startled by Mo Ling's open friendliness, Lin Langtian quickly bowed. "Greetings, Third Prince."
Mo Ling's smile deepened, his gaze appraising as he studied Lin Langtian. "It seems you've changed quite a bit recently, Brother Langtian. Have you encountered any extraordinary opportunities?"
"Heh, just joking, Third Prince," Lin Langtian replied, managing a slight smile while feeling a hint of wariness. Mo Ling's casual inquiry showed sharp perception, an indication of his keen intuition. As expected from a member of the imperial family.
Fortunately, their conversation didn't last long, or Lin Langtian might have feared revealing more than he intended. It was cut short by the approach of the true guest of honor.
"Uncle Mo, you're too kind. I'm just a humble disciple sent by my sect to the Great Flame Empire. There's no need to trouble the emperor or gather the empire's top talents on my account."
A soft, lilting voice suddenly echoed through the grand hall, catching Lin Langtian's attention. The voice was enchanting, carrying an almost magical quality that left many in the crowd momentarily dazed and entranced.
"It's Ling Qingzhu!"
Lin Langtian's mind buzzed, the light voice briefly clouding his thoughts, but he quickly recovered. Surprised, he raised his gaze and watched a blue light sweep in from the sky, forming into a blue lotus before descending gracefully into the hall.
Standing atop the lotus was a woman whose silhouette was pure elegance. Though her face was partially veiled, her eyes, as clear as crystal, seemed to make the very world pale in comparison.
Dressed in a soft, light-colored gown, her brows were like jade, her skin like freshly fallen snow. She had a slender, shapely figure, with a graceful, almost ethereal presence that drew the gaze of everyone around. Her allure was undeniable, as though nature itself had been crafted to frame her beauty.
The hall fell into a reverent silence. Although her face was obscured by a thin veil, the faint outline hinted at a flawless face that stirred a longing in many to tear away the veil and glimpse the breathtaking beauty beneath.
"What a stunning woman!" Lin Langtian's gaze fixed on the woman, her bare, delicate feet hovering on the blue lotus, and he couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath. Even though he had heard that Ling Qingzhu was among the most beautiful women on the Tianxuan Continent, seeing her in person left him astounded. A possessive urge flickered within him, something deeply ingrained in any man.
But the moment he felt it, Lin Langtian suppressed it fiercely.
"A woman would only slow down my sword."
Besides, Ling Qingzhu's voice was light and airy, but in her crystal-clear gaze, there wasn't a hint of warmth. Instead, he saw a subtle aloofness, a cold indifference. Drawing on his knowledge from his previous life, he recalled that Ling Qingzhu was one who appeared warm on the outside yet was cold within—a woman even harder to approach than those who seemed openly distant.
Standing beside Ling Qingzhu was another striking figure, a silver-haired woman in a light green dress, tall and attractive. Although her beauty alone would ordinarily turn heads, standing next to Ling Qingzhu, she paled in comparison.
"That's Huangpu Jing from the Huangpu family. It seems their ties to Ling Qingzhu are indeed strong," Lin Langtian murmured, recalling certain events from his past life.
"Ah, no need to be so formal, Miss Qingzhu," Mo Jingtian greeted, a hint of respect flashing in his eyes as he smiled warmly at her arrival. "Your presence brings great honor to our Great Flame Empire."
With Mo Jingtian's words, Ling Qingzhu stepped fully into the hall.
"Thank you, Uncle Mo…" Ling Qingzhu responded with a soft smile, her gaze brushing over Mo Jingtian. His immense aura, though imposing, barely registered with her, as though it were a mere breeze.
After her brief greeting, Ling Qingzhu's eyes drifted across the hall, scanning the gathered elite of the Great Flame Empire with an air of disinterest.
Yet, just as she was about to retract her gaze, one figure in the corner caught her attention, and her cold eyes flashed with a sudden jolt of surprise. Even her otherwise serene expression seemed to shift slightly.
In that seemingly unremarkable figure, she sensed an overwhelming intensity—an almost tangible fire, like a fierce black flame threatening to engulf the world.
(End of Chapter)