Chapter 364: The Gap Between Spirit Generals
In the central region of Yuan Gate, there stretched a vast range of continuous mountains.
Amidst these mountains, several towering peaks pierced through the clouds, shrouded in mist, resembling a celestial realm.
However, unlike the usual tranquility of these peaks, they were now filled with astonishing clamor. The sounds merged into a resounding roar that spread far and wide—audible even a hundred miles away.
The Division Trial was Yuan Gate's grandest annual competition, and both the sect's upper echelon and disciples placed great importance on it.
When Lin Langtian arrived at the area, his brow lifted slightly at the majestic sight before him. He then descended directly onto the central and most prominent peak.
Due to the sheer number of participants, the nearby peaks all served as competition venues. However, the one Lin Langtian headed for was undoubtedly the main attraction.
It was here that the elite disciples from the Eight Divisions would compete, making this place far more popular than the others.
By now, the peak was already crowded. Lin Langtian scanned the surroundings and soon spotted the Fire Division's area, heading straight for it.
"Senior Brother is here!"
As Lin Langtian landed, delighted exclamations arose among the Fire Division disciples. All eyes, filled with fervor and respect, turned toward him.
Currently, within the Fire Division, Lin Langtian's prestige had completely surpassed even the veteran direct disciples.
Except for a few individuals like Ling Chi and Zhang Hao, who held long-standing grudges against him, most disciples willingly rallied under Lin Langtian's banner.
Even Ling Chi and Zhang Hao could only cautiously shrink into corners, not daring to provoke him.
"Senior Brother..." Song Yun, Mo Tie, and other close followers quickly stepped forward with respectful smiles.
"Mhm, looks like I'm not late," Lin Langtian glanced around and replied with a light chuckle.
"Haha, Senior Brother, with you here, I'm sure our Fire Division will surpass the Heaven Division and take the top spot among the Eight Divisions," said Pang Lie with a bold laugh.
Lin Langtian simply smiled faintly and lifted his gaze toward the other divisions.
Not far across from the Fire Division were the disciples of the other seven divisions. At the forefront of their area stood three figures—Yuan Gate's famed "Three Young Kings."
At this moment, the Little Thunder King, Lei Qian, appeared fully recovered. His aura had returned to peak condition, likely thanks to the abundant spiritual medicine available to a direct disciple of the sect master.
As for Yuan Cang, he remained the most eye-catching figure in the crowd, exuding an aura that inspired awe like the sun itself.
Lin Langtian's gaze met Yuan Cang's, who, sensing it, turned his head slightly. The man in blue looked at Lin Langtian from afar, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smirk.
In response, Lin Langtian smiled indifferently. Did Yuan Cang really think his strength at the Profound Birth Stage guaranteed victory? He would soon learn there was always a higher sky.
"Senior Brother, the rumors about your duel with Senior Brother Yuan Cang have been spreading wildly in the sect. Even the Sect Master took notice. Do you think... something unexpected might happen?" asked Song Yun in a low voice.
Even if Lin Langtian could beat Yuan Cang, the latter was still the Sect Master's direct disciple. Wouldn't that earn him some favoritism?
Lin Langtian frowned slightly, then shook his head and said, "Don't worry. In broad daylight, with all eyes watching, if I defeat Yuan Cang, the command over the sect's disciples will naturally fall to me. I doubt the Sect Master would blatantly show bias."
With that, Lin Langtian glanced toward the high platform ahead—the seating area for Yuan Gate's upper echelon. There sat the heads of all Eight Divisions. At the center was Ren Yuanzi, whose face was calm as a still lake, and who had once met Lin Langtian in passing.
The atmosphere among the seated leaders wasn't particularly lively. After a glance between them, Shi Dong scoffed and said, "Fen Cang, I heard Lin Langtian plans to challenge Nephew Yuan Cang to seize command for the sect competition."
"This is overstepping bounds. That right is reserved for the Sect Master's disciples, the Three Young Kings. What makes a mere Spirit General like Lin Langtian think he can?"
Fen Cang dared not show hesitation. He clenched his teeth and muttered, "Sect Master, I was unaware of the details…"
"No matter," Ren Yuanzi said flatly, without even raising an eyelid. "Let the rules speak. If Lin Langtian wins the Division Trial, what harm is there in giving him command? At Yuan Gate, strength reigns."
With a wave of his hand, he added, "It's about time. Announce the start of the trial."
The Heaven Division's head nodded, then stood up. His sharp gaze swept across the countless figures atop the mountain peaks. The noisy crowd quickly quieted down.
"The rules of the Division Trial have already been explained by your division heads. I won't repeat them. But remember, top performers may enter the main sect competition. The first place will also earn the right to command the sect's disciples!"
His thunderous voice echoed through the mountains. At the final sentence, his eyes subtly flicked toward Lin Langtian and Yuan Cang.
All of Yuan Gate now knew—the command would likely go to one of them.
One was Lin Langtian, a rising star who had joined Yuan Gate just a year ago. The other was Yuan Cang, the top of the Three Young Kings and one of the East Xuan Region's finest talents.
Everyone awaited the outcome of this clash.
"Everyone should have received your platform numbers from your division. Proceed to your designated stages and begin!"
As soon as his words fell, the mountain exploded in activity. Many disciples flipped their palms to reveal jade tiles, then shot off toward the hundreds of platforms atop the mountain.
Lin Langtian gripped his own jade tile, which read "C7." His eyes scanned the area before he leapt toward the appropriate platform.
Just as he landed, a wave of surprised murmurs arose around him, making Lin Langtian pause in confusion.
Soon, he saw a familiar figure glide toward him and land directly in front of him.
Looking at the familiar face, Lin Langtian froze momentarily, then gave a cold smile. He hadn't expected his first opponent would be an old enemy—
Xia Yan, the Gold Division's Spirit General.
Back in the Flame Demon Realm, Xia Yan had sneered at Lin Langtian, dismissing him as unworthy of being a Spirit General. Now, fate had brought them together in the very first match.
Xia Yan's expression changed subtly as he looked at Lin Langtian.
If once he believed Lin Langtian's ascension was mere luck, after seeing him defeat Little Thunder King and earn the title of Little Flame King, he now understood Lin Langtian's power far surpassed ordinary Spirit Generals.
Recalling his past ridicule, Xia Yan felt a pang of regret. He forced a smile and said, "Heh, so it's Junior Brother Langtian. I didn't expect we'd face off right away—what a coincidence. I hope you'll go easy on me."
"It is a coincidence…" Lin Langtian smiled faintly, a mocking glint in his eyes. "But your words from back then still echo in my ears, Senior Brother Xia."
"So I hope you'll show me what a Gold Division Spirit General is truly capable of. Otherwise, don't blame me for going all out."
"Oh? So Junior Brother isn't willing to give me any face at all," Xia Yan said darkly.
He hadn't expected Lin Langtian to be so vengeful. As a fellow Spirit General, even if Lin Langtian aimed to oppose the Three Young Kings, he should've tried to win them over, not push them away.
If Lin Langtian knew what he was thinking, he would've sneered.
He didn't even take the Three Young Kings seriously—why would he need fence-sitters like Xia Yan?
Whoosh!
The next moment, Lin Langtian's gaze turned icy. Flames roared within his body. Black-red flame bracers formed on his arms. With a blur of afterimages, he appeared in front of Xia Yan, his fist smashing forward like lightning—direct and brutal.
The punch tore through the air. A terrifying force instantly engulfed Xia Yan.
Sensing the immense power, Xia Yan's eyes narrowed. He raised his hand, summoning golden light that condensed into a golden shield before him.
Lin Langtian's heavy fist smashed into it without pause, a mocking smile on his lips.
Boom!
Terrifying power exploded. The shield, though radiant, lasted less than two seconds before cracking, then shattered with a loud crash.
"So strong!"
Golden fragments rained down as Xia Yan's expression turned grim. He hadn't expected his defense to be so easily shattered.
Yet before he could react, Lin Langtian struck again. A powerful whip kick tore through the air like a blazing arc and smashed into Xia Yan's body.
Bang!
A violent explosion echoed. Xia Yan flew like a cannonball, slamming into the ground.
Crack!
Massive fissures spread from where he landed, shocking the onlookers.
In that brief exchange, it was clear—Xia Yan was utterly outmatched.
Now, everyone understood the gap between Spirit Generals.
The Fire Division's Spirit General truly deserved the title of Little Flame King.
Lin Langtian's face remained calm. He had always been invincible among peers. Now that he had reached the Ninth Nirvana Stage, only Profound Birth experts could challenge him.
"How is he this strong?!" Xia Yan gasped in disbelief.
Though he'd known Lin Langtian was powerful, he never expected this powerful.
"Damn it, you've forced my hand!" Xia Yan growled, biting his lip.
As a proud Gold Division Spirit General, if he lost so easily, he'd lose all face.
"Golden Mountain Divine Canon—Golden Mountain Subdues the World!"
Faced with Lin Langtian's relentless assault, Xia Yan no longer held back. His full power surged forth, golden light forming into a massive golden mountain that slammed toward Lin Langtian.
"It's the Gold Division's ultimate technique!"
The crowd stirred. Each division had its secret arts, and the Golden Mountain Divine Canon was famous even in the vast East Xuan Region.
Yet Lin Langtian's expression didn't change. He raised his hand, unleashing unrestrained, overwhelming flame power.
With a stomp, his fist—fierce and heavy—blasted forward like a force of nature, tearing the air with terrifying pressure toward the golden mountain.
BOOM!
The mighty golden mountain trembled violently under the impact.
Cracks appeared and spread rapidly before it shattered into golden fragments before countless shocked eyes.
Bang bang!
The blast wave surged. Xia Yan was flung hundreds of meters back, coughing blood, his aura rapidly weakening.
Boom!
He crashed into the mountain below, carving a deep trench hundreds of meters long before falling unconscious.
And so, the first match ended decisively with Lin Langtian's overwhelming victory.
(End of Chapter)