Chapter 730: A Sudden Disturbance from the Demon Spirit Seal
Nightfall covered the land as the cool moonlight scattered down from the sky and penetrated the enormous sect defense formation that reached high up into the heavens. It was just like a thin cloth that covered the numerous mountain ranges of the Dao Sect.
A young man was quietly seated within a rather secluded room. Both his hands were repeatedly forming a somewhat strange set of seals. Following the formation of these seals, a vague and peculiar ripple quietly erupting from within them.
Huff.
Lin Dong's seal technique had only cycled thrice before he rubbed his forehead and stopped. The stilling effect of this 'Static Tablet' truly exhausted one's energy. Even though he was a five seal Heaven Symbol Master, he was already somewhat exhausted after having used it thrice. He really could not imagine just how exhausting the legendary 'Static Divine Tablet' would be when it was activated.
It was likely that an ordinary expert would immediately disappear into the wind the moment he activated that divine item.
"It looks like I need to think of a way to improve my Mental Energy cultivation…"
Lin Dong fell into deep thought. His current Yuan Power had already advanced to the six Yuan Nirvana stage. However, his Mental Energy still remained at the five seal Heaven Symbol Master level. There was a little favouritism that resulted in this. It seemed like Lin Dong would have to pay more attention to his Mental Energy cultivation in future.
Buzz.
With this thought in mind, Lin Dong was just about to shut his eyes and train when the a faint ripple suddenly emerged from inside his body. Soon after, a golden light flew out from his body in front of his startled eyes. The golden light finally expanded in front of him and transformed into a golden illusory figure.
"Little Marten?"
Lin Dong was immediately stunned when he saw this golden illusory figure. This was because the figure looked just like Little Marten. Moreover, this golden light came from the demon spirit seal that Little Marten left him before leaving. However, there had been no activity from this demon spirit seal after such a long time, and Lin Dong had nearly forgotten it.
"Hey, how's life at the Dao Sect treating you? You didn't get bullied, did you?"
Little Marten's figure was quite blurry. His handsomely bewitching face stared at Lin Dong in a teasing manner, before a familiar voice was transmitted from it.
"You are finally willing to contact me…" Lin Dong rolled his eyes at this fellow in a snappy manner. Ever since Little Marten took Little Flame and left, Lin Dong had not received any news about them.
"Heh heh, it's all because I want to give Little Flame a chance to become stronger. I have also heard a little about what happened to you. It seems like you are doing quite well within the Dao Sect…" Little Marten smilingly said.
"Not bad." Lin Dong smiled. After which, he glanced at the illusory figure and said, "You didn't activate the demon spirit seal just to say such rubbish right?"
Little Marten laughed. Immediately, a grim expression surfaced on his handsome face as he said, "Little Flame is injured."
The smile on Lin Dong's face withdrew bit by bit, before a dark and solemn storm cloud like expression surged into his eyes. "What happened?"
"A couple of days ago while I was out. That fellow barged into a certain place and discovered some treasures. However, he ended up being injured by the experts guarding them. However, his constitution is very strong and he has largely recovered from his injuries over the past two days." Little Marten's eyes had a faint cold glint surging within them.
"What do you plan on doing?" Lin Dong narrowed his eyes and spoke faintly.
"Heh, what else can I do? Little Flame cannot be beaten up for no reason." Little Marten laughed in a strange manner.
"Are you unable to handle it?" Lin Dong softly asked. If Little Marten was able to easily resolve this problem, it was likely that he would not look for him. Based on Little Marten's character, it was likely that he would have just directly attacked and killed the other party.
"Although I have been continuously recovering my powers, I have yet to reach my peak strength. Additionally, the opponents this time around are extremely troublesome to deal with. They possessed strength from nature and they also hold unique skills. I have tried but it was not very effective." Little Marten voiced his thoughts.
"In that case, do you want me to head over?" Lin Dong asked. The current him was also no longer that new disciple, who had just joined the Dao Sect. Right now, he could match up to a nine Yuan Nirvana stage expert, a fact that allowed him to freely roam the Eastern Xuan Region.
"Yes."
Little Marten went straight to the point. He nodded before speaking, "The items that Little Flame discovered are also highly beneficial to you. Hehe, we should not allow outsiders to benefit."
Little Marten paused after he spoke, before he laughed in a strange fashion, "Of course, if you come over, it is best that you are able to bring something else over. Only that thing can break those fellows' special technique."
"What?" Lin Dong was stunned.
"The Sky Hall in the Dao Sect has a Pure Yuan Treasure called the 'Heavenly Phoenix Zither'. If you are able to borrow it and bring it over, I will be able to break their special technique."
"Pure Yuan treasure… Heavenly Phoenix Zither…"
"
A black line appeared on Lin Dong's face when he heard these words. He spoke somewhat helplessly, "A Pure Yuan treasure is no ordinary object. It is a valued item even for a super sect. How can they easily allow a disciple like me to borrow it?"
"*Sigh*, just try your best. If you fail to do so, I will think of another way. However, if you are able to successfully borrow the 'Heavenly Phoenix Zither', you should hurry to the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range. Once you arrive, you will be able to sense our location with the help of the demon spirit seal." Little Marten also spoke somewhat helplessly.
"Okay."
Lin Dong nodded his head with a mild headache. After which, the golden illusory figure in front of him fluctuated, before finally disappearing.
"Heavenly Phoenix Zither…"
Lin Dong's hand involuntarily rubbed his brows when he looked at the spot where the golden light had disappeared. A Pure Yuan treasure was not a Heavenly Soul Treasure. Who could he approach and ask? The hall chief of the Sky Hall, Qi Lei? He did not know if the other party would end up dismissing him. Furthermore, should Lin Dong accidentally lose the Heavenly Phoenix Zither, wouldn't their Sky Hall end up suffering a great loss? Such a treasure was governed by each individual hall and even Ying Xuanzi could not interfere as he pleased…
"Looks like… I can only approach Ying Huanhuan."
Lin Dong thought about it for awhile, before he realized that the only person he could count on was Ying Huanhuan, whom he was most familiar with. However, that girl had thrown a young lady's tantrum because she was unable meet him when she came to the Desolate Hall some time earlier. In fact, she had not appeared before him for quite a number of days and it was likely because she was a little angry. Hence, he wondered if she would simply roll her eyes if he asked for her help.
However, given the solemn manner in which Little Marten spoke, it was likely that their current opponents were quite troublesome to deal with. Therefore, even if Lin Dong had to endure the embarrassment from Ying Huanhuan's rolling eyes, he must thicken his skin, look for her and give it a shot.
...
With this thought in mind, Lin Dong's expression was a little unnatural when he appeared in front of Ying Huanhuan the next day.
Ying Huanhuan's small face was like a plank when she saw Lin Dong's expression. There were quite a number of Sky Hall disciples coming and going around her and their eyes contained some playfulness as they watched these two rather famous figures in the Dao Sect.
"Oh? Such a busy person has finally found some free time?" Ying Huanhuan's large eyes glanced at Lin Dong and spoke faintly.
Lin Dong coughed dryly. Why did this little miss have such a fiery temper? However, when he remembered that he had a favor to ask, he could only speak, "I was still recuperating previously. You saw me being injured by senior brother Wang Yan … see, now that my injuries are healed, I have come looking for you."
Lin Dong felt his face turn a little green after uttering the last sentence. It was likely that this was the first time he had spoken to a lady in such a phony manner. However, when he thought of what Little Marten asked him, he could only clench his teeth and endure…
Ying Huanhuan's face turned red when she heard Lin Dong's words. Soon after, the young lady directly rolled her eyes at him in a rude manner. "In future, when you say such words to a lady, can you show your unwillingness so clearly? There are a ton of people looking for me and I don't need one more like you."
Even with Lin Dong's thick skin, his face involuntarily turned a little red when he heard Ying Huanhuan's mocking laughter. He was actually being mocked by this little lass. It was simply…
"Tell me, why have you come you looking for me?"
Ying Huanhuan stared at Lin Dong's rapidly changing expression, as a sly glint flashed across her large eyes. She was aware that the male pride within this fellow, whose reputation within the Dao Sect was currently soaring, had likely reached a breaking point. Therefore, she changed the topic.
Lin Dong helplessly sighed upon hearing these words. Clearly, the strange and playful Ying Huanhuan had realized his motive for taking the initiative to look for her. Her previous manner was likely an act…
Lin Dong's eyes looked around him. After which, he took a step forward and approached Ying Huanhuan. He was able to sniff the fragrance from the young lady's body.I need your help, can help me to borrow something."
"What?" Ying Huanhuan was a puzzled as she knitted her brows.
Lin Dong laughed bitterly under that young lady's bright large eyes, which appeared to have light surging across them. Finally, he thickened his skin and said.
"Can you loan me the Sky Hall's Heavenly Phoenix Zither for a few days?"Chapter 731 Borrowing the Zither
"Would it be possible to borrow your Sky Hall's Heavenly Phoenix Zither for a few days?"
When Lin Dong made his request, a few shades of embarrassment appeared on his face. In fact, after he saw a tinge of bewilderment flash across that young lady's charming face, he felt even more embarrassed.
"You are saying, that you want to borrow the Heavenly Phoenix Zither?"
Ying Huanhuan involuntarily raised her brows. With regards to Lin Dong's request, she naturally felt extremely surprised. After all, she knew how precious a Pure Yuan Treasure was and it was an object that even some Sky Hall disciples could not look at. However, Lin Dong actually wanted to borrow it?
If it was another person making this request, she would have most likely asked him to dream on…
"Yes."
Lin Dong summoned his courage and nodded. Looking at that young lady's knitted brows and her bright and beautiful eyes, he could not help but laugh bitterly before saying, "I urgently require that item…"
"Senior teacher-uncle Qi Lei will not agree. The Heavenly Phoenix Zither is a precious treasure of the Sky Hall after all. At time, even if a sect elder wish to borrow it, senior teacher-uncle Qi Lei would not agree." Ying Huanhuan said after pondering for a while with knitted eyebrows.
"Therefore, I can only ask this of you…" Lin Dong said in an awkward manner.
"You want me to help you to obtain it through the back door?" The young lady replied as she gently raised her beautiful face. As sunlight shone down from above, it formed a halo that was akin to a beeswax candle glow around her, causing the young lady to look especially alluring.
"But, why should I be so kind to you?" The young lady twirled a lock of her fine black hair with her jade-like hands, before smiling sweetly at Lin Dong and asked in a innocent and puzzled manner.
Facing the young lady's gifted gab, Lin Dong found it hard to manage and could only helpless reply, "I've helped your elder sister to obtain the commanding authority. That should count for something, right?"
"Hmmm…" Ying Huanhuan muttered as she earnestly pondered for a while before nodding her head and saying in an absent minded manner, " However, I recall a certain boorish and rude fellow during the Hall Competition. Therefore, your small contribution is only enough for me to forgive your behaviour during the Hall Competition."
With the matter of Little Flame hanging in his heart, and after being provoked by Ying Huanhuan for a few times, a small bit of anger unknowingly sprouted within Lin Dong's heart. He frowned and was just about to lose his temper, but managed to forcibly suppress it in the end. After all, Ying Huanhuan did not owe him anything. Moreover, his request was truly a little overboard.
When his thoughts reached such a point, Lin Dong could not help but to feel his interest waning. It seemed like he would have to think of another way to resolve this issue.
"Hey, are you mad?"
When she saw Lin Dong's expression change, the playful expression on Ying Huanhuan's beautiful face receded somewhat as she asked cautiously.
"No…" Lin Dong forced a smile and shook his head, before replying, "Nevermind, I'll not trouble you anymore. I will think of another way."
"I never said I will not help you. Moreover, why doesn't your face show even a hint taking offense? You're a grown man, however, your identity is completely at odd with your the way you speak." muttered Ying Huanhuan. However, her big eyes involuntarily still glanced at Lin Dong's expression.
It's not like I refused to help you. And look at that face of yours, it's as if you aren't concerned about it? How can a man like you go back on his word?
"You have a way?"
Lin Dong awkwardly shrugged before asking.
Ying Huanhuan's jet-black eyes seemed to rotate a little, before she waved at Lin Dong, " Follow me." After which, she turned around and swiftly floated away like a butterfly. Lin Dong hesitated for a moment, before quickly following behind.The two of them rapidly shuttled within the gigantic Sky Hall. After ten over minutes, they had obviously enter the inner regions of Sky Hall. At this area, the security was very tight. However, with Ying Huanhuan leading the way, the two of them were not stopped.
"We've arrived."
Said Ying Huanhuan, before she suddenly stopped in front of an extensive and vast hall. Present was a layer of light that was shaped like a bowl, which enveloped the entire great hall within.
Lin Dong looked at the light barrier in front of him. From it, he was able to sense a frightening fluctuation. It seems like this great hall must be an important place in Sky Hall. Else, there would be no need for such a valiant protection.
With a wave of her jade-like hand, a piece of white jade flew out from her palm. When it touched the light barrier, it immediately provoked a violent reaction from the latter. Finally, after the ripples spread, it turning into a light door.
"Let's go."
Ying Huanhuan carefully and cautiously looked at her surroundings before scuttling into the light barrier. Pushing open the big doors of the great hall, she proceeded to walk in. Behind her, Lin Dong was also closely following her every step of the way.
The great halls was extremely vast and there were quite a few gigantic pillars within it. The surface of those pillars were filled with abstruse runes, which faintly resembled a giant array.
Lin Dong's gaze swept across the interior of the great hall for a round before suddenly congealing in the middle of the great hall. At that spot, stood a pillar of jade, and on top of it, sat a fiery red zither.
Present on the surface of the zither were pictures of phoenixes flapping their wings. From afar, it looked like the wings were oscillating, similar to a seedling of fire in ascension. A frightening fluctuation slowly radiated out from within it, causing traces of spatial distortion in the surrounding space.
"Is that the Heavenly Phoenix Zither?" asked Lin Dong as his eyes continued to fixate on the fiery red zither. There was a tinge of joy in his eyes that could not be concealed. After all, only a Pure Yuan Treasure could give off such a frightening fluctuation.
"Yes."
Ying Huanhuan replied while nodding her head before continuing, "We can secretly take it away and return it after we are done."
"Steal it? Lin Dong was shocked.
"Don't tell me you really want to ask senior teacher uncle Qi Lei for permission? There is no way he would agree. Even if you ask my father to plead on your behalf, it would still be of no use!"
Ying Huanhuan rolled her eyes at Lin Dong before waving her jade-like hand. Curling her lips, she said: " Relax, if we run into any problems, I will shoulder it. I don't want somebody to lose his temper again."
Lin Dong was now completely filled with embarrassment. He could only laugh bitterly while shaking his head. Finally, he told her sincerely: "Thank you."
"There's no need."
Hearing his words, Ying Huanhuan beamed like a little fox. Typically, Lin Dong always had a devil-may-care attitude. However, he had revealed his helpless expression a couple of times in front of her today.
While she was smiling, Ying Huanhuan faintly tilted her head and used her bright and big eyes to stare at Lin Dong before saying, " Furthermore, elder sister asked me to tell this to you. She said that at the moment when you took the initiative to hand over the commanding authority, you looked utterly dazzling…"
" I'm not good with that. If I kept it, I might recklessly use it and mislead all those seniors and juniors. Senior sister Xiaoxiao is much better in that aspect. Thus, that position should naturally belong to those who deserve it." said Lin Dong with a smile.
Ying Huanhuan pursed her lip and smiled, before extending her jade-like hands and suddenly forming a seal. In the next moment, the Heavenly Phoenix Zither floated from the stone pillar before finally descending in her arms.
"Let's leave and return quickly." said Ying Huanhuan as she smiled while hugging the Heavenly Phoenix Zither.
"Err…are you coming along as well?" Lin Dong looked at the young lady in astonishment before he involuntarily asked.
"Although I don't know why you need the Heavenly Phoenix Zither, but let me tell you this. I am the next owner of the Heavenly Phoenix Zither. Therefore, the only person that can control it would be me. Unless that person is powerful enough to erase away the mark left by my father within…" replied Ying Huanhuan as she grinned and stared at Lin Dong while hugging the Heavenly Phoenix Zither.
Lin Dong was completely speechless. At Little Marten's current strength, it was obviously that he would not be able to erase the mark left by Ying Xuanzi.
"Do you have any more questions?" asked Ying Huanhuan with a beautiful smile as she tilted her head and looked at Lin Dong, who had already shriveled up countless times in front of her.
"Nothing…"
Lin Dong hesitated for a while before finally giving a bitter laugh and nodded his head. As he turned around and left the great hall, Ying Huanhuan looked at his back before a cunning glint flashed across her big eyes. After this, she leisurely followed behind him.
After the two of them left, the great hall was once again silent. A few minutes later, the space above a stone pillar started to squirm before two figures slowly appeared. From their appearances, they were precisely Ying Xuanzi and Sky Hall hall master, Qi Lei.
"That lass…"
Qi Lei looked down at that empty stone pillar before his face twitched. Finally, he involuntarily blurted out: "Sect master, are we just going to allow two juniors to take the Heavenly Phoenix Zither out of Dao Sect?"
"Relax, have some confidence in them. Just treat it as if they are going out to train for once. Moreover, there is a brand on the Heavenly Phoenix Zither. If a major accident occurs, I will be able to detect it." said Ying Xuanzi as he faintly smiled.
Hearing what Ying Xuanzi said, Qi Lei could only nod his head. Promptly, he didn't know whether to laugh or to cry as he said, "That lass Huanhuan, she is a disciple of our Sky Hall. Yet, she actually helped Lin Dong to steal a treasure from her own house. What is going on? It seems like that lass…"
Ying Xuanzi gave a faint smile. However, he did not say anything more about this topic. With a wave of his sleeve, the two of them once again slowly disappeared from the top of the stone pillar.