Chapter 204: Chaos Talisman, Devouring Power
In a mysterious space, the elder smiled calmly.
He looked at Lin Yan and Lin Dong, carefully evaluating them. Obviously, the words he had said earlier were a test for the two brothers. He wanted to see if, faced with the temptation of the Devouring Ancestral Talisman, they could maintain their integrity.
After speaking, the elder waited silently. Lin Yan and Lin Dong didn't respond immediately. Lin Dong, after thinking for a moment, looked at Lin Yan and said:
—Brother Lin Yan, your talent surpasses mine. Moreover, you've been helping me all this time. It would be better if you kept the Devouring Ancestral Talisman. It would be in better hands with you.
Lin Yan smiled but didn't respond to Lin Dong. Instead, he looked at the dark-eyed elder and said:
—Elder, don't put us in this situation. Although there's only one talisman, it's not something either of us can easily refine. Instead of testing us, you should see who of us has a better chance of refining the talisman. Also, I believe the talisman shouldn't be forgotten. With demons resurging, we need the guardian of the talisman to maintain the world's balance. This isn't just for us, but for the good of everyone.
Lin Dong, who didn't understand much about this world, was confused to hear Lin Yan's words. He didn't know that in various places, ancient Demon Kings were sealed, waiting to break their chains and wreak havoc.
The elder, understanding Lin Yan's words, looked at the two brothers with renewed interest.
—Young friend, it seems you hide more than you appear to —said the elder, impressed.
The elder decided it was pointless to continue testing them. He looked at Lin Dong and said:
—It seems you both have your secrets. —The elder noticed the mysterious object in Lin Dong's body, feeling an ancient and powerful connection, similar to that of the Devouring Ancestral Talisman —. I'll choose you, young friend. Your object has a connection with the talisman. I trust you with the Devouring Ancestral Talisman. Moreover, your life talisman is a copy of mine. It seems we are destined.
With a flick of his finger, the space around him fractured, and a bright black light condensed into a symbol that flew towards Lin Dong. He took it, feeling a penetrating cold.
The elder became serious and said:
—If you find the Devouring Ancestral Talisman, this symbol will allow you to break the seal. But you'll need your own fortune for the talisman to accept you as its owner. Remember, the talisman is a sacred object that protects the world. With its power comes great responsibility.
Lin Dong, still confused, looked at Lin Yan, who just smiled without saying anything, showing no disappointment at not receiving the talisman.
Before disappearing, the elder called Lin Yan.
—Young friend, wait a moment.
The elder said:
—Your words moved me. I know you're aware of some secrets of this world and are willing to protect it. That's why I'll give you a chance. I can't give you the Devouring Ancestral Talisman, but I'll give you some of my devouring power, something that has been imbued in me for years. Although it's a small amount, it'll be useful to you.
With a gesture, a globe of black energy flew towards Lin Yan, as the space around him began to crumble and everything became blurred.
—Young friends, the future of this world is in your hands —said the elder, disappearing.
Lin Yan and Lin Dong found themselves back in the talisman cave, each with a new object: Lin Yan with a devouring energy sphere and Lin Dong with a black symbol.
Lin Yan looked at the altar, remembering the elder with respect. The guardians of the talisman had protected the world in life and continued to care for it even after death.
Lin Dong, still confused, asked:
—Brother Lin Yan, what did your words and the elder's mean?
Lin Yan, frowning, replied:
—It's complicated to explain now, but this world isn't as simple as it seems. In many places, there are ancient and powerful beings sealed. They desire destruction and conquest, waiting for the right moment to resurge. If that happens, it would be a catastrophe for the world.
Lin Dong, although still confused, understood that Lin Yan wasn't joking. He knew there was something bigger at stake.
So he couldn't help but ask:
—How strong are these powerful beings?
Lin Yan smiled faintly:
—Ancestral Level.
Lin Dong was stunned to hear that. Even Xiao Diao, who had always been somewhat arrogant, was also surprised. For them, the Ancestral Level was the pinnacle of warriors, a level they could only admire from afar.
At that moment, Lin Dong understood why Lin Yan said that talking more wouldn't do any good. With his current little strength, it made no sense to worry about such things.
Xiao Diao looked deeply at Lin Yan and commented:
—As the elder said, Lin Yan really hides a lot.
Lin Yan changed the subject with a smile:
—In summary, we'll talk about this later. Now, the important thing is to improve our strength.
With that said, he looked at the devouring power sphere in his hands. Although he didn't have the Devouring Ancestral Talisman, he didn't care too much since he had his own system and exotic flames. If he managed to obtain the second most powerful flame from the Exotic Flame List, the Devouring Void, it would be almost the same.
But since the elder had given it to him with good intentions, he accepted the gift. Lin Yan sat cross-legged, ready to absorb and refine the devouring energy to change the nature of his power.
However, as soon as the devouring energy entered his body, it was absorbed by his Chaos Talisman. The talisman emitted a bright golden light and mystical inscriptions appeared.
Lin Yan was surprised to see that his Chaos Talisman now had new abilities. When activated, a terrifying devouring force emerged from his body.
—Is this... the Devouring Ancestral Talisman? —Xiao Diao, inside the stone talisman, was dumbfounded.
Lin Dong also felt that Lin Yan's devouring force was more powerful than the talisman copy he had.
—Brother Lin Yan, how did you get the Devouring Ancestral Talisman? —asked Lin Dong, amazed.
Lin Yan opened his eyes, also surprised. He hadn't obtained the talisman, but after absorbing the devouring energy, his Chaos Talisman now had similar abilities.
—It's a product of the Tian Fu Sect of the Great World! —said Lin Yan, excited. His Chaos Talisman was no less than an Ancestral Talisman, being a treasure of the Tian Fu Sect, known for having many heavenly supremes.
—It seems I don't need the Devouring Ancestral Talisman —thought Lin Yan. Although the devouring force he had used wasn't as powerful as the real talisman's, he felt he could absorb more devouring energy to strengthen himself.
If Lin Dong obtained the Devouring Ancestral Talisman and shared a small part of its power, Lin Yan's Chaos Talisman could become as strong as the real talisman, without damaging the original, as the talisman would quickly recover.
With a plan in mind, Lin Yan answered Lin Dong's question:
—That was the ability of my Chaos Talisman. My talisman is very powerful, it might even be greater than the Devouring Ancestral Talisman you're meant to obtain. By absorbing the elder's devouring energy, my talisman now has some of its abilities.
Lin Dong, surprised and happy, said:
—Brother Lin Yan, if I get the Devouring Ancestral Talisman, can I share its energy with you? Then you would also have its powers.
Lin Yan, astonished, replied:
—Really? Aren't you afraid of ruining your talisman?
Lin Dong smiled:
—Brother Lin Yan, would you harm me?
Lin Yan smiled and shook his head:
—Of course not.
Lin Dong said:
—Then what is there to be afraid of?
Lin Yan laughed, knowing Lin Dong was sincere. He didn't want to dwell on the topic, as they had spent quite some time in this place. Although they had obtained good results, the opportunity at the Martial Fate Stele was greater and there were probably already many people there.
—Let's go to the Martial Fate Stele —said Lin Yan, getting up.
Lin Dong nodded and followed Lin Yan, both eager to discover what rewards awaited them at the Martial Fate Stele, the greatest opportunity of the Ancient Desolate Stele.
—Let's go! —said Lin Yan, starting to move.
—Let's go! —responded Lin Dong, following closely.
(End of chapter)
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