Chapter 58: Stirring Things Up
After absorbing such a massive amount of spiritual energy, Lin Langtian couldn't help but feel almost bloated with power.
He knew he had to refine this energy quickly.
With that thought, his gaze shifted toward the entrance to the sixth floor. The fifth floor's cleansing power was helpful, but it wasn't enough for him now. To break through to the Spirit Symbol Master level, he needed the power from the upper floors of the Symbol Master Tower.
Deciding to move up, Lin Langtian turned to the Lin City Symbol Masters, who were gazing at him with awe. "I'm heading further up. You should stay here and focus on your training," he instructed.
With that, he flicked his finger, tossing three spirit-replenishing elixirs to the three injured members. Not lingering any longer, he turned and entered the spiritual barrier to the sixth floor, disappearing from sight.
Watching Lin Langtian reach the sixth floor, the eight Lin City Symbol Masters exchanged looks of respect and admiration.
"No wonder Brother Langtian is one of the top talents of the Grand Flame Empire. His spiritual power is as impressive as his physical prowess. Truly, an inspiration for us all," one muttered, still amazed.
As the others spoke in awe, Lin Langtian was already ascending to the sixth floor of the Symbol Master Tower. Upon setting foot on the floor, he felt a wave of intense spiritual pressure, strong enough that his knees bent slightly under the weight.
"Whew…"
Straightening up, Lin Langtian took a deep breath. Step by heavy step, he advanced toward the path to the seventh floor. While the seventh floor was only meant for Spirit Symbol Masters, Lin Langtian was determined to test his own limits.
The intense cleansing power he needed to refine his absorbed spiritual energy was likely only accessible in the upper levels.
With resolve, he set his sights on the barrier to the seventh floor. He didn't pay attention to the other Symbol Masters on the sixth floor, though many looked on in shock as he advanced. Their expressions quickly turned to astonishment as they realized where he was headed.
"The seventh floor is for Spirit Symbol Masters only!" whispered one onlooker, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Ignoring their reactions, Lin Langtian approached the seventh-floor barrier, feeling its formidable spiritual resistance. This level truly was restricted to Spirit Symbol Masters alone, with spiritual energy pulsing with a powerful, daunting force.
Seeing this, Lin Langtian's expression grew more serious. He closed his eyes, focusing intensely as the four natal symbols in his mind trembled violently, each one radiating waves of energy that combined to envelop him.
Once fully shielded by this force, Lin Langtian took a determined step forward, crossing into the barrier as the remaining Symbol Masters on the sixth floor watched, transfixed.
"Bzzzt!"
The barrier pulsed with energy as soon as Lin Langtian entered it, vibrating with intense pressure as a strange hum emanated from it. The spiritual barrier pushed in from all directions, seeking to repel him.
"Hmph!"
Lin Langtian's eyes narrowed. With a snort of defiance, he straightened his body, resisting the crushing force. Slowly but with unstoppable steadiness, he advanced through the barrier.
"Whoosh…"
As Lin Langtian pushed forward, ripples spread across the barrier like waves on water, growing increasingly intense until, finally, his figure disappeared from view.
"He…he made it!"
The few Symbol Masters on the sixth floor looked at each other, their faces filled with shock.
For a long while, they gazed at the now-empty barrier, stunned.
"How is this possible? Could Lin Langtian actually be a Spirit Symbol Master?"
Outside the Symbol Master Tower, a group gathered around the plaza where the tower loomed, with Lin Mo and his companions staring up at the tall structure.
The Symbol Master Tower was glowing with numerous points of light, indicating the various levels. Each light represented a Symbol Master inside, with the lights growing fainter toward the top. By the ninth floor, all lights had faded, but one bright spot still glowed on the eighth floor. There were two lights on the seventh floor.
"It seems Jin Xing and Huangpu Yun have both reached the seventh floor, and the eighth-floor light must be Ling Quan," murmured a middle-aged Symbol Master beside Lin Mo.
Ling Quan, the disciple of the Grand Flame Empire's sole half-step Celestial Symbol Master, was renowned for his extraordinary talent. Huangpu City had likely paid a high price to secure his help in the battle for the tower, so Lin Mo feared Lin City might be at a serious disadvantage this time.
Though Lin Mo said nothing, his tightly clenched fists betrayed his worry.
"Ha! It seems the Symbol Master Tower will remain with Huangpu City," remarked Huangpu Nuo, the Symbol Master head of Huangpu City's association, with a mocking smile.
Lin Mo turned to respond, but just then, a surprised voice nearby called out, "Wait! Someone else entered the seventh floor! Who could it be?"
Lin Mo's attention snapped to the tower. Even Huangpu Nuo's face registered surprise as he looked at the seventh-floor lights, where a new point had indeed appeared.
"Who could it be? No one in Huangpu City has the strength to reach the seventh floor!"
Huangpu Nuo's eyes narrowed. If the light wasn't from one of their own, then it must belong to someone from Lin City.
Sensing the flash of joy on Lin Mo's face, Huangpu Nuo realized who it must be.
"That light should be Lin Langtian!" Lin Mo said, a smile spreading across his face.
"Lin Langtian? Impossible!"
Huangpu Nuo's eyes narrowed. He had always known Lin Langtian as a powerful warrior famous for his mastery of elemental energy, but never as a formidable Symbol Master.
"Hmph, even if he has reached the seventh floor, it doesn't matter. With Ling Quan here, Huangpu City will secure the Symbol Master Tower!"
Though Huangpu Nuo tried to maintain his composure, he inwardly seethed. As the disciple of a half-step Celestial Symbol Master, Ling Quan was in a league of his own, someone even Lin Langtian couldn't possibly surpass.
While Huangpu Nuo assured himself of Ling Quan's superiority, the news of Lin Langtian's ascent to the seventh floor spread like wildfire. The empire's most celebrated prodigy, Lin Langtian, was now revealed to be a powerful Spirit Symbol Master as well.
To be skilled in both elemental and spiritual power—and to excel at both—was an unprecedented feat in the history of the Grand Flame Empire. This achievement added yet another layer of brilliance to Lin Langtian's reputation.
While the news of Lin Langtian's advancement spread, two slender figures quietly approached the plaza in front of the Symbol Master Tower.
One was a tall, silver-haired woman in a pale green dress, beautiful and elegant. Yet even her beauty paled slightly beside the other, who wore a mask and carried an air of ethereal grace, as though untouched by the world.
These two were none other than Ling Qingzhu and Huangpu Jing.