C1342 Son of Heaven
C1342 Son of Heaven
After completing these tasks and understanding the function of the Celestial Essence Sacred Badge, Lin Xuan focused his thoughts. The Celestial Essence Sacred Token radiated a white glow, enveloping him. In an instant, Lin Xuan vanished from the hall.
He reappeared in the hall where Wu Tumie had been. Wu Tumie was still seated at the head, and upon seeing Lin Xuan, his eyes widened with surprise. "Nephew Lin, have you already managed to cultivate the Celestial Essence Holy Spirit Technique to the beginner level?" He was astounded. This was a High-grade Supreme Level technique, the most advanced he had ever encountered. Despite his efforts to cultivate it, after expending considerable energy, resources, and several months, he hadn't even reached the beginner level. Instead, he had wasted his time without any progress, as if a towering mountain blocked his path with no way forward. Reluctantly, he had abandoned the effort.
The technique he practiced, the Desolate Essence Technique, might sound imposing, but it was actually one of the easiest and weakest among the Low-grade Supreme Level techniques. It had taken him most of his life, constant refinement, and numerous life-and-death trials to barely achieve Great Completion. In contrast, the Celestial Essence Holy Spirit Technique, a core legacy of the Sky Origin Temple, was two grades higher, at the High-grade Supreme Level. It stood as one of the most formidable among its peers.
For him, the Celestial Essence Holy Spirit Technique was akin to tantalizing yet unreachable delicacies. Generously, he had passed it on to Lin Xuan. In reality, it was nothing more than a trial.
The Sky Origin Holy Spirit Technique, a High-grade Supreme Level art, stood as the pinnacle of the legacies bequeathed by the Sky Origin Temple. Should Lin Xuan fail to reach the beginner level in his cultivation, there were other methods prepared for him, such as techniques of the Middle Grade Supreme Level or even those of the Low-grade Middle Grade. Yet, to everyone's astonishment, Lin Xuan emerged successful in just a day. His rapid progress was startling. Was the Supreme Level aptitude truly that formidable? Wu Tumie pondered with a heavy heart. Or perhaps Lin Xuan's innate understanding far exceeded their expectations? Indeed, he was the continent's final beacon of hope.
For them, the greater Lin Xuan's talent and insight, the better. Wu Tumie's face lit up with even more delight. "Senior Uncle, I have reached the beginner level and have bonded with the Celestial Essence Sacred Token," Lin Xuan reported, his demeanor composed. "Excellent!" Wu Tumie exclaimed, his approval resounding thrice. With Lin Xuan's initiation into the Sky Origin Holy Spirit Technique, his identity as a core member of the Sky Origin Temple was indisputable, and their strategic alliance was now cemented. They had successfully aligned themselves on the same front, at least until their shared difficulties were overcome, making the trust between them solid.
"Given these circumstances, Nephew Lin, you are hereby the new Holy Son of the Sky Origin Temple. You no longer need to address me as Martial Uncle. My full name is Wu Tumie. Please, call me Elder Wu henceforth, as we are equals," Wu Tumie declared, his voice carrying a newfound respect. The two now stood on level ground.
"I understand. My thanks for your support, Elder Wu," Lin Xuan responded with a bow. In the hierarchy of the Sky Origin Temple, a warrior like Wu Tumie would typically serve as an Outer Sect Elder, a position somewhat beneath that of the Holy Son. But times had changed, and Lin Xuan was not one to hold himself above others. Their equal status was fitting and proper.
Currently, he is merely a Holy Son, and his strength falls short of his adversary's. The Tianyuan Secret Realm remains under the latter's control. He is not in a position to command him. To truly take charge of the Sky Origin Temple and issue orders, he would need to surpass his opponent in strength and subdue him. Ultimately, strength is what commands respect.
"Holy Son, within the Sky Origin Temple, we now only have three Half-level Emperors, twenty-six Emperor Level Martial Cultivators, and over three hundred King Level Martial Cultivators remaining. Aside from myself, there are five Emperor Level Martial Cultivators and over fifty King Level Martial Cultivators who are awake. The rest are in slumber. The Sky Origin Temple cannot sustain such a large number of martial cultivators indefinitely."
"I'll have them all come to meet the Holy Son," Wu Tumie offered amiably.
"Thank you, Elder Wu," Lin Xuan replied with a nod, acknowledging that he had truly become one of their own. This could well be a formidable force under his command in the future. Remarkably, within the Tianyuan Secret Realm, there were three warriors of the same Half-level Emperor stature as Wu Tumie. It's no wonder they were a formidable force that once dominated the continent. Just three Half-level Emperors could easily become the supreme rulers of the Central Essence Continent. If they were as formidable as Wu Tumie, they could rival the two great halls, and surpassing them wouldn't be out of the question. Nevertheless, Lin Xuan understood that they wouldn't simply submit to him because of his title as a Holy Son. He would have to prove his own strength.
"Everyone, come forth," Wu Tumie commanded, gesturing with his hand. A series of white teleportation lights flickered, and figures began to materialize in the hall, arranged by their level of cultivation. The two at the forefront had reached the pinnacle of the Emperor Level. The next three were at the Middle stage of the Martial Monarch Stage. Over fifty King Level Martial Cultivators were present as well, each at least in the Late Martial King Stage. Among them was Zhang Haitao, the Emperor Level Martial Cultivator Lin Xuan had encountered on his first visit to the Tianyuan Secret Realm.
"This is Lin Xuan, the newly appointed Holy Son of the Sky Origin Temple."
Wu Tumie introduced himself, saying, "My subordinates have met the Holy Son. May your path in martial arts flourish!"
The group of several dozen echoed in chorus.
Their demeanor was markedly different from Wu Tumie's; they were exceedingly respectful.
Their gazes were fervent, as if they were beholding a glimmer of hope.
"Greetings to you all! I will certainly exert every effort to restore the Sky Origin Temple," Lin Xuan responded with gravity.
A sense of solemnity rose within him.
These fifty-odd individuals were all, without exception, Indestructible Puppets.
They were no longer of the human race.
Indeed, without transforming into Indestructible Puppets, they could not have possibly survived to this day.
They would have been eroded by the passage of time.
Reviving the Sky Origin Temple must have become their final, enduring will to live.
The group was visibly more stirred.
"Dismissed," Wu Tumie then instructed, and the crowd dispersed.
Clearly, at this moment, Wu Tumie held a higher status than Lin Xuan, the Holy Son.
Given that Lin Xuan had only recently arrived, this was to be expected.
"Holy Son, we have endured within the Tianyuan Secret Realm, evading the Demon Essence Race's relentless pursuit, for more years than I can count. Our very essence has long since merged with that of the Secret Realm," Wu Tumie elaborated.