Chapter 1789: Sharing the Scripture
"Such formidable array mastery. Even that grandmaster-level array cultivator was completely defeated in the contest of formations and was obliterated by his arrays." The crowd watched Lin Feng's array battle with that array grandmaster, speaking quietly to themselves.
Ji Wuyou and Yuwen Hou's expressions shifted. In particular, Yuwen Hou had once dispatched five experts from the Hidden King List: Human List to assassinate Lin Feng, including Feng Heisha, a member of the Earth List. Yet Lin Feng was still alive, while the others had died mysteriously. This matter could not be pursued publicly, as it would only damage the reputation of his Ji Sect. But now, it seemed possible that Lin Feng had indeed used his array abilities to kill those people.
Lin Feng's gaze turned toward Yan Di, who smiled and said, "I, Yan Di, stated earlier that whoever kills him shall receive the inheritance of my Tian Yan Holy Clan. Come here. From now on, you are a member of my Tian Yan Holy Clan."
"I wonder what this fellow is up to." Lin Feng stepped forward and arrived before Yan Di. Yan Di's divine sense rippled, and a vast amount of information surged into Lin Feng's mind.
No one interrupted. They all wanted to see what Yan Di was passing on to Lin Feng.
After the divine sense transmission was complete, a golden light flashed in Lin Feng's eyes as he stared at Yan Di.
"How is my Tian Yan Holy Clan's ancient scripture?" Yan Di asked with a smile. Now acting as the crown prince of the Tian Yan Holy Clan, he exuded a majestic kingly aura, as if his words were law and his actions decisive, making people instinctively believe him.
Lin Feng's brow twitched as he silently cursed Yan Di. This time, the bastard had really set him up. Things would be turbulent again from now on. Of course, obtaining the Heavenly Derivation Scripture made the sacrifice worthwhile.
"The Tian Yan Holy Clan's ancient scripture, the Heavenly Derivation Scripture, is profound and extensive. I still need to study it carefully; it cannot be mastered overnight. Thank you, Crown Prince." Lin Feng nodded slightly, causing the pupils of the crowd to contract. Had Lin Feng really obtained the Heavenly Derivation Scripture?
Many eyes shone with astonishing light, fixed intently on Lin Feng as if trying to discern the truth.
"One gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, three gives birth to all things. From the one, all things are ultimately derived. This Heavenly Derivation Scripture shares the same origin as the Tian Yan Holy Clan's myriad array formations, both following the principles of the Great Dao. All things in the great world have a beginning but no end—this is boundlessness. Starting from the beginning, continuously exploring, pursuing ever deeper derivations—this is the Heavenly Derivation."
Lin Feng murmured softly. His simple words seemed to contain the profound principles of the Dao, causing the crowd to reveal sharp glints. It seemed Lin Feng had indeed obtained the Heavenly Derivation Scripture.
"Most people speak of having both a beginning and an end, but the Heavenly Derivation Scripture teaches that all things have a beginning yet no end—infinite derivation, capable of generating infinite Daos. As you said, this scripture aligns with my Tian Yan Holy Clan's myriad array formations, sharing the same foundational origin. The path of arrays can be endlessly derived, with no limit and no final endpoint."
Yan Di said calmly. The two spoke peacefully, as if discussing the Great Dao. The crowd listened thoughtfully, seemingly forgetting the purpose of their visit.
"I believe that Xi Huang, who cultivates the Three Lives Scripture, would also agree." Yan Di's gaze fell on Xi Huang as he spoke with a smile.
Xi Huang looked at Yan Di, her beautiful eyes as calm as water, without a single ripple. In this world, people came and went for profit. Yan Di grasped human nature, seizing people's hearts, shaking their resolve. For them to make a move and kill Yan Di now was likely impossible. And those who cultivated the Reincarnation Art could awaken at any moment. The old patriarch of the Tian Yan Holy Clan had not miscalculated in this game of chess. He had waited for Yan Di to arrive first, not anyone else.
Because Yan Di had arrived first, everything seemed to have changed.
At this moment, Yan Di looked at the crowd and smiled, saying, "As I said before, since my Tian Yan Holy Clan's ancestors left their inheritance here for outstanding descendants to obtain, I will still honor that. If any of you with exceptional talent are willing to join my Tian Yan Holy Clan, once my clan's elders obtain the Reincarnation Art, they may accept you as personal disciples, passing on the Tian Yan Holy Clan's legacy and reviving the Tian Yan clan."
"Since I have already obtained the Tian Yan Holy Clan's ancient scripture, my friends and I are naturally willing to stand on the side of the Tian Yan Holy Clan. However, we will only serve as guest elders, not as members of the holy clan." Lin Feng smiled and nodded slightly to Hou Qinglin and the others. They stepped forward one after another and came to stand beside Lin Feng.
"Where is the exit of this ancient hall?" Xi Huang asked Yan Di calmly.
"The exit of the ancient hall is at the entrance. Return the way you came, and there will be no further obstacles. If any of you wish to leave, you are free to do so. I'm sure you've all seen that my Tian Yan Holy Clan has no intention of killing you; we only wanted to eliminate the weak and mediocre. Otherwise, with my clan's array mastery, no one would have been able to reach this place." At this moment, Yan Di was elegant and refined, completely devoid of his usual lecherous demeanor, causing Lin Feng to silently curse the old bastard for being too skilled.
Xi Huang and Jiuyou turned around and walked outside, actually giving up just like that, causing many people's pupils to contract slightly.
Xi Huang left with her people. Even those who still wanted to make a move now completely suppressed that thought.
"Whether you stay or leave is up to you." Yan Di said to the crowd. Those who had arrived later in the great hall showed disappointed expressions. Not only had they missed the chance to observe the statues—which were almost all shattered—but there was also no treasure at the end. Yan Di had already entered this ancient hall long ago and had likely taken everything.
"What should we do?" Yuwen Jing whispered. Ji Wuyou stared at Lin Feng, his sharp gaze piercing. He transmitted a message, saying, "He has obtained the Heavenly Derivation Scripture. We'll wait for him outside the ancient hall. Even if we can't get it in Sky-Gazing Ancient Capital, as long as he returns to War King Academy, the Heavenly Derivation Scripture will be ours as well. This ancient scripture is said to be able to transform one's talent. Even a person of ordinary aptitude can, through its heaven-defying derivation ability, become exceptionally gifted. I want to test it out."
"Ji Wuyou is right. Since Lin Feng has obtained the Heavenly Derivation Scripture, it's no different from us obtaining it. Let's go out." Yuwen Hou and the others transmitted messages to each other, then walked outside, their deep pupils containing sharp light.
Those from the various academies naturally could not join the Tian Yan Holy Clan either. Cold glints flashed in their eyes as they each harbored their own thoughts. Although this trip had been fruitless, coming to Sky-Gazing Ancient Capital was still a form of training. Moreover, there was still a chance to obtain the Heavenly Derivation Scripture. With this thought, they too turned and left.
The number of people in the golden hall gradually decreased. Lin Feng felt a hint of surprise. If Yan Di had not made him kill those people, and if everyone had crossed the formation together, they would have had fewer scruples and would likely have attacked Yan Di directly.
But now, no one dared to act rashly. After all, the Tian Yan Holy Clan's senior experts were sitting there cultivating the Reincarnation Art. No one knew if they could awaken and fight directly. Another reason was that this golden hall was the Tian Yan Holy Clan's territory. Yan Di, as the crown prince, had obtained everything within. It was hard to guarantee that he had no other means to deal with them. Throughout, Yan Di had been too calm and composed, exuding strong confidence.
As for truly joining the Tian Yan Holy Clan, they had no such intention. It was impossible to gauge how sincere Yan Di was. Moreover, those who had come here were either prominent figures or descendants of major powers. They had no reason to revive the Tian Yan Holy Clan.
Thus, the number of people in the golden hall grew smaller and smaller as they left one after another. Those who had felt some impulse could only leave with disappointment after seeing others depart.
After everyone had left, Lin Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief. Yan Di rubbed his head and muttered, "What a false alarm. But fortunately, this emperor's might remains undiminished. No one dared to offend me."
"Uh..." The people around Lin Feng were stunned. How had this guy's demeanor changed instantly? Although Yan Di was still wearing a golden long robe and a crown, he no longer had the bearing he had just moments ago, instead revealing a roguish air.
"What were you planning to do if they had attacked?" Lin Feng cursed under his breath.
"What else could I do? Run." Yan Di rolled his eyes. His robe sleeves moved slightly, and some array talismans appeared in his hand, but he quickly put them away. Seeing this, Lin Feng silently cursed the guy. Although he was the crown prince of the Tian Yan Holy Clan, his lecherous personality hadn't changed at all.
"All of you outstanding talents are Lin Feng's friends, right? I've watched Lin Feng grow up. Back in Yangzhou City, he was an ordinary, mediocre youth. But after meeting this emperor, I transformed his talent and took him on adventures across the land, which led to his current passable aptitude. How about you all follow me from now on? I guarantee that your talents will catch up to Lin Feng's, making you peerless experts and creating the myth of the Heavenly Derivation."
Yan Di put on a grand and imposing air, speaking to Hou Qinglin and the others.
Lin Feng was completely speechless at Yan Di's words. "We helped you like this. How do you plan to repay us?"
"This emperor bestows upon you the status of Tian Yan Holy Clan elders. How about that?" Yan Di declared solemnly.
"Get lost!" Lin Feng choked on his breath, then couldn't help but curse. This old, undying bastard. Becoming an elder of the Tian Yan Holy Clan meant they would have to follow him to revive the clan. They had no such leisure. The Heavenly Terrace still needed to grow.
"Forget it. We probably can't leave this golden hall for now. We plan to cultivate here for a while. Also, I will teach them the Heavenly Derivation Scripture. You old bastard won't object, will you?" Lin Feng said to Yan Di, causing the crowd's pupils to contract as they stared at Lin Feng. Teaching them the Heavenly Derivation Scripture—this ancient scripture was no small matter.
"As long as they become elders of my Tian Yan Holy Clan, I have no objection." Yan Di continued to negotiate.
"We have already rebuilt the Heavenly Terrace. We cannot join the Tian Yan Holy Clan, but we can become guest elders. From now on, the Heavenly Terrace and the Tian Yan Holy Clan will be united, advancing and retreating together. I can agree to that." Lin Feng replied.
Yan Di rolled his eyes and glanced at the Tian Yan Holy Clan experts who were cultivating. This little brat really had his style. Calculated this way, it seemed Lin Feng and the Heavenly Terrace were the ones getting the advantage.
But forget it. As Yan Di, how could he be petty? Besides, he understood Lin Feng's intentions. These fellows were already exceptionally talented. If they also obtained the Heavenly Derivation Scripture, they would surely undergo another transformation, their talents reaching new heights. They would surely become great in the future. He had high hopes for the Heavenly Terrace as well!