Gathering of Geniuses

After arriving safely in the Imperial City, Lin Langtian stayed at the Lin Family's foothold for nearly half a month.

During that half month, Lin Langtian had completely stabilized his Half-step Qi Creation Stage cultivation once more, ready to break through to the Qi Creation Stage at any time.

However, this leisurely cultivation came to a complete end on the tenth day.

After receiving notice from the steward of the Lin Mansion in the Imperial City, he learned that Ling Qingzhu was about to arrive in the Imperial City.

Over the past few days, talented disciples from major sects renowned throughout the Great Yan Dynasty had arrived one after another, igniting the atmosphere in the Imperial City.

Although Ling Qingzhu's arrival in the Great Yan Empire was relatively internal business, there were no secrets that could be kept forever, especially beneath the Son of Heaven's feet in the imperial capital.

Seeing that the geniuses of these major sects, each stationed across the various prefectures of the Great Yan Dynasty, had all been drawn here at once, and with information leaked by certain insiders, some people learned a portion of the inside story.

As soon as this news spread, it instantly became the hottest topic throughout the Imperial City.

Everyone eagerly discussed this disciple dispatched to the Great Yan Empire by a Super Sect. Though ordinary people did not know much about the existence of Super Sects, the people of the Imperial City understood their power.

In any case, Lin Langtian only knew that this welcoming ceremony, treated as a secret by the Imperial Clan and the others, had long since become the talk of the Imperial City.

For this trip, Lin Langtian did not bring many people. He only took Lin Ke'er and Lin Chen before heading for the Imperial Palace.

The welcoming ceremony was held deep within the Imperial Palace. Under layers of strict security, only geniuses from the major factions were qualified to enter.

Naturally, the number of entrants was also strictly limited. After all, this was the Imperial Palace, and certain rules had to be observed.

When Lin Langtian and the others arrived deep within the Imperial Palace, quite a few geniuses from various factions were already there.

Lin Langtian raised his brow at this, then led Lin Ke'er and Lin Chen to claim a seat.

Only now did Lin Langtian have time to examine the venue before him. It was an enormous, magnificent hall.

The hall was extravagantly splendid, exuding luxury and nobility. Clearly, the Imperial Clan had put considerable thought into welcoming Ling Qingzhu.

After looking it over, Lin Langtian finally had the leisure to scan his surroundings. Some factions had already arrived, and judging by their auras, none of them were weak. However, he did not recognize most of them.

This was hardly strange. Though he was the Lin Clan's number one genius, the Great Yan Dynasty had dozens of prefectures.

The factions able to come here were all rulers of their respective prefectures. There were simply too many of them for even him to recognize every one.

Of course, among these factions, the Four Great Clans, the Imperial Clan, and the three major sects were the strongest.

Although Lin Langtian had little interest in the geniuses of these factions, his arrival caused quite a stir within the hall.

"Lin Langtian, the Lin Clan's number one genius. He's here."

"I heard Lin Langtian broke through to the Form Creation Realm some time ago. Reaching the Form Creation Realm at such a young age—his talent truly is formidable. In the Seed Selection a few years from now, he will definitely be a formidable opponent."

"Indeed. There are probably only a handful of factions, such as the Imperial Clan and the Wang Clan, that can surpass Lin Langtian."

Whispers continuously rose around them. Lin Langtian's expression remained calm, but upon hearing them, Lin Ke'er and Lin Chen proudly puffed out their chests.

There was no other reason. Lin Langtian was the Lin Clan's number one genius and the pride of everyone in the Lin Clan!

"Brother Langtian, I heard you were promoted to Law Enforcement Elder some time ago. Among us, you've truly gotten a step ahead."

Just as Lin Langtian was about to close his eyes and rest, the sound of rushing wind suddenly came from nearby. Then, two figures appeared on a platform not far away.

Lin Langtian's gaze followed the sound of the wind. From these two figures, he sensed rather powerful auras.

The one on the left was a Blue-robed Man. His features were so handsome they could be called bewitching. Even Lin Langtian had to admit that, in terms of appearance, he fell slightly short.

He held a dark blue feather fan in his hand and slowly waved it, carrying the elegance of a nobleman.

As for the one on the right, he was a Gold-robed Man with long hair draped over his shoulders. His face was full of arrogance, and his bearing was like a spear—proud and imposing.

"It's Qin Shi, the Qin Clan's genius!"

"The other one is Wang Yan, the Wang Clan's genius!"

At the sight of the two arrivals, the crowd erupted once more. The Four Great Clans were the foremost powers of the Great Yan Empire. With geniuses from three of the great clans gathered here, the onlookers had truly broadened their horizons.

"Oh, Qin Shi, Wang Yan. It's you two. What, have you come to join the excitement as well?" Lin Langtian lifted his eyelids slightly and said blandly.

He was not particularly interested in either of them.

Although the Qin Clan stood alongside the Lin Clan as one of the Four Great Clans, it had gradually declined. This could be seen from the fact that the Qin Clan failed to obtain a spot in the Seed Selection several years later.

As for Wang Yan, whether in strength or talent within the Wang Clan, he was inferior to his older brother, Wang Zhong.

"Hehe, the Imperial Clan has specially arranged a welcoming ceremony for the disciple dispatched to the Great Yan Empire by a Super Sect. Naturally, we must show our support," Qin Shi said with a slight smile.

"Hmph, to put it bluntly, weren't our clan elders the ones who specifically told us to curry favor with these Super Sect disciples?" Wang Yan raised his brow and said directly.

At this, Qin Shi lightly waved the feather fan in his hand, a bitter smile appearing on his lips.

Though that was indeed the truth, this fellow's way of saying it... was far too undignified.

As the few of them chatted idly, the vast hall gradually filled with people.

These geniuses from the various prefectures of the Great Yan Empire also opened Lin Langtian's eyes somewhat.

However, though geniuses had gathered in droves, Lin Langtian did not take them to heart. The original owner had possessed considerable talent to begin with, and after his rebirth, he had received the aid of countless fortuitous encounters. His current strength was also exceptionally outstanding among these geniuses.

In the entire hall, only two people caught his attention slightly.

Du Yun of the Heavenly Net Sect!

Man Shan of the Savage King Sect!

In Lin Langtian's memories, these two had also taken two of the five Seed Selection spots in the original timeline. This alone showed their talent.

As Lin Langtian assessed them, the two seemed to sense something and looked back at him as well.

Du Yun returned his gaze with a faint smile, but the trace of solemnity deep in his eyes revealed his true thoughts.

Compared to Du Yun, Man Shan was far more direct. His eyes immediately blazed with intense fighting intent as he looked at Lin Langtian. If the occasion had not been inappropriate, he likely would have challenged Lin Langtian on the spot.

Dong!

After the geniuses from the major factions arrived one after another, a clear bell chime rang through the air.

Crash!

As the bell sounded, fully armed elite troops surged in from all sides, tightly surrounding the area. No one could possibly force their way in.

At this display, nearly everyone present fell silent and turned their gazes toward the entrance. They knew that the ruler of the Great Yan Dynasty, the Imperial Clan, should be making its appearance next.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, a large group poured in through the entrance. At their head was a Middle-aged Man with black-and-white hair.

He wore a dragon robe and exuded an air of profound nobility. He seemed to be around the same age as Lin Fan. The latter was also a major figure in the Great Yan Dynasty, but compared to this man, he somehow always seemed slightly dimmer.

After all, no matter what, this man was the current ruler of the Great Yan Dynasty.

The Imperial Clan's Tyrant Tiger, Mo Jingtian!