Geniuses Gather

After arriving safely at the imperial capital, Lin Langtian settled down at the Lin Family's lodging for over half a month.

During this half month, Lin Langtian thoroughly consolidated his Half-step Qi Shaping Realm cultivation once more, preparing to break through to the Qi Shaping Realm 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 capital, he learned that Ling Qingzhu was about to arrive.

Over the past few days, talented disciples from Great Sects renowned throughout the Great Yan Dynasty had arrived one after another, igniting the atmosphere in the imperial capital.

Although Ling Qingzhu's arrival in the Great Yan Empire was considered a rather private matter, there was no wall that could keep out the wind—especially beneath the Son of Heaven's feet, in the Imperial City.

Seeing that the geniuses of the Great Sects stationed across the various commanderies of the Great Yan Dynasty had all been drawn here, coupled with leaks from those in the know, some people came to learn bits of the inside story.

Once this news spread, it immediately became the hottest topic of conversation throughout the imperial capital.

Everyone eagerly discussed this disciple whom a Super Sect had dispatched to the Great Yan Empire. Ordinary people might not know much about Super Sects, but those in the imperial capital understood just how powerful they were.

In any case, Lin Langtian only knew that this welcoming ceremony, which the Imperial Family treated as a secret, had long since become common knowledge throughout the imperial capital.

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

The welcoming ceremony was held deep within the Imperial Palace. Under layers upon layers of tight security, only geniuses from the Major Factions were qualified to enter.

Of course, the number of people admitted 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 in the depths of the Imperial Palace, quite a few talented individuals from various factions were already there.

Lin Langtian raised his brows slightly, then led Lin Ke'er and Lin Chen to occupy a seat.

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

The hall was resplendent in its grandeur, displaying luxury and nobility. Clearly, the Imperial Family had put considerable effort into welcoming Ling Qingzhu.

After looking it over, Lin Langtian leisurely swept his gaze around. Several factions had already arrived, and judging from their auras, none were pushovers. Still, he did not recognize most of them.

This was not strange. Though he was the Lin Clan's number one genius, the Great Yan Dynasty had dozens of commanderies.

The factions capable of coming here were all rulers of a commandery. 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 Family, and the Three Great Sects were the strongest.

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

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

"I heard that Lin Langtian broke through to the Shaping Realm some time ago. Reaching the Shaping Realm at such an age, his talent truly is formidable. In the Seed Selection a few years from now, he'll definitely be a formidable opponent."

"Yeah. There are probably only a handful of factions capable of surpassing Lin Langtian, such as the Imperial Family and the Wang Clan."

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

Why else? Lin Langtian was the Lin Clan's number one genius and the pride of everyone in the Lin Clan!

"Brother Langtian, I heard that you became a Law Enforcement Elder some time ago. Among the few of us, you've truly taken the lead."

Just as Lin Langtian was preparing to close his eyes and rest, the sound of wind breaking suddenly rang out nearby. Two figures then appeared on a platform not far away.

Lin Langtian turned his gaze toward the sound. He sensed rather strong auras from the two figures.

The one on the left was a man in blue robes, his features so handsome they could be called bewitching. Even Lin Langtian had to admit that, in terms of appearance, he was slightly inferior.

He held a dark blue feather fan in his hand, slowly fanning himself with it and exuding an aristocratic elegance.

The one on the right was a man in golden robes with loose hair cascading over his shoulders. His face was filled with arrogance, and his bearing was like a long spear—proud and imposing.

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

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

Upon seeing the two men appear, the crowd erupted once again. The Four Great Clans were the foremost powers of the Great Yan Empire, and the gathering of geniuses from three great clans was truly an eye-opener for them.

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

He did not have much interest 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 secure a spot in the Seed Selection a few years later.

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

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

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

Hearing this, Qin Shi gently 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 putting it... was far too unbecoming.

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

These geniuses from the various commanderies of the Great Yan Empire also broadened Lin Langtian's horizons somewhat.

However, although geniuses had gathered in great numbers, Lin Langtian did not take them to heart. The Original Body's aptitude had already been exceptional, and after his rebirth, with the boost of all sorts of fortuitous encounters, his current strength was also outstanding among these geniuses.

In the entire Great Hall, only two people caught his attention slightly. They were:

Heavenly Net Sect, Du Yun!

Savage King Sect, Man Shan!

In Lin Langtian's memories, it had also been these two in the Original Timeline who had taken two of the five Seed Selection slots, which showed just how gifted they were.

As Lin Langtian sized them up, the two seemed to notice something and looked back at him as well.

Du Yun responded with a faint smile, but the trace of gravity deep in his eyes exposed his true thoughts.

Compared to Du Yun, Man Shan was much more direct. The moment he looked at Lin Langtian, blazing battle intent flared in his eyes. If not for the inappropriate setting, he likely would have challenged Lin Langtian on the spot.

"Dong!"

Once the geniuses from the Major Factions had arrived one after another, a clear Bell Chime Sound rang out through Mid-air.

"Rustle!"

As the bell rang, fully armed Elite Army troops immediately poured in from all around, sealing off the entire area so tightly that no one could possibly force their way inside.

At this sight, nearly everyone present fell silent and turned their gazes toward the entrance. They knew that next, the rulers of the Great Yan Dynasty—the imperial family—would make their appearance.

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

He wore a dragon robe that exuded immense nobility. He appeared to be around the same age as Lin Fan, who was likewise an influential figure in the Great Yan Dynasty. Yet compared to this man, Lin Fan somehow always seemed slightly dimmer.

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

The Imperial Tiger, Mo Jingtian!