Wu dong Qian Kun: I, Lin Langtian, Refuse to be a Supporting Character

”The Head Master wants to see me?” Lin Langtian’s heart skipped a beat when he heard the messenger’s words. His expression shifted, mind racing with thoughts. Had Ren Yuanzi discovered something suspicious? Or did he simply want to question him?

Suppressing the nervous churn within, Lin Langtian directed his gaze at Fen Cang, who, after a moment of contemplation, gave a slight nod. ”Since the Head Master has summoned you, don’t keep him waiting. Go quickly.”

”Yes, sir,” Lin Langtian replied, nodding respectfully before following the messenger deep into Yuan Gate’s inner sanctum.

Here, three majestic mountains floated in midair, radiating rays of golden light like a glorious sunrise illuminating the entire Yuan Gate. To countless disciples, these mountains were revered as sacred grounds, housing Yuan Gate’s three Head Masters in deep meditation.

As Lin Langtian looked up at the three mountains encased in mystical light, he couldn’t help but feel a tremor of awe.

Lost in contemplation, he was jolted by a strange surge of energy from his Spirit Sea. The source? His Devouring Ancestral Symbol, which had long been dormant, now stirred within him. His expression tightened. ”Could it be…?”

Other than the Ancestor Stone or other Ancestral Symbols, only items like the Spatial Ancestral Symbol could resonate with his Devouring Ancestral Symbol. Lin Langtian knew well that Yuan Gate held a piece of the Spatial Ancestral Symbol, taken from the infamous Zhou Tong.

”No wonder I couldn’t sense any trace of Zhou Tong or the Spatial Ancestral Symbol recently,” he mused. ”They must be hidden in the Head Masters’ sanctum all this time.”

Lin Langtian felt no comfort in his discovery, for he knew that the Head Masters’ constant vigilance made any attempt to obtain the symbol all but impossible.

Lost in thought, Lin Langtian followed his guide to the mountain on the far right. ”From here on, you’ll go alone,” the messenger said, pointing toward the entrance. ”The Head Master awaits you inside.”

Nodding, Lin Langtian steeled himself, taking a deep breath before walking forward with utmost caution.

The winding path led him to the mountain’s depths, where he soon stopped at a desolate stone tower that rose from the mountainside. Weathered and scarred by the years, the tower bore a weighty aura of ancientness. Atop the tower, seated cross-legged in meditation, was a figure dressed in a purple and gold robe, calm and unmoving as though carved from stone.

Though there was no visible energy around him, Lin Langtian quickly sensed that the very forces of heaven and earth subtly shifted in sync with the man’s breathing.

Just from the sight of this figure, Lin Langtian felt his Golden Spirit Wheel and the Devouring Ancestral Symbol instinctively recoil, cloaking themselves deep within him. This phenomenon was rare, only having happened once before, when he’d encountered the fabled Que Tian in an ancient space.

Realization struck Lin Langtian—this was indeed the Head Master Ren Yuanzi, one of Yuan Gate’s three Wheel-Turning Stage masters.

”Disciple Lin Langtian, paying respects to the Head Master,” he said, bowing respectfully.

For a long moment, there was no response. The silence stretched on, so still that it seemed as if time itself had frozen. Then, a faint cracking sound broke the stillness, and Ren Yuanzi’s long-closed eyes slowly opened.

A great roar of energy burst forth as clouds churned in the sky, winds whipped violently, and leaves spiraled in frenzied waves around the mountain. As Lin Langtian met those ancient, fathomless eyes, he felt his mind reel, as if he were caught in the orbit of two blazing suns.

Ren Yuanzi rose, stepping down from the stone tower and crossing the air toward Lin Langtian, who, for the first time, took in the Head Master’s strange appearance: silver hair, ancient, profound eyes, but smooth, childlike skin.

Strength.

This was the first thought that registered in Lin Langtian’s mind. Fen Cang, Yan Ba, even the formidable Dugu Qi—all were nothing compared to this master. His power felt like an endless ocean, overwhelming and impossible to fathom.

”You are Lin Langtian, champion of the last Hundred Dynasty War,” Ren Yuanzi said, his deep voice echoing through the air. Pausing for a beat, he continued, ”Now, recount all that transpired in Blood Horn Region.”

Lin Langtian’s heart tightened; it seemed his summons was indeed related to the events in Blood Horn. Likely, Ren Yuanzi wasn’t just probing into Mu Ku and Qin Lang’s deaths, but had also been alerted by traces of demonic energy or his Ancestral Symbol’s aura.

Maintaining his composure, Lin Langtian repeated the story he had crafted earlier for Fen Cang, carefully detailing his encounter with the Shadow Seven, his narrow escape, and his journey back to the sect, leaving out any mention of Qin Lang or Mu Ku.

When he finished, Ren Yuanzi said nothing. The Head Master’s ageless gaze was distant, as if gazing far beyond the physical realm, lost in thought.

The silence hung heavily between them, and as it grew, Lin Langtian felt a hint of unease. However, he dared not move or make any further attempt to speak.

As Lin Langtian waited, tension crept over him until finally, Ren Yuanzi spoke—and his first question made Lin Langtian’s heart skip.

”Do you know why Mu Ku went to Blood Horn Region?”

The purpose of Mu Ku’s visit… The question caught Lin Langtian off guard, and a cold chill spread over him as he grasped its implications. Mu Ku’s trip had been to ambush him and claim the inheritance of the Wood Emperor Sect, an inheritance Lin Langtian had obtained in the ancient battleground.

Ren Yuanzi, as the master of Yuan Gate, was certainly aware of Mu Ku’s motives. From the pieces of evidence left behind, he could likely guess that Mu Ku’s true aim was the Wood Emperor’s Triple Essence Art in Lin Langtian’s possession.

In Yuan Gate, strength is respected above all else, and for the Wood Branch, Mu Ku’s actions, though ruthless, weren’t seen as dishonorable if it meant advancing the branch’s power. However, with Mu Ku now dead and Lin Langtian still standing, suspicion was inevitable—even if Ren Yuanzi didn’t believe Lin Langtian capable of killing Mu Ku alone.

Lin Langtian forced himself to stay calm. Ren Yuanzi’s question was probing but lacked proof, and as long as Lin Langtian answered carefully, he could avoid being identified as the culprit. His status as a new disciple was both a shield and a source of credibility.

”Master,” Lin Langtian replied steadily, ”I only learned of Mu Ku’s and Senior Qin’s deaths after returning to the sect. As a member of the Fire Branch, I had limited interaction with Mu Ku beyond our initial meeting when I joined. So, I truly don’t know why he went to Blood Horn Region.”

”Hmm…” Ren Yuanzi gave a slight nod, his face unreadable, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

The silence stretched out, accompanied only by the faint sounds of wind through the mountains. Lin Langtian waited, trying to project calm.

”I understand. You may leave.”

Ren Yuanzi’s quiet words lifted a weight from Lin Langtian’s shoulders. It seemed that the Head Master didn’t yet suspect him of Mu Ku’s murder, meaning he was safe for now.

After offering a respectful bow, Lin Langtian turned to leave. Yet, just as he took his first step, Ren Yuanzi’s voice called him back.

”One moment…”

Lin Langtian’s heart raced, but he turned, masking his anxiety with respectful composure. ”Is there anything else, Master?”

Ren Yuanzi’s gaze swept over him as he said, ”It seems you’ve reached the Eight-Yuan Nirvana stage. Such swift progress is fitting for the Hundred Dynasty War champion and brings honor to Yuan Gate. I can’t let you leave empty-handed after summoning you here.”

As he spoke, a black, lifeless-looking tree branch floated out from Ren Yuanzi’s sleeve, coming to rest in the air before Lin Langtian.

Lin Langtian looked closely at the branch. Although it appeared dead, its surface glowed with a faint green luminescence and emitted a unique vitality. Its body was as black as iron, its gnarled branches exuding an icy strength that chilled the air around it.

Reaching out, Lin Langtian touched the cold, iron-like branch and felt his own energy slow as if suppressed.

”This is a branch from the Celestial Essence Ancient Tree, one of Yuan Gate’s prized treasures. It can suppress any energy it touches. However, you’ll find that holding it by its base negates this effect. It’s quite heavy, and even some martial artists specialized in physical power struggle to wield it easily. To use it well will depend on your strength,” Ren Yuanzi said, his tone indifferent.

”Oh?” Lin Langtian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he grabbed the thickest root of the branch, channeling his furnace-like inner energy. He swung the branch with force, causing a tremendous wave that tore a deep trench several meters long into the ground before him.

”Indeed, it’s as powerful as they say,” Lin Langtian remarked, smiling with satisfaction. In the timeline he remembered, Lin Dong had also acquired a branch from the Celestial Essence Ancient Tree, using it to cut down countless powerful opponents.

Though the branch appeared simple, he could sense its strength, knowing it was no ordinary weapon. In fact, he felt it might rival his Black Dragon’s Roar Seal, ranking among middle-to-high-grade Heaven-tier treasures.

”Langtian, be cautious. This branch bears an unusual trace of spiritual energy—one that feels very similar to Ren Yuanzi’s,” Ling Yi’s voice warned within his mind.

”What? You mean it contains Ren Yuanzi’s energy?” Lin Langtian’s eyes sharpened.

It was clear that Ren Yuanzi hadn’t given this branch without ulterior motives. With his spiritual energy present in the branch, Ren Yuanzi could potentially monitor Lin Langtian’s movements. The deaths of Mu Ku and Qin Lang had indeed sown seeds of suspicion in Ren Yuanzi’s mind.

Lin Langtian suppressed his unease, showing no outward reaction as he appeared genuinely grateful for the gift. Bowing once more, he said, ”Thank you, Master, for this generous reward.”

With this knowledge, Lin Langtian knew he’d have to remain cautious but, fortunately, could plan accordingly.

After accepting the branch, Lin Langtian made his formal departure, and only once Ren Yuanzi had permitted it did he turn to leave.

Watching him disappear down the path, Ren Yuanzi’s gaze grew distant, his murmured words filling the quiet air.

”Demonic energy… the Devouring Ancestral Symbol… How deeply is this disciple connected to it all?”

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