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

Southern River Region, Northern Xuan Domain

As Lin Langtian and the others stepped off the teleportation array and arrived at the Dark Hall’s branch in the Southern River Region, he took in the scene below him. There, a grand hall stood on a vast plain, resembling a crouching ancient beast that radiated an intense, bloodthirsty aura, guarding the surrounding lands.

Above the city hall, waves of powerful energy shimmered faintly. Upon closer inspection, Lin Langtian saw a massive protective formation covering the area. This formation caused his eyes to narrow slightly; the strength of the Dark Hall’s grip on the Northern Xuan Domain was undeniable. Even in this remote region, the Southern River branch exuded strength and authority. It was easy to imagine how unshakable the Dark Hall’s rule must be with hundreds of such strongholds across the domain.

At the head of their group, Commander Zhong Kui raised his sleeve, releasing a beam of light. Within the light was a coiled symbol that, when it met the energy barrier, caused ripples to spread across the formation and create an opening.

”Enter!” Zhong Kui commanded, waving his hand. The four-hundred-strong army moved as one, entering the city.

As Lin Langtian and the others neared the city hall, several figures rose to meet them from below. Each figure emitted a formidable aura—they were all Sheng Xuan Realm experts.

The man leading them was a middle-aged figure clad in dark robes. He addressed the group respectfully, his gaze focusing especially on Zhong Kui and the distinctive red sword on his ghost-face mask. ”Acting Branch Master Li Li of the Southern River Region greets the Tribunal Army.”

Li Li, once the vice master of the branch, had assumed leadership after the branch master was killed in an attack. Despite his status and the authority he held in the region, he remained careful and respectful before the Tribunal Army, the Dark Hall’s elite force.

Zhong Kui gave him a slight nod, saying indifferently, ”There’s no need for formalities. We’re here solely to suppress the uprising; investigating the last branch master’s attack is not within our duties.”

Relieved by the response, Li Li’s smile grew warmer. ”I see. Since you’ve come a long way, might I invite you to rest briefly within the city?”

Zhong Kui shook his head and replied in a firm voice, ”Speed is essential. The Fire Cloud Sect dared to defy the Dark Hall’s authority, so they must be swiftly destroyed to warn others. All we need is for you to assign a few men familiar with the terrain to guide us to the Fire Cloud Sect.”

Li Li, surprised, nodded quickly. He looked back and beckoned to two trusted aides. ”Li Liu, Li Yan, you will guide the Tribunal Army.”

The two stepped forward immediately, bowing respectfully. Zhong Kui examined them briefly, then nodded. ”Very well. You two will lead the way. Branch Master Li, hold down the fort here; leave the suppression to us.”

With that, Zhong Kui raised his hand, and the four hundred Tribunal soldiers marched forward again, a dark wave rolling toward the horizon.

Watching the fearsome army disappear into the distance, Li Li wiped the cold sweat from his brow, muttering to himself, ”The Tribunal Army—headquarters’ most fearsome force—truly strikes fear into the heart.”

”Yes, indeed. For the Fire Cloud Sect to defy the Dark Hall’s might, they must have a death wish…” one of his subordinates echoed.

…

Northwest Southern River Region, Fire Cloud Sect

In a grand hall within the Fire Cloud Sect’s base, silence reigned. Dozens of powerful figures filled the hall, all directing their gaze toward the middle-aged man seated at the head.

This man had a strong build and a rugged face, with sharp eyes that glinted with intelligence. He was none other than Tang Lie, the current sect master of the Fire Cloud Sect.

”Now, Sect Master Tang,” one of the hall’s occupants spoke, his eyes narrowing suspiciously, ”what was so important that you gathered the leaders of the most influential forces in the Southern River Region?”

All those present were heads of various factions within the region. Just a few days ago, each of them had received an invitation to the Fire Cloud Sect’s centenary celebration. Out of respect for the sect’s power, they had accepted the invitation and come personally.

But upon arrival, they had been detained within the Fire Cloud Sect. Adding to their unease was the recent news that the Fire Cloud Sect had killed the branch master of the Dark Hall’s Southern River branch. This shocking revelation had left the leaders present pale with fear.

The Dark Hall was an unstoppable force in the Northern Xuan Domain, and its branch master a significant authority. For the Fire Cloud Sect to kill a branch master—could they possibly be planning rebellion?

The leaders exchanged uneasy glances, uncertain of Tang Lie’s intentions and hoping to avoid being dragged into his schemes. The Tribunal Army was not known for showing mercy.

Tang Lie looked at the anxious faces around him, his lips curving in a faint smile as he drummed his fingers casually on the armrest. ”It’s nothing too serious,” he said with a slight shrug. ”I just wanted to discuss a little proposition with all of you.”

”Oh? What kind of proposition?” one of them asked.

Tang Lie’s smile broadened. ”Well, I’m sure you all know that the Northern Xuan Domain is unique among the Four Domains. In the Eastern Xuan Domain, for example, the Eight Supreme Sects constantly struggle for power, and the Western Xuan Domain is similarly dominated by countless powerful factions. But here in the Northern Xuan Domain, the Dark Hall stands supreme, like a central empire. It controls the life and death of all forces within its borders.

”To put it bluntly,” he continued, ”if the Dark Hall were to send an enforcer tomorrow, most of us here would have no choice but to surrender everything we’ve worked for without any chance of resisting.”

The grand hall was silent, each gaze flickering with uncertainty as everyone tried to understand what Tang Lie, the Fire Cloud Sect master, was really aiming for.

”Perhaps you’re overthinking this, Sect Master Tang,” one person joked. ”We’re way out here in the Southern River Region, on the edge of the Northern Xuan Domain. The high-ups at the Dark Hall hardly notice us, and besides, we’ve grown accustomed to their rule by now.”

”But what if one day they do?” Tang Lie responded calmly.

”Sect Master Tang, if you have something to say, please say it. Stop keeping us in suspense.” One of the leaders waved impatiently.

Tang Lie gazed intently at the speaker, a small smile forming at the corner of his mouth. ”My message is simple. The reason we have no standing in the Southern River Region is that we lack strength. And we lack strength because we’re disorganized. If all the forces in the Southern River Region could unite, we would have a presence formidable enough to earn respect even within the Northern Xuan Domain. Then, not only would the Dark Hall be cautious about challenging us, but we could also expand our territory and obtain more resources!”

”To be blunt, I have already eliminated Huo Tao, the Dark Hall’s branch master here in the Southern River Region. He was a greedy tyrant who endlessly extorted from us. I’m sure many of you have given up a fair share to him as well, haven’t you?”

A murmur rippled through the hall.

”I understand that you’re afraid of the Dark Hall,” Tang Lie continued. ”But I’ve thought this through. If we unite, our strength would be no small matter. We could relocate to the Eastern Xuan Domain, outside the reach of the Dark Hall, and establish a solid base there. If we succeed, everyone here would hold positions as founding members!” Tang Lie laughed heartily.

A heavy silence followed, the weight of Tang Lie’s audacity settling over the room. Most of the gathered leaders looked shaken, realizing he was indeed serious about killing the Dark Hall’s branch master and uniting the Southern River Region to forge a new path in the Eastern Xuan Domain.

”What bold ambitions!” thought the various leaders. Clearly, Tang Lie was no longer content with his subordinate status—he wanted to become a ruler in his own right.

But no one here was easily deceived. They knew that having killed the Dark Hall’s branch master, Tang Lie would face the full force of the Dark Tribunal, who would never allow him to simply walk out of the Northern Xuan Domain to establish his own power.

Seeing the lack of response from his audience, Tang Lie’s brows furrowed. His eyes flashed as he subtly signaled to a few of his own people.

A man in the crowd spoke up, ”I, for one, am tired of the Dark Hall looking down on us, treating us like we’re nothing. I’m ready to follow the Fire Cloud Sect to the Eastern Xuan Domain! My Liehuo Sect pledges our support to Sect Master Tang!”

”Yes! Sect Master Tang has reached the Death Xuan Realm. With more time, he could even break through to the Reincarnation Realm and establish a powerful sect. My Wind and Rain Pavilion also supports Sect Master Tang!”

”My Kuangsha Tower will join with the Fire Cloud Sect as well!”

At Tang Lie’s prompt, several leaders spoke out in support, pledging their allegiance. These were groups already aligned with the Fire Cloud Sect, and Tang Lie’s persuasion had won them over to his ambitious vision.

Seeing some voices of support, other leaders looked conflicted. While it was true that they chafed under the Dark Hall’s rule, joining with the Fire Cloud Sect still meant answering to Tang Lie. Why would they risk everything to switch masters?

Tang Lie, noticing their hesitation, coldly sneered, ”I’ve already killed Huo Tao, the Dark Hall’s branch master. To them, I’m already a traitor. But consider this: you all are sitting here in my Fire Cloud Sect. To the Dark Hall, that makes you accomplices. And we know the Dark Hall—they won’t bother asking if you’re innocent or not when they come to punish dissent.”

His face grew darker. ”You can either follow me to the Eastern Xuan Domain, or you can stay here and wait for the Dark Hall to slaughter you. They’ll hardly care if you’re guilty or not.”

With a heavy hand, Tang Lie had laid his ultimatum.

To survive in the unfamiliar Eastern Xuan Domain, he would need power and influence. Though the Southern River Region lacked high-level experts, it had many sects with Sheng Xuan Realm experts. If he could consolidate them under his leadership, he could build a formidable force. If luck favored him and he advanced to the Reincarnation Realm, he might even lead the Fire Cloud Sect to become the ninth super-sect of the Eastern Xuan Domain—far from the Dark Hall’s reach.

Many of the gathered leaders scowled, realizing that Tang Lie had forced their hand. By killing the branch master, he had left them no choice. They were now outlaws by association, with no hope of convincing the Dark Hall of their innocence.

”You’re truly calculating, Tang Lie!” an elder in yellow robes spat, glaring at Tang Lie.

”Have you all decided?” Tang Lie responded with a cold smile. ”I’m making sure we have no way back. No success without some ruthlessness, after all.”

Just as he pressed his advantage, Tang Lie suddenly sensed something amiss. He stepped out of the hall just in time to see the Fire Cloud Sect’s protective array tremble violently before shattering.

Moments later, a whooshing sound filled the air as dark clouds gathered above, radiating a murderous aura that pierced the heavens. The chilling atmosphere immediately alarmed the disciples of the Fire Cloud Sect, a palpable fear spreading through them as they sensed something terrifying approach.

The dark clouds surged forward, coming to a halt above the Fire Cloud Sect. Four hundred black-clad soldiers wearing ghost-face masks stood motionless, the unity in their breathing alone casting a single shadow of deadly precision.

The sight made even Tang Lie’s face go cold. The guards at the Dark Hall’s branch had been formidable, but this was something else entirely—soldiers who had survived countless battles, each like a specter of death.

”That’s... the Dark Hall’s Tribunal Army!”

The gathered leaders from the Southern River Region stepped out and gasped at the sight, their faces pale with horror.

Tang Lie’s gaze fell upon the ghost-faced soldiers in the sky. When his eyes met the red sword on the leader’s mask, his face darkened.

”An entire battalion of Tribunal soldiers—so they came this quickly.”

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