Great Desolate Province, within a certain mountain forest.
Lin Dong was closing his eyes, using the power of the Devouring Ancestor Symbol to recover the empty Origin Power within his body. Beside him, Little Flame was burying his head, diligently gnawing on that enormous Ancient Blood Bat Dragon.
As for Little Marten, he had swallowed the Demon Spirit of the Ancient Blood Bat Dragon and was lying directly on Little Flame's back, quietly refining it.
"Crack! Crack!"
In the quiet mountain forest, only the burning bonfire occasionally made crisp sounds. Because of Little Flame's presence, Lin Dong and the others didn't have to worry about being attacked by Demon Beasts, so it was very peaceful.
"Kid, to think you actually possess such a divine object as the Devouring Ancestor Symbol!"
Just then, a somewhat hoarse voice echoed faintly, startling Lin Dong's heart to skip a beat. He suddenly stood up, nervously surveying his surroundings, and shouted in a deep voice.
"Who's there!"
The figure in the darkness did not appear, causing the blood in Lin Dong's entire body to surge faster and faster. His eyes darted around uneasily, feeling as if a gaze was constantly locked onto him, yet he couldn't detect the trace of the person in the dark at all.
"Little Marten, stop playing dead, where is that person?"
Having gained nothing, Lin Dong placed all his hopes on Little Marten, hoping that Little Marten, who always liked to boast about how powerful he was, could play a key role at this time.
However, Little Marten, who floated onto Lin Dong's shoulder, trembled as he spoke to Lin Dong after sensing for a moment.
"Lin Dong, Marten Lord can't find that person's aura either. Why don't you just give him that thing? As long as the green hills remain, there'll always be firewood!"
"You dead Little Marten, what else can you do besides bragging? You're useless at a critical moment!"
Lin Dong couldn't help but say angrily, but his heart was sinking continuously. Although Little Marten liked to brag, he had really helped him a lot. And for Little Marten not to be able to detect any aura at all, it meant that the strength of the person in the dark was at least at the Life and Death Profound Realm, or even higher.
"To think there's actually a Sky Demon Marten royal here. Hehe, such a Demon Spirit seems extremely suitable for refining into the spirit of a Spiritual Treasure!"
Just then, the voice in the darkness echoed again, startling Little Marten's face to change instantly. Lin Dong's face also darkened, and without thinking, he spoke out.
"I wonder who senior is. This junior is Lin Dong. If senior wants this Devouring Ancestor Symbol, Lin Dong can give it to senior. But Little Marten is Lin Dong's brother in life and death. I hope senior will spare my three brothers and let us leave, for the sake of Lin Dong offering the symbol."
Little Marten suddenly turned his head to look at Lin Dong, gazing at those firm eyes without the slightest hesitation. In his small eyes, there seemed to be some starlight flowing. Biting his teeth, Little Marten prepared to speak.
However, at this moment, the figure in the darkness exclaimed, with a hint of annoyance.
"Lin Dong? You kid say your name is Lin Dong?"
After hearing Lin Dong announce his name, Bo Xuan no longer concealed his figure and continued to joke with this careless little fellow who didn't know how to hide the Ancestor Symbol.
"Buzz!"
In the next moment, Lin Dong was horrified to discover that a terrifying aura directly descended upon their three brothers, directly suppressing this person, Marten, and tiger all in place, unable to move even a bit.
Immediately afterward, the space in front of Lin Dong fluctuated for a moment, and an old man in a black robe and wearing a black crown stepped out of the space, his face gloomy, his eyes filled with a hint of rage, staring fixedly at Lin Dong.
Although his deep affection for Lin Qingtan made Bo Xuan extremely annoyed, no matter what, Lin Qingtan was his precious disciple. Even if Bo Xuan was angry, he could only sulk and wouldn't hold it against her.
But Lin Dong had no kinship with him, Bo Xuan, yet he dared to provoke his precious disciple, and even made his precious disciple angry and sad. This was simply unforgivable!
Looking at the thin old man in front of him with a furious gaze, Lin Dong, unable to move, couldn't help but gulp. His heart, which was already half-cooled, was now thoroughly chilled.
Although he didn't know what kind of grudge this top expert, who could break through space like the Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Great Purity Palace he had encountered before, had with him, Lin Dong also knew that even if the three brothers risked their lives, it would be impossible to escape from the other party's hands.
"Buzz!!"
Suddenly, a gentle power surged from within Lin Dong's body, directly dissolving the immense aura pressing down on him.
Although the oppressive aura was gone and he could move again, Lin Dong didn't dare to budge under the gaze of the black-robed old man before him.
"Oh?"
Bo Xuan's eyes narrowed, and he subconsciously voiced his surprise. After scrutinizing Lin Dong for a moment, he asked softly, "Boy, where did you get this Ancestral Stone?"
"Ah? Senior, what is an Ancestral Stone?"
Lin Dong was startled, but he feigned ignorance, which annoyed Bo Xuan, who promptly slapped the back of Lin Dong's head.
"Boy, if you keep playing dumb with me, even if it's for the sake of... for the sake of your Young Clan Leader, I'll have to teach you a lesson!"
After hesitating again and again, Bo Xuan still didn't mention Lin Qingtan. He was worried that if this kid found out, he would go back and complain to that girl. Then, the little girl would cry, make a fuss, and threaten to hang herself, which would break his heart!
Hearing Bo Xuan mention Lin Xuan, both Lin Dong and Little Marten breathed a long sigh of relief. Little Marten, in particular, felt a sense of surviving a disaster. Now, with Sword Saint's reputation, his marten life was saved. It seemed that the drink was worth it!
"Senior, do you know the Young Clan Leader?"
Casting a sidelong glance at Lin Dong, who had spoken, Bo Xuan snorted unhappily and sat down on the large blue stone, saying softly, "Sword Saint, of course I know him. We were drinking together just this afternoon."
"Hehe, well, forgive Little Marten's poor eyesight, but might this senior be the famous Hall Master of the Darkness Hall of the Northern Xuan Region, Senior Bo Xuan?"
Seeing that Lin Dong still wanted to speak, Little Marten directly reached out a paw to stop him, raised his little paw, and cupped his fist towards Bo Xuan, his marten face full of smiles.
Bo Xuan glanced at Little Marten, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. He didn't expect this young Sky Demon Marten to recognize him. He nodded slightly and said, "Little fellow, you're quite knowledgeable to have heard of my name."
"Hehe, the Darkness Ancestor Symbol controller, Hall Master Bo Xuan's great name, although I was far away in the Demon Domain, I have heard of it."
Little Marten said modestly, but the look in his eyes towards Lin Dong was somewhat proud, as if to say, See, Marten Lord wasn't bragging to you, right?
That smug look made Lin Dong unable to help but smile, but as soon as the smile appeared on Lin Dong's face, Bo Xuan's somewhat cold gaze fell directly on him.
"Boy, now can you tell me where you got that Ancestral Stone?"
Bo Xuan's gaze made Lin Dong feel confused. Since the other party knew the Young Clan Leader and knew that he was a member of the Lin Clan, why was he so unfriendly to him?
Suppressing the confusion in his heart, Lin Dong cupped his fist in a salute to Bo Xuan, who was sitting on the blue stone, and explained softly, "To be honest, Senior Bo Xuan, I actually found this Ancestral Stone in a cave when I was a child. I didn't know its wonderful uses. Lin Dong only recently learned its true name."
"Don't give me so much nonsense. I know you don't know how to use it."
Bo Xuan rolled his eyes. How could he not know that Lin Dong didn't know how to use the Ancestral Stone? If he knew how to use it, his aura just now would not have been able to suppress Lin Dong at all.
Of course, it was also possible that he was hiding his clumsiness, afraid of exposing the Ancestral Stone, but with Lin Dong's simple and foolish nature, it was absolutely impossible. Otherwise, the Ancestral Stone would not have automatically activated later, eliminating the aura that had fallen on Lin Dong.
However, soon, Bo Xuan's expression changed.
The Ancestral Stone and the Devouring Ancestor Symbol were both in Lin Dong's hands, which meant that Lin Xuan had never possessed these two divine objects, yet he was able to use them so skillfully. He wouldn't dare compare to the Symbol Ancestor, but he was clearly already able to unleash some of their power.
Hiss! This kid is still hiding his clumsiness from me!
Withdrawing his attention, Bo Xuan stared intently at Lin Dong, his eyes narrowing slightly. A moment later, as if recalling something, he softly inquired.
"You said, you saw it when you were a child? At the back mountain of the Lin Family in Qingyang Town?"
Lin Dong's eyes widened instantly, staring at Bo Xuan in shock. For a moment, he didn't even realize how Bo Xuan knew about the back mountain of the Lin Family in Qingyang Town.
"To be honest, Senior, that's indeed the case. When I was a child, while playing with my sister, I accidentally discovered it."
His already small eyes narrowed into a slit after hearing Lin Dong's words. Bo Xuan stared at Lin Dong for a long while before finally snorting softly.
"Boy, I must say, as a master of the Ancestor Symbol and owner of a divine object, your application of the Ancestor Symbol and divine object is ridiculously poor. Any random pig on the roadside would use them better than you."
Being scolded by Bo Xuan as being inferior to a pig, Lin Dong wanted to retort, but after looking at Bo Xuan's unfriendly gaze, he chose to listen quietly.
Seeing Lin Dong so obedient, Bo Xuan snorted coldly and didn't continue scolding. After all, if he kept scolding, this kid might not be able to take it and would cry and go home. If his precious disciple saw that, it would be terrible.
"Alright, boy, for the sake of the Sword Saint, this old man will demonstrate the usage of the Ancestor Symbol for you. Although different Ancestor Symbols vary, they also have similarities. You better watch carefully!"
Hearing Bo Xuan's words, Lin Dong's eyes widened instantly, looking at Bo Xuan in disbelief. He clearly didn't expect that this Senior Bo Xuan, who seemed to have a great opinion of him, would actually give him pointers for the sake of the Young Clan Leader. He quickly clasped his fist and said.
"Thank you, Senior Bo Xuan!"
"Hmph, watch carefully!"
Bo Xuan snorted disdainfully at Lin Dong's gratitude. He didn't want Lin Dong's thanks. If he could, he wished he wouldn't have any connection with this kid in his life.
After saying that, Bo Xuan slapped his palm towards Lin Dong. In Lin Dong's vision, the moment Bo Xuan's palm came, an endless force of darkness immediately engulfed his entire world.
Little Marten, watching Lin Dong who was clearly standing in place but whose aura could not be sensed, his tiny pupils suddenly shrank, and he couldn't help but gasp.
Hearing the movement, Bo Xuan looked at Little Marten to the side. Seeing this, the latter immediately smiled sheepishly and quickly praised.
"Palace Master Bo Xuan is indeed worthy of being the master of the Darkness Ancestor Symbol. This control of the power of darkness is simply terrifying!"
"Haha, you little Sky Demon Marten are quite interesting. Very well, since we met today, it must be fate. This old man will help you and this loyal little cat."
As he spoke, Bo Xuan reached out and gently tapped Little Marten and Little Flame, who had been staring at him intently. A special energy surged into Little Marten and Little Flame's bodies. Immediately afterward, the Demon Spirits and flesh that they had swallowed were quickly absorbed by Little Marten and Little Flame.
Having absorbed the Demon Spirits, Little Marten's Demon Spirit became much more solid, and a faint vitality emanated from it. On Little Flame's body, there were some more blood-colored scales, and on the dragon head coiled on its back, there was an extremely small horn.
"If you want to improve your strength again, you can only find a way to restore your physical body yourself."
Bo Xuan stared at Little Marten's Demon Spirit and said softly. Then, he looked at the changes on Little Flame's body with great surprise, exclaiming.
"Mutated bloodline, truly rare. If you have the opportunity in the future to find tiger bones or dragon bloodline, as well as dragon bones, you might be able to shed this mortal body. Your future is limitless."
Looking at the rather kind expression on Bo Xuan's face, a strange look couldn't help but emerge in Little Marten's heart. He always felt that this kind old man seemed to be targeting Lin Dong. Could it be that that kid bullied his daughter?
Just as Little Marten's eyes were rolling around, wildly guessing, the power of darkness that enveloped Lin Dong instantly dissipated.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior!"
Lin Dong, with his eyes shining, was clearly greatly rewarded. He immediately clasped his fist and solemnly thanked Bo Xuan. However, Bo Xuan, who originally had a faint kind smile, instantly turned cold and snorted.
"No need, it's just for the sake of the Sword Saint, and to avoid others saying that I, Bo Xuan, bully the younger generation!"
As he spoke, Bo Xuan flicked his sleeves and walked into the darkness. However, after taking a few steps, he stopped again, tilting his head, glancing at Lin Dong with the corner of his eye, and said coldly.
"If you dare to reveal even half of what happened today, don't blame this old man for not giving the Sword Saint any face!"
"Please rest assured, Senior, I will definitely keep this a secret!"
Lin Dong solemnly clasped his hands in response. Although the temperament of this Senior Bo Xuan in front of him was very strange, Lin Dong still kept this guidance in his heart.
Even though he didn't know why this senior didn't allow him to reveal what happened today, Lin Dong still remembered it in his heart.
Bo Xuan didn't say anything more upon hearing this. He directly tore through space, and then his entire figure disappeared before Lin Dong's eyes.
Looking at the empty night, recalling what had just happened, Lin Dong felt as if he had lived in another world. He completely didn't notice the extremely strange gaze of Little Marten beside him.