Chapter Ninety-Five: Senior Brother Ling

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The wooden clapper, also called the “awakening block,” is a rectangular piece of hardwood with sharp corners and edges, traditionally used by court officials to strike on tables to intimidate offenders. Depending on the rank of the official, its name varies: county magistrates call it the “court-shocking block,” prime ministers the “assistant of the morning order,” generals the “tiger’s courage awakener,” and empresses the “phoenix glow.”

As for the ruler of the nation, the emperor who stands above all commoners, the wooden clapper he wields is known as the “Mountain-Seizing Rod.”

With a thought, Wang Ran summoned the wooden clapper, which materialized in his hand. Its surface appeared dark and somber at first glance, yet upon closer inspection, it gleamed subtly with sharp edges, resembling a masterpiece of art.

On its side was a line of tiny, delicate characters engraved with precision, each stroke flowing like a dragon’s dance—exquisitely beautiful.

“The heavenly way is ruthless, but the green jade is compassionate; today, you claim the throne to seize the mountains and rivers?”

Wang Ran stroked his chin as he read the inscription aloud. It was evident that the “Green Jade” mentioned must be the owner of this clapper, likely the man crowned emperor within Wang Ran’s illusion.

However, Wang Ran had never heard of a mighty cultivator named Green Jade in the history of the Nine Provinces. Perhaps his knowledge was limited. Shaking his head gently, he caressed the wooden clapper once more.

“Are you called Mountain-Seizing Rod?” Wang Ran smiled faintly, feeling that this journey to Beize had not been in vain. Beyond the merit points earned by slaying the queen bee, the mere existence of this Mountain-Seizing Rod was enough to compensate for all his hardships.

This Mountain-Seizing Rod evidently possessed the power to enhance one’s cultivation. Wang Ran’s strength had risen by about two levels, his aura now emanating as a Foundation Establishment stage at level eight.

Yet this did not mean Wang Ran’s true cultivation had reached level eight; his original strength remained at level six. The two-level increase was an external amplification granted by the Mountain-Seizing Rod.

Undoubtedly, this ability was godlike. Should word spread, it would drive anyone mad with desire. No wonder Senior Brother Ling from Hongyuan Sect valued it so highly.

Securing the Mountain-Seizing Rod, Wang Ran unleashed the surging spiritual power of a Foundation Establishment stage eight within him, crashing his head through the beehive and soaring into the open sky.

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Glancing down at Xu Ke and the others, all safe and sound, Wang Ran’s tense heart slightly eased.

“Senior Brother Wang!” The group’s faces brightened with joy. Wang Ran had been inside the beehive for a while; at first, they felt no concern, but as time passed, worry inevitably set in.

Meanwhile, disciples of the Hongyuan Sect from another area wore complex expressions as they looked toward this place.

Lin Jun furrowed his brow deeply. He glanced at the beehive and then at Wang Ran. Resolute, he stepped forward and said, “Fellow Daoist, did you encounter anything else inside the beehive on this trip?”

Clearly, after witnessing Wang Ran’s power, Lin Jun no longer looked down on him, addressing him respectfully as “fellow Daoist” rather than “insignificant ant.” Yet despite this, he remained anxious about Senior Brother Ling’s orders.

Though polite outwardly, he secretly began gathering spiritual energy, determined to seize that treasure no matter what.

Hearing Lin Jun’s words, Wang Ran’s eyes flickered subtly. He recalled the seals surrounding the Mountain-Seizing Rod inside the beehive and the furious roar of Senior Brother Ling. Smiling slightly, he narrowed his eyes and replied, “There were many things in the beehive; I’m not sure which one you mean.”

Lin Jun hesitated, only having been sent by Senior Brother Ling to explore the treasure without ever seeing it firsthand.

At that moment, the golden light of Lin Jun’s identity token flared brightly. Suddenly, in the sky above the Valley of Ten Thousand Burials, thunder rumbled and wild clouds churned.

A hazy silhouette appeared above the token, transforming into a man clad in white.

At his arrival, a terrifying aura swept over the area, pressing down so heavily that those present gasped for breath.

The shimmering figure’s features were indistinct, but it was clear he was a white-robed man. His voice, filled with anger and an unyielding tone, echoed in all directions.

“So it was you who broke the seals I left behind and spoiled my opportunity?”

The moment his voice fell, a tidal wave of spiritual pressure surged out like an ocean storm, stirring a fearsome spiritual storm across the entire Valley of Ten Thousand Burials. Xu Ke, Zhao Xiaobai, and the others all changed their expressions drastically.

Such power conveyed by a mere voice revealed the formidable strength of this projection, inspiring awe and dread.

“Senior Brother Ling…” Lin Jun suddenly raised his head toward the projection, eyes filled with both reverence and guilt as he spoke remorsefully.

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Senior Brother Ling, however, did not glance at Lin Jun. His gaze fixed coldly on Wang Ran, his tone as frigid and indifferent as descending into an ice cavern.

“Hand it over, and I will spare your life.”

Wang Ran’s eyes narrowed. He could sense this Senior Brother Ling was formidable—indeed, the strongest opponent he had yet encountered.

But the Mountain-Seizing Rod had already accepted him as its master. How could he simply hand it over?

In this world, heavenly treasures and great legacies always choose those with destiny. Were it another, Ling’s threat might have some sway, but for a rebellious spirit like Wang Ran, it had no effect.

Seeing Wang Ran remain silent, Senior Brother Ling snorted coldly and stepped forward, spiritual energy swirling in his hand.

“You must know, no one can steal what belongs to Ling Tianchen and live to tell the tale.”

Only then did Wang Ran lift his head, flashing a cold smile filled with pride.

“You dare spout such arrogance as a mere projection? If you were here in person, I might show some respect. But now, I think you will be disappointed.”

Upon hearing this, Ling Tianchen’s eyes flared with murderous intent and fury.

That Mountain-Seizing Rod had been obtained through his ancient secret techniques—observing celestial phenomena and earthly veins—sacrificing a full hundred years of his lifespan and spending forty-nine days in pursuit.

He had then used his own blood essence and a decade’s cultivation, forcing himself into a weakened state solely to bind it with fate.

To see all his painstaking efforts wasted, casually taken by someone else, nearly drove him mad.

Enraged, he forcibly consumed a Yuan-Condensing Pill, restoring seventy percent of his cultivation in a short time, and descended here by projection to reclaim the treasure.

Now, his gaze was icy, fury at its peak, spiritual energy tempestuous around him. With a single step forward, he ceased speaking and struck down with a palm from the heavens.

Instantly, the gale of his palm seemed to solidify as it descended upon Wang Ran’s head. Wang Ran’s expression grew grave, as his two divine arts—Burning Sky Flame Armor and Endless Radiant Blades—immediately materialized to meet Senior Brother Ling head-on.

A thunderous roar erupted throughout the valley.