Chapter 238: The Stele Spirit's Deal, The Stasis Divine Talisman!
Darkness spread around him, but when Lin Fan opened his eyes, it receded like a tide.
Before him lay a desolate, shattered land.
In the distance stood an ancient yellowish stone stele, about ten meters tall—identical in appearance to the Great Desolation Stele in the outside world. The only difference was that this one bore strange, ancient runes on its surface.
At the base of the stele, black markings slithered upward like demonic tendrils—cold, sinister, and worming their way across the monument like a creeping infection.
Nearby, Lin Dong had also appeared and noticed the abnormal stele.
"Brother Lin Fan," Lin Dong called out joyfully when he saw him.
Lin Fan nodded with a smile. "Looks like you broke through the test."
"So many familiar things inside you..."
A hoarse, ancient voice echoed through the silence.
A spectral figure appeared before them, his gaze fixated on Lin Dong as he muttered,
"The Devouring Ancestral Symbol has found a new host. Looks like that one finally perished... and even the martial art of the Great Wilderness King…"
Lin Dong twitched his mouth slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior, it seems something's wrong with the stele?"
Lin Fan asked, "Senior, what exactly are these black markings? They seem to be alive."
"Sharp eyes, little one," the Stele Spirit replied, turning its gaze to Lin Fan.
"There's something unique about your body as well."
"You don't possess the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, yet you can unleash its power. Aside from the original Devourer, this is the first time I've seen someone do that."
"And your current realm… to be able to deduce cultivation methods already. That comprehension of yours is truly something."
"You flatter me, senior. I've only had a few lucky chances," Lin Fan replied with a polite bow.
It became clear to him—his unusual use of Devouring Power and freakish comprehension were the reasons he was brought here.
"Curious about those black marks? Watch this…"
The Stele Spirit's gaze lingered for a moment before the stele's surface shifted, transforming into a stone mirror.
Light rippled across it, revealing scenes from ancient times—a chaotic war long past.
In the final scene, the Great Desolation Stele descended from the sky, slamming down to suppress a mass of black energy.
A majestic figure soared from the stele, standing tall above all beings.
He looked at the stele's landing point, sighed softly, and then turned to charge into a spatial rift.
That figure was undoubtedly the stele's previous master—Fu Zu, master of the Eight Ancient Lords.
"We want to help. What can we do?" Lin Fan asked, retracting his gaze.
"In your terms, yes, I'm ill. And the root of my sickness is what I've sealed beneath me," the Stele Spirit answered.
"Can't you destroy it?" Lin Dong asked.
"It's a king…"
The Stele Spirit slowly explained everything—including the true nature of the black infection.
In the end, he gifted both Lin Fan and Lin Dong the Great Wilderness Sutra, and made a request:
Find two Ancestral Symbols, return here, and help me obliterate that Demonic King.
Lin Fan and Lin Dong agreed without hesitation.
…
Time passed. In the blink of an eye, half a month had gone by.
During that time, Dao Sect was in a frenzy.
The source? The changes at the Great Desolation Stele.
No one expected Lin Fan and Lin Dong—both seemingly on the brink of failure—to show clear signs of success.
Those who had failed before—Jiang Hao, Pang Tong, and the others—had long since woken up. They looked at the two remaining figures before the stele with complicated expressions.
"Unbelievable. Both he and his brother might actually succeed…" Ying Huanhuan muttered, watching from the skies.
"You didn't seem so calm when you thought he was failing earlier. Are you saying this for my benefit now?" Ying Xiaoxiao teased with a smirk.
"I mean, even if he gets the Sutra, he still wouldn't beat you," Ying Huanhuan replied quickly, reaffirming her stance.
"Hmm, maybe not. But I heard he's now broken through to the Ninth Nirvana Stage…"
Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes narrowed as she gazed at Lin Fan. For once, her calm exterior showed a flicker of heat.
As for Lin Dong, since his realm was lower and he hadn't shown overwhelming strength, she didn't pay him much attention—though she was surprised he could comprehend the Sutra at all.
Just then, the light on the Great Desolation Stele began to dim.
Within those beams of light, the two seated figures slowly came into view.
Everyone held their breath.
Had they succeeded—or failed?
The world fell silent.
Then, their eyes opened.
An invisible wave of force burst from their bodies.
Ssshh!
That wave swept outward. The ground and trees within hundreds of meters visibly withered and decayed.
Everyone sensing that force immediately grew tense.
"They did it..." Chen Zhen said with a wide grin.
"Unbelievable," Qi Lei added with a sigh. "Looks like the upcoming trials will be more interesting than we expected."
Lin Fan and Lin Dong exchanged a look, then respectfully bowed toward the stele.
Buzz...
Suddenly, the Great Desolation Stele trembled violently. Two streaks of light shot from it and hovered in front of the brothers.
"These are Desolation Orbs. In times of crisis, they might be of use… I hope we meet again."
The Stele Spirit's ancient voice echoed softly in their minds.
The stele trembled again, and the earth shook. Cracks spread out as the massive monument began to slowly sink.
Seeing this, Lin Fan's eyes gleamed. He shot forward and pressed his palm once more to the stele.
Just as it disappeared—
[Ding! You touched the Great Desolation Stele and obtained: Stasis Divine Talisman!]
That reward!
Lin Fan was overjoyed. It was a powerful item!
Once the stele fully sank, the crowd stared at the two figures still standing before it.
Though many had guessed what happened, they wanted confirmation.
"Hey, Lin Fan! Did you succeed or not? Say something already!"
From the sky, Ying Huanhuan crossed her arms and shouted, her voice ringing out clear and crisp.
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