Chapter 236: The Great Desolation Stele Opens—A Hint for Lin Dong!
Ying Xuanzhi also turned his gaze in that direction. He smiled softly and said,
"The Great Desolation Stele has finally awakened… Dao Sect is about to become lively."
In the depths of the Desolate Hall, there stood a towering mountain—its slopes an earthy yellow hue.
There was not a trace of greenery upon it. From afar, the entire mountain exuded a sense of desolation.
High above, the mighty Dan River roared across the sky.
Yet now, the river—normally never still—was behaving oddly. Its current slowed, and vast torrents of Nirvana Qi were pouring down from it.
It looked as if a hole had opened in the heavenly river itself…
The Nirvana Qi howled downward like a flood, pouring onto the mountain.
Buzz...
As the energy rained down, the mountain began to tremble. Rocks crumbled. Cracks split open across its peak.
Whoosh whoosh!
As the transformation began, streaks of light shot through the sky from all directions.
Within minutes, the skies, mountaintops, and treetops were filled with a massive crowd.
What had been a quiet forest suddenly erupted into a fiery sea of activity.
Voices rose in chatter, overlapping in chaotic noise that rippled across the skies.
Even the clouds overhead were scattered.
These figures included disciples from the Desolate Hall and the other three halls.
Even the heads and deputy hall masters of all four halls arrived and hovered in the air.
Ying Xiaoxiao and Ying Huanhuan also appeared, accompanied by over a dozen Heaven Hall disciples.
Ying Huanhuan glanced around, her big eyes scanning the crowd—but didn't see the one she was looking for. She frowned and said, "Lin Fan's not here? Don't tell me he plans to miss this opportunity?"
"Junior Brother Lin Fan is very talented, but he only recently joined the Desolate Hall. Maybe he didn't have time to prepare," Qing Ye said with a calm smile.
"He joined Desolate Hall just for the Great Wilderness Sutra. How could he miss this chance?" Ying Huanhuan shot him a glare.
Seeing her stand up for Lin Fan again, Qing Ye's heart twisted in frustration, but he didn't show it. He turned away to chat quietly with someone else.
Ying Xiaoxiao watched silently, shaking her head as she turned her gaze toward the trembling mountain in the distance.
There, amid the cracks, a massive gray-yellow stone stele slowly emerged from the mountain's peak.
An ancient, desolate aura quietly rippled through the world.
Ying Xiaoxiao's expression turned complicated.
Proud and aloof by nature, she had once tried to comprehend the Great Wilderness Sutra herself—but despite months of effort, she had achieved nothing. It had dealt a significant blow to her confidence.
"The Great Desolation Stele!"
Voices of awe spread through the crowd as the colossal stele emerged.
"Sis, do you think anyone from the Desolate Hall will succeed this time?" Ying Huanhuan whispered, eyes wide with anticipation.
"Jiang Hao and the others? Probably not. As for Lin Dong… maybe. But Lin Fan…" Ying Xiaoxiao glanced at her sister, "He might stand a chance."
"Oh…" Ying Huanhuan nodded, blinking rapidly, her expression slightly conflicted.
"What's wrong?" Ying Xiaoxiao asked.
"If he really comprehends it… doesn't that mean I have to do whatever he says?" Ying Huanhuan muttered, blushing.
Ying Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. "Serves you right."
RUMBLE!
The mountain's tremors finally began to subside.
Everyone looked up at the enormous stone stele now standing atop the mountain—its peak nearly touching the Dan River.
Before it, they were all as insignificant as ants.
This… was the Great Desolation Stele.
The mountain finished crumbling, revealing the full thousand-meter tall monument. Its surface was worn yellow, weathered by countless ages.
A deep, ancient energy radiated from the stone, blanketing the world in a sense of eternal desolation.
"It's finally opened again…"
Wudao looked at the stele, eyes full of excitement.
The other hall masters, like Chen Zhen and Qi Lei, showed similar awe.
After a moment, Chen Zhen turned to Jiang Hao and the others. "It's time. Go prepare yourselves. Remember—this martial art requires fate, not force."
"Yes," Lin Dong and the others answered in unison.
With countless eyes upon them, the five stepped forward and took their places before the stele.
Unlike the others, Lin Dong moved in closer to inspect it. He noticed strange black specks scattered across its surface.
As the stele's activation neared, people began noticing something missing—and started looking for a certain figure.
Even Ying Huanhuan frowned with concern. "Don't tell me Lin Fan's really going to miss this…"
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a powerful wind split the sky.
All eyes turned toward it—and the entire mountain range buzzed with renewed excitement.
"Lin Fan is here!"
"Do you think he can comprehend the Great Wilderness Sutra?"
…
As whispers filled the air, Lin Fan soared from Dao Peak and landed beside Chen Zhen and Wudao. "Apologies for being late."
"Just in time," Chen Zhen said with a smile. His eyes swept over Lin Fan, and upon sensing the progress he had made, they narrowed slightly in surprise.
"You're here—go on then. Just don't push yourself. The Great Wilderness Sutra is powerful, but remember, the greatest power still comes from within." Wudao waved him forward.
"Yes, Hall Masters." Lin Fan bowed, then shot toward the stele, landing on a nearby blue stone platform.
"Brother Lin Fan, you made it," Lin Dong said with relief, greeting him.
Lin Fan nodded and patted his shoulder.
"Focus on grasping the essence of desolation. You might gain new insight. Also, the stele is alive—it too may age and die."
Lin Dong's eyes lit up thoughtfully at his words.
[Ding! You touched Lin Dong and received: 1 Life-Spirit Fruit.]
The familiar system prompt rang in Lin Fan's mind.
He ignored it for now. Instead, he stepped forward toward the Great Desolation Stele, anticipation building in his chest.
Then, with a steady breath, he placed his hand on the stele's ancient surface.
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