Chapter 338: Chapter 338: The Ye Lin City Lantern Festival, the Boy Who Slew the Dragon Becomes the Dragon
The stall owner was a simple and honest man. He said, "Honorable guests, why don't you come back in the evening? If you buy paper lanterns now, you won't be able to see their true appearance."
"Not many outsiders will come to join the festivities this year, so the streets won't be very crowded tonight."
"That works."
Ning Tianchen took out some gold spirit coins from his spirit-guided device and paid for the few paper flower lanterns Ning Rongrong had chosen.
The two then turned away from the street, planning to find a nearby restaurant for a good meal.
After days of rough travel, they deserved to indulge in something delicious.
In the afternoon, as they wandered around the city, they noticed that the Spirit Hall had sent a large number of reinforcements into the city, seemingly to maintain order during the lantern festival.
Ning Tianchen pulled Ning Rongrong to sit down in a teahouse.
He couldn't help but feel puzzled. "It's just a lantern festival—why does the Spirit Hall need to send so many elites?"
Almost all of the Spirit Hall personnel maintaining order were Soul Kings or higher, and there were even quite a few Soul Sages.
For now, Ning Tianchen hadn't spotted any Soul Douluos, but he assumed that by the time the festival began, Soul Douluo-level experts would definitely appear.
Ye Lin City was just a small border town. The Spirit Hall gathering so many personnel here inevitably raised suspicions.
Ning Tianchen even felt that if the Spirit Hall moved against them, they would have no chance of escape.
Risking their lives for a lantern festival clearly wasn't worth it.
Ning Rongrong expressed her concern. "Brother Tianchen, shall we leave first?"
Ning Tianchen hesitated.
He had once promised Ning Rongrong that he would take her to the Ye Lin City lantern festival.
If they missed it this year, they might not have another chance for a long time.
After some thought, Ning Tianchen analyzed, "The Spirit Hall's arrangements likely stem from one of three reasons."
First, the Spirit Hall believed that the Star Luo Empire might launch a night raid on Ye Lin City or cause trouble during the festival. Sending such a large security force was meant to ensure the smooth running of the event.
Second, the Spirit Hall might be using the festival as an excuse to capture someone within the city.
This was what Ning Tianchen feared most.
In Bibi Dong's eyes, his and Ning Rongrong's talents undoubtedly posed the greatest threat.
Especially since the Asura God and the Rakshasa God were mortal enemies, it wasn't impossible that the Rakshasa God had secretly instructed Bibi Dong to act against him.
The final reason was that the Spirit Hall had a high-ranking figure attending the festival, and these security forces were there to ensure the safety of the important guest.
No matter which reason it was, Ning Tianchen didn't dare gamble.
At this moment, leaving Ye Lin City and returning to the sect was the best course of action.
After a long silence, Ning Tianchen sighed deeply and said apologetically, "Sorry, Rongrong. It seems I won't be able to fulfill my promise. For our safety, we'll leave the city shortly."
Ning Rongrong didn't object. She nodded slightly and smiled. "I understand, Brother Tianchen. In the future, we can hold a grand lantern festival in Tiandou City—it will be the same."
Ning Tianchen gently rubbed her forehead and nodded seriously.
After paying for the tea, the two headed toward the exit of the teahouse.
Suddenly, Ning Tianchen's eyebrows furrowed.
Unbeknownst to them, a large group of Spirit Hall experts had gathered outside the teahouse.
With so many people moving against them, it would be difficult for the two to break through with their current strength.
Just as he prepared for the worst, a middle-aged man wearing the robes of a cardinal of the Spirit Hall stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Lord Ning, Miss Ning, I apologize for disturbing you. A certain elder of the hall has asked me to relay a message, hoping that Lord Ning will return to Tiandou City as soon as possible—someone is waiting for you!"
"Waiting for me?"
Ning Tianchen was initially confused, but he quickly understood the reason.
It seemed that after the palace coup ended, Qian Renxue hadn't left the Tiandou Empire. Perhaps she had something important to discuss with him personally.
"I understand. Then what about tonight?" Ning Tianchen feigned surprise and asked, "Is the Spirit Hall making such a big fuss just for a lantern festival?"
This cardinal didn't seem to be one of Bibi Dong's people. Without hesitation, he replied, "A high-ranking figure from the hall will attend the festival. If Lord Ning is interested, you can stay and enjoy the festival for one night—it's not urgent."
"Of course, you don't need to worry about your safety."
With that, at the cardinal's signal, the Spirit Hall personnel immediately withdrew.
"Brother Tianchen, do you know someone from the Spirit Hall?" Ning Rongrong asked, puzzled but also curious.
After spending so much time with Ning Tianchen, she had never known him to have ties with anyone from the Spirit Hall, especially one of its elders.
Ning Tianchen didn't elaborate, vaguely responding, "This elder has a good relationship with the old man. This time, asking me to go must mean there's something important to discuss."
"Rongrong, according to this senior, the Spirit Hall isn't entirely united. Perhaps this elder belongs to a different faction than Pope Bibi Dong."
Ning Rongrong nodded and didn't press further.
Everyone had their own secrets, and there was no need to pry too deeply.
Thinking of this, she suddenly linked arms with Ning Tianchen and smiled brightly. "Brother Tianchen, in that case, we don't need to leave tonight. Let's stay and enjoy the lantern festival."
Ning Tianchen had no reason to refuse.
---
As night fell, the stars twinkled above, and the lights of Ye Lin City gradually lit up, resembling stars falling to the mortal world.
On both sides of the bustling streets, lanterns hung high, and painted paper lanterns emitted a soft glow, illuminating the joyful faces of passersby.
Red palace lanterns adorned shop fronts, resplendent and magnificent like the imperial court.
Vendors carried baskets, walking through the streets, shouting out various lanterns and snacks—their voices pleasant and melodious.
Children holding lotus lanterns laughed and darted through the crowd like fish swimming freely in water.
On the stone-paved roads, ladies in silk dresses walked gracefully, carrying paper lanterns and chatting merrily. Their silhouettes shimmered under the lights, as if stepping out of a painting.
At the center of the lantern festival stood a massive dragon lantern, soaring amidst clouds. Its head was held high, its body coiled, and its tail swayed, as if ready to ascend to the heavens.
Children sat below it, gazing intently at the breathtaking lantern.
Not far away, at a flower lantern stall, intricate lanterns competed for attention—birds, flowers, insects, landscapes, and figures—all vividly lifelike, captivating visitors.
"How beautiful."
Ning Rongrong was completely entranced by the scene.
Almost every vendor they passed received her patronage.
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but sigh. "I hope this sight can last forever."
The countless lights woven together formed a beautiful tapestry.
Such beauty could only emerge in times of peace and prosperity. Once war arrived, this splendor would crumble.
Compared to previous years, this year's lantern festival in Ye Lin City was much quieter.
The lantern festival was a special holiday for the townsfolk, and almost every household made paper lanterns.
But now, there were few customers browsing the stalls for lanterns.
As they approached an arched bridge, Ning Rongrong pointed excitedly at the riverbanks. "Brother Tianchen, let's quickly go release paper boats!"
They bought several paper boats and stood by the riverside.
Ning Rongrong clasped her hands in front of her chest in a prayer gesture. Bowing her head, she whispered softly, "Brother Tianchen, I heard that if you write your wish on a paper boat and release it into the river, your wish will come true."
"Is that so? Then I'd better think carefully about what to wish for."
Ning Tianchen pretended to ponder for a moment, then extended his right hand, forming a sword finger. Soul power condensed at his fingertips.
Using soul power as ink and his finger as a brush, he wrote his wish on a piece of paper, placed it inside the paper boat, and released it into the water, where it drifted away.
Ning Rongrong thought for a long time before writing her wish on a piece of paper with a pen.
The vendor selling paper boats smiled and said, "May all your wishes come true."
Before they could react, a group of people hurried over and politely ushered them away.
"They're from the Spirit Hall."
Ning Tianchen pulled Ning Rongrong aside.
He wanted to see which high-ranking figure from the Spirit Hall had such an entourage.
"How bothersome," Ning Rongrong muttered quietly.
Not long after, a woman dressed in a light purple palace gown, surrounded by a group of powerful Spirit Hall members, paused on the small bridge to observe the scene, her eyes flickering with thought.
The people behind her tactfully retreated.
"Bibi Dong!" Ning Tianchen frowned deeply.
He hadn't expected that Bibi Dong herself would come here.
Upon reflection, it seemed almost inevitable.
If Bibi Dong hadn't wanted to come here, why would she have organized the lantern festival?
Bibi Dong also noticed Ning Tianchen. After a fleeting glance, she withdrew her gaze, seemingly indifferent to his presence.
"Brother Tianchen, two Title Douluo under the Pope's command have also arrived."
Ning Rongrong subtly pointed toward the opposite side of the river.
It was no surprise that Ju and Gui Douluo, who were already Bibi Dong's men, appeared alongside her.
Ning Tianchen suddenly recalled how he had once attempted to recruit Ju Douluo.
Given the disparity in their strength, Ju Douluo likely hadn't taken him seriously.
For Ning Tianchen, successfully recruiting Ju and Gui Douluo would undoubtedly sever Bibi Dong's arms, greatly benefiting the future dynamics of the continent.
However, the reality was that he wouldn't get another chance to meet Ju and Gui Douluo alone—this idea could only remain theoretical.
Accompanying Ju and Gui Douluo was the Spirit Hall's "Golden Generation."
After returning from Slaughter City, Hu Liena had immediately reported everything about Ning Tianchen.
During the Soul Master Competition, Ning Tianchen's strength had subtly suppressed them. Since acquiring the Killing God Domain, his power had undergone a transformation, making him a figure the Golden Generation now looked up to.
Yan clenched his fists and said resolutely, "Hmph, just wait. One day, I'll crush you beneath my feet."
Xie Yue patted his shoulder lightly. "Ambitious words. But Ning Tianchen is already a Soul Sage. I hope you can catch up."
With his current level, Yan couldn't gauge Ning Tianchen's true depth—it was Ju Douluo who had informed him.
---
"How long is she going to stare?"
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but mutter.
Bibi Dong had stood lost in thought on the bridge for a long time; no one knew what she was pondering.
As the novelty wore off, Ning Rongrong lost interest in the lantern festival and returned to the inn with Ning Tianchen.
"I'm so mad! We didn't even get to enjoy the festival properly before someone came to ruin it," Ning Rongrong pouted as she sat on the couch.
Ning Tianchen sat beside her and consoled her. "At least we got to experience the beauty of the lantern festival."
"The point of the lantern festival is to join in the fun. What enjoyment is there in standing around like Bibi Dong?"
After some persuasion, Ning Rongrong stopped dwelling on it.
By releasing the paper boats into the river, they had completed the main ritual of the festival.
Late at night, Ning Tianchen abruptly opened his eyes, ending his meditation, and sharply glanced toward the window. "Hu Liena, I've told you—it's very impolite to spy from outside!"
Compared to his demeanor in the Killing God Domain, he clearly lacked any murderous intent now.
With a wave of his hand, the door to the room slowly opened.
Hu Liena entered the room with graceful steps and lightly chuckled, covering her face. "I thought you'd be staying with her."
With the tense situation on the continent, Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong needed to focus on accelerating their cultivation—they wouldn't spend much time being affectionate.
Ning Tianchen didn't bother explaining to her and instead asked, "Why have you come alone? This isn't Slaughter City—you don't need help!"
Hu Liena wiped the smile from her face, sat on the nearby couch, and spoke calmly. "After you left Slaughter City, Tang San also arrived. However, he changed his appearance and now calls himself Tang Yin."
"A few days ago, the Tang Yin wanted by the Tiandou Empire was actually Tang San. Don't be deceived by him."
Ning Tianchen's expression remained calm. "If that's all, you may leave."
Hu Liena wasn't surprised by his reaction.
Her earlier words were merely an opening to bring herself closer to Ning Tianchen. Her real purpose was only now being revealed.
"You and I are both geniuses—the future of this continent will inevitably belong to us. Join us and contribute to the unification of the continent."
Ning Tianchen countered, "Why should I join you?"
Hu Liena continued, "The existence of the Tiandou and Star Luo Empires is the root cause of the continent's turmoil. You're a smart person—you know what to choose."
"My teacher said that if you join us, she will personally help you hunt down a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone. Together, we will become the swords that unify the continent."
Ning Tianchen replied indifferently, "Do you know that the boy who slays the dragon eventually becomes the dragon?"
"Launching a continent-wide war—what difference is there between the Spirit Hall and the two empires?"
Hu Liena dismissed his words. "The difference is that we will ultimately succeed, and history will record our righteous war."
Ning Tianchen shrugged noncommittally.
Unifying the continent was also his goal, but it absolutely could not lead to a dictatorship.
If the Spirit Hall unified the continent, given Bibi Dong's temperament, she would likely wreak havoc across the land, plunging it into even greater chaos.
"If you have nothing else to say, you can leave. I don't want to debate right or wrong with you—it's meaningless." Ning Tianchen had lost interest in continuing the conversation.
Hu Liena rose from her seat and, just before leaving, added, "My invitation remains open indefinitely, but don't delay too long, or you might lose your value."
"Oh, and by the way, remember that rabbit from the Soul Master Competition? She sacrificed herself to Tang San, which is why he now possesses a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone. Be careful if you encounter him."
With that, she left the room.
Everything Hu Liena had said—how could Ning Tianchen, with his godlike perspective, not already know?
The only thing he truly cared about was Tang San's movements.
Events had already deviated from their original trajectory. What lay ahead would be the true test.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow