Chapter 59 Divine Power

Without pausing to rest, Lin Tian made his way down into the subterranean vault of the ancestral Xiao residence, a space heavy with an aura of profound mystery.

Switching on his flashlight, he scanned the surroundings.

Strange, intricate symbols were carved into the damp stone walls, bearing a striking resemblance to the ancestral script found within the Xiao family genealogy records.

A jolt ran through his heart as he realized this might well be the key to unlocking the deepest secrets of his lineage.

Continuing his search through the basement, his eyes suddenly fell upon a cleverly concealed drawer.

Pulling it open, he discovered an aged diary resting inside.

Lifting the journal once more, he began to thumb through its pages with meticulous care.

The diary was filled with archaic characters and esoteric symbols, matching those in the Xiao family records with astonishing precision.

As he turned the pages further, a passage of profound and cryptic text suddenly caught his eye.

Tireless and unyielding, Lin Tian had finally arrived at the dark, deep, and mystique-laden basement of the Xiao ancestral home.

He gently clicked the switch of his flashlight, a bright beam instantly slicing through the gloom to illuminate the surroundings. Relying on the faint glow, Lin Tian began to examine the space with utmost caution.

The mottled walls were densely covered in bizarre, grotesque symbols.

Like ancient ciphers, these marks emanated an elusive, mysterious resonance.

Fixing his gaze upon them, Lin Tian felt a violent jolt in his chest—these very symbols were uncannily similar to the ones he had previously studied in the Xiao family genealogy!

This astonishing discovery filled Lin Tian with a surge of excitement, for he knew he might have stumbled upon the crucial clue to unearthing the hidden secrets behind his family's heritage.

With heightened urgency, he quickened his pace, pressing on to unearth further traces in the subterranean chamber.

At that very moment, Lin Tian's sharp gaze caught sight of an inconspicuous corner.

There, nestled in the shadows, appeared to be a cleverly camouflaged, hidden drawer.

Stepping forward quickly, he reached out and gently pulled. With a faint creaking sound, the drawer slowly slid open, revealing an ancient, dust-laden journal before his eyes.

Filled with anticipation, Lin Tian picked up the diary once more, slowly opening its yellowed pages. Dense rows of long-lost archaic scripts and equally enigmatic symbols were recorded within, and sure enough, these symbols were identical to those in the Xiao family records!

He read on with total concentration, turning page after page, terrified of missing any vital detail. Yet, when he turned to a particular page, a deep and obscure passage suddenly entered his field of vision...

Lin Tian's heartbeat accelerated instantly; he held his breath and stared intently at the text. The characters seemed imbued with a strange sort of magic, casting an inexplicable sense of oppression over him.

He racked his brain, drawing upon all his knowledge of classical texts, attempting to decipher the meaning of the passage.

"The Xiao clan has been inextricably bound to this land since antiquity. The symbols in the genealogy are the guidance left by our ancestors, pointing toward a secret buried deep within the corridors of time. Only those pure of heart and full of reverence may unlock this mystery."

Mulling over these words repeatedly, a fierce impulse surged within Lin Tian's heart.

He was convinced that this secret was intimately and intricately linked to the past of the Xiao family.

He resolved to delve deeper and untangle a mystery that had remained concealed for countless years.

Continuing to leaf through the diary, he hoped to find more clues pertaining to this enigma.

The journal chronicled numerous deeds of the Xiao ancestors, alongside their profound emotional ties to this land.

Lin Tian discovered that the forebears of the Xiao family seemed to have spent their lives guarding something of paramount importance, and this entity was inextricably connected to the symbols in the genealogy.

As the night deepened, the basement grew increasingly eerie. Yet Lin Tian paid it no heed, his entire focus riveted upon the diary.

It was as though he had transcended time and space, engaging in a silent dialogue with the ancestors of the Xiao family.

Finally, on the very last page of the journal, Lin Tian discovered a blurred map.

Several crucial locations were marked upon it, one of which corresponded precisely to the basement where he stood.

As for another marker, it pointed toward a concealed nook deep within the subterranean vault.

Filled with eager anticipation, Lin Tian gently set the diary aside and walked toward that secluded corner.

The beam of his flashlight wavered in the darkness, cutting a path through the gloom ahead.

He found that the corner was blocked by a massive stone slab, upon which the very same symbols from the genealogy were engraved.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Tian exerted his strength to push the slab. It shifted slowly, revealing a narrow passage beyond.

A wave of damp air drifted from the corridor, carrying the stale scent of a place untouched for ages.

Without a moment's hesitation, Lin Tian stepped into the passageway, casting mottled shadows against the walls with his flashlight.

The corridor seemed endless; he walked for a long time before catching a glimmer of faint light ahead.

Quickening his pace, he finally reached the terminus of the tunnel.

Before him lay a small secret chamber, in the center of which rested an ancient wooden chest.

Lin Tian's heart hammered against his ribs once more as he cautiously opened the box.

Inside lay a book of even greater antiquity, its cover bearing the familiar symbols of his lineage.

Flipping open the pages, he found documented the true history of the Xiao family, alongside a staggering secret.

"The ancestors of the Xiao family discovered a miraculous power upon this land. This power was capable of shielding our kin from catastrophe, yet it simultaneously harbored immense peril. To safeguard this strength, our forebears established strict familial laws; only those who met the requisite conditions might come into contact with this power. And the symbols within the genealogy serve precisely to guide the qualified to this secret chamber."

A profound sense of shock washed over Lin Tian; he finally grasped the truth of the Xiao family secret.

This revelation concerned not only the past of his clan, but its future as well.

He understood deeply that the heavy burden of guarding this secret now rested upon his shoulders.

Carefully, he placed the book back into the wooden chest and returned the box to its original position.

Turning away from the secret chamber, he silently swore to pass this secret down through the generations, ensuring that the descendants of the Xiao family would forever honor the wisdom and courage of their forebears.

Emerging from the basement, Lin Tian found that the night had retreated, and a new day was about to break.

He raised his head to look at the sky, his heart brimming with hope. He knew that the future of the Xiao family would be written by his own hands, and this secret would serve as his most steadfast foundation.

Yet, just as he prepared to leave the ancestral estate, an inexplicable wave of exhaustion suddenly washed over him. His limbs grew heavy, and his eyelids drooped. An irresistible drowsiness overwhelmed him, as though an invisible force was compelling him to rest.

Struggling to keep his eyes open, Lin Tian knew he had to find a place to sleep or risk collapsing where he stood. He dragged himself to a corner of the basement, leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes.

His consciousness slowly blurred, and he felt himself being pulled into a dark realm by an unseen pull. His body felt weightless, stripped of all gravity. He tried desperately to open his eyes, but met only an expanse of pitch blackness.

Suddenly, a blinding flash of light pierced his vision, accompanied by a sharp stinging sensation.

Covering his eyes, he attempted to shield himself from the glare. However, the radiance grew brighter and more piercing by the second.

An irresistible force tugged at him, dragging him down into an even deeper abyss of darkness.

As Lin Tian's consciousness gradually cleared, he found himself standing in an unfamiliar place.

It was a desolate ruin, shrouded in a bizarre and ominous aura.

An involuntary shudder of dread ran through him, as though some unspeakable danger lurked within this place.

Glancing around, he confirmed he was amidst ruins, enveloped by an unsettling atmosphere.

Suddenly, a low, deep voice sounded beside his ear: "Lin Tian, you have finally come."

A jolt went through Lin Tian. He whirled around, scanning the surroundings, but saw nothing.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Lin Tian shouted, his voice echoing through the ruins.

Only silence answered him.

A nameless terror gripped him, the sense of hidden peril growing stronger.

Abruptly, a figure emerged slowly from the shadows. It was a man clad in a long black robe, his face concealed behind a black mask, his eyes cold and resolute.

"Who are you?" Lin Tian's voice carried a hint of tremor, though he fought to keep his stance firm.

The mysterious man let out a cold laugh. "I am a member of the Dark Night Organization. The Xiao family genealogy in your possession is of paramount importance to us. Hand it over, and I shall spare your life."

Realization struck Lin Tian hard—these people belonged to the Dark Night Organization.

Clutching the genealogy tightly to his chest, he raised his voice and declared, "What you seek, I will never give you!"

A slight change flickered across the masked man's expression, realizing perhaps that Lin Tian would not be easily subdued. He turned to his subordinates and commanded, "Take him down. We must secure the genealogy at all costs."

Tension coiled tightly in Lin Tian's chest; he knew they would show no mercy.

He quickly retreated, searching for any possible place to take cover.

However, the room was small, and despite his efforts to maneuver, he was rapidly cornered against the wall.

Just as the henchmen of the Dark Night Organization prepared to strike, Lin Tian suddenly recalled the symbol he had drawn upon the ground.

Closing his eyes swiftly, he concentrated all his mental focus, attempting to activate the dormant power within the sign.

Instantly, a low humming resonance vibrated through the room, as though something was awakening.

Lin Tian felt a surge of warm energy rise from the soles of his feet, enveloping his entire body.

Opening his eyes, he saw the symbol emitting a faint glow, acting as a shield around him.

The mysterious man's expression shifted drastically: "What kind of power is this?"

A tremor ran through Lin Tian as he realized the symbol truly worked.

Promptly, he retorted, "This is the power of the Xiao lineage; you cannot touch me."

Darkness clouded the mysterious man's face; he understood that Lin Tian had tapped into forces beyond their comprehension.

Turning to his men, he ordered, "Fall back! We cannot take unnecessary risks!"

Suddenly, the world spun violently around him...

Lin Tian blinked his eyes open to find himself still lying in the corner of the basement.

Though his body ached with fatigue, his mind was growing clear. Pushing himself up, he surveyed his surroundings and confirmed he was still inside the subterranean vault of the Xiao ancestral home.

A shiver ran down his spine—was everything that just transpired merely a nightmare?

Yet, he could not fully convince himself it was false. An eerie dread lingered, whispering that the Dark Night Organization could materialize at any moment.

Rising to his feet and grabbing his flashlight, he resumed his search for clues in the cellar.

He desperately hoped to find evidence proving that his terrifying encounter was nothing more than a bad dream.

However, as he approached the concealed drawer, he discovered it already pulled open, the diary inside completely gone.

A cold jolt struck Lin Tian's heart; this was no dream—it was chilling reality.

Panic surged as he realized the Dark Night agents had already breached this sanctuary.

Rushing out of the basement, he entered the living room of the ancestral house, only to find the front door ajar and several figures in black uniforms waiting outside. Their faces were masked in black, their eyes cold and unyielding.

Panic gripped Lin Tian once more as he recognized the operatives of the Dark Night Organization.

He backed away instantly, seeking refuge. But the room was limited in space, and he was cornered in a flash.

As the intruders moved in to capture him, Lin Tian instinctively thought of the symbol once again. Shutting his eyes tight, he focused his will, desperately trying to summon the protective force of the mark.

A low vibration filled the parlor once more.

A wave of warmth rose from beneath his feet, wrapping him in a protective embrace. Opening his eyes, he beheld the symbol glowing with a soft, defensive light.

The men of the Dark Night Organization recoiled in shock: "What power is this?"

"This..."

Witnessing the scene, Lin Tian stood dumbfounded, equally oblivious to the nature of the energy surrounding him.

Exchanging glances, the operatives seemed to silently confer. Suddenly, one of them drew a gleaming dagger from behind his back and hurled it viciously toward Lin Tian.

Instinctively, Lin Tian squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the cold steel to pierce his flesh.

Yet, seconds ticked by, and he felt no pain.

Slowly opening his eyes, he saw the flying blade suspended less than a meter away from him, halted by an invisible barrier in mid-air.

Grimaces marred the faces of the Dark Night agents; they realized the power shielding Lin Tian far exceeded their expectations. Exchanging another look, they suddenly lunged forward in unison toward him.

Heart pounding wildly, Lin Tian knew he had to act fast.

Closing his eyes once more, he concentrated every ounce of his spirit to awaken the glyph's potential.

Suddenly, an even more potent surge of energy welled up from the ground, enveloping his entire form.

Stepping forward with eyes wide open, he watched the symbol flare with blinding brilliance, acting as an impenetrable shield around him.