Chapter 43: Xiao Xuan Emerges The Eve of Battle
Tianwaitian, Tiance Mansion, Ninth Level.
"If I let you escape, wouldn't that be a disgrace to me?"
With a light grip of Xiao Tiance's hand, the two Grade Eight, Eight Colored Pills that were attempting to flee were instantly locked in place by spatial energy.
"Come back!"
As if his words held divine authority, the pills obediently flew back to Xiao Tiance. He quickly sealed them in two jade bottles.
Just as he finished, Huang Jiuji appeared. The eighteen bolts of terrifying pill lightning above Tiance Mansion earlier had made it impossible to conceal what was happening.
"Grand Elder, mission accomplished."
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Tiance sent the two jade bottles flying toward Huang Jiuji.
Taking the bottles with reverence, Huang Jiuji bowed deeply. "Thank you, Patriarch. If there's anything you ever need from me, don't hesitate to command."
Xiao Tiance helped him up, smiling warmly. "Grand Elder, you're being too formal. This is simply my duty.
Now that the pills are ready, I look forward to the emergence of the Tianhuang Clan descendants. Once they are born, if you agree, they can serve as the guardian sacred beasts of our Xiao Clan, holding the rank of elders."
"Hahaha, that's excellent! I'll gladly accept on their behalf," Huang Jiuji replied with a hearty laugh. He had no objections. Considering the current state of the Tianhuang Clan, being part of the Xiao Clan's inner circle was a great honor and a boon for their future.
And so, the fates of the yet to be born Tianhuang Clan heirs were decided.
After Huang Jiuji departed, Xiao Tiance began replenishing his Dou Qi and the spiritual energy within his medallion.
Time flies, and three months passed quickly.
Half a month remained before Xiao Xuan would attempt to break into the Dou Di realm. On a serene morning, Xiao Tiance paused his cultivation as he noticed that the three ninth tier magic cores embedded in his medallion were glowing brightly, signifying they had been fully replenished.
The intense cycles of Dou Qi depletion and recovery over the past months had pushed Xiao Tiance to his limits. He could no longer suppress his cultivation level and had been forced to advance.
Now, he had reached the pinnacle of the Seven Star Dou Sheng realm, standing at the threshold of breaking into the Eight Star level at any moment.
Later that day, Xiao Tiance summoned Xiao Chun, Xiao Tianming, and Xiao Qing to Tiance Mansion. The three quickly arrived and greeted him in unison:
"Tiance!"
"Brother Tiance!"
"Third Uncle!"
"Take a seat." Xiao Tiance gestured for them to sit. Once they were settled, his expression turned serious. "The reason I called you here should be obvious.
In half a month, the patriarch will attempt to ascend to the Dou Di realm. It's time for us to act."
The trio nodded solemnly, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
"Please give your instructions, Patriarch," they said in unison.
Xiao Tiance nodded and wasted no time. "Second Uncle, you and Tianming will remain here in Tianwaitian with the Grand Elder. Tianming will oversee Tianluodiwang and Tianji Pavilion operations.
As for Qing'er, your current strength being at the initial stage of the Eight Star Dou Sheng realm is sufficient. You and I will head to the area near the Xiao Realm. I'll share the specific plan on the way."
The three immediately stood and saluted. "As you command, Patriarch!"
There was no hesitation in their compliance. Xiao Chun and Xiao Tianming understood that their strengths being a low rank Dou Sheng and a mid rank Dou Sheng, respectively would be of little use against the Soul Clan's elite forces.
However, Xiao Tiance and Xiao Qing, with their advanced cultivation and expertise, would have more opportunities to act strategically against the Soul Clan.
"Very well. Time is of the essence. Qing'er and I will depart today. Second Uncle, Tianming, I'm entrusting Tianwaitian to you both."
"Don't worry, Tiance. While we may not be of much use against the Soul Clan, we'll manage everything here," Xiao Chun assured with a smile.
Xiao Tiance nodded. "I have complete confidence in both of you."
He then activated a spatial portal, stepping into it with Xiao Qing following closely behind.
The next day, near the Xiao Realm's entrance.
As Xiao Tiance lounged casually on a chair he had conjured, Xiao Qing couldn't help but ask, "Third Uncle, shouldn't we go inside and speak with the patriarch?"
Without even opening his eyes, Xiao Tiance waved dismissively. "There's no need to disturb him. He's likely focused on optimizing his state of mind. We'd only cause unnecessary distraction."
Hearing this, Xiao Qing sighed. "If only the patriarch could abandon his pursuit of becoming a Dou Di. In just one more year, with your rising strength, the Xiao Clan would undoubtedly become the strongest faction on the continent."
"Heh, Qing'er, life rarely goes as planned. The patriarch's choice is one of conviction, and it's our duty to respect it.
Although his path may be misguided, we've done everything we can. Now, instead of lamenting, you should focus on the more pressing matter how many clansmen we can save when the Soul Clan strikes and how we'll go about it."
Xiao Tiance's calm yet firm words carried a hint of regret, but he did not dwell on it. He had exhausted every effort to delay Xiao Xuan's risky endeavor. If he had just one more year, he was confident he could become a Nine Rank Spirit Array Master.
With a Nine Rank Spirit Array, he wouldn't need to fear even the Soul Heaven Emperor. At worst, he could lay siege to the Soul Clan's domain, trapping them in an inescapable cage.
"I understand now, Third Uncle. I was being naïve. A powerhouse like the patriarch cannot be easily dissuaded," Xiao Qing admitted, a note of sorrow in his voice.
Suddenly, Xiao Tiance opened his eyes, his sharp gaze fixed on a distant point in the void. He sneered. "The Soul Clan dogs… Even from afar, their presence is repulsive."
Following his gaze, Xiao Qing focused his senses and detected two Five Star Dou Zun approaching. "Third Uncle, it's just two Dou Zuns. Should I take care of them?"
"No need. Killing them would only alert the Soul Clan. They're just small fry sent as scouts. I wouldn't be surprised if the Soul Heaven Emperor never intended for them to return alive." Xiao Tiance chuckled coldly.
For the next fourteen days, the area around the Xiao Realm grew increasingly crowded with scouts. However, not a single Dou Sheng appeared.
On the fourteenth day, at the Xiao Realm's entrance.
Dressed in a black robe, Xiao Xuan emerged. His aura was oppressive, radiating a terrifying power that even from a distance made one's heart quake.
"Heh, so only small fry came? Soul Heaven Emperor, don't you think you're being too stingy?" Xiao Xuan sneered coldly.
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