Chapter 319: Xiao Xuan's Challenge, Gu Xun'er Appears
"What kind of flame is this? How can it be even more domineering than the Fire Spirit Clan's flames?"
Western Heaven Continent, Blood God Clan territory.
The members of the Blood God Clan, including Blood Lingzi, were shocked as they stared at the golden flame in Xiao Tiance's hand.
In the Great Thousand World, fire wielding experts were not uncommon. But the most renowned among them were undoubtedly the Fire Spirit Clan.
In the original story, Xiao Yan Xiao Tiance's ancestor had invaded the Fire Spirit Clan alone in the Great Thousand World, solely to obtain their clan's sacred flame. He even battled the Fire Spirit Clan's ancestor, who had already reached the Heavenly Sovereign level. Despite the ancestor using all his techniques, he couldn't even touch Xiao Yan's clothes. Defeated and unwilling, the ancestor eventually conceded, allowing Xiao Yan to claim the flame.
As such, in the Great Thousand World, the Fire Spirit Clan was undoubtedly considered the pinnacle of fire wielders.
But now, to the shock of Blood Lingzi and the other Earth Supremes present, Xiao Tiance's golden flame seemed to surpass even the Fire Spirit Clan's legendary flames in power and intensity.
The Blood Demon Banner Submits
Xiao Tiance glanced at the now subdued Blood Demon Banner in his hand. The artifact had stopped attempting to invade his body, lying obediently as his spiritual energy flowed into it. After recognizing Xiao Tiance as its master, the banner floated quietly beside him, exuding a menacing aura.
The oppressive might of the banner caused the nearby members of the Blood God Clan to instinctively step back.
"Not bad. This low grade sacred artifact, the Blood Demon Banner, is quite impressive," Xiao Tiance said with a smirk. "Thank you, Patriarch Blood Lingzi. Now that I've accepted your compensation, let's consider this matter resolved."
"Phew!"
Blood Lingzi and the rest of the Blood God Clan finally exhaled in relief. They had narrowly avoided annihilation.
Xiao Xuan's Provocation
But just as Blood Lingzi began to relax, a cold snort came from Xiao Xuan, who stood beside Xiao Tiance.
"Hmph! Maybe this matter is settled for him, but it's far from over for me. Once I recover my strength, I will come back and settle this with all of you properly!"
The color drained from Blood Lingzi's face. Was Xiao Tiance going back on his word? If so, that would be unbearable. Even if it meant death, he'd make sure to inflict some damage on this infuriating man.
Noticing Blood Lingzi's alarm, Xiao Tiance smiled. "Relax, Patriarch Blood Lingzi. I'm a man of my word. This matter is indeed settled for me.
"But my cousin Xiao Xuan? He endured your clan's 'hospitality' for quite some time, and it's only natural for him to hold a grudge. While I am stronger than him, I wouldn't presume to dictate his actions. So, I'm afraid you'll have to deal with him yourself when the time comes."
Hearing this, Blood Lingzi's unease turned into resignation. After taking a deep breath, he bowed slightly and replied,
"Understood. If that is the case, the Blood God Clan will await his challenge."
"Good!" Xiao Xuan replied firmly, his tone brimming with confidence. The matter was settled.
A Future Warning
Blood Lingzi, however, was unaware of the storm brewing. Xiao Xuan might not be as strong as Xiao Tiance now, but once he recovered, his strength would likely rival his cousin's. Back in the Dou Qi Continent, even with Xiao Tiance's unparalleled talent, Xiao Xuan had once overshadowed him.
If Blood Lingzi had known this or foreseen the calamities to come he might have handed over the Blood God Arm on the spot to placate Xiao Xuan.
But alas, hindsight is a luxury for the ignorant.
As for Xiao Tiance, he left the Blood God Clan with a parting shot:
"Patriarch Blood Lingzi, since I've accepted your Blood Demon Banner, let me offer some friendly advice.
"My cousin Xiao Xuan's strength may not yet rival mine, but once he recovers, I assure you, he will not be far behind.
"Hahaha… Good luck, Blood Lingzi. I look forward to seeing how you prepare for his return. Farewell!"
With that, Xiao Tiance, Xiao Xuan, and Qinghou vanished into the void.
A Strategic Revelation
Traveling through the void, Xiao Xuan turned to Xiao Tiance with a puzzled expression.
"Why did you tell them so much? I was planning to catch them off guard after I recovered my strength. Now, they'll be prepared!"
Xiao Tiance smiled knowingly and replied,
"Xuan ge, my goal wasn't to warn them it was to torment them.
"Think about it. Now that they know you'll return, they'll live every day in fear. One year, ten years they'll never know when you'll strike. That uncertainty will gnaw at their minds, undermining their cultivation and weakening their focus.
"It's a psychological attack, Xuan ge. A blade held at the throat is far more terrifying than one that has already fallen. And when you do return, it'll be even sweeter to see their despair."
Hearing this, Xiao Xuan burst into laughter.
"Ah, you're still the same strategist as ever, Tiance. I'll make sure to take my time when I return, just to make their suffering worthwhile!"
A New Topic
Still chuckling, Xiao Xuan's tone softened as he asked,
"By the way, Tiance, have you heard from the others? After we were scattered upon entering the Great Thousand World, I've been worried about Xiao Tianming and the rest."
Xiao Tiance nodded. "Don't worry, Xuan ge. Tianming is safe. I've already reunited with him, and he's currently with Dean Tianqiong and the others at Luo Shui City.
"As for the others, I've sent people to track them down. We'll bring everyone back together soon."
Hearing this, Xiao Xuan finally relaxed.
"That's good to hear. I can't wait to see everyone together again."
An Unexpected Encounter
As they continued traveling, Xiao Tiance suddenly sensed something. A faint smile spread across his lips as he murmured,
"Interesting. It seems the Great Thousand World has a surprise in store for us."
In the distance, a radiant golden light appeared. Emerging from the light was a figure that both of them recognized immediately.
"Gu Xun'er?" Xiao Xuan exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
The golden haired woman, her demeanor graceful and her aura celestial, approached them with a faint smile.
"Xiao Tiance. Xiao Xuan. It's been a long time."
"Tianming has been found. He's currently in Luo Shui City. As for Medusa, she's headed to the Sky Serpent Continent, so there's no need to worry about her safety for now.
"As for the others, I'm still searching. Although you were all sent to different places upon arrival, I estimate that you shouldn't be too far apart. Once we get to Luo Shui City, we should hear more about the others' whereabouts."
Xiao Tiance sighed softly, then continued,
"Xuan ge, don't worry. Not everyone could be as unlucky as you landing directly in the forbidden zone of the Blood God Clan.
"After all, the Great Thousand World is vast, and it's unlikely everyone else had such rotten luck."
Suddenly, he changed the subject. "Oh, by the way, let me help you remove the locator jade token you swallowed. Keeping it inside your body for too long could pose a hidden risk."
Before Xiao Xuan could protest, Xiao Tiance reached out and lightly pressed his palm against Xiao Xuan's abdomen. Spiritual energy surged into his body, and moments later, Xiao Xuan coughed, spitting out the jade token.
"Whew!" Xiao Xuan wiped his mouth and looked at the token in his hand, laughing bitterly.
"Honestly, if I hadn't had the idea to swallow this jade token, the Blood God Clan would've discovered it long ago."
Xiao Tiance smiled. "True. If I hadn't come to the Western Heaven Continent myself, finding you would've been nearly impossible.
"That spirit array over the dungeon? It was at a grandmaster level nearly impossible for ordinary people to detect.
"But it's all in the past now. Once we reach Luo Shui City, you and Tianming need to focus on converting your Dou Qi into spiritual energy. I'll feel much more at ease once you've recovered."
"Got it," Xiao Xuan said, nodding. "I've already assessed my condition. Give me a month, and I'll be back to full strength.
"Still, even if I recover completely, I'll probably only reach the level of an Upper Earth Sovereign. Compared to your strength now, it feels like I'm still far behind."
Xiao Tiance chuckled. "Xuan ge, don't underestimate the Earth Sovereign realm. In the Great Thousand World, though powerful beings are abundant, those stronger than Earth Sovereigns are few and far between.
"Take it slow. Once you've fully recovered, we'll plan our next steps."
Arrival at Luo Shui City
By this time, the two had arrived near Luo Shui City.
Because the city was protected by an anti flight spirit array, the two landed just outside its gates.
Xiao Xuan stared at the grand, majestic city before them, his eyes filled with awe.
"This is Luo Shui City? I never expected it to be such a magnificent supercity. The Great Thousand World truly lives up to its reputation."
Xiao Tiance smiled, about to reply, when the locator jade token at his waist suddenly lit up.
"It's Xun'er."
A faint smile formed on Xiao Tiance's face. Finding her meant one less person to search for.
But in the next instant, the radiant glow of the token dimmed, flickering just as it had when he'd located Xiao Xuan earlier.
"Not good! Xun'er is in danger!"
Without hesitation, Xiao Tiance grabbed Xiao Xuan by the shoulder and swiftly tore open the void.
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, the two disappeared.
Xun'er's Plight
Approximately 300 miles west of Luo Shui City, on a vast plain...
"**Hahaha! Trying to run? Xun'er, you should stop wasting your energy. No one in the entire Western Heaven Continent has ever escaped the grasp of the Western Heaven Battle Hall.
"Besides, my master has his eye on you that's a blessing! With your beauty, you'll undoubtedly become the brightest jewel among his harem of three thousand beauties. That's a fortune others can only dream of!**"
A young man, his eyes gleaming with admiration, spoke to Gu Xun'er, who stood injured before him.
"**Dream on. The Western Heaven Battle Emperor may be powerful, but he cannot force others against their will.
"Besides, while you think the Western Heaven Battle Emperor is invincible, do you even know who I am?
"If you were smart, you'd advise your master to reconsider. After all, an Immortal Heavenly Sovereign is not the strongest being in the Great Thousand World.**"
Xun'er glanced down at the faintly glowing jade token in her hand. Confidence surged through her.
The Pursuer: Ling Longzi
The man before her was Ling Longzi, one of the Four Holy Sons of the Western Heaven Battle Hall. His strength had already reached the Lower Earth Sovereign realm. With his tall, burly frame and skin resembling dense dragon scales, he was a terrifying figure. From his body emanated faint, violent dragon roars, making him seem like a monstrous dragon in human form.
When Gu Xun'er had fled from the Western Heaven Battle City, Ling Longzi had been the first to volunteer to pursue her.
As for the Nine Pinnacle Sovereign puppet Xun'er mentioned, it was none other than Tianluo, one of Xiao Tiance's creations. Using Xiao Xuan's body and a part of his own soul essence, Xiao Tiance had crafted Tianluo into a formidable Heavenly Fiend Puppet.
When Xun'er had been transported into the Great Thousand World, Tianluo had grabbed her hand just before the teleportation. As a result, the two had been sent to the same location unfortunately, right outside the Western Heaven Battle City.
Despite Tianluo's powerful body and the jade token's support, the Western Heaven Battle City was a fortress of unimaginable strength, teeming with powerful individuals. It hadn't taken long for the two of them to be captured.
Only recently, after Tianluo recovered some of his strength, had he helped Xun'er escape. To buy her time, he had allowed himself to be recaptured.
Now, Xun'er was alone, with Ling Longzi hot on her heels.
Ling Longzi's Arrogance
Ling Longzi laughed upon hearing Xun'er's words.
"True. You're absolutely right, Xun'er. An Immortal Heavenly Sovereign isn't the pinnacle of power in the Great Thousand World.
"But there's one thing you've forgotten."
"And what is that?" Xun'er asked coldly.
"This is the Western Heaven Continent. And on this continent, my master is the only true god!"
(End of Chapter)
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