Chapter 408: The Crimson Thunder Tribulation, Advanced Spiritual Heavenly Supreme, and Victory
"Come on, let the final tribulation descend. Once it's over, this war will come to an end!"
Above the True Phoenix Clan's ancestral grounds in Longfeng Sky, thunderclouds churned, painting the heavens with an oppressive darkness. Xiao Tiance gazed at the ominous storm above, his deep eyes filled with both awe and unease.
It wasn't that he doubted his ability to endure the final tribulation. Rather, the sight of the apocalyptic force above a power capable of annihilating the world would send a chill down anyone's spine.
The Crimson Thunder Tribulation
Suddenly, a streak of crimson flashed through the clouds. In the next instant, the entire tribulation turned blood red.
"What?! A crimson tribulation cloud?! Even Saint Heavenly Supremes wouldn't dare face such a thing!"
For a moment, Feng Mingtian froze in place, his expression filled with dread.
The Crimson Thunder Tribulation, also known as the Heaven's Doom Lightning, was a harbinger of absolute destruction. Even for a Heavenly Supreme, encountering this meant near certain death.
Throughout the ancient history of the Great Thousand World, this terrifying tribulation had appeared only twice. Both times, a Heavenly Supreme had perished. This marked the third such occurrence.
Legends claimed that even the greatest cultivators in the Great Thousand World couldn't escape its wrath. While it wasn't the strongest tribulation in terms of raw power, it was the most feared.
Frozen by Fear
On the battlefield below, Xiao Tiance's brow furrowed. He didn't know the legends surrounding the Crimson Thunder Tribulation, but he could feel its oppressive, sinister aura.
"What kind of tribulation is this? It's so strange. Just looking at it makes my soul tremble, as though something terrible is about to happen," Xiao Tiance thought, his unease growing.
In the midst of his thoughts, the crimson tribulation clouds roared, and a blood red thunder dragon emerged, snarling ferociously. With a terrifying speed, it plummeted toward the ground.
As it descended, Xiao Tiance and Feng Mingtian both felt their bodies freeze. Despite being Heavenly Supremes, neither could move. Their spiritual energy had been entirely suppressed by the dragon's overwhelming power.
The Wrath of the Thunder Dragon
"Boom! Crack!"
The crimson thunder dragon struck the earth with a deafening roar, turning the entire sky red. The surrounding battlefield fell into an eerie silence, save for the crackling energy of the tribulation.
Xiao Tiance, unable to evade, summoned his soul energy in desperation. In a flash of golden light, his Heavenly Dao Tower Spirit Puppet, Qinghou, appeared and shielded Xiao Tiance with its towering frame.
Meanwhile, Feng Mingtian struggled to move or even cry for help. The crimson lightning consumed him entirely, leaving no room for resistance.
When the light of the tribulation finally faded, Qinghou stood firm, though its surface crackled with golden lightning. Xiao Tiance, too, was alive, albeit bruised and battered.
On the other hand, Feng Mingtian's situation was dire. His phoenix form had reverted to human shape, but his body had turned an unnatural shade of crimson. A series of sickening cracks echoed as his form began to collapse.
"Boom!"
In a heartbeat, Feng Mingtian's body exploded into countless fragments before disintegrating into fine ash that scattered to the winds.
The Aftermath
"Patriarch!"
"Patriarch!"
The True Phoenix Clan members cried out in despair, but no matter how they called, Feng Mingtian had vanished as though he'd never existed.
Above, Xiao Tiance stood amidst fading golden lightning, his body glowing faintly. He felt an incredible surge of energy building within him, as though his strength were evolving.
"Hmm..."
A soft, involuntary moan escaped him as his aura skyrocketed. Moments later, his cultivation stabilized, revealing that he had broken through to the Advanced Spiritual Heavenly Supreme stage.
Confusion and Surprises
"How is this possible? Wasn't I undergoing a breakthrough to the Mid Spiritual Heavenly Supreme stage? Why have I advanced further?"
Xiao Tiance was stunned. Turning his gaze toward the battlefield, he swept his spiritual senses across the area but found no trace of Feng Mingtian.
"Did Feng Mingtian truly perish under the final tribulation?" he wondered.
His thoughts were interrupted by a surge of energy nearby. Glancing over, he saw that Qinghou the Skyfiend Puppet had also broken through to the Advanced Spiritual Heavenly Supreme stage.
"How did this happen?" Xiao Tiance's confusion deepened. Even with the puppet absorbing the tribulation's power, advancing two levels was unprecedented.
Examining Qinghou closely, he noticed a faint phoenix shaped sigil glowing on its forehead. Aside from this mysterious mark, the puppet remained as responsive and obedient as before.
The End of War
"What is going on?" Xiao Tiance murmured.
Before he could ponder further, Fatty Wa appeared on his shoulder, grinning. "Lord Tiance, it's time to end this war."
Xiao Tiance nodded. "You're right. Let's finish this."
In a flash, he reappeared beside Mo Yang, ready to take down the True Phoenix Clan's current Grand Elder.
A Plea for Peace
Before Xiao Tiance and Mo Yang could act, the Grand Elder, Feng Xuan, unleashed a powerful attack to push Mo Yang back.
"Wait, Xiao Tiance!" Feng Xuan shouted.
Xiao Tiance raised a hand, signaling Mo Yang to hold. He gazed coldly at Feng Xuan.
"This war is over. You've won. There's no need to continue."
Feng Xuan's voice carried a mixture of resignation and bitterness. "I, Feng Xuan, former patriarch and current Grand Elder of the True Phoenix Clan, concede defeat on behalf of my people. State your terms, and as long as they are within reason, we will comply."
It was clear from Feng Xuan's weary tone that with Feng Mingtian's death and the devastating losses suffered by the True Phoenix Clan, they no longer stood a chance.
Faced with the overwhelming loss and the survival of the True Phoenix Clan at stake, Feng Xuan finally relented.
Though it pained him deeply, the preservation of his clan's legacy meant he had no choice but to bow his head in defeat.
A Calculated Response
"Heh, but what if I refuse?" Xiao Tiance replied with a faint smile. "After all, we're in a position of strength. There's no reason for us to stop now."
"Hmph! Then it's a fight to the death!" Feng Xuan retorted, his eyes gleaming with madness. "All True Phoenix Clan members, prepare to self destruct on my command!"
A Tough Decision
Xiao Tiance's smile faltered.
"Damn that old fox. He's shameless but smarter than Feng Mingtian. He knows I can't risk it."
After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Tiance raised his left hand, signaling his forces to cease their attacks.
The battlefield fell into a tense silence. Besides the four captured Heavenly Supremes from the True Phoenix Clan, the fighters from both sides retreated to their respective lines.
Negotiations Begin
Feng Xuan, seething with frustration as he surveyed the devastating losses suffered by his clan, finally cupped his hands and spoke.
"Xiao Tiance, state your terms. This war is yours."
Xiao Tiance glanced at Mo Yang, Huang Jiuji, and First Snow, noting their satisfaction at Feng Mingtian's death. He nodded slightly before turning back to Feng Xuan.
"Very well, since you've conceded, here are our terms.
Turn over Feng Lin and Feng Ying. They are the culprits behind the harm inflicted on my two disciples, and their blood must atone for their sins.
Pay three billion Supreme Spirit Liquid in reparations.
Hand over the supreme technique Feng Mingtian obtained."
Xiao Tiance's voice was calm but resolute. "If these terms are not met, we'll resume the battle."
A Grueling Choice
At Xiao Tiance's words, Xiao Xuan and the others shouted in unison:
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
On the other side, Feng Xuan clenched his fists, his face dark with humiliation. Yet he could see the writing on the wall his clan had already lost.
Four Heavenly Supremes were captured, and Xiao Tiance's forces burned with unyielding determination. Continuing the fight would only lead to the True Phoenix Clan's extinction.
Most terrifying of all was Xiao Tiance himself. Though now an Advanced Spiritual Heavenly Supreme, his power far surpassed his level. If Feng Mingtian equal in strength to Feng Xuan had fallen to Xiao Tiance, there was no telling what other cards the man held.
Finally, Feng Xuan spoke through gritted teeth.
"Fine. I accept your terms. But you must return Feng Xuan and the other three."
"Agreed," Xiao Tiance replied smoothly. Then, transmitting his orders to Ling'er, he added: "Seal their spiritual energy for now. Release it once the exchange is complete."
Ling'er acknowledged, and a series of hand seals followed. In moments, the four captured Heavenly Supremes from the True Phoenix Clan found their spiritual energy completely sealed off.
Delivering the Terms
Roughly an hour later, a Heavenly Supreme of the True Phoenix Clan arrived, dragging Feng Lin and Feng Ying, both battered and lifeless as though they were mere rag dolls.
The man dropped them unceremoniously before Xiao Tiance, then presented a storage artifact containing the reparations and the supreme technique.
"Lord Xiao Tiance," the man began respectfully, "here are Feng Lin and Feng Ying, as well as the three billion Supreme Spirit Liquid and the supreme technique you requested."
Xiao Tiance examined the items carefully with his soul force.
The liquid quantity was correct, stored within a Heavenly Vessel Bowl, a high grade artifact used exclusively by top tier powers for transporting such valuables.
As for the supreme technique, it was none other than Nine Yin Art, one of the Thirty Six Supreme Techniques. Xiao Tiance smirked as he read through it.
The Nine Yin Art
It became immediately clear why Feng Mingtian had never used the technique it could only be cultivated by women and strictly forbade any practitioner with fire aligned energy.
The True Phoenix Clan, being inherently fire aligned, had no one capable of using it.
The Closing Words
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly and handed the artifact back to the emissary.
"Tell Feng Xuan that if he's unhappy with these terms, I'm always open to a rematch. Also, in the near future, I'll be establishing a new faction. You'll receive an invitation. Be sure to attend."
The Heavenly Supreme nodded respectfully. "Understood. I'll deliver your message."
Afterward, Xiao Tiance instructed his forces to release the four captured Heavenly Supremes. Though furious, they dared not act rashly under the sharp glares of Xiao Tiance's group and retreated quickly.
Victory and Celebration
With the True Phoenix Clan subdued and their demands met, Xiao Tiance turned to his allies and announced with a grin:
"Everyone, we've won!"
A deafening cheer erupted.
"Long live Lord Xiao Tiance!"
"Victory! Victory!"
The warriors celebrated heartily, reveling in their triumph over one of the Great Thousand World's top tier divine beast clans.
Aftermath
As the crowd quieted, Xiao Tiance's disciples approached him.
"Master, what should we do with their bodies?" Min'er asked respectfully.
"Preserve them," Xiao Tiance replied with a mysterious smile. "I have a gift planned for you."
At that moment, Jiu Yuan stepped forward, obliterating Feng Lin and Feng Ying's souls before encasing their corpses in ice for later use.
Departure
With their business concluded, Xiao Tiance and his forces boarded their Void Shuttle, vanishing from the skies above the True Phoenix Clan's ancestral grounds.
The True Phoenix Clan's Future
Back at the ruins of their ancestral land, Feng Xuan stood alongside the remaining seven Heavenly Supremes of the True Phoenix Clan.
Watching Xiao Tiance's forces disappear, he sighed deeply.
**"I know this is hard for everyone. But the situation was beyond us. We've lost. Even Mingtian has fallen.
From this day forward, I will assume the role of patriarch, with Longhe as my deputy. If anyone objects, speak now."**
(Chapter End)
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