Chapter 99: The Cooked Duck Flew Away (Double Length)
Above Tianji Tower Headquarters, Central Plains
As the cracks across the light barrier of the Nine Dragons Ascension Array multiplied, a resounding "Bang!" echoed, and the entire array disintegrated into a rain of glowing energy, vanishing instantly.
"Hahaha, Xiao Tiance, is it finally my turn now?"
High above, Hun Tiandi cackled menacingly, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. He had forcefully activated his latent Dou Di bloodline to temporarily break through, but it came at a cost. This secret technique left Hun Tiandi severely weakened, a state that would last for several years.
If not for the array's seemingly unbreakable defense, Hun Tiandi wouldn't have resorted to such desperate measures.
Xiao Tiance, however, remained unperturbed, his expression calm. The destruction of the Nine Dragons Ascension Array didn't surprise him. This wasn't the first time someone had used raw power to break through one of his formations.
A thousand years ago, when he was merely an eighth tier Formation Master, he had set up four eighth tier formations, only for Xiao Xuan to obliterate them in a similar manner.
Hun Tiandi's twisted grin faded as he noticed Xiao Tiance's indifferent expression. It was as though the destruction of a ninth tier formation was an inconsequential matter.
"Xiao Tiance!" Hun Tiandi snarled, his face contorted with rage. "If you've got more tricks, use them now! Otherwise, I'll turn this place into a slaughterhouse!"
Despite his bluster, Hun Tiandi didn't wait for a response. In a flash, he launched himself forward with lightning speed, slamming a palm strike toward Xiao Tiance.
Yet, instead of panicking, Xiao Tiance smirked coldly. "Hun Tiandi, do you really think I'd rely on just one ninth tier formation to deal with you?"
Before the attack could land, Xiao Tiance pressed his palms downward. Instantly, two additional energy barriers, one red and one green, erupted into existence, effortlessly blocking Hun Tiandi's strike.
"Ninth tier Advanced Formation – Myriad Swords Divine Domain, activate!"
"Ninth tier Advanced Formation – Heavenly Flame Inferno, activate!"
As Xiao Tiance's words fell, two colossal formation patterns appeared in the sky above Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame, trapping them once more.
"Not good!" Hun Tiandi growled. He tried to shatter the formations before they could fully activate, but before he could approach, a terrifying wave of fire surged toward him.
The heat was so intense that even Void Swallowing Flame, ranked second on the Heavenly Flame Chart, felt its menace.
Hun Tiandi narrowly evaded the flames, retreating just in time. He glanced at Void Swallowing Flame, who also appeared unharmed, and then fixed his icy gaze on Xiao Tiance. "Despicable!"
"Despicable?" Xiao Tiance chuckled. "When did I ever claim there was only one formation? And since our clans have been locked in a blood feud for centuries, why wouldn't I seize the chance to turn the tables? After all, this opportunity is for all those from my Xiao Clan who fell at the hands of yours."
Xiao Tiance's voice was filled with disdain. "Enough struggling. These formations were designed specifically to annihilate you. Your only path today is death."
Without further delay, Xiao Tiance began channeling the full power of the two ninth tier formations.
Within the Myriad Swords Divine Domain, countless radiant energy swords materialized in the sky, each exuding a sharp, chilling aura that made even Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame shiver. Thousands of these swords hovered ominously above.
Below, the Heavenly Flame Inferno created an endless sea of fire, its burning expanse filled with countless flame birds. With each beat of their fiery wings, the birds soared skyward at speeds almost imperceptible to the naked eye.
"Watch out! These flames are unusual!" Void Swallowing Flame warned. His sensitivity to flames was unparalleled, and he could sense the terrifying destructive force contained within these firebirds.
Hun Tiandi swung the Deathly Silence Gate, smashing into an approaching firebird.
"Boom!"
The moment the gate connected, the bird exploded into a massive conflagration. Although Hun Tiandi avoided serious injury, the force pushed him back several meters. The trembling in his hands betrayed the immense power of the blast.
"Damn it!" Hun Tiandi cursed, turning to Void Swallowing Flame. "Hold them off! I need time to prepare another secret technique!"
Gritting his teeth, Void Swallowing Flame nodded and unleashed his black flames to buy time.
Outside the Formations
Xiao Tiance watched calmly, his face betraying no emotion. If events followed the original trajectory, he would have been content to let Xiao Yan ascend to Dou Di and inherit the Source Qi of the Great Thousand World in a few decades.
But now, with Hun Tiandi delivering himself to his doorstep, Xiao Tiance had no intention of letting him escape. Once Hun Tiandi was eliminated, Xiao Tiance could follow the path outlined in the original events: refining the embryonic Emperor Pill within the Tou She Ancient Emperor's mansion, ascending to Dou Di, and solidifying his reign.
"Let's end this quickly," Xiao Tiance muttered as his eyes glinted coldly. With a wave of his hands, countless swords and firebirds surged forward in a relentless assault.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The barrage left Void Swallowing Flame gravely injured. Even the defenses he raised to shield Hun Tiandi crumbled under the onslaught.
Dozens of energy swords streaked toward Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame, aiming to pierce them through.
But then
Hun Tiandi's aura surged once more, returning to the half step Dou Di realm. His face, however, was deathly pale, clearly showing the cost of his secret technique.
"Clang!"
With a sweep of his hand, Hun Tiandi summoned a massive black and red energy wall, blocking the incoming attacks.
A chilling smile spread across his face as he lightly tapped the wall with his palm.
"Boom!"
The resulting shockwave obliterated the firebirds and energy swords in its path, sending even the remnants of their explosions flying far away.
Above Tianji Tower Headquarters, Central Plains
"Xiao Tiance, you've truly enraged me this time! Prepare to face my wrath!"
Hun Tiandi roared furiously. Without hesitation, his figure shot forward, and his fist smashed into the formation.
"Crack!"
With the same overwhelming force, he shattered the Heavenly Flame Inferno Array, breaking it apart like a brittle shell.
"Not worth a "
Before Hun Tiandi could finish mocking, a brilliant light pierced through his back.
"Pfft!"
A radiant energy sword had impaled him directly through the heart. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his expression twisted in shock.
"Damn it!"
Void Swallowing Flame, witnessing this, rushed forward in a panic to check Hun Tiandi's condition.
Hun Tiandi's body trembled, barely able to stand. He glanced down at the glowing sword embedded in his chest, disbelief etched on his face. But the pain was undeniable this was no illusion. Summoning his remaining strength, he prepared for another desperate strike.
Gathering all his power, Hun Tiandi unleashed another earth shattering blow toward the Myriad Swords Divine Domain.
"Crack!"
The green glow of the array shimmered as countless cracks spread across its barrier.
Outside the Formation
Xiao Tiance smirked faintly as he observed Hun Tiandi's increasingly desperate actions. "Hmph. That must be your final attack. If I let you escape today, I might as well abandon the Xiao Clan altogether."
With a wave of his hands, Xiao Tiance summoned another ninth tier formation:
"Ninth tier Advanced Formation Ten Thousand Ghosts Devour Souls, activate!"
Black runes swirled in the air, releasing an eerie, ghostly aura that enveloped the area.
Inside the Formation
Hun Tiandi, having shattered the Myriad Swords Divine Domain, spat another mouthful of blood as his aura grew feeble, teetering on the brink of falling from his nine star Dou Saint level.
"Cough, Void, how much longer can you hold out?" Hun Tiandi rasped weakly, his breath uneven.
Void Swallowing Flame didn't even have the strength to answer. The gaping wounds on his body, caused by countless energy swords, had reduced his strength to that of a mere seven star Dou Saint.
"Damn it, is this the end?" Hun Tiandi cursed inwardly. The losses from this battle already far surpassed the cost of their failed assault on Xiao Xuan a millennium ago.
"Hun Tiandi, think of something fast!" Void Swallowing Flame urged. "If those black runes finish rotating, we'll have no way out!"
Void Swallowing Flame's instincts screamed of impending doom as he looked at the spinning formation patterns above. If they couldn't escape soon, not even his status as an ancient flame would save him from annihilation.
Hun Tiandi hesitated, his expression filled with bitterness. His gaze fell on the runes above, and after a long pause, he made a decision.
"Xiao Tiance, I admit defeat today," Hun Tiandi said coldly. "But mark my words: when I return, I will annihilate the Xiao Clan down to the last dog and chicken!"
"Hmph. Survive first before making empty threats!" Xiao Tiance sneered, unwilling to waste words.
Just as he prepared to finish the battle, Hun Tiandi revealed the Deathly Silence Gate he had previously hidden. With a swift motion, he hurled it toward the black formation above. Grabbing Void Swallowing Flame, he charged upward.
"Struggling to the bitter end, are we?" Xiao Tiance snorted, activating the formation.
A devastating energy blast, comparable to the peak attack of a nine star Dou Saint, shot forth, hurtling directly toward Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame.
"Explode!"
With a roar, Hun Tiandi triggered the Deathly Silence Gate.
To Xiao Tiance's shock, the gate erupted in a cataclysmic explosion, unleashing a force so overwhelming it obliterated the formation's attack and tore through the formation barrier as though it were paper.
"Go!"
Spewing blood, Hun Tiandi ripped open the void and dragged Void Swallowing Flame into the chaotic void currents. Within moments, their auras vanished entirely.
"No! Stop them!" Xiao Tiance shouted, his figure flickering as he pursued.
Near the Void Tear
Tian Luo, who had anticipated such a maneuver, intercepted Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame.
"Hahaha, Hun Tiandi! You won't escape today. Prepare to die!" Tian Luo roared, blocking their path.
Xiao Tiance smiled, confident that the combined efforts of his clan's experts would seal the victory. Ten high tier Dou Saints surged forward, surrounding the escapees.
But just as Tian Luo prepared to strike, a shadow flashed behind him.
"Bang!"
A powerful blow sent Tian Luo hurtling to the ground, creating a massive crater.
"Hahaha! Even a nine star Dou Saint can fall to a sneak attack!"
Above, a triumphant voice rang out.
Hun Tiandi seized the opportunity, stomping on the void and vanishing into the chaotic void currents with Void Swallowing Flame. Their auras disappeared completely.
Aftermath
"Shi Zhongtian, you're courting death!"
Enraged, Xiao Tiance activated the Three Mysterious Transformations of Heavenly Flame. In an instant, he seized Shi Zhongtian by the throat and delivered a bone shattering punch to his head.
"Crack!"
The Stone Clan leader, an eight star Dou Saint, didn't even have time to activate his clan's defensive techniques before his head exploded.
"Xiao Tiance, spare him!"
Ling Hua, the Spirit Clan leader, emerged hastily from the void, attempting to intervene.
"Hmph, Ling Hua, do you wish to meddle as well?" Xiao Tiance's eyes burned with murderous intent.
Faced with Xiao Tiance's terrifying aura, Ling Hua hesitated, trembling as he realized the consequences of interfering.
"Xiao Tiance, please calm down!" Ling Hua begged. "Shi Zhongtian acted impulsively. For the sake of the Eight Ancient Clans, can you spare him this once?"
Unmoved, Xiao Tiance sneered. "The Eight Ancient Clans? When have they ever mattered to me?"
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1