Chapter 100: The Dominance of Xiao Tiance (Double Length)
"Equal footing among the Eight Ancient Clans? Ling Hua, since when did your so called 'face' matter to me?"
Above the Tianji Tower Headquarters in Central Plains, Xiao Tiance's words cut through the tense atmosphere like a blade.
Ling Hua's expression froze, awkward and self conscious. It wasn't an exaggeration ever since he had known Xiao Tiance a millennium ago, "saving face" was never something Xiao Tiance had entertained for him.
It was undeniably awkward.
"Um... Xiao Bro, I'm sure Shi Zhongtian didn't mean to cause trouble. Isn't it better to let this slide? After all, you've already destroyed his physical body with that punch. Wouldn't going further seem excessive?"
Ling Hua's tone was laced with unease. While his words sounded diplomatic, his connection with Shi Zhongtian was far deeper lifelong comrades bonded through life and death. Now, Shi Zhongtian's life was hanging by a thread. Ling Hua couldn't stand idly by without doing something, not even for his pride.
However, Xiao Tiance's icy gaze didn't soften. His mind burned with rage.
After years of preparation, he had finally cornered Hun Tiandi, reducing him to this weakened state. Just as the decisive moment approached, Shi Zhongtian's recklessness had allowed Hun Tiandi to escape. The bitterness of this failure left Xiao Tiance fuming.
The idea of letting things go? Impossible. Even eradicating the entire Shi Clan wouldn't appease his fury.
Turning to Tian Luo and Xiao Qing, Xiao Tiance commanded coldly, "Tian Luo, Qing'er. Lead our forces to the Soul Realm immediately. Hun Tiandi is severely injured, and with one of the Deathly Silence Gates destroyed, they no longer pose a threat. Leave no one alive wipe out the entire Soul Clan!"
"Understood!"
The two responded in unison, immediately tearing open a spatial portal and leading the Xiao Clan's high tier Dou Saints and Net Force members into the Soul Realm.
As the portal sealed, Xiao Tiance turned back to face Ling Hua, his tone as frigid as ever.
**"Ling Hua, do you have any idea how much I sacrificed to corner Hun Tiandi? Do you understand how rare this opportunity was and how hard it is to recreate such circumstances?
All of it ruined because of that fool, Shi Zhongtian. You expect me to simply let this go with a few words? Ling Hua, let me be clear: your so called face means absolutely nothing to me."**
Ling Hua opened his mouth, but the words wouldn't come. Deep down, he knew Xiao Tiance was right.
However, allowing Shi Zhongtian to die here would create an irreparable rift between the Ling Clan and the Shi Clan. Not only was Shi Zhongtian the Shi Clan's leader, but Ling Hua had personally vouched for him to join this endeavor, despite opposition from the Shi Clan elders.
**"Xiao Bro, I admit Shi Zhongtian's recklessness led to this result. But Shi Zhongtian is the leader of the Shi Clan. If he dies here, it will spark a war between the Shi and Xiao Clans.
For the sake of the Eight Ancient Clans' unity, please spare him this once. Both the Ling Clan and the Shi Clan will remember this favor and compensate the Xiao Clan handsomely."**
When Xiao Tiance showed no reaction, Ling Hua did something unprecedented he knelt on one knee and pleaded. "Xiao Bro, I beg of you, please."
For a moment, Xiao Tiance's expression softened slightly, but he quickly shook his head.
**"Ling Hua, adults must take responsibility for their actions. Shi Zhongtian's blunder ruined everything my clan worked so hard for. This is not something you can dismiss with words.
And as for your claim that the Shi Clan would retaliate against my Xiao Clan? Hmph. Do you honestly believe the Shi Clan is strong enough to stand against us?"**
As he finished speaking, a brilliant golden flame, the Golden Emperor Flame, erupted in Xiao Tiance's palm. Within moments, Shi Zhongtian's broken body was engulfed in its searing blaze.
"Agh! Xiao Tiance, you dare to kill me?!"
Shi Zhongtian's soul form emerged from the flames, screaming in agony as the fire began to scorch even his very essence.
Xiao Tiance sneered. "Even now, you think I don't dare? Do you still believe your Shi Clan has the strength it did during the days of its Dou Emperor?"
With another surge of the Golden Emperor Flame, Shi Zhongtian's soul burned to ash, leaving nothing behind.
Ling Hua staggered to his feet, trembling with suppressed rage and fear.
"Xiao Tiance, don't you think your methods are too cruel? Shi Zhongtian may have been reckless, but did his crime truly warrant the obliteration of his soul? Do you not fear the other clans will turn against you?"
Xiao Tiance's cold laugh rang out. **"Ling Hua, you're still alive because I'm being merciful. Shi Zhongtian is dead because I killed him.
Go ahead run back to the Shi Clan and deliver this message: if they dare to oppose me, I will annihilate them entirely."**
Ling Hua felt a chill seep into his bones. Xiao Tiance's words were not idle threats. He was fully capable of eradicating the Shi Clan if provoked further.
As Ling Hua turned to leave, Xiao Tiance's voice halted him.
"Wait, we're not finished yet."
Ling Hua turned, forcing himself to stay composed.
"What compensation will the Ling Clan offer for this fiasco?" Xiao Tiance asked with a sinister smile.
Although his tone was calm, Ling Hua knew full well that Xiao Tiance wasn't negotiating he was issuing a notification.
"Yes, this matter also bears my responsibility. Brother Xiao, please state your demands. As long as they're not excessive, the Ling Clan is willing to provide compensation." Ling Hua bowed respectfully.
Xiao Tiance's gaze sharpened as he replied coldly: **"Your clan's Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade, 1,000 types of high grade medicinal ingredients, and three Heavenly Flames.
These are my conditions. If you agree, all will be forgiven. Furthermore, the Xiao Clan and Ling Clan can form an alliance moving forward. However, if you refuse..."**
Xiao Tiance's lips curled into a chilling smirk. "Well, Ling Hua, perhaps you'd like to test one of the formations I used earlier? Break through it, and I might just forget this whole ordeal."
The blood drained from Ling Hua's face. His voice trembled slightly as he retorted, **"Brother Xiao, don't you think your demands are too much?
We're willing to offer 10,000 high grade medicinal ingredients and one Heavenly Flame as reparations. Will that suffice?"**
Medicinal ingredients, particularly high grade ones, were treasures that other ancient clans could scarcely afford. Even gathering a hundred would be a monumental effort. However, for the Ling Clan, which specialized in cultivating spiritual herbs, this wasn't a difficult task.
As for the Heavenly Flames, while the top four on the Heavenly Flame Ranking were rare, those ranked lower often had multiple sources. For an ancient clan like the Ling Clan, obtaining such flames wasn't too arduous.
But the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade? That was entirely different.
This relic symbolized the identity of the Eight Ancient Clans and contained the secrets left behind by the last Dou Emperor. It was widely believed to hold the key to advancing to the Dou Emperor realm. Such an artifact was priceless, representing a potential path to the pinnacle of cultivation.
Ling Hua's attempt at renegotiation was met with Xiao Tiance's derisive laugh. **"Ling Hua, you seem to have misunderstood. This isn't a negotiation.
I've given you the terms. If even one is rejected, there's no need for further discussion. War it is!"**
"You !" Ling Hua's anger surged, but he knew he was powerless in the face of Xiao Tiance's overwhelming strength.
Refuse? What a joke.
With the Xiao Clan's current might, even the combined forces of the remaining ancient clans would struggle to oppose them. Moreover, Xiao Tiance's formations were terrifyingly powerful, to the point that the lingering energy from the broken ones still made Ling Hua a peak Seven Star Dou Saint tremble in fear.
Xiao Tiance's tone remained unyielding as he continued: "Agree, and you have half a month to deliver the items to Tianji Tower's headquarters. Refuse, and in fifteen days, the Xiao Clan will descend upon the Ling Realm. Let your so called strongholds test the sharpness of the Xiao Clan's blades."
With that, Xiao Tiance's figure flickered and vanished, reappearing at the top of Tianji Tower.
Ling Hua glanced in the tower's direction, frustration etched deeply into his face. He dared not charge forward, knowing full well the implications of his actions.
As the leader of the Ling Clan, his every move represented his entire people. Should he dare to act against Xiao Tiance, it would amount to a declaration of war a war the Ling Clan could not win.
Even if the Xiao Clan massacred every last Ling clansman, the other clans wouldn't lift a finger to help.
Ling Hua let out a bitter sigh. **"How did it come to this?
A simple trip has turned into this nightmare. With the Xiao Clan's growing power, can the other ancient clans really remain indifferent?"**
His eyes swept across the void, sensing the hidden presence of observers from various clans and factions. Yet none stepped forward to intervene they were content to sit back and watch from the shadows.
With another sigh, Ling Hua muttered, "I'll deliver the news to the Shi Clan and return to the Ling Clan to consult with the elders." He then disappeared into the void.
Meanwhile, atop Tianji Tower, Xiao Wu sat across from Xiao Tiance. After pouring tea for his leader, Xiao Wu broke the silence.
"Clan Leader, I overheard your conversation with Ling Hua. Do you believe he will deliver the items? And what of the Shi Clan? Will they seek revenge for the death of their clan leader, Shi Zhongtian?"
Xiao Tiance chuckled. **"Wu ge, do you think I'd hesitate to kill Ling Hua if I wished? Do you think the Ling Clan would dare bare their fangs at the Xiao Clan if I did?
The ancient clans are not upheld by their leaders alone. Each clan has its wise men, those who know what can and cannot be done.
Let's be clear our Xiao Clan has suffered losses in this affair. Even if the Ling and Shi Clans compensate us, the damage has already been done.
But let me be clear: compared to the Soul Clan, the Ling and Shi Clans pose no real threat. With minimal effort, we could wipe them out. The Soul Clan is another story. Hun Tiandi may be gravely injured, but the Soul Clan's secret techniques are unpredictable.
Frankly, I wish that idiot Shi Zhongtian had stayed out of this. We could have ended both Hun Tiandi and Void Devouring Flame today. Without them, the Soul Clan would be powerless."**
Xiao Wu nodded solemnly. "You're right, Clan Leader. However, I fear Ling Hua won't deliver the items and may seek the support of the other clans. If that happens, won't we be in a bind?"
Xiao Tiance waved a dismissive hand, smiling confidently. **"Wu ge, you worry too much.
We haven't touched the interests of the other clans our quarrel is solely with the Ling and Shi Clans.
With our Xiao Clan's current power, only fools would willingly oppose us. Watch and see; it won't take long for the truth to reveal itself."**
Xiao Wu bowed respectfully. "As you say, Clan Leader. Forgive my overthinking. Your orders will always be my guide."
Xiao Tiance smiled. **"You're too modest, Wu ge. Your management of the Dragon Soaring Army has been impeccable it's no task for a mindless man.
Your concerns stem from the lack of exposure to external affairs within the clan. But have faith; time will prove us right."**
Xiao Wu responded earnestly, "Your praise humbles me, Clan Leader. Managing the Dragon Soaring Army is my duty. Let us hope this operation brings the Soul Clan to its knees."
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