Chapter 101: The Vanishing of the Soul Realm
Central Plains, Tianji Tower Headquarters.
As Xiao Wu expressed his concerns, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly, studying his elder cousin.
Seeing Xiao Wu's simple, straightforward demeanor, Xiao Tiance mused inwardly:
"It seems my influence within the clan grows stronger by the day. Even Brother Wu, a high tier Dou Saint and commander of the Dragon Soaring Army, feels the need to act naive before me. Ha! A man of his caliber, pretending ignorance... Is he afraid I might see him as a threat?"
Suppressing a sigh, Xiao Tiance glanced at Xiao Wu, who now seemed uneasy under his scrutiny.
"Clan Leader, is there something on my face?" Xiao Wu asked hesitantly.
Xiao Tiance chuckled softly, his tone tinged with meaning: "Not quite on your face, but there's certainly something amiss. Tell me, Wu ge, do you really believe I'm the sort of person who cannot tolerate capable subordinates? Ha! Even you feel the need to downplay your abilities in front of me now, don't you?"
Xiao Wu immediately stood and bowed in apology: "I have erred, Clan Leader. Please punish me!"
Seeing his cousin's overly cautious reaction, Xiao Tiance suddenly lost interest in pursuing the matter further. He waved his hand dismissively, signaling Xiao Wu to sit down.
**"Wu ge, we're family. Before I am the Xiao Clan Leader, I am first your younger cousin. To me, the stronger my kin, the better. There's no need to hold back or conceal your true thoughts from me.
For example, were you truly unable to predict how the Ling and Shi Clans might respond? I doubt that."**
After a moment's silence, Xiao Wu conceded, bowing again: "You're right. I was wrong, Tiance."
A smile spread across Xiao Tiance's face as he nodded approvingly. "That's better. In the future, Wu ge, as long as we're not in a public setting, just call me Tiance."
"Hahaha, very well. I'll remember that."
Meanwhile, in the Soul Realm, Hun Tiandi and Void Devouring Flame had barely escaped their battle with the Xiao Clan. Upon returning, Hun Tiandi immediately summoned all the clan's elders.
The sight of their revered leader, gravely injured, stunned the Soul Clan elders into silence.
Hun Tiandi swept his gaze across the assembly, noting their shock and disbelief. These were his people devoted, yet clearly shaken by his current state. Without wasting time, he addressed them:
"As for my condition, I will explain in due time. Right now, I require everyone's cooperation. We must hide the Soul Realm!"
"What?!"
The room erupted in disbelief.
"Hide the Soul Realm? Why would we need to do such a thing?"
"Leader, is this truly necessary?"
Hun Tiandi's bellow silenced the uproar: "Quiet! There's no time to argue. If we don't act immediately, our clan faces certain annihilation!"
Before anyone could inquire further, Void Devouring Flame staggered forward, his injuries evident. "We have no time. Xiao Clan forces are already breaking through my defensive barriers. They'll reach the Soul Realm's entrance in just a few breaths!"
Upon hearing this, Hun Tiandi barked orders: "As your leader, I command all Dou Saints to assist in concealing the Soul Realm NOW!"
Despite their confusion, the elders complied, bowing and dispersing to their assigned spatial nodes.
Within moments, the entire Soul Realm quaked violently as spatial nodes were activated. Buildings collapsed, and curious onlookers who ventured too close were ripped apart by the surging spatial forces.
Three breaths later, the Soul Realm's presence vanished entirely.
When Tian Luo and Xiao Qing arrived with their forces, they were greeted by an empty void devoid of any trace of the Soul Realm.
Xiao Qing clenched his fists, fury boiling over: "Damn it! Hun Tiandi moved too quickly."
Tian Luo's expression was equally grim as he muttered: "Hun Tiandi... and that cursed Shi Zhongtian. If not for that fool's interference, there would no longer be a Soul Clan in this world!"
Their frustration was echoed by the other Xiao Clan members. They had been so close, only to have the Soul Realm slip away at the last moment.
"What now, Lord Tian Luo?" Xiao Qing asked respectfully.
Tian Luo sighed, his tone heavy: "There's nothing we can do. The Soul Realm has vanished, leaving no trace. Even if we wanted to pursue them, it would be impossible. Let's return and report to the Clan Leader. He will decide our next steps."
Meanwhile, Ling Hua had already made his way to the Shi Clan to deliver the grim news. Guilt weighed heavily on him as he thought back to how quickly Xiao Tiance had killed Shi Zhongtian so quickly, in fact, that Ling Hua hadn't even had time to react.
Upon arriving at the Shi Clan's entrance, Ling Hua was greeted by the guards.
"Lord Ling Hua!"
"No formalities," Ling Hua interrupted. "I must speak with your clan's elders immediately. Summon them at once."
The guards complied, escorting Ling Hua into the Shi Realm and sending word to the clan's elders.
In the Shi Clan's grand hall, the remaining three elders Shi Mo, Shi Qing, and Shi Lin gathered. These three, all peak Seven Star Dou Saints, were once renowned as the "Shi Clan's Triumvirate."
Shi Mo, the late Shi Zhongtian's uncle, was the first to speak. "Lord Ling Hua, what brings you here so urgently?"
"And where is Zhongtian?" Shi Mo added, his concern evident.
Ling Hua hesitated, his eyes clouding with sorrow. "Elders... I regret to inform you that Zhongtian did not survive."
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