Chapter 326: Gifting Spiritual Array Pendants, Planning the Rescue in the Small Western Sky Realm
"It's really the Blood Demon Banner? Then the rumors about a powerful figure causing chaos in the Blood God Clan must be true! And that figure was you, Lord Tiance?"
In the Luoshen Clan's palace in Luoshui City, Luo Tianshen's voice was filled with shock.
Xiao Tiance responded with a faint smile and nodded. "I wouldn't call it causing chaos I merely visited their territory and brought my cousin back."
His tone was light and casual, but the words sent shockwaves through everyone present.
Visit the Blood God Clan's territory? That was no ordinary feat. The Blood God Clan's domain was heavily fortified, and their defenses were formidable. What's more, Xiao Tiance had successfully extorted the Blood Demon Banner, a sacred artifact ranked higher than their clan treasure, the Blood God Arm.
Luo Tianshen, fully aware of the Blood God Clan's strength three Earth Supreme experts and a grandmaster level spiritual array protecting their base couldn't help but marvel. Even a coalition of the Power God Clan and Bone God Clan would struggle to achieve such a feat.
"Hiss…"
Gasps filled the hall.
"Unbelievable! Even a Heavenly Supreme would find it challenging to confront the Blood God Clan, yet Lord Tiance not only left unscathed but also made them hand over the Blood Demon Banner," Luo Yang said, his eyes filled with admiration.
Before this, he had merely considered Xiao Tiance a powerful figure. Now, his admiration had deepened. For Luo Yang, Xiao Tiance was only second to the legendary Luoshen Clan ancestor, the goddess who once rivaled the Western Sky Battle Emperor.
Xiao Tiance waved his hand modestly. "Perhaps the Blood God Clan didn't want to escalate the conflict before the ancient secret realm opens, so they…"
Before he could finish, Luo Tianshen laughed heartily. "Lord Tiance, no need for humility. I know Blood Lingzi's temperament well. If he had a way to deal with you, he wouldn't have surrendered the Blood Demon Banner so easily."
Luo Tianshen accepted the Blood Demon Banner respectfully and continued, "I will gratefully accept this, but please take the Luoshen Sword with you. Should you encounter the Bone God Clan's leader, it will help you break his defenses.
"The Luoshen Sword may only be a divine grade artifact, but its sharpness and penetrative power surpass even some mid grade sacred artifacts. Carrying it will be a great asset."
Seeing Luo Tianshen's insistence, Xiao Tiance nodded and stored the Luoshen Sword in his storage ring. In return, he retrieved three spiritual array pendants from his ring and handed them to Luo Tianshen.
"Senior, since you've shown such trust by lending me the Luoshen Sword, I'll accept it and return it after the ancient secret realm.
"These three pendants contain spiritual arrays I personally crafted. Each can be activated by crushing them, deploying a grandmaster level spiritual array.
"The two on the left are offensive arrays capable of wounding even peak Earth Supremes and severely injuring lower level Earth Supremes.
"The one on the right is a defensive array. It can trap enemies or protect the user but lasts only about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea due to the limited spiritual energy stored within. Consider this my token of goodwill."
Luo Tianshen stared at the pendants in disbelief, excitement flickering in his eyes.
Did Xiao Tiance just say he made these himself? That would mean he wasn't only a peak Earth Supreme but also a grandmaster or even a master level spiritual array expert.
If true, it would elevate the Luoshen Clan's status. Even the Western Sky Battle Hall would hesitate before moving against them.
"These… are truly for me?" Luo Tianshen asked, incredulous.
The value of three grandmaster level spiritual arrays sealed in pendants rivaled that of a mid grade sacred artifact. For Xiao Tiance to gift them so generously after their brief acquaintance was astounding.
Xiao Tiance smiled. "Of course. If we're allies, it's only natural to show sincerity.
"Senior, you dared to lend me the Luoshen Sword, the treasure of your clan. How could I withhold such items in return? Take them they're not particularly valuable and are one time use items meant for emergencies."
Xiao Tiance didn't have many pendants of this level left in his storage ring. He gave them to Luo Tianshen partly out of goodwill and partly because of his favorable impression of Luo Tianshen and Luo Yang.
Additionally, if Luo Li's destiny diverged from marrying Mu Chen due to his influence, Xiao Tiance thought having her as a potential daughter in law wouldn't be bad at all.
"Thank you, Lord Tiance.
"This time, I'll be entering the ancient secret realm as well. If you need guidance, feel free to ask me," Luo Tianshen said, carefully putting away the pendants.
At this moment, the Tianqiong Headmaster looked at Xiao Tiance expectantly, his gaze betraying a silent plea.
Understanding his intentions, Xiao Tiance retrieved his last three pendants. He gave one to the Tianqiong Headmaster and the remaining two to Liu Changkong and Wan Sui.
Since they were allies, especially with Liu Changkong having pledged Tianluo Hall to him, Xiao Tiance decided to provide them with some protection.
"These three spiritual array pendants each contain grandmaster level defensive arrays, but they don't have offensive capabilities.
"When you use them, it's best to throw them near the enemy to trap them," Xiao Tiance instructed.
"Thank you, Lord Tiance!" the three recipients Tianqiong Academy's Headmaster, Liu Changkong, and Wan Sui responded with delight.
In the Luoshen Clan's palace, Luo Tianshen ordered preparations for a banquet to entertain their guests. After the feast, Xiao Tiance returned to his room.
Upon entering, he noticed that Luo Yang, taking matters into his own hands, had sent several beautiful women to serve him. Xiao Tiance promptly sent them away.
He might have indulged in different circumstances, but his current state of mind wouldn't allow it. A sense of urgency gnawed at him until he had located and reunited with everyone he was searching for, he had no intention of diverting his focus.
Later that night, Xiao Tiance sat on his bed. His gaze fell on Ling Longzi, who had been kept unconscious by Qinghou's grip. A sudden wave of irritation swept through him, though he couldn't pinpoint why.
Meanwhile, in the Small Western Sky Realm, at Western Sky Battle City, a tense meeting was underway.
Present were Winter Elder, Ling Zhanzi, Ling Jianzi, Ling Feizi, and a towering man with a commanding presence. They were discussing the news of Ling Longzi's capture by Xiao Tiance.
The atmosphere was suffused with a palpable intensity, each figure radiating an aura that could instill fear in any observer.
Winter Elder exuded an icy chill.
Ling Zhanzi was brimming with an unyielding fighting spirit.
Ling Jianzi emanated a sharp, almost suffocating sword intent.
Ling Feizi was visibly seething with anger.
The large, muscular man radiated a wild and volatile energy.
If anyone were to face these five individuals simultaneously, even a newly ascended Heavenly Supreme would tread cautiously.
Discussions at the Western Sky Battle Hall
"Winter Elder, Ling Longzi may be a failure, but he's still one of us. For him to be captured on Western Sky territory is a disgrace to our Western Sky Battle Hall!" Ling Jianzi declared, his voice icy, his body radiating faintly restrained sword energy.
Winter Elder nodded calmly. "Indeed. It's embarrassing for someone to be captured on our soil and paraded through Luoshui City like a trophy. If we don't eliminate this threat, the reputation of the Western Sky Battle Hall will be ruined."
"That may be true, but according to the information from the Shumen Sect, the one who captured Ling Longzi is supposedly a relative of Xun'er.
"Our teacher has expressed interest in Xun'er. If the two were to dual cultivate, it could significantly aid his advancement to the Sacred Heavenly Supreme level.
"If we kill this man and incur Xun'er's wrath, how will we explain it to the teacher?" Ling Feizi interjected.
Ling Zhanzi, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Whoever captured Ling Longzi must be at least a peak upper Earth Supreme. Among us, only Winter Elder and I can face such an opponent with confidence.
"Additionally, given their apparent ties to the Luoshen Clan, we should prepare for potential complications.
"I propose that one of us remains behind to guard the Small Western Sky Realm while the rest of us deal with this matter.
"Although Ling Longzi failed in his mission, he is still the teacher's disciple. With the teacher currently in seclusion, stabilizing his cultivation, we cannot let such a minor issue disturb him."
Winter Elder frowned slightly but nodded. Ling Zhanzi's position as the heir apparent to the Western Sky Battle Hall carried considerable weight, and his Ancient Battle Emperor Physique made him formidable even by Winter Elder's standards.
"Very well. Ling Feizi will remain here to guard Western Sky Battle City. The rest of us will go retrieve Ling Longzi and Xun'er," Winter Elder concluded.
A New Concern
As the group prepared to act, the burly man known as Xiong Ba (also referred to as Bear King) raised a question. "Winter Elder, Holy Sons, if the Luoshen Clan intervenes, should we eliminate them as well?"
Xiong Ba, nearing the upper Earth Supreme level, was renowned across the Western Sky Continent for his ruthlessness. His brutal methods had earned him a fearsome reputation, and even after recently submitting to the Western Sky Battle Hall, he retained his violent tendencies.
His exploits were legendary. In one infamous battle, he tore apart a lower Earth Supreme opponent with his bare hands, leaving behind a trail of blood and fear. However, his brashness was tempered by experience he knew when to be cautious.
Ling Feizi chuckled mockingly. "Xiong Ba, this hesitation doesn't suit the fearless Bear King."
Xiong Ba scratched his head awkwardly. "I'm just stating facts.
"The Luoshen Clan has a solid reputation on the Western Sky Continent. Furthermore, their leader, Luo Tianshen, is no pushover. Even if Ling Jianzi and I teamed up, we could only hold him off at best.
"If they truly intervene and we fail to capture Xun'er, how will we explain it to the teacher?"
Though his tone was casual, sweat lined Xiong Ba's back. He had a personal reason for his caution: years ago, after advancing to lower Earth Supreme, he had attempted to intimidate the Luoshen Clan but was grievously injured by Luo Tianshen with a single sword strike.
The memory haunted him still, and while no one else knew of this incident, it left Xiong Ba wary of the Luoshen Clan.
Winter Elder nodded thoughtfully. "Xiong Ba's concerns are valid. However, I'm more troubled by the reports regarding the capture of the Three Nameless Bandits.
"According to the information we've received, the same individual responsible for capturing Ling Longzi was also behind their defeat."
The room fell silent, the weight of Winter Elder's words settling over them.
(Chapter End)
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