Chapter 328: Peak Earth Supreme Heavenly Puppet; The Western Sky Battle Hall Arrives
"Good job, Ling'er. With your help, even if the Western Sky Battle Emperor himself came, I'd have no problem slapping him back to where he belongs."
In the palace at Luoshui City, Xiao Tiance's remark made Ling'er giggle uncontrollably. Seeing her so happy brightened his mood further.
The day had brought nothing but good fortune. He had solidified an alliance with the Luoshen Clan, Ling'er had awakened, and both Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er had regained their strength. It was a day to celebrate.
Lightning Tribulations Continue
Thunderbolts raged down from the heavens as Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er's auras climbed higher and higher. In no time, both had ascended to the Earth Supreme (Peak) level. While they weren't quite as powerful as Xiao Tiance himself, they had surpassed the upper Earth Supreme level.
With their tribulations concluded, both Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er quickly returned to their rooms to stabilize their newfound strength. Although the breakthrough was successful, their energies needed fine tuning.
However, the thunderstorm above didn't dissipate. It continued to rage, crackling ominously in the sky. The reason? Qinghou, the Heavenly Puppet, appeared to be provoking the heavens. Lightning struck him relentlessly, but instead of harm, it only enhanced him.
Qinghou's golden, metallic body began glowing even more radiantly, with each bolt tempering his already fearsome physique. As Xiao Tiance observed, he realized that the heavenly tribulation was accelerating Qinghou's growth.
"Perhaps I don't need to search for rare materials after all. These lightning strikes are enough to upgrade him," Xiao Tiance mused with a smile.
The Unstoppable Growth of Qinghou
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The heavens roared, shaking the city of Luoshui. The spectacle of the tribulation drew countless onlookers, but none dared to approach. This was the Luoshen Clan's territory, and without an invitation, intruding would mean death by Luo Tianshen's blade.
Meanwhile, Luo Tianshen watched in astonishment as Qinghou's aura climbed rapidly. His metallic body radiated a terrifying energy that could be felt from far away.
"What a monstrous puppet technique! In just a few breaths, this puppet has reached the upper Earth Supreme (initial) level," Luo Tianshen thought, shocked.
He marveled at the craftsmanship but also grew a bit envious. If Xiao Tiance could create such a puppet, could he also help the Luoshen Clan forge one?
Before he could voice his thoughts, Qinghou's aura surged again. The Heavenly Puppet had broken through yet another boundary, reaching upper Earth Supreme (intermediate) level.
Every bolt of lightning that struck Qinghou was absorbed into his body like a vast ocean devouring rivers.
"Impossible," Luo Tianshen gasped. "If this continues, I, even armed with the Luoshen Sword, might not stand a chance against him."
The realization that Qinghou might surpass him filled Luo Tianshen with awe and relief. He silently thanked himself for forging an alliance with Xiao Tiance better as a friend than an enemy.
A Rapid Climb to Peak Earth Supreme
As Luo Tianshen stood in awe, Xiao Tiance retrieved a pill from his storage and sent it toward Qinghou.
The pill dissolved instantly upon contact, and for a moment, nothing happened. But soon after, Qinghou's aura surged wildly. In the blink of an eye, his power soared beyond upper Earth Supreme, heading straight for Peak Earth Supreme.
"How… how is this even possible?!" Luo Tianshen cried out in disbelief.
In his long life, he had never seen such an absurdly rapid ascension.
"If someone told me about a nine rank Supreme jumping to Peak Earth Supreme in one leap, I'd think they were drunk. But now…" Luo Tianshen muttered, stunned into silence.
Xiao Tiance Explains
"It's not as miraculous as it seems," Xiao Tiance explained, amused by Luo Tianshen's shock.
"Qinghou, in life, was likely even stronger than I am now. After his transformation into a Heavenly Puppet, his potential was only limited by the materials used to reconstruct him. The heavenly tribulation is merely replenishing his spiritual energy, like refueling an empty tank.
"This process is accelerating his recovery to his original level, and perhaps even beyond," Xiao Tiance said with a faint smile.
If Tianluo, another Heavenly Puppet he had crafted, were here, Xiao Tiance would have even more confidence. However, Tianluo had been created from Xiao Xuan's body back when Xiao Xuan was at the half Emperor level. Whether Tianluo could ascend to Earth Supreme would depend on further upgrades.
Luo Tianshen's Request
"Lord Tiance," Luo Tianshen said, bowing deeply. "If there's ever a chance, could you assist the Luoshen Clan in crafting such a puppet?"
The respect in his tone was unmistakable. If Luo Tianshen had admired Xiao Tiance before, he now held him in reverence.
"Of course, Senior. Once Qinghou has completed his ascension, I can provide you with the necessary materials," Xiao Tiance replied, his tone generous but measured.
The Power of Alliances
As Qinghou's ascension continued, Luo Tianshen felt even more grateful for his earlier decision to ally with Xiao Tiance.
Between Qinghou, Xiao Xuan, and Gu Xun'er two newly ascended Peak Earth Supremes and one Heavenly Puppet of the same level the Luoshen Clan's chances against any enemy had significantly improved.
More importantly, standing beside them was Xiao Tiance himself, a Peak Earth Supreme and a master of spiritual arrays. With allies like these, even the Western Sky Battle Hall would think twice before attacking.
"Thank the heavens we're on the same side," Luo Tianshen thought with a sigh of relief.
The Western Sky Battle Hall was formidable, but with this growing alliance, the tides of power in the Western Sky Continent might soon begin to shift.
"Thank you, Lord Tiance," Luo Tianshen said hastily.
Xiao Tiance waved a hand dismissively, but his expression quickly turned serious. He looked up to see cracks appearing on Qinghou's metallic body. With Qinghou's strength now fully elevated to Peak Earth Supreme, the heavenly lightning no longer supplied him with energy.
"It seems he's reached his limit. I had hoped the lightning might push him into Celestial Supreme, but it appears the materials still restrict him."
With a sigh, Xiao Tiance's hands moved in complex patterns, forming intricate seals. In moments, spiritual seals flew into the air, converging to form a vast formation.
"Buzz!"
As the formation activated, the rampaging lightning storm in the sky seemed to pause, as though frozen by the power of the array. The thunderclouds dissipated shortly after, unable to find a target. Xiao Tiance then withdrew the array, which wasn't of particularly high grade but excelled in concealing energy signatures.
Qinghou, the Perfect Puppet
Once the formation ended, Qinghou descended to the ground, his damaged body glowing faintly. His original clothing had disintegrated, and Xiao Tiance promptly retrieved a new set from his storage ring to clothe him.
The cracks on Qinghou's body rapidly healed, and the powerful aura of a Peak Earth Supreme puppet radiated from him. Xiao Tiance's eyes glimmered with satisfaction.
"What a terrifying Heavenly Puppet," a voice suddenly exclaimed.
Xiao Tiance turned to see the astonished faces of the Heavenly Academy's dean, Liu Changkong, and Wansui.
Previously, Qinghou's strength as a Peak Nine Supremacy puppet had already left them stunned. Now, as a Peak Earth Supreme, he was nothing short of a marvel.
"Apologies for disturbing your rest," Xiao Tiance said with a polite bow.
"Rest? Hahaha! If every disturbance were like this, the structure of the entire Great Thousand World would be turned on its head," the dean chuckled.
"If someone could stab me a few times and produce a puppet like that, I'd gladly offer myself," he joked, his admiration barely contained.
Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er's Recovery
At this moment, Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er emerged from their rooms, their faces brimming with confidence. Their auras were now solidly at Earth Supreme, signifying their full recovery.
When their eyes fell on Qinghou, astonishment swept over them.
This wasn't just any Heavenly Puppet it was equivalent to a Peak Dou Di, far surpassing Tianluo, another puppet they had previously encountered.
"Lord Tiance!" Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er greeted respectfully.
"Congratulations, Brother Xuan, Xun'er," Xiao Tiance said with genuine warmth. "With your strength restored, there'll be no more instances of nobodies daring to act arrogantly before you."
"Thank you, Uncle Tiance," Gu Xun'er replied earnestly, bowing.
"No need to thank me. Just remember our agreement: after this ancient secret realm is over, I'll give you three years to find Xiao Yan. But... knowing that rascal, I doubt he'll agree to join my forces," Xiao Tiance said with a smirk.
He then added, "Oh, and while searching for Xiao Yan, keep an eye out for your father, Gu Yuan. I sensed his aura in the spatial channel. It's possible he's also in the Great Thousand World."
Gu Yuan's Fate
"What? My father is here too?" Gu Xun'er asked, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief.
"I didn't see him personally, but I did sense his aura. Whether he perished in the spatial channel or made it here, I can't be certain. However, Xiao Yan, who entered the channel shortly after him, may know something," Xiao Tiance explained calmly.
Gu Xun'er clenched her fists, her heart racing. If her father was still alive, she had to find him.
"Thank you, Uncle Tiance. After the secret realm, I'll search for my father and Xiao Yan. If I find him, I'll ensure he visits to apologize to you," she said earnestly.
Xiao Tiance waved dismissively. "There's no need. I no longer hold a grudge against Gu Yuan. Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived back in the Dou Qi Continent."
He continued, "With your strength restored, you must prepare. The Western Sky Battle Hall will likely send reinforcements soon."
The Western Sky Battle Hall Arrives
Hearing this, Xiao Xuan snorted disdainfully. "The Western Sky Battle Hall? Such an overblown name. I'd like to see if they truly have the strength to dominate the Western Sky Continent."
Xiao Tiance chuckled, pleased by Xiao Xuan's restored confidence. "It'll be interesting to see, won't it?"
Just then, Xiao Tiance abruptly turned his gaze westward. "Oh, they're faster than I thought."
"Hahaha! Such arrogant words! Since you're so eager to witness the power of the Western Sky Battle Hall, allow me to fulfill your wish!"
A booming voice echoed as spatial ripples spread through the air. Suddenly, a long sword shot forth like lightning, cutting through thousands of meters in an instant, aimed directly at Xiao Tiance.
Yet Xiao Tiance stood motionless, his expression calm and composed.
As the blade closed in, a golden figure flashed before him. Qinghou intercepted the strike with ease, gripping the sword tightly. Despite its immense force, capable of piercing a lower Earth Supreme, Qinghou remained unmoved.
"What? A Peak Earth Supreme puppet? Impossible!"
The incredulous voice belonged to Ling Jianzi, the second holy son of the Western Sky Battle Hall. The arrival of such a powerful Heavenly Puppet had clearly caught their side off guard.
(To Be Continued)
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