Chapter 340: The Ancient Tai Ling Clan
"Are you two alright?"
In the depths of the Ancient Secret Realm, Xiao Tiance's voice echoed as he looked at Luo Tianshen and Dean Tianqiong. Though their appearances were far from ideal, neither had suffered injuries to their core essence, meaning they could recover fully with a few days of rest.
"We're fine, Lord Tiance. It's incredible how you scattered the West Heaven Battle Hall's encirclement. Your strength is truly remarkable!" Dean Tianqiong exclaimed, his voice tinged with excitement.
Luo Tianshen also smiled and reassured him, "Lord Tiance, our injuries are not severe. We'll be fully recovered in just a few days. You needn't worry about us."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance carefully assessed their conditions. Seeing that neither had sustained critical damage, he finally relaxed. "Good. For now, they shouldn't return anytime soon. Focus on recovering your strength. It's unfortunate we couldn't take down a few Earth Sovereigns. Otherwise, I could've crafted Tian Yao Kui puppets for you both, increasing your safety."
"It's no problem, Lord Tiance. The Ancient Secret Realm has only just begun. We still have time," Luo Tianshen quickly replied.
"Alright, enough talk. Focus on your recovery. I'll go check the area over there."
As his voice fell, Xiao Tiance's figure disappeared into the distance.
A Fateful Encounter
Nearby, as soon as Xiao Tiance vanished, the young man standing behind the girl said respectfully, "Miss, Xiao Tiance is coming over."
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Tiance appeared directly before them. Looking at the pair, Xiao Tiance clasped his hands in greeting and said, "You two have been observing for quite some time. Now that the battle is over, are you not planning to leave?"
The young woman smiled at his words, her gaze sweeping over Xiao Tiance. After a moment, she responded with a soft smile, "Ye Qingqing of the Ancient Tai Ling Clan greets Lord Tiance."
Though her introduction was brief, it sent waves of shock through Xiao Tiance's mind.
"The Ancient Tai Ling Clan?" Xiao Tiance feigned confusion.
"Haha, it seems Lord Tiance hasn't had the time to learn about us," Ye Qingqing said with a light laugh, her gaze fixed on him.
The Ancient Tai Ling Clan was one of the Five Great Ancient Clans, alongside the Floating Tuo Clan, Mohe Clan, Black Heaven Clan, and the Wild Ancient Clan. Unlike the other clans, the Tai Ling Clan was known for its open mindedness and emphasis on freedom. They valued merit over bloodline, allowing outsiders to join if they passed rigorous tests.
The Tai Ling Clan boasted incredible resources: one of the Thirty Six Absolute Divine Abilities, the Tai Ling Heavenly Radiance, the Tai Ling Ancient Diagram (a supreme sacred artifact), and one of the Five Primordial Physiques, the Tai Ling Sacred Physique. Additionally, the clan was home to two Heavenly Sovereign level powerhouses: Grand Elder Tai Ming and World Guardian Chi Yan the Old Immortal.
Xiao Tiance, of course, knew about them. Upon arriving in the Great Thousand World, he had been aware of Ye Qingqing's guard, whose aura at the peak of Earth Sovereign Perfection was unmistakable.
"I must admit, I am familiar with the Tai Ling Clan's reputation. However, I did not expect to meet its members in the Ancient Secret Realm. Forgive my initial surprise," Xiao Tiance replied with a polite smile.
Despite his calm demeanor, Xiao Tiance was highly wary. Compared to the West Heaven Battle Hall, whose sole Heavenly Sovereign was the West Heaven War Emperor, the Tai Ling Clan had an unfathomable foundation.
In the Great Thousand World, strength ruled supreme. Provoking a force like the Tai Ling Clan was no different from courting death.
An Invitation
Ye Qingqing chuckled. "I didn't expect someone new to the Great Thousand World to have already heard of us. It's truly an honor.
"In that case, as the successor to the Tai Ling Clan's Holy Maiden position, I formally invite Lord Tiance to join our Tai Ling Clan."
Xiao Tiance blinked, caught off guard. "Join the Tai Ling Clan?"
He had known the Tai Ling Clan was more inclusive than the other ancient clans, but being invited so openly still surprised him.
"That's correct. If you agree, I'll personally petition the Grand Elder to grant you the title of Elder," Ye Qingqing said with a warm smile.
The young man behind her added, "Miss Qingqing speaks the truth. If Lord Tiance joins the Tai Ling Clan, not only would the West Heaven Battle Hall cease to trouble you, but even the Great Thousand Palace would tread carefully around us."
"Uncle Lin!" Ye Qingqing interrupted sharply, gesturing for him to step back. The man bowed respectfully and retreated behind her.
A Polite Refusal
Xiao Tiance pondered for a brief moment before shaking his head. "Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Ye, but I prefer my freedom. I've never been one to pledge allegiance to any power. I fear I must decline your generosity."
Hearing this, Uncle Lin's eyes briefly flickered with dissatisfaction, though he quickly hid it. Ye Qingqing, however, simply smiled and nodded.
"No need to apologize, Lord Tiance. Everyone has the right to choose their path. I expected this outcome when I extended the invitation.
"It's just a little disappointing. This is the third time I've extended such an invitation, and all three have been rejected. It seems I have no luck in such matters."
Her words piqued Xiao Tiance's curiosity. He had chosen to reject the offer because he was confident in his ability to carve out a place in the Great Thousand World. But who else had the courage to decline an invitation from the Tai Ling Clan?
"I see. May I ask who else had the courage to refuse your invitation, Miss Ye?" Xiao Tiance asked with a faint smile.
"Haha, it seems fate has brought us together. The first person I invited shares your surname, Xiao. His name is Xiao Yan, and from what I know, he's one of your younger clan members.
The second was a man named Lin Dong, also from a smaller world, like you.
And the third… well, it's you, Lord Tiance.
Unfortunately, perhaps my strength is too lacking, or maybe all of you have grand ambitions of your own. None of you accepted my invitation." Ye Qingqing spoke candidly, directly revealing the identities of the others she had approached.
Xiao Tiance couldn't help but marvel at Ye Qingqing's foresight. Her selections Xiao Yan, Lin Dong, and himself were all destined to rise to the pinnacle of the Great Thousand World.
Even Xiao Yan, whose path had been complicated due to Xiao Tiance allowing Gu Xun'er to inherit the Gu Emperor's legacy, wasn't without hope for greatness. If not for his initial disappointment in Xiao Yan's choices, Xiao Tiance might have helped him secure the Gu Emperor's inheritance outright. After all, the legacy had been left for Xiao Yan from the very start.
As for Lin Dong, his fate was likely to follow the trajectory described in the Great Ruler's original story. He would create the Martial Realm and become one of the superpowers in the Great Thousand World.
And as for himself? Xiao Tiance didn't consider it arrogance but a certainty. He was confident he would ascend to the highest echelons of power, leaving his name etched on the Heavenly Rankings. Otherwise, he might as well have stayed in the Dou Qi Continent as its sole ruler.
Xiao Tiance's Response
"Haha, Lin Dong is unfamiliar to me, but Xiao Yan is indeed a descendant of the Xiao Clan," Xiao Tiance replied with a smile. "Though he and I both declined your offer, it seems fate has allowed us to meet. Should you ever need my help in the future, Miss Ye, don't hesitate to ask."
Ye Qingqing chuckled. "Then I won't be polite, Lord Tiance.
"I believe it won't take more than a few decades before your name echoes throughout the Great Thousand World. When that day comes, I'll be sure to offer my congratulations."
She laughed lightly, showing no sign of disappointment at being rejected once more.
After all, the Tai Ling Clan was a renowned superpower in the Great Thousand World. Though Xiao Tiance and the others were incredibly strong, they hadn't yet reached the Heavenly Sovereign realm.
In the eyes of the Five Ancient Clans, those below the Heavenly Sovereign level were still far from being taken seriously.
"Hahaha, then I will warmly welcome Miss Ye when that day arrives. For now, let's leave it at this. Until we meet again."
With those words, Xiao Tiance's figure flickered and disappeared.
Lin Dong's Insight
After Xiao Tiance left, Uncle Lin sighed and said, "Miss, I told you before someone like him would never agree to such an invitation. Why insist?"
Ye Qingqing smiled, waving her hand dismissively. "Uncle Lin, why take it so seriously?
"If Xiao Tiance had accepted, our Tai Ling Clan would have gained a future powerhouse. If he refused, it's no loss. This was merely a gesture of goodwill. Should we ever need each other's help in the future, it's better to have crossed paths than never to have met at all.
"Besides, Uncle Lin, don't you have a feeling that the three people I've invited during this trip to the West Heaven Continent Xiao Yan, Lin Dong, and Xiao Tiance are all destined to become figures capable of shaking the Great Thousand World with a single step?"
Uncle Lin shook his head, sighing. "Miss, becoming someone who can make the Great Thousand World tremble with a single step isn't an easy feat."
"Haha, but what if they succeed, Uncle Lin?" Ye Qingqing laughed softly, her tone light but filled with conviction. "Let's go."
"Yes, Miss."
Xiao Tiance's Contemplation
Returning to the battlefield, Xiao Tiance began guarding Luo Tianshen and Dean Tianqiong while they recovered. As he waited, his thoughts turned to Lin Dong.
The original story had described Xiao Yan and Lin Dong briefly noticing each other when they traversed the barrier into the Great Thousand World. If that were the case, Lin Dong should have only recently arrived in this world.
At the very least, his battle with the Ice Spirit Clan's ancestor had yet to occur.
The Ice Spirit Clan's ancestor was immensely powerful, at least a Heavenly Sovereign of the Celestial Tier. If Lin Dong could face such a foe, it meant his strength was likely comparable to Xiao Tiance's an Earth Sovereign capable of challenging a Heavenly Sovereign.
"Ah, well. Given Lin Dong's character, I doubt we'll have any conflict. I'll deal with it when we meet," Xiao Tiance thought, smiling faintly as he set the matter aside.
Xiao Yan's Resolve
Meanwhile, in a secluded valley, Xiao Yan listened to others discussing the recent events in the Ancient Secret Realm. A faint smile curved his lips as he tightened his fist.
"Ancestor Tiance, thank you for saving Xun'er from the West Heaven Battle Hall. One day, I, Xiao Yan, will repay this debt."
With those words, Xiao Yan resumed his journey, seeking the opportunities that awaited him.
Lin Dong's Ambition
Elsewhere, atop a towering peak, a young man stood with a commanding presence, his expression calm and steady as a mountain. His purple black robe fluttered in the wind, and he held a staff crackling with lightning.
Each spark seemed to carry the weight of thunderous destruction. Around him, vast spiritual energy swirled, sometimes transforming into ice, fire, lightning, and shadow each shift profound and mysterious.
This was Lin Dong.
Though his current strength was only at the Upper Earth Sovereign level, his aura grew stronger by the moment, steadily approaching the Earth Sovereign Perfection stage.
"Xiao Tiance… Ever since I arrived on the West Heaven Continent, your name keeps reaching my ears. I wonder if I'll have the chance to meet you in this Ancient Secret Realm," Lin Dong murmured before leaping off the peak. Lightning flashed, and his figure vanished.
Gu Xun'er's Gratitude
Ten days later, on a vast plain, Xiao Xuan snapped the neck of a Lower Earth Sovereign. With a sharp twist, he obliterated the man's soul, ensuring no chance of survival.
Nearby, Gu Xun'er finished off another Earth Sovereign, her expression calm as she carried the corpse to Xiao Xuan's side.
"Uncle Xiao Xuan, that's the fifth and sixth Earth Sovereigns we've killed. I wonder how many Tian Yao Kui puppets Uncle Tiance plans to craft."
(End of Chapter)
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