Jia Ma Empire, Imperial Capital, Xiao Clan's Ancestral Residence.
As Xiao Tiance finished speaking, Xiao Tian Ming silently nodded, trusting his elder brother's judgnt. He had long realized that Xiao Tiance was far more insightful than himself.
Before the two could continue their conversation, Qinglian stord out of a spatial rift, her face full of frustration.
"What rotten luck!" she grumbled the mont she appeared.
Xiao Tiance raised an eyebrow and asked with a slight smile, "What's the matter? Couldn't track down the Heavenly Fla?"
"I found it," Qinglian huffed, her tone still irritated. "But it was taken by so little girl from the Snake Person Tribe! I wanted to take it back, but the little snake threatened to swallow the fla if I dared to try. Can you believe that?"
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance quickly pieced the puzzle together it had to be Queen dusa who had taken the Green Lotus Core Fla.
In the original story, dusa was a renowned figure in the Dou Qi Continent, often referred to as the Queen of the Snake Person Tribe. But compared to the might of imperial clans like the Xiao Clan, her title was rather insignificant more like a leader of a small tribe than a true monarch.
"Haha, don't be too upset," Xiao Tiance said with a chuckle. "Qinglian, it's likely she was bluffing. With her icy constitution, she wouldn't be able to absorb a Heavenly Fla even if she wanted to. Most likely, she intends to use the fla for evolution."
"Evolution?" Qinglian scoffed. "That little girl's only at the peak of the sixth tier. Does she think devouring a Heavenly Fla will let her evolve without consequence? She's not afraid of courting death?"
Xiao Tiance smiled knowingly. While Qinglian's frustration was justified, he couldn't help but marvel at dusa's audacity. In the original story, not only did she successfully absorb the Heavenly Fla, but she also managed to evolve, setting herself on the path to incredible growth. Eventually, her strength soared, reaching the level of an Earthly Supre in the Great Thousand World and earning her a place as one of the two mistresses of the Endless Fla Alliance.
"The Snake Person Tribe has low potential. Without taking risks, their leaders rarely progress beyond Dou Huang," Xiao Tiance explained, pouring Qinglian a cup of tea to soothe her temper.
Still fuming, Qinglian gulped the tea in one go before standing abruptly. "Clan Leader, since I've marked her, I can track her no matter where she goes. I'll bring the fla back imdiately!"
As she moved to tear open a spatial rift, Xiao Tiance raised a hand to stop her.
"No need," he said calmly. "You've already let her go once, so let her be. We'll have other opportunities to retrieve the fla. Besides, a Heavenly Fla isn't sothing the Snake Person Tribe can easily handle."
Although reluctant, Qinglian sighed and nodded. Despite her frustration, she heeded Xiao Tiance's words, knowing better than to act rashly.
Watching this exchange, Xiao Tian Ming marveled inwardly: "It's just like Brother Ce to handle Qinglian so easily. If it were anyone else, they'd have ended up with a bruised face after trying to calm her down."
Indeed, Qinglian's strength was formidable. If not for Xiao Tiance's consistent support providing her with small amounts of Golden Emperor Burning Fla essence and helping her absorb other flas her strength wouldn't have surpassed Four Star Dou Sheng. Now, she was at the peak of Six Star Dou Sheng, with the potential to reach the high ranks of Dou Sheng in a few years.
Still annoyed, Qinglian muttered, "If only finding other Heavenly Flas were as easy as you make it sound. Do you think flas like grow on trees?!"
Amused, Xiao Tiance smiled, but Xiao Tian Ming interjected cheerfully, "Co on, Qinglian. You can sense other flas across a wide radius. Surely finding another one won't take long."
Qinglian shot Xiao Tian Ming an irritated glare. "You think Heavenly Flas are cabbages growing in fields? They're rare for a reason!"
Before Xiao Tian Ming could respond, Qinglian suddenly paused, her expression changing. "Wait a second… I sense sothing!"
Xiao Tiance's attention sharpened. "What did you find?"
Qinglian's face lit up with excitent. "Over there! It's Wind Fury Dragon Fla, ranked 18th on the Heavenly Fla list. Its aura is faint, but I can definitely feel it!"
Before Xiao Tiance could process this, Qinglian's excitent surged further. "Wait, there's more! I sense multiple flas: Profound Yellow Fla, Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fla, Yin Yang Twin Flas, and Netherworld Poison Fla! So many! If I could absorb them all, I might even reach the early Nine Star Dou Sheng stage!"
Xiao Tiance's smile faded. He imdiately realized where Qinglian was sensing these flas the legendary Tuo She Ancient Emperor's mansion.
Only such a place could house so many Heavenly Flas.
He raised a hand to calm Qinglian. "Don't get too excited, Qinglian. As much as I'd love for you to have these flas, that location is beyond our reach for now not even I can access it easily."
Qinglian froze, her excitent giving way to frustration. "Even you can't?"
Xiao Tiance nodded gravely. "It's a place sealed by the Tuo She Ancient Emperor himself. Without the Emperor's Jade or other exceptional ans, entering it is impossible for now."
Qinglian slumped back into her chair, muttering curses under her breath. Xiao Tiance smiled, pouring her another cup of tea.
"Be patient, Qinglian. When the ti is right, those flas will be ours."
Jia Ma Empire, Imperial Capital, Xiao Clan's Ancestral Residence
Upon hearing Xiao Tiance's casual ntion of the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's mansion, both Qinglian and Xiao Tianming turned their attention to him in astonishnt.
"Brother Ce/Clan Leader, do you know where that is?" the two asked in unison.
Seeing their curiosity, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly and explained, "Of course I know. It's the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's mansion. I found its location years ago, but without a complete Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade, it's impossible to enter."
"What?!"
Xiao Tianming inhaled sharply, clearly stunned. "Brother Ce, how could you keep sothing this important to yourself?"
Xiao Tiance smiled calmly, waving a hand. "Precisely because it's so important. That's why I haven't told anyone until now. Even though you both know, this must remain a secret. No other imperial clans can learn of this."
"Understood, Brother Ce/Clan Leader. We'll keep this confidential," they assured him.
As the trio continued their conversation, a voice ca from outside the courtyard.
"Clan Leader, there's a ssage from the branch division. Jia Xing Tian of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family has requested an audience with the branch leader. He's accompanied by Yun Yun, the current Cloud Mist Sect's leader."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance gestured for Xiao Feng to enter. After Xiao Feng saluted respectfully, Xiao Tiance asked with mild irritation, "If they're requesting to et the branch leader, let the branch leader handle it. Why bring this matter to ?"
His displeasure was evident. A re royal family from Jia Ma Empire a force as insignificant as ants had no right to disturb him. What was the point of the Tianji Tower's existence if such trivialities reached his ears?
Noticing his tone, Xiao Feng imdiately knelt and explained, "Clan Leader, please calm your anger. Branch Leader Xiao Hezai is currently in Black Corner Region discussing matters with Elder Xiao Lei. That's why I ca to report this to you."
Xiao Tiance's face softened slightly, but his dissatisfaction lingered. "If Xiao Hezai isn't around, then let the deputy branch leader handle it. Are you telling there's no one capable left in the branch? What's the point of having all those people if every small matter has to co to ?"
Xiao Feng trembled slightly under the reprimand. "Clan Leader, please forgive . Not only is Xiao Hezai away, but Deputy Branch Leader Wang Chao has also gone to the Chu Yun Empire. Most of the protectors have accompanied him, leaving no one to attend to the matter. That's why I had no choice but to disturb you."
Xiao Tiance exhaled deeply, suppressing his annoyance. "Fine. You've recently advanced to a Three Star Dou King, haven't you? That's strong enough. You go et them yourself. I have no interest in dealing with them."
"Yes, Clan Leader. I understand." Xiao Feng retreated quickly after receiving the order.
Once he was gone, Xiao Tianming turned to Xiao Tiance, trying to console him. "Brother Ce, don't be too upset. The branch leaders like Xiao Hezai and Wang Chao have been diligent. Especially Wang Chao he's known for being thorough and responsible."
Xiao Tiance snorted. "Even so, there must always be soone overseeing the branch. For such minor matters to reach is an absolute failure of their duties."
He paused, his voice growing colder. "If this had been the headquarters or a second level branch, I might understand. But this is the lowest level branch division. If they can't even manage such trivialities, they're unfit to hold their positions."
Tianji Tower's divisions were structured into three tiers. The first tier was the headquarters, overseen by Xiao Tiance himself or Tianluo. Second tier branches were led by Dou Venerates, mostly located in Central Plains. The third tier, like this branch, was led by Dou Kings and operated in regions outside the Central Plains.
Hearing this, Xiao Tianming sighed. "You're right, Brother Ce. It was their mistake."
At that mont, Qinglian, who had been swinging her legs idly from a chair, pouted. "This place is so boring. There's nothing fun to do!"
Despite being over a thousand years old, Qinglian retained a childlike personality. Her youthful appearance and playful deanor often made her seem more adorable than intimidating, even though she was a Six Star Dou Saint at her peak.
Xiao Tiance chuckled. "If you're bored here, why not explore? The northwest has plenty of interesting places to visit."
Qinglian shook her head. "It's no fun. I'd rather stay by your side, Clan Leader. At least I can absorb so strands of your Golden Emperor Burning Fla's essence now and then."
Without waiting for a response, Qinglian shrank to the size of a doll and leapt onto Xiao Tiance's shoulder. Grasping a few strands of his hair for balance, she curled up and promptly fell asleep.
Xiao Tiance and Xiao Tianming exchanged a glance and sighed with amusent. They were used to her antics by now.
"Brother Ce, should we still keep an eye on Wutan City?" Xiao Tianming asked after a mont.
Xiao Tiance shook his head. "No need. Yao Chen's soul form has recovered significantly. While he's not yet back to his peak strength, he's more than capable of dealing with low tier Dou Kings. Plus, he has the Tianji Order I gave him. If Xiao Yan faces any real danger, Yao Chen will intervene."
Xiao Tianming nodded, understanding. Then, with a hint of reluctance, he added, "I should return to Tianwaitian soon. Ever since Qing'er and the others got married, the old man's been pestering to find soone and settle down. If I hadn't used the excuse of an unfinished mission here, he might've dragged back by now."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's irritation lted away, replaced by a hearty laugh.
"Haha! A man should marry when the ti cos. You're not young anymore it's ti you found soone to keep you in line!"
Xiao Tianming glared at him in mock annoyance. "Hmph!"
Without another word, he waved his hand, tore open a spatial rift, and disappeared, unable to endure the teasing any longer.
Xiao Tiance's laughter echoed through the courtyard as he watched his younger brother flee.
anwhile, at the Tianji Tower branch division, Jia Xing Tian and Yun Yun sat in the guest hall, admiring their surroundings.
"As expected of a superpower like Tianji Tower. Even a branch division is this extravagant. Truly eye opening!" Jia Xing Tian remarked with awe.
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