Central Plains, Tianji Tower Headquarters
After spending a few days in the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Tiance returned to the Central Plains upon receiving an urgent ssage from Tian Luo: the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade, guarded by the Yan Clan for thousands of years, had mysteriously vanished.
"Are you saying that the Yan Clan's Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade has disappeared without a trace?" Xiao Tiance asked, his tone serious as he gazed at the visibly frustrated Tian Luo.
Tian Luo nodded, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Yes, it's completely vanished. Not even the Yan Clan's patriarch knows when it disappeared or where it went."
Tian Luo elaborated further, explaining the peculiar circumstances. He had spent considerable effort infiltrating the Yan Clan, planning to observe the jade closely. But before he could, it had disappeared. Neither the Yan Clan's patriarch nor the elders guarding it were aware of its disappearance, making the situation highly suspicious.
Xiao Tiance pondered the possibilities:
The Yan Clan hid the jade intentionally.
If they realized that the Xiao Clan had acquired the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jades from the Shi Clan and Ling Clan, they might have hidden theirs to avoid confrontation. A direct clash with the Xiao Clan was a risk the Yan Clan could not afford.
The jade was stolen by spies from the Hun Clan.
While this diverged from the original story, it was plausible. The Hun Clan might have acted preemptively, knowing the Xiao Clan was also after the jades.
The Gu Clan intervened.
With the Gu Clan poised to exchange their jade for Xiao Tiance's help in establishing a Ninth Tier Spirit Gathering Array, they might have stolen the Yan Clan's jade to maximize their own gain.
While each theory seed plausible, none could be confird.
Turning to Tian Luo, Xiao Tiance asked, "Besides the Yan Clan, has anyone else been made aware of this?"
Tian Luo shook his head. "I haven't shared this with anyone. Within the Yan Clan, only the patriarch and the two elders guarding the jade know. The patriarch imdiately suppressed the news to avoid widespread panic."
Xiao Tiance exhaled deeply. "Very well. You've done well, Tian Luo. For now, focus on the Lei Clan's jade. We need that one too."
Tian Luo bowed. "Understood. The Lei Clan's patriarch keeps the jade with him at all tis. While the Lei Clan is on par with the Yan Clan in strength, their vigilance makes them less likely to encounter such mishaps. With the Ninth Tier Spirit Gathering Arrays you provided, I should be able to retrieve their jade."
Xiao Tiance nodded. "Good. Rember, the conditions I promised you will remain unchanged."
After Tian Luo left, Xiao Tiance's expression darkened. The disappearance of the Yan Clan's jade weighed heavily on his mind. A fourth possibility erged: What if Tian Luo took it?
While this was unlikely, given Tian Luo's intelligence and loyalty, Xiao Tiance couldn't entirely dismiss the thought. If Tian Luo had betrayed him, Xiao Tiance could destroy him at any mont.
Sitting alone, Xiao Tiance deliberated. The original story had presented Xiao Yan's ascension to Emperor as the culmination of everything, but reality was proving far more unpredictable. The loss of a single jade introduced too many uncertainties.
He began to evaluate his options:
The Three Paths to Emperorhood
Follow Xiao Yan's Path Achieve Emperorhood Through Fla Evolution
Xiao Tiance briefly considered becoming an Emperor himself using the Fla Mantra technique and consuming different Heavenly Flas. However, this path was riddled with problems. Unlike Xiao Yan, Xiao Tiance didn't possess the protagonist's unparalleled fortune.
Additionally, the Fla Mantra required absorbing the Void Swallowing Fla a task almost impossible for Xiao Tiance. The Void Swallowing Fla despised him, and their enmity was too great to overco. Without the Void Swallowing Fla, the Fla Evolution path was a dead end.
Recreate the Hun Clan's Path Use the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jades to Forge an Emperor Pill
The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jades could open the Ancient Emperor's Cave and retrieve a half finished Emperor Pill. Following the Hun Clan's example, Xiao Tiance could use the lives of countless Central Plains residents to refine the pill into completion.
However, with the disappearance of the Yan Clan's jade, this path had beco highly precarious.
Forge a New Path Break Through as a Spirit Array Grandmaster
The third and most viable path was to reach the pinnacle of Spirit Array mastery. A Spirit Array Grandmaster's power rivaled that of a Dou Emperor. With the vast energy of a Spirit Array, Xiao Tiance could shatter the spatial barrier separating the Dou Qi Continent from the Great Thousand World and access the Source Qi needed to beco an Emperor.
This path was arduous, but it was one that Xiao Tiance could fully control.
Standing, Xiao Tiance murmured, "The third path it is. If Xiao Yan fails or circumstances spiral beyond my control, I'll rely on myself. As long as I can master Spirit Arrays, even the heavens won't stop ."
Determined, he began planning his next steps, ensuring he had contingencies for every possibility. While Xiao Yan remained his hope for a smooth resolution, Xiao Tiance would forge ahead, prepared for any outco.
Let's not underestimate the complexity of human intentions. Even if Xiao Yan beca an Emperor, would it truly benefit Xiao Tiance or the Xiao Clan?
Unlikely.
When Xiao Tiance considered his feelings for Xiao Yan apart from their familial bond and the hope of his eventual ascension to Dou Emperor there was little else binding them. If Xiao Yan's heart was the sa, could Xiao Yan's loyalty to the Xiao Clan be guaranteed?
To play it safe, Xiao Tiance knew he needed to chart an alternative course.
Preparations for Retreat
After careful contemplation, Xiao Tiance summoned Xiao Qing.
Before long, Xiao Qing erged from a spatial portal, bowing respectfully. "Third Uncle, you called for ?"
"Yes," Xiao Tiance nodded. He gestured for Xiao Qing to sit and continued, "I intend to enter seclusion for so ti. During this period, I'll leave all matters concerning the Tianji Tower and the clan in your hands."
"Seclusion?" Xiao Qing asked, surprised. "How long will you be gone?"
"I can't say for sure," Xiao Tiance said with a faint smile. "If things progress quickly, perhaps one or two months. If not, it could take years, maybe even a decade or more."
Xiao Qing was startled, briefly worried that his uncle's health might be deteriorating. However, a quick scan revealed no issues. Reassured, he bowed and asked, "Apart from the Tianji Tower and clan affairs, are there other instructions?"
Xiao Tiance considered. "Not much else. Pass a ssage to Tian Ming: the northwest will be his responsibility now. He'll know what to do. Once I erge, we'll address any remaining issues."
"Understood," Xiao Qing replied, bowing once more.
"Good. I'm heading back to Tianwaitian. Everything outside is in your hands."
With that, Xiao Tiance activated his Dou Qi. A spatial passage swiftly ford, and he disappeared into it.
A Mysterious Pull
Contrary to his words, Xiao Tiance didn't imdiately return to Tianwaitian. Instead, he headed to the northwest region of the continent.
An hour later, he hovered above the Black Corner Region, withdrawing the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jades from the Yao, Shi, and Ling Clans. When the three pieces were brought together, they emitted a dazzling light before fusing into one.
As soon as Xiao Tiance held the unified jade, he felt an inexplicable pull, as if sothing far away was calling to him.
"The direction... it's toward the Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy," he mused, a cold smile curling his lips. "Let's see what the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave truly holds."
His figure flickered and disappeared, reappearing monts later above the Inner Academy.
Exploring the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower
Xiao Tiance scanned the area. The strongest active presence was Su Qian, the Inner Academy's elder, a re 1 star Dou Ancestor. Two faint but distant presences likely the Elder Duo of the Inner Academy posed no threat.
After masking his aura, Xiao Tiance swiftly set up a spirit array and descended to the square before the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower. As he approached, he sensed the residual energy of the Fallen Heart Fla.
Within him, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Fla stirred excitedly, like a predator sensing prey.
"Settle down," he commanded ntally, and the fla cald.
Disguised as a student, Xiao Tiance entered the tower, descending through its levels unnoticed. The gap in strength was insurmountable; the elders guarding the tower were re Dou Kings. For them to detect his presence would have been laughable.
At the lowest level, Xiao Tiance examined the crude seal containing the Fallen Heart Fla. His expression turned to disdain. "No wonder this couldn't contain it this seal only made the fla stronger."
In the original story, Xiao Yan had survived the fla only by sheer luck, aided by dusa and Yao Lao. Without them, even Xiao Yan would have perished.
Xiao Tiance sliced the seal open with a flick of his finger and stepped into the chamber, carefully resealing it behind him.
Encountering the Fallen Heart Fla
Within the fiery depths, the heat was suffocating. The Fallen Heart Fla raised the temperature far beyond that of a volcanic crater.
The fla's manifestation, a massive serpent like entity, lay dormant in the molten sea, oblivious to the intruder.
Xiao Tiance approached, analyzing the fla. "Its power has reached the Dou Ancestor level. Better leave sothing to ensure Xiao Yan survives this encounter."
With a swift strike, he inscribed a restriction on the fla, rendering it temporarily inert. The fla roared in pain before collapsing unconscious.
Xiao Tiance then examined the fla's form, noting the Heavenly Fla Three Mysterious Transformations mark upon its head. A faint smile appeared.
"Xiao Yan should recognize this mark. Once he sees it, he'll know what to do."
Satisfied, Xiao Tiance descended further into the molten depths, ignoring the faint remnant of a soul the dying Skyfire Sovereign.
A Sudden Intruder
As Xiao Tiance descended, a fiery red entity lunged toward him. Before it could reach him, his spirit array incinerated it, leaving behind a glowing red pearl.
Unimpressed, Xiao Tiance examined the pearl briefly before discarding it. "Pointless. Not worth giving to anyone."
He resud his descent, ignoring the magma creatures, until his senses registered an overwhelming presence.
A faint smile crossed his lips as he murmured, "The Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, Zhu Kun?"
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