Beast Region, Sky Demon Phoenix Clan Territory
At this mont, Huang Min felt deep regret.
When she had been captured, she imdiately regretted her impulsiveness. It wasn't because she feared for her own life she had fully accepted the possibility of dying for her goal. If it had been just her, she would have felt it was worth it.
But seeing Ling Yun in his weakened state broke her heart.
As soone who had grown up alongside her and endured countless hardships together, Ling Yun's unwavering loyalty and willingness to activate the Sky Phoenix Secret Art alongside her struck a chord deep within her.
On the throne, Xiao Tiance's expression remained somber. His disappointnt in his disciples' recklessness was evident.
He had spent a thousand years nurturing them, and their talents and strength had made them unparalleled among the younger generation. Yet Huang Min had chosen to gamble her life to force his intervention.
This recklessness was what disappointed him the most.
Although he had no children of his own, Xiao Tiance had long since regarded these two as his own.
"Sigh…"
Xiao Tiance let out a heavy sigh. He wanted to say so much, but seeing the two of them so weak and defeated, he swallowed his words.
Looking at their lowered heads, he focused on Huang Min and said, "Min'er, once you've recovered, you are to return to Tianwaitian to endure ten days of lightning punishnt. Afterward, you will face the wall in reflection for ten years in the Sky Phoenix Palace. Do you have any objections?"
"Disciple accepts the punishnt. Thank you, Teacher, for your rcy!" Huang Min bowed her head respectfully, not daring to argue.
Seeing this, Xiao Tiance turned his gaze to Ling Yun. His tone grew stern.
**"Ling Yun, you, who have always been the calm and collected one, followed Min'er in her reckless actions, nearly causing disaster. You deserve severe punishnt.
But given that you stayed loyal and protected Min'er during a mont of crisis, I'll show leniency.
Death will be spared, but punishnt is necessary. Once you've recovered, you'll endure five days of lightning punishnt. Do you accept?"**
"Thank you, Teacher. Disciple accepts the punishnt!" Ling Yun bowed deeply, his tone full of sincerity.
"Stand up," Xiao Tiance said, letting out another sigh.
He retrieved two pills from his storage ring and handed one to each of them.
Without hesitation, the two swallowed the pills and imdiately felt the dicinal energy spreading through their bodies. They quickly sat down cross legged to focus on their recovery.
"Clan Leader, will Ling Yun and Min'er be alright?" Qing Lian asked cautiously from the side.
"No harm done," Xiao Tiance said, waving his hand dismissively. **"The Sky Phoenix Secret Art is indeed domineering, but their foundations are solid and unshaken.
Qing Lian, once they've finished their recovery, I'll take them back to Tianwaitian to rest. The Beast Region cannot be left unattended.
You'll stay here for now. Once Ling Yun has fully recovered, he'll co to take over for you."**
Qing Lian hesitated for a mont, then bowed respectfully. "Understood, Clan Leader."
One Day Later, Tianwaitian
Inside the Sky Phoenix Palace, Huang Jiuyi looked at the pale faces of Ling Yun and Huang Min. Although they had recovered sowhat, they were still far from their peak condition.
His expression turned dark as he realized they had both activated the Sky Phoenix Secret Art.
"Sigh…" Huang Jiuyi let out a heavy sigh and turned to Xiao Tiance, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Clan Leader, for protecting them."
Before Huang Jiuyi could finish his bow, Xiao Tiance waved him off with a wry smile.
**"Elder Huang, there's no need for such formalities. Min'er and Ling Yun were indeed impulsive this ti, but their actions were understandable.
Still, I wanted them to learn a lesson, so I waited until the last mont to intervene."**
Huang Jiuyi considered Xiao Tiance's words for a mont before nodding in agreent.
"That's for the best. They've never truly faced adversity before. A little suffering now will benefit them greatly in the future."
"I'm glad you're not upset," Xiao Tiance replied. "Let's focus on letting them heal for now. We'll address everything else once they've fully recovered."
With that, Xiao Tiance left the Sky Phoenix Palace.
After he departed, Huang Jiuyi looked at Huang Min and Ling Yun with a complex expression.
"You were too impulsive. Once you've recovered, go personally to apologize to the Clan Leader."
"Understood, Elder," the two replied in unison before heading to the spirit array to continue their recovery.
A Few Days Later, Tianwaitian
Early in the morning, Xiao Tiance had just finished his cultivation session when Xiao Tianming rushed in hurriedly.
"Tiance, urgent news from the northwest!"
"What is it?" Xiao Tiance asked calmly as he sat on the throne.
**"Xiao Yan encountered Han Feng, Yao Chen's forr disciple, in the Black Corner Region.
Han Feng imdiately noticed Xiao Yan's Bone Fla Ring and sensed Yao Chen's soul presence. Fearing complications, Han Feng summoned several other Black Corner Region powerhouses to attack Xiao Yan.
Thankfully, Xiao Lei intervened in ti to neutralize the crisis.
However, Xiao Feng was a bit heavy handed and gravely injured Han Feng. Xiao Yan seized the opportunity to kill him and even captured his soul.
Not only that, but Xiao Yan also claid Han Feng's Sea Heart Fla.
He's now absorbed the Sea Heart Fla and advanced to a six star Dou Ling.
When Xiao Lei sent this news, Xiao Yan was already on his way to enroll at Jia Nan Academy. He's likely already arrived."**
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance nodded calmly. After sitting down, he remarked, **"Oh? That's good news. Along with the Green Lotus Core Fla he previously absorbed, Xiao Yan now has two Heavenly Flas.
Once he acquires the Fallen Heart Fla at Jia Nan Academy, he'll have three. That's a good step forward."*
"Tiance, aren't you being overly optimistic about Xiao Yan?" Xiao Tianming frowned. **"The Fallen Heart Fla is essential to Jia Nan Academy's inner academy.
For centuries, it has been the foundation of their reputation as a cradle for strong cultivators.
Xiao Yan is only a six star Dou Ling. Even if he advances to Dou Wang, it's unlikely he'll be able to capture the Fallen Heart Fla, especially under the watchful eyes of the academy's experts.
Even with Yao Chen's strength at the five star Dou Zong level, they won't be able to take it from those two."**
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly, his confidence unshaken.
**"Don't worry. I've already prepared for this. Once Xiao Yan enters the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower, I've arranged for the Fallen Heart Fla to break free from its seal.
When that happens, Jia Nan Academy won't have the ans to reseal it.
At that point, the only person capable of subduing it will be Xiao Yan."**
Hearing this, Xiao Tianming couldn't help but gasp. "You… It's as if you can predict the future! How do you always account for everything?"
Xiao Tiance smiled knowingly but offered no explanation. There was no need to.
The Dou Qi Continent had nothing left to truly threaten him.
Once Tianluo pinpointed the Soul Realm's location, the war against the Soul Clan would comnce.
When that was over, he would set his sights on ascending to the Dou Di realm.
After opening the spatial passage to the Great Thousand World, Xiao Tiance found that whether Xiao Yan eventually beca a Dou Di (Battle Emperor) was no longer important.
Plans could never keep up with changes, and even if Xiao Yan were to die unexpectedly, Xiao Tiance could easily select another clan mber to cultivate the Fla Mantra (Fen Jue) and fulfill his promise to revive Huang Jiuyi.
Initially, his plan was to position Xiao Yan as the final line of defense. However, circumstances shifted. Xiao Tiance beca a Spirit Array Master and later attained the rank of Spirit Array Grandmaster outside the Ancient Emperor's Cave. He had also secured the Emperor Grade Infant Pill from within the cave.
Now, the Dou Qi Continent's known thods to ascend to the Dou Di rank were entirely within his grasp:
The Emperor Grade Infant Pill was in his possession. On this continent, no one could take it from him.
Without his permission, even if all eight fragnts of the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade were gathered, entering the Ancient Emperor's Cave and claiming the inheritance through Heavenly Flas would be impossible.
With mastery over both known paths to Dou Di status, Xiao Yan's value had diminished considerably. This was why Xiao Tiance's interest in Xiao Yan had waned in recent tis.
As Xiao Tiance sat deep in thought, Xiao Tianming could sense the subtle shift in his attitude but chose not to ask any questions.
After a mont, Xiao Tiance returned to his senses and turned to Xiao Tianming. "How did your trip to the dicine Clan go? Was everything smooth?"
Xiao Tianming smiled. **"It went quite well. Yao Dan was cooperative. As soon as I explained the purpose of my visit, he agreed without hesitation.
For them, refining pills is akin to cultivation. It might even improve their clan mbers' alchemy abilities, so why wouldn't he agree?"**
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance nodded, finally reassured. Although he was confident Yao Dan wouldn't dare pull any tricks, Xiao Tianming's confirmation put his mind at ease.
Just as Xiao Tiance was about to speak again, spatial ripples appeared within the ninth level of Tiance Mansion.
Under the watchful eyes of the two n, Xiao Qing erged from the spatial distortion and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Third Uncle, Uncle Tianming."
"No need for formalities. How did your mission go, Qing'er?" Xiao Tiance asked with a faint smile.
Xiao Tianming also leaned forward slightly, eager for a favorable answer.
However, to their surprise, Xiao Qing shook his head.
"What happened?" Xiao Tianming asked urgently.
Xiao Qing's expression turned serious. **"Third Uncle, while the Stone Clan and Spirit Clan appear to have agreed to support our efforts, the truth is quite different.
My spies within the two clans have uncovered secret dealings between them and the Ancient Clan, as well as the Fla Clan.
Based on the evidence I've gathered, it seems the Stone Clan and Spirit Clan have already ford an alliance with the Fla Clan."**
If Xiao Qing's deductions were correct, then the Spirit Clan and Stone Clan's betrayal would be a significant blow.
This would an that when the Xiao Clan declared war on the Soul Clan, they would face a pincer attack from the Ancient Clan, the Fla Clan, the Spirit Clan, and the Stone Clan.
If the uncertain stance of the Thunder Clan were also taken into account, it could result in the entire continent's Imperial Clans turning against the Xiao Clan once the war began.
"Those treacherous bastards!" Xiao Tianming exploded in anger before Xiao Tiance could speak. "I'll lead a force to wipe out the Stone Clan and Spirit Clan right now!"
Over the past few years, while the Xiao Clan had not provided significant aid to the Spirit and Stone Clans, they had treated them fairly.
To think that at this crucial mont, when the Xiao Clan needed their support, these two despicable clans would choose to align with potential enemies like the Ancient and Fla Clans!
"Calm down. Sit."
Xiao Tiance's brows furrowed slightly as he spoke in a cold, commanding tone.
**"But Tiance, the Stone Clan and Spirit Clan are nothing more than parasites. If we hadn't shown rcy back then, they would've been annihilated long ago.
And now? These worthless ingrates dare to collaborate with the Ancient Clan and Fla Clan in secret!
If we don't destroy them now, are we supposed to wait until we're at war with the Soul Clan, only for them to stab us in the back alongside the Ancient and Fla Clans?"** Xiao Tianming fud.
"You… After over a thousand years, I had hoped you'd llow out, but you're still as hot headed as ever," Xiao Tiance said with a shake of his head.
Raising his hand slightly to silence Xiao Tianming, he turned back to Xiao Qing. "Qing'er, how reliable is this information
Xiao Qing bowed and replied solemnly, **"While I can't claim absolute certainty, the evidence I've gathered strongly suggests that the Spirit Clan and Stone Clan have aligned with the Fla Clan.
And since the Fla Clan has openly allied with the Ancient Clan, it's safe to conclude that the Spirit and Stone Clans have betrayed us."**
With that, Xiao Qing retrieved a collection of intelligence scrolls from his storage ring and presented them to Xiao Tiance.
Xiao Tiance carefully reviewed the docunts, and a glint of cold light flashed in his eyes.
He couldn't help but recall the original tiline, where the Spirit Clan and Stone Clan had been secretly wiped out by the Soul Clan.
Now, even with the Xiao Clan dominating the continent and forcing the Soul Clan into hiding, the Stone and Spirit Clans still dared to align themselves against him.
"Heh. Interesting. Truly interesting," Xiao Tiance said with a cold chuckle.
His reaction left Xiao Qing and Xiao Tianming puzzled. They couldn't understand what he found amusing about such a betrayal.
Without addressing their confusion, Xiao Tiance slowly rose to his feet and turned to Xiao Tianming. **"Tianming, summon Xiao Teng, Xiao Zu, and Xiao Fei imdiately.
If the Stone and Spirit Clans have already betrayed us, then we'll start by dealing with them."**
"Understood, Tiance. I'll gather them right away." Xiao Tianming bowed and left in haste.
Xiao Tiance then turned to Xiao Qing. "Qing'er, send word to Tianluo. Tell him to return at once. We'll hold off on searching for the Soul Realm's location for now."
Xiao Qing's eyes flashed with understanding, and he bowed deeply. "Understood, Third Uncle."
He quickly sent a ssage to Tianluo, receiving a prompt response. Turning back to Xiao Tiance, he said, "Third Uncle, Tianluo has already returned to Tianwaitian."
"Good. Take a seat and wait. Once Xiao Teng and the others arrive, we'll finalize our plan of action," Xiao Tiance said.
Roughly ten minutes later, Xiao Teng, Xiao Wu, Xiao Fei, Xiao Tianming, and Xiao Chun arrived together.
"Greetings, Clan Leader!" they all said in unison, bowing respectfully.
"Take your seats. I assu Tianming has already explained why you've been summoned?" Xiao Tiance asked, his voice calm but firm.
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