Past Ties Unveiled
"In the past, Wan Sui and I arrived at Tian Cang Continent one after the other, and both of us benefited greatly from the old man's kindness," Liu Changkong explained. "But our philosophies diverged. After reaching the Sovereign Realm, we each left Tianqiong Academy to establish what are now Tianluo Hall and Lingjian Mountain."
In Iron Sword City, within the City Lord's manor, Xiao Tiance finally pieced together the dynamics between Tianqiong Academy, Lingjian Mountain, and Tianluo Hall.
It all ca down to a complex web of indelible bonds and mutual respect.
Despite the apparent hostility among the three forces, Xiao Tiance could see that Tianqiong Academy's dean still cared deeply for Wan Sui and Liu Changkong. He chose not to retaliate even though their factions occasionally challenged Tianqiong Academy's supremacy.
A Gentle Warning
"Now it all makes sense," Xiao Tiance mused, his gaze softening as he looked at the old dean.
The dean chuckled heartily. "You two brats better rember your roots in Tianqiong Academy. Show so respect when you encounter our people. Otherwise, don't bla this old man for personally paying a visit to knock so sense into you both. With your re Ninth Sovereign cultivation, I could blow you both away with a single breath!"
"Hmph!"
Both Liu Changkong and Wan Sui snorted indignantly, turning their heads away at the sa ti, refusing to acknowledge him.
The scene amused Xiao Tiance, who laughed heartily before asking Liu Changkong, "Changkong, given your ties to the dean, why didn't you seek his help earlier?"
Liu Changkong's expression turned somber. After a long silence, he sighed and respectfully bowed. "Tiance, my enemy is an Upper Earth Sovereign. Asking this old man to intervene would've been sending him to his death."
A Bittersweet Mont
Before he could finish, the dean appeared beside Liu Changkong with a flash of movent, smacking him on the head.
"Brat! Watch your tongue!" the dean growled.
Liu Changkong glared at him, gritting his teeth. "Old man, if you do that again, I'll beat up every single Tianqiong Academy disciple I see from now on!"
The dean smirked, raising his hand as if to strike again. But he thought better of it he knew Liu Changkong wasn't bluffing. Few in Tianqiong Academy could stand up to him now, aside from the dean himself.
Turning to Wan Sui, the dean grinned mischievously, but Wan Sui quickly backed away. "Don't even think about it! If you hit , I'll start rounding up your disciples to teach them a lesson!"
The playful scene made Xiao Tiance laugh out loud.
A Different Perspective
Initially, Xiao Tiance had thought the rivalry among the three factions was irreconcilable. He had even planned to help Tianluo Hall dethrone Tianqiong Academy as Tian Cang Continent's leading power.
But now, he saw that their conflict was more like an interfamily drama.
While Liu Changkong and Wan Sui often butted heads with the academy, deep down, they still respected the dean. And the dean, for all his playful chiding, clearly still cared for his two forr students.
More importantly, the three forces had never truly gone to war, allowing them to coexist peacefully.
The Old Dean's Calculations
What truly impressed Xiao Tiance, however, was the dean's strategic brilliance. Despite letting Lingjian Mountain and Tianluo Hall rise to prominence, the dean still viewed them as extensions of Tianqiong Academy's influence.
No matter how fiercely they competed, it was all "at in the sa pot" the real power in Tian Cang Continent always rested with the dean and his academy.
"I see now," Xiao Tiance murmured, his gaze deepening. He bowed slightly toward the dean. "You truly live up to your reputation, Dean. If not for today's revelations, even I might have been misled by the political landscape of Tian Cang Continent."
The dean laughed warmly, his eyes softening as he glanced at Liu Changkong and Wan Sui.
"You flatter , Xiao Ce. These truths were never ant to be hidden. I simply couldn't bear to see these two brats struggle without help, so I allowed them to flourish under my watch. And now that you've appeared, I can rest a bit easier knowing they'll have soone to rely on."
Mutual Respect
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance nodded thoughtfully. "Dean, I may be older than Wan Sui and Changkong, but I am far younger than you. I dare not accept the honorific of 'brother.' My elders call Tiance perhaps you could do the sa?"
The dean's hearty laughter echoed through the hall. "If that's what you prefer, I'll call you Tiance. It suits you well."
Though he had initially called Xiao Tiance "brother" out of respect for his status as a Spirit Array Master, he was quick to adjust.
The dean had also sensed Xiao Tiance's formidable physical strength and surging vitality signs of an extraordinary constitution. If this young man reached his full potential, he could very well beco a world renowned powerhouse in the Great Thousand World.
For now, the dean's respect was both genuine and strategic.
A ssage from the King's Continent
As the conversation continued, a sudden ripple of energy emanated from Xiao Tiance's positioning jade token, pulling his attention.
His eyes narrowed as he held the token, watching as its glow brightened.
"What's happening?" the dean asked, sensing the change.
Xiao Tiance's expression turned serious. "One of my jade tokens has lit up. It's coming from the King's Continent."
Both Liu Changkong and Wan Sui were taken aback. "The King's Continent? Isn't that..."
The dean's face grew somber. "The King's Continent is known for its chaotic power struggles. If your people have ended up there, you may not have much ti to reach them."
Xiao Tiance nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. "I need to move quickly. My companions might be in grave danger."
A Change of Plans
"That works. Since you've gone out of your way to visit, how about we travel to the Western Heaven Continent together?" Xiao Tiance smiled. "Along the way, you can keep company, and I'd love to hear more about the Great Thousand World from you, Dean."
"Hahaha, wonderful idea! But I'll say this upfront Tiance, you've got to share so of that first grade tea with . Don't be stingy like that brat Wan Sui. Every ti I visit, he gives only a little!" The dean laughed heartily, his childlike enthusiasm shining through once again.
Xiao Tiance chuckled. "Of course. I've already said, if the dean wishes, I can give it all to you."
"Give it all? No, no, I'm not so shaless. A gentleman doesn't snatch what others cherish. Sharing enough to enjoy on the journey will be more than sufficient."
As the dean finished speaking, Liu Changkong suddenly stood up, quickly moving to Xiao Tiance's side. He leaned down, speaking quietly yet urgently, "Tiance, we just received word from the team heading to the King's Continent. Upon entering the continent, the positioning jade lit up."
A Revelation
"Are you sure?" Xiao Tiance asked, his excitent evident as he stood.
"Absolutely. No one would dare fabricate such news," Liu Changkong affird.
The nine Sovereign Realm experts he had dispatched were personally selected and absolutely loyal. There was no chance of false information it would tarnish Tianluo Hall's reputation, and Liu Changkong's own as well.
Satisfied with the response, Xiao Tiance turned to the dean. "Dean, soone from my group has been found on the King's Continent. I must head there imdiately. As for the Western Heaven Continent, I will resolve matters on the King's Continent as swiftly as possible and join you there."
The dean's eyes lit up. "The King's Continent? Hahaha! No need to worry, Tiance. Our route to the Western Heaven Continent passes through a teleportation array on the King's Continent. Let's travel together I'd love to lend my na to smooth your journey.
"Though I've been in seclusion for centuries, my reputation still carries weight. Anyone who's heard of the 'Iron Blooded Scholar' will give face."
The Dean's Proposal
Surprised, Xiao Tiance glanced at Liu Changkong, silently asking for his opinion.
Liu Changkong nodded. "Tiance, this old man may look amiable, but his title 'Iron Blooded Scholar' carries real weight. If he's willing to join us, the journey to the King's Continent will likely go much smoother."
Xiao Tiance smirked at the misunderstanding but appreciated Liu Changkong's input. "Thank you, Dean. Your assistance will be invaluable."
Turning to Wan Sui, Xiao Tiance added, "Wan Sui, please arrange for the teleportation array to be activated."
"Of course. I'll handle it imdiately," Wan Sui replied, bowing before leaving to make arrangents.
Preparing for the Journey
After about the ti it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wan Sui returned and said, "Tiance, the teleportation array is ready. We can depart imdiately."
"Well done. Let's go." Xiao Tiance stood and, with a flick of his wrist, summoned Qinghou, the Heaven Demon Puppet, from the void.
The Dean's Observation
As Qinghou erged, the dean's eyes widened. He felt a rising respect for Xiao Tiance.
Although Qinghou exhibited no signs of life, its overwhelming aura and physical strength were undeniable even surpassing the dean's own in so aspects.
"So, this must be the Heaven Demon Puppet that Changhe ntioned in his letter," the dean mused. "What incredible craftsmanship! No wonder Changhe said that even a Fifth Grade Sovereign would be helpless against it. If Tianqiong Academy could acquire the thod to craft these, we would have nothing to fear."
Entering the Array
Soon, the group arrived at the teleportation array.
Compared to the smaller array Xiao Tiance had seen before, this one was far grander, brimming with spatial energy.
"This is the teleportation array to the King's Continent," Wan Sui explained. "However, the path crosses the Sea of Darkness, an imnse distance. We'll need to remain in the array for two hours."
"That's no problem. Let's depart imdiately." Xiao Tiance's voice was resolute. He couldn't wait to discover which of his companions had been found.
Wan Sui placed a glowing crystal into a slot in the array. Monts later, a beam of light descended, enveloping everyone. In the blink of an eye, they vanished.
A Desperate Escape
anwhile, on the King's Continent, just outside the Chaotic City, a young man with injuries all over his body was running frantically through the forest.
Behind him, bursts of energy attacks tore through the air, but the man evaded them with remarkable agility, darting left and right.
"Damn it! Once I recover, I'll make you bastards pay!" he shouted, his voice hoarse but filled with rage.
His pursuers were closing in. It was clear he wouldn't last much longer.
Suddenly, a sword flew toward him. While it didn't aim for a fatal blow, it was clear it would immobilize him if it landed.
"Damn you! Another sneak attack?!" the young man growled, his face twisted with fury.
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