"Senior, you're a true expert of the Western Sky Continent. I'm sure you know a great deal about this ancient secret realm. Could you enlighten ?"
In the grand palace prepared by the Luoshen Clan in Luoshui City, Xiao Tiance's question prompted Luo Tianshen to nod. After a brief mont of thought, he smiled and explained:
"Lord Tiance, this ancient secret realm is indeed extraordinary. It dates back to the ancient era of the Great Thousand World, older than so of the ancient divine clans themselves.
"It opens once every hundred years and has done so for nearly fifty thousand years.
"What's truly fascinating is that every ti it opens, treasures of incredible value appear within, even attracting representatives from the ancient divine clans. The most coveted items are those that can help soone advance to the Earth Supre or even the Heavenly Supre realm.
"For example, the Western Sky Battle Emperor himself struggled at the peak Earth Supre level for years before finding treasures in the secret realm that allowed him to advance.
"To my knowledge, these included the Star Guiding Divine Art, the Hundred Dragon Staff (a low grade sacred artifact), the Ten Thousand Mountain Spirit Monunt (a mid grade sacred artifact), and the Spirit Saint Physique, ranked seventy ninth on the Supre Physique List.
"There's also the Three Spirit Battle Formation, a powerful spiritual array created by an ancient battle array master who fell in the secret realm. This master could refine five million battle patterns, a feat that made him formidable even among upper Earth Supres.
"What's most remarkable is that this master didn't command a vast army he only had two twin brothers as his subordinates. Both of them were upper Earth Supres and could synchronize perfectly due to their twin bond, channeling each other's battle intent seamlessly. Together, with the Three Spirit Battle Formation, they were as powerful as millions of elite troops.
"Using this formation, the master once challenged and defeated a peak Earth Supre, a feat that cented his legendary status."
Luo Tianshen's expression grew wistful as he sighed and continued, "It's also said that the Western Sky Battle Emperor did not originally cultivate the Ancient Battle Emperor Physique, ranked twenty fourth on the Supre Physique List. He found it in this very secret realm.
"After leaving the secret realm, he quickly ascended to the Heavenly Supre level. That marked the beginning of his rise, becoming as famous as the goddess of our Luoshen Clan at the ti. After her tragic death, the Western Sky Battle Hall claid dominance over the Western Sky Continent."
The Tianqiong Headmaster nodded and added, "I've heard similar stories.
"There's also speculation that the secret realm is on the verge of collapsing. If that's true, this could be its final opening.
"Tiance, with your strength as a peak Earth Supre, you'll be nearly invincible within the secret realm."
Xiao Tiance was intrigued and asked, "Does that an Heavenly Supres are unable to enter?"
"Exactly," Luo Tianshen confird. "The entrance has a barrier that detects the strength of anyone attempting to enter. Anyone at the Heavenly Supre level is barred.
"It's said that twenty thousand years ago, a spiritual grade Heavenly Supre from an ancient divine clan tried to force their way in. However, the barrier emitted a single beam of light that destroyed them instantly, body and soul.
"Since then, no one at the Heavenly Supre level has dared to challenge the barrier. This is why the Western Sky Battle Emperor never participates personally in the secret realm's expeditions.
"If not for this barrier, the treasures in the secret realm would never fall into anyone else's hands. The ancient divine clans wouldn't let that happen," Luo Tianshen said.
Xiao Tiance nodded. If what Luo Tianshen said was true, then his current strength would indeed make him a dominant force in the secret realm.
What truly tempted him, however, was the possibility of finding treasures capable of helping him ascend to the Heavenly Supre level. If he could achieve that, not even the Western Sky Battle Emperor could threaten him.
Still cautious, he asked, "If the secret realm contains treasures that can help soone ascend to the Heavenly Supre level, surely the ancient divine clans won't miss this opportunity?"
Luo Tianshen shook his head. "That would have been the case in the past.
"But when the Western Sky Battle Emperor reached the celestial grade Heavenly Supre level, he issued a warning: any ancient divine clan mber at the peak Earth Supre level or higher who entered the secret realm would face him in a battle to the death.
"For reasons unknown, the ancient divine clans agreed to his terms. As a result, while their representatives still participate, the strongest they send are upper Earth Supres.
"So, Headmaster Tianqiong is correct Lord Tiance, your strength allows you to move almost unopposed in the secret realm."
After a mont of thought, Luo Tianshen added, "However, there are three individuals you should watch out for: Ao Tianxiu, leader of the Power God Clan; Gu Changming, leader of the Bone God Clan; and Winter Elder, the strongest mber of the Western Sky Battle Hall after the Battle Emperor himself.
"All three are peak Earth Supres, and because of the Western Sky Battle Hall's influence, they may team up against you. If that happens, it could be a difficult fight."
Xiao Tiance nodded in acknowledgnt. While a coalition of three peak Earth Supres would pose a challenge, it wasn't insurmountable.
With his near master level expertise in spiritual arrays and the trump cards he possessed, Xiao Tiance was confident that even against the combined forces of the three peak Earth Supres, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
Of course, avoiding conflict was preferable his main goal was to secure what he needed from the ancient secret realm. But if he were cornered, he wouldn't hesitate to strike back ruthlessly.
The Power God Clan and the Bone God Clan were not extensively detailed in The Great Ruler, yet their enduring strength as two of the most powerful factions under the Western Sky Battle Hall indicated that their foundations and power were anything but ordinary.
Thinking of this, Xiao Tiance smiled and said, "Senior, you need not worry. I will be cautious in the ancient secret realm."
"Hahaha! I must admit, I was overthinking it. With Lord Tiance's wisdom, you've surely considered everything already. By the way, do you have a weapon suited to your abilities?" Luo Tianshen asked with a hearty laugh.
"Not particularly," Xiao Tiance replied, shaking his head. He rarely relied on weapons, and the sword he carried was mostly for show hardly used for real combat.
After all, as a man from Earth's China, the idea of carrying a sword to conquer lands was deeply ingrained a remnant of his childhood dreams of wuxia. Unfortunately, he'd ended up in a fantasy world, not a martial arts one.
"In that case, how about this Luoshen Sword?"
To everyone's astonishnt, Luo Tianshen carefully presented the Luoshen Sword, the Luoshen Clan's most treasured artifact, holding it reverently in his hands.
Xiao Tiance was just as surprised. The Luoshen Sword wasn't rely a weapon; it was the symbol of the Luoshen Clan's leadership. Even if offered a sacred artifact in exchange, the clan would never trade it.
Now, in such a short ti, Luo Tianshen was offering the sword to Xiao Tiance as a gesture of goodwill.
"Father, the Luoshen Sword is " Luo Yang began anxiously, but Luo Tianshen cut him off with a sharp glare.
"Silence!" Luo Tianshen scolded before turning back to Xiao Tiance with a smile. "Lord Tiance, you ntioned earlier that if you return safely from the Western Sky Battle City, our Luoshen Clan would be welco to strengthen our ties with you.
"To be honest, I am confident in your safe return. This Luoshen Sword is a token of our sincerity.
"Now, I must ask would you be willing to accept the Luoshen Clan's goodwill now?"
Luo Tianshen's confidence in Xiao Tiance was striking. Although Xiao Tiance had plans for the Western Sky Battle Emperor, he himself wasn't entirely certain of victory. For Luo Tianshen to make such a gamble demonstrated remarkable courage.
"Senior, do you realize this is a bold gamble? If we fail to return from the Western Sky Battle City, your Luoshen Clan could face extinction," Xiao Tiance said, smiling yet serious.
"Haha! Adding flowers to a brocade is easy; sending charcoal in the snow is hard. As you said, it's a gamble.
"If we win, the Luoshen Clan will enjoy peace and security for generations.
"If we lose, I'll pay with my life. Before the Western Sky Battle Hall can retaliate, I'll ensure the Blood God Clan's leader, Xuelingzi, falls with .
"I believe in you, Lord Tiance. You're destined to beco one of the Great Thousand World's strongest. When that day cos, a single word from you will protect the Luoshen Clan from harm.
"So, while it's a gamble, I'd rather call it faith in you," Luo Tianshen said with a resolute smile.
Xiao Tiance was deeply moved by Luo Tianshen's conviction. Taking the Luoshen Sword, he felt its sharpness even through the scabbard.
"What an extraordinary weapon. It lives up to its reputation as the Luoshen Clan's treasure.
"Since you have such faith in , Senior, how could I refuse?
"Let it be known: if the Luoshen Clan declares , Xiao Tiance, as their closest ally, any enemy of the Luoshen Clan will be my enemy as well," Xiao Tiance declared solemnly, uttering words that would change the Luoshen Clan's destiny.
Luo Tianshen and Luo Yang were both visibly moved. Luo Yang, astonished yet thrilled, said, "If the Young Leader of the Luoshen Clan has a child in the future, I will grant them a place as my disciple. Send them to , and I will ensure they beco a powerful force to revitalize the Luoshen Clan."
These words shocked everyone in the room, including Luo Tianshen and the Tianqiong Headmaster.
"Hahaha! With this promise, even if I were to die today, I would have no regrets," Luo Tianshen laughed joyfully.
"Thank you, Lord Tiance. I will make sure to send my child to you in the future," Luo Yang said gratefully. With Xiao Tiance's promise, even if the Luoshen Clan were destroyed, its future could still be secured.
"However, I will decline the Luoshen Sword," Xiao Tiance said, returning the sword to Luo Tianshen. "I don't usually fight with weapons.
"To show my sincerity in return, I offer this low grade sacred artifact, the Blood Demon Banner, which I acquired from the Blood God Clan.
"Should you encounter Blood God Clan experts, the re sight of this banner should be enough to send them fleeing," he said, pulling out the Blood Demon Banner from his storage ring and handing it to Luo Tianshen.
Luo Tianshen's eyes widened as he recognized the artifact. Rising to his feet, he stared at the banner in disbelief.
"The Blood Demon Banner… Could it be true? Was it you, Lord Tiance, who caused the commotion in the Blood God Clan?"
(Chapter End)
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