Chapter 304: Tianluo Palace Submits, Ling'er's Suggestion
"Heh, since your nemesis is going to the Western Heaven Continent and you can't defeat him, why not simply avoid going there?"
In the guest hall of the Iron Sword City Lord's Mansion, Xiao Tiance's casual remark left everyone momentarily stunned.
Spirit Sword Mountain's master, Wansui, added:
"Exactly. Lord Tiance is right. If you're afraid of being found by your nemesis, why not stay in the Tian Cang Continent? Surely he can't sense you from the Western Heaven Continent."
Liu Changkong let out a bitter laugh, glaring briefly at Wansui, before bowing toward Xiao Tiance.
"Lord Tiance, I'm afraid I have my reasons. I must go to the Western Heaven Continent."
A Compelling Resolve
Xiao Tiance frowned. "Must go? Even knowing your nemesis will be there?"
Liu Changkong nodded resolutely. "Yes, even if it means risking death."
"Even if I refuse to help, you would still go?" Xiao Tiance pressed, his voice calm yet probing.
"Even if it costs me my life, I must go. Please, Lord Tiance, grant me this chance."
Liu Changkong's unwavering determination surprised Xiao Tiance. He studied the man for a moment. Liu Changkong's strength was slightly superior to Wansui's, making him a likely candidate to reach the Earthly Sovereign realm in time. The question was whether aiding him was worth the cost of making an enemy out of a higher Earthly Sovereign.
After a pause, Xiao Tiance's sharp eyes locked onto Liu Changkong. "Facing an upper Earthly Sovereign is no trivial matter. Your offer falls short."
Liu Changkong's Submission
Liu Changkong hesitated but quickly bowed deeply. "Please, Lord Tiance, name your terms. If I survive this journey to the Western Heaven Continent, I am at your command."
Xiao Tiance's voice turned cold, each word deliberate:
"I want you and the Tianluo Palace to pledge allegiance to me. Whether your enemy is an upper Earthly Sovereign, a perfected Earthly Sovereign, or even a Heavenly Sovereign, I will take on your grudge."
His declaration sent a shockwave through the room. Even Wansui, who had remained silent, could not conceal his astonishment.
The Weight of Xiao Tiance's Demand
For Liu Changkong, Xiao Tiance's demand wasn't easy to stomach. The Tianluo Palace had been his life's work. Handing it over in its entirety was no small matter. Yet, facing an enemy he couldn't defeat alone, Liu Changkong realized he had little choice.
Xiao Tiance didn't rush him. Instead, he leisurely sipped his Ten Thousand Saints Heavenly Tea, fully aware that Liu Changkong's options were limited. Time passed slowly, tension filling the room.
Finally, Liu Changkong knelt on one knee, hands clasped in submission. "I, Liu Changkong, swear loyalty to Lord Xiao Tiance. The Tianluo Palace will submit to your authority."
Reactions to Liu Changkong's Submission
Wansui's eyes widened in disbelief. While Spirit Sword Mountain rivaled the Tianluo Palace, he knew the latter was stronger. The thought of Liu Changkong surrendering his life's work was almost incomprehensible.
"Liu Changkong, are you out of your mind? You're just giving away everything you've built?" Wansui blurted, unable to contain his shock.
Even Xiao Tiance hadn't expected Liu Changkong to agree so readily. He burst into laughter, his mood suddenly lifted. "Excellent! Liu Changkong, your boldness pleases me."
He stepped forward, personally helping Liu Changkong to his feet. "But there's no need to rush. After we return from the Western Heaven Continent, we will discuss the Tianluo Palace's submission in detail."
This reassurance eased Liu Changkong's mind. Though surrendering his palace wasn't easy, securing his survival came first.
"As you command, Lord Tiance." Liu Changkong's voice was steady, his decision firm.
Late Night Reflections
That evening, Wansui and Liu Changkong met in a side chamber of the City Lord's Mansion.
Wansui leaned back in his chair, his tone heavy with disbelief. "Liu Changkong, are you sure about this? The Tianluo Palace is your life's work. Handing it over to Xiao Tiance don't you feel any regret?"
Liu Changkong chuckled bitterly. "Of course I feel regret. Hundreds of years of effort, all to bring the Tianluo Palace to its current prominence. It's not something I can just let go of without feeling the pain."
He paused, his eyes narrowing. "But what choice do I have? My nemesis is an upper Earthly Sovereign. If I go to the Western Heaven Continent without Xiao Tiance's help, I'm dead. Surrendering the Tianluo Palace is a small price to pay for my life."
Wansui sighed. "Well, I hope you know what you're doing. Xiao Tiance may be powerful, but aligning with him could have risks of its own."
Ling'er's Suggestion
In Xiao Tiance's room, the night was quiet save for the faint hum of spiritual energy emanating from Qinghou, who stood watch outside.
Suddenly, Ling'er's ethereal voice echoed in Xiao Tiance's mind. "Master, are you sure about taking in Liu Changkong and the Tianluo Palace?"
Xiao Tiance leaned back, closing his eyes. "What do you mean, Ling'er?"
Ling'er's tone was thoughtful. "Liu Changkong is a cunning man. While he seems loyal now, he may not stay that way forever. Taking him under your wing could strengthen your position, but it's also a risk. He's a double edged sword. Use him wisely."
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. "I know. But right now, I need the resources and influence of the Tianluo Palace. If Liu Changkong turns on me later, he'll learn the cost of betrayal."
Liu Changkong's Perspective
"Losing something in life isn't the end; anything lost can be regained. Besides, while Tianluo Palace may have submitted to Lord Xiao Tiance, it doesn't mean he'll necessarily keep it under his direct command. For all we know, I might still end up managing it."
Liu Changkong's lips curled into a confident smile, his mood visibly uplifted.
He continued, "Moreover, this journey to the Western Heaven Continent isn't just a crisis. It's also an opportunity one that could make Tianluo Palace's name resound throughout the Great Thousand World."
Wansui's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of opportunity are you talking about, Killing God?"
Liu Changkong chuckled and posed a question instead:
"What do you think of Lord Xiao Tiance's strength?"
Assessing Xiao Tiance's Strength
Wansui considered his words carefully. **"His strength? Honestly, I don't know what his fully restored power would look like. However, based solely on his mastery of spiritual formations, he's already on par with a Great Completion Earthly Sovereign.
Your decision to submit to him may not have been wrong. That's why I didn't try to talk you out of it, even though I was shocked at first."**
Liu Changkong's smile deepened. "Then let me ask you this: what if I told you that Lord Xiao Tiance might one day stand among the few Heavenly Sovereigns in the Great Thousand World? Would you believe me?"
Wansui was taken aback. His initial instinct was to dismiss the idea as absurd. Heavenly Sovereign level power was no trivial matter. Yet, the more he thought about Xiao Tiance's natural aura a commanding, almost invincible presence the less impossible it seemed. People like Xiao Tiance, he realized, were destined to achieve greatness as long as they didn't meet an untimely death.
Liu Changkong's Plan
Liu Changkong laughed heartily. **"I see you're starting to consider the possibility. I've already thought it through. Even if Lord Xiao Tiance's strength stopped growing today, I would still pledge my absolute loyalty to him.
And Wansui, let me tell you this you've seen that golden puppet of his, haven't you? That alone is enough to convince me. Most combat puppets, no matter how refined, barely reach the level of a lower Earthly Sovereign.
But Lord Xiao Tiance's puppet? It's already at the pinnacle of Nine Rank Sovereigns. And from what I've observed, it could potentially be upgraded to Earthly Sovereign level strength if the right materials are found. Can you imagine the shockwaves this would send through the Great Thousand World if such a puppet existed?"**
Wansui was stunned into silence. Liu Changkong's vision painted a tantalizing picture, one that left him both envious and cautious.
Liu Changkong waved off any further questions, smiling as he said, "That's enough talk for now. Frankly, I'd try to convince you to have Spirit Sword Mountain join us, but I doubt you'd agree. So I won't waste my breath. I need to gather the Supreme Spirit Liquids as quickly as possible Lord Xiao Tiance's business must not be delayed."
As Liu Changkong walked away, Wansui sighed deeply, watching his ally's retreating figure with a mix of admiration and wariness.
Xiao Tiance's Determination
Later that night, Xiao Tiance stood in his courtyard, gazing at the bright full moon. His eyes betrayed a growing worry, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
The positioning jade talisman in his hand remained unresponsive, which only added to his frustration.
"I hope you're all safe. If anything happens to you, I'll turn the Great Thousand World upside down to make the ones responsible pay." His voice was low, but the murderous intent in his words was almost tangible.
Just then, Ling'er's soft, ethereal voice echoed in his mind.
"Young master, since you've decided to accept Tianluo Palace's submission, why not make full use of them?"
Xiao Tiance frowned slightly. "What do you mean, Ling'er?"
Ling'er's Insight
Ling'er explained, **"I've analyzed the positioning jade talisman you're holding. Its function is straightforward: when two talismans are on the same continent, they will glow and attract each other.
Previously, you were working alone, which limited your ability to search. But now that Tianluo Palace is under your command, why not forge additional positioning talismans and distribute them among its members?
If any talisman lights up while traveling to another continent, it means one of your companions is there. That way, you can focus your efforts on specific locations, speeding up your search."**
Xiao Tiance's eyes lit up as realization struck. **"Ling'er, you're brilliant! You've solved my biggest problem. Each of my companions Xiao Xuan, Tian Ming, Mu Ling, Tianluo, Gu Xun'er, Min'er, Ling Yun, Huai En, Zi Yan, and even Xiao Yi Xian has a talisman I gave them.
If I craft and distribute eight more talismans, we'll pinpoint their locations much faster. Once they're found, I'll head to the Heavenly Serpent Continent to reunite with Medusa. With her Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline, she'll be safe for now."**
His joy was palpable as he began making plans. With Ling'er's suggestion, the once daunting task of finding his companions now seemed achievable.
Gathering the Supremes
Without wasting time, Xiao Tiance contacted Liu Changkong via telepathy. "Liu Changkong, gather nine Supreme level experts and have them arrive at Iron Sword City by dawn. I have a task for them."
Though Liu Changkong wasn't sure why Xiao Tiance needed so many Supremes, he didn't question the order. He used Tianluo Palace's exclusive messaging techniques to summon the required individuals.
By dawn, seven more Supreme level experts joined the two already in Iron Sword City. To avoid causing unnecessary alarm, Liu Changkong informed Wansui of the gathering. After all, a sudden influx of Supremes might make Spirit Sword Mountain's leader wary.
Meanwhile, Xiao Tiance worked through the night, crafting the eight positioning jade talismans. Though his current strength was limited, the task was relatively simple. By morning, he had finished all eight talismans.
A New Mission
As dawn broke, the nine Supreme experts arrived at Xiao Tiance's courtyard, led by Liu Changkong. They stood respectfully, but their curiosity was evident.
The sight of Qinghou, standing motionless yet radiating overwhelming power, left them awestruck. Whispered conversations ceased as Liu Changkong signaled for silence.
Moments later, the doors to Xiao Tiance's room opened. He stepped out, his gaze sweeping over the gathered Supremes. Satisfied, he nodded.
"Well done, Liu Changkong. It seems Tianluo Palace still has some strength left."
The Supremes collectively bowed. "Greetings, Lord Xiao Tiance!"
(Chapter End)
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