Chapter 306: Wan Sui's Request and the Dean of Tianqiong Academy
In the city lord's mansion of Iron Sword City on the Tian Cang Continent, Wan Sui cautiously approached Xiao Tiance late at night, seeking help for a pressing issue.
Xiao Tiance's Recovery
After meditating to refine his spiritual energy, Xiao Tiance exhaled deeply, releasing a stream of turbid air like a sharp arrow. His soul strength had grown significantly stronger, and the assimilation of his Dou Qi into spiritual energy had accelerated.
"Two more days," Xiao Tiance estimated. "By then, my strength should recover to the later stage of Ninth Grade Sovereign."
As he stood by the window gazing at the moon, a sense of loneliness crept into his heart, but his thoughts were soon interrupted by Wan Sui's voice outside.
"Come in, Wan Sui," Xiao Tiance said, gesturing with a wave of his hand to open the door.
Wan Sui's Plea
After pouring a cup of Wan Sheng Heavenly Spirit Tea for Xiao Tiance, Wan Sui hesitated before speaking. "Heavenly Strategist, I've come to ask for your help."
Xiao Tiance's gaze sharpened slightly. "Help? Are you, like Chang Kong, troubled by an enemy you cannot defeat?"
Wan Sui shook his head. "It's not quite like that. To tell you the truth, I'm not originally from the Tian Cang Continent I come from the Western Heaven Continent. The ancient ruins that are about to open are deeply connected to me. Originally, I planned to collaborate with Chang Kong to ensure my success there. However, since you arrived, Chang Kong has refused to work with me. If I go in alone, my chances of success are slim, and I might even perish."
Negotiating Terms
Xiao Tiance leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly. "You're asking for my help, but do you understand the price? You might not be able to afford it."
Wan Sui took a deep breath, bowing respectfully. "I understand. However, after losing Chang Kong's cooperation, you are my only hope. So long as you don't ask for my entire Lingjian Mountain to submit to you, I'm willing to agree to any condition."
Xiao Tiance studied Wan Sui carefully. The anxiety in his eyes wasn't feigned, and it piqued Xiao Tiance's curiosity. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Very well. How exactly do you want me to help you?"
Wan Sui's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, Heavenly Strategist! I don't need you to act personally. I only ask to borrow your Heavenfiend Puppet for this task."
Refusal to Lend the Puppet
The Heavenfiend Puppet, or Qinghou, was Xiao Tiance's trump card. Though currently at the later stage of Ninth Grade Sovereign, it had the potential to be upgraded to Earth Sovereign or even higher, depending on the materials available.
Xiao Tiance's expression turned cold. "You wish to borrow Qinghou? That's impossible. Qinghou obeys only my commands, and granting you control would require replacing my soul imprint with yours. If you don't return it, even killing you wouldn't restore Qinghou to me. Wan Sui, your request is simply too much."
Wan Sui's face fell with disappointment, but there was no trace of anger or resentment. He knew his place Xiao Tiance had already demonstrated his overwhelming strength and dominance.
A Second Attempt
After a long pause, Wan Sui spoke again, bowing deeply. "I apologize for my imprudence, Heavenly Strategist. You are my last hope. If you are willing to help, name any condition except surrendering Lingjian Mountain to you and I will do my utmost to fulfill it."
Xiao Tiance chuckled lightly, admiring Wan Sui's humility. "You are quite desperate, aren't you? Fine, I will help you."
Wan Sui's eyes gleamed with hope. "Thank you, Heavenly Strategist!"
Xiao Tiance continued, "However, I will not lend Qinghou to you. Instead, I'll resolve your issue in a different way. You said Chang Kong refused to cooperate with you? Then I will make him work with you. With Chang Kong as your ally, your problem should be manageable, yes?"
Wan Sui's Reaction
Wan Sui's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. "If you can convince Chang Kong, I'll have no other worries! Thank you, Heavenly Strategist!"
Xiao Tiance waved him off. "It's settled, then. Go back and prepare for the journey to the Western Heaven Continent. Leave Chang Kong to me."
Though Wan Sui left with a lighter heart, Xiao Tiance remained deep in thought.
Lingering Questions
As he sipped his tea, Xiao Tiance contemplated the coming ancient ruins. If even someone as strong as Wan Sui felt uncertain about entering, the dangers inside must be significant. However, his instincts told him that the ruins might hold answers about the whereabouts of his companions and perhaps even the power to accelerate his recovery.
"Let's see what awaits us in the Western Heaven Continent," he muttered, gazing out at the moonlit sky.
Wan Sui was overjoyed at Xiao Tiance's agreement to mediate his collaboration with Liu Changkong. "With Liu Changkong's cooperation, I'm certain I can overcome this crisis. Thank you, Heavenly Strategist!"
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. "You don't need to thank me yet. This is a mutually beneficial transaction, nothing more. Just remember when the time comes for me to name my condition, I hope you'll still feel this pleased."
Though Xiao Tiance hadn't yet stated his terms, he already knew exactly what he wanted. He couldn't help but wonder if Wan Sui would still wear such a grateful expression when the request came.
Wan Sui's Relief
Wan Sui suddenly shivered, an inexplicable chill running down his spine. He had a strange feeling that he might lose something important. Still, he brushed the thought aside, reasoning:
"What matters most now is surviving the ancient ruins. The rest is a problem for the future. After all, only the living can deal with promises or regrets."
After talking with Xiao Tiance for a while longer, Wan Sui excused himself. Over the next three days, both Wan Sui and Liu Changkong were busy preparing for their journey to the Western Heaven Continent. Meanwhile, Xiao Tiance quietly awaited news from the Tianluo Hall scouts he had sent out with the tracking jade pendants.
A Sudden Arrival
On the fourth morning, just as Xiao Tiance finished cultivating, he sensed the crystallization of Dou Qi within him nearing completion. His strength was on the brink of fully recovering, and he felt unusually calm.
However, a powerful aura suddenly surged from outside Iron Sword City, growing more oppressive with each passing moment. The sky in the distance seemed to warp under the immense pressure, and the air within the city grew stifling.
"Such terrifying energy," Xiao Tiance thought, stepping to the window. "Compared to Liu Changkong and Wan Sui's late Ninth Grade Sovereign strength, this presence is far more suffocating. If I'm not mistaken, the dean of Tianqiong Academy has arrived."
The visitor moved with astonishing speed, seeming to traverse space itself. Within moments, the aura reached Iron Sword City, and Wan Sui and Liu Changkong flew out to greet the intruder. Both wore grave expressions; this was a power they knew well but had not anticipated.
A Familiar Rival
Wan Sui sneered, but his tone carried a mocking undertone. "Well, well, the dean of Tianqiong Academy graces us with his presence. Spreading your aura across thousands of miles afraid no one will greet you properly at Iron Sword City?"
From the sky came a booming, cheerful laugh. "Ah, Wan Sui, always so warm and welcoming! And look, Liu Changkong is here too! To think I'd have the honor of being greeted by both of you I'm truly touched."
Despite the jovial tone, Wan Sui and Liu Changkong's faces darkened further. In years past, the two of them combined could match the Tianqiong Academy dean in combat. But now, after years of the dean's seclusion and cultivation, they weren't so confident.
Meanwhile, the oppressive energy affected the entire city. Cultivators below the Sovereign level found themselves immobilized, their bodies stiff with fear. Even Xiao Tiance felt his spiritual energy momentarily suppressed before a flicker of array patterns on his body restored him to normal.
"Impressive," Xiao Tiance mused. "As expected of the Tian Cang Continent's strongest. He's likely already stepped into the threshold of Upper Earth Sovereign."
The Dean Arrives
Above Iron Sword City, a massive spatial rift tore open, and a scholarly looking middle aged man stepped through. Accompanying him were over ten Sovereign level experts, each wearing the insignia of Tianqiong Academy on their robes.
Wan Sui gritted his teeth, cursing under his breath, "Old bastard, always so arrogant." Yet outwardly, he smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. "Dean of Tianqiong Academy, your visit brings immense honor to our humble Iron Sword City."
The dean laughed heartily. "Wan Sui, no need for flattery. You wouldn't happen to be planning to ambush me with a sword mid sentence, would you?"
His mocking tone made it clear he held Wan Sui in no regard. Even with Liu Changkong standing beside Wan Sui, the dean remained unimpressed.
Liu Changkong Intervenes
Not wanting Wan Sui to lose further face, Liu Changkong stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Dean, it's been some time. I didn't expect to meet you here."
Feigning surprise, the dean responded, "Ah, Liu Changkong! My apologies I must be getting old, not to notice you right away. How rude of me!"
The dean's exaggerated politeness only deepened the humiliation. His followers chuckled openly, enjoying the sight of two of the Tian Cang Continent's top ranking Sovereigns being mocked.
Old Rivalries
Liu Changkong couldn't hold back his annoyance. "Old scholar, do you ever tire of this act? Every time we meet, it's the same game. Is it truly so amusing?"
The dean smirked, unfazed. "Of course! After all, during my years of seclusion, your Tianluo Hall took every opportunity to trouble Tianqiong Academy. Now that I've returned, isn't it only fair I repay the favor?"
Xiao Tiance Observes
From his vantage point, Xiao Tiance quietly observed the interaction. Though he hadn't met the dean personally, he had long heard of Tianqiong Academy's reputation. Moreover, the academy had connections to individuals who might hold the key to finding his missing companions.
As the dean and his entourage descended on Iron Sword City, Xiao Tiance's mind raced. "It seems the Western Heaven Continent's ancient ruins have drawn the attention of every major force. I'll need to tread carefully this trip may be far more complicated than I anticipated."
(Chapter End)
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