Chapter 349: Parting Ways
"Lord Tiance, on behalf of Black Dragon, I sincerely apologize. To express my goodwill, here is a top tier divine ability I acquired by chance. I hope you can let go of your grievances and spare Black Dragon this time."
In the Ancient Secret Realm, Ye Qingqing's words left Xiao Tiance slightly surprised. Divine abilities were incredibly rare treasures, let alone a top tier one. Even among the superpowers of the Great Thousand World, divine abilities were not something they had in abundance.
However, Xiao Tiance quickly understood her intent. Ye Qingqing wasn't offering a more advanced ability because she lacked one, but rather to provide him a dignified way to de escalate the situation.
Xiao Tiance wasn't afraid of the Heavenly Dragon Clan, Black Sky Ancient Clan, or True Phoenix Clan, but he knew it wasn't the right time to provoke these superpowers. Not until he reached the Heavenly Sovereign Realm would he truly be able to confront such giants.
His sharp gaze shifted to the Black Dragon in his grasp. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he threw Black Dragon into the distance.
"Today, thanks to Miss Ye's intervention, I'll spare you. But if you dare oppose me again, prepare a coffin in advance. Next time, I'll make sure there's not even a place to bury you," Xiao Tiance said coldly.
Black Dragon, caught mid air by Black Phoenix, stumbled as they landed together. Their eyes burned with hatred as they glared at Xiao Tiance. But neither dared utter a word of retaliation, knowing full well that any provocation might cost them their lives.
"Thank you, Lord Tiance. Here is the divine ability I mentioned," Ye Qingqing said, producing a scroll from her storage artifact and offering it with both hands.
Xiao Tiance glanced at it but didn't accept it. Smiling faintly, he said, "There's no need for the divine ability. Miss Ye, your goodwill is enough.
After all, it wasn't you who wronged me it was Black Dragon and Black Phoenix. Killing them would indeed bring me trouble, and I assume you made this offer with my best interests in mind. So please, keep the scroll."
Ye Qingqing's eyes glimmered with admiration. She had indeed calculated that Xiao Tiance, despite his strength, would face significant repercussions if he killed Black Dragon. But she hadn't expected him to directly acknowledge her intentions, even saying it openly before the crowd. Such confidence and candor were rare.
Not far away, Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er exchanged a glance. They both understood the reasoning behind Xiao Tiance's decision but couldn't help feeling indignant on his behalf.
Of course, if Xiao Tiance knew their thoughts, he would likely laugh and say: "There's nothing humiliating about this. When you lack the strength to dominate, you endure. It's just how it is."
"Get lost," Xiao Tiance said coldly, turning his icy gaze on Black Dragon and Black Phoenix. "Don't let me see you again. If I do, not even the protection of your three superpowers will save you from death."
"Hmph," Black Dragon and Black Phoenix snorted inwardly but dared not reply. Bowing stiffly, they said, "Xiao Tiance, we'll meet again. Let's see if you're still this arrogant when that time comes."
After throwing a grateful glance at Ye Qingqing and the youth accompanying her, the two transformed into streaks of light and disappeared into the horizon.
Now, only the members of the Western Heavenly Battle Hall remained. Xiao Tiance turned his attention to the aged Winter Elder, who opened his mouth to speak. But before he could, Ling Zhanzi interjected hurriedly.
"Lord Tiance, we apologize for our actions! I have a Grandmaster level Divine Ability Scroll to offer as compensation. Please, forgive us this once."
Xiao Tiance didn't immediately respond. Instead, he turned to Ye Qingqing and asked, "Miss Ye, I assume your Tai Ling Ancient Clan doesn't have much of a relationship with the Western Heavenly Battle Hall?"
Ye Qingqing smiled gently and replied, "Lord Tiance, you're absolutely correct. We have no ties to them whatsoever."
She caught Xiao Tiance's implication: "You're not planning to meddle in my business with the Western Heavenly Battle Hall, are you?"
Although Ye Qingqing had initially considered stepping in to ease tensions, she knew better now. Xiao Tiance had already spared Black Dragon and Black Phoenix, granting her enough respect and by extension, her Tai Ling Ancient Clan. Intervening further would only be overstepping.
"Lord Tiance, since you still have matters to resolve here, I won't intrude further. Lin Shu and I will take our leave," Ye Qingqing said gracefully, bowing slightly before departing with the youth.
With them gone, the confrontation boiled down to the Western Heavenly Battle Hall and Xiao Tiance's group.
Xiao Tiance finally broke the silence, his voice cold and decisive: "I'm someone who repays every grudge and every slight. You tried to kill me earlier now it's my turn to hunt you down.
If you escape, I'll consider the matter closed. But if you don't…"
"You're going too far, Xiao Tiance!" Winter Elder bellowed, his face flushed with anger.
"Shut up," Ling Zhanzi snapped, cutting him off. He turned to Xiao Tiance, bowing deeply. "Lord Tiance, what terms would satisfy you? Name them, and if it's within our power, we'll comply."
The others Xiao Xuan, Gu Xun'er, Lin Dong, Luo Tianshen, and Dean Tianqiong remained silent, awaiting Xiao Tiance's decision.
Xiao Tiance surveyed the group before sighing lightly. "Ling Zhanzi, it's not up to you to make deals on behalf of the Western Heavenly Battle Hall. You're not Western Heavenly Battle Sovereign you can't decide anything."
After a pause, he added, "Forget it. Leave. This time, I'll let you go. But once we're out of this secret realm, remember to release Tian Luo."
Hearing this, Ling Zhanzi's tense expression relaxed, and he bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Tiance! We will do as you say."
As the Western Heavenly Battle Hall's members hurriedly retreated, Gu Xun'er approached Xiao Tiance with a playful smile. "Uncle Tiance, why let them go so easily? Wouldn't it be more satisfying to teach them a proper lesson?"
"Little Xun'er," Xiao Tiance said, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Sometimes, patience achieves more than a show of strength. We'll deal with them in due time."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't mind testing just how powerful the Western Heavenly Battle Sovereign really is."
With Xiao Tiance's cold declaration, Ling Zhanzi and the others were left stunned. They hadn't expected Xiao Tiance to let them leave without demanding any conditions.
"Are you really letting us go?" Ling Zhanzi asked uncertainly.
"Leave. Before I change my mind, get out of my sight," Xiao Tiance responded coldly.
"Thank you, Lord Tiance, thank you!"
Ling Zhanzi expressed his gratitude profusely before leading the Western Heavenly Battle Hall's people away as quickly as possible.
In no time, only Xiao Tiance's group remained. Xiao Xuan approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder with a sigh. "Tiance, you let the Western Heavenly Battle Hall go for our sake, didn't you?"
Xiao Tiance nodded but then shook his head with a faint smile. "Yes and no.
These people aren't much of a threat. The only real concern is the Western Heavenly Battle Sovereign. He's a Heavenly Sovereign at the Celestial Rank. If I had killed all of them here in the secret realm, who knows how a deranged Celestial Rank expert would react?
We came to the Great Thousand World to establish a powerful force and to witness its grandeur, not to become entangled in endless feuds. It's better to let them go now and see if they fulfill their promise to return Tianluo. If not, we'll face them again when the time comes."
Xiao Xuan laughed, his mood lightening. "Tiance, you don't need to worry about us. Just follow your heart and do what you think is right."
"Ha, it's not about doing whatever I want. The waters of the Great Thousand World run deep, and many forces out there are far stronger than us. Until we have the strength to stand against them, some compromises are necessary.
But believe me, Brother Xuan, it won't be long before we won't need to look at anyone's face to make our decisions. Do you trust me?"
"Of course!" Xiao Xuan laughed heartily. "If I didn't trust you, who else could I trust in this world?"
Nearby, Lin Dong spoke up, bowing slightly. "Lord Tiance, since this matter is settled, I'll take my leave. Thank you for the information earlier. Once I find Huanhuan, I'll come back and share a drink with you."
"Wait!"
Before Lin Dong could leave, Xiao Tiance retrieved a jade pendant from his storage ring and tossed it over.
"Lin Dong, this is a messaging jade. If you encounter trouble you can't resolve in the Ice Spirit Clan, send me a message.
The Ice Spirit Clan is a superpower with Heavenly Sovereign level experts. The Great Thousand World's superpowers often band together. If you need help, let me know. As long as I receive your message, I'll come."
Lin Dong was visibly moved and carefully stowed the jade pendant before bowing deeply. "Thank you, Lord Tiance. If I truly run into trouble, I won't hesitate to call for your help."
"Until we meet again," Xiao Tiance said with a smile.
"Until we meet again," Lin Dong replied before transforming into lightning and vanishing.
After Lin Dong's departure, Gu Xun'er approached Xiao Tiance with a mischievous smile. "Uncle Tiance, you seem to have a lot of faith in Lin Dong."
"Of course," Xiao Tiance said with a chuckle. "You believe that Xiao Yan will become a Great Thousand World powerhouse, and I believe Lin Dong's achievements won't fall short of his.
Mark my words. Within a hundred years, Lin Dong will be one of the Great Thousand World's top powerhouses. Let's wait and see."
Everyone present gasped. Xiao Tiance's judgment was rarely so high. He hadn't even spoken about the Western Heavenly Battle Sovereign a Celestial Heavenly Sovereign with such confidence. For Lin Dong to receive such high praise was truly astonishing.
Seeing their surprise, Xiao Tiance laughed lightly. "All right, everyone, go seek your fortunes. It would be a shame to leave this secret realm empty handed.
After today, I doubt the Western Heavenly Battle Hall will bother us again before we leave. Take this time to find your own opportunities while I search for mine."
Gu Xun'er was the first to speak. "Uncle Tiance, I'll be heading out now. Earlier, I sensed Brother Xiao Yan's aura in the southeast. I want to see if I can find him."
"Go ahead, little one," Xiao Tiance replied with a nod and a smile.
"Thank you, Uncle Tiance. Uncle Xuan, Lord Luo Tianshen, Dean Tianqiong farewell!"
After bidding farewell to everyone, Gu Xun'er disappeared in a flash. Soon after, Xiao Xuan, Luo Tianshen, and Dean Tianqiong also departed, each seeking their own opportunities.
Now, only Xiao Tiance and Shi Hao remained. Shi Hao, who had hidden himself during the earlier battles, now stood nervously before Xiao Tiance.
"Lord Tiance, I…" Shi Hao stammered.
Xiao Tiance waved him off with a smile. "Thank you for the intelligence you provided during this time. You've been a great help."
"It it was nothing. Just what I should do," Shi Hao stammered, overwhelmed by the unexpected gratitude.
"No, it wasn't 'nothing.' You've been a great help to me. Here's the deal I'll grant you a promise. If your Desolate Wild Sect ever faces trouble it cannot overcome, send me a message, and I'll help," Xiao Tiance said warmly.
Shi Hao hesitated, his expression complicated. "Lord Tiance… actually, the Desolate Wild Sect no longer exists.
Three thousand years ago, it was destroyed by a demon race from outside the realm. I was traveling at the time and escaped by sheer luck. Since then, I've been calling myself the sect leader, but I'm the only one left.
Now, I have nowhere to go. If you don't mind my weak strength, I'd like to stay by your side, serving you however I can."
(Chapter End)
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