Chapter 96: Xiao Tiance Takes Action The Stone Clan's Shi Zhongtian, and the Spirit Clan's Ling Hua (Double Chapter)
Central Plains, Tianji Tower Headquarters
Within the Nine Dragons Ascend Array, Tian Luo darted forward once more. His target was still Hun Shengtian, refusing to let up despite the fierce resistance.
Hun Shengtian showed no fear, even though Tian Luo's power surpassed his own. With the Gate of Silence in hand and the combined might of the Deathly Domain Array, he and his fellow saints had nothing to fear.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In just a few moments, the two clashed a dozen times. Tian Luo, though powerful, was unable to inflict significant damage on Hun Shengtian.
From outside, Hun Tiandi quietly exhaled, relieved that the Deathly Domain Array was holding strong. It gave him the confidence to confront even the most formidable foes. Yet, he refrained from provoking Xiao Tiance, knowing full well that pushing him into action could tip the scales irrevocably.
Outside the Array
Xiao Tiance stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the Gate of Silence in the hands of the Four Demon Saints. The Soul Clan's dominance rested on their infamous Deathly Domain Array, but Xiao Tiance's aim was clear: he needed to destroy the Gate of Silence.
If Tian Luo or Huang Jiuji could seize even one Gate of Silence, the Soul Clan would lose its most critical advantage.
"Third Uncle, should I join the fight?" Xiao Qing, itching for battle, asked eagerly.
Xiao Tiance shook his head, his voice calm but firm. "Not yet. Be patient. Your time will come soon."
Xiao Qing nodded and stepped back, suppressing his excitement.
Ten Minutes Later
Xiao Tiance formed a series of intricate seals with his hands. Moments later, Tian Luo and Huang Jiuji were forcibly ejected from the array. Even the combined might of the Four Demon Saints and their array failed to trap them.
"Lord Xiao! I almost had the Gate of Silence!" Tian Luo exclaimed, frustration evident on his face.
Xiao Tiance waved dismissively. "No need. Rest now. It's my turn."
His gaze swept over Tian Luo and Lao Huang. Aside from some tattered clothing, neither bore any injuries a testament to Lao Huang's resilience. The strength of a nine star Dou Sheng tier Tian Yao Puppet was extraordinary. Even when struck directly by the Gate of Silence, neither bore so much as a scratch.
The gathered Xiao Clan members felt their spirits lift. If Tian Luo and Lao Huang, as strong as they were, had failed, then their clan leader a figure even more formidable surely held the power to turn the tide.
The Clash Begins
Xiao Tiance stepped forward, his figure rising into the air until he was level with Hun Tiandi and his group.
"Hahaha! Hun Tiandi, so this is the great Deathly Domain Array of the Soul Clan? It seems its reputation is exaggerated it couldn't even scratch them!" Xiao Tiance laughed mockingly.
Hun Tiandi's expression remained neutral, but the Four Demon Saints erupted in anger.
"Come inside if you dare!" one of them roared.
"Pointless," Hun Tiandi interrupted coolly, his gaze steady.
"Oh, it's far from pointless," Xiao Tiance replied, his tone dripping with mockery. "Hun Tiandi, this must be the second time you've suffered humiliation at my hands. Any thoughts? Why not share them now, while you still have the chance?"
A flicker of fury crossed Hun Tiandi's eyes but vanished quickly. He replied coldly, "I admit you're remarkable. If you were part of my Soul Clan, I wouldn't hesitate to hand over my position as clan leader.
"But in my eyes, you'll never surpass Xiao Xuan. No matter how strong you are now, you'll always fall short of him."
Xiao Tiance burst into laughter. "Resorting to cheap mind games, are we? Let me guess next, you'll propose a one on one duel if I deactivate the array, promising to acknowledge my superiority if I win.
"Let me save you the trouble. Your ally Void Swallowing Flame hasn't found the array's weak point, so now you're hoping I'll lower my guard. Sorry, but I'm not foolish enough to fall for such a trick. Today, Hun Tiandi, this will be your grave!"
As his words rang out, Xiao Tiance's seals activated. Above the array, nine colossal dragons of varying colors coalesced, their forms radiating a terrifying presence.
"Roar!"
The nine dragons bellowed in unison, their cries reverberating across the heavens. The sheer power of their roars left weaker fighters trembling, their faces pale with fear.
Unlike the Taixu Ancient Dragons, these dragons bore the appearance of Eastern divine dragons, coiled and majestic. Their overwhelming aura filled the battlefield, causing even Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame to falter.
The Final Gambit
Hun Tiandi's aura surged violently as he glared at Xiao Tiance. "So, your earlier maneuvers sending those two puppets in were merely to buy time."
Xiao Tiance smirked. "Exactly. And you've played your part beautifully. Thanks for cooperating."
Hun Tiandi's eyes darkened, and the killing intent around him thickened. He realized the truth: the opportunity to act had passed. Now, with the array fully activated, the overwhelming power of the nine dragons would soon unleash devastation upon them.
"Xiao Tiance, you've outmaneuvered us again," Hun Tiandi admitted, his voice low but filled with rage.
Xiao Tiance laughed coldly. "Let's not waste time. Let's end this farce."
With a wave of his hand, the nine dragons roared once more, their immense forms descending upon the trapped Soul Clan elites like judgment from the heavens.
"Not bad, Xiao Tiance. You truly live up to your name as the strategist of the Xiao Clan's Three Prodigies. If I had known this day would come, I would have killed you long ago, even if it meant risking a confrontation with Xiao Xuan. Then you wouldn't have had the chance to flaunt your power today!" Hun Tiandi's voice was filled with both regret and resentment.
Xiao Tiance smirked. "Enough chatter. I've bought all the time I needed. If you think I'll let you stall further, you're gravely mistaken!"
With a wave of his hand, the nine colossal dragons let out deafening roars before charging ferociously toward the nine Soul Clan elites.
"Quick! Four Grand Elders, activate the Deathly Domain Array! Void Swallowing Flame, be careful!" Hun Tiandi roared as he mobilized his Dou Qi, slamming a powerful palm strike toward the incoming dragons.
Boom! Crash!
As the two forces collided, a moment of eerie silence blanketed the battlefield before an earth shattering explosion erupted, shaking the heavens and the earth.
Before the smoke could clear, the dragons roared again.
"Roar!"
The nine dragons retaliated, unleashing a torrent of elemental fury: lightning, hurricanes, firestorms, floods, sandstorms, radiant light, falling meteors, boulders, and glaciers all converging into a devastating assault.
"Retreat! Now!" Void Swallowing Flame shouted as his black flames surged wildly, forming a shield that allowed him to pull the Four Demon Saints and their Deathly Domain Array out of the attack's range.
Hun Tiandi exhaled in relief, surrounding himself with dark smoke as he launched another attack. "Ten Thousand Souls Devour the Heavens: Shatter!" he bellowed, unleashing a formidable blast that neutralized the dragons' barrage.
Yet before he could recover, six of the dragons vanished. In the blink of an eye, six massive tails whipped forward, slamming into the six Soul Clan elites.
"Pfft!"
The Four Demon Saints spat blood as they were sent flying. Even Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame couldn't avoid the impact, their bodies flung hundreds of meters before stabilizing. Blood trickled from the corner of Hun Tiandi's mouth.
"So strong!" Void Swallowing Flame muttered, his face dark with disbelief.
Hun Tiandi stared at the dragons, his voice trembling slightly. "Spatial movement? But why can't I sense any spatial fluctuations?"
Void Swallowing Flame's expression turned grim. For Hun Tiandi, such a commanding figure, to be injured in their second exchange with Xiao Tiance, was nothing short of shocking.
"We need to find the array's weakness now. Cover me," Void Swallowing Flame said grimly.
Hun Tiandi nodded without hesitation. "Hurry. These dragons' attacks are overwhelming. If I keep taking them head on, I won't be able to assist you later."
Outside the Array
Xiao Tiance's smirk deepened. "As expected of the Nine Dragons Ascend Array, a peak grade Level Nine formation. Each attack rivals a blow from a nine star Dou Sheng. But this isn't enough I need to finish this quickly to avoid complications."
Xiao Tiance had no intention of showing mercy. His philosophy had always been clear: eliminate all threats decisively.
Whether it was the hundred Dou Shengs of the Soul Clan centuries ago or the countless enemies he faced during his six century journey across the Dou Qi Continent, none had ever escaped his wrath.
His hands moved rapidly, forming intricate seals. The nine dragons split into three groups. One dragon began to obstruct Void Swallowing Flame as he searched for the array's weakness. Four dragons assaulted Hun Tiandi, while the remaining four unleashed their fury on the Four Demon Saints.
Within the array, chaos reigned as destructive attacks rained down from the dragons, igniting a battlefield of fire and fury.
A New Development
Meanwhile, spatial ripples appeared in the southeast of the Tianji Tower. Xiao Tiance glanced over but quickly dismissed the disturbance.
Moments later, Xiao Qing and Tian Luo reappeared in midair.
"Tianji Tower is conducting official business. Leave immediately if you have no part in this," Xiao Qing declared coldly, addressing the newcomers hidden in the void.
"Well, well," a hearty voice replied, breaking the silence. "When did members of the Xiao Clan become so timid as to not announce their presence in the Central Plains?"
As the words echoed, two middle aged men stepped out from the void.
Xiao Qing's expression darkened as he recognized them. Yet, he still cupped his hands respectfully and greeted, "So it's Clan Leader Shi Zhongtian of the Stone Clan and Clan Leader Ling Hua of the Spirit Clan. This junior, Xiao Qing, greets the two seniors."
The two men were indeed Shi Zhongtian, leader of the Stone Clan and an early eight star Dou Sheng, and Ling Hua, leader of the Spirit Clan and a peak seven star Dou Sheng. Though weaker than Xiao Qing, their seniority and status demanded respect.
"Hoho, Xiao Qing, nephew, the Xiao Clan truly has no shortage of talent. For you to grow to this level during your clan's seclusion it's enough to make us old men feel ashamed!" Ling Hua said with a hearty laugh.
Shi Zhongtian, however, snorted coldly. "Since when were Dou Shengs above five stars allowed to roam the Central Plains so freely?"
Xiao Qing's expression darkened further, but before he could respond, Tian Luo interjected with a chilling laugh. "Stop pretending. I'll give you ten seconds to leave or die."
"You!"
Shi Zhongtian and Ling Hua bristled, their tempers flaring. As ancient clan leaders, they were unaccustomed to such blatant disrespect.
Yet before they could retort, Tian Luo's aura exploded outward, revealing the unmistakable might of a nine star Dou Sheng at its later stage.
"Nine star Dou Sheng!"
The two gasped audibly, their anger quickly replaced by shock.
"Nine seconds remaining." Tian Luo's icy voice cut through the air as he began counting down.
Shi Zhongtian's gaze turned frosty. He looked to Xiao Qing. "Is this the Xiao Clan's way of treating its allies?"
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