Chapter 14: Whispers of Vengeance: A Tiger's Growing Stripes
The tent, once a silent witness to hostility and distrust, was now filled with a different kind of energy – that of confidence and an unspoken loyalty. Under the influence of the celestial energy, Viper Princess Sael, now simply Sael, had fully recovered. Her meridians were not only as strong as before, but even purer and more powerful due to Liam's pristine cosmic energy. Her Golden Core, once damaged, was now fully revitalized and shone with even greater brilliance. She had entrusted her life and her loyalty to Liam, and this resolve was evident in her every action.
Sael took her pledge seriously. She began to impart her years of experience and vast knowledge to Liam. They spent hours discussing the politics of the various tribes and empires in the Outer Reaches. Sael provided insights into the internal structures of the Desert Viper Clan, their secret techniques, and their weaknesses. She explained how Old Man Vile was a cruel and cunning leader, but his ambition often overshadowed his judgment. She also elaborated on other powerful clans like the Ironfist Clan, known for their brute strength, and the Whispering Wind Sect, masters of illusion.
Liam absorbed all this knowledge like a dry sponge. His star-mark vision and the foundation of the Star Emperor's Scripture allowed him to integrate Sael's experiential knowledge with his cosmic understanding. He could now not only comprehend how techniques worked but also grasp the fundamental cosmic principles behind those energy flows. His own Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation rapidly advanced with Sael's practical insights. He felt his Foundation had become an impregnable fortress, and his spiritual ocean had grown even vaster and purer than before.
"Your comprehension is incredible, Liam," Sael remarked one afternoon, her voice now devoid of its usual arrogance, carrying only awe and admiration. "You absorb the knowledge I impart so quickly, it's inconceivable. It's as if you already know it." Her eyes, once filled with suspicion, were now completely focused on Liam, deeply interested in his every word.
Liam merely offered a small smile, keeping his true source hidden. "It is part of my destiny," he said, allowing the blue particles in his eye to shimmer for a moment, a subtle hint of his cosmic insight.
With Sael's help, Liam further strengthened the Cloud Serpent Tribe's defense system. He utilized the principles of advanced Golden Core defensive formations he learned from Sael, integrating them with the cosmic insights from his own Star Emperor's Scripture. The result was an impenetrable spiritual array that was not only powerful but also so intricate that detecting and breaking it was almost impossible. The tribe members, who already regarded Liam as a deity, now looked at him like a sorcerer, watching him manipulate sand and wind at his mere will.
While the tribe's defenses grew, unrest brewed in the outside world. The Desert Viper Clan had become aware of their Viper Princess Sael's disappearance and Old Man Vile's humiliating defeat. Old Man Vile's rage, like that of a wild beast, could be felt from afar. He was plotting revenge, desperate to restore his clan's reputation.
"Liam," Sael said one evening, a grim expression on her face. "We should expect an attack from the Desert Viper Clan soon. Old Man Vile will stop at nothing for revenge. He will go to any length to defeat us."
"He won't come alone," Liam stated, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. His cosmic perception allowed him to sense spiritual fluctuations from afar, beyond the normal range of the Desert Viper Clan. "He will form an alliance."
Sael's eyes widened. "An alliance? With whom? No single clan in this region is powerful enough to ally with another Golden Core clan and attack an unknown enemy with such a strong defensive array."
"Power," Liam said simply. "And greed. Old Man Vile will spread rumors about the Cloud Serpent Tribe's secretly growing strength and the Behemoth's treasure. He will entice clans willing to take the risk."
Liam's assessment proved accurate. A few days later, news arrived that the Desert Viper Clan had formed an alliance with the Whispering Wind Sect, a clan renowned for its illusory tricks and deceptive attacks. The leader of the Whispering Wind Sect, Elder Zephyr, was a Golden Core Realm peak stage cultivator, and his techniques were so mysterious that tracking them was almost impossible. This was a dangerous combination: the Desert Viper Clan's brutal force and the Whispering Wind Sect's elusive maneuvers.
"What shall we do, Liam?" Elder Kai asked, concern evident in his voice. "Two Golden Core Realm clans... our array is powerful, but how long can we withstand the combined assault of such formidable opponents?"
Liam took a deep breath. His Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation was now at its peak, indicating an imminent breakthrough. He could feel his cosmic dantian was so pure and dense that it was almost ready to burst into the next realm. But he knew he couldn't undergo a breakthrough before the battle. Doing so would deplete all his energy, leaving him exposed at his most vulnerable moment.
"Sael," Liam said, his eyes turning to her. "What are the weaknesses of the Whispering Wind Sect?"
Sael's eyes gleamed. She shared all her knowledge. "The Whispering Wind Sect relies heavily on its illusory techniques. Their true strength lies in their ability to create illusions and to shatter them. Elder Zephyr is known for his speed and elusive maneuvers."
"And their main weakness?" Liam pressed.
"Once their illusions are broken, their defensive power is average," Sael replied. "Their attacks are swift, but indirect. They prefer to confuse their opponents, then ensnare them in their trap."
Liam nodded. He had already gained some profound insights into the nature of energy flows through his Star Emperor's Scripture, which could allow him to differentiate illusions from reality. "Elder Kai," Liam said. "Gather all able-bodied cultivators in the tribe. We need to discuss our strategy."
Liam laid out his plan in detail. They set up traps on the outer perimeters, not just physical barriers, but subtle spiritual patterns that could disrupt the Whispering Wind Sect's illusions. Liam taught the Cloud Serpent Tribe members new ways to utilize their spiritual energy, making them more resistant to incoming deceptions.
He assigned Sael a crucial role. "Sael, your Golden Core Realm power, even if still recovering, is invaluable to us. I want you to focus on shattering Elder Zephyr's illusions from our rear. With your Viper Clan insights and my guidance, we can nullify their tricks."
Sael nodded, a new determination in her eyes. "As you wish, Liam." Her loyalty was now absolute.
As the final preparations were underway, Liam felt his Foundation Establishment Realm reaching its very peak. His dantian was now so filled with pure cosmic energy that it felt as if it was about to burst. It was a clear sign of an impending breakthrough to the next realm. But he knew he couldn't undergo the breakthrough before the battle. Such an act would consume all his energy, leaving him utterly defenseless at the most critical moment.
One night, Liam sat alone in his new residence, gazing at the star-filled sky. A strange unease stirred in his heart. He knew the coming battle would be a fight for their very existence.
Just then, a soft knock came from his residence door. Liam looked up. Sael stood at the doorway, an unusually soft expression on her face. In her hand was a small bottle, from which a sweet, earthy scent emanated.
"Liam," Sael whispered, a strange tenderness in her voice. "You have reached your limit. I sensed you are on the verge of a breakthrough. But you cannot do it before the battle."
Liam nodded. "It is a risk I cannot afford to take."
Sael stepped closer to him, a solemn expression on her face. "This... this is a secret spiritual medicine of my clan. It is called the 'Viper's Nectar Drop'. It can temporarily suppress your breakthrough, stabilize your energy, and give you a short-term power boost, making you fully prepared for battle." Her eyes shimmered. "But it has a drawback. It will slightly destabilize your cultivation base, making future breakthroughs a bit more difficult, and you will have to bear its after-effects."
Liam looked at the bottle, then at Sael. Her eyes held a strange softness, a deep concern that rarely showed through her usually stern demeanor. "Why are you giving this to me, Sael? It's a secret medicine of your clan."
Sael looked up, her eyes firm and tender. "Because... you are my Savior, Liam. You gave me a new life, a power I thought I had lost. This is the least price I can pay." Her voice softened even further. "And... I do not wish to lose you." A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, a rare sight that contrasted sharply with her usual rigid self. It was a rare, unspoken moment, a testament to the growing bond between them.
Liam took the bottle, his fingers brushing against Sael's. He felt a slight tingle. He looked into Sael's eyes, and for a moment, a deep, unspoken understanding passed between them. This was not merely loyalty; it was something more, something that could deepen with time.
"Thank you, Sael," Liam whispered, feeling a strange warmth in his heart. He knew this medicine could save his life.
He opened the bottle, and without hesitation, swallowed the 'Viper's Nectar Drop'. A cool, sweet energy flowed down his throat, instantly stabilizing his turbulent cosmic energy, turning it into a powerful, yet controlled, force. His Foundation Establishment Realm was now fully prepared for battle.